Andrew O'Hara
This week iRobot updated its Roomba smart vacuums with support for Siri, Aqara introduced a new thermostat, and we reviewed a pair of new Thread-enabled devices on HomeKit Insider.
News was light again since our last episode, with only a couple of notable items to the presses. Roomba-maker iRobot announced a new update that has become available to enable support for Siri and Shortcuts on its smart home vacuum and mopping robots.
Aqara has released a great-looking smart thermostat that will work with HomeKit, though at the moment it is only available in Asia. A stateside release isn't out of the question, but Aqara has made no promises as if yet.
The majority of the episode was spent reviewing two new Thread-enabled devices. Belkin's new Wemo Smart Plug with Thread is up for preorder and we tested it on our Thread network to see how well it worked. Similarly, Eve's Water Guard with Thread is out just in time for the rainy spring season to protect your home.
Links from the show
- iRobot update brings Siri support to Roomba vacuums and Braava mops
- Aqara Smart Thermostat S3 with LED Display Announced - Homekit News and Reviews
- Aqara announces new S3 HomeKit thermostat with Siri voice support
- Best AirPlay Speakers for Apple, iPhone Wireless Streaming
- All the Homekit locks that support Apple Home Key
- Wemo Smart Plug with Thread review: An affordable and fast HomeKit outlet
- Eve Water Guard review: Thread makes this HomeKit sensor even better
- Leviton D26HD-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer (2nd Gen), Works with Hey Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri, and Anywhere Companions, No Hub Required, Neutral Wire Required, White : Everything Else
- Leviton DD0SR-1Z Decora Companion Switch for multi-location control, 120VAC, 60Hz - - Amazon.com
- WeMo - WDS060 Wemo WiFi Smart Dimmer Switch (Dim + Control Lights from Anywhere w/App, Voice Control w/Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit) : Cell Phones & Accessories
- meross Smart Light Switch Supports Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant & SmartThings, 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required, Single Pole, Remote Control Schedule, 1 Pack - - Amazon.com
- HomePass for HomeKit
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Malcolm Owen
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Charles Martin
2 Comments
Regarding the question during the podcast about using a “dumb” switch for the other end of a 3-way switch setup with a Leviton 3-way capable switch: check with your electrician, but I don’t think you can do that if your house is wired for a 3-way setup, like switches at the top and bottom of the stars.
Lutron Caseta is rock solid. I’m now in my second home with retrofitted Lutron Caseta switches and 5 years without any issues. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. Some great instrucrions for 3-way setups in their advanced wiring guide. Using the pico remotes (~10 year battery life) in those setups is easy and really comes in handy when the switch box is crowded with multiple husky smart switches.
https://www.casetawireless.com/documents/0301710a_caseta%20advanced%20inst.pdf