Roger Fingas
Netgear appears to be adding HomeKit support retroactively to the Arlo Pro, expanding the small number of compatible security cameras on the market — and bringing Apple's technology to a wireless model for the first time. [Updated with denial by Netgear]
HomeKit compatibility is mentioned in official release notes for the latest Pro firmware, 1.092.0.13_19715. It's not yet clear if the feature can actually be used or if Netgear is simply laying groundwork.
Also uncertain is whether the newfound support applies to the recent Arlo Pro 2.
Currently the only vendors with HomeKit-ready cameras include Netgear, D-Link, Logitech, Netatmo, and Somfy. Until this week, the one Netgear option has been the Arlo Baby, a primarily wired camera intended for nurseries, though it can be tweaked for general security use.
The Arlo line has proven to be one of the more popular options for smarthome security, but Netgear's preference for going wireless was thought to have precluded HomeKit. Even if they require occasional charging, wireless cameras can be placed in more locations and are potentially harder to disable.
Apple's platform allows cameras to be viewed from the iOS Home app, controlled with Siri, and in some cases integrated into complex scenes and automations alongside other smarthome accessories. Logitech's Circle 2 for example can be set to turn on smartbulbs if it detects motion at night.
Update: Netgear now says the reference was an "error," and that "at this time," the Baby remains the only HomeKit-ready Arlo.
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3 Comments
Be nice if they added HomeKit support to the non-battery powered cameras too.
I've been apart of the Apple ecosystem for decades now. The past four years I've slowly switched over to 3rd party items as Apple has contracted and abandoned many fields and products. After two years and realizing Apple is not serious about Homekit I've switched over to Google Home and their Nest line of products. Nest has carried on the mantle of "It Just Works." The control both the hardware and software and both are of quality.