Apparently, LG has changed its mind, as the South Korean company now claims that it will allow AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility on its older TVs.
Despite previous promises to release software updates that support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on older TVs, LG wrote last week on Twitter that it won't actually bring those Apple features to its 2018 Smart TV models. .
But on Monday, LG UK, through the same Twitter account it uses for corporate communications, said that AirPlay 2 and omeHomeKit will eventually come on its TVs before 2019.
In addition, select LG TVs 2018 that now support the Apple TV application, the company revealed. "Customers around the world can now enjoy the Apple TV app on LG 2018 OLED and Super UHD TVs, following the UHD TV models," reads the company's tweet in this case. "LG 2018 TVs will add support for Apple irAirPlay 2 and omeHomeKit later this year," the tweet continues.
Customers around the world can now enjoy the Apple TV application on LG 2018 OLED and Super UHD TVs, following the UHD TV models. LG TVs 2018 will add support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit later this year, and more details will be shared when these features become available
The company has promised to share more details when the features become available.
As MacRumors noted, LG deleted the original tweet claiming that it has canceled plans to bring the features to older TVs. The fact that the original tweet was followed by complaints from dissatisfied TV owners in 2018 could have forced the company to change its position.
That being said, people with a 2018 TV, such as the LG SK and UK models, as well as the OLED B8 to Z8 models, will receive support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit later this year.
LG, in April 2020, reiterated its previous assurance of providing software support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on its select TVs manufactured in 2018. Support for Apple features was initially promised to arrive through a software update that was due to arrive. until October this year.
My family has never used light bulbs unless we have company. We prefer natural light and lamps. A few years ago, we replaced all of our bulbs with LED bulbs and invested in HomeKit-compatible socket switches as a way to control them from the Home app, HomePod with Siri, and HomeKit automation. As part of my outdoor lighting project that I did earlier this year, I invested in a Philips Hue hub with Hue outdoor projectors. After a few months of use, I decided I was ready to start converting my outlets to Hue bulbs.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks and everything related to the Apple smart home frame.
Philips has created its own ecosystem with the Hue range. The first thing you will need to purchase is a starter kit that includes a Hub. Most starter kits also include a few light bulbs to get you started. I initially wondered why light bulbs shouldn't talk directly to HomeKit about the need to use a hub.
After years of using HomeKit, I began to realize that the protocol was not perfect. In some cases, it's more reliable to have a hub connected to Ethernet / power that can handle the HomeKit, so all devices need to do is talk to the Hub again. In a word, it comes down to reliability. If you have multiple HomeKit products, you know that there are times when they need to be turned on to maintain HomeKit connectivity. But the Hue bulbs I have have been working flawlessly since they were installed.
With the Philips Hue HomeKit setup, I have a Hub, four projectors I mentioned earlier, two regular bulbs and two bulbs that can be changed to different colors. One of the most immediate differences in the use of Hue bulbs compared to standard LED bulbs with a HomeKit switched socket is that they can be adjusted. Many of you shake your head thinking, "Of course, that's a key difference." It simply hadn't occurred to me that fatigue was something I was missing. Ever since I added the first light bulbs, I've been able to adjust some of our morning scenes when I wake up drinking coffee, but no one is awake. I used the Abode motion sensor to turn on a few lights after 5 in the morning when they detected motion, but now I can use Hue bulbs to keep their brightness at 30% when they light up in the morning. I created a second automation to turn up the lights 100% at 7 in the morning when the rest of my family usually wakes up. This feature makes choosing a Hue bulb a better choice than a standard LED with switched socket.
My next purchase was a set of Hue bulbs that can be changed to colors other than a standard light. I said in previous articles that the August lock is my wife's favorite smart home product, but Hue colored light bulbs are my kids' favorite smart home products. I want them now in every room and I want them to have "dance parties" every night, where they dance listening to the Trolls World Tour soundtrack.
The Hue app offers several different colors and presets that you can configure. I especially like the built-in scenes, because we use the Nightlight mode after our children sleep. It still gives us a little light in the living room, but it doesn't light their rooms. Regarding the daily use of different colors, we found that when we want to watch a movie, it is an excellent option to use a brightness of 40% with a red hue to give the room more of a "theater" configuration. .
Philips Hue Homekit support and software updates
As good as the Hue app is, I prefer to control all my smart home products in the Home app. Shade bulbs can be dimmed and change colors without leaving the Home app. They can be part of automation just like any other HomeKit product, and this is where the magic of HomeKit comes in. I can use an Aqara motion sensor to automatically control a Hue bulb without the two companies having to build integration. If you're a HomeKit fan, all you need to know is that Hue is a first-class citizen.
One aspect of the Philips Hue experience that I appreciate is the automatic software updates. I have quite a problem keeping everything in the latest software, so when I have dozens of HomeKit products, if some of them stay up to date, this is one less thing to worry about. As more IoT devices appear, it will be essential to keep them up to date to maintain the right vulnerabilities.
Wrap up
If you want to build a complete ecosystem of HomeKit compatible lighting products, the Philips Hue ecosystem is a great place to start. They have countless options for building interior and exterior lighting, which is more traditional and combines with your home, as well as more modern products, if you want to make a statement.
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Signify today announced a variety of extensions to its Philips Hue smart lighting category. The HomeKit-compatible smart lighting collection now includes a reinvented Iris table lamp, a new gradient light strip, and more.
First, Philips Hue reintroduced the Philips Hue Iris table lamp. This was one of Philips Hue's original ambient lighting products and received a notable update today:
The updated Philips Hue Iris ($ 99.99) puts a new emphasis on an iconic design. Available from October 19, 2020, the elegant table lamp will be reintroduced, offering richer colors, less dimming than ever and a significant increase in brightness (up to 570 lumens) when using white light, as well as a material wrapped in cord fabric. Place the Iris lamp anywhere in your home; use it to wash the walls of the living room with colored light or place it on a bedside table for a gentle night light. You can instantly control it via Bluetooth in a single room, or pair it with a Hue bridge to unlock your entire suite of smart lighting features.
Here's a look at Philips Hue Iris in action:
Philips Hue also continues its trend to add Bluetooth connectivity to its range of smart lighting products. This time, the Philips Hue E12 chandeliers in white and colored ($ 49.99 for one package) and white ($ 24.99 for one package) were updated with Bluetooth. Note that you will still need the Philips Hue bridge to use the HomeKit control.
Philips Hue also introduces larger sizes of its popular filament bulb, as well as Hue's smaller bulb. More information on this will be available soon on the Philips Hue website.
Perhaps the biggest announcement from Philips Hue today is the new Philips Hue Play degraded light strip. While Philips Hue already offers a variety of light strip options for indoor and outdoor use, the new gradient light strip is slightly different. It is designed to be mounted around the rear edges of the TV and is available in specific sizes for 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch TVs.
The Philips Hue Play gradient light strip offers a 45-degree light projection and a mixed light gradient. This is possible through the series of individually addressable LEDs, which allow you to set different colors for different areas on the tape and mix them together. When paired with the Philips Hue Sync Mac or the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync, the gradient light can also match what is displayed on your TV or computer.
However, these features come at a cost. Pricing details for the Philips Hue gradient light strip are available below. It will be available starting October 16, 2020, in the USA. Pre-order now.
55 inches (fits 55-60 inch TV sizes): $ 199.99
65-inch (fits 65-70 inch TV sizes): $ 219.99
75-inch (fits 75-85-inch TV sizes): $ 239.99
Finally, Philips Hue joins August to provide a deeper integration between Yale and August smart locks and Philips Hue lighting products. Signify says this partnership will start later this month and will allow users to set up vending machines to automatically turn on the lights when a door is unlocked, to give light access to guests and more.
You can find more details about the Philips Hue and August partnership here.
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Korean consumer electronics giant LG has canceled plans to support Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit technologies for its older 2018 models, despite previous assurances.
This means that the owners of the company's 2018 TVs, such as SK and UK LED TVs and B8 to Z8 OLED TVs, will not receive support for the aforementioned Apple technologies. "Hello, LG does not intend to update its pre-2019 TVs with Airplay2 or Homekit unfortunately," according to a tweet from LG UK observed by MacRumors.
Indeed, all previous mentions regarding the LG 2018 TVs receiving AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support have been removed from the LG support page. AppleInsider mentioned that the tweet dates from a week ago. However, it is now followed by complaints from TV owners in 2018.
Your company should be ashamed. I am sure that more than 22,000 customers will never buy another product from LG now, after knowing that the life of your products is much less than 2 years. Especially considering that you said that you will update the 2018 TVs on your website and now you have deleted it!
Only a few months ago, in April 2020, LG reiterated its previous promise that AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will come to select TVs made in 2018. The functions should have arrived through a software update that was to be released by October . year.
However, today's confirmation from the Korean provider virtually eliminates all hopes of AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility on LG TVs made in 2018. Do you have an LG TV 2018 or older, but want AirPlay 2 and HomeKit built-in? If you ask LG, in this case, you should simply buy a new TV from them (or simply buy a much cheaper Apple TV and do so).
Picture: LG ThinQ AI TV with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support
Even if the iRobot line of smart aspirants doesn't support the Apple HomeKit, there's a way to control the iRobot Roomba with Siri. It's not as simple as downloading an app and pressing a button, but it's not too complex either. If you have a vicious mood, then you will have an explosion and in about 10 minutes, you should be able to order your Roomba using Siri or actions programmed in the Shortcuts application on the iPhone.
How to control a Roomba with Siri
In order to be able to order a Roomba using Siri, we will have to create webhooks. In short, web hooks are snippets of code related to a web application that are triggered by a particular event. When that event occurs, the source makes an HTTP request to the URL configured for the web hook. If the URL is set up correctly, we can make it do whatever we want. In our case, we want the URL to start our Roomba.
If all else fails, here's a breakdown of what will happen once we're done:
We'll create a specific URL that, when prompted, will start your Roomba.
You'll tell Siri to start Roomba
Using the shortcut application, Siri will essentially make a request to the specific URL
The URL will talk to your Roomba and command it to start
After all, you don't have to understand anything as long as you follow these simple instructions below.
How to control your Roomba with Siri
1) Create an IFTTT account
First, create a free account on IFTTT.com. This is the service we will use to create webhooks that will eventually control your iRobot.
Once configured, create a new automation by clicking the button Create header link. You'll see a screen prompting you to create a new automation with the words "If that, then that. "
If it The URL (to be created below) is called, then that the action (start Roomba) will happen.
2) Create a webhook
Click on This. It will open a page where we can select the service we want to use. Type webhooks in the search box and select the service.
3) Connect the webhook
On the next screen, click the button Connect button.
4) Create the name and trigger of the event
The next step is to choose the trigger associated with this service. At the time of writing, only one trigger is available. Click on Receive a web request trigger. Then type start_roomba as an event name. Don't forget the underline between the two words.
Click on Create the trigger going forward.
We have now completed the "if this" part of our "if this, then that" recipe. Now we need to finish it by telling the service what happens when the web hook is triggered.
Click on That continue.
5) Select an action service
On this screen, the next screen, type iRobot in the search box and select this action service.
6) Connect the iRobot service
As we did above for the webhook, we need to connect the iRobot service. Click the button Connect button. This will open a new window asking you to log in to your iRobot Home account. Enter your username and password.
7) Choose the action you want Roomba to perform
On the next screen, you are shown all the possible actions that Roomba can perform when triggered. To begin, we want to choose the most obvious action, which is Robot starts.
8) Create the action
Under the robot name, select the Roomba you want to control. That's if you have more Roombas. Or else, the Roomba will be selected by default. Click Create action.
9) Review and finish
Finally, you can examine the created action. I suggest disabling notifications when this applet is running so that it doesn't confuse you every time you run it. Click completion.
Now we have created the trigger and its action. Going back to "if this, then this", you can see that we have successfully configured an action that is activated with a trigger. If the URL "start_roomba" is triggered, start Roomba.
What remains to be done is to determine how this web browser is triggered in the first place.
10) Find the URL of the web hook
Back on the IFTTT home page, click your account in the upper right, then select My services. Click the button Webhooks section. Finally, click Documentation top right.
11) Save your secret web hook key
Now you are presented with the secret webhook key. Make sure you keep this private and do not share it with anyone.
On your computer, open a new note in the Notes application and copy / paste this key.
Also, copy / paste the web request URL displayed at the top. It should look like this:
We will now create a new shortcut in the Shortcuts app that comes with your iPhone. This shortcut will call our URL on demand, ordering our Roomba.
Open the Shortcuts app and tap + top right icon to create a new shortcut. In the search box at the bottom, search the URL, and select URL of all available actions.
Now search Get the contents of the URL and select the action.
As you can see, the default URL provided is apple.com. We want to replace this with our own URL created in step 12, as shown below.
Next, we can give a name to our shortcut. Touch the elliptical icon ( ... ) at the top right and rename this shortcut Start Roomba. You can even customize it with your own icon, if you want.
Finally, tap the Play Triangle icon at the bottom of the screen to test the shortcut. The first time you run the shortcut, you will be prompted to access maker.ifttt.com. Make sure you allow access.
When you press the button Start the Roomba shortcut, you should hear your Roomba starting in seconds.
14) Start Roomba with Siri
Now we have confirmed that the shortcut works. The last step is to test Roomba control with Siri. To do this, say "Hey Siri, start Roomba". If you have not activated Hey Siri, you will have to press and hold the side button of the iPhone, then say "Start Roomba" when the Siri interface appears on the screen.
15) More ways to control Roomba with Siri
At this time, we have only created one action to start Roomba, but as you remember from step 7 above, there are other actions that can be created for:
Pause Roomba
Resume Roomba
Dock Roomba
Stop Roomba
Locate Roomba
Obviously, you are more than welcome to create more actions to complete any of the above tasks. Personally, I suggest creating additional actions to pause, resume, and connect Roomba.
