HomeKit Blog

After almost 12 months of the announcement of the original Aqara HomeKit hub, the Aqara hub version has started to appear, following that the user has uploaded an picture of his own Aqara hub in a Polish tech forum, revealing EU-style electric buttons that demonstrate it is not a Chinese version. At this time we do not understand where he got his unit, but it appears that Poland is not the only location where this specific device has been stocked.

He verified that he was able to place an order for a EU hub with netonnet.se, an online shop in Sweden with the shipping of the hub anticipated in the day. He also approached a Swedish colleague who had hoped to get one from the EU hubs. Other Swedish online stores reported that the hub is available in 2-3 days before ordering.

But the large issue for many individuals right now is the prospective release of Aqara's next-generation hub–the Aqara M2–who wants to purchase this hub in the understanding that a newer, and obviously more strong device is just around the corner?

We will upload a few pics to update this post as quickly as our friend reaches his hub.

One of our peers in Stockholm, Sweden eventually managed to get his hands on one of the first EU versions of the Aqara centre and shared some pictures generously with us so we could share them with you! The user was able to add the hub to the Mi Home application with the EU server in a fast exam without any problems and the device came with the recent firmware already installed, which is 1.5.9 000 for both the EU and US variants. Everyone was also accessible to add the usual set of sensors and switches, etc., although they demonstrate a US smart plug in the screengrab, not an EU plug, which is still under growth according to Aqara's Facebook page.

The colleague also mentioned that his Chinese and European sensors and buttons (Mijia and Aqara) function fine with a new hub set to the EU server, although he hasn't all tested yet, but he is personally very happy to be able to use it in conjunction with his Roborock Vaccum, which he has added to the EU server in Mi Home, with sensors and switches which also work wisely,

Not long after the large announcement from Aqara, where they formally unveiled their new HomeKit hub – the M2 – in addition to a slew of updated switches and devices with ZigBee 3.o compatibility, our inside source has found two more ZigBee 3.0 compliant sensors, the Aqara Smoke Detector and the Aqara VOC Sensor.

Mijia, one of the other businesses under the umbrella of Xiaomi, has already published HomeKit compliant smoke and gas detector / alarms, which are cooperative attempts with the well-known safety business, Honeywell, but this is a brand new tool and, of course, Aqara branded. Apart from the image, at this stage we don't have much details. The other unit, a VOC sensor, has some text, but no picture at the moment, sadly. According to the text (originally in Chinese) associated with the device

The VOC sensor is a product of low power used to identify the concentration of VOCs in the space.

This device will detect VOC levels in the room if you haven't deciphered the broken English translation and can work with other devices, such as air purifiers, to engage and clean the air if detected above normal VOC levels. We don't know what a' window pusher' is, but we would like to see one of those too.

If you don't know what VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are, in the most fundamental sense, they are gasses or compounds that are produced by household objects, particularly new products, so cleaning chemicals used in the fabric from a new sofa, or fresh painting on your walls, and particularly some electronics, such as photocopiers, etc. Not all VOCs are hazardous, but many of these VOCs can generate what is sometimes referred to as' sick building syndrome' in elevated levels, which can make you feel ill with itchy eyes or just more lethargic in general.

Some HomeKit-compatible VOC sensing systems are already available on the market, such as the Eve Room (2nd gene), which measures VOCs in relation to humidity and temperature, and the Kaiterra Laser Egg 2 +, which also measures PM2,5.

There is no strong proof that this device will definitely be compatible with HomeKit, although our source has discovered HomeKit references with both of these products in the settings documents. As we learn more, we will update this article, of course.

The Aqara Hub was published for the U.S. market (although now apparently no longer available), followed by the EU variant, which seems to have had a restricted release in Sweden when updating this article, although many individuals (including myself) have gone to the Hub with the Chinese plugs and have been playing with them for nearly a year now. One thing we've noticed with the Hub talk is the amount of uncertainty and confusion surrounding what's going to and won't work with the Aqara Hub, along with a lack of information about what can be done.

So, in this article, we're going to attempt to cover as many questions as we can, so as to prepare not only those of you who have lately bought a Hub, but also those who already have one and are somewhat disconcerted by the Aqara scheme.

