HomeKit Trove & Repository: The Definitive Apple Home Automation Resource

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
The thread title should say it all.

I've decided that 2015 should be a breakout year for Apple users interested in home automation, in full, or in part, and figured that there should be a dedicated thread that acts as *the* go-to place when folks have questions, seek answers, spitball, explore ideas and solutions. The only stipulation is that whatever item, product or tech that is being discussed must be HomeKit compliant in some way. IOW, alternate home automation tech using other proprietary protocols will be useless here unless they can tie in seamlessly with HomeKit.

Running lists of products, setups, apps etc., can be added and maintained. Everything from door locks, lighting, power outlets, window shades, thermostats, circuit breakers, security cams, remote gauges, garage doors, aquarium monitoring . . . whatever.

Honestly, I can think of no place better suited to help guid users interested in HomeKit automation products, and setups so here it is at Ars, and in the Ach.
 

Hap

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I have a home heavily integrated using Insteon and Indigo Mac software. I've pre-ordered an Insteon Hub Pro to compliment my Indigo setup. As Indigo is Mac software, it's not permitted by Apple to act as an Homekit Bridge. So I'm looking at the Insteon Hub Pro (which does have HomeKit integration) as a compliment to my current Indigo setup. Mostly as a live controller for certain items. Indigo is far more powerful, but the iOS app could use some improvement (currently in work) and I want to experiment with HomeKit integration a bit.
 

ClarkGoble

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From a lot of the reports I read from Comdex it sounds like there's still a lot of work to be done for HomeKit - particularly on the API side. Sounds like they're still incomplete and buggy and people making hardware have been griping.

Honestly I confess for most of these things I don't see the point. I had an X-10 way back in my Apple //+ days. It was fun to schedule lights to turn off an on but it ultimately seemed pointless. The ostensive purpose is to make it seem like someone is home so thieves don't break in. I'm skeptical it makes that big a difference compared to leaving a radio on and a few lights on when you aren't there.

Beyond security cameras (which seem to work quite well already) I can't quite figure out what I'd use this for beyond bragging to fellow geeks that I have something cool. Seems like conspicuous consumption dressed up with a flimsy cover of pragmatic utility. I recognize I may be completely off on this. So for those so excited about HomeKit, what's the point?
 

ant1pathy

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[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28323437#p28323437:1vepkr99 said:
ClarkGoble[/url]":1vepkr99]It was fun to schedule lights to turn off an on but it ultimately seemed pointless. The ostensive purpose is to make it seem like someone is home so thieves don't break in.

The point is to shut off my bedroom light without getting out from under the covers :p.

I'm waiting until the Apple Watch drops and I see who offers integration through that. I'm really keen about the door locks and light control. I have a Nest for thermostat already, and the AppleTV & AirportExpress combo does media for me, so there are only a few more pieces to tie together.
 
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28323839#p28323839:3s3mqkru said:
ant1pathy[/url]":3s3mqkru]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28323437#p28323437:3s3mqkru said:
ClarkGoble[/url]":3s3mqkru]It was fun to schedule lights to turn off an on but it ultimately seemed pointless. The ostensive purpose is to make it seem like someone is home so thieves don't break in.

The point is to shut off my bedroom light without getting out from under the covers :p
You could use The Clapper.
 

Hap

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Most things that can be done with home automation can be done just as easily manually. For me it is a hobby, but at the same time it has proved to be useful.

- One button press on a beside controller and most of the lights in the house come on, this can come in handy if you want to startle someone or check on something at night (we've been robbed before)

- Complex lighting scenes with one button press. I have a lot of lights in my office, one button press and they all come on or off, another press turns some on, dims them and turns others off (for watching a movie)

- A sensor on an interior garage door turns a light on for 10 minutes and then turns it back off if it's after dark. We tried a couple of motion sensors, but the delay meant that it was pitch black the first 5-6 feet into the garage (which could mean running into something)

- Accidentally left the garage door open, saw it on the security cameras and remotely told it to close

- Remotely monitoring a water sensor to make sure we don't get a leak from the washing machine (happened before)

All these are done with Insteon and hopefully HomeKit will add another dimension to that. Home automation is not for everyone, but it is a hobby I enjoy.
 

