HomeKit Blog

Qingping, the supplier behind one of our choices for the best HomeKit temperature sensors, has announced the launch of a new air quality sensor. Qingping Air Monitor Lite, which is now available through Amazon, measures five different air quality values ​​and makes them available through a display on your device and HomeKit.

Qingping Air Monitor Lite follows 5 major factors, indicating the quality of the indoor air that affects your comfort. The product works with the Qingping + application (iOS and Andriod) and the Apple Home application. You can check remote readings and export 30-day historical data.

Qingping Air Monitor Lite supports PM2.5, PM10, CO2, temperature and humidity measurements. The Qingping monitor puts the measurements at a glance with a 2.35-inch OLED screen, as well as the Apple Home app and the Qingping + app, available in the App Store and Google Play.

The Qingping sensor also has an integrated 2,000 mAh rechargeable battery, which lasts up to 6.5 hours on a single charge. When the sensor needs to be refilled, it can be recharged via USB-C, although a power adapter is not included in the box. At the top of the sensor is a small touch surface that supports touch and gestures to scroll through the metric display on the device.

Through the Qingping + application, users can access data from the previous 30 days, which can be exported as a CSV file for permanent storage of records. With HomeKit, users can access measurements of air quality, temperature and humidity via voice through Siri, and with automation, users can connect the sensor with other HomeKit accessories.

Qingping Air Monitor Lite is now available through Amazon with a retail price of $ 105.99. However, with Prime Day in full swing, you can take advantage of special savings that reduce $ 21 from the purchase price for a limited time.

Like the AirPods, the Jabra Elite 75t headphones have a truly wireless design, complete with a handy charging case. Unlike AirPods, however, Jabra buds have a more traditional look in the ear, without the need for long stems. Despite its smaller size, the 75t still has an excellent battery life, which lasts up to 5.5 hours between charges, and with the charging case, you can extend it up to 28 hours.

With the Elite 75t, you can also get the ability to sacrifice a little of the battery life for active noise cancellation - which the basic AirPods lack. With ANC enabled, Jabra buds offer a shorter but respectable 24-hour battery life when used with the case. Jabra even includes a transparency-like function via the Sound + app that lets you hear those around you without removing buds from your ear.

Elite 75t also goes above and beyond AirPods, with IP55 water and dust resistance. Combined with the compact design that offers excellent in-ear sealing, the 75t is perfect for workouts compared to Apple's unique approach to AirPods.

Of course, sound is the most important factor when it comes to headphones, and the Jabra Elite 75t is certainly not a weakness in this department. In our review of the 75t, we mention the "extraordinary sound" as one of the factors that eventually led to the buds dethroning AirPods as headphones for everyday use. The sound can also be customized through the Sound + app, which you don't get with Apple AirPods.

If you're still ready to pick up a pair of Apple headphones this week, then make sure you stop by the summary of our AirPods Prime Day deals. Don't forget to check out our guide to the best Prime Day deals for even more savings on all things technical and more.

Ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control | 20% discount at Amazon

$ 198 on Amazon

eufy Security, eufyCam 2C 2-Cam Kit | 32% discount on Amazon

$ 150 at Walmart

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired | 34% discount on Amazon

$ 100 on Amazon

ecobee SmartCamera - Indoor WiFi Security Camera | 30% discount on Amazon

$ 70 on Amazon

Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 | 35% discount at Amazon

$ 181 on Amazon

Qingping Bluetooth Digital Thermometer Hygrometer Sensor Works with HomeKit | $ 12 off Amazon

$ 28 on Amazon

Level bolt, invisible smart lock 15% discount on Amazon

$ 195 on Amazon

VOCOlinc Apple HomeKit ONLY Door lock with no key $ 22 off Amazon

$ 88 on Amazon

Lutron Caseta Deluxe Smart Dimmer Switch | 20% discount at Amazon

$ 131.90 on Amazon

Eve Water Guard - Apple HomeKit Smart Home Water Drain Detector 20% discount at Amazon

$ 64 on Amazon

Onelink smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector | 20% discount at Amazon

