Cync Interior room on one edgeSource: Savant Systems

What you need to know

  • The Savant's C by GE smart home brand is now Cync.
  • The name change comes with a new application experience and three new smart home accessories.
  • The first Cync smart accessory will be available in March.

Even though CES 2021 does not officially start until next week, Savant Systems starts the party early, announcing some major changes to the C by GE smart home line. Significant changes include a rebrand to Cync, a new mobile app that will come later this year, and more new smart home accessories.

"This is going to be a really exciting year as we continue to launch innovations that will make the benefits of the smart home more accessible, easier to install and control through a single simple application experience," says Paul Williams, CEO of Products and Growth, GE Lighting, a Savant Company. "It's an ideal time to develop our C by GE brand in Cync, a new brand that best reflects how all our smart home solutions connect easily and work together seamlessly for a complete smart home experience." which can be customized to the lifestyle of each consumer. "

After the acquisition of GE Lighting - which includes the C by GE line last year, the rebrand to Cync streamlines and simplifies things for consumers and opens the door to additional accessory categories for Savant. Savant plans to expand its existing product line with several new smart home accessories outside the world of lighting controls, including an indoor camera, a smart outdoor socket and a fan switch.

VPN offers: lifetime license for $ 16, monthly plans for $ 1 and more

Cync Indoor smart camera on a wall with closed shutter

Source: Savant Systems

While none of Cync's new products are revolutionary for their respective categories, Savant's offerings show some key differences that set them apart from the competition. For example, the Cync Indoor smart camera includes a unique privacy shutter that physically locks the lens on demand, as well as turning off the sound for complete privacy. The camera can also operate independently of the cloud, with a microSD cartridge slot that keeps everything local and, of course, for those who just want to set and forget it, a subscription service is also available.

Cync Outdoor Smart Plug

Source: Savant Systems

The Cync Outdoor Smart Plug has two sockets connected in a weatherproof design that can power the outdoor decor and more throughout the year. The external jack offers two hub-free connectivity options - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so users can turn it on on home networks or directly on mobile devices in minutes. Once connected, the two outlets can be controlled independently by applications and voice controls by integrating with Alexa and the Google Assistant.

Finally, the Cync Fan Speed ​​smart switch is a wall-mounted solution for ceiling fans, allowing owners to choose from four different speeds without having to leave the comfort of the sofa. In addition to on-demand controls, programs can be created for custom convenience throughout the day, and the switch can be bundled with other Cync accessories for potential automation.

Cync mobile app screens

Source: Savant Systems

In addition to the new name and accessories, Savant also introduces a revamped mobile app that promises an easy-to-use design, more personalized lighting controls and a few new features. With the new app, users will be able to experience a new TrueImage feature that allows for a preview of lighting conditions and colors in the home using photos captured by mobile devices, and the updated app will also serve as a way to control existing C accessories from GE, so that no one is left behind with the changes.

The launch of Savant's Cync will start in March with the aforementioned mobile application and the launch of Outdoor Smart Plug. The Cync indoor smart camera will follow in May, with the smart fan speed switch scheduled for launch in June, although exact dates and prices have not yet been revealed. Further details on all the latest products can be found at gelighting.com.

We may earn a purchase commission using our links. Find out more.

The best
AV receivers for home theater and music
iMore
2021

If you are ready to take your next movie night or album play to the next level, then you need one of the best AV receivers for home theater and music. The latest receivers support all the latest technologies, such as Dolby Atmos surround sound, when combined with the best Apple TV, as well as wireless streaming AirPlay 2, so they offer quite a lot of boom for the dollar. Here is our guide to the best AV receivers for home theater and music on the market today.

The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

Employee choice

The 5.2-channel Yamaha RX-V4A receiver offers the latest and greatest audio formats and technology, such as Dolby Atmos and 8K image support, at a price that won't break the bank. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity allow convenient streaming and wireless control via Siri via AirPlay 2, Alexa and the Google Assistant.

1612038514 665 The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

For those who just want great sound at a great price, the Sony STR-DH590 receiver provides up to 725 watts of camera shake power on 5.2 channels. The Sony receiver has five HDMI ports capable of 4K with HDR, and the built-in Bluetooth allows you to play music from most phones and tablets with ease.

1612038515 900 The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

With seven huge HDMI ports and 4K 120Hz passthrough, the Denon AVR-X2700H promises games without delay for all the latest consoles. This loaded 7.2 receiver also supports 8K videos, along with plenty of other state-of-the-art features such as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, HDR10 + and wireless streaming via AirPlay 2.

1612038517 280 The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

If you're just getting started with your home theater, Nakamichi's Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 gives you everything you need for a more immersive experience - four surround speakers, two subwoofers and a sound bar. The Shockwafe system supports up to three devices via HDMI, each capable of 4K video and Dolby Atmos, and the audio output can reach up to 1,000 watts of power.

1612038518 70 The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

The Marantz SR8012, although expensive, exceeds and exceeds the typical home theater configuration, offering 11.2 channels of surround sound at 205 watts each. Multiple channels allow spatial audio experiences or 3D surround sound, through formats such as Aura 3D and DTS Virtual: X, and of course, this receiver also supports standards such as Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.

$ 2,499 on Amazon

The best AV receivers for home theater and music 2021

If you plan to use your home theater for music, then it is worth considering Denon AVR-S750H with AirPlay 2 sound, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and multi-camera HEOS. In addition to putting your music library and popular streaming services at your fingertips, this handset also works with Alexa and Google Assistant for full on-demand voice controls.

  • $ 500 on Amazon

  • $ 500 at Best Buy

Create the home theater of your dreams

Whether you’re upgrading your existing media set or looking to get past your boring TV speakers, the best home theater and music AV receivers will definitely make your movie night of your dreams. The best receivers provide multiple sound channels that complement the rooms with the latest surround sound formats, such as Dolby Atmos. With networking features, everyone in the house can immerse themselves in their favorite albums on demand through apps and voice commands.

We love the YAMAHA RX-V4A 5.2-Channel AV receiver for its incredible combination of price, power and features. With 8K passthrough, this receiver will be ready for the next wave of high-definition content, and with convenient wireless streaming through formats like AirPlay 2, your songs are never just a touch away.

Looking for a simple plug and play home theater experience for your household? Then check the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 SSE Soundbar System. This one-box home theater system delivers 1,000 watts of power on four surround speakers and not one - but two subwoofers. Whatever option you choose, the next movie night will never be the same.

We may earn a purchase commission using our links. Find out more.

Ecobee SmartCamera on a table top in front of a windowSource: Christopher Close / iMore

ecobee has announced that the company's HomeKit-compatible SmartCamera has a new low price, making the premium indoor camera more affordable than ever. In addition to the new price, the SmartCamera also gains a suite of new features, including improved tracking capabilities and Spotify integration.

Starting today, the Ecobee SmartCamera with voice control now has a new low price - 129.99 USD (from 179.99 USD), as well as new, highly requested functions.

  • HomeKit Secure Video to securely stream and store videos made on ecobee SmartCamera with voice control on Apple secure servers. To give users extra peace of mind, the Smart Camera uses Apple's iCloud service to securely encrypt and store videos where they stay.
  • SmartFocus v2 to track the movement of more people, pans and enlarge more easily.
  • Spotify Connect to stream anything from Spotify via SmartCamera with voice control.
  • Smoke alarm detection (with Haven subscription) to alert users and family when SmartCamera with voice commands hears the smoke alarm.

Now, starting at $ 129.99, the Ecobee SmartCamera works with both the HomeKit Secure Video and the Ecobee Haven Home Monitoring service, allowing it to integrate with other devices for added security. Accessories that work directly with the SmartCamera via Haven include SmartThermostat, SmartSensor and SmartSensor for doors and Windows ecobee.

VPN offers: lifetime license for $ 16, monthly plans for $ 1 and more

New features include an improved SmartFocus motion tracking system that moves and approaches a subject in its vision more easily. Full Spotify integration is also available now, allowing voice control over the music stream via built-in Alexa features. Finally, through Haven, users can now set their SmartCamera to notify them immediately if it detects a smoke alarm.

The Ecobee SmartCamera is now available at its new low price of $ 129.99, directly from ecobee at ecobee.com. While SmartCamera is also available at various retailers, such as Amazon and Best Buy, prices have not yet been updated to reflect the price decline.

More for less

Ecobees HomeKit compatible SmartCamera gets a new lower price Spotify

ecobee SmartCamera

New year, new features, new price

The HomeKit Secure Video-compatible ecobee SmartCamera gets even better with improved tracking, Spotify and smoke detection. A new low price makes this premium HomeKit camera more affordable than ever.

