Update: Orders are now open.

Eve Cam is available for pre-order from Eve Store at a price of USD 149.95 USD and will start shipping on June 23. It will be available on apple.com and Amazon starting in July.

Eve Systems announced Eve Cam, which she describes as "the first indoor camera made exclusively for Apple's secure HomeKit video, built from the ground up to keep your data safe" ...

HomeKit Secure Video was first announced at WWDC in the summer and was available with iOS 13.2. Apple has done a lot of privacy functions, and Eve does the same.

With HomeKit Secure Video, the activity detected by a compatible camera such as Eve Cam is privately analyzed by the home hub (Apple TV or HomePod) using information on the device to determine if people or pets are present.

When an important activity is detected, you and anyone you share HomeKit Home with will receive a rich notification that lets you view the video right from the iPhone lock screen.

The recorded video is available for viewing for ten days from the Home application. It's securely stored for free in supported iCloud accounts and doesn't take into account your storage limit.

"Home security movies are extremely personal, which is why choosing the right interior room is so important," says Jerome Gackel, CEO, Eve Systems. "Eve Cam is the first camera designed exclusively for Apple HomeKit Secure Video, allowing you to keep a close eye on your home while protecting the privacy of your personal space at all times."

Logitech Circle 2 was the first camera to accept HomeKit Secure Video, with Apple recording eufyCam 2, eufyCam 2C, Netatmo Smart Interior Camera, Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera and Robin ProLine Doorbell among others. Eve Cam is a new addition to this list.

I got an early hands-on with the Logitech Circle 2, where Zac described it as a good start, but which now lacks a few key features.

You'll have some time to wait for Eve Cam, which the company says will be available in early April, but will be priced at $ 149.95. It also offers a decent set of features.

  • The 150 ° camera and 1080p high resolution challenge give you an unmistakable view
  • Due to the infrared night vision, you will be able to tell if you have an intruder the house, or your children raid the refrigerator
  • Using the built-in microphone and speaker, you can talk to whoever you are home at any time
  • With the 360 ​​° x 180 ° adjustable magnetic camera, you can easily install Eve Cam almost anywhere

You will need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.2 or later and a HomePod or Apple TV to act as a hub. A 200 GB + iCloud storage plan is also required.

Eve also announced a HomeKit compatible water detector, Water Guard.

This HomeKit activated water leak detector will alert you with an audible and visible alarm. You also get instant notifications on your iPhone or Apple Watch. It comes with a 6.5 ft full sensor cable that can be easily extended. Eve Water Guard will begin shipping on February 7, 2020, at a price of $ 79.95.

It alerts you acoustically with its 100 dB siren, visually through a red light that flashes and notifies you via iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.

Perfect for bathroom, common room, basement and under sinks and water pipes.

Finally, the Eve Energy smart switch gets a more compact form factor and a lower price.

With a clean, white, bar-style design that doesn't block nearby outlets, Eve Energy provides the same popular energy monitoring and autonomous planning features as its predecessor. Eve Energy starts shipping on January 27, 2020, at a price of only $ 39.95.

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Eufy made a short post explaining the delay HomeKit with handy camera inside, launched in April.

The company promised at the time that it would receive HomeKit support, but this has not happened yet. The post says it will be another delay, but for a very good reason ...

The camera will not only receive basic HomeKit support, but will also offer HomeKit Secure Video.

We just wanted to clarify a few things about the HomeKit compatibility issue. First of all, we want to apologize for the delay you are facing. We understand your frustration and appreciate your patience.

Our development team wants to give you all the best possible HomeKit experience and to achieve this, we have decided to implement the HomeKit Secure Video function. This feature will allow users to store videos in iCloud. Applying this feature requires additional certification, which is unfortunately the result of the delay. :sigh:

The full HomeKit experience will be officially available to you before mid-July.

As I explained in the past, there is a somewhat confusing state when it comes to HomeKit cameras. Basic support means you can access the cameras via Siri and have things like motion automation that detect movement, but there's also a separate feature called HomeKit Secure Video (HSV).

HomeKit Secure Video is designed to address the main security weakness with most smart cameras today. To do things like detect people and recognize faces, most cameras upload their video to the cloud and perform the analysis there. This means that the unencrypted video is stored on someone else's server, a tasty target for hackers.

With HSV, all people, animals and vehicle detection are done locally, on your own iPad, HomePod or Apple TV and only encrypted videos are sent to Apple's cloud servers.

Usually, when a manufacturer only says HomeKit without mentioning HSV, it indicates that the camera only offers the basic level of support. But in this case, the Inner Room is now set to get HSV support as well.

If you don't want to wait until mid-July, you can join the parent company's Anker beta program for access later this month.

Eufy offers a wide variety of smart home products, including a range of cameras. Unfortunately, HomeKit delays are not uncommon when it comes to smart home products, with many of them experiencing long delays before launch or before launching HomeKit support through a firmware update some time after launch.

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Create home automation on your Mac

We showed you how to create scenes with the Home app, which allows you to control multiple accessories at once, based on your actions such as arrival or departure. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to set up automation.

With the help of automation, you can answer each other's accessories. For example, you can start easily when the smart lock unlocks the front door. Or you can have your smart thermostat adjust the temperature at a certain time of day.

Depending on the smart home accessories you use, you should get some great tips for setting up automation in the Home app.

Set up smart home automation

Automation versus scenes

You may be wondering why you have options for both automation and scenes in the Home app. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference.

You can think of a scene by its name; "Set a scene". This allows you to create a scene to say before bed. At bedtime, you can turn off your lights, lock your doors and thermostat to a certain temperature. So you can set the scene for bed.

Automations, on the other hand, can run at a certain time on certain days, when a sensor detects motion or when another accessory is triggered. This allows you to set things up like when you unlock the smart lock, all the smart lights will turn on.

So, let’s take a look at some beautiful automations you can set up in the Home app for your accessories.

Create an automation

To get started, open the section The home application on your device and select Automation.

For our tutorial, we will mostly use the Home on Mac app. But you can follow the same steps to set up these automations on your iOS device.

When people arrive

If you use smart light bulbs in your home, automation is super handy. So how about creating an automation to turn on the lights when someone gets home in the evening.

1) Select When people arrive.

2) Choose Everyone arrives. (You can also select when the first person's arrival arrives, if you wish.)

3) For Location, make sure your home is selected.

4) For Time, choose The night. (We don't need the lights to come on during the day.)

5) Click Next →.

6) Mark the smart lights you want to start and click Next →.

7) If they are currently off, double-click the button icons to indicate that you want to turn on the lights for automation.

You'll see a summary of your automation. Make sure it's correct, and if you need to edit something, you can use the arrow top left to go back. And if you want to check it out, click Test this automation.

Home automation when someone comes to the Mac

Optionally, you can have automation stop the accessories it turns on. You can choose from one minute to four hours. If you intend to turn off the lights, you can choose Not.

Home automation disables Mac

If you are satisfied, click Done

When people leave

When someone leaves the house, whether it's each person or the last person in the home, you can automatically block your smart lock. That way no one has to remember to do it or risk forgetting!

1) Select When people leave.

2) Choose Anyone leave. (You can also select when the last person leaves, if you wish.)

Home Automation Everyone leaves Mac

3) For Location, make sure your home is selected.

4) For Time, choose Anything. (You can choose a specific time of day if you wish.)

5) Click Next →.

6) Mark your smart lock and click Next →.

As with the smart light automation above, you'll see a summary of the automation and edit or test it. Remember, to test it, you will first need to unlock the lock. Click Done when you finish.

Home automation when someone leaves Mac

When a certain time or day of the week appears

If you have a smart thermostat, you may have a program that you can configure. But if you prefer to do it in the Home app or just want to change it for a short time, it's easy.

You may want to adjust your home temperature according to the time of day, for certain days of the week, when the family will be out of town.

1) Select There is a time of day.

2) Choose When from risen. Sunsetor a specific Time of day that you can enter. For Sunrise and Sunset, you can click the button Information icon several times surrounding the sunrise or sunset. For example, you can set it for 30 minutes before or after sunrise, if you wish.

Sunset Times Mac automation system

3) Choose the days of the week for the automation to be Repeat. By default, each day is selected. Just click to deselect a day or days.

Home automation Pick Days Mac

4) Optionally, you can request automation people in your house. So, if you set this for a period when your family will be on vacation, you can choose When no one is home.

5) Click Next → and choose the accessory, such as Thermostat.

6) Click Next → and click the button accessory to set it. For example, we set the temperature to 74 degrees.

Test automation if you want or just click Done to save and activate it.

Mac home automation on certain days

When another accessory is triggered

You can automate ancillary actions based on other ancillary actions. For example, when the light in the dining room lights up for dinner, you can have the HomePod play relaxing music for the table.

Since you control what your iOS device plays on the HomePod from the Home app, we'll set it up on the iPhone.

1) Select An accessory is controlled.

2) Choose accessory which will turn on the automation and trigger the second accessory and tap Next →.

3) Choose what you want that accessory to do. For our example, we will choose Activates.

When the accessory first fired

4) Optionally, you can set Time and people options like the other automations above.

5) touch Next → and choose the second accessory, such as HomePod.

6) Under the Media configure what you want HomePod to do. For our example, we will choose Play audio and then Choose Audio that we want to play.

When the accessory triggered the second

7) Touch to go Back and examine your automation.

You can test the automation, choose if and when you want to turn it off and tap Done when you finish.

Home automation when accessories triggered the iPhone

When a sensor detects something

If you have sensors in the house to detect motion or smoke, we have a new automation better for you. You can have a light on at night, when motion is detected in the room.

1) Select A sensor detects something.

2) Choose accessory and then what you want to do. For our example, we will choose Detects movement.

3) Optionally, you can set Time and people options like the other automations above. This is useful if you just want to turn on the lights the night, as in our example.

4) Click Next → and choose the accessory, such as your desk. easy.

5) If the light is currently off, double-click the button icon to indicate that you want to start it for automation.

View an automation summary, test it, or select a timeout if you wish and click Done.

Home automation when Mac motion is detected

Wrap it

These five tips cover each of the automation options you have in the Home app. Obviously, you may not have all these smart home accessories, but you will get some great ideas for the ones you have.

So are you going to set up automation for your smart home? If so, tell us who created them!

For more help with the Home app, take a look at how you can change your app and camera wallpapers or check the status of your HomeKit hubs.

The HomeKit compatible air purifier from Vocolinc will go on sale in the US starting June 15. The Vocolinc PureFlow air purifier was previously placed for pre-order in Europe.

The company says it is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant ...