• The recent firmware version for the Chinese Aqara hub, set to the China Server (using the Mi Home app) as of July 17, 2019, is 1.6.2 003.
• Because of the GDPR regulations in force in the EU, if you are situated in the EU, you will no longer be able to fully use the Aqara app, so you will need to use the Mi Home app to install and maintain the hub.
• You can still use the Aqara app, but you need to sign out, which means that as and when updates are given, there is no access to update the hub. You can't also generate automations in the Aqara app without being' signed in,' although you can still set up an alarm, as this is achieved through alarm triggers as opposed to automations. Also, your alarm choices are restricted.

Setting up an account
Okay, that's pretty simple, but to get the most out of your Hub and any related devices, you'll need to set up an account with either Aqara or Xiaomi via their corresponding applications–Aqara Home or Xiaomi Home (formerly Mi Home, and now referred to as Mi Home in this article). At the moment, setting the server to Mainland China is the best way to do this without a hitch. There are not too many choices for other servers as far as the Aqara app is concerned, so you only have Mainland China, the United States, Europe (only supporting HomeKit access) and Other Region.

There are presently a few problems with using the European server with a Chinese hub, so our recommendation is to simply stick with the Mi Home app. The advantage of using the Mi Home app, at least if you have a couple of Xiaomi ecosystem devices, is that you can add any of them and get them to interact with the hub–and other devices–in different ways, while the Aqara app has a limited set of devices that you can add at the moment.

The Hub and HomeKit
The Hub itself comes with a HomeKit code, so if you're acquainted with adding a fresh device through the Home app, it's going to be very simple for you, but it's suggested that you first add the hub to Mi Home and follow the directions on the screen. If you have the Chinese model, it will almost certainly start with some Mandarin voice directions, but don't worry, just follow the instructions through your phone, after which you will be able to modify the onboard voice to English, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Cantonese once the hub has been added.

Initially, adding the hub will give you some instructions on how to prepare the hub for installation, then as with a normal HomeKit installation, ask you to scan a HomeKit code, and from there, the rest of the installation will simply ask you to name the hub and add it to the Mi Home app room. If you then migrate to the Apple Home app, you will see a total of three systems added to the HomeKit; one for the night light, one as an alarm system, with an alarm icon, and an icon for the hub's bridge element.

All three devices will appear in a room other than the one you've assigned to them in the Mi Home app, so a second time you'll have to assign them to the right room. The light tile functions as a periodic color light, making it possible to regulate the brightness and hue of the night light and toggle the light on and off. The Alarm tile enables you to arm and disarm the alarm, as long as you first set up the alarm automation in the Mi Home app (we will go further down). The bridge tile only provides data about the hub's status.

Adding devices
The Aqara Hub operates in the same manner as the Hue Bridge operates in HomeKit, because the Hub itself is compatible with HomeKit, not the devices themselves. This implies that all compatible Mijia or Aqara devices based in Zigbee that you want to be exposed to HomeKit need to be added to the Hub through the Aqara or Mi Home app. We are only concentrating on using the Mi Home app for the purposes of this article, and for simplicity's sake. In fact, the method of adding an Aqara device is very simple:

• Click on the Plus symbol in the top left of the Mi Home app
• Select the relevant accessory you want to add from the gallery of devices
• Select your hub as the parent device
• Follow the directions on the screen, generally holding down a button on the device until you get a blue LED.
• The hub will confirm that the device has been added successfully and then ask you to select the room in which the device is located, along with the possibility of renaming the device from its standard name.
• Once all this is achieved, the phone will appear in Apple's Home app, although you may need to reassign the space, as stated above, and you may have to choose whether to add it as a favorite
• From there, all triggers and timers of automation will operate the same way as other systems activated by HomeKit

Aqara Hub Language
If you have the Chinese version of the Hub, it will be shipped to the Chinese language with a Prompter voice, but the voice to English is easy to change.

• Open the Mi Home app and select the hub
• Click on the ‘device’ tab and select your hub
• Once in there, you can change various parameters, including the light colour and brightness, volume and  ‘Language of voice prompt’, along with Adding a child device.
• You have a choice of English, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Which devices work with the Aqara Hub?
With the Mi Home app, you can add Aqara and Mijia devices that are ZigBee-based to cross the hub.