We may earn a purchase commission using our links. Find out more.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles ReviewSource: Christopher Close / iMore

Even though they have only been around for a few years, it is hard to imagine a time when Nanoleaf's light panels weren't associated with the modern smart home, or acting as a background fixture for your favorite YouTuber or Twitch streamer. With the release of the Nanoleaf Aurora back in 2016, Nanoleaf managed to create an entirely new device category on its own, and it has been adding new shapes and improving on the original design ever since.

It is only natural that Nanoleaf would take what it has learned over the years and apply them to the iconic design of the original, and that is what they have done with the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles — which are now available in two sizes. I have been lighting up my home for the past few months with both sizes of the latest Nanoleaf Shapes, and while they may look familiar, a few small refinements and a new mounting system behind the scenes makes them the perfect light panel. Let's take a look at what makes them the best HomeKit light panels — or smart light panels in general, that you can buy today.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

1612031164 449 Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Colorful connectivity

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles

Bottom line: The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles offer a vastly improved experience over the original Aurora panels with onboard music visualization, touch controls, and an easier to use mounting system. If you are just starting out on your Nanoleaf journey, these are the ones to get.

The Good

  • Two sizes available
  • Bright and colorful
  • Easy installation
  • Supports Alexa, Google, HomeKit
  • Work with other Nanoleaf Shapes

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Permanent mounting hardware not included
  • Uneven lighting near corners

Quick, colorful, and connected

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles: What I like

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Unboxing

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

As previously mentioned, Nanoleaf's latest triangles come in both a standard size and a "mini" variant. The standard triangle measures 9 x 7.75-inches, coming in just shy of the Aurora triangle panels, and weighing 141 grams. The Mini Triangles are — as you may have guessed, significantly smaller and lighter with measurements of 4.5 x 3.8-inches, and a weight of just 40 grams. Panel thickness is the same for both sizes at 0.24-inches, which doesn't make them stand out very far when installed on a wall, and even when they are not illuminated, they just have a cool futuristic look to them with the slim profile.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Backs

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

The light panels have a series of female connectors around the back, with the Mini Triangles having one on each side, and the larger triangles having two on each side. Linking the panels together involves snapping a rigid plastic connector piece to one of the designated areas, and then snapping in the next panel to the exposed portion of the connector. The new triangles work with other recent Nanoleaf panels, like the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagons series, and adding one to my existing set worked just like connecting two of the same shape together. I really like just how easy it is to mix things up, although I did end up using the Triangles in their own installations to add some color to even more parts of my home.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Color Examples

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Each Nanoleaf panel is capable of displaying 16 million different colors and shades of white, although each panel is limited to just one color at a time. For actual light output, the larger Shapes Triangles can reach up to 80 lumens of brightness each, while the smaller Mini Triangles are limited to just 20 lumens. Honestly though, while that may seem like a big difference in output, in my particular installation of the Mini Triangles where they are situated underneath the Nanoleaf Aurora panels — which are rated at 100 lumens, it is really not noticeable at all.

Other hardware highlights include touch sensitivity for each panel, a physical controller that attaches in the same manner as additional panels, and an onboard microphone used for responding to music in the room. The controller includes buttons for adjusting brightness, switching between assigned scenes, turning on the aforementioned music visualizer mode, and toggling the panels on and off. Rounding things out is a power brick that, again, attaches using the same snap in system as the controller and panels, which can power up to 28 standard size triangles and up to 77 Mini Triangles.

Installation and setup

Setting up the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles was a quick and easy affair compared to the original Aurora triangle panels. The latest triangles utilize the newer two-piece system and linkers that we saw with the Shapes Hexagons series, which makes installation a breeze when combined with a set of removable adhesive strips. All it really takes to get up on the wall is a peel, stick, and click, but as you may expect, best results will come with careful planning before jumping in. Although it isn't required, I definitely recommend downloading the Nanoleaf app and trying out the handy Layout Assistant prior to installation.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Connections

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Pairing the Shapes Triangles to the Nanoleaf app is just as easy as installing the panels on the wall, at least for those that use iOS. During setup, the Nanoleaf app will display the familiar HomeKit code scanning interface, which uses your device's camera to link things up. Once connected, the panels will be available in both the Nanoleaf app, and the native iOS Home app without having to go through an additional setup process.

Nanoleaf App and HomeKit

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Nanoleaf App

Source: iMore

Nanoleaf's app provides a plethora of options for the Shapes Triangles, ranging from brightness controls and color changes, to creating schedules and setting up touch actions. The app also gives users the ability to create their own scenes and assign colors to each individual panel as well, which is perfect for power users. One of my favorite things about the app is how it shows off the color palette used by a particular scene in line when browsing, and how you can preview a scene with just a tap — I take advantage of quite often.

Advanced features in the Nanoleaf app include the ability to set Circadian Lighting, which is similar to Apple's HomeKit Adaptive Lighting feature that came with iOS 14. Circadian Lighting allows the panels to automatically adjust white color temperature throughout the day to calm and energize the mind when appropriate. Nanoleaf provides two options for Circadian Lighting: Auto which adjusts the panels based on sunrise and sunset times, and Manual that allows you to set custom times. Both options also give users the ability to tweak the desired color temperature to suit personal preferences.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Home App

Source: iMore

Through HomeKit, the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles can be controlled via the Home app, and via voice with Siri. HomeKit controls include brightness, color, and color temperature adjustments all available on-demand, and the panels are available to use in automation and scenes. As someone who prefers to keep things as simple as possible, I love it when I can get the essential functions without having to jump around or even keep another app installed just for a single device.

Also of note for HomeKit, is that each and every panel is available to be used as a button for HomeKit actions. Yep, you read that right — by purchasing a Shapes Mini Triangles Starter Kit you get five shiny new HomeKit buttons, or seven if you opt for the larger variety. I am always excited by adding more capabilities to HomeKit, so I was ecstatic to get more "buttons" for the home, but as you will read later, it sounds better than it works.

Uneven edges

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles: What I don't like

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Corners

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

For the most part, the Nanoleaf Shapes panels offer a seamless and consistent look when it comes to lighting, but things can vary with some colors and brightness levels. As I saw with the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagons, the triangles do suffer from some unevenness near the corners, which is noticeable with specific colors, but not enough to ruin the overall experience. I will mention that the issue is more pronounced in photos, so what you are seeing in this review are not quite the same in-person.

Another minor complaint that I have surrounds the use of rounded corners now on the bezels for the new triangles. While the softer curves do not look bad at all, I still prefer the harder lines found on the original Aurora triangles, as they just look more futuristic and clean. Speaking of the bezels, I would love to see Nanoleaf push the surface area closer to the edge in the corners, as the "dead" space in between connected panels does impact the look of the finished product, especially when you mix in additional shapes.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Moving over to performance, I did come across an issue where one of the larger Triangle panels would illuminate a different color from the rest on the wall and it also prevented the system from going into paring mode. Once isolated, the rest of the panels worked perfectly, so I chalked it up as being defective and I sent it off to Nanoleaf for review. Another issue that I noticed was that the panels would sometimes struggle to maintain transitions with dynamic scenes like Northern Lights. Every once in a while, I would spot the panels acting slower for a few seconds, then speeding up above the normal transition speed to "catch up".

Finally, as much as I enjoy all of the extras that come with the Nanoleaf app and HomeKit, there are some annoyances and limitations to be aware of. Navigating the Nanoleaf app really takes some trial and error to locate everything, with controls buried under long presses, and advanced settings like Circadian Lighting, being found in not so obvious places. As far as HomeKit goes, I found that using the panels as individual touch buttons was inconsistent, so much so that I stopped using them altogether for now. Also it is a bummer to see that the panels do not support HomeKit Adaptive Lighting as of yet.

The competition

Lifesmart Cololight Plus Review Hero

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Despite Nanoleaf's smart light panels being on the market for a few years now, there isn't a whole lot of competition outside of Nanoleaf itself to be found. Notable contenders include Lifx's Beam and Tile systems as well as the LifeSmart Cololight Plus. However neither match the triangle shape of the latest Nanoleaf designs, and in the case of the Tile, they are incredibly hard to find as they appear to be discontinued.

In my review of the LifeSmart Cololight Plus, I found them to be an affordable alternative that actually offers some features beyond what Nanoleaf currently provides. One is the ability to use LifeSmart's panels on the wall or on a flat surface thanks to a removable stand. Another is the Cololight's ability to display multiple colors across a single panel which leads to smoother transitions and dynamic effects.

