Apple’s HomeKit API is a system Apple owns, only works on Apple devices, requires an always-on iOS or TvOS device in the home and requires manufacturers to adhere to strict security policies set by Apple to become HomeKit Certified “Works with Apple HomeKit”. I’ve always joked about how Apple’s “Works with” program has been used since the iPod to Apple to extract profits from 3PPs (3rd party products) by an up-front or per sale fee on each product that Apple certifies. It’s a genius move. Make a closed system that’s so popular, companies have to participate in it and then have them pay a % of your sales to you just to put your logo on the box and sell it in the very popular Apple Stores. While there are a lot of great accessories for iPod, iPad and iPhone that aren’t certified, I’ve always taken the cert as a trust that this accessory is fully compatible and free of issues that could damage my device.
In the case of HomeKit, the certification is essential and not just suggested. Sure, Google’s Nest Thermostat works fine with iOS within the Nest native application but if you want to tell Siri to change the temperature, she won’t know how because Nest hasn’t been HomeKit certified. A SmartHome / IOT (Internet of Things) house when your entire device ecosystem is Apple, is challenging when you buy devices that Apple has not certified. What is the process for 3PPs?
There was a recent Reuters article talking about why HomeKit is not succeeding compared to Alexa, Google Home or Samsung’s Smart Home offerings:
To be Homekit-certified, gadget makers must include special chips to work with Apple’s system. Developers that order small volumes of the chips say they can cost an 50 cents to $2, though prices are lower for larger buyers. Apple also requires developers to buy specific WiFi and Bluetooth networking chips that cost more than competitors.
The devices have to be made in special factories that are certified by Apple. A confidential Apple document obtained by Reuters lists more than 800 of these factories, but only a few specialize in home automation products.
Developers can ask Apple to certify an unlisted factory they want to use. But the limited selection means that device makers can’t always get the best prices or work with their preferred factories. The founder of one startup that considered pursuing HomeKit approval for a device that helps control home temperatures said the company picked a factory with 40,000 employees that was making well known “Star Wars” toys, but it couldn’t use that factory for HomeKit products.
This control makes the HomeKit ecosystem contain only 100 devices versus 250+ for other systems but consumers get full integration with their Apple devices and the highest security of any other IOT system. For a fanboy like me, going HomeKit was a no-brainer. I compare it to only buying iPhone accessories on Apple’s Store versus Amazon. You only have 500 things to choose from direct from Apple but there’s an additional confidence in that improved experience that certified comes with.
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Let’s consider everything I want to control with my smart home:
- Lighting
- Ceiling Fans
- Heat / Air Conditioning
- Music
- Security Cameras
- Doors & Windows (status open versus closed)
- Killing Power to any device in the house
- Who’s at the front door
- Entry to the home (deadbolt)
- Detection of motion outside the home
- Smoke Detectors
Lighting was the most challenging because every home has light fixtures controlled by a switch but there are also lamps (standing & table) and there’s a light above the stove and outdoor motion lights and you have to find a hybrid system where you can control both individual light bulbs and entire fixtures. I had to go with a hybrid system. Phillips Hue, Lutron Switches and Hunter Ceiling Fans. Let’s break things down:
For all fixtures that have A19 bulbs, Phillips Hue is the only way to fly. Phillips makes flood lamps too but some of their bulbs are on Gen 1 Hue only meaning you’ll be running a Gen 1 and 2 hub connected to the router and it adds costs so assume Hue only works with A19 and their LED strip. If your house uses mostly standard bulbs, this is easy but what about special areas like the vanity light, track lighting, recessed LEDs and Ceiling fans with integrated LEDs?
This is where Lutron’s HomeKit switch comes in. This switch replaces the one that is on your wall. Each switch connects to a Lutron hub (connected to your router) and it supports on/off and dimming.
I took things a step further in lighting and bought two Hunter Ceiling Fans that are HomeKit enabled. They have integrated LEDs, are EnergyStar certified and connect to HomeKit. These are hub-less which is great. Just turn them on and set them up via your Hunter application. Hubless is the future and most people don’t have routers that support more than 4 devices plugged in so hubs quickly become a situation where you have to buy a switch.
One final thought on Hue. If you’re like me and just like a simple setup, get the A19 White starter kit (no colors, no ambiance). I don’t want a dance party in my house and I don’t have a use for changing the temperature of the LED white light. For this, A19 whites are only $14.99 each and $69 for the starter kit. Go with color and it’s $199 up front and $49 per bulb.
Ceiling Fans can be controlled with a Lutron switch as well but most ceiling fans are cheap (Sub-$100) and the switch is $49 after you spend $100 on the Lutron Hub + switch combo. The Hunter HomeKit fans are $350 so it’s cheaper for most people to just buy a switch.