• Aqara  Door & Window Sensor
• Aqara Motion Sensor
• Aqara Wireless mini Switch
• Aqara Temperature & Humidity Sensor
• Aqara Wall Switch (single rocker)
• Aqara Wall Switch (double rocker)
• Aqara Wireless Remote Switch (single rocker)
• Aqara Wireless Remote Switch (double rocker)
• Aqara Vibration Sensor
• Aqara Water Leak Sensor
• Aqara US Smart Plug **
• Aqara Curtain Controller (including the B1)
• Aqara S2 Door Lock *
• Aqara Wall Outlet
• Aqara Cube *
• Aqara Roller Shade Controller *
• Aqara LED Light Bulb (Tunable White)
• Aqara Wireless Relay Controller
• Mi Window and Door Sensor
• Mi Motion Sensor
• Mi Wireless Switch
• Mi Temperature and Humidity Sensor
• Mi Smart Plug (Zigbee) **
• Mi Smart Smoke Detector
• Mi Smart Natural Gas Detector

* These will not get exposed to HomeKit

** When you set up a China server, the Chinese Mi Smart plug will become exposed to HomeKit. A HomeKit may also be available when using the Taiwan, US or Chinese servers, with the Mi Smart Plug and a U.S. Aqara Smart Plug, both of which use the same N. American type Type B plug, but if you use the China server, it is still open to HomeKits, although the settings of these plugs in the MI Home app will not be accessible.

However, these systems can still be integrated in automation throughout the Mi Home app and the intelligent plugs in the Apple Home app still remain in complete control, making access to the environments and energy utilization control features the only thing you will miss in the Mi Home app.

Aqara app automations
While the Aqara Hub is HomeKit compliant, you can add HomeKit equipment in the Mi Home application since, in contrast to for instance the Eve app, the app itself is not effectively 3rd party HomeKit. In other words, automation produced in the Mi Home app is not shown in the Apple Home application. But the only advantage here is that you can control "by association" non-HomeKit devices and have phones working as a link between both applications with a little thought on generating automations or using smart equipment:

• As the wireless rocker switches Aqara work with My Home and HomeKit, I can use one of my dual rocker switches in my kitchen to regulate LiFX AND Yeelight bulbs. I even could set things so I could control all of the lights together with a single button press. This would require that automations be configured individually in the apps, but once they are configured, no maintenance is required unless things go wrong, or something is changed.
• You can generate an automation that regulates the condition of a particular device by using the Aqara application – so for instance you can use the Aqara Cube (which is not compatible with HomeKit) to regulate the luminosity or color of the hub light and from there a HomeKit system can be activated by the specific light condition of the hub, producing an effective HomeKit controller o

How does the hub communicate?
The hub connects via Wi-Fi to your home network, but utilizes Zigbee to interact with its infant devices. In addition to ensuring that your network isn't trapped by many devices that all of you want to directly link to your network, this generalizes quicker, effective connection.

The system Philips Hue works basically in the same manner. We understand that battery-operated Aqara devices do not extend the network by using bulbs that are used to repeat a Zigbee signal and therefore extend the range of Zigbee's network, and thus they act as' dead-end' or end destination for the ZigBee signal, but Smart connectors as well as In-wall Single and Double Rocker Switches are the same for users who want to use a Zigbee signal. Although that's not perfect, our testing shows the Aqara hub more widely than we expected. There are thus chances of an Aqara hub being sufficient unless you live in a very big estate.

What is shown in the Home app when Mijia and Aqara sensors/devices are added (via the Aqara Hub)?
In many ways, for many Aqara sensors, the rules seem to be the same as would any other HomeKit sensors, meaning that only the specific app of the device will have some additional sensors and not the home application, and some will appear across all applications. Below is an uncomplicated list with the Aqara appliances, their sensors and what Homekit, the Home App and HomeKit 3rd Party applications (varies according to the app) contain. We have provided only data on products that could be tested, so that some instruments in the above list do not contain the following details;

Aqara Hub

• Home app – hub | night-light | security system
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – hub | night-light
• Mi Home app – hub | night light | alarm

Aqara Temperature Sensor

• Home app – temperature | humidity
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – temperature | humidity | atmospheric pressure
• Mi Home app – temperature | humidity | atmospheric pressure | historical data