HomeKit air purifier

Vocolinc made the announcement in a post on Facebook

Meet the smart, sophisticated and easy-to-use PureFlow, premiered on June 15 (USA)

Yes, it works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant, which means you can control and know its status using voice commands.

Yes, it is used in large rooms, removing 99.97% of gases and particles up to 0.3 microns.

Yes, it could be super quiet, so you can be protected while sleeping without disturbances.

There is still no word on US prices, but European prices suggest they will sell for about $ 500.

As mentioned earlier, the purifier is a HEPA - it does not protect against coronavirus.

Three stages of HEPA filtration remove up to 99.5% of gases and particles up to 0.3 microns from your chamber, up to 700 sqm.

The virus has about 0.1 microns, so it will not be captured by the filter.

OnKK C3 HomeKit secure video camera

OnKK C3 HomeKit secure video camera

In other HomeKit news, there is another camera that supports Apple's secure HomeKit video standard, which provides a 10-day recording history in iCloud. HomeKit News reports.

Works exclusively with Apple HomeKit and also supports HomeKit Secure Video. Onvis C3 records 1080p HD @ 30fps video for all four streams - one for iCloud with 4 seconds of pre-recording, two for live streams and one for MicroSD recording.

What some may be interested in is that it also works with 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz wifi networks, as well as bidirectional audio.

You can make a pre-order today, with shipping starting in late June.

I previously noticed the privacy benefit of HomeKit Secure Video.

HomeKit Secure Video is designed to address the main security weakness with most smart cameras today. To do things like detect people and recognize faces, most cameras upload their video to the cloud and perform the analysis there. This means that the unencrypted video is stored on someone else's server, a tasty target for hackers.

With HSV, all people, animals and vehicle detection are done locally, on your own iPad, HomePod or Apple TV and only encrypted videos are sent to Apple's cloud servers.

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Philips Hue bulbs are one of the easiest ways to give light fixtures smart home capabilities, including through the Apple HomeKit platform. The problem with Philips Hue switches is that every time a wall light switch is turned on, the smart lights go unanswered. Dimmer Lutron Aurora is a simple but ingenious way to solve this problem.

Problem

Most of my house is equipped with Philips Hue bulbs, including lamps and lighting fixtures. Over the years, I have slowly created my HomeKit lighting installation, and the versatility of Philips Hue bulbs has made it easy to maintain the configuration, despite moving apartments and eventually into a house.

Philips Hue bulbs are also incredibly useful for tenants: they simply replace “dumb” bulbs and do not require wiring or other modifications that may not be approved by the landlord.

For me, I knew perfectly well that I never use a physical light switch - I know that everything can be easily managed, thanks to the Home application on the iPhone, iPad and Mac, as well as by Siri. I have automation settings for certain hours of the day, scenes for things like work and relaxation, and automation for leaving and arriving home.

But, as anyone has experienced with Philips Hue smart bulbs, every time a wall light switch is turned on, the smart lights will not respond. This is because Hue bulbs require the lights to remain in the "on" position at all times to be controlled via the Hue or HomeKit application. Probably not you turning that light on and off, but rather with someone you live with or guests with.

Dimmer Aurora Lutron is designed to solve this problem.

Lutron Aurora

lutron aurora

Lutron Aurora is a simple accessory designed to fit over existing switching switches. The installation process is incredibly simple, with the round dimmer attached to the toggle switch. Then tighten the base with a screwdriver and install the front cover.

After installing the hardware, configure Aurora integration with the Philips Hue application. The Aurora dimmer integrates with Philips Hue through the "Friends of Hue" platform. As you can see in the pictures below, just choose Lutron Aurora from the "Friends of Hue" list in the Hue app. From there, you can choose what happens when Lutron Aurora is controlled.

lutron

Side note: Everything is managed through the Hue app - not the Home app or the Lutron app. This means you'll need to make sure your cameras and accessories are in sync between the Home app and the Hue app. This can be a difficult process, but it is worth it in the end.

You can associate Lutron Aurora with several accessories, which means that a switch does not have to control a set of lights. For example, I installed it to control the surveillance body as well as the floor lamp, both using Philips Hue bulbs.

This also means that you don't have to buy multiple Lutron Aurora indicators for each room. For example, if you have two light fixtures or lamps, you can set one Lutron Aurora to control both - or even all the lights in the room.

Once the setup process is complete, Lutron Aurora works largely like a normal light switch. Aurora can be pressed as a button to turn the accessories on and off, or it can be turned left or right to increase or decrease the brightness of the accessories.

Again, the advantage is that you keep smart control of the home, even if you or someone else in the house accidentally throws the manual switch.

lutron aurora install

There are some limitations. First of all, Lutron Aurora only works with Philips Hue bulbs, so if you have other smart bulbs scattered throughout the smart configuration of your home, you should keep this limitation in mind. Second, Lutron Aurora speakers only fit traditional "flip" style switches. If you have a different style of wall switch, Lutron Aurora will not work for you.

Other solutions

There are other solutions to provide intelligent control lighting in the wall. For example, Lutron Caséta wall dimmers (overhaul) replace existing light switches in your home with switches connected. Philips Hue also sells its own Smart Dimmer Switch, but this does not fit over your existing switches.

These solutions offer their own benefits, such as Lutron Caséta switches, also being able to control cellular fans (review), but none is as easy and cost-effective as Lutron Aurora.

Aurora Lutron is available on Amazon for only $ 40. If you are a Philips Hue user, this is an easy way to add extra convenience to your smart home setup, even if it is more to benefit other household members and guests than you.

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Netatmo is present today with a new version of its HomeKit external security camera, which adds an integrated siren to the device. Other features include a built-in security light and video recording options on a microSD card or Dropbox account.

Netatmo today announced the new hardware in a blog post. The company's newest HomeKit device is a minor general upgrade of the existing Smart Outdoor camera, it's just the addition of the built-in Siren. But this can certainly be a valuable addition for many who are looking to improve the security of their homes.

The Smart Outdoor with Siren has a 105 dB alarm along with the special features of its predecessor, such as HomeKit support, motion-based security light, microSD card slot, 1080p resolution and the ability to record images directly to a Dropbox account or via FTP (no subscription).

Here's how the new Siren works:

When a person or vehicle enters your property / home, you immediately receive an alert and a video on your smartphone. If he is an intruder, you can scare them by triggering the security camera alarm through the Netatmo application.

I have been using three standard Smart Outdoor cameras for about a month now and I was impressed with them. They have an excellent clean aesthetic, they are easy to install (wired), they were easy to install in the Home application, they have a solid video quality at 1080p and they worked constantly.

Keep in mind that there is no HomeKit secure video support here yet, but that could happen in the future.

The smart outdoor camera with Siren will be available today for pre-order for $ 349. The standard model without the siren sells for $ 299 (sometimes less on Amazon).

In particular, we are still looking forward to opening the smart videotape supported by Netkat HomeKit. If you are trying to choose one right now, be sure to check out our review of the Yobi B3 HomeKit ringtone that feels like the best option on the market right now.

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Update: The application has now been updated to add HomeKit support.

If you've been waiting for a HomeKit compatible air purifier, the good news is that there is one on the way now. The Vocolinc PureFlow air purifier is already available for pre-order in some European and Scandinavian countries, the transport being displayed in 11-12 days.

You can't order them in the US yet, but the company says that American distributors have already placed orders ...

HomeKit News The report suggests that the US price will be around $ 500.

It seems that at least one online chain store, located in Denmark, but with regional stores in Sweden, Austria, Germany, Finland, Poland and Norway, takes orders, shipping being listed in 11-12 days. Proshop in all listed countries currently have VAP1 listed, the Swedish store showing the price as 4.799Kr (507 USD / United Kingdom 392 GBP / EU 447 €).

The specifications are the standard HEPA.

Superior filtration technology: Three stages of advanced HEPA filtration remove up to 99.5% of gases and particles up to 0.3 microns from your chamber, up to 700 sqm.

Full angle filtration system: A double air inlet to the upper air outlet design captures harmful gases and particles from all angles.

The company says that PureFlow offers a quiet way to use while you sleep.

Intelligent air purifier, extremely low noise: 27dB in sleep mode, High clean air distribution: up to 100 square meters, efficient air purification capacity: bi-directional air flow, true HEPA and activated carbon: technologies Triple filter, 5 color-coded lights, Works with: Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.

In addition to controlling Siri, you'll also be able to set schedules for your device.

However, if you hope it can protect you against coronavirus, a BuzzFeed the report says you're out of luck.

"Your typical HEPA filter will not be able to remove the coronavirus from the air," said Dr. Erin Sorrell, an assistant professor of microbiology and a member of the Georgetown Center for World Health Science and Safety. "The filter itself is 3 microns, and the virus itself is about 1 micron."

A HomeKit compatible air purifier has a price premium; Other HEPA air purifiers are usually around $ 100-200.

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HomeKit bells are like unicorns. Mythical and believer, 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.

The basics

If you already have a traditional ringtone installed, the process of switching to Yobi is simple.

Yobi provides good documentation on how to install B3 instead of the old sonnet. If you do not feel comfortable with basic electrical work or do not have an existing bell, contact an electrician.

IMG 0325

Like the other smart bells we tested, the Yobi includes two viewing position adapters that install optionally between the B3 ringtone and the wall.

IMG 0327

An adapter allows you to angle the view of the smart camera with the door doors up or down, depending on the position. The other adapter allows you to angle the POV to the left or right.

IMG 0328

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 ringtone category. For this reason, Yobi relies entirely on the Apple Home app for setup and control.

IMG 0146

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.

IMG 0518 e1590417839419

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.

IMG 0517

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 with 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 your ringtone. (The doorbell also shudders when someone rings.)

IMG 0583

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 if any motion is detected.

IMG 0403

However, there is only one open question. Will Yobi B3 work with HomeKit Secure Video? The product would be perfect with Apple's new version of 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.

ZAC07421

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 a low-cost, easy-to-order HomeKit starter camera available for pre-order for $ 199. This is consistent with the price of many non-door HomeKit camcorders, 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 come on the market, this is the model to check out.

Specifications

Color Gold and black
dimensions Height: 5.98 ″ (152mm)
Width: 62 mm
Depth: 52mm ″ (52mm)
Weight 250g
Mounting method screws
ports NEEDLE
processor 600MHz
Memory 1GB
Resolution 1920 X 1080 (1080p)
camera Lens: F2.2 aperture, focal length 2.7 mm Image sensor: 1 / 2.7 ″ CMOS
Field of view Horizontal: 124 ° Diagonal: 180 °
Night vision 4 IR LEDs (850 nm) Lights up to 9 m (29 m)
Video H.264 encoding Frame rate: 1-30 FPS
Audio Built-in speaker and microphone Two-way audio talk
wifi 802.11 b / w / w 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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When 2020 started, I didn't have a single room in the HomeKit setup, but during the year, I chose the left and right cameras. After deploying several eufyCameras around the outside of my house, I turned my attention to covering the parts inside my house. While HomeKit Secure Video is essential outside the house, it is necessary for the inside of my house. It's one thing for a company to have views outside my house, but only I want to be able to see what's going on in my house. End-to-end encryption is required for any indoor rooms I use in my home. For the past few weeks, I've been testing the Netatmo indoor camera with HomeKit Secure Video.

Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart home frame for Apple.


No cloud storage fees

One of the things that works for the Netatmo camera in the gate is that the manufacturer has no charge for cloud storage. It records in iCloud if you use HomeKit Secure Video, but it can also be recorded on an SD card, uploaded to Dropbox or an FTP server. In a world where everyone wants $ 5 a month from you, I appreciate producers who don't focus on growing their subscription business. Because I keep adding cameras to my house, I don't want to be charged $ 5 a month per room. I also appreciate the inclusion of the Secure Video HomeKit. Although it's not free, I was already paying for iCloud 2TB storage before Apple launched HomeKit Secure Video, so in my head, it's a free upgrade.

My only concern about HomeKit Secure Video is that it is limited to five rooms for each family sharing account.

The Apple ID you use for the Home app allows up to five total cameras enabled for recording in as many homes as you own. Members of an iCloud family sharing plan share this limit with everyone else in the storage plan. To register with more than five cameras, you must use a different Apple ID with a different iCloud storage plan.

I don't know if it's a technical or a business limitation, but it's not possible to have separate cameras on other Apple IDs. If it's a business limitation, Apple should offer the option to upgrade. I currently have four cameras using HomeKit Secure Video (I have three eufyCams outdoors). Although I don't plan on adding another camera as much as possible, I don't want to limit myself to just one addition to the HomeKit Secure Video.

Netatmo camera hardware

Netatmo

One of the main advantages of the Netatmo camera is the slim body size. The compact size allows it to easily mix in a shelf or closet without looking out of place. Indoor cameras should look different from outdoor cameras, and of all the cameras I've looked at, Netatmo is the one that shows the highest end, blends well with its environment and doesn't look like a "typical camera. "

It is powered by micro USB, and the included cable is long enough. Other ports include the SD card slot we mentioned earlier, along with wired ethernet. While using Wi-Fi for my connectivity, I appreciate the inclusion of ethernet. I'm a big believer in cabling products when possible, so in a world where many HomeKit products include only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, I like that Netatmo has included ethernet.

Netatmo App and HomeKit

Netatmo application

The Netatmo application is well made and can be used as part of the larger Netatmo ecosystem. Netatmo also sells a weather station, an intelligent outdoor security light and various other security products. Although I don't use the Netatmo app on a daily basis, I used it to set up the camera initially and can't report problems. The application goes through the setting and then the HomeKit configuration is immediately ahead. If you receive the camera mainly for HomeKit, once it is set up, you will be able to control the application from the Home application.

A big benefit of the Netatmo camera that makes it more than just a camera is that it hears an alarm (smoke alarm, CO alarm, security alarm or siren), sends a notification and starts recording the video.

The final feature of the Netatmo application that I wanted to mention is facial recognition. When the camera first identifies a face, it is marked with a question mark in the application. You can then determine the person in the app to give them a profile. Once the profile is saved, the camera will be able to recognize that person and notify you of their arrival at home. You can save up to 32 faces in the application.

Wrap the Netatmo camera

You really like the Netatmo camera. It has a high performance design, reliable support for HomeKit Secure Video, with local recordings as an available option. For HomeKit Secure Video cameras, it may be the best on the market. One last thing to add is that the camera includes a built-in motion sensor so you can use it to trigger lights and other HomeKit accessories. There are several other cameras that have just been released (Logitech Circle View and Eufy Indoor), so I plan to test more cameras in the future.

The Netatmo indoor camera can be purchased from Amazon.

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Logitech has officially unveiled its new Circle View smart camera that works exclusively with Apple's HomeKit Secure Video platform. Circle View is similar to the wired Circle 2, but with an emphasis on privacy and a new black design.

Circle View features what Logitech calls a "TrueView" camera that offers 1080P video quality with a 180-degree field of view. The infrared camera system can also provide "full field visibility and superior brightness in the dark up to 15 meters away".

Logitech Circle View shares many similarities to the wired Circle 2, which added support for HomeKit Secure Video last year. Circle View features a wired design that is weatherproof for indoor and outdoor use. The included 10 meter power cord is tied to the camera and (unfortunately) white.

Included with Circle View is wall mounting hardware, including a mounting plate, cable clips, screws, and anchors. Unfortunately, what seems to be missing at the moment are the various mounting accessories available for the Circle 2, such as the incredibly useful Window Mount.

Logitech has put privacy at the forefront of its new Circle View smart camera. HomeKit Secure Video support provides a certain level of privacy, but Logitech has taken things a step further. In fact, there is a camera button itself to instantly turn off audio and video.

Other technical specifications of the new Circle View include:

The Logitech Circle View will begin shipping this month and will be available on the Logitech website as well as the Apple online store. It will retail for $ 159.99.

9to5Mac’s Take

logitech circle view homekit

Interestingly, Logitech has made the new Circle View work exclusively with Apple's HomeKit Secure Video platform. It emphasizes the privacy-centric design of the room. While the original wired Circle 2 added HomeKit Secure Video, it could also work with the Logitech application, as well as basic HomeKit support.

My colleague Zac Hall went through HomeKit Secure Video in detail last year, highlighting both the advantages of the platform and some interesting aspects of it. Much of what Zac wrote then still sounds true today, including the requirements to use HomeKit Secure Video in the first place:

Because Circle View is limited to HomeKit Secure Video, everything is easy to manage in the Home app, and all settings are adjustable, such as camera status light, night vision light, recording preferences, and more. For someone deep in the HomeKit ecosystem, having everything in the Home app is very convenient.

Some other quick impressions:

The power button on and off the camera itself is the differentiator with Circle View. The biggest disadvantage is that it is not automated. Instead, you'll have to manually press the button on the camera itself to turn it off or on or to rely on geofencing - and geofencing isn't necessarily the solution everyone wants.

Finally, my favorite way to view live images of HomeKit cameras is through the third-party HomeCam app. This makes it possible to view multiple rooms in real time and quickly access the associated commands. The Home app requires you to touch each individual room to view those streams.

What do you think about the new Logitech Circle View? I'll have a full review soon, so make sure you share all the questions in the comments!

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After being announced back at CES in January, Brilliant has officially launched HomeKit support in public beta for its "Control" smart hub. This means that users can now control connected lights and fans via the Home app and with Siri on their Apple devices.

Brilliant Control replaces existing light switches around your home, similar to other smart switches on the market. The difference is that Brilliant's control panel integrates smart home products, such as Amazon, Nest, Ecobee, Ring, August, Philips Hue, Sonos, Honeywell and Wemo.

With HomeKit support, fans and lights connected directly to Brilliant Control will now be controllable via HomeKit:

This integration will allow you to control uploads that are directly connected to Brilliant Control from the Apple Home, HomePod, or Siri app. This will allow loads that are directly connected to Brilliant Control, such as lights (which may or may not be dimmed) or on / off devices (e.g. fans) to be displayed as HomeKit accessories and included in scenes and automations in Apple Home experience.

Brilliant also points to a limitation on its new HomeKit support, which is said to be a limitation on Apple's part:

Apple does not currently support non-Apple devices to display and control HomeKit devices on their interface. We will continue to work with Apple to see if this can be possible in the future.

For those unfamiliar, Brilliant Control is designed to replace your existing switches and provide a central platform on which you can control all smart home accessories. Although the HomeKit connection is not necessarily as deep as some might like, today's update makes it possible to control the lights and fans controlled by this switch.

You can learn more about Brilliant Control support for HomeKit here and learn more about how to set up the public beta of HomeKit with your Bright Control in this support document. Brilliant Control is available in four different configurations, depending on the size of the light switch you are replacing. Prices start at $ 299 and go up to $ 449.

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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.

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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Announced at CES in January, August today launched its new Wi-Fi Smart August block. The updated hardware sees a number of improvements such as the built-in WiFi (no deck needed) a completely new design that is 45% smaller than the August Smart Lock Pro and HomeKit support.

August announced availability in a blog post and highlighted its smart lock features:

Size 45% smaller in volume and 20% thinner than August Smart Lock Pro - and without the need for an additional Wi-Fi Connect Bridge - August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has a nice discreet and simple design. It also has some subtle but valuable design features. The padlock face offers smoother transitions and rounded edges, while the refined, textured ridges surrounding the padlock invite tactility when the lock is manually rotated (the turning mechanism is even smoother). There is also a new badge that visually helps users identify the locked state of the device.

One of the unique selling points of August’s smart locks is that they work with your existing lock to make the installation process super easy to bring HomeKit smarts to the door.

Users can also take advantage of the "Auto-Unlock" feature of August as they approach their doors for a super perfect experience.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has a silver color and a matte black. It is available now (in silver, matte black "soon") directly from August for $ 249.99 or as an optional keyboard package for $ 309.99.

Stay tuned to 9to5Mac for a full review of this new HomeKit lock soon.

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Home on the Mac Pick accessory icon

You have several different ways to customize the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. One is to change the wallpaper for your house and for each of the rooms in it. Another is to change the icons that appear for your accessories.

Although the accessories icon can never be changed, there are several that can. We'll show you how to launch smart home accessories icons in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Interchangeable icons

You will be able to locate those accessory icons that you can easily modify. They will be inside a square with an edge.

Icon of changeable and unchangeable accessories

Some types of icons you can change include lights, light bulbs, and smart locks.

Change the Home icon icons on iOS

Open The home application on your iPhone or iPad and then follow these steps to change the accessory icons.

1) From the Home screen or one of the camera screens, touch and hold an accessory.

2) When the controls screen appears, tap Settings (wheel icon) at the bottom.

3) Next to the accessory name, tap the key icon.

4) Select the icon you want to use and tap Done.

Home on the iPhone Accessory icon

You can then close the accessory settings window by tapping the button X top right.

Change the Home icon icons on your Mac

Open The home application on Mac and then do the following to change the accessory icons.

1) From the Home screen or one of the camera screens, right click or hold Control and click the accessory you want to change and select Settings.

2) Next to the accessory name, click the button icon.

Home on the Mac accessory icon

3) Select the icon you want to use and click Done.

Home on the Mac Pick accessory icon

You can then close the accessory settings window by clicking the button X top right.