$ 89.34 on Amazon

Aqara M1S Smart Hub, Smart Home Wireless Bridge for Alarm System | $ 12.50 discount at Amazon

$ 37.49 on Amazon

Smartmi Small air purifiers P1 with handle for home $ 50 discount at Amazon

$ 130 on Amazon

Meross Smart Plug Mini | 30% discount on Amazon

$ 17.59 on Amazon

Nanoleaf Shapes - Mini Triangles Smarter Kit (5pk) | 17% discount on Amazon

$ 100 on Amazon

Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus 2m / 6ft Basic Kit with Plug | 25% discount at Amazon

$ 60 on Amazon

Nothing is more important than keeping your iPhone or iPad charged while traveling, but no matter how hard we try, we always find a way to forget a critical piece of the puzzle. Whether it's electric brick, lightning cable or the best portable battery packs for iPhone, something always stays out of our bags. If you're ready to put an end to this and reduce your travel bag at the same time, then this Prime Day offer from Anker PowerCore Fusion III can help you do just that.

Now with a 25% discount during the Amazon Prime Day shopping event, Anker's incredibly convenient charger combines a rechargeable battery with a plug-in brick that looks like the one that comes with the best Macbook. Just plugging the charger into an outlet as you always do for your device ensures that you have a backup power supply, no matter where you are.

Anker PowerCore Fusion III has an 18-watt, fast-charging USB-C port with power delivery that can fully charge an iPhone 11 in just two hours or an iPad Pro in three and a half hours. PowerCore also has a single 12-watt old USB-A port that allows you to charge two devices simultaneously.

When you're ready to hit the road, the foldable tips and compact design of the PowerCore Fusion III make it easy to throw in your bag. The internal 5,000 mAh battery is more than capable for most needs. The battery can fully charge an iPhone 11, Google Pixel 4 or a Samsung S10, and a safe, perfect charging mode is perfect for smaller devices such as Bluetooth headsets.

Anker is running this week with numerous iPhone Prime Day offers for a wide range of accessories. For even more savings, the best summary of our Prime Day offers makes it easy to track the best sales of TVs, covers and more.

While Apple's set-top box is best known for delivering all the shows, movies, music and games on the big screen, it also plays a vital role for HomeKit smart homes. With one of the best Apple TV boxes at home, you can experience everything HomeKit has to offer: programming, scenes, automation, advanced camera features and more with the capabilities of the HomeKit hub.

With Amazon's biggest shopping day in full swing, there's never been a better time to build the smart home of your dreams with the best Apple Day Prime TV deals. Not only can you score an Apple TV 4K for less than $ 100, but you can also pick up some great HomeKit accessories at record lows. So, if you've just got your first Apple TV or want to expand your automatic empire, here are the best ways to turn your Apple TV into a smart home hub for less on Prime Day.

Regardless of your home theater needs, adding an Apple TV to your home is easy if you already have - or plan to add smart HomeKit accessories in the future. Apple TV provides the homeKit base by acting as a hub for all your accessories, enabling powerful automation capabilities, remote access, and advanced features like HomeKit Secure Video.

At just under $ 100, the Apple TV 4K is one of the best Apple Day Prime TV deals I've ever seen. Are you looking for even bigger savings? Then check out our guide to the best Prime Day deals for technology and more.

Are you ready to end those long trips around the house at night to adjust your thermostat? You're in luck then, because this Prime Day offer for ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control is the perfect way to adjust the heating and air of your home right from the comfort of your bed. For only two days, you can get the ecobee thermostat with a 20% discount.

The ecobee smartThermostat with voice control has a large, easy-to-read touch screen that puts the controls at the touch of a button. You can also control your thermostat via the ecobee app, available on iOS and Android, or via the iPhone Home app.

In addition to convenient controls, the ecobee SmartThermostat can help you save money on your electricity bills. With the ecobee app, you can create a custom program for your home, and the free eco + feature makes management hands-free with automatic adjustments based on your home habits.

