Eve Update Brings its HomeKit App to the Mac

[MacRumors]

Popular HomeKit accessory maker Eve has today announced that its app is now available for M1 Macs.

Via an update, the Eve app can now run on Macs with an M1 chip, allowing users to view their home, create scenes, and control accessories directly from a Mac. Apple forbids accessories from being added on the Mac, but otherwise the app works exactly the same as it does on iOS or iPadOS.

Eve 5 has received a number of visual improvements, such as support for the iPhone 12 lineup's screen resolutions, a native sidebar for the iPad and Mac, and a dark app icon option.

The update also brings a number of improvements to Eve's existing accessories, such as support for schedules with the Eve Light Strip, refinement to the secondary information display for Eve Degree and Eve Room, and improvements to the schedule editor of Eve Thermo. For the third-generation Eve Door & Window, there's a new Thread-enabled firmware update. Thread technology improves connectivity between various accessories by adding a new communication method.

Eve 5 is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Existing users need only update the app to get the new features.

Article Link: Eve Update Brings its HomeKit App to the Mac

 

[EmotionalSnow]

Let’s hope that many more will follow. It will be good for the Mac if many of the most popular iPhone & iPad apps become available for Mac too - maybe then the Mac will finally become more popular.

 

[cheesyappleuser]

This is so exciting.
Looks like it doesn't take that much work for the developer, as the interface is basically identical to the iPad. Only a translucent top bar (with a title?) and it would be as perfect as it could be.
Really hope a lot more follow, the potential of the M1 is huge here too.

 

[LeadingHeat]

I wonder why Apple “banned” the adding of HomeKit devices on the Mac port of the app? Security reasons no doubt, but I’m not researched enough to know the intricacies of this tech. Anyone have an educated guess?

 

[4jasontv]

What's the verdict on Eve products? I have had far fewer issues since we moved from TPLink to Hue. Can I power eve 100% with the hub and local wifi, or do I need to have an active internet connection?

 

[Darth-Kylie]

What's the verdict on Eve products? I have had far fewer issues since we moved from TPLink to Hue. Can I power eve 100% with the hub and local wifi, or do I need to have an active internet connection?

Good products. I’ve been using its Door & Window sensor, (sadly bulky UK) Energy plug and 1st-gen Room for years.

No hub required as they use Bluetooth, which has been a reason for the Eve Extend range extender’s existence. However, with this update it seems existing accessories gain improved connectivity using Thread via HomePod mini. Surprised the article has focused on M1 app compatibility but not mentioned this at all.

internet connection only required to monitor status and control (where applicable) remotely, and no additional hub required, just an Apple device working as your home hub, I.e. suitably configured iPad, Apple TV or HomePod.

 

[Darth-Kylie]

Good products. I’ve been using its Door & Window sensor, (sadly bulky UK) Energy plug and 1st-gen Room for years.

No hub required as they use Bluetooth, which has been a reason for the Eve Extend range extender’s existence. However, with this update it seems existing accessories gain improved connectivity using Thread via HomePod mini. Surprised the article has focused on M1 app compatibility but not mentioned this at all.

The UK Eve Energy desperately needs a revamp, mind. Philips‘ Hue smart plug also has a Bluetooth mode that doesn’t require a Hue Bridge. Significantly more compact, though still a tight fit next to another large plug, and much more affordable.

Energy is £50 from Amazon UK, though I thought it was a bit less than that. Hue rival is £30 and you can get two on offer at Argos right now for £55.

Price is the weakness of some Eve products, but the Bluetooth and battery-powered nature of them is great if you’re a renter (or frequent mover) without permission/ability to more permanently install smart home accessories.

 

[nutmac]

What's the verdict on Eve products? I have had far fewer issues since we moved from TPLink to Hue. Can I power eve 100% with the hub and local wifi, or do I need to have an active internet connection?

Eve is a bit expensive, but their products tend to be better designed than cheaper mass market counterpart from China. Many of their newer Bluetooth products are getting Thread support (supported by HomePod mini and Eero), which should improve the range and responsiveness.