Wrap it

Changing the icons for the accessories you use in the Home app is just one of those little ways to customize your app. Whether you’re changing a light bulb in a floor lamp or a padlock in digital lock, icons can also help you locate the accessory you want to control faster.

Will you change the accessory icons?

For more, take a look at how to check the status of HomeKit hubs or create scenes to control multiple accessories in the Home app.

Home on Mac Edit Rooms

If you have multiple rooms set up in the Home app, with accessories in each, then you can go to different rooms at different times throughout the day to control those accessories. Therefore, it is important to have the rooms displayed in the desired order.

Maybe you would like the rooms in the order in which you choose them as a routine or maybe you simply prefer them in alphabetical order. Regardless of your preference, here's how to rearrange and change the order of the cameras in the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Rearrange the cameras in the Home app on iOS

Open The home application on your iPhone or iPad and then do the following to rearrange your cameras.

1) touch rooms at the bottom and go to any room.

2) touch Edit | × at the top and then tap the key the name of the Chamber.

Home on the iPhone Edit Room

3) Click on Rooms arrow top left.

4) When your room list opens, tap Edit | ×.

5) Select, drag and drop your rooms in the order you want them.

6) touch Done when you finish and Done once again to close the window.

Home on the iPhone Move Room

The changes you make will sync to your devices.

Rearrange your cameras in the Home on Mac app

Open The home application on Mac and then follow these steps to change the order of the camera.

1) Click Edit | × > Edit the camera from the menu bar. It doesn't matter what room you are in

2) In the camera settings window, click the button arrow top left to go back.

Home on the Mac Edit Room

3) You will see your list of rooms. touch Edit | × top left.

4) Now you can select, drag and drop your rooms in the order you want them.

Home on the Mac Move Room

5) Click Done when you finish and Done once again to close the window.

Just like the changes you make on your iPhone or iPad, the ones you make on your Mac will sync.

Wrap it

Rearranging the cameras in the Home app makes it easy to access the one you want when you want and control your devices.

Are you going to change the order of your rooms now?

For more, check out how you can create scenes in the Home app to control multiple devices.

Logitech seems to be preparing a new smart homeKit compatible camcorder called the Logitech Circle View. As spotted on Reddit, Logitech briefly posted details about the new Circle View camera on its website, but has since removed the website.

On the website, Logitech provided support for HomeKit along with "best video." HomeKit Secure Video is considered supported. The Logitech Circle view is wired, as is the Circle 2, which is compatible with HomeKit, with HomeKit support - which was taken out of stock at most retailers recently.

Here are the features of the Logitech circle view, according to the web page:

Speculation about a new smart camera Logi Circle has recently grown. While Logi Circle 2 was an early adopter of HomeKit Secure Video, it was taken out of stock at most retailers. Wireless Circle 2 is still widely available, but it lacks HomeKit support. Viewing the Logitech circle seems to be replacing circle 2 with wire.

The webpage seen by Reddit users has been removed, but when you search for Circle View on the Logitech site, the image still appears:

At this time, there is no word on the release date for Circle View, but the price will be $ 159 depending on the cache of the web page. We would expect it to be available sooner rather than later.

What do you think about this device? Is it a suitable replacement for Wired Circle 2? Tell us in the comments!

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One of the things Amazon has done well with Alexa is cloud-enabled skills that are directly connected to its Echo products. In my smart home setup, we have a few Echo Dots in my child's rooms that I use for "story time" at night. I like my HomePod, but it can't replace this functionality right now. Is it time for Apple to build a HomeKit skills section that runs directly on iCloud?

Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything related to the smart home frame for Apple.


From the earliest days of Alexa, Amazon built all its "skills" in the cloud. Because Amazon is not very important for smartphones, they could not rely on streaming content from it to audio power. Thanks to its flash information, games and other types of programming, the Echo line remains on its own in terms of the ability to work independently of any other devices.

I'd love to see Apple expand the HomePod to work the same way. For Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, it can play content directly from the internet. Why can't other apps do the same? AirPlay 2 exists and is a stop-gap for this problem, but it does not solve it. Here are some ways I'd like to be able to use my HomePod:

Podcast applications

Breaker podcast application

I want an app like Overcast or Breaker to be able to talk directly to my HomePod in the cloud. The way I think about this is when I install Overcast, it might require connecting to my HomePod. I could say, "Hey Siri, play the Apple @ Work podcast on Overcast." My homePod would, without using another device, talk directly to Overcast's web infrastructure to stream the podcast.

Sleeping applications with HomeKit skills

Moshi

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, one of the most common use cases for Echo Dots is "Amazon Story Time". My kids use it while they sleep at night. I would like to use an application like Moshi: Sleep and Mindfulness directly on the HomePod. Similar to Overcast, I wish I could give Moshi access to run directly from iCloud or any system created by Apple for services that talk directly to my HomePod. At this point, I could use AirPlay to do this, but it would require the use of a dedicated iOS device.

Good morning Siri

Siri

I had this idea so I could say good morning to Siri and made Siri run some HomeKit automations and play the latest episode of The Daily and then NPR Up First using the data from Overcast. If I hadn't finished the episode before interrupting it, I wish the Overcast iPhone app could know exactly where it stopped. Another example of how I could use this is that when my abode motion sensor first sees motion in the morning, it will turn on a few Hue lights at 30%, start morning podcasts (bonus points if I can set a preference on which broadcasts from those released on that date are played first). A very fun idea for the future would be if my alarm system could turn off if I knew my wife or I were awake.

Wrap HomeKit skills

What do you think about HomeKit skills? Would you connect third-party apps to the HomePod experience without having to launch an iPhone app, make sure you want to use HomePod, or purchase one if you don't have one? I like my HomePod, but I also see the value with how Alexa is a first cloud operating system. Whatever happens to the HomePod ecosystem in the future, it must be open to third-party developers and have a cloud-first approach.

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Broadband modernization is not something many of us often do, but when I found that gigabit broadband had finally arrived in my building, I found it impossible to resist, despite the fact that I had no real justification for such speeds. . But hey, gigabit broadband is a gadget, right?

Sure enough, now I'm getting very close to gigabit speeds over an Ethernet connection in my office (see above), and 5 GHz Wi-Fi offers 2-300Mbps for both uploads and downloads elsewhere in the apartment.

However, there was one aspect of the update that I feared ...

The SSID of my old router was a historical accident and I wanted to set a new SSID for the new one. However, my fear of this was that it would break all my smart device connections at home.

In theory, it shouldn't have. All Philips Hue devices talk to the hub, not directly to the router, so they should have been happy. The same was true for the blinds, which also have a connected hub. Other devices should only need the new wi-fi beliefs introduced in the applications.

Theoretical.

But, as we all know, the network - especially the wireless network - is an area of ​​technology where theory and practice rarely match. Sure enough, moving over hubs promptly led to "52 non-responsive devices" in the Home app.

My options seemed to be: One, give up the whole idea and use only the same SSID as the old router; or two, spend many hours delving into the settings of many wireless device applications to update their Wi-Fi connection data.

I started the last approach, but it was too painful. In addition, the whole common phenomenon of wireless networking became known: the things that should have happened were not; things that could not happen did; things would not work for a while, then suddenly they would work; and vice versa.

Which was when I came up with a great solution, even if I say it myself. I went back to the changes I made, then gave a new SSID to the 5 GHz network on the new router, but reused the old SSID for a 2.4 GHz one. Voila, all our smart home devices have been fooled, while we could happily connect all our Apple devices to the 5 GHz network.

There is no real disadvantage in this regard. 2.4 GHz speeds are slower, but this is irrelevant when the only data sent or received are shortcuts and device authentication. All Macs, iPads, and iPhones use the 5 GHz network, and the router views them as a single logical network, so it doesn't matter that the iPhone giving a command connects to an SSID and the device listening listens to it. connects to the other.

You need to verify that the router is working the same way. Most modern ones, but there are exceptions, which consider 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz as completely separate networks. But provided you combine them, this is a completely painless way to upgrade to broadband or change your SSID without breaking all your smart home set.

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One of the areas in my HomeKit lighting setup that I ignored for a long time was outdoors. Honestly, I didn't have a real need until recently, when I received a new puppy. If you have ever had a puppy, you know that he spends a lot of time outdoors trying to train his dog to use the bathroom outside. It has become clear that we do not have enough lightning in the open air when we take it out late at night and early in the morning. As any smart fan of the house would do, I looked to solve this problem free use an expensive electrician and add HomeKit support in this process. This week, I'm going to explain my HomeKit outdoor lighting setup.

Weekly HomeKit is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks and everything to do with the smart frame for Apple.


Homekit lightning outdoors in the front yard

Before I get to what I did in the backyard, I want to explain to you how easy it was to add HomeKit activated lightning to existing headlights. In my front yard, I have a standard projector that the manufacturer has introduced. All I had to do was change the existing bulbs to two Philips Hue outdoor flood lights that are paired with the Hue Outdoor motion sensor. If you do not have any Hue lights at this time, you will need the Hue Bridge to start using the products. Hue also offers a starter kit for a little more, which also includes two interior bulbs. If you need them, it's a better deal.

From the point of view of HomeKit automation, I set it where at 19:00, the motion sensor becomes active and automatically turns on the headlights, if it detects movement. It goes out after ten minutes. The idea here is to create a path if I come home after dark to go to the front door. If it is not someone in my family, the hope is that the headlights will defeat whoever comes to our door.

The installation process was very easy. After screwing in the lights, I turned on the switch and then used the Hue app to scan them. After they were added, I installed a software update, then I was up and running. It is much brighter than it was before.

Hue headlights

Lighting in the yard

In my yard, I have a flood light similar to the one in the front yard, which was not shielded on one side of my deck. All we did was add two more Hue Outdoor headlights, which turn on automatically in the dark if the back door is open. It will stop after 15 minutes. I use a home alarm system in my home so all the doors are exposed in the HomeKit (see the accommodation review).

Due to the location of the existing light, the vast majority of our yard is black at night. It was annoying for my kids when they wanted to play at night, but it became super annoying when I took the dog outside. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to add a headlight that was HomeKit enabled and connect it without using an electrician. I knew I wouldn't be able to fish it at a light switch, so I had to get more creative with my outdoor HomeKit lighting setup.

The first problem I faced was that all the HomeKit flood lights I found were not the right color. Our shade is white, so it has to fit. Then I came up with a very fun solution. I bought a generic light in the right color and decided to connect it to an external HomeKit connector. I mounted the flood light next to my gutter, ran the outside power cord behind the gutter and under my screened porch. I then pulled the wire through the bridge next to the wall, put an external socket on it, and connected it to the HomeKit outdoor socket.