To create more actions, follow all the steps above. Obviously, you will not have to create another IFTTT account. You will also not need to connect your iRobot webhooks and account, as they are already connected. All you have to do is create new triggers (see step 4) for each action you want.
To summarize, you'll essentially need to start with step 1 for each new action, but now that you've done most of the work, additional actions will only take a few seconds to create. And, of course, for each action, you will have to create a new shortcut.
Siri will only work with the expression you created
By default, Siri will start / stop / etc the robot only based on the shortcut you created. So you need to make sure that you tell Siri the exact name of the shortcut every time you want to run it.
You can also customize the phrase you want to use to control Roomba. So instead of saying "Start Roomba" to start the robot, you can rename the shortcut to be called "clean the house," which is actually what I use. Instead of saying "Roomba break", you can rename that shortcut to be called "cleaning break". You can repeat these steps for each shortcut.
An alternative method is to double the shortcuts. In essence, you can have several identical shortcuts that have different names. They would all do the same thing, but they would trigger Siri using different key phrases.
For example, you can copy the "Start Roomba" shortcut several times. You could call one duplicate "clean the house" and the other duplicate "turn on the robot." This way, it gives you a little flexibility in how you ask Siri to control the robot. In the end, you'll always have to tell Siri just one command name exactly for it to work.
In conclusion, the process of creating ways for Siri to control your Roomba is quite easy and becomes easier as you add more controls to the mix. But if you have any questions about this process, feel free to comment.
Today's level removes the latest smart lock activated for HomeKit, Touch Touch. Similar to the Level Bolt, which we reviewed earlier this summer, the Level Touch is designed to be unconscious due to a design that tries hard not to draw attention to itself.
As it is called, Level Touch is activated by touch, allowing users to lock their doors when leaving the house with a simple touch. The Touch level is available to buy now for $ 329, and except for a screwdriver, it comes with all the necessary installation hardware. Read on to learn more about the newest smart lock option to get on stage.
Although minimal in design, the Touch Level differs from the original Level Bolt in that it is a complete package that includes not only the innner and deadbolt locking mechanism, but also includes key locking and touch sensitive finger rotation. Thus, unlike its predecessor, which allowed you to reuse your existing key lock and thumb rotation, Level Touch offers a complete replacement for your existing deadbolt lock.
"Level Touch introduces a new generation of locks and connected home," said John Martin, co-founder and CEO of Level. "So far, smart home products have traded design for functionality and features, creating an imbalance in the natural tension between design and technology. We end this compromise with Level Touch, where the exterior is as strong, beautiful and precise as the interior. Level Touch was created for people who want to make their home a home that values design and technology equally. "
Available in satin chrome, satin nickel, polished brass and even a matte black color option, there is a touch level available that will fit perfectly with your existing door hardware. Otherwise, Level Touch is made of stainless steel, and Level notices that the gearbox locks and unlocks in the most difficult conditions.
Like the level Bolt, this model is also powered by a cleverly hidden CR2 battery, located inside the dead block. The battery should ensure that the electricity is blocked for at least one year.
Related: Bolt level review
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One of my key concerns during my initial review of the Bolt level revolved around security and sustainability. Like Bolt, the Touch level is represented by the AAA certification of hardware manufacturers Hardware Builders (BHMA), which means that it obtains the highest qualification in the three categories of security, durability and finishing.
Level Touch uses Bluetooth LE to automatically unlock your door when you enter the home door. And if you don't happen to have your phone on you, homeowners can take advantage of discrete NFC-enabled keypad books to unlock them.
As for closing the door, there is the aspect of touching. Users can simply use their finger to touch the lock with one finger to lock the door on leaving the house or to rely on the time-activated lock.
Of course, there is also the Level app for locking and unlocking the door, adjusting settings and inviting guests to use the phone as a key. However, I much prefer to use HomeKit, which this lock can take advantage of without any additional hubs. As long as you have a HomeKit hub (Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad), you're ready to start unlocking your door using Home apps and Siri commands on all of your eligible Apple devices.
As with the Level Bolt, the installation is a piece of cake and only requires a screwdriver to do it. We plan to install Level Bolt soon and will be watching a hands-on video review in the near future.
In the meantime, you can order Level Touch starting today for $ 329 on Level.co. What do you think about Level Touch? Would you consider it in connection with some of the competing smart locks available today? Call below in the comments with your thoughts.
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As someone who loves technology, it's easy to get excited about new things. I like to connect with the latest gadgets, but I know for those who do not deal with it, this seems like a nightmare. My wife is not excited about the new technology. As long as it makes her life easier, she is happy. She wants to work. Immediately after Christmas 2019, we purchased the third generation August Smart Lock Pro. Since then I have loved absolutely every aspect. A few weeks ago, I decided to upgrade to Wi-Fi Smart Lock, 4th generation. Read on to learn more about smart Wi-Fi blocking in August and why it's worth upgrading to the latest generation.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.
After hearing about smart locks for years, I was reluctant to buy one because I was worried that the installation was complicated and would require me to change the entire door handle. Once I started to take a closer look at August's products, I realized that all I had to do was replace the inside of the lock. The 3rd generation product was a breeze to install and so was the last generation. Even for someone who is not so handy, I was able to go from unboxing to setting up the final touches in about half an hour.
The installation process
August did an excellent job of building a short video for every step of the way. The first step is to use tape for painters to ensure that the outer mortal does not fall. Second, remove the inside of the jam. It then walks you through using the supplied adapters to connect August Lock to your dead lock. In total, the hardware installation took ten minutes. You will need a Philips head screwdriver, but other than that, all the necessary products are in the box.
In my situation, I was deleting an existing lock for August, so I had to lift the tabs on the side to unlock the actual August lock, then I removed the mounting bracket. Then I worked back with the 4th generation Wi-Fi Smart Lock products from August. I screwed on the mounting bracket, added the locking adapter, and then mounted the new lock. Since I already installed the Door Sense sensor, I was only able to leave it as it was in the previous installation.
Once the hardware was set up, I went to work on setting up the software. Software setup is another place where August did an excellent job of making it easy. He walked me through the calibration process, sharing it with my wife over the August app, then adding it to the HomeKit. Once this was done, I removed the old lock by doing a factory reset.
The total period from disconnection to operation was about thirty minutes. For someone like that hates Home projects with passion, it was painless. If you have maintained a smart lock due to perceived complexity, you will safely choose a smart Wi-Fi lock August,
Daily use of smart Wi-Fi lock August
My house includes a two-car garage that I used quite often before I got the lock. One day, you may have grown five times. Now, only the first thing is used in the morning and we park on the alley until we get home at night. We put less wear on the garage door, thanks to the August Smart Lock Pro.
HomeKit support with Smart Wi-Fi Lock August
We set it up where it unlocks automatically as we make our way home, so we don't have to agree to find our keys while trying to bring our kids home. As we leave, it locks automatically. We also set it to lock automatically when we get home after five minutes. It's a perfect example of how smart home products should work. We don't have to think about that. It blends in perfectly with our lifestyle and works behind the scenes.
Thanks to its HomeKit support, I can always connect to Siri to make sure my door is locked. I can also set it to work with other automations. At the moment, I need to set the automatic lock by HomeKit automation when our "Night" mode continues. If the door is still unlocked, I know HomeKit will lock it.
Which makes the 4th generation lock different
If you have a previous August crash, you may be wondering what makes the 4th generation crash different and whether it's worth upgrading. The first thing you will notice is that it is dramatically smaller. August claims it is 45% smaller and I believe them. The previous locks were not massive, but they were much larger than a normal lock. The August 4 look of the generation blends much more with your door. The second reason to upgrade is to avoid needing the Connect Bridge. Previously, if you wanted to access the August lock site and didn't have HomeKit, you'll need the Connect Bridge. Otherwise, the lock would only work with Bluetooth. With the 4th generation lock, Wi-Fi is built into the lock itself, so no bridge is needed.
Since I was able to sell my old lock for about 1/3 of the cost of the new lock, it was a worthy upgrade. The 45% lower form factor is just worth the upgrade for me.
Wrap on the August Wi-Fi smart lock
August Lock Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro is my favorite HomeKit product. I like being able to unlock the door as we walk home. It blends in nicely with the rest of our door hardware. It was extremely handy while we were on vacation a few weeks ago, as we rebuilt our floors due to the tornado damage in April. I was able to unlock my front doors every morning before he arrived and lock it again when they left in the evening.
The smart Wi-Fi lock in August allows us to avoid key fumes when transporting food, trying to bring the children while also trying to prevent the dog from coming out. As we speak, the door authenticates to our phone and unlocks automatically. A few minutes later, it automatically locks back. No doubt, if you only have one smart home product, make it the new August Wi-Fi lock.
The 4th generation solves all the complaints we had about the previous version, so it's a great time to buy one.
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The Eve app allows you to control all HomeKit-enabled accessories with multiple customizations and automations. The Eve for HomeKit app has been updated to version 4.5 today, with significant enhancements, including a new full-screen overview with simultaneous live videos from all of your HomeKit cameras and more.
With the latest update, Eve users will find a new "My Cameras" menu that shows at a glance the live video of Eve Cam and other cameras compatible with HomeKit. From there, you can simply tap a specific view of the camera to see it in full screen.
The app also allows users to create Siri shortcuts to manage HomeKit cameras, so accessing live video from your cameras with the Eve app is as easy as saying "Show my cameras" to Siri.
To access the camera overview, a new "My Cameras" tile will automatically appear in "First Look" if you have multiple rooms in your home. From there, you can also enable convenient Siri integration - once added to Siri, getting the full image is just a quick "Show my cameras" voice command. Touch any live view of the camera to go to the full screen for that camera, or tap and hold to set a scene directly or control other HomeKit-compatible accessories in that camera.
Another great new option included with the latest version of Eve is Twisted Camera Orientation, which lets you install your Eve Cam upside down and then easily flip the video into the app. A free firmware update to enable the twisted option is now available for current Eve Cam models.
Eve Cam settings now offer a new option to browse the camera image. With Eve Cam's magnetic base attached to all sorts of items in your home, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for mounting Eve Cam in the perfect location. To access this new setting, Eve Cam requires at least firmware version 1.0.3, which was also released as a free update and includes many other general improvements.
The latest version of the Eve app for HomeKit is now available in the App Store. The application is free and requires an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad running iOS 13.1 or iPadOS 13.1 and later. You can also buy Eve Cam from Evehome.com or Amazon.
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There are some smart home accessories that do more than stop or change color. Devices such as door locks and motion sensors are used to keep you safe and in control of the house. So it is with good reason that accessories like these come with notifications.
If you want to receive an alert when the door locks or movement is detected, as examples, here's how you can set up notifications for HomeKit devices.
Home accessories notifications
When you create a notification for one of your accessories, that notification only applies to the device on which you created it. So, if you set up the alert on your iPhone, you will only receive it on your iPhone. Because of this, you may want to create HomeKit notifications for your accessories on multiple Apple devices.
Customizable notifications
Before setting up notifications, it's a good idea to know about the customization options you'll see.
When you set up a notification, you have the option to use the Time and People settings. None is necessary, but it can be convenient depending on our household.
Notifications for time
By default, the notification time will be set to Any. But you can select from during the day, night or specific hours that you can choose.
Notifications for people
By default, the People option is set to Off. But you can select from When someone is home, When I'm home, When no one is home or When I'm not home.
Keep these Time and People options in mind as you follow the steps below to set up your notifications if there are settings you want to use.
Set up notifications on iPhone and iPad
Open The home application on iPhone or iPad and then do the following to create the device notification.
Notifications for multiple devices
If you have multiple accessories that can use notifications, here's the easiest way to create alerts.
1) With Home open, click the button The home tab and then the key Home icon top left.
2) Under the Notifications, you will see connected devices capable of using notifications. Tap one to get started.
3) On the next screen below Allow notifications from, touch the device again.
4) Enable switching for Notifications on this iPhone / iPad. Optionally, customize notifications by Time or People.
5) When you're done, tap the key arrow top left to return twice and then tap Done.
Notifications for individual devices
You can also set notifications in individual device settings on iPhone and iPad.
1) Locate the device in the Home application. It can be a favorite on the home screen or in a specific room.
2)Press and hold the device icon and select Settings (wheel icon).
3) Choose Status and notifications.
4) Enable switching for Notifications on this iPhone / iPad. Optionally, customize notifications by Time or People here.
5) Click on arrow to come back and X to close the device settings.
Set up notifications on your Mac
Open The home the application on your Mac and follow one of these steps to create an accessory notification.
Notifications for multiple devices
As with iOS, if you have multiple notification-enabled accessories, this is the easiest way to create alerts.
1) With Home open, click Edit | × > Edit Home from the menu bar.
2) Under the Notifications, you will see the connected accessories that can use notifications. Select one to get started.
3) On the next screen below Allow notifications from, select the device again.
4) Enable switching for Notifications on this Mac. Optionally, customize notifications by Time or People.
5) When you're done, click the button arrow top left to go back twice and then click Done.
Notifications for individual devices
You can also set up notifications in individual device settings on your Mac.
1) Locate the device in the Home application. It can be a favorite on the home screen or in a specific room.
2)right click or hold Control and click the device icon and select Settings.
3) Click Status and notifications.
4) Enable switching for Notifications on this Mac. Optionally, customize notifications by Time or People here.
5) Click on arrow to come back and X to close the device settings.
Wrap it
Having notifications for certain smart home accessories is very helpful and can give you peace of mind. Remember, not all devices you connect to HomeKit support alerts.
Will you set up notifications for HomeKit accessories? If so, do you plan to use the Time and People settings? Let us know!
Aqara is a manufacturer that is fairly new to my smart home radar, so I was thrilled to use their devices and see how it works with HomeKit. This week, I want to take a look at the Aqara Smart Home Start Kit and the Aqara water sensor to see how easy it is to set up, how to connect it to the HomeKit and how it works every day.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart frame for Apple.