If you are not quite sold on the idea of hanging up multiple light panels, or committing to a full-blown starter kit on your wall, the Cololight Plus is a great place to start.

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles: Should you buy

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Touch Controls

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

You should buy this if ...

You want to create your own colorful works of art

Nanoleaf's Shapes Triangles are an excellent choice for those that want a truly customizable lighting experience for their homes. Sure, there are tons of cheap smart bulbs and light strips available, but only Nanoleaf's panels deliver the colorful fun while serving as a functional piece of art. In my home, I have light panels that take on the form of a family member's initials, a set that resembles a large flower, some that just make up basic shapes like a line, and of course, the heart shape as seen in this review.

You want smart home controls over your lighting

Smart home controls take the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles to another level through app connectivity and community features. By connecting the panels to your home Wi-Fi network, you can toggle them on and off on-demand, as well as adjust colors and change brightness levels. Through smart home integration, the panels can be used in automation and scenes with HomeKit, as well as with voice controls through Siri, Alexa, and the Google Assistant.

You plan to expand in the future

With an updated modular connector, the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles work as a base for potential future designs like squares making them a better choice over the original Nanoleaf Aurora triangles. As we have already seen with Hexagon connectivity, the Shapes Triangles open the doors to even more customization, well beyond what you get in the box. Since Shapes Starter Kits include the all-important controller and power supply, you can pick up expansion sets for other shapes without having to shell out for a complete kit.

You should not buy this if ...

You are looking for an affordable smart lighting system

Let's face it, even with the Shapes Mini Triangles sporting the lowest price for a Nanoleaf light panel system to date, they are still expensive. The Mini Triangles Starter Kit only comes with five panels total, and thanks to the smaller size, they do not cover a lot of real estate on the wall. Only having five panels to start also limits design potential, as I struggled with coming up with a unique display for my walls.

You don't plan to use the smart features

While you can setup and use the Nanoleaf Shapes panels without connecting them to your home network, you will miss out on a lot of the extras that truly make them worth considering. Without a smart connection, your panels will be limited to a few pre-programmed scenes, brightness adjustments, and a single music visualizer mode. You will also miss out on remote controls so you will have to walk over to the panels to turn them on and off.

You want to use the panels on a table or desk

Unfortunately, like previous Nanoleaf light panel systems, the newest Shapes Triangles line doesn't come with a stand as they are designed for installation on a wall. Even if a third-party stand were available, the Triangles would look a little odd with the thin profile, and it would be incredibly hard to balance when multiple panels are connected.

If you have always been intrigued by creating your own smart light display in your home, or just want something that adds some instant color and flair, then the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles are an excellent choice. With a new modular connection system that allows you to add other shapes into the mix, you simply won't find a better alternative. However, if you prefer to have something smaller that sits on a desk, or if you don't want to hassle with smart home features, then you will definitely need to look elsewhere.

4.5
out of 5








Even though the Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles may look similar to the original Nanoleaf Aurora panels, there are enough tweaks and refinements going on behind the scenes to easily declare them as being the best that the company has to offer today. The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles get just about everything right, from the improved mounting system and new touch controls, to incorporating the music visualizer capabilities right out of the box.

If that weren't enough, Nanoleaf's new modular connector system opens the door to a whole new world of design possibilities and extend the overall product life. If you have always wanted a set of Nanoleaf panels, then go with the Shapes Triangles, they are a fantastic way to add some color — and fun, to your home. Regardless of which size you choose, you won't be disappointed.

1612031164 449 Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles Review Colorful connectivity

Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles

Bottom line: The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles offer a vastly improved experience over the original Aurora panels with onboard music visualization, touch controls, and an easier to use mounting system. If you are just starting out on your Nanoleaf journey, these are the ones to get.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

VOCOlinc has announced that the Cool Mist humidifier, compatible with HomeKit, is now available in the United States via Amazon. The Cool Mist humidifier works both with the VOCOlinc application available on iOS and Android via Wi-Fi, as well as with the Apple HomeKit, Alexa and the Google Assistant.

  • Voice / phone control with Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant
  • 2.5-liter water tank with anti-bacterial coating, adds clean, cool moisture to dry air for surfaces up to 430 ft2.
  • Rainbow spectrum mood light with customizable colors and light effects
  • Can be used as part of a custom scene or automation, including scheduling start / stop times or weekdays
  • Running time up to 30 hours

The VOCOlinc Cool Mist humidifier covers small to medium-sized rooms with dimensions of up to 430 square meters. The humidifier has a large tank with a capacity of 2.5 liters, which allows it to operate continuously for up to 30 hours and includes automatic shutdown, programming and timing functions.

In addition to the functions of the humidifier, the humidifier also functions as a smart mood light diffuser and essential oil diffuser. The humidifier can display up to 16 million different colors and custom lighting effects, which can be set via the app or via voice commands.

The VOCOlinc Cool Mist humidifier is now available for purchase on Amazon for $ 69.99, with delivery scheduled for early February. Be sure to come back soon for our full review.

HomeKit enabled

VOCOlincs HomeKit Cool Mist humidifier is now available on Amazon

VOCOlinc Cool Mist humidifier

Humidifier, speaker and mood light

The VOCOlinc Cool Mist humidifier is more than a humidifier with colorful mood lighting and broadcast capabilities. HomeKit and application controls make adjustments quick and easy.

We may earn a purchase commission using our links. Find out more.

Lutron Cassette Wireless Outer PlugSource: Lutron

While CES 2021 looked a little different this year, becoming virtual, we still managed to take a look at some brilliant HomeKit accessories and AirPlay 2 devices that could be coming to our homes soon. This year, we saw common suspicions, such as smart sockets, speakers and lights, but we also received some surprises that expand both platforms into new categories. Here are all the HomeKit and AirPlay 2 accessories that were announced during CES week.

CES HomeKit: Arlo Essential interior room - TBD availability

Arlo Room

Source: Arlo Technologies, Inc.

The future Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, along with a touch-free ringtone, was awarded the CES Innovation Award this year, thanks to an "easy-to-control automatic privacy shield" that allows users to decide with a touch in the Arlo app when monitoring and records.

VPN offers: lifetime license for $ 16, monthly plans for $ 1 and more

Although Arlo did not specifically mention HomeKit support at this time, we suspect it will follow in the footsteps of previous cameras, where it is added shortly after launch via an update. Additional details will be shared closer to the launch of the camera.

CES HomeKit: Aromeo Sense - TBD availability

Aromeo Sense

Source: Aromeo

Aromeo Sense is billed as a "multi-sensory" device that is designed to help you sleep, relax and concentrate. Sense uses a waterless speaker system that works with perfume pods and a lighting system that consists of 40 LEDs with support for several colors.

Sense also offers "clean" therapy playlists through the Aromeo app, and in addition to HomeKit support, Sense will support Amazon Amazon and Google Assistant. Aromeo Sense is currently available for pre-order through a public funding campaign starting at $ 139.

CES HomeKit: JBL SA750 integrated amplifier - Available in April 2021

Jbl Sa750 Airplay2 Amp

Source: JBL

The JBL's integrated SA750 amplifier can deliver a pleasing retro design, but it supports the latest smart features - including Wi-Fi, Ethernet and AirPlay 2. This amplifier has AUX ports and 3.5mm dual headphones right on the front panel and has all the physical switches you might need: power, mute, direct, MC / MM phono and Dirac. The SA750 will be available starting in April.

CES HomeKit: JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam - Available spring 2021

Jbl Bar 5 0 Multibeam

Source: JBL

The JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam offers the most common home theater audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and blends in with specific JBL touches, such as 3D surround sound. JBL proclaims the soundbar as having "room-filling sound" without the need for additional speakers. Completing the feature set is AirPlay 2 support, which makes it easy to stream your content from iPhones and iPads. The soundbar will be available for $ 399.95 this spring.

CES HomeKit: Level Touch Matte Black & Polished Brass - Available in February 2021

Matte black touch level

Source: Level Home

The incredibly stylish Level Touch HomeKit smart lock will receive two additional finishes in 2021. Starting next month, Level Touch will be available in matte black, followed by polished brass later in the year.

Both new finishes will also have OMNIA lever / handle sets available that give a truly complete look.

CES HomeKit: LG HU810P 4K Laser Projector - Available January 2021

Lg Hu810p projector

Source: LG

Coming at the end of this month, the LG HU810P 4K laser projector transmits high definition videos on large screens up to a huge size of 300 inches. As its name suggests, this projector supports 4K video and the latest HDR10 and HLG standards, as well as AirPlay 2 which allows owners to stream content from iOS.

