HomeKit DIY security system specialist Abode has announced the launch of a major update to its mobile applications. Version 5.0 of the Abode app, now available in the AppStore, introduces a visual update and provides access to settings that were previously only available through a web portal.

Welcome to the abode app. Control your home systems, automations and system settings in the palm of your hand. A fast and fresh experience, built natively for iOS and Android, so you can easily monitor smart security on your phone or tablet.

As we noted in our review of the Abode iota security kit, the previous version of the iOS app didn't look Polish and dampened the overall experience with the company's hardware. The latest update of Abode solves this problem by moving to a native application providing a much cleaner look, which is also more sensitive. More features, such as extracting power from the camera, are now easily accessible, with the need for fewer clicks, and an extended navigation bar at the bottom of the app makes information like a timeline much faster. .

The updated Abode app also provides access to settings, such as notifications available for the first time on iOS. Users can also update their account information, adjust sounds, and set timers on their mobile, instead of having to go to the Abode website.

Other updated features include a new iOS widget that can arm and disarm a home without having to open the app, and automation shortcuts that can switch quick actions with a touch. Abode also mentioned that it intends to introduce an Apple Watch app, dark mode and switching multiple accounts in future versions of the app.