 

[adbe]

I wonder why Apple “banned” the adding of HomeKit devices on the Mac port of the app? Security reasons no doubt, but I’m not researched enough to know the intricacies of this tech. Anyone have an educated guess?

Was it 'banned' or is it just not supported? While an iOS app running under macOS might see a world that looks basically like an iDevice, the iOS libraries it calls are not the standard ones, since they themselves need to interface with the host Mac. If Apple have not implemented the ad-hoc wifi support needed for HomeKit accessory setup, its not going to work.

Notably catalyst also doesn't support this either, so Apple's own Home app is gimped on macOS.

 

[4jasontv]

Good products. I’ve been using its Door & Window sensor, (sadly bulky UK) Energy plug and 1st-gen Room for years.

No hub required as they use Bluetooth, which has been a reason for the Eve Extend range extender’s existence. However, with this update it seems existing accessories gain improved connectivity using Thread via HomePod mini. Surprised the article has focused on M1 app compatibility but not mentioned this at all.

internet connection only required to monitor status and control (where applicable) remotely, and no additional hub required, just an Apple device working as your home hub, I.e. suitably configured iPad, Apple TV or HomePod.

Hmmm. Your description sounds good, but the Amazon reviews don't seem to flatter them. Did they put all their R&D into connectivity and fail to make the products live up to the price tag?

Since delivery folks have completely abandoned the notion of knocking I want a camera that can notify us when someone approached my door. And, of course, HomeKit support. Seems like all the good doorbell solutions require a wired doorbell or for them to ring to activate the camera. Could I point their camera out a window that has cars passing by 15 feet away and only get notified when a person was there and see more than my window screen?

 

[4jasontv]

Eve is a bit expensive, but their products tend to be better designed than cheaper mass market counterpart from China. Many of their newer Bluetooth products are getting Thread support (supported by HomePod mini and Eero), which should improve the range and responsiveness.

Nothing can be more expensive than exclusively buying Hue products, so a bit it will likely feel like a discount.

 

[adbe]

Hmmm. Your description sounds good, but the Amazon reviews don't seem to flatter them. Did they put all their R&D into connectivity and fail to make the products live up to the price tag?

Their problem is the reliance on BT which is for most people measurably slower and less responsive than WiFi. Thread will help this greatly, but you'll need to a) own a HomePod Mini, and b) shop carefully cos currently only Eve and LiFX support it, and even there only on some products.

The other problem with Eve *in the US* is that their battery powered devices often take 1/2AA batteries which are rare as rocking-horse crap over here, and usually require spinning the eBay roulette wheel to source.

 

[name99]

Was it 'banned' or is it just not supported? While an iOS app running under macOS might see a world that looks basically like an iDevice, the iOS libraries it calls are not the standard ones, since they themselves need to interface with the host Mac. If Apple have not implemented the ad-hoc wifi support needed for HomeKit accessory setup, its not going to work.

Notably catalyst also doesn't support this either, so Apple's own Home app is gimped on macOS.

Not to mention the scanning of the bar code is problematic (fixed camera placement on the MacBooks, no camera for mini).

 

[name99]

Their problem is the reliance on BT which is for most people measurably slower and less responsive than WiFi. Thread will help this greatly, but you'll need to a) own a HomePod Mini, and b) shop carefully cos currently only Eve and LiFX support it, and even there only on some products.

The other problem with Eve *in the US* is that their battery powered devices often take 1/2AA batteries which are rare as rocking-horse crap over here, and usually require spinning the eBay roulette wheel to source.

WTF? AA batteries are rare? I have no idea where you live but in LA I can get them at any grocery store, not to mention a pack of 48 or so at Costco.

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

www.costco.com

 

[Darth-Kylie]

Their problem is the reliance on BT which is for most people measurably slower and less responsive than WiFi. Thread will help this greatly, but you'll need to a) own a HomePod Mini, and b) shop carefully cos currently only Eve and LiFX support it, and even there only on some products.

The other problem with Eve *in the US* is that their battery powered devices often take 1/2AA batteries which are rare as rocking-horse crap over here, and usually require spinning the eBay roulette wheel to source.