The HU810P will be available worldwide starting January 18 for a price of $ 2,999.

CES HomeKit: Lutron Caseta Outdoor Wireless Plug - Available March 2021

Lutron Cassette Wireless Outer Plug

Source: Lutron

The Caseta Wireless Lutron line of smart switches and dimmers are some of the most reliable and responsive HomeKit accessories around, making them our choice for the best smart light switches, and this year, the company is bringing things outdoors. In March, the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor socket offers a single connected socket, capable of powering exterior decorations, lights and even smaller pumps and motors, in a weather-resistant IP-65 compact package.

Like other Caséta Wireless accessories, the new outdoor jack connects to Lutron's Smart Bridge Caseta instead of relying on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing for fast and consistent performance. In addition to the HomeKit, the external jack works with Alexa Amazon and Google Assistant, as well as the convenient Pico remote controls from Lutron. The Lutron Caséta outdoor plug will be available for $ 79.95 at various retailers this spring, including Amazon, Best Buy, Lowes and Home Depot.

CES HomeKit: Owl Wired Wired Security System - Available summer 2021

Playback of the Owl cable security system is cut off

Source: Owl Home

Owl Wired combines several sensors into a single complete security solution. This multiple sensor detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, reports temperature and humidity and monitors noise and movement.

Other essentials include a spare battery, LED status light, built-in siren and two color options. Owl Wired will be available later this year for $ 169, although a special pre-order price of $ 139 is now available.

CES HomeKit: Philips Hue Amaranth - Available in March 2021

Philips Hue Amaranth on a dark background

Source: Significance

Philips Hue Amarant is a "linear spot" for the exterior, which offers a "wall wash" effect with millions of colors. Amaranth can be mounted on a surface at ground level as well as upside down and is part of the LowVolt Luminere collection, making it easy to start with exterior lighting.

Philips Hue Amarant will be available in Europe starting this month, followed by a March launch in North America.

CES HomeKit: Philips Hue Appears - Available in January 2021

Philips Hue They appear outdoors

Source: Significance

The popular Philips Hue Appear outdoor wall lamp receives a new color option for the new year. Available later this month in Europe, the look will now come in a brushed stainless steel finish, joining the previous completely black look.

The Appear, like the rest of the Philips Hue line, accepts up to 16 million different colors and displays them with a unique "floating" effect up and down. IP 44 weather resistance allows them to illuminate the outside all year round.

CES HomeKit: Philips Hue Dimmer Switch - Available in January 2021

Hue Dimmer

Source: Significance

Launched later this month in Europe (February in North America), the Philips Hue Smart Dimmer has a slightly redesigned front, while maintaining all the same features at hand that have made it a must for those with lighting. smart company.

The dimmer provides convenient access to control of light intensity, scenes and power and, with its ability to be easily removed, can be placed almost anywhere in the house. With HomeKit, each button can be assigned to other accessories, making it even more flexible.

CES HomeKit: Philips Hue Wall Switch Module - Available Spring 2021

Philips Hue wall switch module

Source: Significance

The Philips Hue wall switch module aims to solve one of the biggest obstacles faced by users with the company's smart light line by connecting to existing light switches. By wiring and placing this small device in the switch box, it will allow your Hue bulbs to continue to receive power so that they cannot be accessed if the physical switch is turned off.

Signify states that the wall switching module lasts at least five years on a small battery inside the box. Look for the wall switching module this spring in Europe and summer in North America.

CES HomeKit: Sony Bravia 4K and 8K TVs - Available spring 2021

Sony BRAVIA XR range

Source: Sony Electronics, Inc.

The latest TVs unveiled at CES 2021 from Sony are related to smart resolutions and high definition. Models available in Sony's 2021 Bravia and MASTER series include 4K and 8K imaging, smart home help via HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant, and a new processor called the Cognitive Processor XR.

According to Sony, the XR Cognitive Processor detects the focal point on the screen and can adjust a wide variety of visuals and also provides "3D" sound, knowing exactly where the audio source comes from. Although the prices have not been revealed, the new Sony range covers a wide variety of screen sizes, ranging from 50 inches to 85 inches.

CES HomeKit: TCL Alto 8e and Alto 82i sound bars - Available Q2 2021

The sound bar would be Tvl Alto

Source: TCL

TCL has a pair of AirPlay 2 soundbars coming this year, starting with Alto 8e in Q2. 8e offers a 3.2.1 configuration with support for Dolby Atmos. And coming in Q3 is the Alto 82i package, not in one, but in two built-in subwoofers. Along with AirPlay 2, both soundbars will work with Alexa Amazon and Google Assistant.

CES HomeKit: Roku TVs from the TCL 6 series and the XL collection - Available Q1 2021

Tcl 8 Series 4k Tv

Source: TCL

TCL 6 Series 2021 TVs and the XL collection take things to the next level with 8K high definition video support, mini-LED backlighting, larger screens of 85 inches and Roku TV integration. Roku has recently updated its 4K streaming cassettes and connected TVs to support both HomeKit and AirPlay 2, so we expect to see these TVs play nicely with Apple platforms when they ship later this year.

CES HomeKit: VOCOlinc Cool Mist Umidifier - Available now

Vocolinc Cool Mist humidifier illuminated in several colors

Source: VOCOlinc

While most of the products announced during CES week will not be shipped until later this year, VOCOlinc's Cool Mist humidifier is actually available for purchase now on Amazon. The new humidifier has a large-capacity 2.5-liter tank that can cover small and medium-sized rooms of up to 430 square meters for 30 hours.

The latest VOCOlinc accessory is more than just a humidifier, as it can also function as an essential oil diffuser and mood light. The LED lights on board support millions of colors and lighting effects that can be set via the VOCOlinc app, as well as the Home and Siri app.

$ 70 on Amazon

What is your favorite HomeKit accessory ad?

What future HomeKit accessory are you most interested in? What accessories or categories do you hope to see this year? Tell us in the comments below!

We may earn a purchase commission using our links. Find out more.

Hoobs Starter Kit and packagingSource: Christopher Close / iMore

As someone who is on a never-ending quest to automate every aspect of their home, I have amassed quite a large collection of the best HomeKit accessories over the years. Unfortunately, as much as I love HomeKit, I have had to go outside of the walls of Apple's smart home ecosystem to fulfill some of my automation desires, such as with robot vacuums, or video doorbells due to the lack of available options.

Naturally, I have always been on the lookout for ways to incorporate these accessories into my HomeKit home, but the most popular routes, like running a Homebridge server, have always looked a little too daunting for me to try out — even with the help of how-to guides. Thankfully, there are finally some user-friendly options available now that can help with just that, such as the HOOBS Starter Kit, which I have been testing for the past few weeks. While it isn't perfect, this tiny little box makes it easier than ever to bring popular accessories from brands like Nest and Ring into the world of HomeKit with just a few clicks.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

HOOBS Starter Kit Review Homebridge for the rest of us

HOOBS Starter Kit

Bottom line: The HOOBS Starter Kit makes it easier than ever to add Nest, Ring, and thousands of other popular smart home accessories to HomeKit. If you have always wanted to dabble in the world of Homebridge but didn't want all of the hassles, this is the box to get.

The Good

  • Easy setup
  • Reliable with fast response times
  • Adds HomeKit to thousands of unsupported accessories
  • Plugins can be used to create virtual accessories

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Some plugins still require configuration
  • Compatibility not guaranteed
  • Web UI issues

Easy setup, tons of available plugins

HOOBS Starter Kit: What I like

Hoobs Starter Kit Ethernet Port

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

The HOOBS Starter Kit comes with everything that you need to get started right in the box: an ethernet cable, micro USB cable, power adapter, and the all-important HOOBS hub. The HOOBS hub houses a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB flash memory, and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy radios. Around the back of the hub is a single ethernet port, on the side is the USB power input, and underneath is a HomeKit pairing code used for adding it through the Home app.

Setting up the box is rather straightforward, with the process involving plugging it into power, and connecting the ethernet cable to an available port on your router or switch, or connecting to the Wi-Fi access point that the HOOBS hub creates. After it is connected, you head over to the HOOBS web interface (http://hoobs.local/) via any web browser, and after a short initialization period, you create an administrator account. The final setup step is to scan the HomeKit pairing code that is displayed on your HOOBS dashboard, or the one located on the bottom of the device.