Otto Pilot

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I am quite interested in seeing where homekit goes...I have been dabbling a little bit into home automation stuff and really want to see a unified front and siri integration would be awesome. I have a bunch of the hue lights and they are great, and also have the Chamberlain MyQ garage door opener and just got the August smart lock. All of these are great, and they serve useful functions, but I would love to see a unifying app, and siri integration would be awesome. It's just not super convenient to have to open an app for each piece of gear. The hue issue was partially solved with the 3rd party app iConnectHue adding widget functionality. Thats a step in the right direction, but a legitimate framework for connecting all of these things is most definitely needed ASAP.
 
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28325833#p28325833:268p8o7s said:
Hap[/url]":268p8o7s]Most things that can be done with home automation can be done just as easily manually. For me it is a hobby, but at the same time it has proved to be useful.

- One button press on a beside controller and most of the lights in the house come on, this can come in handy if you want to startle someone or check on something at night (we've been robbed before)

- Complex lighting scenes with one button press. I have a lot of lights in my office, one button press and they all come on or off, another press turns some on, dims them and turns others off (for watching a movie)

- A sensor on an interior garage door turns a light on for 10 minutes and then turns it back off if it's after dark. We tried a couple of motion sensors, but the delay meant that it was pitch black the first 5-6 feet into the garage (which could mean running into something)

- Accidentally left the garage door open, saw it on the security cameras and remotely told it to close

- Remotely monitoring a water sensor to make sure we don't get a leak from the washing machine (happened before)

All these are done with Insteon and hopefully HomeKit will add another dimension to that. Home automation is not for everyone, but it is a hobby I enjoy.

OK, some of those are pretty good although many could be done with existing video monitors. i.e. monitoring the garage - I already have a camera to do that; and I easily could put them in places where I'd worry about problems like toilets, laundrey room etc. In fact an easy way to do this is to run an app that lets your old iOS devices do this. Then it doesn't cost any money.

For the garage most garage door openers will also turn on a light in the motor to illuminate the garage. It's probably not as bright as having the main lights on, but is more than enough for the trip to the door.

The hobby I can understand. Heavens, I have lots of automation scripts that aren't run enough to really justify it. I understand hobby and just tweaking things for fun. Likewise complex lighting schemes if you need them make sense. I'm not sure how many people have complex lighting schemes mind you. But it would be nice to say dim the lights, turn on the gas fireplace, turn on some music and turn off the rest of the lights. I'm not sure if HomeKit can do that yet. (The music integration would make a ton of sense but I don't know how well HomeKit handles automation or communicating with an AppleTV or Airport Express)
 

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
- Remotely monitoring a water sensor to make sure we don't get a leak from the washing machine (happened before)

Hap, this is something I would currently like to explore. Would you be so kind as to fill me in? Products? Apps needed, etc.. Thanks!

EDIT: For me the devices wold be optimal if they were simply HomeKit compliant and "hubless", and just requiring some Apple device like am iPhone. iPad, Mac, AppleTV etc.

Specifically, things like power outlets/wall outlets for the home. Just something simple like (on/off, and voltage reading would be enough. Think: Christmas lights)

Maybe go a bit further and have a company like SquareD offer a "Smart Breaker Box for circuit monitoring.
Wireless remote sensors of any type. In my case a simple remote thermometer I can hang in various rooms.
 

Hap

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This is the sensor I use. It simply alerts my home automation software which sends me a text/iMessage through Applescript and/or Pushover.

Unfortunately Insteon will not work with HomeKit without a hub of some type. It's just not built into all the modules. At the moment the upcoming Smarthome Insteon Pro Hub is the only HomeKit compatible one I know of. The most popular standalone (i.e. no computer) hubs are ISY Hubs. The ISY series has not added HomeKit yet as far as I know. I use a computer based controller for the power/flexibility.

Water sensors are pretty common across most Home Automation systems and protocols. I know you can get Z-Wave and Zigbee water sensors. That is something that I would expect to be available really soon in a HomeKit compatible form.
 

Hap

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[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28326709#p28326709:2y5aapg1 said:
ClarkGoble[/url]":2y5aapg1]

OK, some of those are pretty good although many could be done with existing video monitors. i.e. monitoring the garage - I already have a camera to do that; and I easily could put them in places where I'd worry about problems like toilets, laundrey room etc. In fact an easy way to do this is to run an app that lets your old iOS devices do this. Then it doesn't cost any money.

For the garage most garage door openers will also turn on a light in the motor to illuminate the garage. It's probably not as bright as having the main lights on, but is more than enough for the trip to the door.