After posting my personal HomeKit starter kit last week, I received a few suggestions to check out the Aqara kit as a great first introduction to HomeKit and smart home technology. I bought it from Amazon when it was on sale and I also picked up the water sensor, because its size in the photo looked like it would fit under the door of my refrigerator, unnoticed.
I started paying attention to Aqara in July, with the announcement that they will remove the only HomeKit mode, which means you don't need to use the Aqara app. Since then, they have backtracked on that ad.
In response to recent feedback, Aqara has decided to continue to support HomeKit mode, which allows customers to enjoy basic device features and manage firmware updates for your Aqara HomeKit compatible devices. For questions, please contact us at technsupport@aqara.com. pic.twitter.com/fdAz9QmwEZ
From a technical perspective, Aqara comes with a Hub that communicates Aqara devices through Zigbee. The starter set comes with a hub, door / window sensor, motion sensor, smart connector and a hand switch that can be programmed to trigger scenes and other automations.
After disconnecting the starter kit, I downloaded the Aqara app from the App Store, connected the Hub and then started the pairing process. Associating the hub with the application was quite painless and each sensor, except the smart plug, has a battery tab that needs to be removed, but the process of associating with the hub was automatic.
Once everything was set up, I was then able to "link" the HomeKit Hub to the Aqara application. Once this process was completed, all individual sensors were then exposed in the HomeKit. The hub works via Wi-Fi, so you can connect it anywhere. We connected it to the bottom of our steps and use the built-in light as part of a HomeKit automation to start at a very low level at night.
Aqara Hub Automation
The smart switch is exactly what you expect from a HomeKit switch. One of the things I appreciate is that most of the size is vertical, where most of my others are horizontal. Especially in my bedroom, it fits much better in a wall surge protector than other smart switches. The window / door sensor works very similarly to VOCOlinc sensors. I still had a garage window to put a sensor on, so I covered the final window. The motion sensor is tinyso it is much easier to hide compared to others on the market. I use it in the dining room to turn on the lights if it feels moving at night. Finally, I use the wireless mini-switch to sit on my nightstand to trigger our bedtime scene. We have an Eve button on my wife's bedside, so it's nice to have options for both of us.
Aqara mini HomeKit automation switch
The last part of my Aqara installation was the water drain sensor. I already have several HomeKit water sensors, but they are too big to be hidden under my refrigerator door. A few years ago, we had a leak that damaged a few pieces of our hardwood floor, so I am extremely sensitive to make sure that the future will not leak. I replaced the leaking part with an OEM part that looks completely different, so I imagine it was a flawed design. Fortunately, it fit perfectly under my refrigerator, where it is barely visible and works with HomeKit. Because it's exposed in the HomeKit, you can create an automation in which your HomePod plays a specific song if a leak is detected, a certain light comes on, or you simply receive a notification from the Home app. For less than $ 20, this is the most cost-effective drain sensor on the market if you already have the Aqara hub.
Wrap on the Aqara smart home starter kit
At $ 129, the Aqara smart home starter kit offers a lot of value. It worked perfectly with HomeKit, was easy to set up, was easy to connect to HomeKit and looks like it could be a growing product ecosystem.
Because the Hub is the key to HomeKit compatibility, Aqara can easily expand to new products in the future. Because the connection between the hub and the sensors is based on Zigbee, the cost of the sensors may be lower than that of other competitors. If you want to buy a gift for someone to start with HomeKit, the Aqara smart home starter kit is one of the easiest ways to get started. Contains motion sensor, door / window sensor, mini-switch and connectivity hub.
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Abode's HomeKit alarm system is probably the best on the market for Apple users, and the company has just announced that the system is coming to the UK.
You can place a pre-order today with a 20% discount at launch and you should receive your system next month ...
Abode offers two starter kits, with or without a camera, with a range of additional products to extend the system.
Welcome to the latest home security system you will ever need.
We imagined everything about what a home security experience should be like and created something that is remarkably simple to set up and easy to use. With the starter kit, you will have everything you need to move to a lifelong, secure home security system. Build your system to fit your home by easily adding devices only as needed.
Easy automatic installation without the need for tools or wiring. Connect up to 160 devices for complete protection at home.
The Smart Security Kit costs £ 299.99 and offers gateway, two door / window sensors, motion sensor, key fob and sticker. The Smart Security Plus kit is the same, plus a camera for GBP 418.99.
Accessories include additional door / window sensors, glass break sensors, motion sensors, multiple cameras, keypad, outdoor siren, panic button and drain sensor.
We liked it so much, we reviewed it twice. Bradley Chambers said HomeKit integration is a huge selling point.
I recently bought a lock in August, so the ability to automatically disable the alarm when I unlocked the door was very interesting. […]
The Abode iota base station includes a built-in 1080p camera (can be turned off in settings) that can be programmed to start capturing video when the alarm is triggered. It can also be added to the Apple Home app, where you can create various automations around it […]
One of the HomeKit functions I currently use is when the motion sensor sees the movement between 5:00 and 7:00, it triggers the lamp in our kitchen that is connected via a smart Wemo mini plug. I wake up around 5:00, so I want this light on when I make my morning coffee.
Another HomeKit integration is that the automatic alarm is activated when it no longer detects movements after 22:00, as we are probably in bed.
Michael Potuck said a HomeKit alarm system was the attraction for him, but he also liked the flexibility.
I think the biggest positive aspect that stands out is how flexible and capable it is. If you want to use traditional hardware accessories, such as a physical keyboard or the included keyboard, Abode supports this. For a more modern approach, you can opt to use automation and the iOS app and the Home app to arm and disarm the system (or, of course, all of the above).
You have HomeKit support, which is the big selling point for me, but there are also Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Sonos, Ecobee, ZWave and many more features. And there is also the option to use professional on-demand monitoring if you want to have flexibility when using it. […]
Overall, after spending time with the Abode Iota HomeKit security system, I think it offers the best experience available, even if there are improvements that I hope will come in future updates. It's much improved when it comes to functionality and flexibility when it comes to traditional options, such as ADT, and also jumps to newer options, such as SimpliSafe, by collaborating with HomeKit and a longer list of smart platforms and services for the home.
When you look at everything you get with Abode and the ability to easily customize and install the security system for any type of home or business, I think it has great value.
You can pre-order from the company's website.
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Control of the smart home on iPhone and iPad is simple with the Home app. And with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, you have a clearer way to see and manage your HomeKit accessories.
What was written in the summary section written at the top of the Home app is now a visual summary of connected devices. This allows you to act quickly or control your accessories more easily. Here's a presentation of the visual status section for devices in the Home app.
What you'll see in the Home app
As the status section improves with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, you'll see more active HomeKit accessories. This means you don't have to read what each device does, fish through your Favorites, or visit a camera to control an accessory. Instead, you have a beautiful view that allows you to take a look at the status of the device. You will also see those accessories that need your attention.
Here's how Apple sums up this useful area of the Home app:
A new visual status at the top of the Home app gives you a summary of accessories that need your attention, have important status changes to share, or can be quickly controlled.
Which makes it different
Before iOS 14, you were able to see the condition of an accessory, but it was in written form. With the Home app update, you'll see the device icons instead, allowing you to take a look.
Here is a view before and after the Home tab with the visual status section.
Each room that contains a connected accessory also has a visual summary at hand. So, not only can you see the status of all the devices on the Home tab, but you can also see the ones inside each room.
Each icon in the visual status section is as interactive as before. You can touch to control an accessory or press and hold to adjust one.
Wrap it
We hope you'll find an improvement in the updated status section of the Home app accessories. But we would like to know your thoughts. Do you prefer written words to device icons? Tell us below!
After many years of too much news about HomeKit cameras, it seems that we are now getting new cameras on a regular basis and it is great to see that the products are starting to mature. In recent weeks, we tested the new Camufa and Tilt Eufy Security 2K Indoor charging camera. I also tested eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam and I recommend you check out the Chance Miller product review and decide which one is right for you.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart frame for Apple.
eufy (owned by Anker) soon became one of HomeKit's favorite manufacturers. They use four outdoor cameras as well as their bell. See my full review of outdoor cameras and my review of the new eufyCam 2 Pro to learn more about their smart home products.
Low cost HomeKit camera
While eufyCam outdoor products are relatively expensive to start with, their new indoor cameras are extremely low priced. For no more than one Wyze camera, you get a compatible HomeKit Secure Video compatible camera that does not require a base station and can also be recorded on a micro SD card.
So what does the eufy feature inner cam offer? In a tiny form factor, you get a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi camera with night vision, local recording options, HomeKit Secure Video, pan and tilt (inside the eufy app), 2k resolution (Home app is only 1080p and two - microphone mode). The camera can rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 96 degrees vertically. The field of view for the eufy pan and tilt camera is also 125 degrees.
HomeKit vs HomeKit no
There are several eufy panel and tilt features that are not available when using HomeKit. Areas of activity and AI detection (person, pets, etc.) are turned off when the camera is connected to the HomeKit. It's not as simple as using the Home app for one feature and the eufy app for another, but rather the functions are grayed out, and the app clearly states that it activates them, you need to remove the camera from the HomeKit. The pet control function is removed only when you use HomeKit, but this is an extension of the activity zone function. This feature would command the pet to stop entering an area based on an area of activity. Although these features are nice, I would prefer the HomeKit camcorder to use the HomeKit Secure Video to end the encrypted storage.
Wrap the eufy Pan and Tilt camera
With less than $ 50, you can't really beat the price point of this room if you want a low-cost HomeKit room. Other products are slightly over $ 100 with a set of similar features. Although HomeKit support (with Secure Video) was not available at launch in early spring, it is now available through a free firmware update.
One of the features I appreciate about these eufy cameras is the micro SD slot. I have six total cameras from eufy, so I'm over the five camera limits for HomeKit Secure Video. One of the things I realized when I set up the eufy panel and title and the eufy inner camera is that you can add multiple cameras to the HomeKit, but I can't activate the recording.
My strategy here is to have all my cameras in the HomeKit for automation, but I have a micro SD card in the eufy inner cam for recording. Since that camera is in a low-traffic area, I'm okay not registering it with HomeKit because I'm still registering it locally. I would prefer Apple to increase the limit for 2 TB iCloud clients, but this solution is usable for now. Even if you do not allow recording, you can use the camera's motion sensor to turn on HomeKit automations for turning on lights, managing temperature, and more.
Overall, the eufy has a winner here with the range of indoor rooms. It is not made of the same materials as something like Netatmo. However, for a high-quality, low-cost indoor camera with HomeKit Secure Video, you can't go wrong with either the eufy panel and panel or the eufy interior camera.
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If you're using the Home app to control smart lights, ringtone, or thermostat, you'll be glad to know that the app hasn't been left out of the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates.
To manage your accessories more easily, you can control them from the easiest place on your device - Control Center. And what's even better is that these controls are as smart as your devices, because you'll see accessories and scenes depending on the time of day or usage. Let's take a look at how to use controls for home accessories in the Control Center.
Adding controls to the Control Center
You can immediately see the accessories and scenes in the Control Center after upgrading to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14. But if not, here's how to put them there.
Open Settings and select Control Center. Then turn on switching for Show check boxes.
Now, when you open Control Center, you should see some props or scenes ready for you.
Using the controls in the Control Center
If you have a scene set up for bed, then around that time of night, you will see that scene in the Control Center. Or if you turn on a certain light every day, you'll see that accessory in the Control Center every day.
You can also control your devices yourself with the icons in the Control Center. For example, tap to turn a light off or on, or press and hold to adjust the brightness.
In addition, you have a Home icon that allows you to control your favorite accessories and visit the rooms. Tap and hold this icon and you'll see your preferences. Touch to turn one on or off, or tap and hold to adjust it.
If you touch Favorites at the top of the window, you will see your rooms. Tap to visit a room and then check the accessories inside it. To open the Home app, tap the key The home the icon at the top of the Favorites window.
Wrap it
From manually controlling your devices to a smarter control center, you'll appreciate the ease of access to HomeKit accessories in this convenient location.
Are you happy to see controls for your smart home in the Control Center? Do you think this addition is delayed? Let's get to know our thoughts below!
HomeKit bells are like unicorns. Mythical and faithful, yet it still holds a place in our imagination. What if they were real? HomeKit house bells, not unicorns, that is. It turns out that they exist and are as magical as any HomeKit enthusiast would expect. Especially if you wait years to get your hands on one.
Yobi B3 is the star of the HomeKit doorbell category. With an affordable price and a consumer-friendly design, Yobi is created to fill the massive gap left by Ring and other popular smart ringtones.
Update July 27, 2020: The Yobi B3 is now widely available to customers, including Amazon. How do you do two months and a WWDC later? The Yobi B3 is still the smart ringtone I use (and there is still no competition for HomeKit home bells). The safe Yobi B3 HomeKit video is not yet a thing, so patience can reward those who wait a longer time for a light HomeKit ringtone. However, it is the best smart ringtone compatible with HomeKit, based on privacy. HomeKit Secure Video and iOS 14 areas and HomePod contact recognition ads would remove this from the park.
The basics
If you already have a traditional ringtone installed, the process of switching to Yobi is simple.
Yobi replaces the existing doorbell with the front door
It is based on your existing cable and the ringing career inside, no Power over Ethernet required
Yobi includes a power adapter that may need to be attached inside your ringtone (my 1993 ringtone did not require this)
Yobi provides good documentation on how to install B3 instead of the old doorbell. If you do not feel comfortable with basic electrical work or do not have an existing bell, contact an electrician.
Like the other smart bells we tested, the Yobi includes two viewing position adapters that are optionally installed between the B3 bell and the wall.
An adapter allows you to angle the view of the smart camera with the door up and down, depending on the position. The other adapter allows you to angle the POV to the left or right.