The socket (marked as “light” in the Home app) is connected to an automation where it lights up at night for 15 minutes if the back is opened. I can also use my HomePod to say "Hey Siri, turn on / off the lights in the backyard"

HomeKit Automation

Wrap in HomeKit outdoor lighting

I'm happy with our HomeKit outdoor lighting setup. All my Philips Hue products worked well. The only problem I got is one of the projectors presented as "non-updatable" in the software updates. I knew I had to update them due to a recent vulnerability. The solution was to delete the light from the application, turn off the button and turn it on again and add it again. As soon as I did that, the update appeared.

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A combined research team from Apple and Carnegie Mellon University showed stupid devices made smart. They created a demonstration video (below) to accompany an academic paper.

Rather than any device you have to be smart, the approach proposes that something like a HomePod be trained to solve what is happening in the house ...

The paper was co-authored by two researchers from each organization. TechCrunch explains the idea behind it.

The system, called Listen Learner, is based on recognizing acoustic activity to allow a smart device, such as a speaker equipped with a microphone, to interpret events that take place in its environment through a supervised learning process. manual labeling done through interactions with a single user - such as the speaker asking a person “what was that sound?” after hearing the noise long enough to classify in a cluster.

A general pre-trained model can also be connected to allow the system to get an initial idea of ​​what an acoustic cluster can mean. So, the interaction with the user may be less open, the system may ask a question such as "was it a tap?" - requiring only a yes / no answer from the person in the room.

What does this bring you? A concept video shows the example of the smart speaker that recognizes the ping of a regular microwave oven and warns the user that their food is ready. This way, you don't have to replace existing devices with expensive smart ones, but rather let your HomePod or similar device solve what's going on to warn you.

Another proven example is the recognition of a knock on the door.

It's fun to think of other applications for this, and some of them happened to me quickly.

An example is running a bath. If HomePod can recognize the sound of the bathroom starting to work, then the tap is off, it can find out how long the bathroom should work and warn us if we forget to turn off the tap.

Another thing would be to recognize the members of the household in their footsteps, triggering personalized actions when they return home. You don't need a smart camera system with face recognition, just a HomePod that listens to their distinctive steps.

Watch the video below and please share your own ideas for their smart devices in the comments.

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We've seen Sony launch some of the first HomeKit and AirPlay 2 TVs last year and now most of the new 2020 line-up with Apple integration is available for purchase. The latest Sony models with HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support range from $ 599 to $ 9,999.

The Sony 2020 smart TV models announced today have all 4K HDR displays, with differences appearing in the type of backlight (LED vs OLED, array type etc.), size, image processors and other features such as Dolby Vision .

The big thing for Apple users is that the common theme is that they all include HomeKit and AirPlay 2 integration.

Here are all the new models available to order now from the 4K LED series X800H starting at $ 599.99 to the O8H OLED series, the Z8H 8K series and more.

Sony 2020 HomeKit TV X800H

Sony X800H series

Step into a new world of color, contrast and clarity 4K HDR. See beautiful, rich images with real-world details and texture powered by our HDR 4K X1 ™ processor. Enjoy a vast, expanded color with the TRILUMINOS ™ display for a more realistic image. Sony's Android TV with Google Assistant makes smart life with access to your favorite content and smart home devices. The X800H is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Airplay 2.

Here are the X800H models available now (many for sale):

Sony X900H

Sony X900H series

All of our customers' favorite content is displayed in rich, life-like 4K HDR. The X900H is designed with an image quality in mind, complete with Full Array LEDs, TRILUMINOS ™ Display and X-Tended Dynamic Range technologies, which contribute to an experience that accurately presents everything that users are watching and playing. Acoustic Multi-Audio fits nicely with the picture and sound of discrete mounted tweeter8. The X900H is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Airplay 2.

All X900H models for sale:

Sony 2020 HomeKit X950H TVs

Sony X950H series

Explore a new level of contrast with the Picture Processor X1 ™ Ultimate. With advanced Full Array LED technology, customers will see transparent 4R HDR images in everything they see. The light and dark scenes feel more natural, and the colors are even more true with the TRILUMINOS ™ screen. Enjoy an amazing image with the smooth motion of the X-Motion Clarity with flexible 2-way support for a seamless viewing experience.

Acoustical Multi-Audio ™ fits nicely with discreetly mounted picture and sound. The X950H offers dazzling details and color with HDR, Dolby Vision ™ 5, IMAX Enhanced ™ 6 and Netibix Calibrated Mode7. Stay focused on the big picture with a slim and full design and a thin aluminum bezel. The X950H is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Airplay 2, along with Google's hands-free assistant.

Sony HomeKit 2020 TVs

A8H BRAVIA OLED Series

Experience an ultra-realistic image with the power of OLED technology. The powerful X1 ™ Ultimate Picture Processor uses over 8 million individual pixels to create a refined contrast and vibrant color image. Pixel Contrast Booster supercharges each pixel to deliver incredible image quality. With the images created by millions of individually controlled pixels, everything is clear and clear on OLED. With Sony's X-Motion Clarity ™ technology, fast action stays smooth and clear.

Audio surface acoustics produce 2.1-channel sound across the entire screen, creating an immersive multi-dimensional audio experience. The A8H fits perfectly into any room, with flexible 2-way support, offering a low profile design for a seamless viewing experience. The bracket can be adjusted to lift the TV so it fits perfectly to a soundbar, in addition to the option for thin wall mounting, using Sony's ultra-thin bracket, SU-WL8554. The A8H is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Airplay 2.

Sony HomeKit 2020 TV Z8H 8K

LED TVs 8K HDR Z8H

Here's how Sony describes its latest generation 8K sets:

The amazing details are revealed with 8K resolution1 and matching processing power. The vibrant colors, incredible clarity and stunning contrast create an image unlike anything previously experienced on a TV screen.

Most of the content can be reduced to real 8K resolution on Z8H.2 Picture Processor X1 ™ Ultimate accurately analyzes and processes power data 8K four times higher resolution images 4K for rich scenes in depth, texture and details. Even footage 4K and Full HD are close at hand 8K resolution of 8K X-Reality ™ PRO in a unique way 8K Database. The content is then enhanced by object-based Super Resolution to reproduce textures from reality. Each pixel is nicely enhanced by the Sony Picture Processor X1 ™ Ultimate.

In addition to the powerful processor, the new Z8H comes with a premium package. See exactly what the creator with the advanced color and gradation of the TRILUMINOS ™ screen intended. Improved brightness experience and incredible contrast with the full LED Array and 8K Dynamic X-tended PRO range. Tweeter's Vibrating Multi-Audio Acoustic Frame delivers a unique and truly immersive sound experience. In addition, the Z8H is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Airplay 23, along with Google Assistant hands-free.

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Sony 2020 TV AirPlay

Since last year, Sony is extending support for Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features for its smart TV lines.

And that trend continued until 2020, when the company unveiled a series of 8K and 4K smart TVs at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in January (which feels like forever now). Are a lot from Sony's new line TVs this year, from 8K LED models to 4K OLED panels, to "standard" 4K LED options. And, as you might expect, the prices range from low to high, so if you're a fan of Sony TVs, there might be an option here to consider.

Today, Sony has announced that the 2020 range of smart TVs is beginning to expand. Some models you can buy right from retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, while others are only available for pre-order. The 8K HDR LED range is launching this summer, according to the company, so orders are not yet available for those models.

But just for fun, these TVs will cost $ 9,999.99 and $ 6999.99 for the 85- and 75-inch models respectively when they launch.

It is worth noting that the 85-inch and 55-inch X900H 4K HDR smart TVs will go on sale in the summer.

If you want a complete breakdown of all specifications for each new TV model, we have linked each one below:

We have separated the models you can pre-order and the models you can buy even below.

Pre-order

Purchase now

So, as I said earlier, there is a lot of TVs to choose from right out of the gate. But the good news is that Sony seems to keep prices pretty competitive, and Sony displays are usually at the top of the line for image quality. Of course, Samsung, Vizio and LG have also made their options great, and each of those companies in the area also supports AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

As for Apple's oven features, with AirPlay 2, Sony's new smart TVs will be able to communicate with other AirPlay 2-equipped devices, such as the HomePod. And with HomeKit integration, smart TVs can react to remote voice commands to Siri, which means you can do things like change the volume.

If you are in the market for a new smart TV with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support, will you check out Sony's new options this year? Or have you already laid eyes on another model? Tell us in the comments!

As much as I've invested in my HomeKit configuration over the last few years, HomeKit security cameras are something I haven't been able to trigger. My hesitation is that I didn't want to be bound to pay monthly fees for each room, nor did I want a solution that would require a non-encrypted cloud service. For my HomeKit cameras, I ended up using eufyCam 2 because of this the local recording option at a base station, with no monthly fees, HomeKit integration, battery powered and the ability to use HomeKit Secure Video. Understand my eufyCam 2 review.

HomeKit weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.


HomeKit rooms with no monthly fees

One of the things we looked for in a room solution was avoiding the monthly expenses. eufyCam 2 records back to an SD card inserted into the base station. This configuration serves two purposes: no monthly fees and the fact that the camera manufacturer cannot see my flow. eufy offers the option to "donate" specific clips to help improve AI, but that depends on me when I choose to submit. eufy is also working on upgrading an external hard drive connected to their base station for additional support.

HomeKit integration

eufyCam 2 has excellent HomeKit support, which was a breeze to install (inside the eufy application) and has been reliable since the day I installed it. HomeKit support allowed some nice options with the help of cameras. The first thing is that motion detection in rooms can be used to trigger other HomeKit elements. In my situation, I use an eufyCam to trigger my Philips Hue flood lights on the front porch. I previously used the Philips outdoor motion sensor to accomplish this, but it became redundant with EufyCam. EufyCam 2 has a much better angle to detect movement.

eufycam HomeKit

Video wise, I don't use the Home app to watch videos. I usually use the HomeCam app for live viewing and I use the Eufy app to watch past scenes. As my HomeKit configuration has expanded, the application becomes more and more difficult to use. If I didn't have to scroll to the bottom of the Home tab to find my cameras, I'd prefer this. Instead, HomeCam is a dedicated application for viewing all your HomeKit cameras.

On batteries

eufyCam 2

In a perfect world, I would have all the electrical cameras connected to power and Ethernet, but this is not a reality for me right now. To get the cables to the locations they want, the cameras would need a lot of cable pull and wall drilling, so it doesn't happen

EufyCams talk directly back to the base station that is wired to my router. The base station can also be used on Wi-Fi. Battery wise, eufyCam 2 prides itself on 365 days on a single charge (mini USB). We had the cameras running for five weeks, and one of them shows a 92% charge in the Home app, and the other one is 93%, so it seems to lose 1.5% of the battery per week. Based on the data I see so far, the statement of a one-year battery is very accurate. I plan to take them down when I clean my pits and give them a new charge. One advantage of using battery-powered cameras is that it is easier to upgrade in the future. I don't have to worry about choosing a room that uses the same type of power cord. If something else comes along, all I have to do is buy, load and mount.

