While smart home security systems appear to be a buzz these days, a true DIY alarm solution has eluded Apple's HomeKit platform for many years after its introduction back with iOS 8. This has meant that HomeKit users they had to either be based on a professionally installed service. / hardware, or they had their own system, mixing a sensor here with a camera there, all without being able to "arm" their homes while they are away or a siren to warn those in the house.

Fortunately, smart home security company Abode recently came with a promised HomeKit integration update, which has finally introduced a subscription-free alarm system, which users could fully operate through Apple Home and Siri. The Abode iota security kit is an affordable, easy-to-install solution that covers the basics of home security, giving homeowners the choice of how much to invest, both for hardware and monitoring.

I recently created the iota security kit for my home, and even though my home has almost every type of HomeKit sensor you can imagine, I really appreciate the fact that I have a real set of accessories that are dedicated to securing my home. . Hearing the familiar alarm sounds that come with the simple act of "arming" my house at night or as I go to make mistakes, gives me a level of reassurance that was missing from my life for some time, making the kit one of the best additions I made to my smart home.

Coverage of the basic elements

Set the iota security package: features

The iota security kit consists of the company's Mini Door / Window sensor, a Keyfob, and the iota hub that acts as the brains behind the operation. The iota Hub is a stylish two-tone accessory that is similar in size to Apple's AirPort Extreme router. The upper half of the plastic has a glossy black finish, with an integrated 1080p HD night-vision nightstand that stretches 152 degrees with its field of vision positioned slightly above a motion sensor.

The bottom portion of the yacht is covered in a white fabric that gives it a distinct look, and underneath is a single LED light that glows slightly depending on the alarm status. The iota hub has an Ethernet port around the back, which is required for the initial setup, along with a sim card slot (one is pre-installed) and a micro SD card slot for local video storage. Cloud storage for video is free, so the memory card is completely optional and not included.

The iota Hub hosts a host of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi for home networks, Z-Wave and ZigBee for connecting devices from other manufacturers, as well as the company's own abodeRF radio that uses all of its accessories. For alarms, a 93-decal siren is delivered, as well as a 2-way communication microphone and a rechargeable internal backup battery, which maintains the entire operating system even when the power is turned off.

Abode's key button also has the same two-tone design as the iota hub and has 4 buttons around the back that control the various alarm states. Keyfob runs on a single CR2032 coin battery, with an estimated battery life of about 6 years. The Mini Door / Window Sensor is a two-piece contact sensor that relies on magnets to determine if things are open or closed or not. Like the key keys, the Mini sensor enjoys a long battery life of up to 4 years on a coin-operated battery, and when it comes time to replace, Abode has made things easy with a Velcro mounting tape that includes a cutout for easy access.

He supports all things

Set the iota security package: What I like

Since the iota Security Kit is a DIY alarm system, it can work fully without the need for a subscription, which is huge in my book. Typically, free plans for smart home accessories often limit access to critical features, essentially making an upgrade to a paid service. This is not the case with iota, because Abode offers all the critical aspects of completely free security. This includes self-monitoring through notifications, smart home integration, unlimited user accounts and a 3-day running of alarm history and records.

Abode's professional monitoring plans have 2 levels, each of which has its own affordable price, but they often receive additional discounts through various promotions, such as a 50% discount, which is available at the time of this review. Paid plans nicely add features, such as 4g cell backup, that can still alert you to problems at home even when your internet is down and unlimited warranty coverage for your accessories with an active subscription.

This is not the case with iota, because Abode offers all the critical aspects of completely free security.

Of course, being "all-in" with the Apple ecosystem, HomeKit integration is quite important to me and often dictates what accessories make the cut when it comes to entering my home. The Abode iota security kit is played pretty well with the built-in camera, motion sensor and door / window sensor, all of which are exposed to the Apple platform and the Home app.

Having every accessory available in HomeKit allows them to work with scenes or automation, and the added security alarm feature adds a convenient way to turn other devices on or off just by arming the system. Sure, yelling at Siri or using the Home app to switch a scene that turns off everything when you leave is available, but sometimes it's just easier to hit a button, which the included Keyfob covers when using automation. Press only one of the available buttons while you exit the door or while in the car, and your alarm status automation is activated.

Since the iota uses RF for connectivity and not something like Bluetooth, which is common for HomeKit, the response times from the included accessories were almost instantaneous. Setting the alarm using Keyfob started the countdown process without delay, and opening a window with the Mini Door / Window sensor attached set the iota siren for a second. Notifications for each event arrived in the first two seconds, both from the Abode application and from the built-in iOS Home application.

Also, the iota system was extremely reliable, with no connectivity issues, except where no response appeared in the Home app after the first time I associated it (more on that in a minute) . After the problems of the Home application were corrected, the system has been available for automation and control through HomeKit ever since.

Privacy issues

Set the iota security package: What I do not like

While the included hardware, along with the iota Security Kit has a premium look and feel, the Abode application doesn't have the same fit and finish, which somewhat dampens the overall experience. Yes, you can perform most of the basic tasks within the application, just fine, the camera power extraction is a bit slow and there are a lot of features that are simply not available, such as notification settings, which are currently only accessible through to a not so mobile friendly web portal.

Another thing is that the application (along with the documentation and website included) does not mention how to reset the system if there are problems. After seeing some issues with the system that does not display a response in HomeKit after I initially set it up, I removed it from the Home application and unfortunately I could not reappear. The only way to remedy this was by resetting the iota, which involves pressing a button hidden beneath the fabric in front of the accessory, a process I found only because of a post on Reddit. I am not at all sure why I saw this only after I first associated the system, but its association the second time deleted things.

Perhaps the biggest missing feature is privacy, where there is no simple switch to disable the built-in iphone microphone. There is a setting to turn off the video stream from the camera, but not to the microphone, so although you can't see what's going on, you can still hear all the action inside the app. This is a strange omission, especially considering the issue of privacy issues, which are seemingly round every day and is one that will surely keep some potential buyers away.

The almighty eye

Subscribe to the iota security package Bottom line

4
out of 5

Despite some flaws that could (and should) be easily remedied through application updates, the iota Security Kit is one of the best DIY security systems on the market. Abode hardware and accessories are top notch, offering fast response times, high levels of reliability and careful touches, such as an integrated camera and a backup battery. The iota security kit includes everything you need to start your home security journey, and Abode offers tons of additional accessories to extend coverage as your needs evolve.

The Abode decision to allow users to monitor their own homes without requiring a subscription is also a breath of fresh air, which requires meeting current trends. Professional monitoring plans are available if you wish, but you can certainly get a free level by offering everyone the best in both worlds. If you are in the market for a smart DIY security system that plays well with all voice assistants, then the iota Security Kit should definitely be on your list.

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