The adapter is white and not black as I would prefer, but that means you can paint it to fit the outside of your home.
application
Yobi B3 is specially created to serve the market of smart home users who have been waiting for years to take advantage of the doorbell category from HomeKit. For this reason, Yobi relies entirely on the Apple Home app for setup and control.
For HomeKit enthusiasts like me, this is a major plus. No unpleasant applications are required to manage configuration or control. Instead, the Apple Home app is the interface for naming, assigning location and interacting with Yobi B3.
This is great if HomeKit compatibility is your priority as I am. As Apple HomeKit improves with new features (such as next month in iOS 14 beta), Yobi B3 will automatically adopt those new features in the Home app.
On the other hand, you won't have application-specific features that accessory manufacturers can build into their own applications outside of HomeKit - but this is HomeKit room bell.
HomeKit Secure Video?
The Yobi B3 works like a HomeKit camcorder just like other compatible smart cameras. The added benefit of being a sound camera is that you can get instant notification and quick access to a live video stream in the Home app when someone rings the ringtone. (The doorbell also shudders when someone rings.)
The Home app allows you to easily view and listen to your visitor, optionally speaking through the device's microphone so your visitor can hear you through the doorbell speaker, or turn off exterior lights, or unlock doors that have HomeKit accessories . Integration with other HomeKit accessories is excellent, and you can use HomeKit motion detection to receive alerts when motion is detected.
However, there is only one open question. Will Yobi B3 work with HomeKit Secure Video? The product would be absolutely perfect with the new version of Apple's video features. Video HomeKit Secure allows you to receive alerts based on various recognized objects such as people, pets, and cars. This filtering can be important for street cameras. Videos are also recorded for viewing more than just live streams.
The answer is maybe. Yobi is working with Apple to determine if the chip in the Yobi B3 will be able to support HomeKit Secure Video.
The feature requires a 200 GB iCloud storage plan (for one camera) or 1 TB (for up to five cameras). If HomeKit Secure Video is not important to you, this should not be a factor in your purchase decision. If your heart is set to HomeKit Secure Video support, let yourself play a little longer to see what happens.
Availability
The Yobi B3 is an easy-to-use easy-to-start HomeKit camera available for pre-order at $ 199 (Amazon). This is consistent with the price of many non-doorbell HomeKit cameras as well as non-HomeKit smart bells. The hardware is currently available in one color: the mix of black and gold finish seen here.
Being a HomeKit camcorder, not just a ringtone, the Yobi B3 is compatible with the Apple Home application, including on Mac and other HomeKit video applications, including HomeCam for Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.
If you're like me and have been waiting for ages for a lightweight, affordable HomeKit ringtone to hit the market, this is the model to check out.
Built-in speaker and microphone Two-way audio talk
wifi
802.11 b / g / n 2.4GHz (Does not support 5GHz network) Supports WPA and WPA2 protocols
Connection requirements
2.0 Mbps upload speed
integrations
Apple Homekit
Operating systems
Supports iOS 10.3 or later
Working temperature
-4 ° - 140 ° / -20 ° C - 60 ° C
Operation Humidity
<75% at 104 ° / 40 ° C
Weather resistance
Waterproof
In the box
1 Video Doorbell B31 Quick Start Guide
Screws and additional parts
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Arlo has been rolling out HomeKit support to a variety of its smart home cameras over the last year and that now includes the recently released multi-functional Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera that can work for both wireless and wired setups.
Arlo brought HomeKit functionality to its Arlo Pro and Pro 2 Cameras back in August last year (reviewed) and then followed up with the same for the Arlo Ultra in October.
This year we saw the next Arlo product, the Pro 3 Camera adopt HomeKit in February. Today it’s the turn of Arlo’s Pro 3 Floodlight Camera to get support for Apple’s smart home platform (via HomeKit News).
Arlo updated its product page for the smart floodlight/camera with the HomeKit adoption but something to keep in mind is that this is standard HomeKit support, not HomeKit Secure Video functionality. That means you’ll need to use Arlo’s subscription plans if you want to record footage.
Features of the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera include 160-degree field of view, the option to mount wirelessly or wired, 2K HDR resolution, up to 3000 lumens output from the security light, color night vision, two-way audio, and a built-in siren.
Notably, an alternative option, Netatmo’s Outdoor Security Camera (includes floodlight) recently got a siren upgrade and is expected to get HomeKit Secure Video at some point in the future. However, it is only available as a hardwired option and is a bit more expensive.
The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera usually sells for $250 direct from the company, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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I wrote about my eufyCam setup in the past when I was considering HomeKit Secure Video. I have several exterior rooms, the wired Eufy bell and I am testing various eufy interior rooms for a future review. As you can see, I am all in at Eufy as the producer of my room. They are low cost, reliable and work well with HomeKit. For my smart home needs, that's all I'm looking for in a camera. I recently chose a eufyCam 2 Pro to compare the quality with my existing cameras and to expand my outdoor coverage.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart frame for Apple.
When I first found out about the eufyCam 2 Pro, I immediately purchased it as a supplement to my existing system. One of the things I like about eufy is how I don't have to upgrade my base station to access the latest technology. If you don't have an eufyCam configuration today, you can purchase a kit that includes a base station and two eufyCam 2 benefits. Since I have an existing system, I only purchased a camera. I had $ 100 in Best Buy rewards waiting to be used, so there wasn't much money in my pocket for me.
Since I'm quite familiar with the eufyCam system, I knew that setting up the camera would only take a few minutes after I fully charged it. I received it in the evening from UPS, so I let it charge all night. I had an existing eufyCam on my front porch, which is set up to throw my lights in the shade when it detects movement through HomeKit automation, so the installation process was a breeze because it uses the same support. All I had to do was press the sync button behind the new camera, pair it inside the app, unscrew the existing camera and then screw in the new one.
Once I installed it, I had to figure out how to insert the camera into HomeKit and HomeKit Secure Video. This process was not as smooth as I assumed it would be, as I had forgotten how the other cameras worked. I assumed there would be an option in the camera settings to add it to the HomeKit, but it is actually in the base station settings.
Go to the main application menu> My Devices> Base Station> HomeKit Setup> HomeKit Login. If you have an existing eufyCam configuration, you will need to check the new camera. While HomeKit Secure Video supports five cameras, eufy only supports the addition of four on the base station. This new camera puts me at four in the open air, so now I'm at my limit. In fact, I'm on my toes with HomeKit Secure Video in general, as well as one of the eufy internal cameras that records at HomeKit. HomeKit Secure video limit does not affect the ability to view cameras and use automation. Overall, I have seven rooms in the HomeKit.
Quality eufyCam 2 Pro
The main reason to buy an eufyCam 2 Pro from an eufyCam 2 is the quality of the video. They both receive a 365-day fee (using HomeKit Secure Video will decrease slightly), rated for outdoor use, works with HomeKit, has a 140 ° field of view, and more. The main difference is that eufyCam 2 Pro records at a 2K resolution while eufyCam 2 records at 1080p. Specifications can be misleading. In the following, eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2 Pro are compared with each other.
Although the image of eufyCam 2 is not bad in any way, compared to the new Pro model, it is obvious how much better quality is in live production. The great thing about eufyCams is that you can mix and match. There may be areas where you want to have a higher resolution coverage that doesn't matter, so you can choose an eufyCam 2 starter kit to cover certain areas and then add to a eufyCam 2 Pro for the areas you want. to see more details. I want the highest quality on my front door, and the other areas are fine with 1080p coverage.
The final verdict
The hardest part of installing this camera was to figure out the HomeKit setup process and then redo some of my automation. Apart from that, it is an excellent addition to your smart home. If you have an existing eufyCam system, you can add it to a Pro camera. If you are just starting out with outdoor cameras, you can choose a starter kit that includes everything you need. At the moment, Best Buy has an exclusive for Pro cameras, but other retailers may start to be able to transport it in the future.
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Slowly but surely, smart cameras with HomeKit Secure Video are becoming more common, and the price is falling. One of the newest options comes from Eufy, and costs even less than some Apple dongles. Here's how the new 2K Indoor Camera from Eufy works with HomeKit.
specifications
At the top of the HomeKit Secure Video market are options like the Logitech Circle View. I went further with Circle View earlier this year, explaining how it works exclusively with HomeKit Secure Video, without integrating with the Logitech app or other voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Eufy is also known for its high quality smart cameras such as EufyCam 2 and EufyCam 2C. These rooms are wireless and battery-powered, but require Eufy's Home Base. The new Indoor Cam 2K does not require the base and can be used completely, although it is connected via an included micro USB cable.
What sets Eufy's new 2K Indoor camera apart from the competition is its price point of $ 39.99. For this price, you get a 2K resolution with support for features such as real-time vision and night vision, as well as artificial information on your surveillance device. It can be recorded directly on a microSD card or through the Eufy cloud service. Of course, when you use it with HomeKit Secure Video, all recordings are managed via iCloud.
That being said, there are areas where the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K shows its price, namely when it comes to physical design. Eufy interior room is made entirely of plastic, including the base. This makes it feel slightly insecure at times, but you can manually adjust the angle of the camera when needed for the best possible stability. As the name suggests, Indoor Cam 2K is also designed exclusively for indoor use, which means that the design is not waterproof and has no claims of durability.
Eufy also sells a slightly more expensive version of the Indoor Cam 2K, with tilt and tilt capabilities. It amounts to $ 49.99, but the key to remember is that there are no controls in the Home app for pan and tilt capabilities.
HomeKit integration
Interestingly, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K was originally announced with HomeKit Secure Video support, but ended up being released without the feature at first. This has recently changed, as Eufy is upgrading to Indoor Cam 2K which brings HomeKit Secure Video integration.
As an update, here are the requirements to use HomeKit Secure Video:
iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 13.2 or iPadOS 13.2 or later
iPad, Apple TV or HomePod used as a home hub
200 GB ($ 2.99 / month) for one room or 2TB ($ 9.99 / month) iCloud storage plan for up to 5 rooms
One part: Apple currently limits even the 2 TB level of iCloud storage users to a maximum of five HomeKit Secure Video camcorders. This seems like a pretty arbitrary limit, and with more and more cameras adding HomeKit Secure video compatibility and becoming more affordable, Apple needs to look at removing this cover.
To add Eufy Indoor Cam 2K to HomeKit, you will first need to set it up in the Eufy app. After you do this, you will see the option to add it to the Home application and enable the HomeKit Secure Video features. In the Home app, you can set different recording preferences depending on whether you're at home or away. There are four different settings to choose from.
Off: No one can transmit and nothing is recorded. This camera cannot detect activity and will not trigger vending machines or send notifications.
Detect activity: This camera can detect activity to trigger automation and send notifications, but no one can transmit or record anything.
Stream: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room, but nothing is recorded. This camera can also detect activity to trigger automation or send notifications.
Streaming and Allow: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room. The activity detected by this camera will be recorded and can also be used to trigger automations or send notifications.
One of the disadvantages is that there does not seem to be a way to use Indoor Cam 2K only with HomeKit Secure Video. This is not necessarily a problem in practice, but for maximum security, it would be beneficial to completely remove the Eufy application from the equation.
The video quality of the camera is pretty good, and motion alerts are reliable from both the Eufy app and the Home app, so you can choose which one works best for your setup. With iOS 14, there's new support for setting activity zones in the Home app, which you can also take advantage of with Indoor Cam 2K.
Finally, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K is a great choice for those who need a secure, easy-to-configure and reliable HomeKit camcorder. Given its $ 40 price point, it lacks some of the bells and whistles of superior security cameras, but for the vast majority of people, it should be more than enough.
I'm glad to see that HomeKit Secure camcorders are not only becoming more common, but becoming significantly more affordable. The more cameras that use HomeKit Secure Video, the more pressure it means for Apple to ensure that the platform is reliable and as rich in features as third-party applications. As I wrote earlier, the goal for the Apple Home app should be that there is no trust at all in third-party apps from smart home accessories manufacturers.
Read more about HomeKit Secure Video:
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Eve application for iPhone and iPad is one of the best solutions for controlling HomeKit accessories through a third party application. An update to Eve for HomeKit brings new features for Eve Aqua today, more powerful context menus and more.
For strangers, Eve Aqua is a smart water controller that integrates with HomeKit. Allows you to control your sprinkler or irrigation system through the Eve, Siri or Home app. Today's update includes new features in the Eve app for Aqua users.
Eve explains that a new smart program suspend feature for Eve Aqua users will allow you to suspend the watering program based on the rain forecast. This links to the shortcut app for Apple and here's how it works:
The Eve app includes a "Check Watering" shortcut that will check the chance of rain in the weather forecast for your chosen location. Do this by accessing the Weather app that is preinstalled on the iPhone. Then set only the value above which you want watering to stop.
If you run the shortcut before noon, the chance of rain is checked for that day and - depending on the value - watering will be stopped for that day. If you run the shortcut in the afternoon, the chance of rain for the next day is checked and - depending on the value - watering will be interrupted for both days.
In the Eve app, you can also add scenes such as "Pause watering today" or "Pause watering today and tomorrow", which you can manually activate with a quick press or Siri command. This feature does not actually check the weather forecast and is left entirely to you.
Today's update of the Eve for HomeKit application also brings new contextual actions:
Touch and hold the Eve app icon on your home screen to start accessing a specific home.
Quickly navigate to graphical details, event lists, and full-screen room views.
Copy and paste the colors. You can now use that color from your favorite mood light and apply it to any other HomeKit-enabled light in an instant - either an individual light or all the lights in a room. And if you want to have a color at hand forever, simply add it to your color favorites right from the context menu.
Other changes and bug fixes include an enhanced launch experience, home sorting, and improved integration with the HomePass application for managing HomeKit configuration codes.
The Eve for HomeKit app is available in the App Store as a free download. If you want to connect to the new watering features, Eve Aqua can be purchased for $ 99. Read our full review here.
