Tag

Homekit

All articles tagged with #homekit

technology2 days ago•16 min saved

Aqara W200 Thermostat Hub Brings HomeKit and Adaptive Energy Control to North America

Aqara today released the Thermostat Hub W200, its first North American thermostat, a Matter-enabled device that also acts as a presence sensor and hub for Thread/Zigbee devices. It supports Apple’s Adaptive Temperature and Clean Energy Guidance via HomeKit (with a Matter hub like a HomePod or Apple TV), and offers flexible control through the Aqara app and HomeKit. The W200 works with heat pumps, furnaces, and other systems and includes mmWave occupancy sensing, but it has a 20°F minimum compressor setting that can limit cold-climate use and some confusing HVAC wording in the app. Priced at $160 (with a $30 C-wire adapter sold separately), it’s a strong HomeKit alternative to Ecobee for Apple-centric energy-saving automation, though setup nuances and base-plate fit are considerations for DIY installs.

via MacRumors|

#adaptive-temperature #aqara #homekit

tech2 months ago•37 min saved

Apple ends legacy HomeKit, forcing upgrade to the rebuilt Home architecture by Feb 10, 2026

Apple will drop support for the original HomeKit architecture on February 10, 2026, meaning many smart-home devices may stop working in the Home app unless users upgrade to the rebuilt Home architecture. In the new setup, iPads no longer serve as Home Hubs and a HomePod or Apple TV is required as the hub, with iPhones/iPads/Macs and connected devices needing iOS 16.2+ (or macOS 13.1/watchOS 9.2+). Update the Home app now to avoid losing control of smart-home devices.

via theverge.com|

#apple #home-app #homekit

technology2 months ago•23 min saved

Wemo devices lose cloud access as Belkin ends service on Jan 31, 2026

Belkin will shut down cloud support for most Wemo smart devices on January 31, 2026, leaving only Thread-based models and devices already set up in Apple HomeKit functional. Remote access, voice assistant integrations, and future app updates will end for affected devices, though HomeKit-configured units set up before the cutoff will continue to work; some devices may still operate manually, and warranty holders may qualify for partial refunds.

via Slashdot|

#belkin #cloud #homekit

technology2 months ago•1 min saved

Belkin's Wemo Cloud Shutdown Kills Remote Access This Weekend

Belkin will shut down cloud services for most Wemo devices this weekend, ending remote access and integrations with Google Home and Alexa; the Wemo app will stop receiving updates on Jan 31, and many devices will only work manually after the shutdown. A subset of Thread-based devices and those configured with HomeKit may continue to function, while warranty-covered units could qualify for partial refunds.

via The Verge|

#belkin #cloud-services #homekit

technology3 months ago•4 min saved

Flic Adds Physical Button Control to HomeKit's Matter Ecosystem

The article discusses the importance of physical buttons in smart home setups, highlighting the Flic Hub LR and Flic Duo as effective accessories for controlling Apple HomeKit devices, with the Hub LR supporting extensive range and legacy device control, and the Duo offering versatile gesture controls and a built-in speaker, though with some limitations within the Home app.

via 9to5Mac|

#automation #flic #homekit

technology5 months ago•4 min saved

IKEA Launches 21 New Matter-Enabled Smart Home Devices

IKEA announced 21 new Matter-compatible smart home products, including smart bulbs, sensors, and controls that work with HomeKit, set to launch in January 2026. The lineup features various bulbs in multiple sizes and colors, sensors for motion, air quality, humidity, and water leaks, as well as smart plugs and remote controls, all utilizing Matter-over-Thread for improved connectivity.

via MacRumors|

#homekit #ikea #matter-compatible

technology6 months ago•2 min saved

Samsung's Smart Fridges to Feature Digital Advertisements

Apple is preparing to expand its smart home product line with new devices like a HomePod with a screen, security camera, and smart doorbell, offering a potentially higher-quality alternative to competitors like Samsung, which has recently started including ads in its smart refrigerator screens. The new Apple products are highly anticipated and could improve user experience in the smart home space.