The Ecobee SmartThermostat also has another trick up its sleeve - the built-in Alexa. Instead of having to get an Amazon Echo, you can shout smart home commands and temperature adjustments directly to the thermostat. If you prefer Siri, you'll even be able to switch to Apple Assistant later this year.

If you're looking for extra smart home savings, take a look at our guide to the best Prime Day Apple TV deals, including HomeKit accessories. For more discounts on just about anything under the sun, check out our Prime Day summary.

If you are looking for ways to enhance your home security on this Prime Day, then the ecobee smart camera should be at the top of your ecobee camera list - already one of the best HomeKit cameras around at its usual price , keeps you up to date with all the actions in your home with timely notifications of remote activities and check-ins from anywhere in the world. Now, with the biggest shopping day on the internet in full swing, you can get one with a 30% discount.

The ecobee camera tracks your home with stunning 1080p high definition images with a wide field of view of 180 degrees. A unique feature of intelligent tracking and detection of the person follows around a subject in the perspective of the camera, so you can capture all the details if something strange happens.

The Ecobee SmartCamera works with the ecobee app - available for iOS and Android, as well as the Apple HomeKit and Amazon Amazon. With HomeKit, you can securely store material worth 10 days in iCloud, and with Alexa on board, you can shout commands to your Amazon assistant without the need for an echo or other device.

If all this was not enough, the ecobee camera also works in tandem with other ecobee accessories through the Haven Home Monitoring service. For a small monthly fee, the SmartCamera can act as a complete security system with an integrated siren that sounds if an ecobee SmartSensor, SmartThermostat or RoomSensor detects movement while you are outside.

Want to save even more on your smart home and security essentials on this first day? Then check out our guide to the best Apple TV Prime Day deals, including HomeKit accessories and more. Also, make sure you stop at the other Prime Day rounds to save even more!

If you're like me and need to have all the latest Apple equipment, then your nightstand or desk could be a bit of a nightmare. With the best iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods that need to be replenished on a regular basis, you need a charging station like the Any Warphone 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand, which is on sale at a price excellent on this first day. For only $ 31, you can keep everything with one cable. Your wallet - and your nightstand, they will thank you.

Any Warphone's 3-in-1 wireless charging cradle provides fast charging at 15 watts for flagship Android phones and up to 7.5 watts for the latest iPhones, such as the iPhone 12. Support for any Warphone has a trio of safety features: overcurrent, over - voltage and temperature protection, along with a handy indicator light that keeps you up to date with the state of charge and potential problems such as misalignment.

Source: Amazon

While the iPhone and Apple Watch take advantage of inductive charging, Any Warphone support offers a lightning connector for AirPods. Because the base AirPods model does not include a wireless charging case, the inclusion of the lightning connector makes the Any Warphone stand truly universal. Any Warphone holder even comes with a USB power adapter in the box, so you won't need to take it out of your pocket for another accessory.

One of the best features of the stand is that, unlike some of the best stands for charging both the iPhone and the Apple Watch, which illuminates your bedroom at night, the Any Warphone stand puts you in complete control. With just a touch of the touch pad in front of the AirPods charger, you can turn off the lights by ending the bright LEDs.

At just $ 31, the 3-in-1 Any Warphone charger is one of the best deals for iPhone Prime Day accessories, Apple Watch and surrounding AirPods. Looking for more ways to disconnect your home less? Prime Day has a summary of everything - chargers, cables and more for all your Apple devices.

One of the smartest and most convenient updates you can make at home is to replace that old non-programmable thermostat with one of the best HomeKit thermostats. Already one of the cheapest HomeKit thermostats available, ecobee Lite SmartThermostat is even more affordable today thanks to a Prime Day offer that reduces by 15% the retail price. Now, for just $ 144, you can save upfront and even more in the long run, with potential savings on your home's energy bill.

Ecobee Lite also works with remote RoomSensors, signed by ecobee, although one is not included in the box. With remote sensors - one of our choices for the best HomeKit temperature sensors, you can adapt the climate of your home based on the most critical rooms, such as bedrooms, instead of the hallway.