EufyCam

The installation process

For a lot of people looking for eufyCam 2 reviews, the installation process will be an important factor. After I disconnected the cameras and loaded them, I looked at the installation process. It consisted of drilling two small holes, screwing the bracket and then fixing the chamber. A simple touch eufyCam 2s has is to sound an alarm if the camera is moved (you can turn this off when you need to remove it).

Wrap in eufyCam 2 review

One of the eufyCam features I enjoy is motion detection when we receive packages. I made a trip to Disney World earlier this year and I was able to give my neighbor an alert when I had packages from him to get on the porch.

The eufyCam 2 kit checks every box for me when it comes to camcorders. It is private by default, does not require monthly fees and has a long battery life. With its new HomeKit Secure Video support, it's even more of an attractive purchase. The setup was simple and I was impressed by the reliability of the Eufy application.

I like the system so much that I went ahead and installed an eufy Wired Doorbell. You can purchase the eufyCam 2 as a complete kit or you can buy a single room if you want to add another.

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Ecobee is expanding its range of smart home accessories today, with the introduction of a new SmartCamera with voice control, the new SmartSensors for doors and windows and a new Haven security platform to monitor everything. I've spent the last two weeks testing the latest Ecobee announcements, including details on HomeKit support, future updates, and more.

Ecobee SmartCamera with voice control

The leader of today's announcements from Ecobee is the Voice Control SmartCamera, which was previously rumored but is now official. The new SmartCamera enabled by HomeKit Ecobee features 1080p video with 180 degree field of view, as well as panoramic, tilt and zoom support automatically or via the Ecobee application.

The SmartCamera is designed for indoor use, but if you want to use it to monitor the outside, you can do so by placing it in a window and activating what Ecobee calls "Window Mode". When you enable this, the camera can clearly see through the glass at night, turning off the infrared lights to eliminate glare.

IMG 1439

Ecobee offers a robust set of controls for the SmartCamera in its application, including recording events for motion and people detection, adjustable motion sensitivity, an adjustable activity area, and the ability to easily turn it on or off. When motion is detected, the SmartCamera is automatically locked and fixed to capture the motion.

Ecobee also emphasizes the focus on privacy with device processing and mandatory authentication of two factors:

Unlike other smart cameras that constantly send video to the cloud for processing, the ecobee SmartCamera with voice control is equipped with an 8-core processor and packaged with enough processing power to eliminate cloud-based analysis, instead using cloud-based analysis. device - videos are shared in the cloud only when the camera is armed and detects movement. ecobee has also introduced mandatory two-factor authentication to protect SmartCamera users from unwanted access from third parties.

The Voice Control SmartCamera is available for $ 179 on the Ecobee website. There are different package options and they are available below.

Ecobee SmartSensors for doors + windows

Along with the SmartThermostat with voice control last year, Ecobee also debuted a new version of the SmartSensor for movement and temperature. In addition to these SmartSensors, Ecobee has also announced new SmartSensors for doors and windows.

IMG 1442

SmartContacts are used to monitor the status of doors and windows. It works just like other door and window sensors; Align the base sensor with the appropriate magnet and you can monitor when a door or window is open or closed, and when motion is detected.

Like the rest of the Ecobee line, SmartSensors for doors and windows offers HomeKit functionality. What this means is that you can use the Ecobee application or the Home application to monitor the status of doors and windows. And when your Ecobee system is armed, you will receive a push notification if a door or window is open:

The new SmartSensor door and window ecobee extends the Haven ecobee throughout your home. If a door or window opens and your home is armed, you will receive a notification to keep you under control from anywhere. You can match the SmartSensors ecobee with the SmartCamera or with an existing ecobee smart thermostat.

SmartContacts are available in a two-pack for $ 79. You can also package them with a package of two SmartSensors for $ 99.

Refuge

ecobee haven app

All of these come together to fuel what Ecobee calls Haven, a "truly smart home monitoring platform that eliminates the need for single-use keyboards, programs and devices." In essence, Haven connects all your Ecobee hardware from the Ecobee app on your iPhone and iPad.

The key feature of Haven is called Autopilot, which intelligently learns when you leave home and get home, based on usage patterns, geolocation and WiFi connectivity. Ecobee's point of view is that home security systems generally rely on you to manually arm and disarm when you leave or arrive, but Haven does handle them automatically.

The company explains:

The new car feature of the ecobee is in the center of Haven. Autopilot uses the intelligence of all the in-house eco-friendly devices to better understand user models and automatically adapt to suit their needs. Regardless of whether the camera automatically shuts off with Autopilot upon arrival at home, arming or disarming the alarm system or changing the temperature, Haven connects the dots to restore harmony in the home.

The Haven platform connects to the very popular Thermostat line of Ecobee, including voice control SmartThermostat, ecobee3, ecobee3 lite and ecobee4. Thermostats can detect sudden fluctuations in temperature and monitor occupancy and send you an alert or recommendation if they detect something out of the ordinary.

Ecobee's Haven offers a free 30-day trial, and after that you have two price levels to choose from:

Prices

ecobee Bundle 2

Here's how the prices break down on board for the new Ecobee home security line, with various different packaging and package options. You can find all the details on the Ecobee website.

9to5Mac's ia

ecobee smartcamera home app

Today's announcement of the Ecobee is quite extensive, including the SmartCamera, SmartContact sensors for doors and windows and the Haven platform that hides behind everyone. I've been using SmartCamera for the past two weeks, along with two SmartContacts, and my existing SmartSensors and SmartThermostat configuration, which I reviewed last summer.

The SmartCamera is probably the most important announcement from Ecobee today and is up to expectations. The integration with the Ecobee application is robust, and the support for motion and person detection has been incredibly reliable in my testing.

Ecobee SmartCamera doesn't support HomeKit Secure Video at launch, but the company tells me it's something they're actively working on, hoping to make the feature available soon. HomeKit Secure Video would bring HomeKit integration of the SmartCamera to the next level, rivaling other options from companies such as Logitech.

ecobee app camera controls

But the Home app, even with the HomeKit Secure Video cameras, does not support some of the key features of the Ecobee SmartCamera. In particular, this includes panning, zooming and tilting, which means you'll need to jump into the Ecobee app to use any functionality. Of course, this is an issue that Apple has to solve, not Ecobee.

In the Ecobee app, it's easy to see a live stream from the SmartCamera, as well as a log of all the activities detected by the camera. In the "History" tab of the app, you can view a stream of records from when SmartCamera detected movement or a person.

As for SmartContacts, they won't win any design awards, but they do their job. I already had contact sensors on all windows in my house, installed by the original builder to comply with HOA rules. These are much smaller and less visible than the Ecobee SmartSensors for doors and windows, but again, there are many more features packed into the Ecobee.

I installed SmartSensors for doors and windows on the front door and the door in my yard and they were perfect in terms of reliability. The Ecobee app updates quickly and sends me an alert when a door is opened unexpectedly.

ecobee smartcontacts home app 1

Perhaps what is most impressive about Ecobee is its continued support for many different ecosystems. He has always been a loyal supporter of HomeKit and continues with the new SmartSensors and SmartCamera. There is also Amazon Alexa support, SmartThings and Google Assistant will be "coming soon". Ecobee SmartCamera can also serve as an Alexa speaker.

That said, we also found the Ecobee application to be reliable and useful for monitoring everyone, as needed. It is easy to set up different home monitoring configurations, including "Arm Away", "Arm Stay" and "Disarm". Again, much of this is possible through the Haven platform and the Autopilot feature described above.

The home screen in the Ecobee app also serves as a useful place to quickly view the status of your Ecobee accessories at a glance. If you are already an Ecobee thermostat user, you will know many of the controls that can now apply to SmartCamera and SmartContacts.

competition

In February, we also reviewed the Abode Iota alarm system, which includes HomeKit support. Abode and Ecobee adopt two very different approaches to smart home security and you can read the full recap of the Abode system here for more details.

We'll have more coverage of the latest Ecobee announcements in the future, especially as SmartCamera adds HomeKit Secure Video support. How do you feel about Ecobee's new home security announcements? Tell us in the comments!

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IKEA continues to make slowly but surely the smart homeKit-enabled blinds available for purchase. After gradually launching at IKEA stores in the United States in October, IKEA has now made available the online purchase of FYTUR and KADRILJ smart blinds.

As first noted on Reddit, IKEA HomeKit blinds are now available throughout the United States for transportation. This means that you can place the order online and deliver the blinds directly to you, as opposed to visiting an IKEA store to complete the purchase.

Availability seems to vary depending on your location, as well as the size and color you want to order. Also, transportation costs vary depending on your location, as shoppers on Reddit have noted. It seems to be based on your proximity to a store or distribution center.

IKEA first launched smart blinds in the United States in October, but availability has not really been widespread. The offer has varied wildly from one store to another, but online availability aims to remedy this at least to some degree.

Also, IKEA smart launches were first launched without HomeKit support, despite the initiative of the company initially promising HomeKit support. HomeKit control has reached the FYTUR and KADRILJ blinds through a firmware update earlier this year. Here's how it works with the Home and Siri application.

IKEA smart blinds attract many people because they are much cheaper than the alternatives on the market, but your design options are limited to a stop option and a less opaque option.

IKEA smart blinds are priced between $ 129 and $ 179, and you'll need the TRADFRI hub to enable HomeKit control. You can check availability online and place your order on the IKEA website. Have you tried IKEA smart blinds? Tell us in the comments!

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As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I have been a Nest customer for the past seven years. I put him a second generation Nest when I built my house in 2013 and added a second nest a few years later for our upstairs unit. I have been using Starling Home Hub for the past six weeks to activate HomeKit support for these products, but recently I have changed my bottom nest with the SmartThermostat ecobee. After a few weeks of use, I am ready to compare and decide which drive has the best HomeKit integration. ecobee vs. Nest: which is the best smart thermostat?

HomeKit weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.


Despite the fact that Nest doesn't have support for HomeKit, it's still an incredible thermostat. The hardware is reliable, the software helps you save money, and the iPhone application is very well executed. Other than the lack of native HomeKit support, I have no complaints about the Nest thermostat.

the ecobee vs Nest installation process

Both ecobee and Nest have thought through the installation process for customers. Both include easy-to-follow instructions that are intended for the end-user of the installation. In complicated settings, you may need to hire an HVAC technician, but otherwise, if you follow the included guides, you will be up and running in the shortest time.