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iOS 14 packs a variety of improvements for HomeKit accessories, including a new interface in the Home app, face recognition, deeper integration with tvOS 14, and much more. One of the key changes is support for setting Activity Zones for HomeKit Secure Video cameras. Here’s how it works.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that Activity Zones are only supported for HomeKit Secure Video cameras. This includes systems such as the EufyCam 2C and the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Camera. Cameras that simply integrate with HomeKit, but not HomeKit Secure Video, are not capable of setting Activity Zones.
In addition to running iOS 14, you must also ensure that your HomeKit home hub is running tvOS 14, whether it be your Apple TV or HomePod. You won’t see the option for Activity Zones until the home hub has also been updated.
The best HomeKit Secure Video cameras:
How to use Activity Zones in the Home app
Once you have a HomeKit Secure Video camera and are running iOS 14 and tvOS 14, the process of actually setting Activity Zones is very straightforward. As Apple explains it, an Activity Zone allows you to define a zone within a camera’s view to capture video or receive notifications only when motion is detected in those areas.
To set an Activity Zone, simply open the Home app and tap the camera you want to customize. When viewing the camera’s feed, tap the settings icon in the top-left corner and look for the “Select Activity Zones…” option. From there, you simply tap on the video feed to create a zone. Tap one time to start the zone, tap again to create the first border, and continue the process until the entire zone has been created.
Creating an activity zone in the Eufy app is similar
Much like in the Eufy app itself, you can create multiple Activity Zones. In fact, in the Home app, you can create non-rectangular Activity Zones, which allows you to get a bit more precise than in the Eufy app. By default, when you define an Activity Zone, activity will be monitored within the zone. There is also an “Invert Zone” setting that allows you to detect activity only outside of the selected areas.
This also works with doorbells, but as we’ve explained in the past, doorbells with HomeKit Secure Video support are almost impossible to come by as of right now. Hopefully this changes in the near future.
9to5Mac’s Take
The goal for Apple’s Home app should be that there is no reliance at all on third-party apps from smart home accessory makers. Many of these applications are poorly designed, unreliable, and raise privacy concerns. Support for Activity Zones in iOS 14 makes a significant step towards achieving this for HomeKit Secure Video cameras.
Activity Zones play a crucial role in smart home security monitoring with cameras. For example, I have a EufyCam 2C mounted above my driveway, which means I often get motion alerts simply when a car drives down the street. By setting an Activity Zone, I can limit motion alerts to just the driveway and front yard, eliminating the pointless alerts triggered by traffic.
With Activity Zones and Facial Recognition support for HomeKit Secure Video cameras, iOS 14 fills two of the major feature gaps compared to third-party smart home apps. The Home app still isn’t perfect, but these new features go a long way towards making it possible to ditch third-party apps completely, and for this reason, I’m eager to see the continued expansion of HomeKit Secure Video to new cameras.
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At CES 2020 earlier this year, Belkin launched a new smart Wemo WiFi plug with HomeKit support in an ultra-compact design. As with most CES ads, the accessory was teased at the time, and was not released. However, starting today, the new Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is now available to order.
The Wemo WiFi Plug Smart fits any socket with the key feature of being small enough that it also does not prevent other sockets. This new accessory is a follow-up to the well-known Wemo Mini Smart Plug connector, which is 45% larger but slightly more accessible than today's new Smart WiFi Plug.
Wemo Wifi Smart Plug contains support for HomeKit, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. No additional subscriptions or hubs are required, as the device itself connects directly to your WiFi network.
With its sleek, compact shape - 45% smaller than the Mini -, the Smart Plug fits into any electrical outlet without obstructing other outlets. This allows you to stack an additional Smart Smart or other device in the same outlet. Wemo WiFi Smart Plug allows you to control electronic devices right from your phone or tablet. Smart Plug uses your existing home WiFi network to ensure wireless control of lamps, fans and more - no subscription or hub required.
Smart plugs are a useful addition to the smart setup of your home and can help give non-smart devices control of your smartphone. For example, you can pair a smart plug with something like a fan or coffeaker to integrate that accessory with HomeKit configuration and automation.
The new Wemo WiFi smart plug is now available from Belkin for $ 24.99 or you can pick up a three-pack for $ 49.99.
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A long-awaited HomeKit product in the works is Netatmo's "Smart Video Button". It was announced for the first time at CES 2019 and we are patiently waiting for news regarding the launch of the sharp-looking smart bell. Now it looks like a launch could be very close ...
It's 2020 and I've really only seen one light HomeKit ringtone with Yobi B3. There is Robin who launched the first HomeKit ringtone on the market, but this is more of a commercial ringtone with a price of $ 500 + price.
The Netatmo Smart Video button is captivating because it comes with a clean, modern design, includes support for HomeKit, no subscription fees, works through wired settings (no batteries to worry about charging) and comes from a company with a solid reputation for smart home devices. It will be an excellent complement to Netatmo's external security camera and smart indoor security camera.
Other great features include 1080p resolution, 160-degree field of view, two-way conversation, microSD card slot to record your own movies, and also the ability to save images to Dropbox or an FTP server.
Viewed by 9to5Mac reader Jason H., Netatmo recently updated the product page with a new installation guide that includes a 7-minute YouTube video and a downloadable guide.
It is compatible with 8-24 V low power wired cables as well as 230V systems.
Easy installation in 5 steps:
Install the chime module next to your current chime
Remove the existing doorbell
Screw the wall mounting plate
Connect the wires
Attaches the video button to the mounting plate
Netatmo has also provided a compatibility tool to ensure that your current cable ringer configuration will work with the HomeKit-enabled smart video button.
With both the new installation page and videos being streamed live on its website and the compatibility check being also available, we hope that a launch of the new HomeKit ringtone is imminent.
What do you think? Are you ready to choose the Netatmo smart video button when it launches? Or do you have something special? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Thanks, Jason!
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The European Union has decided that another survey is needed for consumer products, and Apple is included in this network.
Announced today, the EU has launched a new probe on the Internet of Things and is specifically targeting digital assistants and other connected consumer products. Siri, Alexa Amazon, Google Assistant and others are locked in the new investigation, which regulators say is meant to ensure that these large companies do not serve as gateways to the wider world of the Internet of Things through the market. dominating customer data.
And in the center of them all, there are voice assistants, such as Siri Apple, Google Assistant, Alexa Amazon or Magenta Deutsche Telekom. These voice assistants allow us to control our smart devices without us having to look at a screen. You can get information from the Internet, manage calendars, or buy products.
The potential is incredible. But we will see the full benefits - low prices, wide choice, innovative products and services - if the markets for these devices remain open and competitive. And the problem is that competition in digital markets can be fragile. When large companies abuse their power, they can quickly push markets beyond the peak, where competition becomes a monopoly. I've seen it happen before. If we do not act in time, there is a serious risk that it will happen again, with the Internet of Things.
And one of the key issues here is the data. Voice assistants and smart devices can collect a vast amount of data about our habits. And there is a risk that large companies may misuse the data collected through such devices to cement their market position against the challenges of competition. They may even use their knowledge of how we access other services to enter the market for these services and take them over.
The European Union seems to be focused on ensuring that the Internet of Things, which is meant to be an all-encompassing market, is interoperable between platforms. Device compatibility is a real issue, especially as customers extend from one manufacturer to another, and this probe is meant to determine how best to achieve the goal so that customers do not engage in roadblocks because they use one device or another.
The EU sent the standard questionnaire to 400 companies around the world, all in an effort to learn more about IoT practices and the connected devices they sell. Included companies sell products such as carriers, devices and produce voice assistants. Businesses providing services for the IoT market are also included in the net.
Apple's inclusion certainly makes sense, given that HomeKit is an important element of the company's overall business. Especially when it comes to Siri, which serves as a line for a smart home equipped with HomeKit compatible devices.
I've been watching OneLink Safe and Sound for a few months now and decided to pull the trigger a few weeks ago and see how it is in everyday use. My house is seven years old, so I'll be looking to replace all the smoke detectors in the next few years, so if I wanted to go on a smart home route, I'd like to have time to spread the shopping.
Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart frame for Apple.
It is important to note that a HomeKit connected smoke detector is not compatible with your existing security system, so it will only be for local notifications. If you want a smoke detector that works with a HomeKit compatible security system, you want to check the accommodation. While smoke detectors in the home system are not displayed in the HomeKit, they can notify the central station in the event of a fire. They work by listening to the sound of wired smoke detectors.
That being said, let's dig into Onelink Safe and Sound. Why would you want a HomeKit activated smoke detector? Well, like everything else with HomeKit, it's about the automation you can create. While Onelink Safe and Sound will beep if it detects fire or carbon monoxide, it will ring the other smoke detectors in your home. In the Home app, you'll also be able to set up automation to turn on all your lights if smoke is detected, play your HomePod, and more. I have a lot of values that OneLink Safe & Sound is wired to my electrical system so I don't have to worry about replacing the batteries every few months.
Just being HomeKit compatible would not make this product worth the money. If you only want a HomeKit compatible smoke detector, it would be better to buy a product at a lower price. What makes OneLink Safe and Sound unique is that it has a built-in speaker that recently received a firmware update to make it compatible with AirPlay 2. You may be wondering why I would spend $ 150 + on an AirPlay 2 speaker when you can often find an offer on a HomePod for about $ 200? From a purely sound comparison, HomePod is a speaker that sounds much better, but OneLink Safe & Sound has no noise. I would rate it a little better than an Echo Dot in terms of overall sound quality. If it is beneficial it is to be installed in places where a HomePod would not work.
Because it is powered by existing smoke detector wiring, you can place it in the hallways to provide audio for the entire house. I liked having the speaker in our bedroom. It would be excessive to add the current HomePod to my bedroom, but OneLink Safe and Sound is perfect for that. When I'm home alone, I'll use the Apple Music app to stream music to the HomePod and OneLink on the entire main level of my house. I especially like the speaker in the bedroom while I do laundry.
The setup experience is as simple as any other HomeKit product. I removed the existing smoke detector and its board and then installed the OneLink board in the same wiring board. I then connected OneLink Safe & Sound, used the OneLink app to record it, and then I was able to add it to the Home app. One of the main reasons you want to use the application is to install firmware updates. My smoke detector did not include AirPlay 2 support in the box, so I used the app to update the firmware to add AirPlay 2 support.
Wrap on OneLink Safe & Sound
The OneLink Safe and Sound functionality is exactly what you would expect from a HomeKit-enabled smoke detector with AirPlay 2 support. It's easy to install and it's a pretty solid speaker. Is it worth the price? Compared to a HomePod it is not, but if you want to add a wired HomeKit activated smoke detector, it is a great choice.
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Apple announced a number of new features for its various software platforms today, but this type of flight has been sub-radar. During its presentation on HomeKit, the company posted a slide that seemed to indicate that HomePod will soon receive support for third-party music services.
As it currently stands, you can stream music from a third-party music app to HomePod via AirPlay. But today's note implies that Apple's smart speaker will soon support these services natively, which means you'll be able to use apps like Spotify on your HomePod without the need for a separate device.
Other details about this feature are rare so far, and since the new HomePod software isn't available yet, we can't try it on our own. However, this will clearly be seen as positive by current HomePod users and may even provide a boost for the smart speaker that lags behind competitors.
It hasn't been long since Apple officially introduced the latest version of iOS, receiving iOS 14 and all its new features in the world. So let's get over what we look forward to.
iOS 14 does not cover all the new features imaginable, along with the kitchen sink. It's a refinement in some areas, but Apple includes a lot of new ingredients to be mixed on top. This includes changes to messages, widget availability, changes to Siri, and more.
Here are 12 of the most interesting new features coming to iOS 14.
Widgets
Widgets. Apple is not a complete stranger to the idea, but the company has traditionally played it differently when it comes to deployment compared to Android-like apps and, yes, even the late Windows Phone / Mobile Windows. But here we are in 2020, and widgets get a new evolution of life with iOS 14. Users will be able to choose different sizes of widgets for the applications they love, move them to home screens and get a lot information at a glance. .
Apple also includes what it calls "Smart Stack" widgets. These will change based on different variables, including the applications you use the most and even the time of day. So what appears in this Smart Stack will change over the course of a day, offering different applications and / or services that you may want to use or use on a regular basis when you need them.
Users will also be able to create stacks of up to 10 widgets, which they can skip. And choosing which widgets are available on your device is easy as you navigate through the widget gallery and will display even the most popular third-party options available for download.
App Library
The App Library is designed to make it easier than ever to find all your apps. It's available at the end of iOS 14 home screens and is automatically organized into categories like "Social," "Entertainment," "Creativity," "Apple Arcade," and more. But even if you can't find what you're looking for right away, the search bar at the top of the App Library will help you jump right into it.
The application library will provide folders for recently added applications, and the ones you use most often will always be the easiest to launch with the new feature. And the new "Suggestions" folder will provide apps that iOS 14 thinks it might be looking for based on a variety of factors, including your usage time, activity, and location.
Recently downloaded apps will automatically move to the App Library with iOS 14. Apple says you can remove home screens to help remove clutter, as all your apps will be easily available in this new section.
A new compact UI
Apple revises iOS software a bit, giving it a more compact look in a variety of areas. This includes phone calls, Siri and more. These changes will be obvious from the start. The new call notification received, for example, is present at the top of the iOS device screen, instead of resetting the entire screen. This means that users can quickly switch to notification to reject the incoming call if they want or accept it.
This feature will work with third-party VoIP applications such as Skype and also works with FaceTime.
Siri gets a compact approach, rather than taking over the school screen. Now, when a user activates the digital assistant, a small Siri icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Any results that appear in the request will appear at the top of the screen as a notification.
The search is now an all-encompassing and unique destination. This will make it easier to launch applications, locate files, find company information, find contacts and even information such as weather and more.
And finally, picture-in-picture (PiP) support reaches iOS 14. This means you can quickly switch while watching a video or a FaceTime call to shrink the video into a small, mobile box. so you can stay on call or keep track of your content and do something else. The PiP video can be resized and rejected as needed.