The hobby I can understand. Heavens, I have lots of automation scripts that aren't run enough to really justify it. I understand hobby and just tweaking things for fun. Likewise complex lighting schemes if you need them make sense. I'm not sure how many people have complex lighting schemes mind you. But it would be nice to say dim the lights, turn on the gas fireplace, turn on some music and turn off the rest of the lights. I'm not sure if HomeKit can do that yet. (The music integration would make a ton of sense but I don't know how well HomeKit handles automation or communicating with an AppleTV or Airport Express)

Just to clarify a bit.

- My security cameras are standalone from my Home Automation system
- The garage light problem is more when you come from inside and the door is closed (the garage door opener light won't come on unless you open the door). My wife doesn't like the garage door open until she gets in the car.

I can do everything above except the fireplace - it's still a manual operation. I will admit that the A/V control is a separate system (I use Roomie with iTach units for A/V control) from the lighting/sensor system currently. I've started some minimal integration but have not progressed much yet.
 
I may be wrong, but I don't really expect to see many individual home automation components being "Homekit" enabled. What I think is more likely is we'll continue with the current z-wave, zigbee, casseta, and others with hubs being the actual devices that become "Homekit" enabled. Heck, I'm not even sure you need the hubs to somehow be "Homekit" enabled, it is more likely just the apps for interacting with the hubs will be "Homekit" compatible. Thus making just about every home automation hub/controller out there today having the possibility of being "Homekit" enabled.
 

Hap

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[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28336907#p28336907:2ybp723p said:
SWFan[/url]":2ybp723p]I may be wrong, but I don't really expect to see many individual home automation components being "Homekit" enabled. What I think is more likely is we'll continue with the current z-wave, zigbee, casseta, and others with hubs being the actual devices that become "Homekit" enabled. Heck, I'm not even sure you need the hubs to somehow be "Homekit" enabled, it is more likely just the apps for interacting with the hubs will be "Homekit" compatible. Thus making just about every home automation hub/controller out there today having the possibility of being "Homekit" enabled.

Well, per the Indigo team, software is not permitted to act as a HomeKit bridge. The hardware MUST be HomeKit enabled according to Apple's rules. Of course it could just be a hub and not all the hardware, but there must at least be one piece of HomeKit hardware.
 
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28339659#p28339659:31rv3wou said:
Ed M.[/url]":31rv3wou]Trouble seems to be that everyone wants to sell you *their* proprietary "systems".

Why not just build hub-less devices that are simply HomeKit compliant and be done with it?

BTW, in my quest for wireless sensors and the like, I fond this:

http://wirelesstag.net

Anyone familiar with that?

Is Homekit available on other platforms? If not, I can see why hardware makers wouldn't be spitting out devices that would only work with iOS. That's why I think it more likely there will be some intermediate controller (hub) that will be Homekit enabled and thus you can use whatever lights, switches, motion detectors, etc that you want, and/or continue to be able to use the ones you currently have.
 

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
Build for iOS first, see how the sales are and then see if it's worth supporting other platforms. You know, the same reasons thd Mac was neglected for so long without getting software, and the Mac was *always* a platform bigger than all the rest except Windows.

The truth is people who align with iOS tend to spend, maintain, and nurture their investment. Follow the $$ first. How could these vendors hope to *reliably* support all the disparate devices and alternate OS versions associated with other platforms? Let's keep this Apple focussed and not worry about other platforms though.
 

ant1pathy

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6,461
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28339659#p28339659:1m63ijg5 said:
Ed M.[/url]":1m63ijg5]Trouble seems to be that everyone wants to sell you *their* proprietary "systems".

Yes, and I will not be rewarding any of those companies with my money. I want best-in-breed hardware that hooks into the Home Kit software. That'll be what I'll buy, and if it's at a premium, so be it.
 
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28340085#p28340085:n2ylzz8s said:
Ed M.[/url]":n2ylzz8s]Build for iOS first, see how the sales are and then see if it's worth supporting other platforms. You know, the same reasons thd Mac was neglected for so long without getting software, and the Mac was *always* a platform bigger than all the rest except Windows.

The truth is people who align with iOS tend to spend, maintain, and nurture their investment. Follow the $$ first. How could these vendors hope to *reliably* support all the disparate devices and alternate OS versions associated with other platforms? Let's keep this Apple focussed and not worry about other platforms though.