A key difference between the two models is that of the ecobee require a common thread in which Nest does not. You may be thinking, this is a benefit for Nest. In reality, it is a bad design. Without a common thread, Nest does the pulse charging. I know this because my unit upstairs started to disconnect recently. After doing some research, I found out that my common wire was not connected (it was still in the wall), so the nest was coming down from the battery. This situation was happening in a light weather, so the unit didn't circulate very much. Once I connected the common wire, it worked fine.

ecobee has a different design. If you do not have a common wire, these require the installation of a free Extender Power kit that you include in the box. This PEK module will add a way for ecobee to receive energy.

Interactions with support

As I was lucky, we had extensive interactions with both Nest support and ecobee. When I was working on the battery issue with the battery, I spoke to Nest support. The phone call was an abysmal experience. The person on the line told me that my Wi-Fi is too powerful at one point and that it overloads the nest. He had access to my unit at that time, so he could easily know that there is no common thread.

When installing the ecobee, I neglected to turn the unit off. During the installation process, it must have passed two wires and caused the ecobee not to start because there were no powers. I should they stopped the unit, but I was just lazy. I appealed to the ecobee support, and the person it was extraordinary. He explained that I probably shortened a security and it was an easy solution. I removed the cover from the unit, sent her photos via email and she showed me exactly what to fix. A $ 3 fender is all I need to replace.

the ecobee vs the Nest app

Since I have been using the Nest application for a long time, it took me a little time to get used to the ecobee application. Both applications are very well made, but they work in different ways. Both applications allow you to create programs, control the application remotely, and change settings. All in all, both are very well done.

Real hardware

Nest thermostat

The nest is a circular design in which the ecobee is more square. I have no complaints about Nest, but I like the larger ecobee model and it lets you touch the screen. The larger footprint makes it easier to cover the holes in the old thermostat. Both models include a backplate for this purpose, but I prefer not to use it. ecobee accepts to play music from Spotify and use Alexa with it, but these features do not interest me. Both units accept temperature sensors, but I prefer the way they use their nest. You can create programs that determine how the unit works at certain times, depending on your preferences. With ecobee, pull data from all your sensors to create a heating and cooling program.

Finish ecobee vs Nest

All things considered, I prefer ecobee because of the native HomeKit integration. While I love Starling Home Hub, I would prefer to have native integration if I buy a thermostat today. I like to be able to use HomeKit automation in my home application to create scenes that control my lights, temperature and other aspects of my smart setting.

If you are considering a new thermostat and want HomeKit integration, I highly recommend ecobee Smart Thermostat. On the other hand, if you prefer Nest design, I would have no problem recommending it with Starling Home Hub as a supplement.

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LG continues to expand the availability of AirPlay 2 and HomeKit in the latest TV sets. The company today announced pricing and availability for its 2020 NanoCell line, which starts at $ 599 with AirPlay and HomeKit support.

In the typical LG style, the availability details are still somewhat vague. Only two options are available starting today. The first is the 86-inch model from the Nano90 series, which will set you back $ 3,299. The other option is the 49-inch Nano85 series, which comes to $ 649.

Perhaps the most interesting option for most is the 55-inch Nano81 series option. It will be available in May at $ 599, making it the most affordable option on the LG line, with support for HomeKit and AirPlay 2. All new LG TVs are powered by the company's ThinQ AI platform:

The ThinQ AI platform includes LG Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in, as well as support for AirPlay2 and HomeKit. The Smart TV webOS platform offers access to high quality content from the world's top providers through popular applications and services such as Apple TV, Disney +, Netflix, LG channels and the newly added Movies Anywhere app.

Here are the availability details for the other models:

LG Nano90 Series:

LG Nano85 Series:

LG Nano81 Series:

LG Nano99 Series (8K TVs):

If you don't necessarily need the latest and greatest display technology, the 55-inch LG 55UN7300PUF LED model is another interesting option with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support and is now available on Amazon for less than $ 500.

What do you get from AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support on a TV? HomeKit support allows you to control your TV via the Home app on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. This includes switching on and off, adjusting the volume, switching inputs and more. AirPlay 2 support means that your TV can integrate with Siri and other AirPlay devices.

Read today's full LG announcement here.

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LG NanoCell AirPlay2

Earlier last year, Apple announced that TV makers will be able to include AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support with their sets, including LG, Samsung and Vizio. And now the latest LG models are in progress.

LG officially launched its 2020 NanoCell TV line on Thursday, which the company calls the "peak of LCD technology." Life's Good crew has announced AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support for a variety of TVs over the last year, so it's not surprising to see the new NanoCell family offering the same support for Apple features. Televisions have dimensions ranging from 49 inches to an 86-inch screen.

LG NanoCell TVs provide amazing color reproduction by using a nanometer-sized particle layer that filters out impurities, resulting in a natural, real color that stays more accurate, even with wide viewing angles.

...

Image quality is further improved on the Nano 90 and Nano 99 series by implementing Full Array Local Dimming to divide the lighting into smaller blocks, for more precise control, to improve black levels and overall contrast.

LG NanoCell 2020 TVs support all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision *, HDR 10 and HLG, as well as Dolby Atmos *, for a great home cinema experience. Other technologies designed to improve the viewing experience of movies, sports and games include the UHD Alliance's Filmmaker ™ mode and the HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGiG) HDR range profile, which allows the TV to play back images as they were intended to be viewed by creator. . LG NanoCell TVs also support low latency (ALLM) gameplay in the Nano99 and Nano 91 series and the Variable Update Rate (VRR) for the Nano 90 and Nano 85 series for smooth action.

I will only reveal available models, including release dates. We have included the release dates, as LG said in its release today.

Nano81 4K Series (does not support Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos)

Nano90 4K Series

Nano99 Series (8K)

Each of these TVs also supports the embedded Google Assistant and Amazon Digital Assistant Alexa.

With AirPlay 2 support, owners can stream audio, video, podcasts and music directly to the TV on their iPhone, iPad or Mac. With HomeKit support, owners can turn the TV on or off, control the volume, choose the source, all from the Home or via Siri app on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Are you in the market for a new TV this year? Please let us know in the comments below which TV you watch - will AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support?

In the last few years I have built my HomeKit product collection, I would tell people that HomeKit's value is the ability to bring multiple products from multiple manufacturers into one single application that makes it easy to use. After installing my alarm system a few weeks ago, something clicked for me. When I set up my automations, it clicked in my brain that True The benefit of HomeKit is to use automation on all devices exposed in your HomeKit ecosystem.

HomeKit weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.


automation

For many years, my HomeKit configuration consisted of several smart sockets connected to our lamps. Because our schedule often varies, we didn't set them to automatic timers based on the time of day. I used the Home app to light multiple lamps simultaneously.

When I started expanding my HomeKit range with Lock Door August items, Fibaro water sensor, alarm system and Eufy cameras, I began to realize the value of automation. E.g. I use the motion sensor in my home alarm to raise my Hue bulbs to 30% brightness when they detect motion between 5:00 and 7:00 when I get up to make my first cup of coffee. Before I had the ability to program this automation, I had to get out of my bedroom, close the door back, open the Home app and turn on a lamp. Now, it just happens automatically.

Philips Hue white light bulb

Another way I take advantage of the benefits of HomeKit automation is the way I handle the lights of the motion sensor on the outside. I'm using my Eufy cameras to detect movement on the front porch. When it detects movement at night, it lights up the Hue headlights for a few minutes. In the back yard, I do something similar, but I use the rear contact sensor as the trigger. It is configured for the only lighting of the yard lights after 18:00 and before 7:00.

Track the benefits of HomeKit

Here are some examples to show you the real benefits of HomeKit. It's not just about "all Apple". It is not just about the possibility of canceling the manufacturer's applications. The real benefit of HomeKit is not limited to automation by a single manufacturer.

It's about the possibility of creating anything you want to create using the products you have. It doesn't matter that Philips doesn't offer a door contact sensor to trigger its headlights. It doesn't matter that Eufy does not create a flood light compatible with HomeKit. With both having HomeKit support, it doesn't matter what I can do outside. With HomeKit, it's all about what they can do together and that's the real benefit of HomeKit and building the smart home around a platform instead of individual devices.

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Earlier this week, Eufy started broadcasting HomeKit Secure Video support for eufyCam 2, and now it looks like there's a new pan-and-tilt Eufy camera on the way.

If this is correct, this would be the first non-static room of the smart home budget company.


Update 4/3: Reported by HomeKit News, an e-mail from Eufy to customers interested in the new room says it will launch the new HomeKit product on April 13.


HomeKit News reports.

Earlier, I sent a tweet about a post on the HomeKit subreddit, where u / KingKarl-TM uploaded what appears to be an offer from Eufy on their Facebook page, revealing not one, but two indoor cameras. , of which one. it would seem capable of pan and tilt functionality. Given the number of doctoral images found online these days, it's prudent to be cautious about such claims, but Christopher Close from iMore dug a little deeper and found additional evidence of the camera tilting into the Eufy Security application.

Not only does the app reveal the aforementioned camera, albeit in beta, but the existence of a HomeKit code is displayed on the basis of the device, further pushing this into the realm of being compatible with HomeKit. Of course, things happened and it would not be beyond the scope of such a room to be released. However, given that at one point, they promoted them on Facebook (no sign exists now beyond the Reddit posting), it seems pretty promising.

As explained above, there are two levels of HomeKit support for security cameras and there is no indication at this stage that the new cameras could support it.

HomeKit Secure Video is designed to address the main security weakness with most smart cameras today. To do things like detect people and face recognition, most cameras upload their video stream to the cloud and perform the analysis there. This means that the unencrypted video is stored on someone else's server, representing a tasty target for hackers.

With HSV, all people, animals and vehicle detection are performed locally, on their own iPad, HomePod or Apple TV and only encrypted videos are sent to Apple's cloud servers.

However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the additional cameras have a more basic form of HomeKit compatibility, which means Siri support and actions triggered by the move, but not HomeKit Secure Video.

Eufy offers a range of smart wallet products, smarter wallets, including security cameras and robotic cleaning devices. A pan-and-tilt Eufy camera would be a welcome addition to the range.

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Danalock filled the last hole left in my smart home armament: a smart lock.

You could say I'm a fan of home automation. I had withdrawal symptoms almost when I was briefly forced to live without it, for a while after moving home in 2017. Getting things up and running was a great relief!

Smart lights and sockets were followed by window blinds (later compatible with HomeKit), smart heating (even more on the same day) and even a control panel.

But I avoided intelligent blocking for three reasons ...

First, physical security concerns. Intelligent functions do not replace mechanical security and many of the early smart locks were not compatible with high security locks.

