cool thanks! So our current lights should be able to work? I have about 20 and would hate to have to replace them.
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Inside iOS 9: HomeKit Gains Simpler Set Up, Pre-Defined Scenes, Triggers and More
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cool thanks! So our current lights should be able to work? I have about 20 and would hate to have to replace them.
I've already got a home automation setup using the Domoticz open source platform which gives me control over my LightwaveRF switches and sockets, Hue lights, Nest thermostat and even my Logitech Harmony Ultimate.
I've been experimenting with an open source implementation of the HomeKit bridge protocol called homebridge which runs on my server and exposes all of the switches and sockets I've got setup in Domoticz, as well as the Nest and Hue lights (directly rather than through Domoticz) as HomeKit accessories.
The end result being I can control my lights, plugged in lamps, Nest and Hue lights using Siri without needing manufacturer support built in. Having support on the watch is probably the best thing about it.
The weakest link in the whole thing is Siri, as the voice recognition is still pretty poor and if you don't get the commands right it can be a very frustrating experience. A lot of work still needed here. Also, LightwaveRF is a one way protocol so there is no way of determining if a light is on or off other than looking at it (or the physical switch) so its status in the HomeKit database cannot be relied on.
That said it does unify my existing set of devices through a single API on iOS which could make writing apps easier.
Incidentally I never thought to try remote access. I can access my home automation server externally as I've got it setup for secure outside access but I didn't try it with HomeKit. I have an Apple TV so I just disconnected my iPhone from the wifi network and gave it a go and it worked perfectly with very little delay. Impressive!
I've been experimenting with an open source implementation of the HomeKit bridge protocol called homebridge which runs on my server and exposes all of the switches and sockets I've got setup in Domoticz, as well as the Nest and Hue lights (directly rather than through Domoticz) as HomeKit accessories.
The end result being I can control my lights, plugged in lamps, Nest and Hue lights using Siri without needing manufacturer support built in. Having support on the watch is probably the best thing about it.
The weakest link in the whole thing is Siri, as the voice recognition is still pretty poor and if you don't get the commands right it can be a very frustrating experience. A lot of work still needed here. Also, LightwaveRF is a one way protocol so there is no way of determining if a light is on or off other than looking at it (or the physical switch) so its status in the HomeKit database cannot be relied on.
That said it does unify my existing set of devices through a single API on iOS which could make writing apps easier.
Incidentally I never thought to try remote access. I can access my home automation server externally as I've got it setup for secure outside access but I didn't try it with HomeKit. I have an Apple TV so I just disconnected my iPhone from the wifi network and gave it a go and it worked perfectly with very little delay. Impressive!
I just in the last month dove into home kit enabled devices starting with the Lutron Caseta Switches, lamp modules and the Ecobee thermostats. I replaced all of my Nest Thermostats with the Ecobee.
I have to say that they work great and were extremely easy to set up. I can control my lights, lamps, and thermostats with either my phone, Apple Watch, or via siri on either and it works perfect.
All of my lights were previously controlled with the ADT Pulse system that is now very antiquated and I keep loosing connection with some switches that are far from the hub.
My only grip about the lutron is they don't come in any other colors, just white.
Anyways, thats my 2 cents.
I have a bunch of things like Hue lights and WeMo switches. From experience, Hue lights are great, but pricey. WeMo light switches are fantastic and I'd go that route and LED bulbs with any lighting that requires multiple bulbs. I have one fan that has 4 bulbs, if I did that with Hue lights that would cost $200 just to light that item, so stick to just regular LED bulbs and just control the fan from your switch. Also, a nice door sensor so lights come on when you walk-in is much better than geo-fences because geo-fences have some lag on occasion. Usually, they work perfectly, but the door switch never fails.
I get wanting to wait until home kit, but WeMo and Hue will embrace home kit so those are safe buys. If you want a hub in the meantime, SmartThings works and is cheap and their sensors are good and useable on other platforms. Honestly, smart light switches are the most useful, followed by lights, followed by sensors and last is plug-in items. Also, don't install anything into the outlet, it is easy, but overly complicated.
I gave up on automating our house a long time ago. Decided it wasn't worth the effort since manually turning on a light switch isn't so bad. Setting up security cameras was enough house tech work for me.
Well they would of at least announce that the new Apple TV has the hardware to add a Z-Wave or ZigBee devices
I just got an ecobee3 and think it's great. The setup was really easy (running another pair of wires to hook up the humidifier and figuring out how to rewire it wasn't but I got it done *pat on the back*). Even made a couple recipes at IFTTT that say IF I leave MN, THEN ecobee goes into away mode and vice versa.
I hope I'm not the only one confused by HomeKit. Is there a specific HomeKit app to download? I thought that was the point, one app for all your devices. However, when I search the app store, I can't find it. Can't find it pre-installed on my phone, either. What am I missing?
I'm guessing they will. A software update would do this. My guess is they are holding it back for more development, more Home Kit compatible products, or to just be able to have more to announce later this year... maybe all of the above.
I do the same and like you Siri is the weakest link in the system, if you don't say the commands in the exact order Siri expects unexpected events happen rather quickly
Apple is as well-positioned as any company to capture the Smart Home market, which has eluded marketers for over 50 years now, but they still need to address the remaining issues I raised in The Elusive Smart Home.
They "should" be able to show the value proposition online in virtual tours. And the "should" be able to have the phone, watch & tablet be more than the user interface but also a push-marketing tool to suggest enhancements. Let's see if, and how well, they do this. I'll be watching.