The cheaper ecobee thermostat also doesn't have on-board microphones that allow Alexa hands-free directly on the device, like its more expensive brother. However, you can still use existing green appliances or the Mini HomePod to heat your home on demand. In addition, if you are concerned about having a microphone always on in your home, the lack of Alexa on board in ecobee Lite can be a positive thing.

With the savings you get with the Ecobee Lite SmartThermostat, you may be able to expand your smart home even further with the best Prime Day Apple TV deals, which include all the best-selling HomeKit smart home accessories.

Let's face it, as much as we like the M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the lack of ports can make things frustrating at times. With Prime Day finally here, there's never been a better time to solve the MacBook port problem - especially with deals like this $ 32 9-in-1 USB-C hub from HooToo.

Although it doesn't have an ultra-sleek design found on some of the best USB-C hubs for the Macbook Pro, the HooToo USB-C hub is incredibly affordable and a great mix of essential ports. If you are ready to give up dongles, this Prime Day offer may be the best bet for just $ 40.

With nine ports, the HooToo USB C Hub covers everything. You will get three USB-A ports, two USB 3.0, one USB 2.0 and a 100-watt USB-C port with power delivery. With Power Delivery, you can keep your Macbook full while you're at your office, removing another thread from your setup.

Also great for the office, the 9-in-1 HooToo hub has a 3.5mm Gigabit Ethernet jack and a single HDMI port. With HDMI, the hub is able to produce 4K videos at 30Hz with compatible displays.

Last but not least, the HooToo hub also offers a pair of memory card slots. The hub has an SD slot and a TF slot, capable of transferring data at up to 480 Mbps, which makes it excellent for photographers.

At just $ 40, the 9-in-1 HooToo hub is one of the best MacBook deals of this first day. Want to save even more on everything from iPhone accessories to AirPods? Make sure you stop at the best summary of our Prime Day offer for the latest.

When it comes to HomeKit, some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the best HomeKit cameras. While the needs vary, the one I recommend more than any other outdoor is the eufyCam 2C, which I use outside my home. The eufy camera system is affordable, has an excellent battery life, offers color night vision, works with HomeKit Secure Video and, most importantly, does not require a subscription.

Now that Prime Day is here, the eufy two-camera starter kit is more affordable than ever. With a 32% discount, you can capture a two-camera set and a hub for less than the price of a single camera system from competitors.

This two-camera starter kit includes everything you need to get started safely without a subscription. Inside the box are two 2C wireless cameras and the very important Home Base 2 eufy, which houses 16 GB of memory for storing your recordings for up to three months.

The 2C cameras transmit and record videos in 1080p with a wide field of view of 140 degrees. At night, the cameras capture events in color with an integrated LED reflector or you can switch to a black and white infrared view for longer distances. The cameras also have IP65 weather resistance and rechargeable batteries, which can last up to six months between charges, so you can set them up quite a bit and forget about them.

The eufy cameras work with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With HomeKit, you can store up to 10 days of secure recordings in iCloud with the Home Secure Video feature - perfect as a backup solution. With Alexa, you can call a live stream on demand using only your voice with compatible devices like Amazon Echo.

For even smarter offers for home and HomeKit on this first day, go to the best summary of our Apple TV Prime Day offers. Are you looking for offers for home, technology and more? Then make sure you check out all the best Prime Day deals.

External battery packs are an essential accessory for the iPhone, but, as we all know, they are only good if we remember to charge them. Anker, the popular manufacturer behind some of the best portable battery packs for the iPhone, has a solution - PowerCore Wireless Power Bank, which combines an external battery with Qi wireless charging. The best part is that with Amazon's biggest shopping day, Prime Day in full swing, you can get one for your home for just under $ 30.

The PowerCore Wireless Power Bank has a massive 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery that can fully charge your phone or tablet on a single charge. Along the side of the battery are two 12-watt USB-A ports that can charge or power two devices simultaneously and a single USB-C port used to charge the package.

