Home Is Where the Automation Is
Article by Braden Newell
@braden_newell
Photos taken from apple.ca/homekit
As the summer rolls around, many students, like myself, are moving; something to consider when planning the move into a new place is home automation. Home automation is where users install accessories around their home to complete tasks like unlocking their door or turning off the lights via their smartphone, tablet, or smart speaker. On your iPhone, iPad or Mac, there is an app called Home; if you’ve deleted the app, you can find it again in the App Store. The Home app is unique because it uses Apple’s exclusive API called HomeKit. HomeKit enables access to devices by different manufacturers via Apple’s Home app—. this would mean having your lights, locks, and outlets all show up in the Home app instead of using Philips Hue, August, and WeMo’s apps.
Home automation is particularly challenging for those who live in apartments. In a home you own, you can incorporate thermostats and light switches, but outfitting your apartment for automation can be trickier. In this article, we explore some HomeKit accessible apartment-friendly smart home accessories for your apartment.
**Keep in mind for HomeKit to work; you need a dedicated home iPad running iOS 10 or above, a HomePod, or a 4th generation Apple TV. I would highly recommend it if in the price range getting a HomePod; otherwise, the following accessories still work via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi without HomeKit support. Many of these recommendations also work with GoogleHome and Amazon Alexa.
August is a smart-lock manufacturer that makes many great products, such as the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect, a motorized lock that replaces the back of a deadbolt lock. The upsides are that the Smart Lock doesn’t replace your key with a new one, and it is simple to install; however, it requires four AA batteries to be replaced semi-regularly. Apple retails the device for $349.95, but . Amazon offers a previous version for $199.
For $39.95, you can purchase WeMo smart-outlets from Apple and Amazon. Smart-outlets are great tools for turning dumb devices into smart devices. I use these outlets for my Christmas tree during the holidays and some lamps. The WeMo smart-outlets are fairly inexpensive compared to some other alternatives and two of them can easily fit into a started socket where often only one smart-outlet will fit.
For lighting, consider the Philips Hue line. Philips Hue offers a few different options. To use hue bulbs, you want to begin with a starter kit with a hub that can support up to fifty bulbs. The two starter packs I would recommend would be the regular white bulbs for $129.95 from Apple or the coloured bulb set for $249.95. Each set comes with a hub and four bulbs, and you can always purchase new bulbs in single packs as needed. With Philip bulbs, you leave your light switches on and control the bulbs from your phone, tablet, computer, or smart speaker.
Other accessories to consider would be light-strips and motion sensors. A full list of HomeKit comparable accessories can be found here. IKEA has also come out with a line of smart-lights and smart-blinds that are HomeKit compatible. I have not yet had a chance to test them out, but I urge anyone who has to send me their recommendation via Twitter @braden_newell.