Mi Temperature Sensor

• Home app – temperature | humidity
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – temperature | humidity
• Mi Home app – temperature | humidity | historical data

Aqara Motion Sensor

• Home app – motion
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – motion | occupancy threshold
• Mi Home app – Motion | ambient light curve | brightness and event log

Mi Motion Sensor

• Home app – motion
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – motion | occupancy threshold
• Mi Home app – Motion | event log

Aqara Door and Window Sensor

• Home app – contact
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – contact
• Mi Home app – contact | event log

Mi Door and Window Sensor

• Home app – contact
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – contact
• Mi Home app – contact | event log

Aqara Water Leak Sensor

• Home app – water detection
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – water detection
• Mi Home app – water detection | event log

Aqara Vibration Sensor

• Home app – motion
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – motion
• Mi Home app – tilt, vibration, drop | event log | event log | vibration curve | vibration sensitivity

Aqara Smart Plug

• Home app – on/off
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – on/off

Aqara Wireless Mini Switch

• Home app – single press | double press | long press
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – single press | double press | long press
• Mi Home app – single press | double press | long press | shake | event log

Mi Wireless Switch

• Home app – single press | double press | long press
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – single press | double press | long press
• Mi Home app – single press | double press | long press | event log

Mi Smart Natural Gas Detector

• Home app – Gas sensor
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – Gas sensor
• Mi Home app – Gas sensor | link to Aqara/Mijia Hub alarm

Mi Smart Smoke Detector

• Home app – Smoke sensor
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – Smoke sensor
• Mi Home app – Smoke sensor | link to Aqara/Mijia Hub alarm

Aqara Wireless Relay Controller

• Home app – on/off switch x 2
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – on/off switch x 2
• Mi Home app – on/off switch x 2

Aqara Wireless Remote Switch (Double Rocker – model AK012)

• Home app – single press (L & R) | double press (L & R) | long press (L & R)
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – single press (L & R) | double press (L & R) | long press (L & R)
• Mi Home app – single press (L & R) | double press (L & R) | long press (L & R) | single press both switches | event log

Aqara Wireless Remote Switch (Double Rocker – model AK004)

• Home app – single press (L & R)
• 3rd party HomeKit apps – single press (L & R)
• Mi Home app – single press (L & R) | single press both switches together | event log

1. It would be fair to assume that the in-wall versions of the rocker switches have the same feature sets, but I can’t confirm at this time.
2. I Don’t currently have information on the other devices, like the curtain controller or the wall outlet as I don’t have them.

Smart plugs–the backbone of any possible DIY intelligent home scheme. They were, of course, what got me began on this trip in my case. I would say that the intelligent bulbs are just as rudimentary alongside intelligent plugs, but with a plethora of intelligent plugs and intelligent bulbs, it has started to get a little crowded. Nothing is wrong with the decision, though, right? If you're new to the Smart Home game, you've got a lot of options now–single socket, dual outlet, energy bar, USB charging ports, night lights, even color night lights!

Despite this decision, the issue encountered by many producers is to build a intelligent outlet in a shell that only takes up one of the two outlets on your wall to do what it requires. Some companies, such as iDevices and iHome, have solved this from the beginning, but what we have here today is a intelligent outlet that still manages to prevent covering more than one outlet, but actually provides you with two intelligent outlets from a periodic outlet.

UNBOXING
The packaging itself is therefore decent enough, and the entire text seems to be in American English and French in Canadian. It's a wifi product, and it just says that on the front. It's appropriate for HomeKit as well, so there's no Google or Amazon folks here. The back demonstrates a lifestyle picture, and below that, four boxes spell out four selling points, Timer, Insights, Dual Outlets, and Easy Setup features.

It's not hard to see when you see these' selling points' that smart plugs generally don't have a lot of selling points per se, and of the four here, two refer to the app in many ways, and the' simple configuration' is relative. Still, a little later we're going to get to the timers and perspectives chapter. The other edge cites the Satechi app, which is itself a full-fledged HomeKit 3rd party app and will be needed to update the firmware. If you want the functionality of timers and perspectives, this is another reason for getting the app.