While USB ports are handy, the real star of the show with this battery is Qi wireless charging. With Qi, simply place the compatible phone on the non-slip area in the middle of the battery to complete it - no wires are needed. While charging wirelessly, the Anker PowerCore offers up to 5 watts, and for added convenience, you can still charge other devices via USB ports.

The Anker battery also has a pass-through charger, which allows you to use it as a Qi charger always on the nightstand. With charging via transit, you will never have to worry about whether or not your travel charger has juice left, as it will always be ready to go.

With just under $ 30, the Anker PowerCore battery is one of the many iPhone Prime Day accessories on offer right now. For even more savings, be sure to check out the best summary of the Prime Day offer for all your Apple technology needs and more.

If you have the best iPhone, you probably know how incredibly convenient Qi wireless charging is. To take advantage of Qi, however, you need the right hardware. The best wireless charging pads for the iPhone may be a little expensive, but fortunately, Prime Day is here with some fantastic deals for Qi chargers, such as the Anker PowerWave Pad. For only $ 8, you can put a Qi charger in every room in your home, so you never have to worry if you take a trip around the house to recharge your phone.

Anker PowerWave Pad has a minimal, clean design that looks great on the nightstand or in the living room. The Anker wireless charger works with covers up to 5 mm thick, and to start charging, all you have to do is place your phone in the center of the pad.

PowerPad also lets you take advantage of fast charging capabilities on your iPhone or Android devices through Qi. For iPhones, the PowerWave Pad provides up to 7.5 watts through Qi for newer devices such as the iPhone 12, and for Android, it provides 10 watts for the newest and best Samsung phones. For smaller or older devices such as AirPods, the PowerWave Pad also keeps them charged to the 5 watt standard.

During charging, the PowerWave Pad monitors foreign objects and high temperatures, making sure everything is safe and healthy. The only thing missing is the USB power brick, but we've covered you with our guide to the best iPhone 12 chargers if you need some recommendations.

The Anker PowerWave Pad Prime Day offer is without a doubt one of the best Prime Day offers for the iPhone, so now is the best time to stock up on wireless chargers for every room in your home. Looking for more deals on this Prime Day? Then stop by the summary of the best Apple Prime Day deals, which offer savings on accessories and more.

The best
accessories for HomePod mini
immoral
2021

The small but powerful Apple HomePod mini brings convenient Siri controls, great sound and more at home. Although cheaper than the original, the smaller HomePod is still an investment, so if you want to protect or expand the speaker's capabilities, you need the best HomePod mini accessories. Whether you're looking for HomeKit covers, holders, accessories or a way to upgrade your home theater system - these are the best accessories for the HomePod mini.

Make the most of your smart speaker with the best HomePod mini accessories

The best accessories for the HomePod mini not only offer essentials such as protection and portability, but can also expand the capabilities of Apple's smart speaker. With an Apple TV 4K in the house, you can update your home theater configuration using HomePod mini as a speaker or with HomeKit accessories, you can turn on the lights using only your voice.

If you want to reduce congestion in your home, then the STANSTAR Wall Mount for your Homepod Mini can help. This handy grip removes the HomePod mini cable and power cord from the kitchen counter with a frame that hangs from the HomePod's USB brick.

Looking to jump into the wonderful world of HomeKit now that you have a mini HomePod? Then the Nanoleaf Essentials A19 bulb is the best place to start. The Nanoleaf bulb connects to the HomePod mini via Thread, which offers solid reliability and quick response times to all your Siri requests via your smart speaker.

The best
HomeKit adaptive lighting accessories
immoral
2021

The best HomeKit bulbs, light strips and more with adaptive HomeKit lighting eliminate the hassle of managing your home lighting. In the morning, HomeKit Adaptive Lights uses warmer tones to lighten your day. In the afternoon, the lights will switch to cooler temperatures to keep you energized, and the lights will return to warm white at night to promote rest. If you are ready to experience the future of smart lighting, then here are our options for the best HomeKit Adaptive Lighting accessories.

Automate every room in your home with HomeKit Adaptive Lighting

HomeKit Adaptive Lighting puts home lighting on autopilot by providing the perfect shade of white light, depending on the time of day. For example, the bedside lamp can wake you up to the soft white light in the morning, while the office lighting helps you stay focused in the afternoon with bright whites. All you need is proper lighting and one touch in the Home app.