Adding accessories

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Dashboard

Source: iMore

With the HOOBS hub setup, you can begin the fun by searching for available accessory plugins via the web UI. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, with most options having clear labels and descriptions. To find a plugin, you simply click the search icon, then type in the name of the accessory brand that you wish to add.

Since the interface searches all of the available Homebridge plugins around, in some cases, results may include several different options for the same products. To help identify a plugin that works with HOOBS, the company provides a certified badge in the results, which is nice as some searches can provide so many options that it can be a little overwhelming.

Hoobs Starter Kit Plugin Search

Source: iMore

The HOOBS Starter Kit is marketed as working with over 2,000 accessories from a wide variety of manufacturers, and based on my searches during testing, that number appears to be accurate as there are just tons of options. Supported brands include Ring, Nest, iRobot, Alarm.com, Wink, Dyson, Honeywell, SmartThings, and even Tesla, just to name a few, but I do recommend that you perform a plugin search before purchasing.

In most cases, popular plugins can be installed and set up in minutes, with minimal configuration required. Existing accessories can be picked up just by installing the plugin, and with others, like virtual accessories, all that is required is picking a few default behaviors. Since the HOOBS box is added to HomeKit during the setup process, virtual accessories appear in the Home app within a few moments after saving your configuration, and others like the Harmony Hub will be available to add to the Home by following the standard HomeKit pairing process.

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Installed Plugins

Source: iMore

With the HOOBS Starter Kit, I love that I was able to bring in devices like my Logitech Harmony Hub and many budget accessories that only support Alexa with relative ease. With the Harmony Hub setup, I can control an electric fireplace just like I would with certified HomeKit accessories, both via the Home app and Siri, as well as an older TV. With the Alexa plugin, I was able to incorporate a robot vacuum that I have been testing, and now just shouting "Hey Siri, vacuum the house", I can set it into motion.

Virtual accessories

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Virtual Switch Home App

Source: iMore

One aspect of HOOBS that I wasn't expecting to see after setup was the availability of "virtual" HomeKit accessory plugins. Virtual HomeKit accessories look and act like an actual piece of hardware, but they do not perform any actions on a specific device when toggled. At first, I questioned their usefulness, but when I started to wrap my head around what they can be used for, I found them to be one of my favorite — and most used, features.

In my HOOBS setup, I have a couple of virtual switches, contact sensors, and the HOOBS Security System installed. I use the virtual accessories as a trigger for starting automation with other devices, like the robot vacuum cleaner that doesn't have a HOOBS plugin but does work with Amazon's Alexa which does have a plugin.

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Virtual Security System Home App

Source: iMore

The HOOBS Security System consists of an alarm accessory that you can put into the traditional security system modes like home and away along with a virtual siren accessory. With the system in HomeKit, I was able to create an automation that plays an alarm tone through every HomePod in the home if a door or window is opened when the system is armed. Needless to say, for me, the potential that virtual accessories provide and the security system feature is worth the cost of the HOOBS box alone.

Some configuration required

HOOBS Starter Kit: What I don't like

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Uncertified Warning

Source: iMore

Now, while it is true that the HOOBS Starter Kit does remove a lot of the friction that comes with setting up a Homebridge server, it is not a complete plug-and-play solution. Depending on the plugin, you may have to insert specific commands, IP addresses, and set values, plus, in some cases, you will need to edit an advanced configuration file. The good thing about HOOBS is that it can be rolled back pretty easily, but things can easily go wrong if you make a mistake.

For the most part, my experience with installing and configuring plugins on the HOOBS hub went smoothly, however, I did come across one instance that prevented me from accessing the web interface. While I am not quite sure exactly what went wrong, this problem appeared after installing a plugin for Tuya/Smart Life app accessories, although I hadn't messed around with any advanced configuration settings. I was able to gain access to the HOOBS box again via SSH, where I was able to perform a restore, but it required tracking down the specific commands to do so, which I eventually found on Reddit.

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Search Ui Issue

Source: iMore

Speaking of the web interface, I have also come across a few issues with regards to plugin search results and how things are presented. At various points during testing, the UI would state that there are no search results, even for queries for plugins that I had already installed, and for popular brands. I have also come across issues with scrolling and entering data into the terminal portion of the HOOBS interface, and both problems persisted across a variety of different devices and browsers.

Finally, while it should be rather obvious at this point, the HOOBS Starter Kit and accessories that you add to your home via plugins does introduce some potential security, privacy, and stability risks. When adding the hub and accessories to the Home app you will see warnings indicating that they are not certified, and with some plugins that require logging in to a service to retrieve your accessory details, you run the risk of your credentials being sent and stored wherever the plugin developer sees fit.

The competition

Starling Home Hub

Source: Starling

Due to the rather niche nature of the HOOBS Starter Kit, and HomeKit in general, there isn't much in the way of competition. As far as actual hardware solutions go, there are only two similar options available: the Starling Home Hub, and the Home Assistant Blue.

The Starling Home Hub, while cheaper at $89, is rather limited in scope as it only works with Nest products like the Nest Thermostat, Nest Protect, and certain Nest cameras. Home Assistant Blue features a similar hub design as HOOBS, but it runs Home Assistant which is billed as more of a true home automation platform rather than just being limited to HomeKit.

The biggest competitor to HOOBS is the software that powers Homebridge and Home Assistant as both are available for free. By downloading and deploying a Homebridge or Home Assistant server on your own you get all of the benefits of HOOBS, without having to shell out any money if you have all the appropriate hardware and the know-how.

However, as I noted earlier, whether you purchase and install HOOBS plugins or roll-your-own server, you are introducing some potential security and privacy risks into your home.

HOOBS Starter Kit: Should you buy

Hoobs Starter Kit Review Bottom

Source: Christoper Close / iMore

You should buy this if ...

You want to add HomeKit to non-supported accessories

If you have non-HomeKit smart home accessories already in your home, or if you are looking to purchase accessories that don't quite fit the HomeKit mold like robot vacuums, then the HOOBS Starter Kit is worth considering. Chances are, if the accessory is from a major smart home manufacturer like Ring or Nest, it will have a plugin available through HOOBS and you will be able to integrate it into your HomeKit home.

You do not want to hassle with setting up Homebridge

Even though Homebridge (and HOOBS with a donation) are available as a free download, setting everything up requires extra hardware like a Raspberry Pi, or installation on an always-on Mac/PC. Even if you have the gear, the installation and configuration process may be a little too much for some with terminal commands and editing files.

You want to experiment with virtual HomeKit accessories

While it may sound a little odd at first, creating virtual HomeKit accessories through HOOBS is an incredibly useful tool for those wanting to automate every aspect of the home. Through HOOBS, you can create virtual switches that can be used to turn on and off other accessories through automation and it even includes the ability to create a virtual alarm system using your existing speakers and sensors.

You should not buy this if ...

You want to avoid configuring and installing plugins

The HOOBS Starter Kit simplifies the Homebridge process, but some plugins and accessories still require some manual configuration, trial-and-error, and some patience. For example, you may need to enter login information, assign an IP address, or add flags and features through strings of text. It is close, but HOOBS isn't quite a plug-and-play solution.

You want guaranteed compatibility with your accessories

Since the plugins available through HOOBS and Homebridge are community-driven, compatibility and reliability are not always guaranteed. Some plugins may stop working altogether if a manufacturer decides to make changes on their end, and certain features through HomeKit may not function as intended. Of course, if your smart accessory is a niche product, it may not have a plugin at all.

You are comfortable with setting up Homebridge on your own

As previously mentioned, Homebridge and a HOOBS tailored download are available to deploy on the hardware that you already own. The process itself isn't extremely difficult, but it can involve flashing memory cards, setting up a Raspberry Pi, or dealing with command lines and configuration files.

Whether or not you should purchase the HOOBS Starter Kit depends on how comfortable you are with working with a web interface, installing plugins, and configuring your existing accessories. If you don't mind a little legwork, but don't want to go the full-blown Raspberry Pi route, then the HOOBS is a perfect way to experiment with your unsupported accessories and virtual accessories. However, if you are just looking for a plug-and-play solution with guaranteed compatibility, then HOOBS (and Homebridge) are not a good fit.

4
out of 5








If you have ever wanted to jump into the world of Homebridge, but the idea of rolling-your-own server holds you back, then the HOOBS Starter Kit is definitely worth a look. This tiny little box does all the "dirty" work for you and presents thousands of accessory plugins in a clean, easy to use interface that only requires a few clicks to add HomeKit holdouts like Ring doorbells and Nest Thermostats to the Home app. Although HOOBS isn't quite a plug-and-play experience, and it does have its quirks, it does enough to make it an easy recommendation for those that want to open up their HomeKit homes to new accessories, device categories, and automation possibilities.