They "should" be able to show the value proposition online in virtual tours. And the "should" be able to have the phone, watch & tablet be more than the user interface but also a push-marketing tool to suggest enhancements. Let's see if, and how well, they do this. I'll be watching.
Apple's watch, phones, tablets, and computers can talk to HomeKit devices over Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, but what about ZigBee, Z-Wave, Insteon, HomePlug, and other home automation "standards"? I don't envision Apple adding that capability to phones, but maybe AppleTV?
I hope it comes soon. I have a bridge and two lightbulbs and am looking to ask for more for Christmas. My only issue is that the lights in my house with fans have sockets that are too small, so I also have to replace those. I think they need to work on pricing if this is going to take off. While I love the idea, spending hundreds of dollars to make turning lights on and off is not a financial priority to me and others. I also noticed on the link someone posted in response to your reply that I will also have to purchase a new bridge to replace the one I just bought two months ago if I want to integrate into HomeKit. Which of course, I do.
I just read up a bit on HomeKit. I thought there would be a HomeKit app with iOS 9. Instead, am I to understand that you have to download an app for each different HomeKit item you purchase? That seems silly.
Also, the Phillips Hue lightbulbs and bridge are listed under Apple's HomeKit compatible accessories. I thought it was not compatible yet?
Also, the Phillips Hue lightbulbs and bridge are listed under Apple's HomeKit compatible accessories. I thought it was not compatible yet?
They really need lights for those smaller socket bulbs. I have a few fans lights and bar lights I would love to replace, but the sockets are too small.
That builds on my frustration with the initial cost it takes to have this product. Retrofitting sockets. I bought the bridge and two light bulbs starter pack and will have to wait for present-receiving holidays to expand this.
He probably means that adding transit to 12 cities worldwide is a joke, adding a few banks to Apple Pay in in 3 countries is a not exactly earth shattering, and making a ship or radio better is part of the normal iPhone cycle.
Apple should instead improve the terrible state of its iCloud services including Apple Music, Photos, etc. Fix the many bugs in Yosemite and iOS 8 (Lets hope they did!), and make CarPlay, HealthKit and HomeKit something useable for the masses and not the prototype nerdy demo's they are right now.
If they can do that in their typical Apple style with eye for detail and useability we might actually get somewhere. But unfortunately, I have not seen anything pointing in that direction. That's just a fact if you remove your Apple coloured glasses. They are currently releasing services, software and platforms that are "barely good enough" or beta quality.
In other words, if you don't count all the improvements Apple makes, then Apple hasn't made any improvements at all. Got it!.
That's not what I'm saying, but this industry is moving faster, and the lead start Apple used to have on the competition by being an innovator is becoming shorter and shorter. They used to be able to start small and increase gradually, while making sure they got it right.
That's not the case anymore. They need to perform on all fronts. Fast. And that's really hard causing details and quality to slip. And mind you, I'm not talking about their hardware, their core-business which is still great. I'm talking about their value-added services: platforms, ecosystem, services, software, etc... That's slipping.
Nobody can deny that the Transit additions in Maps is a joke and that it will take them years while Google is moving ahead aggressively. And getting it right from a usability point of view. That's the reality and I'm not happy about it either.
I have Nest thermostats at home realising they will never be compatible with Homekit. And I could not care less because at this point, it's still an empty promise. After >12 months. Some plugs and light bulbs will not change this. Most people don't care about this stuff as it's still far too complex.
Exactly. "Hey Siri, turn off the living area lights". *turns off every light in the house*
I did manage to get Harmony integration working though. The homebridge plugin is broken but I've already got Domoticz connected to my hub so I just exposed the Harmony activities to HomeKit that way.
A small trick was to wrap the activities up in scenes with a single action for better voice control as the activities appear as lights. So instead of "Turn on Watch TV" or even worse "Turn on Turn off Living Room AV equipment" you can just say the scene name, "Hey Siri, Watch TV".
I've looked at HomeKit and frankly it's all talk and very few working products. The one think I DON'T want in a home automation system is fragmentation where there are many "standards" and I end up with an iPhone app for each one of them. We have Apple's HomeKit and Z-Wave and many others. I'd like to buy a light bulb and just score it in and have it work.
So I'm going with "openHAB" http://www.openhab.org This seem mature and certainly does cover all the standards. I'm certain Apple will never even attempt to talk to all the other non-homekit stuff out there. Apple is not going to build a home automation hub. They are going to build another closed universe.
Of course the trouble with openHAB is it requires the user to know quite a bit about the technology. Fine with me I have loads of professional level experience with this kind of stuff. But really I think openHAB is usable by an "enthusiast" without the computer engineering degree. It is free and open source and already does what Apple is trying to do.
My plan is to start out running openHAB on my iMac but I want to migrate to something smaller and ARM based.
So I'm going with "openHAB" http://www.openhab.org This seem mature and certainly does cover all the standards. I'm certain Apple will never even attempt to talk to all the other non-homekit stuff out there. Apple is not going to build a home automation hub. They are going to build another closed universe.
Of course the trouble with openHAB is it requires the user to know quite a bit about the technology. Fine with me I have loads of professional level experience with this kind of stuff. But really I think openHAB is usable by an "enthusiast" without the computer engineering degree. It is free and open source and already does what Apple is trying to do.
My plan is to start out running openHAB on my iMac but I want to migrate to something smaller and ARM based.