Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors Gain HomeKit Support

[MacRumors]

Signify has released new Philips Hue Contact Sensor firmware that adds support for Apple HomeKit, reports Hueblog.com.

Previously the indoor sensors could only be controlled through the Philips Hue app's Security Center. Now, after updating to the new firmware (1961076030), they appear in the Home app, where users can use the "open" and "closed" status of the sensors to create automations and control other HomeKit devices that are not connected to the Philips Hue Bridge.

Released in September, the Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensor can be applied to doors, windows, cabinets, and more, sending notifications when the contact sensor is opened or closed. Users can remotely activate an alarm that flashes the lights, sounds a siren, and contacts local authorities, plus there are options for customizing camera settings.

As with Philips Hue Secure cameras, the sensors can be linked to lights to activate them when the sensor is triggered, so they can be used for things like turning on the lights in the bathroom when the door is opened.

Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors are priced at $40 for one or $70 for a two-pack, and various mounts and other add-on hardware can be purchased for $15 to $50. More information is available on the Hue website.

Article Link: Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors Gain HomeKit Support

 

[ralph_sws]

pleasant surprise that you don't have to buy a new hardware revision, just update the firmware

 

[victorvictoria]

That's nice, but not really useful without a monitoring service.

 

[meridiusuk]

If it’s anything like there indoor motion sensors no thanks. They worked for months and now they changed something and they no longer obey the light sensor and turn my lights on in the day. Had to remove them all what a waste of money.

 

[tazinlwfl]

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…

 

[Jaro65]

That's nice, but not really useful without a monitoring service.

There is no monitoring service. You're right. They do offer "Philips Hue Secure" which will send you notifications when your cameras or sensors detect motion.

 

[icanhazmac]

My Christmas wish... Apple security system to compete with Ring.

 

[norcom]

These are somewhat pointless without being able to set off a LOUD ALARM on your iDevices. I have the EVE motion and door/window sensors. How do I have HomeKit WAKE ME UP when I'm away and a sensor's triggered? All I get is a tiny bloop sound. I think I tried the alarm sound shortcut through the homepods but it wasn't that great and still doesn't solve the away issue. I don't want to have to start some Music shortcut. I want it to be the alarm siren without 3rd party integrations; already doing that.

My custom HomeAssistant integration to the old security system and sensors has Twillio configured to call me and read the details of the alarm. That's about the only way I'll notice things.

 

[MrRom92]

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…

There are a few others, Eve makes one, Aqara makes one, Eufy makes one, Meross makes one…. I’m not sure which of these do or don’t require a hub of their own ecosystem though. Which is why having another option on the market is always good. I happen to have a hub for Hue devices, and one of my Aqara cameras also acts as a Zigbee hub for Zigbee devices though I don’t actually have any yet, it is a nice-to-have feature in case I ever need to add one.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…

Honestly of all things the Hue Bridge is the most reasonable part. I know it seems like an extra expense, but if you’re going to get expensive Hue bulbs anyway, the bridge is what makes them better than all the other junk light bulbs on the market.

Without the bridge, just get their cheap Wiz bulbs. But the bridge makes the response nearly instant. Well, when used directly anyway. Siri still acts she has to get up from a comfortable chair and walk across the room to turn the lights on.

Edit: I realize I only talked about bulbs and this is about door sensors specifically, but the point still stands. Anything decent is going to require or at least strongly recommend a hub.

 

[philstubbington]

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…

I’ve got an Eve door sensor which I’ve had for years. Works very well and is HomeKit compatible so you don’t need anything other than a HomeKit hub.

 

[mystery hill]

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…

Eve supports Thread and Matter.

 

[seek3r]

I just built and installed a whole raspberry pi/homebridge based system using reed switches on doors to handle this across my house, the whole project cost less than one of these (plus my time admittedly), I'm amazed these cost quite as much as they do, I'd expect them to be half the price

 

[ChromeAce]

How we are over a decade into this stuff and there’s still nothing on the market that will simply announce on all my HomePods which door has been opened?

 

[McWetty]

I love Hue (35 products and counting) but $35-40 for a contact sensor is a bit rich. Especially when Eve’s 3-pack is $70 right now. Maybe if the Hue 2-pack comes down to reality in the $40-50 range I’ll test them out.