HOOBS Starter Kit Review Homebridge for the rest of us

HOOBS Starter Kit

Bottom line: The HOOBS Starter Kit makes it easier than ever before to make non-HomeKit accessories compatible with HomeKit. However, you may not always get guaranteed compatibility, and it does require some work in getting it set up, so it's not just plug-and-play.

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light ReviewSource: Christopher Close / iMore

Despite being on the smart home scene for quite a while now, Meross wasn't on the radar for most iOS users until last year, when it began an incredible string of accessory releases that support Apple's HomeKit. Whether it was options that made our best HomeKit smart plugs, best HomeKit light switches, best HomeKit lamps, or best HomeKit garage door openers lists, the company came out with a HomeKit solution for just about everything — all at a pace that even I couldn't keep up with.

With the staggering amount of releases combined with affordable prices and unique designs, Meross is now one of the most exciting HomeKit accessory manufacturers around. I have spent the last couple of months with one of the latest Meross accessories, the Smart WiFi Ambient Light in my home, and I have really come to like the colorful 360-degree design and just how easy it to control via app and touch controls. It may not be the brightest smart lamp or light around, but with an affordable price and HomeKit support right out of the box, it is one of the better options available on the market.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light Review 360 degrees of color

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light

Bottom line: With support for millions of colors, touch controls, dimming, and smart voice capabilities via Alexa, Google, and HomeKit, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is an excellent accent lamp that comes at a great price.

The Good

  • Sleek design
  • Touch controls
  • Supports 16 million colors and dimming
  • Works with HomeKit, Alexa, Google

The Bad

  • 2.4ghz Wi-Fi only
  • 400 Lumen peak brightness
  • HomeKit color issues

360-degree color

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light: What I like

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Unboxing

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

As you may have noticed, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is not your typical lamp with a sleek modern cylindrical design that is devoid of any physical buttons, switches, or knobs. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really dig the lamp's mixture of clear and white glossy plastic with a 360-degree design. The lamp looks great even when it is off, and the unique shape looks all sorts of amazing when illuminated. The lamp looks and feels substantial in the hand, and the touch controls on the top are a clever way to keep the whole package clean and consistent — reminiscent of Apple products back when they used plastic materials.

It may look tall in images, but the Meross lamp is surprisingly small. The lamp measures just under eight-inches tall by four inches wide, which is perfect for small tables, nightstands, or desks. Despite having just one touch control area, I like how pretty much all of the basic functions are available on-device, including toggling power state, adjusting brightness, and cycling through colors. I love being able to tap the top of the light to quickly turn it on and how a double-tap shuts it off, which is often more convenient than reaching for my phone when I don't want to call on Siri via my HomePods.

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Color Examples

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Unboxing and setting up the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light was a breeze, thanks to a simple one-piece design that only requires plugging in the power adapter to the back and then the lamp into the wall to get started. I absolutely love how the lamp works with Apple's HomeKit right out of the box, which meant that I was able to pair it within a matter of seconds using the familiar code-scanning feature in the iOS Home app. No Wi-Fi passwords to enter or lengthy registration process needed — it just works, at least for those that use HomeKit.

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Meross App Setup

Source: iMore

Of course, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light doesn't just work with HomeKit as it supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Meross app, available on both iOS and Android. While I prefer just using Apple's Home app for everything that I can, the Meross app presents all of the available options for the lamp in a clean, easy to use interface. Through the Meross app, I like how quick power controls are available right on the home screen and how you can create schedules and even integrate the lamp with other Meross accessories. And, as you would expect, I really like how in HomeKit, you have access to color, brightness, scenes, and powerful automation capabilities.

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Meross App Controls

Source: iMore

Performance of the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light has been quite good since I began testing, with no instances of "No Response" in HomeKit or lack of availability through the Meross app. Just like with other Meross Wi-Fi accessories, the lamp responds to commands almost instantly, which is really nice compared to slower Bluetooth devices. Colors on-device are par for the course for smart lighting, with white looking crisp, reds and blues looking rich and vivid, and shades of green and yellow lacking when it comes to darker shades. The light inside the diffuser is distributed well; although you can tell that the actual source is situated at the bottom, I actually like the smooth gradient-like effect that it gives off.

Not the brightest

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light: What I don't like

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Back

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

As I previously mentioned, I like the overall design of the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light, but I have a couple of nitpicks that do not affect performance in any way. First, for power, Meross chose a barrel connector port with a bulky plug, so replacement isn't as easy as finding a new USB cable. Second is that there is a tiny LED indicator light around the back of the lamp near the power input, which in my eyes, is pretty useless. Since the light is around the back, and because it is recessed, you more than likely will never see it, so I am not sure why it was included. The light can be toggled off with the Meross app if desired, but again, it isn't bright enough to even notice.

Speaking of brightness, at just 400 lumens maximum and with the small design, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light does not provide enough lighting to be used as the sole light source in a room. The lamp is truly an accent piece, best-suited for a table, desk, or nightstand, and depending on other lighting conditions in your home, it may not be bright enough for task lighting. With everything else about the lamp being so good, I would love to see an updated version with greater peak brightness in the future.

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Home App Controls

Source: iMore

My biggest complaint about the lamp is how default color and color temperature options in HomeKit translate in-person. For example, by selecting one of the default red options in the Home app, the lamp will display a shade that is closer to pink, and for the default green, the lamp will show a turquoise-like color. To get accurate colors, you have to select them manually via a color wheel in the Home app, which isn't hard to do, but it may throw some off after getting it all set up.

The same goes for color temperature adjustments made in the Home app, where using the default color picker results in colors that don't match up, especially for the various shades of white. Meross has acknowledged that there is an issue with the Home app and color temperature in particular and promised an update in December 2020, but that has since passed without any changes. Since the lamp is mainly for accent lighting, I don't see this as being a dealbreaker, but it is indeed something to be aware of if the color temperature is important to you.

The competition

Aukey Smart Table Lamp in a bedroom setting

Source: AUKEY

Smart accent lamps are a dime-a-dozen these days with competitors available for almost any need or budget, but it is harder to find options that support HomeKit. Some of the most popular non-HomeKit options include the Amazon Echo Glow, and the AUKEY Smart Table Lamp, and the best HomeKit lamps include the Eve Flare, along with Meross' own Dimmable WiFi Table Lamp.

Amazon's $30 Echo Glow has the same color capabilities as the Meross lamp, but it is positioned as a children's lamp, so the design isn't quite as universal. The $43 AUKEY Smart Table Lamp has a similar 360-degree compact design as the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light and matches the ability to display multiple colors. While both lamps are cheaper, they don't work with HomeKit and are not as bright.

The HomeKit-enabled Eve Flare can go where the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light can't — the great outdoors, with an IP-65 weather-resistance rating and an integrated battery. The Eve Flare costs significantly more, though at $100 and isn't as bright. The closest HomeKit competitor is the Meross Dimmable WiFi Table Lamp, which is cheaper at $30, has color capabilities, and comes in a smaller form factor. The more affordable lamp only reaches 300 lumens of brightness and swaps touch controls for physical buttons, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your preferences.

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light: Should you buy

Meross Smart Wifi Ambient Light Review Blue color

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

You should buy this if ...

You are looking for an affordable colorful accent lamp

The Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light makes for an excellent table-top accent lamp with millions of colors and brightness controls, all at a price under $50. Even without connecting it to Wi-Fi, the lamp is still a good value with plug-and-play capabilities.

You want an easy setup experience

Setting up the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is quick and easy, thanks to hub-free Wi-Fi connectivity. The setup process is even easier for those that use Apple's HomeKit, as it can pair directly through the Home app without entering a Wi-Fi password or even registering for account.

You want to use it with app and voice controls

With support for the Meross app, HomeKit, Alexa, and the Google Assistant, there are tons of convenient control options available for the lamp. Controls include power toggles, color adjustments, brightness, schedules, timers, scenes, and automation with other Meross accessories or HomeKit devices.

You should not buy this if ...

You want a bright, room-filling lamp

At a peak brightness of 400 lumens, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light does not provide enough light to fully-illuminate a dark room. The lower brightness levels, plus the lamp's smaller footprint, make it better-suited for accent lighting on a desk or nightstand.

