Abode is adding HomeKit support to its Smart Security kit, a DIY home security system featuring a gateway, motion sensor, and more.
RoomMe is a Smart Home Device to Person-Specific Automation
RoomMe is a occupancy automation sensor for your home. This means when a person walks into a room, it detects your phone via Bluetooth to enable person-specific automation. A spokesperson told me it uses localized technology called Presence Sensing Technology. It stores your automation rules on your smartphone and doesn’t accept external automation triggers or manual operation. Meaning, the device commands your other devices and doesn’t accept commands from other devices. However, according to its privacy policy the app does contain Google analytics and “behavioral remarketing services” to show you ads outside of the app. But you can enable Limit Ad Tracking in iOS settings. You can pick up a single RoomMe sensor for US$69.99, or buy combo packs. It supports various smart home protocols including HomeKit.
CES – Chamberlain/LiftMaster Adds Camera to HomeKit-compatible Garage Door Openers
LAS VEGAS – At Pepcom at CES on Monday LiftMaster (and, their home brand, Chamberlain) were showing off their latest garage door opener that now incorporate a camera so you can remotely see what’s going on in your garage. These units also contain Wi-Fi and MyQ, meaning they’re HomeKit-compatible out of the box. Available now for $299 for the Chamberlain B4545 base unit, and $399 for Chamberlain B6765, which includes a battery backup and LED lighting.
CES 2020: Eve Cam Works With HomeKit Secure Video
Today smart home company Eve Systems announced a product called Eve Cam, an indoor camera made exclusively for HomeKit Secure Video.
CES – Sengled Shows HomeKit-Compatible LED Bulbs at CES Unveiled 2020
LAS VEGAS – Sengled has added a HomeKit compatible hub and was showing off their new LED Filament bulbs and more at CES Unveiled 2020 on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Priced to move, Sengled’s new HomeKit-compatible hub is just US$30, their full-color candle bulbs are just $24.99, and the amazing Edison “filament” LED bulb is just
IKEA Tradfri Smart Blinds Add HomeKit Support
IKEA is now rolling out HomeKit support for its line of Tradfri smart blinds as a firmware update, after a delay into 2019.
Apple Made its HomeKit Accessory Development Kit Open Source
Apple recently released an open source version of its HomeKit Accessory Development Kit. That means anyone can make HomeKit accessories.
Eve for HomeKit Updates for iOS 13
Eve is a smart home company that builds products that work with Apple’s HomeKit. The company recently updated its app to version 4.0 for iOS 13. It adds dark mode, easier access to your favorite views, and other refinements.
Eve works with all HomeKit-enabled accessories. See your home at a glance. Customize your ecosystem down to the finest detail. Activate scenes in a snap. And easily create automations using timers and rules. With Eve, you’re at the forefront of connected home control – and guided – every step of the way.
App Store: Eve for HomeKit – Free
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini Cancels HomeKit
TP-Link unveiled its Kasa Smart Plug Mini back at CES 2019. The company quietly announced that it has canceled the device’s HomeKit integration.
It’s not known yet whether the company is abandoning HomeKit for all devices or solely for this one product. Nor are there any details about whether there will be any recourse for customers who bought the Kasa Smart Plug Mini in the expectation that HomeKit was coming.
Neato Robot Vacuums Can Use Siri Shortcuts
Neato robotic vacuums can use Siri Shortcuts and HomeKit, like starting, pausing, and stopping cleaning later this year.
Zone cleaning lets you deploy the vacuum to specific, targeted areas of your house so they get cleaned more readily, and it sounds like you’ll be able to set up Siri shortcuts for specific zones. That should let user use voice commands to send the vacuum to different parts of the house, a pretty handy feature. And if you’re not so much into the voice commands, Siri Shortcuts will enable the Neato app to learn and suggest times to send out your vacuum with lock screen suggestions.
Vizio Adds Support for HomeKit and AirPlay 2 to SmartCast TVs
The company said the upgrade would be rolled out through an over-the-air update for those TVs, with the update titled SmartCast 3.0.
LG Rolling Out HomeKit to TVs
LG announced that Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit will become available on its 2019 AI TV lineup via a firmware update this week.
Apple's AR Glasses, HomeKit Hardware – TMO Daily Observations 2019-07-12
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to talk about the state of Apple’s AR “glasses” and the new wave of HomeKit hardware.
GE Smart AC Unit Works With HomeKit
GE Appliances has a new smart air conditioning unit, and it works with Apple’s HomeKit. The GE smart AC unit connects with Wi-Fi and can be controlled with a iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch. John Desmarais, Commercial Director, Window A/C, Portables & Dehumidifiers for GE Appliances, said:
Consumers told us they like how they can create their own schedules to keep rooms comfortable without wasting energy. We’re pleased to offer the very first air conditioners with HomeKit integration, bringing simple and secure control through the Apple Home app and using Siri.
You can read the press release here and purchase one here.
Communal Head Scratching to Help Solve Your Problems – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 758
It’s true, your two favorite geeks have come together again to have a “communal head scratch” about all the questions and problems you’ve submitted. Then it’s on to some happy tips, including one about working around the new Dropbox limitations. Download, press play, and learn at least five new things… and get your questions answered, too!
Migration Is (Not Only) For The Birds – Mac Geek Gab 757
Siri, Stringify, Space Lens, and Emergency Bypass don’t all begin with the letter ‘S’, but they have one thing in common: your two favorite geeks discuss them in this week’s episode of Mac Geek Gab. In addition, listen as John F. Braun and Dave Hamilton answer your questions, including some about migrating to a new Mac the right way. The best way. Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things!
LG TVs getting AirPlay 2 and HomeKit Support 'Mid-Year'
A firmware update that will give LG TVs AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support is coming mid-2019, the company announced.
Features Coming in iOS 12.2, Like Apple News in Canada
The first iOS 12.2 developer beta was released today, and we got a sneak peak into the features that will be coming.
Apple today released the first beta of iOS 12.2 for developers, and while it doesn’t bring as many new changes as we might have hoped for in a 12.x update, there are still quite a few minor tweaks to be aware of.
Some updates coming include Apple News for Canadian users, HomeKit TV Support, Safari search arrows, and more.
CES Wrapup – TMO Daily Observations 2019-01-11
Dave Hamilton and John F Braun join host Kelly Guimont to wrap up coverage of CES 2019 including the show floor and new uses for AR/VR.
New Priorities led to Amazon and Apple's new Partnerships, but the Peace won't Last Forever
Apple and Amazon have taken a more collaborative approach recently, does not amount to a full-blown, long-term partnership.
