Apple's Smart Home( Home Kit): fast, simple, variable

Sci-Fi Dreams about a house that listens to every voice command, are becoming commonplace today. Apple has offered its own application for HomeKit smart home, which can be configured by any ordinary user with no programming experience. Since most home automation systems require either knowledge in this area or help from installers and installers, HomeKit is a very interesting solution.

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"Smart Home" by Apple

HomeKit is an application that easily installs on smartphones, tablets, smart watches and TVs running iOS.It is able to manage all the smart gadgets that are installed in your home either through its own interface, or through Siri assistant( including voice commands).The idea is that the user does not enter the application of each gadget, but creates scripts of the entire system.

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To start, Apple offers the following scenarios:

"Morning" .Included lighting in the bedroom, hallway and kitchen. In the kitchen, sockets start working and a coffee / tea maker and a toaster are started. At the same time, the lock is removed from the entrance door. The heating system, as a rule, “wakes up” 15–20 minutes earlier, so that the owner who got out of bed was not cold.
"I left" .Most appliances turn off automatically, doors and windows are blocked, the air conditioner goes into economy mode.
"I'm at home" .Garage doors are opened for entry, front lighting is turned on from the garage, the lock is removed from the entrance door, the temperature in the rooms rises / falls to the desired level. Depending on the habits of the owner, the lights and sockets in the kitchen, or the lights and the TV in the living room, turn on at the same time.
"Night" .Doors are blocked, the heating goes into economy mode. Illumination is either switched to nightlight mode, or switched on at minimum power after receiving a signal from a motion sensor.
"Cinema" .Curtains / blinds are closed, the main lighting goes out, the air conditioner goes into quiet mode.

Similarly, the “Party”, “Romance”, and “Dinner” scenarios were developed in a similar way; moreover, each user can not only modify existing ones, but also create their own scenarios. To perform all such operations using different applications would have to spend 1-2 minutes, and in HomeKit just one touch.

Features of the Home Kit

HomeKit becomes a link between products from different manufacturers. In contrast to the proposed Google system Nest, which involves the interaction of devices on cloud servers, all elements of HomeKit communicate with each other on the local WiFi. Experts believe that this option is much safer and the possibility that an outsider hacker can manage your home is minimal.

It is important to note that HomeKit is not installed on all Apple devices, but only on the latest generation of gadgets. A complete list of supported models is listed on the official website of the manufacturer.

Application work on the example of lighting

Additional features HomeKit

Door bell "August Doorbell Cam".

August Doorbell Cam - stylish ergonomic device

The camera has a built-in gadget, so you can see the visitor, as in a video intercom. But unlike the last August Doorbell Cam is able to send you a photo of the visitor with the date and time of arrival. With him it is easy to control who came to visit even when the owner is on a business trip.
Door Lock Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt.

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt Lock can be easily installed in any door.

The front door gadget duplicates locking, so an unwanted visitor will not be able to get into the apartment even with a “native” key. To unlock the door the owner will need to demonstrate the code or use the help of Siri. Scenarios are also available for the instrument. For example, you can set up automatic closing in the evening and unlocking in the morning, as well as checking the closing after all household members leave. Possible setting for geolocation: Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt will open the apartment as soon as you get to the door.
Philips Hue Light Bulb.

Philips Hue bulbs help to create a mood in your room.

Suitable for all types of luminaires( ceiling, wall, table, floor).Depending on the model, it enables remote on / off, additionally changes the temperature of the glow( cold blue, natural, warm yellow), as well as the color of the backlight( full color circle, as well as specially selected tones: "Northern Lights", "Sunset").To use smart light bulbs, a common access point is attached to the first set of bulbs;HomeKit allows you to create scripts and group up to 50 lamps in different rooms. Similar features and has Caseta Wireless Lighting Starter Kit from the company Lutron.
Adapter for smart socket "Eve Energy".

Future Technologies: “Eve Energy” is controlled by voice

The gadget allows you to control the cost of electricity for each device connected to it. Consumption reports come on the owner's iPhone. Additional “bun” - the ability to turn on / off the device via the Internet, which allows you to turn off a forgotten iron or fan in one click.
Nightlight with the function of the alarm "Withings Aura".