This. I have lived in two properties while using Eve stuff. A small maisonette and a small house. I expect some of those reviews might come from people with homes that are large and/or with structures that block signal.

 

[Darth-Kylie]

WTF? AA batteries are rare? I have no idea where you live but in LA I can get them at any grocery store, not to mention a pack of 48 or so at Costco.

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

www.costco.com

Other reader means 1/2-length AA, which is what Door & Window requires. They are indeed a pain to find in the UK too. I’ve only ever bought from a seller on Amazon.

1st-gen Room/Weather use full-size AAs.

 

[adbe]

WTF? AA batteries are rare? I have no idea where you live but in LA I can get them at any grocery store, not to mention a pack of 48 or so at Costco.

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

Kirkland Signature AA Alkaline Batteries, 48-count

www.costco.com

1/2AA are not AA. Pretty obvious that I can source AA batteries just fine, no?

That said, Ace Hardware apparently now sells them, which is a major step up from this time last year when pretty much no-one but batteriesplus and newark carried them.

Saft Lithium 1/2AA 3.6 volt Electronics Battery LS 14250 1 pk - Ace Hardware

www.acehardware.com

 

[adbe]

Other reader means 1/2-length AA, which is what Door & Window requires. They are indeed a pain to find in the UK too. I’ve only ever bought from a seller on Amazon.

Oddly enough I once picked up a pack while traveling the UK from a discount store (Aldi or Lidl probably) purely cos they were there. First time I'd ever seen them retail, so I figured things must be easier in Europe. They weren't saft branded though, and they lasted less well than the ones they replaced.

 

[DaneLA]

On one hand, I am happy to see a decent HomeKit app coming to the Mac. On the other, I don't see myself getting a new computer for several more years so being limited to M1 Macs doesn't do me personally much good.

I've been waiting years to control my HomeKit lights from my laptop Control Center, why doesn't Apple realize this should exist?

 

[insomniac86]

Their problem is the reliance on BT which is for most people measurably slower and less responsive than WiFi. Thread will help this greatly, but you'll need to a) own a HomePod Mini, and b) shop carefully cos currently only Eve and LiFX support it, and even there only on some products.

The other problem with Eve *in the US* is that their battery powered devices often take 1/2AA batteries which are rare as rocking-horse crap over here, and usually require spinning the eBay roulette wheel to source.

EDIT: Ah you mean the ½ AA (ER14250). Yes, they are harder to find. However they are easy to get from eBay/Amazon or any larger supermarket. In Australia they sell them at JBHifi stores which are very common and within 15 minutes drive of pretty much anywhere.


AA being rare? WTF??? I believe that the double A battery is the most common battery ever made and used everywhere in the world. Like literally every corner deli/store/shop/fuel/gas station stock them by the thousands.

 

[name99]

1/2AA are not AA. Pretty obvious that I can source AA batteries just fine, no?

That said, Ace Hardware apparently now sells them, which is a major step up from this time last year when pretty much no-one but batteriesplus and newark carried them.

Saft Lithium 1/2AA 3.6 volt Electronics Battery LS 14250 1 pk - Ace Hardware

www.acehardware.com

The statement made was "The other problem with Eve *in the US* is that their battery powered devices often take 1/2AA batteries which are rare as rocking-horse crap over here, and usually require spinning the eBay roulette wheel to source."

All my Eve equipment uses AA so I assumed that was what was meant. Apparently the complaint is not about "all" Eve equipment is is specifically about Eve Door & Window.
I think it's better to refer to these batteries as ER14250. Even when I started to understand that you mean "half AA length" that's still not a great description because there are also A23 batteries which also look like "half AA length" but are 12V (as opposed to ER14250 which are 3.6V, and AA which are 1.5V)
I guess you can't fight idiomatic usage, but I personally would not use a term like 1/2AA.

 

[4jasontv]

You are assuming

Assuming what?

 

[name99]

Assuming what?

God damnit! This stupid commenting system ALWAYS holds onto random pieces of comments that you started but abandoned and closed the window, because you saw someone else had dealt with the issue.

Sorry about that, just ignore it.