HomePod What is the point of HomePod Mini "HomeHub"?

[Bl0ckHe1d]

What is the point of the HomePod Mini being a "Home Hub" and worse, you cannot switch it off? Whereby the Apple TV and iPad allows you to switch off the Home Hub if required.

The HomeKit eco-system [in my opinion] works well from the Apple TV i.e. I get a notification when the Logi Circle camera records an activity or a light is switched on when an Eve Sensor is triggered, however when the Home Hub is switched over to the HomePod Mini none of these activities works.

Begrudgingly, my work around is to switch the HomePod off to allow the Apple TV to re-connect to Home Hub. Am I missing something simple within the HomeKit settings?

 

[StumpyBloke]

Sadly, you are missing nothing. It’s just garbage.

And it’s got even worse with 15 versions of software. Dozens of posts about this already with people wanting exactly the same thing: to disable the ****** HomePods from being home hubs but can’t be done.

Apple in their complete and utter lack of wisdom deem it inappropriate to disable the HomePods.

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

@StumpyBloke thank you for your comment.

Well that is a bummer however I am not surprised! Perhaps this feature may come out on the 16th version of software

 

[Nütztjanix]

I really don't like it that you can't disable the hub functionality. I have two wired tv 4Ks who do a much better job as hubs. But sooner or later one of the HomePod minis takes over, and response times of lights etc. tank.

 

[malcky77]

Is it jut the mini HomePods that have issues when acting as the main home hub?

I have 2 x 4k ATV’s and 4 x original HomePods as available devices to be the home hub and for me it has worked flawlessly no matter which device is the home hub.

I have never been tempted to buy a mini HomePod.

 

[Bl0ckHe1d]

Is it jut the mini HomePods that have issues when acting as the main home hub?

I have 2 x 4k ATV’s and 4 x original HomePods as available devices to be the home hub and for me it has worked flawlessly no matter which device is the home hub.

I have never been tempted to buy a mini HomePod.

For me it feels although the HomePod mini is the main culprit, my HomeKit items function a lot better when the Apple TV is the hub and not the HomePod mini.

i do not have the original HomePod ergo couldn’t comment. Out of curiosity, what iOS are you running on?

 

[malcky77]

For me ALL 4 of my HomePods are on iOS 15.2.

I must be one of the lucky ones, in that my homekit/smart home set up has worked flawlessly from day 1, no matter which iOS version I've been on.....and have been

I reckon it is down to the choices of products used though.....which are as follows:

ALL light bulbs (30+), light strips (15+), dimmer switches (10), motion sensors (6), smart plugs (3) are Philips Hue products....so has its own hub using the Zigbee protocol.

ALL radiator thermostats & Wall thermostat controller are Tado products....so also has its own hub using the zigbee protocol.

For my house Wifi, I use a dedicated 5Ghz & dedicated 2.4Ghz network.....and I....and I alone choose which device connects to which network....and as I type this message there is ZERO items on the 2.4Ghz network......I have done this method for many years and I will continue to do so for ever probably. I believe this is a major part of some peoples problems for many Wifi or smart home related problems when they have a single SSID network for the 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz bands.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I would like to know what the point of any of the HomeKit hubs are as I would still have to buy a separate bridge or hub to use with any smart devices such as lights or plugs.

 

[Nütztjanix]

I would like to know what the point of any of the HomeKit hubs are as I would still have to buy a separate bridge or hub to use with any smart devices such as lights or plugs.

Remote access and the ability to run automations without being home.

This is a good start: HomeKit

 

[malcky77]

The way I look at it.....if a brand of products needs a hub, think of it as the brains of the products that brand offers, so that allows them all to communicate and function correctly for what the end user is wanting to do within its native app....Philips hue app or the Tado app in my case.
So for these products and many other brands items, in order for them to work with Apple Home App.....they need another hub to be used as the brains for it to work on the Apple Home App.

Also.....I DID NOT buy any Apple product for it to be a dedicated Homekit Hub.....iPads are used for iPad things, HomePods were bought to be used as a speaker, Apple TV's were bought to stream and watch TV stuff.......Apple added the function of being a Homekit hub as an extra feature for those that would want to use it......so I did not need to go out and buy a NEW HUB in order to use Apple Homekit.

 

[Shanghaichica]

You shouldn’t really need to buy anything else to get it to work. Alexa and google home devices can run smart lights, plugs and cameras without the need for bridges and hubs.