Open the box and there are two things you can find, the smart plug and the manual. Although installing a intelligent plug is usually simple, do not throw away the handbook as it contains one HomeKit code example. There's one on the switch itself, but destiny has a way to make things go away just when you need it, so I'd suggest hanging on it or saving the code using the HomPass app from Aaron Pearce.

THE SMART PLUG

The Satechi Smart plug, or as they call it, the once unwrapped Dual Smart Outlet, lost some of the magic to me (yeah, I know, it's a intelligent plug...). It was just down to the good packaging and the cellophane wrap that gave way to a device using shiny, inexpensive plastic. If, like the Aqara appliances, they had used plastic with a more matt feel, it would have really felt premium. Still, I suppose it's how it performs, but while it looks like it isn't all, it counts for something. The front of the plug has the two single outlets, together with a groove above them, which also includes the black and orange business logo.

It is sufficiently subtle enough that their decent business logo helps. The back has Type B, North American, one set of buttons. Rubber stoppers are installed on each corner of the buttons to cover the screw recesses that hold the plug together. These stoppers fall out very readily, so if a pet or young kid chooses to swallow one, it may be better to remove them completely. The back also includes the plug information and legal info. The intelligent plug side as nothing other than the reality that you can see the join is not too big, at least not my unit. This would be a nice point to discuss the sizes and overall specs of the plug;

• width – 5.12″ / 130mm
• height – 1.57″ /40mm
• depth – 2.36″ / 59mm
• 120V @ 60Hz
• 1800W (15A)

This last point is worth noting as even if you get two inputs, the total output for both of them is only 1800w, so if both are used, each outlet is only capable of 900W, or so it seems, although I might be incorrect. The top of the device has two circular buttons individually to regulate the authority of each outlet, together with a matching blue LED that will switch on when the outlet is active. There's no way these blue LEDs can be disabled.

Because of the size of this double outlet, you can not only regulate two distinct equipment plugged into it by simply using the one outlet, but because it is so small, the second free outlet is not obscured, and as you can see from the primary picture, you can position another Dual intelligent outlet below / above for a total of four intelligent outlets from two wall sockets. An early review asserted that this was the first intelligent plug with two independently regulated outlets, although this accolade must actually go to the ConnectSense Smart Outlet, although the Connectsense obscures both sockets completely in fairness.

As anticipated, installation via the Home app was a doddle, so there's little point in going through the process as it's really easy–assuming you've installed a phone at least once through the Home app–and you've been able to add it the first time. Both outlets have their own tile and, as you would expect, can be regulated completely separately. These are just outlets in the Home app, and as such, you can choose to make them appear as any of the three normal alternatives–a fan, outlet, or lamp. Other than that you can't do much else with this plug in the Home app that can't be accomplished with any other intelligent outlets already.

THE SATECHI APP
Like many who came before it, the Satechi app is a full-fledged HomeKit app, so you can do just about everything and more in this app that you can do in the formal Home app. While I still have to discover an app that matches Home for its balanced look and clean' Apple' lines, it's not poor looking. However, it's free, and if you want to make sure that the outlet is up-to-date with the recent firmware, this app is where you will discover it. Two selling points at the beginning of the article I listed–timers and perspectives.

As you can imagine, timers are automations to turn on and off the intelligent outlets for a certain duration of moment–to be accurate, up to 2hrs, 59mins and 59secs. You dial in the moment in hours, minutes and seconds and press the virtual switch to countdown to zero, after which the channel will be turned on or off depending on how you have the' when the timer finishes.' This may be helpful when you may want a fan or lamp to switch off after a certain quantity of moment, regardless of any planned moment you may have already set up.

Schedules are more regular in that you can set particular times for the plug to switch on and off and have that schedule repeat on a daily, weekly or custom loop, so if you want an outlet to switch off at midnight and come back at 7 a.m., but only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you'd be covered by that.

Insights are linked to energy consumption, and if you want to use this to monitor the energy consumption of something that has been plugged into these outlets, then this function has the components to make it occur. Besides being able to see live energy usage on the settings page together with complete usage for the present month, you can also set the price per unit, while selecting from four distinct currencies for additional convenience–US dollars, Japanese Yen, European Euros and (oddly) Swiss Francs! It may not be as comprehensive as the Eve app, but it's still useful to have, with Total Consumption and Total Cost display screens for line graphs.

