iOS 9 Could Feature 'Home' App For Controlling HomeKit Accessories

[zone23]

I just hope it will work with my Phillips Hue lights (yay right).

 

[Ed217]

I'm just hoping that this doesn't make my investment into the Z-Wave based equipment over the last several years useless. Maybe there'll be a way to connect/bridge/unite the two standards. Oh well.....

Gear that works today will likely continue to work after HomeKit. HomeKit may not be able to work with it, but OW most existing stuff should be mostly unchanged.

 

[roadbloc]

Yey. Another icon.

 

[6836838]

First three definitions I could find - none of which would cover the Apple Apps.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bloatware

A piece of software, hardware or website that attempts to do too much and becomes utterly useless for users. An example of bloatware would be a word processing application that also tries to be your page layout program, drawing tool, and web browser; absorbing half your hard drive and all your RAM in the process.

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38760/bloatware

1) Applications that are overloaded with features. See software bloat and wares.
(2) Myriad applications pre-installed on a PC by the vendor. Many PC manufacturers are paid by software vendors to pre-install lite versions of their products on the PCs they sell. In addition, some of these applications load at startup, wasting memory and providing a potential for conflict with other applications. For a fee, some retailers offer to rid the new PC of bloatware for their customers.

http://www.techopedia.com/definition/4237/bloatware

Bloatware is software that has unnecessary features that use large amounts of memory and RAM. Software comes to be known as bloatware when it becomes so unwieldy that its functionality is drowned out by its useless features. This is also known as software bloat.

Bloatware is also a slang term for numerous programs that are pre-installed on new PCs. Many of these programs are "lite" or limited trial versions designed to entice new users to buy or subscribe to the full-featured versions.

The original definition if for a single piece of software trying to do too much. It's been bastardised now to include unwanted software in general.

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what is your definition of bloatware then?
for me, stuff i don't use, taking up space, minimal usefulness if any, but compulsory.

A single application trying to do too much and stuff not even relevant to the indented use of that application.

It's a bit different to unwanted software, although I appreciate the word has been bastardised lately.

 

[unplugme71]

I don't think there are many limitations at all. Programs and complex triggers are already supported through a Rules based concept. There is no limit to either the number of rules or the length of each.

Most everything here is local, via a local net. The only cloud part is the Insteon hub, which does use the Internet for comm. Logging is all local, with logs available to view via a Notepad file. If the hub worked locally, that would eliminate most web use as well.

I can do both email and text notifications, both of which require the internet.

Also, since I use a reliable high bandwidth fixed IP web system, my typical web down time per month is measured in a few minutes a month at worst.

Interesting. From what I've been reading with complaints on Insteon Hub is that schedules have a small limit, scenes as well, etc.

The reason I got the ISY 994i was to be able to have a limit-less capability. Also to not be connected to the cloud at all.

The only time I can access my home is when I VPN into my network.

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How is it not home automation when I can disarm my security system and my thermostat adjusts, and my kitchen lights turn on?
Or how is it not home automation when I leave for work my thermostat adjusts to because it knows that i'm away with geo-fencing and my garage door will alert me if I left it open?

https://www.alarm.com/productservices/home_automation.aspx

Yes I pay monthly fee because my system is monitor 24/7.
So most home owners that want a smart home already have a simple security system like a cheap ADT system paying about $40-$45 a month when for $10 dollars more a month I can control security system, door locks, lights, thermostats, garage door, etc.

You also get real time alerts. For example I can put a sensor on a medicine cabinet and get text/push notification. Or if the smoke detector goes off I get alert right away. This actually happen to someone who able to rush back to save his dogs

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this doesn't require wifi or internet connection. It uses a cellular connection so much more reliable then home wifi network

Using an app is not home automation. There's nothing "automated" about it.

Home Automation is walking past a motion sensor, that when it's between sunset and sunrise, the hallway light turns on. All you had to do is your regular task of walking. You didn't press a button, you didn't open an app, you just walked. That's automation.

Pulling your car up the driveway, having the system read the RFID or tag, and opening the garage door and closing it once the vehicle is inside is home automation. You didn't have to open an app, or use the GDO remote, to open the door.

A lot of companies falsely advertise their products as HA when they aren't.

I hope my response clears up what HA is and isn't.

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Homekit has the potencial to be a great thing. Have you seen on how house automation works nowadays?. Miles of cable and settings, its horrible. If they do it the right way,which I believe they will, this is going to make a major difference. After home kit, they are going for Industrialkit and change the industry PLC/automation market that is also horrible to work with.

The only wire I ran was from my controller to the PLM to provide power-line communication. Everything is wireless using RF or you simply replace a wall switch/outlet. Very simple. And to add the device you just tap the set button (on Insteon devices).

 

[Ed217]

Interesting. From what I've been reading with complaints on Insteon Hub is that schedules have a small limit, scenes as well, etc.

The reason I got the ISY 994i was to be able to have a limit-less capability. Also to not be connected to the cloud at all.

I use the Insteon Hub only for issuing commands. All schedules, events, triggers, etc are PC based. They issue the commands and the hub just executes each.