Second, cybersecurity concerns. It's a security vulnerability thing that allows a hacker to turn on and off the lights; something else for them to be able to unlock the front door. I wanted a lot of assurance on this front and I trust HomeKit security more than any standard created by individual companies (even if there was a failure in 2017).

Third, many smart locks have no keys. While I personally would be pleased with a combination of Bluetooth control and keyboard, my girlfriend is not the same. It has become a convert to most of our smart home technology, but it wants the ability to unlock the door in the old way.

But a new smart lock option targeted all three options. Currently, it is only available as a conversion for an existing lock, but there will be a complete package with handles and a high security lock. I have advance access to the complete kit.

Smart lock security

Danalock

The HomeKit version of Danalock meets all three requirements.

The complete package (sold in the UK under the brand name Ultion Smart) will include a Brisant cylinder lock, with molybdenum core and 20-point bore protection. This meets the 3-star TS007 and Sold Secure (SS312) Diamond standards, the two main security standards for cylinder locks. Both mean that the lock is protected against "catching", the most common method of forced entry. Any attempt to do this automatically triggers a lock mode, blocking the lock.

The HomeKit version means that it must meet Apple's extremely high standards of cyber security. When you issue an unlock request, your Apple device uses an encrypted communication link to query the lock, asking it to prove that it is a HomeKit device. The lock then interrogates the Apple device, asking it to prove that it is authorized to issue the request. Only when this two-way verification is successfully completed will it be unlocked. (It's also smart enough to refuse if someone calls through the mailbox to a HomePod - it tells them that the instruction needs to be confirmed on an authorized iPhone.)

Choosing HomeKit rather than Bluetooth means accepting some feature compromises, explained below, but for me they are offset by cybersecurity.

Finally, the lock cylinder is a key with a high security key. Among the safeguards it offers is the fact that copies cannot be made without an encrypted code. When a company is asked to copy one of these keys, they must request a code. The registered owner of the lock receives an email asking them to authorize the release of the code and only then can the copy be made.

Compromises for HomeKit versus Bluetooth

Opting for HomeKit security means you get less functionality than the Bluetooth model.

First, you lose the option of adding a Bluetooth keyboard. This will allow you to have up to 20 different PIN codes, which can be linked to an appointment (for example, allowing for cleaner access on their usual day), but is not compatible with HomeKit locking.

Second, the Bluetooth version allows you to send electronic keys to people, to allow temporary or permanent access. With the HomeKit version, you need to add them to the Home app, which means they will have full access to your complete smart network.

Third, the Bluetooth model can be set to automatically unlock as you enter the range. With the HomeKit version, you can do the same with presence detection, but that doesn't work when you live on the 18th floor of an apartment block. I expected it to be triggered when I reached the building at ground level, but it is usually not triggered at all.

Installation and configuration

I'm a tech guy, but a complete klutz when it comes to something mechanical. My DIY skills are legendary - for their complete and utter absence. However, I even managed to fit the complete system (new cylinder, new handles and Danalock) in about ten minutes. It only takes one screwdriver to remove and replace three screws.

If you only buy Danalock itself, then it is even faster, as you only have to replace the internal twist unit or keyhole. The unit is compatible with the most common three types of cylinders: Scandi cylinders with locked oval, Euro drop shaped cylinders and American lock locks.

After installing the hardware, there is a HomeKit code sheet. In the Home app, you do the usual process of adding accessories and this is - no separate lock application is required.

Look and feel

Danalock himself replaces the turnbuckle or keyhole inside the door.

It stretches farther from the door, about three inches, but otherwise it doesn't look too different from the twisted knob it replaced. The part you twist is metal, while the rest of the cylinder is plastic, but it looks a lot like metal.

In use

For me, the greatest benefit is the peace of mind that you never have to worry about being shut down.

Our apartment building has an entry button, but the incoming phone system connects to my iPhone, so I could ring, answer the phone and leave. Then, at the front door, I can ask either the Apple Watch or the iPhone to unlock the door.

As someone who went through the pain of waiting two hours at 2 in the morning for a locksmith to let me in, this alone is worth the cost.

Also, being able to allow other people to unlock the door is very useful. It means fewer backup keys needed and less need to plan ahead. If we are unexpectedly over night, for example, we can simply add a neighbor to the Home application and let the cats feed.

"Hey Siri, unlock the door" is all that is needed. Using the iPhone, it's pretty instant - in a second. In the clock, it is sometimes instantaneous and sometimes delayed by a few seconds. I think ten seconds is the longest delay I've ever experienced, but it's usually three or four. It's about as fast as I can pull the key out of my pocket and unlock the door manually.

Depending on your door type, Siri may be able to lock your door. Our lock requires you to lift the handle as you turn the key, so it cannot be automated - which is shameful. Lifting the handle and then asking Siri to lock the door works.

A nice touch is that you do not need a screwdriver to replace the batteries. This should not be a common occurrence, as the battery life is 18 months, but you can simply remove the cover and lock it again.

A less designed element is the option settings! There are a lot of options for auto-lock timers and if the lock on a Yale lock is automatically held, but they need to be activated by multiple presses of a needle in a small reset hole at the top of the lock. . This would be done much better in an application. There It is an available app, but it does nothing that the Home app can't do, so there's no point in downloading it.

There was only one unexpected benefit: be alert if we forget to lock the door. I wouldn't do anything normally, but the precautions for coronavirus mean we have a new routine now:

This means that it is very easy to leave it slightly unlocked accidentally, but keeping control at the top of my favorites means that it is very obvious when I'm done, because the icon will be lit with red text.

Smart home lock alert

Danalock presentation and conclusions

At only $ 249 for the Danalock, it is a little more expensive than other options, but it is of good quality and is very suitable.

It can attract most of those who want to improve the security of their lock at the same time. The high-security locking kit will obviously make it more expensive, and the price is not yet known, but the whole system is something that anyone can fit in ten minutes.

For me, the combination of physical security and HomeKit means I'm comfortable for the first time with a smart lock.

The Danalock HomeKit compatible smart lock is available on Amazon for $ 249. In the UK, it is available with handles like Ultion Smart. A complete package, delivered with a high security locking cylinder, as well as handles, is on its way to both countries.

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LG Apple TV app 002

Korean electronics maker LG has today confirmed that it will add AirPlay 2 and HomeKit compatibility to some of its models made in 2018 through a software update that is due to be released by October this year, following its previous promise.

According to a new support document on the LG website, unveiled by MacRumros on Thursday morning, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support come to LCD models with "SK" or "UK" in OLED names and models with "B8" through "Z8" in Name.

"AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will be implemented with a software update in most countries, except China, Iran, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela," the report added.

This is a notable change from LG's previous position that it will not bring AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to models made before 2019, as it could not guarantee a "seamless user experience."

Here's a recent video project from iDownloadBlog reader Niles Mitchell that managed to connect the LG Smart TV to an original Macintosh diskette and keyboard and mouse drive.

In February, LG said that Dolby Atmos support will be added to the Apple TV app and AirPlay 2 feature on its 2019 smart TVs later this year.

AirPlay 2 allows owners of supported LG TVs to stream media from iPhone, iPad or Mac without the need for an Apple TV set. And with HomeKit support, LG customers can control their smart home devices with Siri or in the Home app on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

We are all crazy about being trapped in our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can make good use of time if you want to work on configuring HomeKit. Since almost every extracurricular activity has been canceled, spend this time going home to work for through the Apple HomeKit platform. Here are some fun projects that can help you get through the time, along with being fun to install.

HomeKit weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.


Automates doors

Of all the HomeKit items I own, August Smart Lock Pro is at the top of my list of favorite products. As I wrote in my review, I initially avoided smart locks because I was worried that the installation process would be difficult and time consuming.

August Smart Lock can be installed in less than twenty minutes, works perfectly with HomeKit and is a game changer for everyday simplicity. My wife and I like not to worry about finding our keys to unlock the door.

Install a new security system

the iota lives

I got a call from my old security company earlier this week who wants to test my system, because they haven't received a signal for some time. Despite emailing, they haven't deactivated my account yet. I had a home security system a few months ago and it's amazing how much easier it is to use than my previous one.

However, HomeKit compatibility takes it to a new level. Because all accessories are exposed to HomeKit, you can create triggers based on different parts of the home system. Some of the things I do is turn on the lights in my backyard when the back door is open and turn on a few lamps in the morning, when the home motion sensor detects movement after 5:00. If you were looking for a single HomeKit project to solve, I would recommend it because you will see a lot of benefits besides the extra security for your home.

Create new automations

One of the essential benefits of HomeKit compatibility is not just the simplicity of using a single application to manage your home, but rather the way you can integrate products from different providers together. For me, I like to be able to automate lighting based on the use of motion sensors.

I use my Netatamo camera to trigger lamps in our upstairs bonus room. If you stop motion detection, the lights go out. Another idea might be to trigger a specific lighting configuration if the August Door Lock is unlocked (at the end of the work day) or to create a bedtime routine for 10:00 pm that darkens your lights, activates your security system and lowers your doors garage. If you use some nice automation, I'd love to hear them.

Create a movie experience

hue of philippines

I recently started to use Hue lights only on the usual LED bulbs with a HomeKit switch, and one of the benefits I find is the ability to dim them to a certain percentage through HomeKit. With Hue, there are several products you could configure to create a "movie experience." You can use Hue Play to create a background behind the TV or use this starter kit to create the perfect movie-watching mood.

Configure a HomeKit router

HomeKit Router

eero has just launched the first HomeKit router recently, so a wonderful project, while locked at home, receives the additional security configured. As we reported, when it was first launched, you may need to remove and re-add many of your devices to take advantage of the new features. Unfortunately, this will take time. Fortunately, many of us have more time on our hands that we have had for some time. Here are the three levels of security:

Here are the three levels of security offered by Apple for accessories associated with HomeKit routers:

  1. Collapse at home: Safest. Your accessory can only interact with HomeKit through Apple devices. The accessory will not connect to the Internet or any local device, so any third-party services, such as firmware updates, may be blocked.
  2. Automatic: default security. Your accessory can communicate with HomeKit and the connections recommended by its manufacturer.
  3. Unrestricted: At least safe. This setting bypasses the secure router and allows your accessory to interact with any device on your network or Internet-based service.

Update your HomeKit firmware

If you have removed the firmware update for many HomeKit devices, take the time to download the manufacturer's applications and make sure all your devices are on the latest firmware. Not only will updating the firmware benefit you from a security perspective, but it may even fix some long-lasting errors you have had.

HomeKit project completion

These projects are just a few of the recommendations I made and I would love to hear about our readers using HomeKit in their homes. Leave a comment below to let us know about your unique use cases with HomeKit.

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