It is easy to wake up with “Withings Aura” even on Monday.

The device is designed to monitor the quality of sleep. It records the duration of the phases and helps determine how a good night’s rest depends on the temperature in the room, its lightness, presence / absence, and intensity of noise. You can set the alarm to wake up during REM sleep.
Thermostat "Ecobee3".

Thermostat "Ecobee3" is easily controlled and supports fine-tuning

The gadget will be appreciated first of all by those who equip smart home will not install temperature sensors in all rooms. Because of this, the rooms warm up unevenly( closer to the stationary sensor is warmer) and in the cold season in some areas it becomes very uncomfortable. Ecobee3 estimates the temperature at the desired point in space and sends a signal to the executing unit of the smart home( in particular, to the HomeKit application), which is responsible for maintaining the desired temperature and humidity( heater, air conditioner, humidifier, dryer, fan).He is also able to report weather information and show the forecast for several days in advance. The remote sensor is battery powered, but the device itself must be connected to the ventilation / air conditioning cable, so you should consider buying such a gadget during the repair. There is no need to buy a separate gadget for each room; the device is capable of coordinating up to 32 sensors within 13.7 meters.
Home Set Elgato.
Elgato Eve Weather Sensor for perfect weather in the houseSensor "Elgato Eve Weather" transmits information about the current state of the weather to make it easier for you to choose clothes for the exit. Elgato Eve Door &Window ”checks if you have forgotten to close the windows and doors before leaving. If the latter are equipped with the appropriate devices, you can remotely change their position.
In addition to convenient home control indoors, this application helps to realize other features:
- Control from anywhere in the world .Even if you are at work, in traffic or on a business trip, you can fully manage all systems, from watching video surveillance to controlling the temperature in the bedroom. If necessary, you can create a script to simulate the presence of the owners. To use such a function, you must associate all the performing gadgets with a common center: a home tablet or Apple TV.Then you will send a signal from your smartphone to Apple TV, and already it will send a signal to lighting devices, air conditioning, etc.
- Automation by geolocation .The Home Control Center will track your location and launch the “I'm at home” script or just open the door when you approach.
- Time Automation .“Tell” HomeKit, when the heating should turn on and off, at what time the “I Gone” scenario should turn on, at what time should I independently activate the “Night” scenario. Let the house provide your comfort, without waiting for the signal from your smartphone.
- Automation on the situation .The motion sensor can be configured so that at night it turns on the light by 15%, and by day - by 95%.
HomeKit also provides the ability to connect voice control scripts via Siri. But at the same time the assistant must always be in an active state, which affects the battery life.

Which devices are controlled by HomeKit

Smart Home HomeKit is a convenient and economical home

Gadgets for smart homes under the auspices of Apple already produce more than 50 companies( Philips, iHome, Haier, Honeywell, Withings, iDevices, Belkin, Kwisket).Among the most common smart devices:

Apple's official website also states that HomeKit is able to control cameras, garage doors, blinds, alarm systems and other devices. It is important to note that only devices that are approved by the Apple Made for iPhone certification authority( MFI) are connected to HomeKit. Apple specialists carefully check both the device itself and its supporting programs to ensure the quality of the product and its optimal interaction with the main platform.

Only products with such markings can be used in conjunction with HomeKit

. The opinion of

users. In America, many have already appreciated the advantages of this smart home system. Some construction companies initially equip new houses with smart locks, window opening sensors, thermostats and lighting devices under the overall control of HomeKit.

HomeKit is used on tablets, smartphones, and smart watches.

For now, only Philips Hue smart lamps and Elgato device complexes are popular. Ordinary users are satisfied with both ease of installation and intuitive control. Since there are few devices in the system, software “glitches” are usually not observed. Discontent causes only the high price of the system( the cost of a complete set for the house is estimated at 2.5 thousand dollars) and the ability to synchronize only with Apple gadgets.

A full review of the smart home from the user HomeKit

Practice has shown that HomeKit is a convenient application for creating, configuring and managing the smart home system. For those who have already acquired a smart home from other manufacturers, or prefer to use gadgets from other companies, the use of HomeKit will be inconvenient. But if you constantly use Apple devices, it will become a logical addition to your life and will make your home much more comfortable for all family members.

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