HomeKit Need urgent help with Smart Home

[AJW009]

So I’m trying to look into a Smart Doorbell/lock, plus an indoor camera for my cat. My partner and I both have a MacBook, iPad and iPhone each, and we also have an Apple TV too. But getting started is such a complicated process, especially for the smart doorbell/lock.

I have a physical disability, so the smart doorbell/lock is to allow me to see who is at the door on my phone, warn them I’m on my way but I’m moving slowly today, or even let them in from the sofa. However I want to have a physical doorbell still, like a smart lock that still has a key use (a bit like you can see in the image above).

This brings up issues with whether I have the right lock as part of my existing door (and as a renter I probably won’t be able to change the door), and whether I have a chime now (which is probably broken), and whether this is compatible with the smart doorbell I might buy, and whether that comes with a chime of it’s own. I think I’ll only be able to do a smart doorbell, but I just don’t know.

When it comes to the pet camera, I want to think ahead and make sure it’s compatible with the smart doorbell, any potential smart lock in the future (ahead of a future move), and a wider smart home ecosystem. I don’t know whether I have to stick to only HomeKit compatible devices or whether the CHIP plans of Apple, Google, and Amazon had means I have more options.

As you can see I have some knowledge, but I’m still a bit lost and need some hand holding through this.

 

[Itinj24]

First, to mitigate any confusion, CHIP (CHOIP) has been renamed to Matter.

Secondly, you have to pick a smart home platform and stick with it. When Matter rolls out, it’s not necessarily going to be an all inclusive app, combining Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, etc… The different platforms will still be there but what “Works With Matter” will mean is that the particular device will be able to work with all participating Matter smart home platforms.

That said, it’s best to start out with picking a platform that works best for you. Pretend Matter doesn’t and won’t exist for a moment. If you’re more security and privacy minded, with much less accessory options to choose from, HomeKit is for you. If you want the most abundance in accessories but don’t wear a tin foil hat, Alexa or Google could work. I prefer HomeKit because I want to be all in on one ecosystem. Meaning, I already have iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches which gives me an all inclusive voice assistant (Siri) and the deep integration. If I must need more devices that don’t support HomeKit natively, then there’s HOOBs and HomeBridge (those require a whole separate discussion). If you like the Nest cameras, you can look into the Starling Hub which will get Nest cameras into HomeKit. I have experience with it and a Nest Hello doorbell and it’s been nothing short of awesome. Starling just released a firmware that puts newer Nest cameras into HomeKit Secure Video and the newer upcoming Nest Video Doorbell should have that support as well.

If you’ve chosen HomeKit as your platform, I’d wait a few months or so before purchasing a lock. There’s a new feature called HomeKey that allows you to use an iPhone and/or Apple Watch to lock/unlock a door using NFC. Schlage just announced one that should be coming soon. It also retains all the normal smart lock functions and I believe their model will have a physical key lock as well. Unless you have some type of 24” thick solid steel vault for a door, they’re all pretty standard. Take a pic of your door and current lock and post it so we can see what you’re working with.


As for a camera, there are plenty of options out there. What are some of your requirements? Battery vs mains power, field of view, Do you want one that doubles as a ZigBee Hub with more features? Stand-alone Wi-Fi vs Base station, storage capability types (SD Card, HKSV, third party cloud based)?

You’re going to need to answer some questions as well. Do you have a current chime with a transformer? If not you’re likely going to need a battery powered video doorbell with auxiliary chime, unless you can get a transformer installed.

 

[steve knight]

if your a renter I would go this way for the lock. https://august.com/products/august-...OdmXIlLcCoh3MM7kxqx9x69VmPkYVJsRoCRrYQAvD_BwE