Changing the Messaging experience
Apple is making some important changes to the Messaging experience. The main goal seems to be to make sure you can keep tabs on the most important conversations you have at any time, and changes seem to do just that. It starts with the ability to set up conversations in the iOS 14 Messages app.
Fixing conversations means that a conversation icon will appear at the top of the message list. The rest of your conversations will still be available normally, so they won't go anywhere. The pins are animated, there will be typing indicators, tapbacks and indicators for recent messages are present. And the group conversations will show three participants surrounding the pin when they sent a message.
You can have up to nine pins. And speaking of group conversations, you'll now be able to set up a group photo.
IOS 14 messages will accept mentions in a group conversation, so all you have to do is enter the person's name in your message and tap send. And in group conversations, users will be able to customize notifications to arrive only when they are mentioned. And finally, inline replies (illustrated just above) will allow users to respond quickly to a specific message in a group conversation.
Improving maps (yet)
Apple is changing the Maps experience, adding more new features to the mix. This includes a lot of information for cyclists. The maps will automatically guide cyclists along bike paths, bike lanes and bike-friendly roads. They will also be able to check to see how busy a street is, see altitude and even determine routes that can avoid steep slopes or stairs. The maps will also provide personalized voice guides for cycling and sight-seeing while using the Apple Watch.
Do you have an electric vehicle? Set up a route in Maps and the service will automatically display stop loading along the way. It will even display the loading time, while it will display the expected arrival time. In addition, Maps will keep tabs of your charger type and provide the best route for all that information, based on the vehicle you have.
The guides, which are illustrated at the top of this section, provide recommendations on things to see in different cities based on information gathered from reliable sources. This includes places to see, eat and more. IOS 14 users will be able to save these guides for later use. And the service will be constantly updated to reflect the updated information.
Speed cameras and red light cameras will now be displayed in Apple Maps in iOS 14, and the service will show congested areas in places like London and Paris and other major cities.
Built-in translation
One of the most requested features, real-time translation, finally comes on iOS with iOS 14. Voice translation will quickly translate the recorded voice into another language when you need it. Moreover, the software can recognize your language of choice and automatically translate from different languages. And if you download other languages, they can be translated even without an internet connection.
In the new Conversation mode, users can turn the phone into landscape mode and see both sides of the conversation. Just tap the microphone to record the software you say, then see it translated into the target language. This mode also works with downloaded languages.
Translating text is easy due to the fact that all languages have keyboards included in iOS 14. Users will be able to save their favorite phrases, which can be chosen to be translated quickly and easily at a later date.
From now on, the translation function supports 11 languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, German, French, Italian, Brazilian, Portuguese and Arabic. There is also a built-in dictionary.
A more useful Siri
We've already talked about the new compact UI for Siri, so we have no reason to go over it again. But now you can see it illustrated even above. Apple says that Siri now offers 20 times more facts than the digital assistant just three years ago, which makes the function more useful.
To help with this, Siri's ability to receive responses from multiple available resources is also available in iOS 14. Siri can retrieve responses from a number of Internet resources. And now Siri will make it possible to send audio messages when you reply to a message. Siri can also provide cycling directions.
If you're using Apple Maps, iOS 14 users can ask Siri to share your ETA with a contact.
Finally, with the more natural text of iOS 14 Siri, thanks to advanced text-to-speech neural technology, the enhanced experience will be available in these new regions: English (Australia, India, Ireland, South Africa and the UK), French (France), German (Germany), Spanish (Mexico, Spain), Chinese (Mainland China, Hong Kong) and Japanese (Japan).
Improving the smart home
Apple's changes to the Home app and, by expanding the smart home, generally focus on privacy, also adding a few new features. This starts by suggesting new automations. With iOS 14, when a user adds a new HomeKit-enabled accessory, the software will automatically suggest useful ways for it to work automatically. So, if you get some new lights for your porch, the Home app will automatically suggest setting them to turn them on when it gets dark outside.
Based on the time of day, home controls will prioritize certain items, including the accessories themselves, depending on the time of day and how often you use them. So you'll see some accessories available at the top of the Home app more often than some. Thus, in the Apple example, you can see the accessories in your bedroom in the morning and in the living room at night.
Adaptive lighting is a new option for iOS 14 and HomeKit accessories. With bulbs that support the ability to change the brightness of your lighting, you can set it now to change them automatically during the day. So, when it is morning, you can have warmer lighting, then, as the day progresses, have the normative light. Until the evening rolls around, you can reduce the blue light so that your eyes are lighter.
Face recognition and activity areas come on the HomeKit's cameras and video doors. With the first of the two, the video ringtone can recognize a face that you previously tagged in the Photos app, while activity areas mean that you only receive notifications for movement in a specified area, which is in vision room.
Safari
Safari is already fast when it comes to load times and overall performance, and is now improving in this capability in iOS 14. Apple says with JavaScript engine Apple's web browser can get JavaScript performance up to 2 times faster compared with Chrome on Android.
Safari also gets new features, including built-in translation features. This will make it easier to translate entire web pages. Apple says it needs a "compatible web page" and when you navigate to one, there will be an iOS 14 translation icon users can tap to translate the page. Apple notes that you can only translate into the following languages: English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, or Brazilian Portuguese.
Safari in iOS 14 will also monitor your passwords. The browser will keep tabs on passwords that could be associated with a data breach, which it does using powerful cryptographic techniques. It can do all this without revealing your password, even to Apple itself.
Car digital keys
The car's digital keys are the future, and Apple jumped on the bandwagon at the beginning of the game. For starters, only BMW supports Apple's new initiative here, but that will change in time. Car manufacturers that support NFC will make it possible for iOS 13.6 and iOS 14 users to just move their phone closer to the door handle to unlock the vehicle. The digital key will also make it possible to start the car.
The car's digital keys can be shared with others in Messaging. A shared key can also have different access levels. An unrestricted digital key means that someone you share a digital key with will be able to have full access to the car, including being able to start the vehicle. With restricted driving, however, drivers will be able to unlock and drive the car, but must comply with restrictions, including top speed, traction control and more.
And, of course, you can remove key access just as easily.
With the power backup mode, the digital key will work for up to five hours, even if the iPhone's battery is turned off.
CarPlay
Bringing support for the car's digital keys isn't all the new car-oriented features coming to iOS 14. Apple is also making some changes to CarPlay, the car infotainment system. First, new wallpapers. Users will be able to choose from a set of new wallpapers that can be displayed on the CarPlay home screen.
And CarPlay is gaining support for new applications that can be used with the infotainment system. New application categories include EV charging, fast food ordering applications and third-party parking.
Apple is also making changes to the way the software works with portrait screens. The CarPlay status bar can now be displayed at the bottom of the CarPlay screen, giving a more natural look to these displays in the car. Chinese and Japanese keyboards are supported with CarPlay iOS 14. Sending audio messages with iOS 14 CarPlay is possible, as well as receiving them. Sharing your ETA with Maps and Siri is also possible.
AirPods
AirPods Pro gets a new and solid feature, while both AirPods Pro and AirPods will be even easier to switch between devices connected to iOS 14.
First, spatial audio. This will be a virtual surround sound feature that will bring a more realistic audio experience to truly wireless in-ear headphones. Apple says it will add a "movie experience" to the headphones, which includes head tracking, so even when you turn your head or are in a moving vehicle, the audio profile won't change. This is a more immersive sound experience compared to the standard operating procedure available now.
With headphones, AirPods and AirPods Pro can take advantage of this accessibility feature to amplify soft sounds and adjust other frequencies. This should help make movies, podcasts, and other content seem clearer. This feature will also support Transparency mode in AirPods Pro.
The ability to automatically connect to devices is already available for Apple's AirPods alignment, but is now improving with the ability to automatically switch between devices. So, if you listen to music on your iPhone and start a movie on your iPad, the AirPods will automatically switch to the iPad. And if you watch that movie on your tablet and start a call on your MacBook, the headphones will change again.
Finally, battery notifications for AirPods and AirPods Pro battery life become too low, iOS 14 will notify you before playing a call or starting playing music.
Clipping Apps
Here we are at the end, so it qualifies as "last but not least." Apple is billing "App Clips" as a new way to discover different applications. It is a "small part of an application" that can be discovered when you may need it and is focused on a specific task. They are designed to be used in just a few seconds, so often even faster than loading a complete application.
Application clips can be discovered either by scanning a QR code or by touching an NFC tag. They can also be activated in Maps, Safari, Messages and Clip-App-specific codes, which are generated for each small application. They can also be released from the Recently Added section of the App Library.
After using an Apple clip, it's easy to download the full app if you want. And the new feature works with Apple Pay, so you can quickly purchase something without uploading a full app or entering your credit card information. The new App Clips also works with Apple Login, adding another level of security.
The smallest points
Apple also notes that it has made improvements in other areas. This includes augmented reality, with ARKit 4 introducing features such as Location Anchors that will allow developers to set items, such as installing life-size art, in set locations around the world. Apple says taking a photo with the photo stock app is faster and the GameCenter is redesigned.
The Weather in Stock app receives notifications for severe weather events and will display future changes in weather conditions as well.
The end
So we have it. There are many more in iOS 14, but these are just some of the most interesting new features that will come on the mobile operating system later this year. Apple is currently testing the software with developers (a public beta will arrive in July), and the company will release the software to the public in the fall.
Are you happy with iOS 14?
"Confidentiality matters now, more than ever," according to Craig Federighi. And it remains the same in the latest versions of its platforms.
Throughout the WWDC, Federighi talked in detail about privacy and how important it is to Apple as a whole and how important it is to the end user. The executive went over the primary principles for the company, including how it affects the services and hardware provided by the company. Federighi talked about the function of connecting with Apple and there are over two million accounts created on applications and websites.
Privacy improvements come with new products.
That starts with the location. This year, Apple is giving users even more control. Users will be able to share their approximate location rather than your specific location. Tracking is also changing, Apple is working to improve it. Tracking should be transparent and in the user's control. The App Store policy continues to require users to be allowed to track applications and websites owned by third parties.
There are new summaries of application policies, similar to food nutrition guidelines. Every developer will have to tell Apple and the end user what their practices are. Therefore, each application will show the privacy, tracking and essential information of each application at a glance.
This should give more control to the end user.
New privacy efforts extend to the home.
First of all, anything that is developed in the house should be easy to use, both in configuration and in everyday use. Home products should not compromise privacy, including Siri requests (which use a random identifier, not an Apple ID). And using interconnected devices should be as easy as AirPlay (according to Apple's Federighi).
HomeKit will remain end-to-end encrypted with your range of Apple devices.
Amazon and Google are partnering with Apple to help a wider range of smart home devices that are secure devices. A new standard that will work in homes and services and devices from different companies. Tap-and-scan scans home accessories. And iOS 14 will provide automatic actions when you set up a new device.
The Home application already shows the user the range of accessories it has.
Adaptive lighting will automatically adjust the color of your supported bulbs. Warmer light in the morning, less blue light in the evening and much more. Cameras with HomeKit Secure Video and iOS 14, the cameras will be able to define "areas of activity", which will allow notifications in certain areas. Cameras and video bells will also provide facial recognition - and can automatically recognize people you've tagged in the Stock Photos app.
HomePod can also notify you when someone is at the door.
Abode became the first DIY security system to launch HomeKit support last year, which was an interesting development for those closely integrated into the Apple ecosystem. And in the last month, the company has launched a completely new iOS app and updated plans that offer everything from free self-monitoring to professional 24/7 monitoring, with backup for cell phones and battery. Watch to see in more detail why Abode's versatile Iota security system is a great choice for your home / business and the HomeKit experience it offers.
After using the Abode Iota HomeKit security system I think the biggest positive aspect that stands out is how flexible and capable it is. If you want to use traditional hardware accessories, such as a physical keyboard or included key, Abode supports this. For a more modern approach, you can opt to use automation and the iOS app and the Home app to arm and disarm the system (or of course all of the above).
You have HomeKit support, which is the big selling point for me, but there are also Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Sonos, Ecobee, ZWave and many more features. And there is also the option to use professional on-demand monitoring if you want to have flexibility when using it.
While you can find motion sensors or door and window sensors that work with HomeKit from a few other companies, Abode offers the richest experience with the Iota Hub that includes a 1080p camera, motion sensor, siren and more. And there is no doubt that Abode has the widest variety of accessories (including slick sensors that are completely hidden).
And since it's a wireless DIY security system that you can easily customize, it's easy to install, no matter how old or new your home or business is (a nice bonus is that you can manage multiple Abode systems in the latest version of the iOS app without multiple connections).
Leave the Iota HomeKit hub enabled
Abode now offers HomeKit support for both the Iota Smart Security Hub and its Smart Security Hub. But I'd say you don't particularly want a room in your hub that costs a little extra for Iota Hub. The motion sensor is integrated with Wi-Fi and Ethernet support, while the standard Hub uses an external motion sensor, it lacks a 1080p camera and must be wired.
For my analysis, I tested the Iota Smart Security Hub. The setup process is simple and straightforward with the Abode iOS app (the app got some rough reviews after the May update saw some location services errors, but they were correct).
I really like the clean and simple aesthetics of the Iota Hub and I think it works well with a variety of tastes. The front of the device has a 1080p camera and motion sensor in the upper half, while the lower half has a built-in two-way speaker / microphone and 92dB siren.
Back, you have the power port, Ethernet, as well as the microSD and SIM card slots (SIM is preinstalled). The Iota Hub also has a built-in battery that will keep it connected during a power outage. Keep in mind that you either need to opt for the Pro plan (detailed below) to use backup cellular monitoring, or to connect your modem / router to a backup battery to keep everything running in a power outage if you choose free or Standard plan.