You want simple on-device controls

Since the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light only features touch controls, on-device actions may not be intuitive for everyone. While tapping to turn the lamp on is simple enough, using a long-press action to adjust brightness and a double-tap for toggling it off takes some time to get used to.

You want a more traditional design

The Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light sports a 360-degree shape that looks more like a modern smart tech gadget rather than a traditional table lamp. The glossy plastic design may clash with certain decor, and with the unique shape, it will instantly stand out in most rooms.

If you are in the market for a colorful and connected accent lamp for under $50, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is certainly worth a look. The lamp is incredibly easy to set up, supports all of the smart home ecosystems, and produces rich colors with a unique 360-degree design. However, if you are looking for a larger smart lamp that can light up an entire room, then you will definitely need to look elsewhere as it maxes out at just 400 lumens of brightness. The non-traditional design also may not appeal to everyone, especially to those that prefer the tried-and-true lampshade looks.

4
out of 5








With support for over 16 million colors, dimming capabilities, touch controls, and smart home connectivity, the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is easy to recommend for those looking for an affordable accent lamp. I love how easy the lamp is to set up, especially through HomeKit, and how it displays rich colors in a unique 360-degree design. Kid-friendly controls make it a no-brainer for a child's room, and its sleek modern frame looks great on a desk or nightstand. Sure, it won't light up a room on its own, but the Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is still one of the best smart lamps that you can buy today.

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light Review 360 degrees of color

Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light

Bottom line: The Meross Smart WiFi Ambient Light is an incredible value with support for 16 million colors, dimming, and smart controls via app and voice commands. It won't fill a room with bright light, but it makes for an excellent accent lamp on the desk or nightstand.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review angled viewSource: Christopher Close / iMore

After years of unfulfilled promises, limited geographic availability, and disappointing debuts that lacked critical features, HomeKit finally has its first truly great video doorbell — the Logitech Circle View Doorbell. Logitech's doorbell, which somehow managed to sneak onto Apple's online store late last year without any previous announcements is here, and it includes everything that you would expect from a HomeKit Secure Video-compatible doorbell: great design, easy installation, excellent visuals, fast response times, and timely notifications, the Circle View Doorbell has it all.

Of course, no HomeKit accessory is perfect, and with some rather steep requirements and limitations, the Circle View Doorbell isn't quite a doorbell for everyone. Let's dive into what makes the Logitech Circle View Doorbell an insta-buy for HomeKit fans and a pass for those outside of the Apple ecosystem.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review The video doorbell for HomeKit

Logitech Circle View Doorbell

Bottom line: Logitech's Circle View Doorbell checks all the boxes: easy installation, quick Home app setup, excellent image quality, fast response times, and HomeKit Secure Video support, making it the doorbell for HomeKit — and Apple fans.

The Good

  • Easy installation
  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast response times and notifications
  • Supports HomeKit Secure Video

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Requires existing wiring
  • Recording requires an iCloud storage subscription
  • HomeKit hub required for remote access and recording

All things HomeKit

Logitech Circle View Doorbell: What I like

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Installation

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Installing the Logitech Circle View for my home was a breeze as it follows the same basic pattern as other wired smart video doorbells. After turning off the power and removing my existing doorbell, inserting a couple of screws, and popping in the wires is all that it took before attaching the Circle View's body. I really like how the wires clip right into the mounting plate of the doorbell versus the traditional screw terminals, and I wish more competitors included this system as it makes the process so much simpler. Finishing up the physical installation requires wiring up the included chime kit inside, and the whole process shouldn't take more than 30 minutes for most if you have the required wiring and 8-24V transformer.

Pairing the Circle View Doorbell to HomeKit was also a pain-free experience. I love how the doorbell is set up and managed entirely through the Home app, which means that it gets up and running in a minute or two after scanning the pairing code. No other apps to download, or lengthy registration with loads of personal information required with the Circle View Doorbell — heck, there isn't even an app available for it, which could be seen as a good or bad thing depending on your household and preferences.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Home App Setup

Source: iMore

Once setup was complete, I enjoyed seeing the live view come to life just a couple of seconds after tapping it in the Home app. Now, the Circle View Doorbell isn't the fastest that I have tested, but it is plenty fast, and more importantly, consistent. I have yet to come across any instances where it took more than five or six seconds to summon the live view, and the doorbell has always been ready and available in the Home app without "No Response" issues seen in over a month of testing. The same goes for actual doorbell presses and for motion events with Home app notifications arriving quickly to all of my devices. In most cases, notifications came within a second or two of these events, which is impressive compared to some of the longer lag times that I have seen with other smart doorbells.

Audio and video

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Camera Views

Source: iMore

Image quality of the Circle View is also impressive, with Logitech's doorbell offering crisp, detailed, high definition video in all lighting conditions. Positioned at the top of the doorbell's face is a 5MP camera sensor capable of streaming and recording video at a resolution of 1,200 x 1,600 with support for HDR. The Circle View has a unique 3:4 portrait aspect ratio with a 160-degree diagonal field of view, which helps with capturing packages on the ground and provides a head-to-toe view of people close to the doorbell.

I love the Circle View's taller aspect ratio and just how sharp the overall image looks, easily making it the best out of all of the video doorbells that I have tested to date, but I do wish it had a slightly wider field of view for my particular installation. Without installing the included angle wedge, the Circle View didn't quite cover the entire area directly in front of my door, and I also found that packages were still able to elude the doorbells view, but your mileage may vary on this.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Side

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

Underneath the lens is a 4,000K LED light strip capable of illuminating up to six feet in front of the doorbell's enabling color night vision. The bright LED strip works as advertised, although in my case, with a street light in front of my house, I actually disabled it as the view was already quite good, and I didn't want it to distract anyone as my home and doorbell faces the middle of a cul-de-sac.

Two-way audio is just as good, with voices picked up by the Circle View's microphone coming through my iPhone loud and clear, with hardly any latency. The same goes for the other end, where the Circle View's speaker was perfectly suitable for having a conversation with someone at the door using just my normal tone of voice, and again, with low latency, it didn't suffer from the awkward delay that I have experienced with other video doorbells and cameras.

HomeKit and HomeKit Secure Video

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Hsv Settings

Source: iMore

With the Circle View having everything under the Home app roof, available settings and features are pretty much identical to other HomeKit Secure Video cameras and HomeKit video doorbells. Standards include the ability to set custom Activity Zones which filter out motion events from desired areas, Face Recognition which uses your Photo Library to determine who is at the door, and establishing the rules for notifications.

Toggles are available for certain hardware features like disabling the aforementioned night vision and an onboard status light, and you can also disable your physical doorbell chime, which is really nice. Speaking of the chime, iOS 14's ability to use the HomePod and HomePod mini as a doorbell chime for the Circle View without having to create an automation is amazing. All six (yes, I have a problem) of the HomePods that I have spread around my home play a pleasant tone when someone is at the door, so regardless of which room that I am in, I will always know.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Home App Settings

Source: iMore

The Circle View utilizes HomeKit Secure Video for recording motion events, which provides a rolling 10-days worth of video storage securely in iCloud. To take advantage of the feature, you will need an active iCloud storage plan with at least 200GB, with plans starting at $2.99 a month for a single camera/doorbell and $9.99 a month for five devices. Needless to say, I like how the plans are not tied to a specific camera vendor or service, and I especially like how HomeKit Secure Video recordings do not actually count toward my monthly data allotment.

Lacks local storage

Logitech Circle View Doorbell: What I don't like

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Chime Kit

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

As previously mentioned, I really enjoy how the Circle View Doorbell doesn't require yet another app and account, but it does present some major barriers for those that just pick up the first HomeKit-compatible doorbell that they see. To get the most out of the Circle View Doorbell, one needs to have an iCloud storage subscription and a HomeKit hub in the home, which some people may not know — or have prior to purchasing. The additional hardware expense, subscription, and setup needed with other devices may actually be more complicated for some versus other non-HomeKit alternatives, which doesn't look great for Apple's platform to newcomers.

Sticking with HomeKit performance, as much as I love HomeKit Secure Video, it does have its fair share of bugs and issues. Examples include weird scrolling behaviors when reviewing recorded events, HomeKit notifications that randomly ignore Activity Zones and decide not to show up on Apple TV, all sprout up often enough to dampen the magical nature of the whole experience and cause some frustrations. Again, this kind of stuff is more on Apple's side of things and not Logitech's hardware, but since it relies entirely on the Home app, it is worth mentioning.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Home App Notifications

Source: iMore

Moving over to the actual Circle View Doorbell hardware, despite the rather straightforward installation and setup process, I do have a few minor complaints regarding the included chime kit. Prior to installing the Circle View Video Doorbell, I had not come across a smart doorbell with a chime kit that required "charging" before it operated properly, which caused me to question my wiring and ultimately led to a few unnecessary swaps. It was only after I decided to pull up Logitech's setup guide online that I saw that it might take a few moments after wiring before the chime kit would work as intended. I also found it kind of odd that Logitech used a number system for the chime kit wire terminals instead of just labeling which each one is for, but regardless, installation was still quite easy.

