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iHome Launches Outdoor Smart Plug Compatible With HomeKit

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Apr 12, 2001
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iHome today launched the iSP100, a smart plug for controlling outdoor lights, decorations, and small appliances with up to 1,800 watts of power. The three-pin Type B smart plug works with a GFI-enabled outdoor 120V power supply and has a rugged design that is able to withstand the elements of weather.

ihome-isp100-outdoor-plug-800x417.jpg

Like iHome's indoor smart plugs, the iSP100 is compatible with Apple's HomeKit platform, allowing iPhone and iPad users to set schedules and scenes to automate outdoor lighting or whatever is plugged into it. The smart plug can be controlled with Apple's Home app or the iHome Control app from the App Store.


iHome also unveiled a trio of Wi-Fi-enabled, battery-powered smart home sensors, each priced at $29.99, but none of them support HomeKit.iSB01 -- Motion Sensor
iSB02 -- Leak Sensor
iSB04 -- Door/Window SensorThe new sensors can be configured to automatically turn iHome smart plugs on or off should a door or window open, motion be detected, or a leak occur. For example, if a motion detector senses motion in a room, it can trigger the smart plugs in that room to turn on, switching on lights, fans, and other appliances.

ihome-sensors-800x329.jpg

iHome's smart home products can be purchased at select retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, and Home Depot. The iSP100 is available now, while the trio of sensors are listed as "coming soon."

Article Link: iHome Launches Outdoor Smart Plug Compatible With HomeKit
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/16/ihome-isp100-outdoor-smart-plug-homekit/
Hell no to anything iHome. I had three of their indoor Homekit smartplugs. They constantly disconnected from the network. After their last update the plugs would drop network connection after about 10 min then never reconnect. iHome support was barely responsive and no help. Plugs are sitting in a drawer somewhere now.

On the flip side, I have iDevice indoor and outdoor plugs, Philips Hue, and a Schlage Sense. All have been great!
 
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Reactions: Huck
Now I'm torn. iHome with one pleg for $39.99 or iDevice with two plugs (though not controlled separately) for $89.99.
 
Applebot1 said:
I’m wanting something like this for UK. Anyone have any suggestions?
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NightFox said:
Ditto. I've not seen any HomeKit UK plugs, and even the ones that aren't HomeKit compatible seem to be a bit 'dodgy' with poor apps. Of course, the quality of the app ceases to be an issue if it's HK compatible.
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Indoor only, but Eve do a HomeKit compatible plug adapter. I have two and they work well.
 
Overkill. Why do I need 'smart' outdoor lights? I put up holiday lights that plug into an outdoor, multi device outlet with a photocell. Everything comes on at dusk and stays on for a predetermined length of time. Why would I want to have to say "Hey Siri, turn on the lights." ? Sure, there's the cool factor, but for 40 bucks? [/oldmantalk]
 
Boatboy24 said:
Overkill. Why do I need 'smart' outdoor lights? I put up holiday lights that plug into an outdoor, multi device outlet with a photocell. Everything comes on at dusk and stays on for a predetermined length of time. Why would I want to have to say "Hey Siri, turn on the lights." ? Sure, there's the cool factor, but for 40 bucks? [/oldmantalk]
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Hey Siri, turn on the Jacuzzi.
 
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Laird Knox said:
Hey Siri, turn on the Jacuzzi.
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Yeah, this is obviously timed for Christmas lights putting-up time, but I would see it as far more useful for all the other stuff we have plugged in outside. For me, we have lighting for the grill area outside which is constantly getting left on (I completely take the blame here; hands full of grilled meats etc and far too eager to dig in to turn get everything out back turned off). Being able to turn that all off when I'm upstairs in bed and realize there is too much light coming in from the back yard might well be worth $40.

The problem for me with "smart plugs" is that too many of my devices need to be plugged in all the time. Lights and lamps (non-dimmable) are candidates for "smart plugs", but that's the extent of things.

(I don't have a Jacuzzi, but I'd have assumed it stays plugged in all the time to keep water circulating periodically and would need to be hooked up to HomeKit itself to control heat levels, jets, etc, right?)
 
No joke... aside from Amazon (which says they are out of stock and don't know when) every other site/store listed in this article doesn't even recognize that it's a product they carry.

:\
 
jettredmont said:
Yeah, this is obviously timed for Christmas lights putting-up time, but I would see it as far more useful for all the other stuff we have plugged in outside. For me, we have lighting for the grill area outside which is constantly getting left on (I completely take the blame here; hands full of grilled meats etc and far too eager to dig in to turn get everything out back turned off). Being able to turn that all off when I'm upstairs in bed and realize there is too much light coming in from the back yard might well be worth $40.

The problem for me with "smart plugs" is that too many of my devices need to be plugged in all the time. Lights and lamps (non-dimmable) are candidates for "smart plugs", but that's the extent of things.

(I don't have a Jacuzzi, but I'd have assumed it stays plugged in all the time to keep water circulating periodically and would need to be hooked up to HomeKit itself to control heat levels, jets, etc, right?)
Click to expand...
My comment was really just to say there are other uses than Christmas lights. I have over 50 smart lights and switches (track lights on my photos account for 30 of those) around the house. Plus a thermostat and motion sensors. Soon I'll be adding smoke/CO2 sensors. However I use Wink/Alexa rather than Homekit mainly due to the mix of devices I've added over the years.

Basically it is nice to come home and say "Alexa, turn on gallery" and have it light up the living room, kitchen and hallway. Or later "Alexa, turn on movie night" to dim the lights and change the colors.

Outside I mostly have hard wired solutions but did run some lights on the roof line off of a plug in module. At Christmas I have them turn on at dusk but the rest of the year I only turn them on when I have company and we are sitting outside. While a dusk timer would work I don't have to climb a ladder to disable it when I don't want the lights on.

Next step will be changing the exterior lights on my detached garage over to a smart switch so that I can trigger them with a motion detector.

Once you start down the smart path it is easy to find more uses.
 
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