via 9to5Mac|

#apple #homekit #homepod

technology9 months ago•5 min saved

IKEA Embraces Matter for Enhanced HomeKit Compatibility

IKEA will support Matter in over 20 new smart home products starting January 2026, enabling seamless compatibility with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, simplifying smart home integration and removing previous barriers for HomeKit users.

via MacRumors|

#compatibility #homekit #ikea

technology9 months ago•2 min saved

Ikea Enhances HomeKit Compatibility with New Matter-Enabled Smart Hub

Ikea is expanding its smart home product line with over 20 new affordable Matter-compatible devices, supporting both Matter and Threads standards, which will be directly controllable via Apple's Home app without needing the Ikea hub, making smart home tech more accessible and budget-friendly.

via 9to5Mac|

#affordable #homekit #ikea

technology1 year ago•2 min saved

Apple's AI Wall Tablet: The Future of Smart Home Control

Apple is reportedly developing a smart display for home control, featuring a 6-inch screen with sensors for presence detection and a FaceTime camera. The device will run on a new operating system called homeOS, supporting video calls, smart home controls, and core apps like Notes and Safari. It will integrate with Apple's HomeKit ecosystem and focus on music playback and intercom functionality. The device, codenamed J490, is expected to launch in 2025, with pricing similar to Google's Nest Hub Max and Amazon's Echo Hub.

via Digital Trends|

#apple #facetime #homekit

technology1 year ago•2 min saved

Apple Reconsiders Launching Its Own TV Set Amid Smart Home Expansion

Apple is considering launching its own branded TV set as part of its expansion into the smart home industry, contingent on the success of its upcoming wall-mounted smart home hub. The company has previously explored this idea but is now revisiting it with a more integrated ecosystem of devices. Analyst Mark Gurman reports that while the TV set could feature home-related functionalities, it would not serve as the central hub, a role reserved for the new 6-inch smart home device.

via Wccftech|

#apple #appletv #homekit

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

iOS 18 to Feature Revamped Control Center

iOS 18 is expected to bring a significant update to Apple's iPhone Control Center, including a new music widget and improved HomeKit integration. The Settings app will also receive a cleaner interface and better organization. More details are anticipated at WWDC 2024.

via Tom's Guide|

#apple #control-center #homekit

technology1 year ago•2 min saved

iOS 18: Redesigned Control Center, Settings, and iMessage Text Effects

iOS 18 will feature a redesigned Control Center with updates to the music widget and HomeKit controls, including a revamped Settings app with better organization and search. The new Control Center will offer a larger Now Playing UI and improved smart home appliance controls, addressing user frustrations with the current automatic layout.

via 9to5Mac|

#apple #control-center #homekit

technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unlock Your Door with a Tap: TP-Link's iPhone-Compatible Video Door Lock"

TP-Link unveiled the Tapo DL130 video door lock at CES, featuring HomeKit compatibility and seven unlocking methods including a fingerprint scanner and Apple Home Key support. The device boasts a 2K camera, color night vision, and a speaker for prerecorded responses. TP-Link also introduced the Tapo H500 Smart HomeBase and other smart home products, including a video doorbell, robot vacuum, light strip, and outdoor plugs.

via The Verge|

#homekit #smart-home #tapo-dl130

technology2 years ago•1 min saved

Eve Unveils Matter-Compatible Smart Home Devices for Enhanced Connectivity

Eve, a popular HomeKit vendor, has announced the upcoming release of three new products: Eve Energy Outlet, Eve Light Switch, and Eve Blinds. These products integrate seamlessly into modern interiors and offer energy-efficient smart home solutions. The Eve Energy Outlet replaces wall outlets, the Eve Light Switch enables connected lighting without replacing bulbs, and the Eve Blinds Collection features automated shading based on the sun's position. All three products are compatible with Matter, making them future-proof choices for managing energy usage, lighting, and shading. The products will be available for purchase from the Eve Store and Amazon starting in February 2024.

via 9to5Mac|

#ces-2024 #eve #homekit