Ashley Wright
Apple itself may not show up to CES, but about a dozen companies came to this year's show with a range of HomeKit-capable products from smart lighting products to home security. Here's a complete guide to everything HomeKit unveiled at CES 2017.
HomeKit is Apple's platform for third-party smart home gadgets that talk to each other through iOS devices and are Siri-voie-controlled. It's great for making the use and installation of these gadgets easier, but it's been somewhat limited in the breadth of products that have hit the market.
It's during CES that third-party developers try to change this by showing of their new products, and this year was no different.
Smart lighting
Smart lighting was a big hit this year with a number of new products introduced, including the Sylvania HomeKit-enabled Bluetooth lightbulb and the Lifx Plus smart bulb.
One of the more interesting lighting products unveiled was the iDevices Instant Switch, a wall-mounted Bluetooth controller styled after traditional light switches. Instant Switch pairs with and is able to remotely control iDevices' lineup of outlets, sockets, switches, dimmers and lighting products. Along with basic on/off capabilities, the switch integrates with smart home platforms including Apple's HomeKit, Android and Amazon's Alexa assistant for access to voice controls and macro profiles.
For iPhone owners, Instant Switch acts as a bridge between HomeKit and nearly all iDevices products — everything except for the company's smart thermostat. That means control via Siri and support for house-wide scenes.
Other smart lighting products unveiled were:
- Incipio CommandKit WiFi Smart Wall Switch
- Leviton Decora light switches
- Fibaro Flood Sensor
- Ring Floodlight Cam
Smart locks
One standout from CES this year was Yale Smart locks, which released a HomeKit module that plugs directly into existing hardware, offering owners the ability to control select smart locks with Siri and Apple's Home app. It costs $75.
Other locks included:
- Kwikset Premis smart lock
- Friday Smart Lock
Security
The first camera from D-Link's Wi-Fi camera range to be compatible with Apple's HomeKit, the Omna 180 Cam HD, is a network camera for the home that can stream encrypted 1080p video to iOS devices and the Apple TV.
Also of note was the Withings Home Plus, a HomeKit-enabled security camera capable of streaming video over a home network to a mobile device. It can also be used as a baby monitor.
And although not a new product debut, the existing Lyric Home Security and Control System will gain HomeKit support in early 2017 thanks to a forthcoming software update. It the first-ever pro-installed security system with support for Apple's smart home platform.
Other service devices included:
- Honeywell Lyric Home Security & Control System
- Fibaro Motion Sensor & Door/Window Sensor
Bridging devices
Without a nearby Apple TV or iPad configured as a "Home Hub," Bluetooth Low Energy HomeKit accessories cannot be controlled remotely. But the new ConnectSense Bluetooth Extender HomeKit-certified Bluetooth-to-Wi-Fi bridge coming in 2017 aims to address that shortcoming by providing Bluetooth Low Energy devices access to a user's local Wi-Fi network.
In addition, Internet of Things company Focalcrest has introduced Mixtile Hub, a bridging solution that claims to bridge smart home devices from different brands via Apple iOS devices. The company is able to do this by using competing ZigBee and Z-Wave technologies, they said.
Focalcrest has also obtained Apple MFi certification for the device, allowing for HomeKit communication. Pricing and availability have yet to be released.
The Eve Extend was also released as a device to extend the Bluetooth range for HomeKit devices.
Other: From garages to power strips
Netatmo announced the Smart Smoke Alarm as well as an accompanying indoor siren. The smoke alarm features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to receive — and take action on — real-time alerts remotely on their smartphone.
Meanwhile, Netatmo's Indoor Security Siren is a go-along with the company's Welcome camera and door tags. There's also the Velux Active with Netatmo: a centralized window control center that automatically opens and closes roof windows, blinds, and shutters, depending on input from sensors measuring light, temperature, humidity and air quality.
Incipio also announced a new four-outlet smart power strip dubbed the Wireless Smart Power Strip. It will allow users to discretely control and power multiple appliances via one accessory. It essentially turns a series of four "dumb" devices into HomeKit-controlled accessories.
Owners of virtually any garage door opener will be able to use Siri to open, close, or check the status of their garage, and also control its lights, via a new HomeKit-compatible hub accessory coming later this year from later this year from Chamberlain, called the Smart Garage Hub.
Other smart devices unveiled included:
- First Alert Onelink Environment Monitor
- Carrier Cor smart thermostats
- Sensory Voice Genie
- ConnectSense Temperature and Humidity Sensor
- ConnectSense Water Sensor
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
20 Comments
I would be looking for real security camera. Real one does not look fancy, but can be built in wall and not visible at all (unlike any security dome or fancy casing one like on those pictures). That would be real surveillence security when people do not know they are being observed or where camera might be. The rest is okay. Some ideas are redundant or mot quite practical. Life will show.
Are the WeMo Products HomeKit Compatible ?
I've been pretty damn frustrated with homekit so far. I have a Lyric sitting in a drawer and I've been holding out on buying lighting because of the expected hassle. I installed the schlage door lock that I bought from the Apple store (in its nice, Apple-specific packaging) and the *&^%ing thing doesn't even work with iPhone 7 (the tech had me do the set up on my old iPhone 6, but the homekit was too buggy to use, and then it disconnected completely; it's now a $200 dumb lock.) An idevices outdoor plug wouldn't install. Still no homekit compatible garage door opener apparently (although one is supposedly coming). The only smoke/CO alarm I've found has terrible reviews on amazon; not reassuring for a safety device. Why bother creating a platform like this if it's going to be so difficult to use? I can't be the only one with these frustrations. The homekit app was my favorite part of iOS 10. Unfortunately it's been a huge disappointment for me.
In case anyone is interested: I have the nanoleaf aura and it is really great and could not be easier to set up. It's the only functional item on my Apple Home control panel.
Does a front door lock exist where I can approach my house and 1. Open my door without removing my iPhone from my pocket, 2. that has a keypad for numbered access and 3. that additionally locks when I leave the house without interacting with the lock or my iPhone.
I want a lock with all three of these features. Not August—which doesn't have all three.