You're just starting your HomeKit journey and want a Lightning-enabled Adaptive HomeKit light bulb? If so, the Nanoleaf bulb is the best bet with reduced brightness, 1,100 lumens of maximum brightness and lots of fun, allowing you to set a color for HomeKit lights in the Home app - all without the need for a dedicated hub.

If you are already deep in the Philips Hue ecosystem and want to replace those hard-to-find ceiling fan bulbs, then the Philips Hue White & Color E12 LED Candle Bulb is for you. These candle-shaped bulbs provide the fan ceiling an instant upgrade to HomeKit Adaptive Lighting and, with support for millions of colors, you can set the mood on demand at any time.

If you haven't heard, Thread is in vogue nowadays in the HomeKit world. Thread combines the ultra-fast response times you get with Wi-Fi, the legendary Zigbee reliability and the low power consumption that comes with Bluetooth in a single wireless standard. The best part is that if you have a mini HomePod at home, you can take advantage of it today. If you're in the market for new HomeKit accessories and want to get started with Thread, then here's our guide to all the options available.

Upgrade your home by adding Thread accessories

Thread is truly a game changer for HomeKit and the smart home. With Thread, you no longer have to worry about managing dedicated hubs or accounts for every device in your home, with the direct connection to the HomePod mini - and the HomeKit connection. More importantly, with lightning response times and excellent reliability, you don’t have to worry about the smart fall of your smart home.

If you want to experience the best Thread deals, then the Nanoleaf A19 essential bulb is the way to go. The Nanoleaf bulb is cheap, colorful and incredibly easy to install - simply screw it into a lamp or luminaire as you would with old-fashioned "mute" bulbs. Combined with 1,100 lumens of brightness, adaptive HomeKit lighting and dimming, you get the best HomeKit bulb available.

Are you looking for a way to strengthen your home security? The Eve Door and Threaded Window contact sensor can help you by sending timely notifications when someone enters your home. With the magic of HomeKit, you can take home security further if you know how to use a HomePod as a HomeKit alarm or you can make it look like someone is always at home with HomeKit light switches.

The best
HomeKit security systems
immoral
2021

Security accessories, such as the best locks and HomeKit cameras, are a critical part of the smart home. However, to really lock your home, you need a HomeKit security system. The best HomeKit security systems allow you to monitor your home through Home notifications, and the sirens and lights on board can deter potential intruders. So, whether you go to DIY or professional monitoring, the best HomeKit security systems offer extra peace of mind, keeping an eye on all events.

Unfortunately, there are not many HomeKit security systems at present and availability is limited. However, you can create your own if you know how to use a HomePod as a HomeKit alarm in combination with a HomeKit door and window sensor or motion sensor.

Protect your home with the best HomeKit security systems

The best HomeKit security systems keep you up to date with all the actions in and around your home, providing instant notifications when a door or window opens directly on your iPhone. HomeKit security systems also help scare away potential intruders with built-in sirens and lights, and you can take things even further by automating them with other HomeKit accessories.

If you are looking for a security solution that allows you to add professional monitoring on demand, then the Abode Iota home security kit is for you. The Abode kit offers you the best of both worlds - 24/7 monitoring without a contract, with cellular backup and battery, plus you can get subscriptions and rely only on HomeKit to deliver important notifications if you want.

If you prefer to do strictly DIY without a subscription, check out Aqara Smart Hub. This low-cost hub includes essential home security features such as a siren and a light in a compact and affordable package. The Aqara hub supports up to 32 accessories, so you can cover every door and window in your home for a cheap price.

The best
HomeKit air purifiers
immoral
2021

The air in your home plays a critical role in the health of everyone in your household. If you have a good air purifier in the house, you can eliminate allergens, molds and even viruses, and the best HomeKit air purifiers can do everything with the help of applications and voice commands. HomeKit air purifiers combine the monitoring capabilities of the best HomeKit air quality monitors with advanced filters that automatically take care of your home's air. Here is our guide to the best HomeKit air purifiers you can buy today.

