With the release of iOS 10 recently, Apple is finally pulling the curtain back on its new Home app, and, along with the vogue within the smart home sphere, voice activation is the name of the game. We first learned about the company’s foray into the realm of the automated dwelling whenever it announced HomeKit, a brand new hub for compatible products, at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) back in 2014. The wait has, evidently, been worth it, and compatible equipment began to proliferate.
The new Home app handles the organization of all the HomeKit supported products, plus the list expands monthly. The Home app-which in the latest OS takes pride of place on the home screen of your iDevice-has two main benefits (aside from its “Hello Siri-turn on the lights” functionality): First, each of the messy third party HomeKit control apps are now in one spot for convenience. And second, with geofencing your device will trigger your iPhone and cue a series that, for instance, turns off the A/C and lights while you exit your house.
The skinny on the new Home app, compared to other apps native to HomeKit-enabled products, would be that it will work not only on iPhones but on iPads and the Apple Watch, too. In the event you leave the device in your house (connected to your Wi-Fi network) iPads behaves as the mothership hub for controlling everything from a distance. The Internet of Things is slowly, yet surely, becoming all encompassing, beautiful and, let’s think of it as, playful.
Home tech equipment to update your living space now
Ecobee3 Smart Wi-Fi ThermostatWith a full-color LCD display, just like an iPhone, you can now control the temperature of your house from all over the home. Its intuitive programming-it checks inside and outside each of the time-means it knows which rooms you’re in (and which you’re not) and saves you money by controlling all of it.
2. Dim the lights
Philips Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit
The Hue family-capable of controlling up to 50 lights, luminaries and switches-changes your lighting situation to accommodate every one of your needs. With scheduling, you can mimic sunrise by having lights come on slowly, dim them for some romance, or anything in between.
3. What’s the weather like?
Elgato Eve Weather Sensor
This wireless outdoor sensor checks temperature, humidity and air pressure. So instead of receiving the data collected at the airport (or weather station) miles away from where you are, this gives your pinpointed intel. There’s also an indoor version, which has a useful carbon dioxide reading, too.
4. Spend less on electricity
Honeywell Lyric Round or T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat
It’s smart enough to understand when you’re leaving, or are on your way home, with geofencing, however its real genius comes whenever it begins to get used to your weekly schedule. With the new Lyric T5, the thermostat becomes attuned to normal cycles in your own home to optimize the temperatures.
5. Create some airflow
Hunter Fans
Not only are these attractive (and fans usually are not generally lookers) however they are now Wi-Fi ready. Syncing the fan with a thermostat means reducing energy consumption-and energy costs. And, if you’re relaxing in bed, Siri’s listening when you need the fan speed to vary.
6. Be home from any place
Withings Home
French company Withings is renowned for tracking your sleep with their Aura-but now the company has produced the perfect tool to maintain an eye on your house while you’re out. The Smart HD camera live streams each room individually and comes with recording capabilities. If you have a young tot, the two-way talk comes in handy, too.
7. Talk to the lights
Nanoleaf Ivy Smarter Kit
Who wishes to have to get up to turn off the lights? Using the Ivy Smarter Kit, plus its home hub, you are able to control as much as 50 bulbs. Set up is easy plug and play – connect the hub, screw in the bulbs, download the app, and the LED lights sync with your iPhone. And then there will be light.