Abandon plans
As part of the initial setup process, you will be asked if you want to adhere to the free self-monitoring plan (default) or upgrade to the Standard or Pro plans. To get the most out of Iota, you'll probably want at least the Standard plan, but you'll still get HomeKit support, even if you follow the free plan.
For both paid options, you can choose to pay monthly or save some money and pay throughout the year. As the name suggests, the Pro plan is what provides 24/7 professional monitoring, but if you don't want to hire monthly or annually, you can add pro-on-on-demand monitoring for only $ 8 for three days if you go for the Standard plan.
So the breakdown is the Standard plan is normally $ 72 / year if you pay monthly or $ 60 if you pay in advance for that year. The Pro plan runs $ 240 / year if billed monthly or $ 200 in a lump sum.
Keep in mind that if you want to use geolocation features, such as automatic arm / disarm, one-touch arm / disarm, professional on-demand monitoring, video storage, time access, customizable alerts, and more, you'll need at least the standard plan .
You can see the full chart comparing the plan here.
Configuring Abode Iota HomeKit support
After completing the initial configuration of Iota Hub, you can download the HomeKit configuration code in the Abode application settings.
Once added to the Home app, you can rename and customize the three HomeKit boards: camera, motion sensor, and alarm.
Next, we'll look at adding the door / window and other sensors, then go back to how Abode works a little in the Home app.
Active HomeKit sensors and other accessories
The Iota Smart security kit comes with a hub, key and a Mini door / window sensor. To start, we ended up buying two more Mini door / window sensors, a built-in door / window sensor, a solar-powered yard sign and some window stickers.
Other Abode accessories include a motion sensor, multi-sensor (which will come later in June), keyboard, outdoor siren, smoke alarm monitor, vibration and acoustic pause sensors and more. Not all of these are compatible with HomeKit, but the devices that will appear in the Home app are clearly marked on the Abode website.
Here is a Mini door / window sensor, it has about the same footprint as the AirPods Pro charging case, but it is weaker.
It is so compact that, after installing it, I did not notice it at all (and even on our sliding door it is black).
But if you can (and / or want) to drill into the door or window, the built-in sensor is a very nice option.
You need a 3/4 inch drill and you will definitely want to drill a hole as straight as possible 😄.
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And here's what adding sensors to the Abode app looks like, which automatically adds to the Home app.
Subscribe to the Iota Home app experience
Ok, now back to the Home app. As mentioned above, when you add sensors and other compatible devices in the Abode app, they will automatically appear in the Home app.
You'll also see an armed / disarmed state at the top of the Home app:
For door and window sensors you will only get an open / closed status. You can customize notifications from these sensors in the settings for each sensor. You can also use them with automation for Home applications.
For Iota Hub, there are three HomeKit devices available. You may want to show them as separate boards for easy access to the Home app.
limitations
The integration of the security system with HomeKit is definitely from the beginning (especially alarm support), so while it's great to have no support at all, don't expect a completely smooth experience here. I imagine it will be a cooperative effort on the part of Apple and Abode (and future HomeKit security system makers) to work things out.
For example, for now, Siri cannot arm and disarm security systems. In my experience, manually arming the system through the Home application is wrong, but disarming works constantly. You can also ask Siri about the status of your security system. Read more about Abode + HomeKit in this support document.
You can set up automation through the Home for Abode app, but if you're subscribed to a Standard or Pro plan, I found it better to create the automations in the Abode app on the Cue tab (I couldn't get the Home app automations to arm the running system weapon the latest software). Here's how it looks:
Subscribe to the Iota HomeKit package
All in all, after spending time with the Abode Iota HomeKit security system, I think it offers the best experience available, even if there are improvements that I hope will come in future updates. It is much improved when it comes to functionality and flexibility in terms of traditional options such as ADT and also jumps to newer options such as SimpliSafe, through collaboration with HomeKit and a longer list of smart platforms and services for the home.
One thing to keep in mind, with the functionality of the HomeKit security system still young, is that access to the Abode Standard or Pro plan will be needed to provide the automation and full set of features that many are looking for. However, the free plan is still functional if automation and things like pro monitoring are not mandatory.
When you look at everything you get with Abode and the ability to easily customize and install the security system for any type of home or business, I think it has great value.
Based on Abode's records, I also feel confident that it will continue to improve service and functionality over time. Some specific improvements, beyond the higher HomeKit support mentioned above, I would like to see would be the HomeKit Secure Video support for the 1080p camera, as well as the detection of people from the indoor camera to Netatmo.
The Abode Iota Smart Security Kit normally sells for $ 299 and is on sale at the time of writing for $ 229 directly from Abode.
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Over the past few months, I've approached several projects in an effort to set my HomeKit configuration to the next level in time for the summer. This includes a smart sprinkler system, new smart outdoor lighting, a robotic robot with Siri support and more. Read on as I go through the entire process below.
Smart outdoor lights
For the first time on my list for this summer I added some new home lighting with HomeKit integration. There are a variety of different options here, but as I wrote, I delve into the Philips Hue ecosystem and I like to stay there when possible.
My first additions were the Philips Hue Outdoor headlights. I replaced all five of my bulbs with these smart bulbs to add additional automation features. There are a few different automation options here. In the front yard, I keep the flooded lights from sunset to sunrise, which is an automation you can set up through the Home app.
In the yard, I usually keep the headlights flooded, unless we (or the dogs) are in the yard. There are two ways to achieve automation for this situation. A Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor is a choice, but I've had issues with this sensor and things like bugs trigger it automatically. In the Home app, I set it so that when the back is opened, a state monitored via the Ecobee Door sensor, the headlights in the yard turn on if it's between 20 p.m. and 8 p.m.
For accentuated lighting on the back porch, we added a Philips Hue Outdoor Lightstrip, mounted along the top edge of the ceiling. This is primarily for aesthetic purposes, but provides additional light to the outside when needed. Philips Hue offers a variety of different outdoor lighting solutions and you can find out more in our full review here.
Eve grad
Eve grade is one of my favorite HomeKit accessories; is a simple device that you can place indoors or outdoors to monitor the hyperlocal climate. I mounted it right outside my front door, so that not only can I monitor the local temperature in the Home app on iOS, but also every time I walk in the front door.
One of the biggest disadvantages is that the Home application does not support the triggering of temperature-based automation. For example, it would be useful if in the Home app you can automate a smart speaker to start when the humidity is below a certain level. Automations like these are, however, possible through the standalone Eve app.
Eve grade, as Bradley Chambers explained last month, is a handy accessory for any HomeKit setup, especially as we head into the summer, and hyperlocal temperatures can become an important data point for people.
HomeKit thermostat
As the summer heat intensifies, now is a great time to add a smart thermostat to your HomeKit setup. My personal recommendation here is the Ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control (full review). Using a smart thermostat can give you extra control over the heating and cooling of your home and help you become more aware of energy consumption.
Ecobee SmartThermostat is one of the few options that integrates with Alexa, Assistant and HomeKit, and this only makes it a very convincing option for many households. Although I would definitely like to see more competition in the pace of the HomeKit thermostat, Ecobee is the best choice available at the moment.
In combination with SmartThermostat, Ecobee also offers SmartSensors. These SmartSensors are designed to be placed around your home to provide hyperlocal temperatures in different rooms. For example, I have one in the bedroom, so I can make sure it's cooled properly before I go to bed.
Ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control sells for $ 249 on Amazon. If you want to give up new features like glass design, the Ecobee3 Lite is still a viable option and is more affordable at $ 169.
HomeKit locks
A piece of low hanging fruit for my smart home arrangement was a smart lock. There are a variety of options, but I needed something to be friendly with renting. In essence, it had to fit over the existing blockage and not change the actual blockage with the outside.
I decided to go with two different options for my front and back door: August Smart Lock Pro and Friday Lock. Frustratingly, I got my August lock just weeks before the introduction of the new Smart August Wi-Fi lock, which has built-in Wi-Fi support and a significantly smaller design.
In terms of installation, the process is very similar for Friday Lock and August Smart Lock Pro. They fit over your existing block and you only need a screwdriver to attach the mounting plate. Once you've installed the locks, complete the setup with the respective Friday and August apps for iOS, and possibly add them to the Home app.
In practice, the August Smart Lock Pro was more reliable than the Friday Lock. Friday lock tends to have an "Don't Answer" issue in the Home app, while I've never encountered this issue with August Smart Lock Pro.
For someone who has entered the smart lock ecosystem today, I would recommend the new August Lock Wi-Fi Smart Lock, which has built-in Wi-Fi and a smaller design than its predecessor. Friday Lock, although sleek and well designed, simply turned out to be too insecure in my testing. There is also the Blocking Level, which Jeff Benjamin continued earlier this month.
HomeKit garage door
In a similar vein to HomeKit locks, adding HomeKit features to my garage door was another low-suspension project. To do this, I simply added MyQ Home Bridge to my garage, which matches my LiftMaster garage door opener.
Add HomeKit compatibility to these products that are already enabled with your smartphone control:
LiftMaster and Chamberlain Wi-Fi garage door openings (has myQ and Wi-Fi logo)
LiftMaster and Chamberlain myQ Garage
LiftMaster and Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Hub
LiftMaster and Chamberlain Internet Gateway (myQ Home Bridge is a replacement for this device and adds HomeKit compatibility)
Add both smartphone control and HomeKit compatibility to:
LiftMaster and Chamberlain compatible garage door openers (have a myQ logo / no Wi-Fi logo)
LiftMaster MyQ control panel (model 888LM)
I placed MyQ Home Bridge along the side of my garage - slightly farther from the garage door opener than LiftMaster recommends, but had no problems at all. Then simply plug it in and follow the setup instructions in the MyQ app for iOS. After pairing MyQ Home Bridge with the garage door, you can add it directly to the Home application for HomeKit control.
You can open, close, and view the status of the garage door in the Home app. You can also include it in automations, but Apple will send you a push notification asking you to confirm the automation before it is completed. This is probably a security setting to prevent the garage door from opening or closing without your knowledge.
For me, the most useful feature is monitoring the condition of the garage door. It offers extra peace of mind to be able to confirm the garage door is closed every night by checking the Home app or asking Siri. Inclusion in automation is useful, but also complicated by the fact that Apple needs confirmation before running them - although you can include garage doors in night automations.
You can find out more about MyQ Home Bridge in Jeff Benjamin's full review here.
Note: If you don't have a myQ Garage LiftMaster or Chamberlain (with or without Wi-Fi), you'll also need myQ Smart Garage Hub.
Smart sprinklers
I moved from Indiana to Texas a little over a year ago and one thing I learned quickly was that you need to water your lawn regularly, especially during the hot, dry summer. My house came standard with a Rain Bird splash controller for the sprinkler system in the ground, but naturally I saw this as an opportunity to add HomeKit features to another part of my life.
Only this year I managed to make the transition from the Rain Bird controller to the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller. My fear when I made this switch was the installation process, but in practice, it was much easier than I expected. If you have ever installed a smart thermostat, the Rachio installation process is similar, with only a few extra wires.
I took several pictures of how the Rain Bird controller was installed so that I could adapt the wiring to the correct areas on the Rachio controller. All in all, it was a pretty simple process and I say that as someone who is not very good at home improvement projects.
After installing the actual hardware, the Rachio setup process is managed through the accompanying iOS app and possibly through the Home app. You identify the different spray areas, name them, and Rachio will suggest different water programs and timers.
For me, the usefulness of Rachio Smart Sprinkler is that it is a "set-it and forget it" solution for lawn care and maintenance. I'm not an expert on lawn maintenance, especially in Texas, and Rachio takes care of most of me. The Rachio app monitors the weather in your area and adjusts your watering schedule to your needs.
For example, if it rains in your area, the Rachio app will automatically skip the scheduled watering cycle if necessary. It will also skip water cycles if there is wind outside or if it is below a certain temperature. It also gives you tips on what changes you need to make to your watering program throughout the year. For example, once things started to become very hot outside, Rachio recommended that I extend the watering time by a few minutes. These are the kinds of adjustments I wouldn't think of making on my own - and I wouldn't want to worry about them either.
Rachio's HomeKit integration leaves something to be desired, but the limitations here are due to HomeKit itself. The Home application does not simply provide all the features needed to manage a sprinkler system. Through the Home app, you can do the following with your Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller:
View all watering areas and conditions
Run the zones through the Home interface or through Siri
Enable or disable an area
Queue and roll several areas
Set a custom duration for each zone
Use Siri to start or end watering sessions
I like the ability to quickly use the Home app as a way to check when my sprinkler system is working, but other than that, the Rachio app is more useful for management and automation.
Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller is available in 8-zone and 16-zone variants, depending on the size of your yard and the number of sprinkler heads you have. Rachio also offers the Rachio Thrive subscription package.
If you do not have a sprinkler system, there are other options for HomeKit water management. Eve Aqua is another accessory that I highly recommend. It is a water controller capable of HomeKit that also controls the sprinkler, hose or irrigation system.
HomeKit + AirPlay 2 TV
I recently made two other smart home upgrades that I wanted to mention quickly. First, I upgraded my 55-inch Vizio M series desktop TV with HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support. This is my first experience with a HomeKit and AirPlay 2 compatible TV since Apple launched support for last year. .
In practice, I've realized that if you're already an Apple TV user, adding HomeKit (and obviously AirPlay 2) isn't necessarily helpful. Get additional features, such as volume and input controls, but the primary functionality is already supported via Apple TV itself.
That being said, if you're not an Apple TV user, HomeKit and AirPlay 2 integration are much more useful. For example, you can stream content directly from your iPhone or iPad to the Vizio M series without the need for an additional Apple TV box. In the Home app, you can turn the Vizio M series on and off, switch inputs, and include it in automations.
For many people, pairing an AirPlay 2 compatible TV with something like the Amazon Fire TV Stick might be the best solution. You can avoid the high price of the Apple TV, while you can also stream content via AirPlay 2 and access controls via the Home app.