Heat / AC is an easy one. If you’re a HomeKit user, just buy the Ecobee 3. Honeywell has a few options but their design is very 90s with beige plastic. I wish the Ecobee came in white. Nest hands down has the nicest interface, fastest UI and overall design but it won’t respond to Siri commands. An additional bonus of the Ecobee is it comes with sensors that report the temp so you can use this to query Siri on the temp in the basement / wine room and Ecboee uses that data to intelligently turn on the heat depending on where you are. At night, you’re in the bedroom so Ecobee turns down the heat in the house so the bedroom has the best temp. Ecobee needs power beyond the regular furnace line (green cable). If you are in an old house, you’ll need an electrician to add this.
Music is not related to HomeKit but you can setup scenes and I think AirPlay is not great for automation as you’ll have to trigger sending music to AirPlay manually. For this, Sonos is truly the best way to get whole home sound from all of your devices. I won’t talk about this much but a Sonos 5 + Sound bar + Sub + 2-3 of the Sonos 1 units spread around the house will cost just about $2000 and you’ll have music in every room. It’s the best wireless audio system you can get.
Security Cameras that support HomeKit are few. D-Link is the one I plan on buying and will talk more about security cameras in a separate post because part of me just wants to get cameras that work with my Synology w/o the HomeKit integration. Check out Canary as well although the cost of these versus an IP camera system is a little ridiculous.
Doors & Window status, there’s only one option. That’s Elgatos Eve system. This also requires a hub plugged into your router and each sensor is $39. You can easily see which windows & doors are left open and receive an alert when your windows are opened. You can also use HomeKit to trigger events like when the window opens, turn down the thermostat. I haven’t purchased Eve yet but the entire system will cost $600 in hardware so it’ll be a project once most of the house expenses have leveled out.
For the Exterior doors, I have a Schlage Connect Sense deadbolt which works with HomeKit. I can manually key in my code or unlock the door remotely and it works well for who’s at the door which is the Ring Video Doorbell. Someone can ring the doorbell, Ring is not HomeKit enabled but I receive an iOS notification, can see them there and tell Siri to unlock the door and let them in. Authorized AppleIDs to my home can unlock the door themselves. When they open the door, Elgato Eve will step in to turn on lights and kick on the music. These IOT enabled deadbolts use a lot more power than a standard key-pad deadbolt so you’ll have to replace the batteries every 6 months.
For devices that plug into the wall, there are HomeKit enabled plugs that you can grab on Amazon. iDevices / TP-Link makes one them I ended up grabbing the Koogeek plug which was on sale for $20 recently. The only issue with this is it takes up a lot of space (1.5 plugs worth of space) so I’ll be plugging it in to the FastMac U-Sockets in the house that have only 1 plug alongside 4-USB ports. These outlets are basically on/off though meaning with the Koogeek module, I can turn off power to devices that draw power when not in use like turning off the entertainment center when I’m not at home via the plug which itself does draw a little bit of power but far less than standby mode on an Xbox, TV, Receiver.
As far as exterior detection, I’m looking at getting a Canary that works with HomeKit and plugs in outside. I don’t know if I’ll just use Canary everywhere since the cost is much higher than a standard IP Camera that works with Synology. I also want to utilize Hue bulbs in my exterior motion lights so when the motion light turns on, I get a notification that motion was detected no matter where I am with or without a camera setup.
Smoke Detectors don’t need to be HomeKit enabled. Most people should just get the Nest smoke detector and call it a day. The big win for smart smoke detectors (HomeKit or Not) is you can get a push notification when smoke is detected before the insanely loud alarm goes off. “Smoke Detected in Kitchen” and you can acknowledge it easily. The HomeKit function allows extra functions like muted it with Siri or an integration which would allow your Hue bulbs to flash bright red but Nest & Hue work together natively without HomeKit. I ended up ordering the Birdi Smoke Detectors but after this product became Vaporware, I’m not looking for an alternative with HomeKit functions and will likely just go with Nest.
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How well will all of this work? I have no idea. That will be for another blog post (or ten) as things get setup.
One thing to add, I also have an Amazon Echo + an Echo Dot in the house and until Apple introduces a Siri box that can go in every room int he house, I will connect these devices to Amazon as well so I can simply speak commands out loud without having to have my phone on me. HomeKit will work with AppleWatch, AppleTV, iPhone, iPad and Macintosh which there is one of those in every room that responds to “Hey Siri” but the Alexa is just more convenient and can hear commands across the house.
Until Apple makes a Siri Hub, Alexa is a good fall-back. Just be careful buying devices that only work with Alexa and not HomeKit. Try to find ones that work with both.
Good luck!