Monitor and clean the air in your home with the best HomeKit air purifiers

The best HomeKit air purifiers make it easy to monitor and clean the air in your home. With HomeKit, you can adjust the fan speed, frame them into good night scenes, and even include them in automation with smoke detectors to combat odors if you've left something in the oven a little too long.

If you are looking for the most bang for your dollar, then smartmi P1 may be the one for you. P1 is packaged in a powerful HEPA filtration system that can clean small to medium rooms quickly and efficiently - in just ten minutes in some cases. The smartmi air purifier can trap particles up to 80 Nanos, and the on-board dual-laser sensor allows hands-free operation in an automatic mode.

If you don't mind paying a premium, Molekule Air Mini + purifies the air even more with its advanced PECO filter. PECO technology uses the power of UV light to destroy molecules - including viruses, bacteria, mold, pet dandruff, pollen, VOCs and more.

Aqara on Tuesday launched a pair of new smart home hubs compatible with HomeKit, Aqara Hub M2 and Aqara Hub M1S. Both hubs, which are available now, support the latest Zigbee wireless standard and the ability to pair additional accessories.

"Compared to the previous generation, Hub M2 supports the Zigbee 3.0 protocol, which is the fastest, most stable and most energy efficient technology and can connect up to 128 devices *. It also has an RJ45 Ethernet port for wired internet connection. , providing additional stability and a shorter response time for a better user experience. "

Unlike the original hub found in the Aqara Smart Home system, the M2 has a more sleek, completely black design, complete with an ethernet port similar to other smart hubs available on the market. In addition, the hub now supports Zigbee 3.0 connectivity, which offers faster response times and greater reliability, and can now accommodate up to 128 associated accessories.

The M2 hub also includes an integrated IR blaster that allows intelligent controls for older devices such as air conditioners, TVs, fireplaces and more. Users can schedule IR commands through the Aqara Home app and include them in scenes or automation with other Aqara accessories, but it's important to note that they are not exposed to the HomeKit. Finally, the M2 hub now supports all four HomeKit security alarm mode settings (home, away, night, and off), allowing it to act as a DIY security system.

Along with the new hub, Aqara has also introduced an updated version of the original Aqara hub. The new Aqara Hub M1S also has Zigbee 3.0 connectivity and support for up to 128 accessories, but retains the original plug-in design and HomeKit security alarm functionality. In addition to HomeKit, both Aqara Hub M2 and M1S are compatible with Alexa Amazon, Google Home, IFTTT and many more.

The Aqara Hub M2 is now available for $ 57.99 via Amazon. To celebrate the launch, Aqara offers a promotional code - M2HUBRD1 which takes an additional 15% reduction in the M2 price for a limited period.

WWDC Week 2021 is here and with it comes a series of operating system updates for the full range of Apple devices - including Apple TV. Coming this fall in tvOS 15, Apple brings to the big screen the space audio screen, SharePlay, additional HomeKit commands, new screen savers and much more.

As with most updates, some devices may be left behind, and if you haven't upgraded to the best Apple TV, you may lose some key features. Here's everything you need to know about tvOS 15 and Apple TV compatibility.

tvOS 15 compatibility

Although there is a new update every fall, Apple TV is not a device you replace so often. Fortunately, tvOS 15 runs on all Apple TV models released in the last six years. According to Apple, the following models support tvOS 15:

• Apple TV HD (4th generation)
• Apple TV 4K (2017)
• Apple TV 4K (2021)

In essence, if your Apple TV can run tvOS 14, you're good to go with tvOS 15. Support for tvOS 15 includes all models that support the tvOS App Store, which debuted in 2015. However, if Apple TV running on older channel-style application system, then it may be time for an update.

Functions may vary

Although Apple TV may support tvOS 15, it may not have access to all of its latest features, depending on the model. In particular, the Apple TV HD (4th generation) does not support the ability to set the HomePod mini as the default speaker output.