Vacuum robot Neato
Secondly, we entered the world of smart vacuum cleaners with the Neato D7 Connected robot vacuum cleaner. The Neato app offers a variety of smart features for the home, including Alexa integration and the ability to program the vacuum so that it works at certain times of the day. You can even set "No Go Line" to prevent Neato from vacuuming certain areas.
For Apple users, the key feature here is integration with Siri shortcuts. As I covered until 9to5Mac, this means that you can create custom voice commands through the Shortcuts application to control your Neato D7. For example, I can say "Hey Siri, run the vacuum cleaner" for Neato to start cleaning or "Hey Siri, send the vacuum home" for it to return to the charging base.
You can also include Neato automation in other shortcuts. For example, if you have a shortcut to exit the house, you can add the Neato action so that the vacuum works while you're gone and it's done until you get home.
I'm new to robot madness, but I thought the Neato D7 was incredibly useful. He created a smart map of my house, so I can easily say it to vacuum certain rooms or areas or the whole house. The "No Go Lines" function is also particularly useful. I have a relatively thick carpet in the living room and I can set up "No Go Lines" so that Neato avoids the carpet and doesn't get stuck on it.
Interestingly, there is also support for adding Neato D7 to the HomeKit using the Homebridge platform. I haven't tried this yet, but it's on my list of projects. More on that soon, but needless to say, I'm intrigued.
What recent changes did you make to your HomeKit setup? Do you have any plans for further improvements or changes this summer? Tell us in the comments!
Also, don't forget to consult Weekly HomeKit, a 9to5Mac weekly series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.
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Signify today announced a trio of new Philips Hue lighting accessories. The band includes a 1600 lumen Hue bulb, a new Bluetooth Lightstrip Plus and a refreshed version of the Philips Hue Bloom table lamp. Enter below for details.
The new Philips Hue White A21 bulb was first rumored earlier this month, and the company has made it official. The new A21 bulb has a power of 1600 lumens, so if you find traditional Philips Hue bulbs a little too dim, this could be a great option for you. This is equivalent to a jump from a conventional 60W bulb to one of 100W.
Signify explains that the new Philips Hue White A21 bulb could be useful for fully illuminating areas such as the garage or kitchen. It will be available in July for $ 19.99:
The new, powerful Philips Hue White A21 bulb (available in late July, MSRP: $ 19.99) is the brightest bulb in the collection. With an output of 1600 lumens (equivalent to a traditional 100 W light bulb), it can completely illuminate a kitchen, garage or any other room. The smart light bulb also provides wireless dimming, so you can easily switch from functional to mood lighting with the touch of an app.
At this time, the brightest Philips Hue bulb is only available in white and it is unclear if there are plans for brighter colored bulbs in the future.
The next version is a new Bluetooth-enabled version of the Philips Hue Lighstrip Plus. This means that Hue Bridge does not need to work, although you will still need Bridge to access HomeKit support, remote access, Philips Hue Entertainment, and support for Friends of Hue and third-party applications.
Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus with Bluetooth, gives you colorful and smart light anywhere in your home. Place it along kitchen cabinets and stairs or highlight decorative pieces. You can customize the lightning by cutting it to the perfect size or by connecting up to eight Bluetooth Hue compatible extensions. You can also reuse cut pieces now so you can adjust the lightning to your room or décor. Lightstrip (2-meter MSRP base: $ 79.99; 1-meter extension: $ 24.99) will be available at Target starting this week and at additional retailers later this summer.
Finally, Signify has launched a new version of its Philips Hue Bloom table lamp, which will be available at the end of July for $ 69.99. This is an updated version of Hue Bloom, available for several years. It has a new white finish, richer colors, improved white light and an output of up to 500 lumens. The new Philips Hue Bloom can be adjusted from warm white to cold daylight. There is now Bluetooth support here as well.
Check out the images with the latest Philips Hue accessories below:
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Apple and Eero work together to sell the network equipment directly through the Apple online store. Eero made the announcement in a blog post today, the partnership will appear after Eero was the first to add support for the HomeKit router earlier this year.
Update 6/15: Eero has announced that its Wi-Fi products are now available in Apple stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. This follows last month's availability announcement through the Apple online store.
Apple sells the full range of Eero mesh accessories. This includes the Eero Pro Mesh itself and various different packages and beacons, along with the standard Eero Mesh WiFi system. At this time, the products are only available through the Apple online store and there do not appear to be any plans to bring Eero equipment to physical Apple stores.
Eero says its products are available through Apple's online store in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain:
This is an interesting step towards realizing our vision of bringing eero to more customers and homes around the world, providing them with a secure and reliable network for their smart home. Today's announcement follows eero support for the Apple HomeKit, a key addition to our growing line of smart home integrations.
Eero Amazon was the first network company to add support for HomeKit routers, bringing the function to Eero and Eero Pro systems. HomeKit routers provide increased security for smart home accessories. Apple describes HomeKit router support as adding "more protection to home accessories by controlling what services and devices communicate with the Wi-Fi network at home and on the Internet."
You can check out the full range of EK compatible HomeKit accessories at the Apple online store here. Prices vary slightly between Apple and Amazon and you can also find some refurbished options through Amazon.
Have you tried HomeKit support with Eero yet? If so, what do you think about functionality? Tell us in the comments!
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After an extended beta test and a fake start on a public release, Eufy has officially started extending HomeKit Secure Video support to eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c. This update means that you can now access and record motion events directly in the Home app via iCloud.
Eufy has been running HomeKit Secure Video in eufyCam 2 since March, but there have been several shutdowns and the launch has since begun. Eufy confirmed 9to5Mac that the update is official for everyone starting today and that the launch will be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.
This means that it may take a few days to access your devices, but you can continue to check in the Eufy app for the following updates:
Firmware version - 2.1.0.4h
Subsystem version - 1.3.0.9
Video HomeKit Secure requires an iCloud storage plan, although the recorded recordings do not count toward the iCloud storage limit. The 200 GB plan ($ 2.99 per month) allows you to access a room via HomeKit Secure Video, while the 2TB plan ($ 9.99 per month) allows up to 5 rooms.
Safe video requirements for HomeKit:
iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 13.2 or iPadOS 13.2 or later
iPad, Apple TV or HomePod used as a home hub
200 GB ($ 2.99 / month) for one room or 2TB ($ 9.99 / month) iCloud storage plan for up to 5 rooms
9to5Mac's ia
For Eufy cameras, adding a monthly subscription is actually a downgrade. By default, EufyCam 2 and EufyCam 2c register the included SD card to the Eufy base station. This means that all videos are stored locally, rather than on Eufy servers, but it means that you can view the materials in the Eufy application.
Currently, I have two eufyCam 2c cameras mounted on the outside and I am a big fan of them. The wireless design was the biggest factor in my decision to choose eufyCam 2c over other outdoor camera options. When I made my purchase earlier this year, there was also the future promise of HomeKit Secure Video, although I never learned to buy a smart home accessory based on a future promise.
I've covered HomeKit Secure Video here a few times 9to5Mac. When a camera supports HomeKit Secure Video, you can manage all settings directly in the Home application. This includes room status light, night vision light, recording preferences and more.
You can set different recording preferences depending on whether you are at home or away. There are four different settings to choose from:
Off: No one can transmit and nothing is recorded. This camera cannot detect activity and will not trigger vending machines or send notifications.
Detect activity: This camera can detect activity to trigger automations and send notifications, but no one can transmit or record anything.
Flow: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room, but nothing is recorded. This camera can also detect activity to trigger automation or send notifications.
Streaming and Allow: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room. The activity detected by this camera will be recorded and can also be used to trigger automations or send notifications.
Finally, the HomeKit Secure Video with eufyCam 2c works much as you would expect. The movement is recorded and accessed through the Home application, as well as push activity notifications. You can specify whether you want to record when people, animals and / or vehicles are detected.
You can use eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c exclusively with HomeKit Secure Video or use it in combination with the Eufy application. In the last configuration, theoretically it would be to record in two places: iCloud and Eufy Base Station. This can be useful if you want to have a backup, but I personally see little reason for that.
One thing I follow over time is how HomeKit Secure Video affects the life of the eufyCam battery. Eufy offers a 180-day battery life for eufyCam 2c and a 365-day battery life for eufyCam 2. The Eufy application uses a variety of different controls to optimize battery life, so it will be interesting to see if the Home application can reproduce this optimization.
For many people, especially those who are not deep in the HomeKit ecosystem, it might make more sense to use the Eufy application without a subscription to manage videos. Personally, my goal is to get as many smart home accessories as possible in the Home app and the HomeKit ecosystem, so HomeKit Secure Video is a happy addition.
Now that HomeKit Secure Video is officially launching on eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c, they are even easier to recommend than before, due to the added versatility. The eufyCam 2 wireless system starts at $ 299 for two rooms and the base station. Usually the eufyCam 2c retails for $ 220, but is currently on sale for $ 186.99.
Read more about HomeKit Secure Video:
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We recently got our hands on Level Lock, a connected home product enabled for HomeKit that lets you convert your existing lock into a smart lock. The premise of the Lock level is extremely simple and can be a good choice for those who want to keep the look of their existing hardware, while benefiting from smart features such as HomeKit support.
Should you consider blocking the level? Watch our hands-on video step for details.
Specifications
It installs in just a few minutes
Piece puzzle interface
Use your pre-existing deadbolt
Powerful 6-speed stainless steel gearbox
1 year battery life from a single CR2 battery
Mechanical operation always available with physical key
Stress tested at over 1 million cycles
Bluetooth or HomeKit controlled application
Price: 229 USD
Practical: Smart lock activated with HomeKit lock level
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Lock level crafts
The first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the level lock box was "Is that so?" The level lock box is extremely small and compact. It is much smaller than the box for Yale Assure Lock SL (revision) which I currently use.
However, since level locking is only a replacement of the internal locking components and not a replacement of the visible locking housing, it makes sense.
The level uses a unique interface that allows each component in the box to fit like a puzzle. Clearly, there is careful engineering that has gone into the development of the lock level, because even the battery is cleverly hidden inside the lock itself.
Overall, I was impressed with the design and engineering of the lock level. Its presence is largely "invisible", with the only indication that the block is a smart block being the level logo on the top of the block.
One question that persists on build quality concerns the deadbolt / battery configuration. The deadbolt itself is empty to incorporate the battery, which gives me a bit of a break, wondering how it will withstand aggressive entry attempts.
For what it's worth, Level states the following in the security section of its website:
The level lock is designed to be strong, durable and meet or exceed the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards for grade 1 / A locks, the highest level for residential security.
Of course, I'm not going to test it with a coup attempt, but it's something to consider.
Installation
Before installation, you will want to make sure that you can close and lock the door without having to press or pull on the door. If your door is deformed and needs pressure in both directions to lock the door securely, you will want to address this issue before installation.
As you can imagine, installing the lock level is relatively easy, as you reuse some of the components you already have. With Level Lock, simply replace the inner lock mechanism, which is placed between the two visible outer layers of the lock.
For installation, you will first need to unscrew and remove the existing outer locking layers, including locking the key and rotating your thumb.
Next, you will need to remove the components of the release lock by unscrewing the two screws that secure the lock to the door.
After removing the old components from the inside, insert the level lock and secure it with the two screws.
Next you will want to attach the gearbox using the puzzle piece interface and attach the item that matches the original locking components.
Attach the original key lock and thumb rotation and secure them in place with the original screws.
Then unscrew the battery cover from the end of the lock and insert the CR2 battery. When replacing the battery cover, you should hear a tiller indicating that the level lock is successfully connected.
Test the door, making sure it closes properly and locks correctly. You should be able to use the original hardware keys without locking.
Functionality
In addition to all the useful features that HomeKit brings to the table, Level Lock comes with its own Bluetooth-enabled app for Android and iOS, with the ability to perform the following functions:
invitations
Keyless entry
Automatic closing
Activity history
Access at any time
First, you will need to download and install the Level app from the App Store. This app, which uses Bluetooth to connect to the lock, allows you to perform basic functions such as lock / unlock, add additional users, and set up temporary passages that can be provided to others as needed.
To lock or unlock the door using the Level app, simply tap and hold the location, which is the Rear Door, and the desired action will occur.
Level Lock keeps a log of interactions right on the main page of the application. Allows users to see who unlocked or locked the door and when. It will also designate between manual, HomeKit or application-based actions.
Among other details, you'll also find the ability to configure the lock confirmation volume, perform a calibration, and configure auto-lock features in application-level settings.
Creating a temporary passage
The app works pretty well, but as someone goes deep into the iOS ecosystem, I was much more interested in turning my mill running lock into a smart lock with a smart HomeKit feature using the Level Lock feature.
At the bottom of the Getting Started Guide, you'll find the HomeKit setup code you need to get started. After adding the lock level to the HomeKit, I could immediately do things like unlock and lock the door using Siri voice commands on my iPhone or Apple Watch.
And HomeKit support means I can also control Lock in the Home app. This opens up a number of other possibilities, such as using the level lock with triggers or incorporating the lock into automation sequences.
Best of all, you can control the level lock using HomeKit from anywhere and no special hubs are needed, other than your normal HomeKit hub (Apple TV, HomePod or iPad).
9to5Mac’s Take
If you are looking for a simple-dead smart lock and you are happy with the look of the current lock, then this smart lock is worth considering. It can also be an option for tenants who are not able to make radical changes to the look of their locks.
The lock level is very easy to install, well designed and works with HomeKit. The only question I have is its durability during aggressive entry attempts. Level says they put the block through rigorous testing, but I'd like to know how well they could keep the block empty when it's pushed to the limit.
Personally speaking, I will stick with Yale Assure Lock SL, primarily because I like to have an external keyboard that can be used without the need for a key, but if my main concern was to maintain the look of my current lock set with the lowest is installed there, then I would give a level lock to Level Lock. It is a product that can overload your existing lock with keyless access and HomeKit functionality and can fly completely under the radar.
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