Inside iOS 9: HomeKit Gains Simpler Set Up, Pre-Defined Scenes, Triggers and More

[kingtj]

Yep! HomeKit almost feels like a secret product that users aren't supposed to realize is functioning yet, vs. anything intuitive or user-friendly.

I upgraded one of our EcoBee Smart Si thermostats to the EcoBee 3 with HomeKit support (mainly because I really wanted the remote temperature sensor capability to put sensors in several bedrooms), and I have yet to do anything to control it via HomeKit. Honestly, I'm not sure I understand how to even set it up. All I heard was some misc. advertising material claiming I could announce to Siri that I was "going to bed now" and the thermostat would adjust my temperature appropriately.

I also have one of the My-Q garage door openers with iOS remote control, but not sure if there's a way to tie that in yet. (EG. Provides some sort of information that we've left the house for the day to pass along to the thermostat as an additional data point.)

Thanks for this round-up. My experience with HomeKit has been frustrating and the process is completely unintuitive with my Ecobee3. Glad to hear this will get better with time.

 

[masonjames]

For what it's worth, I was able to get Siri working nicely with hue lights and wemo switches this week. I'm using a raspberry pi with an app called homebridge to link up the accessories and an app called MyTouchHome on iOS. Works pretty well.