SUMMARY
I never had the feeling that this unit would change my mind, and apart from the sizes that make it much more convenient than many other intelligent plugs that tend to block outlets, and that you get two outlets in one, the upper line is that it's just a intelligent plug, and I'll add one more to my collection. It's not meh in that context, but it's also not much more than that. Usually I'm' half glass full' on the side of things, and so far the good news is that the device is responsive and hasn't left its connection to the network once, and I really like the layout.

The inexpensive feeling plastic used for the situation is not a large surprise as these plugs will not be seen most of the moment, although getting back to the pictured picture at the bottom of this evaluation, if it is used in immediate perspective in your kitchen, then perhaps a stronger grade of plastic would not have gone wrong. If you were to put two of these in two sockets while they fit snuggly together, the buttons for the bottom of the two pipes are unavailable! Maybe something to remember. Price-wise, it's not massively inexpensive, as you can get a 2-pack of very secure Vocolinc SmartBar plugs for less than US$ 30, but then a 2-pack of these brings up two stores, while the Satechi gets only one socket, but for almost double the cost, so it's a case of what you believe a double socket intelligent plug will be helpful for.

Aqara today formally revealed its new M2 HomeKit hub along with the latest sensors and switches compatible with Zigbee 3.0. The large modifications that come with the new M2 hub, apart from what we mentioned earlier, are that the new hub can support more than three times the quantity of Zigbee machines topping out at a whopping 100 device limit, with the present hub being restricted to just 30 machines. The unit has dual antennas, not as earlier reported a dual band wifi antenna. The new M2 hub supports ZigBee and Wifi, as stated in previous papers, as well as ethernet connection via the included RJ45 port at the back of the device.

When we first found proof of this product back in May, it was shown to have Bluetooth assistance as well, and while the specs mention Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth connectivity is not mentioned on the official website as one of the alternatives at the beginning of the Aqara M2 section, so it could be a future alternative for Mi / Mijia to connect to Bluetooth devices, as Aqara does not bring any Bluetooth d

HomeKit Aqara Door Lock
With HomeKit assistance, the Aqara S2 Pro Door Lock will be upgraded. The present S2 Pro will not receive an upgrade to HomeKit assistance, so when it becomes accessible it will be substituted by the new HomeKit variant. Aqara has now formally announced its new T1 switches and sensors, along with a fresh intelligent plug, as stated in earlier articles.

ZigBee 3.0 Light Switches
Aqara also disclosed their famous wall switches in fresh variants. The fresh switches will use Zigbee 3.0 and will be installed in the usual single and double switch settings, but a fresh three-button wall switch will be added. The fresh switches are only the wired versions in-wall, not the wireless switches. The switches will be available in variants of neutral wire and no-neutral wire. New variants of the present Aqara Wireless Switches will be available, which will help Zigbee 3.0.

New Opple Ceiling Lamps and Switches
The new M2 hub will also operate with Opple (no, not Apple) introducing fresh lamps and wall switches, which will also work with HomeKit. The lights as well as the switches will use Zigbee 3.0 to link to the hub and be subjected to Apple HomeKit from there.

Light Sensor
Aqara is also presenting a fresh Ambient light sensor, as we indicated earlier. This will use Zigbee 3.0 as with all the aforementioned new systems, it will have an adaptive variety, so if you want it to report ambient light up to a certain distance, you can do it. It can also differentiate' perceived ambient lighting,' which we take to suppose brightness measures as perceived by humans. It's magnetic, so any metal surface can be stuck. It will be rated as IPX3, which means it can resist water splashes, but not continuous water, such as rain or water. The battery will have a maximum of two years, as well as a small battery reminder, as well as allowing you to see the ZigBee signal strength between the sensor and the hub.

Aqara G2H Camera
For some people, the biggest news will be that the Aqara G2 camera looks like it won't get the rumored HomeKit assistance, with the G2H camera being unveiled to promote HomeKit. Currently there is little other data about the camera, the price and when it will be out, as well as whether it will also behave as a portal enabled by standard or HomeKit.

B1 Curtain Motor
Aqara has also placed the official Aqara M2 hub specs on their website's Chinese edition, confirming that the B1 Smart Curtain Controller will work with HomeKit. Through both the current Aqara hub and the new M2 hub, the B1 will work with HomeKit.