CES 2020: Interesting Apple HomeKit product announcements (u)
Apple will talk HomeKit and IoT security at CES 2020, but partners and HomeKit licensees are making a range of interesting announcements at the show, with connected televisions, lighting and other smart home systems attracting attention.
Here is our updating list of the most interesting solutions announced:
LG’s new HomeKit televisions
LG Electronics expanded its 8K TV range with the introduction of eight TVs with new 77- and 65-inch class models joining LG’s existing 88- and 75-inch screen sizes.
The new TVs support Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, with Amazon Alexa Premium Far-Field Voice compatibility in the future.
The new models offer the capability to play native 8K content thanks to support of the widest selection of 8K content sources from HDMI and USB digital inputs, including codecs such as HEVC, VP9 and AV.
The move follows Apple’s announcement of new partnerships with TV manufacturers at CES 2019, itself designed to help boost TV+ service adoption.
Sengled keeps its HomeKit habit
Sengled has introduced a new LED Edison Filament Bulb, an all-new Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring so you can track electricity use by a connected device and the third-generation of its HomeKit compatible Sengled Smart Hub. The bulb is kind of cool and retro and lets you see the filament inside the clear bulb. The Sengled Smart LED Edison Filament Bulb costs $29.99 for two. The Sengled Smart Hub also costs $29.99, while the Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring is $19.99. More info.
Secure smart CCTV security
Anker has introduced HomeKit compatibility to its EufyCam2 and EufyCam2C security cameras and is promising to follow this up with support for HomeKit Secure Video.
HomeKit compatibility comes in the form of an automatically installed software update that you should be able to check in the Eufy Security app. Once the update is installed you should see a new HomeKit Setup menu appear in your camera settings.
HomeKit Secure Video will enable you to store all your video footage in iCloud, protected by encryption and therefore safe from prying eyes.
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HomeKit security for your abode
abode systems introduced its HomeKit-compatible Outdoor/Indoor Smart Camera, a robust indoor/outdoor and front door video CCTV device. It can be used as a reliable standalone video camera solution or seamlessly integrated with all existing abode security systems.
Modular by design, the new abode camera can be used indoors and outdoors and can be deployed using a number of included mounts.
With advanced computer vision capabilities built-in, abode customers can opt-in to have their Outdoor/Indoor Smart Camera understand when an authorized user is approaching or inside the residence vs. an unauthorized user, stranger, or intruder.
Around half the size of a deck of playing cards, the new video camera features a PIR motion sensor to identify when someone is approaching, an IR LED for low-light vision, a built-in microphone and speaker for two-way communication, a light sensor, and a wide-angle lens capable of providing 1920 x 1080p video across a 152° field of view. It features an IP65 weather-resistance rating and can withstand a wide variation of outdoor temperatures.
To provide users with increased functionality, the abode Outdoor/Indoor Smart Camera has been submitted for Apple HomeKit Certification and should receive approval later this year.
Netatmo brings you a HomeKit-compatible smart lock
Netatmo has introduced a HomeKit-compatible Smart Door Lock that uses physical NFC Smart Keys. The Door Lock works via Bluetooth so is not connected to the internet. It uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to interact with the Smart Keys, which are tamper-proof and impossible to duplicate. If the Keys are lost or stolen, access to the house is still secure: the users deactivate them in real time with one click on their smartphone, without having to change the whole Door Lock.
Each door lock uses four AAA batteries and offers a two-year battery life – though if the power runs out there’s a micro-USB port on the lock to provide temporary access. The solution should ship at the end of 2020.
IKEA puts blinds on a HomeKit home
IKEA’s FYRTUR range of smart blinds now support HomeKit. While you’ll also need one of the company’s weirdly-named TRADFRI hubs to make the system work, it does mean you’ll be able to raise the blinds using Siri, or remotely using HomeKit. The blinds cost between $129 and $179 while the hub sets you back $35.
Really smart home occupancy solutions
Intellithings’ RoomMe claims to be a first in smart home True Occupancy Automation systems based on patented presence sensing technology. The company today introduced support for Siri and other voice assistants to its solution.
RoomMe uses the unique Bluetooth signature of a user’s smartphone or smartwatch to identify who that user is, which room they are in, automatically adjust settings such as entertainment, temperature, lighting, and more to that specific user’s preferences.
It works as an additional layer for today’s most popular smart home systems and devices, including HomeKit and others, as well as pro smart home systems. RoomMe now also supports Siri Shortcuts.
RoomMe costs $69 per sensor with special pricing available for bundles of two or more sensors.
Smart lights that learn
Nanoleaf is exhibiting a range of light bulbs, dimmers and remotes and introducing the Nanoleaf Learning Series, an all-in-one, interactive, intelligent lighting system for your home, at CES.
These systems intuitively learn, sense, and reacts to user needs in a way that eliminates the often complicated and counterintuitive requirements of today’s smart home.
The hexagonal lights feature touch-reactive Unified Hexagons with interconnectivity capabilities that enable users the freedom to create all new configurations.
They will be available for pre-orders soon with shipping beginning this spring.
Making dumb things smart
There are now two ways to make dumb things smart:
- Use a HomeKit plug, such as this one.
- Use a HomeKit-enabled button pushing device to switch devices off and on remotely.
We’ve all gotten used to option one, but the second option has been kind of hard to find – but it isn’t any more as the Keymitt Push is a simple HomeKit-enabled button pushing device you can use to switch things off and on remotely. It costs around $50, and while it may not be useful all the time will likely be handy in some scenarios.
Eve Systems Eve Cam
Eve Systems has introduced Eve Cam, its first indoor camera made exclusively for Apple HomeKit Secure Video.
With HomeKit Secure Video, activity detected by a compatible camera like Eve Cam is privately analyzed by your home hub (Apple TV or HomePod) using on-device intelligence to determine if people or pets are present.
In the event unusual activity is detected, you and anyone with which you share your HomeKit Home will receive a notification that lets you view the clip from the iPhone Lock Screen. Video is available to view for ten days from the Home app.
It’s securely stored for free in supported iCloud accounts and doesn’t count against your storage limit. More here.
One more thing: Making your carpets great again
While not HomeKit compatible and originally introduced in November, iRobot’s Roomba s9+ is the iPhone 11 Pro Max of smart vacuuming systems and will be on show at CES.
The smart vacuum features high suction for lifting dirt and debris and is much better at cleaning corners and edges than other models.
You’ll also find an anti-allergen system and indoor mapping technologies (which you may want to take note of). It empties its own bin and carries an enhanced 3-D sensor for scanning what is in the robot’s path.
We’ll be updating this story with more interesting HomeKit-happy products as they are announced, particularly as Apple is expected to showcase selected systems from some of its partners.
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Disclosure: We have used Amazon affiliate advertising in appropriate places in this report.