 

[philstubbington]

I love Hue (35 products and counting) but $35-40 for a contact sensor is a bit rich. Especially when Eve’s 3-pack is $70 right now. Maybe if the Hue 2-pack comes down to reality in the $40-50 range I’ll test them out.

Even worse in the UK where Hue don't sell (AFAICT) any packs!

 

[jicon]

How we are over a decade into this stuff and there’s still nothing on the market that will simply announce on all my HomePods which door has been opened?

I did a quick search... and wondering if an app similar to Pushcut might help, alongside some something like IFFT or shortcuts.

 

[xizdun]

Now if only Philips Hue added HomeKit support to its cameras. I would ditch the perpetually unresponsive Logitech Circle cameras in a heartbeat.

No Response
This camera is not responding.

 

[CarAnalogy]

How we are over a decade into this stuff and there’s still nothing on the market that will simply announce on all my HomePods which door has been opened?

A combination of a lack of standards, and of Apple treating HomeKit like a back burner hobby project.

Actual security systems have had that feature for years, and I also think until recently Apple specifically was reluctant to get into any security aspect of it due to potential liability.

Considering their top pitch for the Apple Watch and iPhone is literally that it decreases your chance of dying in a horrible accident, I'd hope they are more comfortable approaching the market now.

 

[philstubbington]

Now if only Philips Hue added HomeKit support to its cameras. I would ditch the perpetually unresponsive Logitech Circle cameras in a heartbeat.

View attachment 2313641
No Response
This camera is not responding.

I have this problem with mine generally after a power cut. Unplugging and plugging it back in sorts it out. It feels like it’s a bit too quick in expecting the fibre broadband connection to work.

 

[Apples Apples Everywhere]

I have the Eve version of this product and the ER14250 battery is only available online for me. This product uses a CR2 battery which I appreciate.

 

[name99]

These are somewhat pointless without being able to set off a LOUD ALARM on your iDevices. I have the EVE motion and door/window sensors. How do I have HomeKit WAKE ME UP when I'm away and a sensor's triggered? All I get is a tiny bloop sound. I think I tried the alarm sound shortcut through the homepods but it wasn't that great and still doesn't solve the away issue. I don't want to have to start some Music shortcut. I want it to be the alarm siren without 3rd party integrations; already doing that.

My custom HomeAssistant integration to the old security system and sensors has Twillio configured to call me and read the details of the alarm. That's about the only way I'll notice things.

You can get a wired siren (just make sure it is dumb, so that it makes noise whenever it has power, no fancy features) then plug it into a smart plug...

 

[name99]

I have the Eve version of this product and the ER14250 battery is only available online for me. This product uses a CR2 battery which I appreciate.

Yeah, the Eve version with its battery is REALLY frustrating. Wish I'd known about that stupidity before I bought it.

 

[name99]

Eve supports Thread and Matter.

Also Onvis, which I have been happy with, and is cheaper than Eve.

Also (*if you like experimenting*) Wyze used to make door/window sensors. Hooking them up is kinda weird (they connect through a Wyze camera) and you need to run Homebridge or something similar to get them into HomeKit. But they work well enough and were crazy cheap at the time I bought them.

 

[james2538]

Honestly of all things the Hue Bridge is the most reasonable part. I know it seems like an extra expense, but if you’re going to get expensive Hue bulbs anyway, the bridge is what makes them better than all the other junk light bulbs on the market.

Without the bridge, just get their cheap Wiz bulbs. But the bridge makes the response nearly instant. Well, when used directly anyway. Siri still acts she has to get up from a comfortable chair and walk across the room to turn the lights on.

Edit: I realize I only talked about bulbs and this is about door sensors specifically, but the point still stands. Anything decent is going to require or at least strongly recommend a hub.

Ya, my two hub based smart home products (Lutron Caseta previously and now Phillip Hue) are light years more reliable than anything just running off WiFi.

Just started transition from smart switches over to smart bulbs recently and love it. Didn't realize how much of a difference color temperature made. Plus it's nice having more granular control.