HomeKit Blog

HomeTags, a new NFC scanning app from developer Christopher Hatch, which focuses on launching HomeKit scenes, has hit the App Store today. While the ability to use NFC tags for HomeKit controls has been added through personal automation in iOS 13, HomeTags simplifies the process and only launches HomeKit scenes.

• Control your HomeKit setup by simply touching NFC tags. This app allows anyone who has an iPhone 7 or later to program NFC tags and assign them to HomeKit scenes.
• Add the HomeTags widget to the lock screen for fast scene triggering
• Use background scanning (iPhoneXs and above) to provide quick link notification that allows you to quickly open Hometags and trigger the scene without manually opening the application

With just 3 steps, users can program an NFC tag to play their favorite scenes, making it an excellent choice for various applications. A label on an office can light a nearby lamp or a label on an entrance door can run a scene that turns everything off before you go out. With the right label and HomeTags, the process can be completed in about a minute.

The HomeTags app also works with older iOS devices, dating to iPhone 7, which is not an option for personal automation, as they are limited to iPhone XS / XR and later. However, older devices have some limitations because they cannot scan NFC tags in the background, which means that the HomeTags application must be open for it to work.

HomeTags is now available for free, without in-app purchases from the App Store.

eufy is preparing for another product launch next month, the latest being a smart door lock. Eufy Smart Lock Touch is the company's first foray into the connected lock market and includes a few notable features, such as fingerprint recognition.

In addition to the fingerprint, which is listed as having 0.3 seconds of scanning, the eufy Smart Lock Touch has a digital keyboard, application access, and an "original key" that we assume is a physical key. The door lock is completely wireless, providing smart home access via Bluetooth and is battery powered, which is rated up to 365 days of use. Rounding out the feature list is an IP65 water resistance grade, a built-in security chip, and automatic locking functionality.

Details on voice assistance or smart home integration have not yet been provided, otherwise it will work with the eufy Security application that is available for both iOS and Android. The company's current security accessories, such as its smart cameras and video bells, support Alexa Amazon, Google Assistant and Apple's HomeKit. We addressed eufy for some clarifications regarding the compatibility of the block and will be updated accordingly.

The Eufy Smart Lock Touch will be available starting May, with a retail price of $ 179.99. eufy also plans to launch 2 indoor rooms, both supporting HomeKit and come at an amazingly low price, each under $ 50. eufy also plans to launch HomeKit Secure Video support for eufyCam 2 and 2C sometime in May.