However, not all is bad news, because Apple TV HD (4th generation) still supports mini HomePod playback, not just as a default option. So if you're still with older hardware, you can rely on AirPlay 2 to stream your movies, music, and shows to your HomePod mini, and Apple TV can even use stereo pairing for more captivating sound.

Source: Stephen Warwick / iMore

Let's face it, as much as we like our technology - things aren't always perfect. So knowing how to restart or reset the best smart speaker for Apple fans - HomePod, can help you when things change for the worse. Sometimes things don't work properly, something goes off or your device crashes. If HomePod or HomePod mini acts a little weird, try restarting it before selecting the full reset option. If you have serious problems, we recommend that you reset your HomePod to factory settings before throwing it out the window. Here's how.

How to restart HomePod or HomePod mini directly

Restarting the HomePod and HomePod mini is incredibly easy - all you need is access to the power cord. No additional applications or circles are required to go through.

1. Unwind HomePod and wait five seconds.
2. Sign in HomePod back in.
   • Restarting your HomePod will take a few moments and will not be available for voice commands during this time.
   • If the HomePod is the home-operated HomeKit hub, you will temporarily lose access to your accessories.

How to use the Home application to restart HomePod or HomePod mini

If the HomePod jack is not in the most convenient place, you can restart it through the Home application on iOS and iPadOS. Restarting it through the Home app can be a bit dangerous, though, as you'll be presented with options to restart or reset your HomePod, so be sure to pay attention before you touch it.

1. Launch The home application.
2. Touch Rooms.

3. Swipe left or right to locate The room Your homePod is located, then tap and hold on HomePod.

   

   Source: iMore

4. Swipe down and tap settings icon.
5. Swipe down and tap Reset HomePod

6. Touch Restart the HomePod.

   • Make sure you tap the restart option. If you tap Remove accessory, your HomePod will return to the factory settings.
   • Restarting your HomePod will take a few moments and will not be available for voice commands during this time.
   • If HomePod is the home-based HomeKit hub, you will temporarily lose access to your accessories.

   

   Source: iMore

How to reset HomePod or HomePod mini with the Home app

If you're ready to start all over again or plan to sell your HomePod to someone else, you need to know how to reset your HomePod. The easiest way to reset your HomePod to its factory settings is to remove the connection from the device you connected it to when you first set it up. Then, just a few simple steps in the Home application.

1. Launch The home application.
2. Touch Rooms.

3. Swipe left or right to locate The room where your HomePod is, then tap and hold HomePod.

   

   Source: iMore

4. Swipe down and tap settings icon.
5. Swipe down and tap Reset HomePod

6. Touch Remove the accessory.

   • Resetting the HomePod will restore it to the factory default settings. Continue only if you are sure you want to delete everything.
   • Resetting the HomePod will take a few moments and, once completed, you will hear a startup sound.

   

   Source: iMore

This will reset all settings and you will need to set up your HomePod again with your iPhone or iPad.

How to Reset HomePod Directly

If for some reason you need to reset HomePod or HomePod mini and you can't do this through the Home app, as if it doesn't appear in the Home app, or if you don't have the device you used for pairing, you can reset it. l manual directly on the HomePod.

Note: When you take a break, you'll need to set up your HomePod again with your iPhone or iPad to use it.

1. Unwind HomePod and wait five seconds.
2. Sign in HomePod back in.

3. Place and hold your finger on top panel of the Homepod where the touch panel is located.

   

   Source: iMore

4. Keep your finger on panel while the spinning Siri light changes from white to red. Do not remove your finger.
5. Remove your finger from the HomePod after You hear Siri say that your HomePod is about to reset and he heard three beeps.

This will reset all settings and you will need to reconfigure your HomePod with your iPhone or iPad.

Questions about how to restart or reset your HomePod?

Although it's a little inconvenient if you reset your HomePod or HomePod mini, you can start all over again. Have you ever had to restart or reset your HomePod? What problems did you see that made you take the plunge? Tell us in the comments below!

Updated June 2021: Updated for the latest iOS version and to include HomePod mini.