Problem is, all this home automation stuff has been out for years, some for decades. So it's not like a new industry where everyone is starting from scratch.

I get what you're saying when someone is bringing something new to market, but in this case, I'd call this market matured except for the controlling via Smartphones/Internet aspect which is relatively new in the last two years.

The only new bit is that we do have some more players entering the market as they try to make this home automation stuff more mainstream.
 
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28340397#p28340397:3kllbryc said:
ant1pathy[/url]":3kllbryc]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28339659#p28339659:3kllbryc said:
Ed M.[/url]":3kllbryc]Trouble seems to be that everyone wants to sell you *their* proprietary "systems".

Yes, and I will not be rewarding any of those companies with my money. I want best-in-breed hardware that hooks into the Home Kit software. That'll be what I'll buy, and if it's at a premium, so be it.

Is Homekit not a proprietary system as well?

I agree there are a fair number of proprietary systems out there, but the beauty is a central hub can link them all together. I have a Staples Connect hub and with it I can control/link Lutron Casseta, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wifi devices into one platform. This is how Smartthings and Wink work as well, though Smartthings doesn't support the Lutron RF.

Most of these hubs are $100 or less. In my case the Staples hub was free with the purchase of two door sensors. So if later this year they release a new hub model that supports Homekit I could buy it, migrate everything over, for likely around $100. Versus swapping out $700 worth of light switches, $300 worth of light bulbs, and around $500 worth of various sensors.
 

ant1pathy

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6,461
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28343057#p28343057:3p1mfd96 said:
SWFan[/url]":3p1mfd96]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28340397#p28340397:3p1mfd96 said:
ant1pathy[/url]":3p1mfd96]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28339659#p28339659:3p1mfd96 said:
Ed M.[/url]":3p1mfd96]Trouble seems to be that everyone wants to sell you *their* proprietary "systems".

Yes, and I will not be rewarding any of those companies with my money. I want best-in-breed hardware that hooks into the Home Kit software. That'll be what I'll buy, and if it's at a premium, so be it.

Is Homekit not a proprietary system as well?

Yes, but it's from the company that I trust with my personal computer stuff. I dont' trust Staples. I haven't bought any automation stuff (aside from Nest) yet, because I'm waiting for it to come out for the platform I've settled on for the near future.
 

new2mac

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9,532
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28316959#p28316959:3444a91r said:
renfield33[/url]":3444a91r]Apparently Cree is selling $15 connected light bulbs now. I think things are about to change big time.

Cree -- I'm loving this company, very Apple-like.. They keep pushing LED adoption with great bulbs at good prices, 10 year warranties, and manufactured in the USA. Their ads are funny too.

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7ZLp/cree-bulbs-child
 

Semi On

Senator
89,415
Subscriptor++
Cree -- I'm loving this company, very Apple-like.. They keep pushing LED adoption with great bulbs at good prices, 10 year warranties, and manufactured in the USA.

They have fairly extensive manufacturing in China due to acquisitions, and I'm pretty sure that's where the LEDs, themselves, are coming from. Parts may be assembled in the US, but I wouldn't put too much into patriotic angles here.

I am just hoping my Philips Hue lights are supported without a new base station.
 

wrylachlan

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[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28344155#p28344155:322pd2qi said:
ant1pathy[/url]":322pd2qi]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28343057#p28343057:322pd2qi said:
SWFan[/url]":322pd2qi]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28340397#p28340397:322pd2qi said:
ant1pathy[/url]":322pd2qi]
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28339659#p28339659:322pd2qi said:
Ed M.[/url]":322pd2qi]Trouble seems to be that everyone wants to sell you *their* proprietary "systems".

Yes, and I will not be rewarding any of those companies with my money. I want best-in-breed hardware that hooks into the Home Kit software. That'll be what I'll buy, and if it's at a premium, so be it.

Is Homekit not a proprietary system as well?

Yes, but it's from the company that I trust with my personal computer stuff. I dont' trust Staples. I haven't bought any automation stuff (aside from Nest) yet, because I'm waiting for it to come out for the platform I've settled on for the near future.
I think the big selling point of Homekit is the encryption and security angle. Who the hell wants to deal with some neighbors kid hacking their light bulbs for shits and giggles? It's not clear to me that the "put a Zigbee hub on Homekit" solution is worth it because the encryption stops at the hub..
 

new2mac

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,532
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28344973#p28344973:36yhjtk9 said:
Semi On[/url]":36yhjtk9]
Cree -- I'm loving this company, very Apple-like.. They keep pushing LED adoption with great bulbs at good prices, 10 year warranties, and manufactured in the USA.