 

[StumpyBloke]

You shouldn’t really need to buy anything else to get it to work. Alexa and google home devices can run smart lights, plugs and cameras without the need for bridges and hubs.

That’s because those particular devices will have support built-in for Alexa and Google. Those devices which do not have direct support for HomeKit need a bridge.

For example, Eve devices do not need a separate bridge because they support HomeKit natively. Philips hue on the other hand, the bulbs, sensors, switches et cetera do not support HomeKit therefore need a bridge, in this case called the Phillips hue bridge.

 

[Wizec]

You shouldn’t really need to buy anything else to get it to work. Alexa and google home devices can run smart lights, plugs and cameras without the need for bridges and hubs.

I have Meross smart light switches, plugs and lights. Not one of them requires a special hub.

These products simply connect to WiFi and then go through my Apple TV or HomePod:

Meross Smart Light Switch Supports Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant & SmartThings, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required, Single Pole, Remote Control Schedule, 1 Pack

Meross Smart Light Switch Supports Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant & SmartThings, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required, Single Pole, Remote Control Schedule, 1 Pack

www.amazon.com

meross Smart Plug Mini, 15A & Reliable Wi-Fi, Support Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Echo, Google Assistant and Nest Hub, App Control, Timer, No Hub Needed, 2.4G WiFi Only, 2 pack

HomeKit Smart plug 2 Pack

www.amazon.com

meross Smart LED Light Bulb, Smart WiFi LED Bulbs Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa,Google Home & SmartThings, Dimmable E26 Multicolor 2700K-6500K RGBWW, 810 Lumens 60W Equivalent, 1 Pack

meross LED Bulbs Homekit

www.amazon.com

I also have an Eve humidity and temperature sensor that links to my kitchen HomePod mini by virtue of built-in Thread support - again, no separate hub:

Limited-time deal: Eve Weather - Apple HomeKit Smart Home, Connected Outdoor Weather Station for Tracking Temperature, Humidity & Barometric Pressure, Precision Sensors, Wireless, Bluetooth and Thread

With Eve Weather, track your current outdoor temperature, humidity and barometric pressure, and see the weather trend at a glance – on your iPhone or directly on the display. Review current and past climate data, empowering you with insights of the weather on your doorstep. Or ask Siri what the t...

www.amazon.com

 

[Itinj24]

For me ALL 4 of my HomePods are on iOS 15.2.

I must be one of the lucky ones, in that my homekit/smart home set up has worked flawlessly from day 1, no matter which iOS version I've been on.....and have been

I reckon it is down to the choices of products used though.....which are as follows:

ALL light bulbs (30+), light strips (15+), dimmer switches (10), motion sensors (6), smart plugs (3) are Philips Hue products....so has its own hub using the Zigbee protocol.

ALL radiator thermostats & Wall thermostat controller are Tado products....so also has its own hub using the zigbee protocol.

For my house Wifi, I use a dedicated 5Ghz & dedicated 2.4Ghz network.....and I....and I alone choose which device connects to which network....and as I type this message there is ZERO items on the 2.4Ghz network......I have done this method for many years and I will continue to do so for ever probably. I believe this is a major part of some peoples problems for many Wifi or smart home related problems when they have a single SSID network for the 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz bands.

It seems that the consensus is that many don’t want the extra cost and physical space taken up by extra hubs.

I’m going to agree with you though. Most hubs and bridges connect via Ethernet so off the bat, they’re getting the best possible connection. Then to connect to their accessories, protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave and Lutron’s proprietary (ConnectSense, I think it’s called?) are so much faster and more reliable than direct to Wi-Fi. Lutron gets accolades everywhere for the speed and reliability of their switches.

That said, I’m looking into how I can replace most of my devices with something with a hub. All of my cameras are currently Logitech and I’m looking to switch to Aqara possibly. I’ve been using Aqara for a few years now and the sensors are rock solid. Just wish Aqara made an outdoor camera.

Hubs and Bridges are generally not very expensive. I don’t care to install a wall unit or shelving to house these hubs. I’d rather pay extra for speed and reliability in HomeKit. Never have issues with my bridged devices but Wi-Fi on the other hand…

 

[Nütztjanix]

I used to look for devices not requiring a hub, but over the years of my smartphone endeavours found the ones with a hub to be the most reliable ones. WiFi devices to sometimes have hiccups, especially in WiFi-dense environments. Bluetooth is the worst, for lag and range, especially in European style houses (brick/concrete walls and ceilings).
Thread has been reliable so far, as long as you have enough devices to form a decent mesh.