HomeKit

Withings appears to have nixed its plans to release a HomeKit-compatible video camera, presumably over parent company Nokia’s legal dispute with Apple. Withings previously promised HomeKit support through its Home Plus camera.

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Last fall Ecobee3 Lite launched as a more affordable version of one of the best HomeKit thermostats on the market. Now a free update is adding support for one of the main missing features ahead of a rumored new Ecobee4 version.

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Logitech has today announced the POP Smart Button, a small toggle switch that you can place around your home and trigger smart home actions with a quick press. The POP is the first programmable button to support Apple HomeKit, although it isn’t actually on sale yet. It will be available exclusively at Apple Stores soon.

The POP accessories require a hub; Logitech will sell a bundle of one button and one hub for $60. Owners of the first-generation POP Home Switch are out of luck, they will be getting a software update but it will not add HomeKit integration.

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My Smart Home Diary series describes my decision to go all-in on HomeKit, even though it meant the expense of replacing some older, non-HomeKit-compatible devices. For me, it just makes obvious sense to have a complete ecosystem of connected devices that can all be controlled by a single app – and by Siri.

I’d even go as far as arguing that HomeKit-compatibility is now the entry fee for companies wanting to launch smart home devices. I’ve turned down several pieces of kit offered for review because they didn’t work with HomeKit.

But great as it is, HomeKit isn’t perfect. I described earlier some of my irritations, and in this piece I’ve compared notes with my colleagues to compile a wishlist of things we’d love to see …

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A new J.D. Power study shows that U.S. iPhone owners are more satisfied with their phone than owners of any other brand – though just one point above Samsung. Apple’s average score was 840/1000 while Samsung was just 0.1% behind at 839.

That’s no great surprise, and the consumer intelligence company also noted a further factor that also should come as no surprise …

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Philips has announced that it is extending its range of Hue bulbs, adding an E14/B39 ‘candle’ bulb to fit smaller lamps. This will be added to the E26/A19, bayonet and GU10 fittings.

The new bulbs will be available in both white and color versions, as with the existing range, and will hit Europe in April, reaching the U.S. ‘later this year.’

Philips says that the candle bulbs will be particularly useful for bedside table lamps …

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Once you start down the smart home path, you quickly realize that it’s a never-ending journey. Not only are there always more devices out there waiting to tempt you, but there are all the apps.

From Apple’s Home app through manufacturer companion apps to third-party apps, there are plenty to choose from – especially when it comes to Philips Hue lighting.

We look at three manufacturer apps you might want to continue to use even after you have your devices configured, together with six third-party apps that can help your smart home become even smarter …

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After first announcing plans to offer new home upgrade packages for Apple’s HomeKit platform last year, homebuilder KB Home this week gave local news station Kron 4 a tour of the first builds with the accessories installed.

The homes featured in the video below are part of a KB Home development in San Jose, the first to offer the new HomeKit packages, known as Promenade at Communications Hill. The development is located at 307 Adeline Street and offers three floor plans for the new builds ranging from $970,000 to just over $1.1 million.
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Earlier today, we told you about Apple’s all-new HomeKit accessories webpage where the company lists out a variety of products that are compatible with its HomeKit platform.

While over 100 products across 15 categories can be found on that webpage, one notable exclusion is the Withings Home Plus…

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Apple has overhauled its list of compatible HomeKit accessories with a major update this month. Apple now details accessories by category rather than brand and provides a much more comprehensive list with external links and availability status.

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Now that Apple’s HomeKit has matured and there is a growing ecosystem of Siri-controlled products that support the platform, it’s finally looking like a good time to seriously consider investing in home automation accessories. And now it’s an option for new home buyers too, with at least two homebuilders announcing plans to offer HomeKit upgrade packages that will see various accessories from lighting to security pre-installed in new homes. Would you pay more for a HomeKit-equipped home?

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Germany-based homebuilder WeberHaus announced today that it will soon offer its pre-fabricated homes equipped with Apple’s HomeKit platform, a first for the European market. That means that new home buyers purchasing a house through the builder will be able to opt for a smart home package that consists of products like lighting, smart plugs and more, all controllable via iPhones, iPads and Siri.

The company says it’s been working with Apple to develop the HomeKit package for its customers:

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I wrote last time that despite having 16 HomeKit devices, I was already wanting more. No-one who knows me will be the slightest bit surprised that the interval between ‘wanting more’ and ‘getting more’ was rather short. Every light in my home is now HomeKit-enabled, and I’ve also added some switches and motion-sensors.

The lightbulb additions were the kitchen and bathroom, and the justification of adding these two rooms seemed somewhat flimsy. Were we really ever going to want mood lighting in the bathroom or kitchen? But having added these rooms into the mix, along with some rather old-fashioned HomeKit technology, I’m glad I did it.

That doesn’t mean that HomeKit is perfect, however – but let’s start with what I’ve added and why before I list my complaints …

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D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD is the first home security camera with HomeKit support to hit the market since Apple added video support with iOS 10. Read on for our quick hands-on to see how Omna 180 HD works with HomeKit and Apple’s Home app for iPhone and iPad.

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Smart home accessories are priced at a premium over basic appliances which makes HomeKit an expensive hobby. Homebuilders are offering HomeKit accessory packages for new home buyers with a $4,000 starting price so that’s one ballpark estimate, but how much would it cost to retrofit your existing home with HomeKit hardware?

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D-Link has just announced that the first smart home security camera with HomeKit integration is now available to buy from Apple Online Store with delivery from next week. The Omna 180 Cam HD features a wide angle 1080p camera with night vision and two way audio, enclosed in a sleek cylindrical body.

It integrates with the latest HomeKit features in iOS 10 displaying a live video feed from the Home app. It can even send a rich notification to your iPhone when motion is detected, including video of the event.

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Elgato Eve Motion is a standalone motion detection sensor that’s compatible with Apple’s HomeKit feature. Eve Motion can be used as a sensor in iOS 10’s Home app to trigger scenes and control accessories.

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If you’re assembling a HomeKit home, First Alert’s Onelink Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm is currently the best smoke detector to purchase. As a smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, Onelink sends you alerts when triggered while you’re away and HomeKit support turns Onelink into a trigger for automation. Check out our hands-on review below:

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I said last time that I was waiting for a grown-up to install my new light fittings for the Philips Hue lights, and this has now been done. This added a total of ten color & white spotlights across three rooms (living-room, office, and bedroom) and two white bulbs for the landing and hall.

The result is that all the lights bar the kitchen, bathroom and spare room are now HomeKit controlled.

Zac talked earlier about his HomeKit setup. In this piece, I’ll share my thoughts on the Philips Hue bulbs, from setup to use; describe how my revised setup works; show the kind of fun you can have with Hue lights; and explain why I now want even more …

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During Apple’s Q1 earnings call this week, Tim Cook used HomeKit as an example of how the iPhone is expanding Apple’s ecosystem into new areas where it can innovate:

Our ecosystem is broadening to more and more of the areas where people spend their time. At the gym, on the go, in the home, and on the job. […]

And we are leading the industry by being the first to integrate home automation into a major platform with iOS 10.

As our resident HomeKit enthusiast, Cook discussing the feature during Apple’s earnings call caught my attention. Cook even describes how he’s personally using HomeKit. Below I’ll unpack exactly what Cook said about HomeKit, a bit about how I’m using it as well, and some helpful HomeKit resources.

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