They have fairly extensive manufacturing in China due to acquisitions, and I'm pretty sure that's where the LEDs, themselves, are coming from. Parts may be assembled in the US, but I wouldn't put too much into patriotic angles here.

Some insight into Cree manufacturing:
“Cree’s Watson said the LED chips are made in Durham, then sent to Asia, where the innards that produce the filament-like light quality that Cree says is so superior are assembled. Then it’s back to Durham for the rest of the bulb assembly and packaging.”

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/gree ... hting.html
 

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
That's it. No "required hub". Basically these devices should be controlled by any Mac or iDevice. And yes, I realize it's a mature market especially with companies like Savant systems but that was always pricey for the end-user. It really should be as simple as going to pick up a door lock or temperature gauge or Power outlet for circuit breaker etc. simply have access through HomeKit on whatever device you choose.
 

Semi On

Senator
89,415
Subscriptor++
It really should be as simple as going to pick up a door lock or temperature gauge or Power outlet for circuit breaker etc. simply have access through HomeKit on whatever device you choose.

Tech companies have only started talking to each other about trying to make IoE stuff work together in the last few years. The examples you're talking about are from an absurdly mature industry that also had to come together and standardize.
 
I'm intrigued now at Cree Connected. However, I looked up Wink after seeing a coupon for one for $20 (if you buy 2 Home Depot bulbs) at Home Depot and the reviews don't seem positive. Are there any other good controllers out there that possibly will support HomeKit as well? Back when I was super into home automation stuff, I knew about the Versa Verde or whatever it was, but I think that was for ZWave and not Zigbee.
 

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
I'm still waiting for companies like GE and Leviton to release HomeKit compliant smart outlets. All that is needed is simple on/off control as well as voltage output and maybe draw from whatever is plugged in. The only other option would be a test/reset of the GFCI versions. I see this as a perfect application for HomeKit.

Take the idea a step further and companies like Square-D can release HomeKit compliant "smart panels" where folks can monitor the power coming into the home as well as monitor particular circuits. Maybe provide a "map" of what's on each circuit. All with the option to cut/restore power at the circuit breaker level.
 

ZnU

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11,694
[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=28343023#p28343023:2758c2n8 said:
SWFan[/url]":2758c2n8]
Problem is, all this home automation stuff has been out for years, some for decades. So it's not like a new industry where everyone is starting from scratch.

I get what you're saying when someone is bringing something new to market, but in this case, I'd call this market matured except for the controlling via Smartphones/Internet aspect which is relatively new in the last two years.

The only new bit is that we do have some more players entering the market as they try to make this home automation stuff more mainstream.

I posted this in a home automation discussion in the BF. I think it's relevant here:

[url=http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=27946437#p27946437:2758c2n8 said:
ZnU[/url]":2758c2n8]
[T]op-down home automation is clearly a market failure. But what we're seeing now is a sort of bottom-up home automation with stand-alone 'smart' products, often ones that require little or no new 'installed' infrastructure, showing up one by one. So, we've got WiFi-enabled lightbulbs, for instance, that don't require smart fixtures or outlets to do their thing. Such devices will proliferate as prices come down. "Home automation" will be achieved with platforms like HomeKit tying together many such stand-alone devices from many different manufacturers, not through consumers making a decision to install some expensive single-vendor, integrated system all at once.

So, yes, a thing called "home automation" has been around for decades. But I don't think the market emerging now has very much to do with that at all.
 

Ed M.

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,259
I agree. Standalone devices and ground up approach. The other area HomeKit can be of value (as I hinted to earlier) diagnostics.

What's the voltage at the outlet? Is the fridge temperature holding? Run a test on the window AC and report the results. HoneKit AV setups. Controlled via any iPod iPhone iPad or Mac.

Even alarm and security systems. User installed on say all windows and doors at once or start with the garage first because that houses a shit ton of expensive tools (let's say). HVAC and per room climate control is another area. Retrofit existing systems (possible but potentially tricky/limited) or new construction.

Shit, even pet monitors. Aquarium monitoring. All things people might find useful.