My biggest gripe with the Circle View Doorbell is the lack of onboard storage. While I love having all of my recordings immediately stored safely in iCloud for the rolling 10 day period, being dependent on the cloud for events can — and most likely will, result in some things being missed at some point. Thankfully, I haven't run across this as of yet (at least not that I am aware of), but for these occasions, it would be really nice to have some form of local storage, preferably enough to cover a few events worth. Having on-device memory would also help keep data usage down, which could be a problem for some with low caps.

The competition

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Homekit Competition

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

HomeKit and video doorbells haven't always been a perfect match, and as such, there are only a handful of competitors available — especially in North America. Available options include the Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell, the Yobi B3 Video Doorbell, Arlo's Wired Video Doorbell, and two models from Robin Telecom — that's it.

The recently released Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell commands a $100 premium over the Circle View, but it includes local storage with the ability to keep events saved on an included 8GB microSD card, and it supports FTP and Dropbox uploads. However, Netatmo's doorbell does not support HomeKit Secure Video as of yet (an update is in the works, along with Alexa and Google integration), and it also requires existing wiring at your front door.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review Live View Comparison

Source: iMore

Like the Circle View Doorbell, Robin Telecom's ProLine doorbells include support for HomeKit Secure Video and the latest HomeKit features. However, the ProLine series are primarily for installations in European markets, so they sport industrial designs that look completely different than your typical North American doorbells. Plus, Robin's doorbells are incredibly expensive when compared to the Circle View's $200 price tag.

The other HomeKit options — Arlo's Wired Video Doorbell and the Yobi B3 Video Doorbell, each have their own set of own set of tradeoffs. The Arlo Wired Video Doorbell requires an Arlo Smart Hub or Base Station for HomeKit, and it doesn't support HomeKit Secure Video features. The Yobi B3, which I also reviewed a few months back, also lacks HomeKit Secure Video support, and in fact, doesn't support any form of recording at all. Yobi's doorbell, however, has a wider field of view, which may be a better fit for some installations.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell: Should you buy

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review front view

Source: Christopher Close / iMore

You should buy this if ...

You want a HomeKit video doorbell that is easy to install and setup

By exclusively working with Apple's HomeKit, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is incredibly easy to get up and running after installation. All you need is the Home app that is built-in to iOS and iPadOS — no separate apps to download or registration process that requires you to enter in tons of personal information. Just scan the HomeKit code to pair.

You already have or don't mind paying for iCloud storage

If you are already paying for an iCloud storage plan, the Circle View will automatically store a rolling 10-days of recordings via the HomeKit Secure Video feature. This makes it simple to manage events as it takes place entirely in the Home app, and it keeps you from having to shell out for another subscription through another provider.

You want a HomeKit video doorbell with the latest features

Logitech's doorbell supports all of the latest and greatest HomeKit features, including those introduced in iOS 14 like Face Recognition, Activity Zones, and the ability to use HomePods as chimes. Deep integration with the Home app pretty much guarantees that it will gain additional features as they are added by Apple, so the Circle View Doorbell is a safe bet if longevity is a concern.

You should not buy this if ...

You do not have existing doorbell wiring

The Circle View Doorbell does not include an internal battery and instead relies on existing doorbell wiring for power. If you do not have existing wiring, or if your doorbell's transformer doesn't meet the required voltage, you will either have to perform some electrical work or sit this one out.

You want to store videos locally without the cloud

Since the Circle View Doorbell lacks onboard storage, it depends entirely on iCloud for storing and accessing recordings. If you are uncomfortable having your home's events uploaded to the cloud, or if your internet connection isn't reliable, then you should look elsewhere.

You do not have a HomeKit hub and don't plan to add one

To record motion events and access the Circle View's live view remotely, you will need a HomeKit hub set up in your home, which may be an added expense. HomeKit hubs include the Apple TV HD, Apple TV 4K, HomePod, HomePod mini, and iPads running the latest version of iOS.

Purchasing the Logitech Circle View Doorbell really boils down to a few key factors — whether you have existing wiring at your front door and how entrenched you are in the Apple ecosystem. If your home doesn't have the required wiring and transformer voltage, you simply won't be able to use the Circle View as it lacks an integrated battery, so your choice may already be made. Even if you do have the right wiring, you — and those in your household will also need to be all-in with Apple's platforms. The Circle View only works with HomeKit, requires an iCloud storage plan, and needs a HomeKit hub device to make all the magic happen.

4
out of 5








While it has its share of limitations and is far from being perfect, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is hands-down the best HomeKit doorbell that you can buy today. With a quick and easy installation process, Home app management, excellent high definition visuals, fast response times, and HomeKit Secure Video support, the Circle View Doorbell gets enough right for fans of HomeKit — and Apple. So if you are deep into the Apple ecosystem, have the required wiring, and have been waiting for a solid HomeKit doorbell option, then your wait is finally over.

Logitech Circle View Doorbell Review The video doorbell for HomeKit

Logitech Circle View Doorbell

Bottom line: Although it isn't for everyone, the Logitech Circle View Doorbell is the doorbell for fans of HomeKit — and Apple. Crisp HD visuals, easy installation, fast response times, and HomeKit Secure Video support make it a no-brainer if you are deep in the Apple ecosystem and have the proper wiring.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Nuki has just presented the Nuki Smart Door in more detail in an online press conference. We have already reported about the lock integrated into the front door. For now, the new solution will come without HomeKit integration. In addition, Nuki has announced that neither the Nuki 2.0 nor the Nuki Smart Door will support the "Home keys" wallet presented at WWDC.

With the Nuki Smart Door, the manufacturer no longer wants to serve only the market for retrofit solutions, but also equip new buildings with the smart locks. The technology is integrated directly into the door. The only visible part is the Nuki Button, which enables unlocking and locking.

Nuki Smart Door: More information surfaced

For the door lock drive Nuki could win the manufacturer Siegenia. Starting in the fall, there should be a set that can be ordered in the online store, which the local carpenter can also integrate into a new door. The cost is expected to be around €1,500 to €2,000.

For now, the Nuki Smart Door will only support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. In the long term, however, the Nuki Button will also receive Apple HomeKit certification.

No support for "Home keys

At the event, we also asked whether Nuki will support "Home keys" in the future. The integration of the home key into the wallet had been presented by Apple at this year's WWDC. Unfortunately, a corresponding support is neither planned for the Nuki 2.0 nor for the new Nuki Smart Door.

As a reason, we were told that Apple mainly wants to address hotels with the new feature and does not focus on homes. However, the logo of Aqara was also seen in this context at WWDC. A manufacturer that produces devices for end customers. So it remains exciting.

Update 30 June 2021 15:00: Nuki has contacted us with the following statement.

Maybe it was a bit misleading, but we can't announce HomeKit in the form currently, as Apple only certifies full devices and we are still in exchange with Apple, whether the button is certifiable as a standalone device, or the complete door.

In any case, Nuki plans to bring the Smart Door with HomeKit, just like the Smart Lock already.

Also with Home Keys it's such a thing ... within the scope of our current knowledge, Home Keys mandatorily requires NFC, which is currently not actively supported by our products. If it is technically possible and makes sense in practice, Nuki will of course check a Home Keys integration.

Nuki

HomeKit.Blog is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. or Apple related subsidiaries.

All images, videos and logos are the copyright of the respective rights holders, and this website does not claim ownership or copyright of the aforementioned.

All information about products mentioned on this site has been collected in good faith. However, the information relating to them, may not be 100% accurate, as we only rely on the information we are able to gather from the companies themselves or the resellers who stock these products, and therefore cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies arising from the aforementioned sources, or any subsequent changes that are made that we have not been made aware of.

HomeKit.Blog Is A Participant In The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An Affiliate Advertising Program Designed To Provide A Means For Sites To Earn Advertising Fees By Advertising And Linking To Amazon Store (Amazon.com, Or Endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, Or AmazonWireless.com).

The opinions expressed on this website by our contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the website owners. 

Copyright © 2022 HomeKit Blog
. All rights reserved
United States