HomeKit HomeKit Consultant?

[stubeeef]

sounds like you know exactly what you want and dont need consultancy.

best of luck you will need it

Why won't you say why MATTER is a joke?

 

[flynz4]

Gotchya… but OP mentioned having all the mechanical workings in HomeKit, including garage doors and window coverings (which I believe are a part of home security). At that point, might as well have the door locks in there as well.

I actually separate home security and door locks. My definition of “home security” is the actual alarm system. It is the perimeter and interior monitoring of the alarm system and reporting to a monitoring company that I want isolated from HomeKit’s quirks. I want this to be a rock solid dedicated system, not a home hobbyist toy. Most importantly, I want it to make so much noise nobody would be crazy enough to stick around.

I consider door locks more of a convenience feature, but i admit there is a security element to them. The convenience feature is manifested by locking the door behind me even if I forget to, plus eliminating the carrying of keys. It is also useful to unlock the door via Siri prior to leaving the car with arms full of groceries or packages.

Similarly, garage door operation is a convenience feature, which also has a security side benefit. In the old days, we would program the car with a wireless garage transmitter. This is a huge safety issue because someone can easily break into a car, and then open the garage door and have access to the house. I have a buddy who had this happen. With home automation features such as MyQ, the contoller is your phone, and enters the house with you. I also consider the garage as being exterior to my house, and have an electronic door lock (also auto locking) and the door to the house protected by an alarm system.

Security cameras can be either part of the alarm system or home automation system. Their biggest advantage is a their role as a deterrent to crime. They are also great to alert you if an unexpected package is sitting on your doorstep so you can call a neighbor to fetch it for you.

/Jim

 

[erihp]

Why won't you say why MATTER is a joke?

Its implementation and adoption has been painful.

It often causes new problems and headaches non-Matter devices dont have. Many people have upgraded firmware on working devices to Matter, only to have to downgrade have issues they didnt before.

Matter could make things easier for the manufacturer, by making one device that works with all ecosystems. But the reality it hasn't gone smoothly and from the perspective of your Homekit setup, provides zero benefits over a more standard protocol like wifi, or zigbee or zwave.

Unless you just cant get that device from another manufacturer or product line, my advice is to not willingly dive in with Matter. Again there is zero benefits from a technology standpoint.


Perhaps we flip this, why do you think Matter is great? What do you 'get' by using Matter devices vs non-Matter?

 

[stubeeef]

I was interested in what IT SAYS it could do. No experience with any automation yet.

 

[erihp]

I was interested in what IT SAYS it could do. No experience with any automation yet.

Everything that supported homekit before Matter existed does exactly the same things. This is what i keep trying to tell you.

Matter is not a smart home tech that improves anything, or solves any existing problem. All it is is a logo a consumer can look for that will mean it -should- work on 3 major smart home platform that supports Matter. That is it.

 

[Itinj24]

Matter was supposed to simplify the smart home. Instead it has become more confusing. Now you have to also check if the smart home platform you’re using supports the latest matter update and also the device categories within that update.

For example. The latest Matter update is enabling a bunch of home appliances, like ovens, laundry machines, fridges, robo vacs, etc… but HomeKit will only have support for the robo vacs. Imagine buying a washer and dryer with the Matter logo only to find out later that HomeKit doesn’t support it. Talk about confusion.

 

[stubeeef]

I've not done an accounting of the device universe but was of the thought that MATTER made more devices "available" that might not have been HomeKit compatible before.
Its articles like this that had me interested.

Apple HomeKit Matter Integration: What It Means For Smart Home Automation - AppleMagazine

Apple continues to push boundaries in the smart home market by expanding its HomeKit platform. The recent announcement regarding Apple HomeKit Matter integration signifies a significant step toward creating a more unified and interoperable smart home experience. This development aligns with...

applemagazine.com

 

[erihp]

I've not done an accounting of the device universe but was of the thought that MATTER made more devices "available" that might not have been HomeKit compatible before.
Its articles like this that had me interested.

Apple HomeKit Matter Integration: What It Means For Smart Home Automation - AppleMagazine

Apple continues to push boundaries in the smart home market by expanding its HomeKit platform. The recent announcement regarding Apple HomeKit Matter integration signifies a significant step toward creating a more unified and interoperable smart home experience. This development aligns with...

applemagazine.com

Many of us have been integrating non-homekit devices into homekit via homebridge or home assistant for many many years.

They're trying to make Matter a thing, it hasn't gonr smoothly, or quickly at all.

Again, no reason to buy into Matter unless you REALLY like the brand/product.

 

[flynz4]

Many of us have been integrating non-homekit devices into homekit via homebridge or home assistant for many many years.

They're trying to make Matter a thing, it hasn't gonr smoothly, or quickly at all.

Again, no reason to buy into Matter unless you REALLY like the brand/product.

In order to reach the masses, Apple’s home automation ecosystem MUST:

1. Become easier to use
2. Related to #1 above, become more stable
3. Grow in size of ecosystem products to create a more competitive market

Things like Homebridge will never be more than niche for geeks, and out of reach of the masses by violating item #1 above.

Clearly, Apple is not treating this as a priority. This is unfortunate because their base architecture is fundamentally more private than companies like Google and Amazon.

 

[erihp]

In order to reach the masses, Apple’s home automation ecosystem MUST:

1. Become easier to use
2. Related to #1 above, become more stable
3. Grow in size of ecosystem products to create a more competitive market

Things like Homebridge will never be more than niche for geeks, and out of reach of the masses by violating item #1 above.

Clearly, Apple is not treating this as a priority. This is unfortunate because their base architecture is fundamentally more private than companies like Google and Amazon.

i agree but its the reason homebridge even exists, and its extremely stable. ive had 300+ day uptimes casually. they have solidly filled a gap. apple has dropped the ball.

matter doesnt change anything. products with 'homekit' on the box have always worked just fine, without matter

Still no benefits that I can see