Who uses HomeKit??

[agarabaghi]

In the last wan show the question was asked about who uses homekit and home automation with siri in relation to the homepod speaker.

 

here is how we use homekit:

 

My phone and gf phone are connected in the home app (giving her the ability to control all devices / automation).

 

Lights: All lutron switches (inside / outside lights)

Shades: All lutron serena shades 

Thermostat: Ecobee 3

AV: Harmony Hub 

 

So the way we have it setup makes me wonder why Apple has implement something like this, we have to use an app called ilife360 for is geo location on "family members" and then integrate IFTTT to activate scenes (from lutron and ecobee) when myself or gf arrive or leave home. Why apple cant add multiple user geo location to home app is beyond me.

 

We have an Alexa dot that we use to talk to harmony, it can activate all the logitech activities (Alexa turn on TV, Alexa Turn on Playstation) etc... 

 

So basically the house reacts to us being home or out, but not because of homekit. Homekit does allow an easy app to monitor all the devices (though there are plenty of 3rd party).

 

If apple could:

 

Allow HomeApp to do multiple user geo fencing 

Logitech becomes homekit certified, and homepod could activate scenes in harmony app

 

Then i could see the homepod being useful, but for now the fact we have to use multiple 3rd party sources to achieve any kind of home automation is pretty bad on apples part, thought i dont think there are many other companies that offer all in one solutions. 

 

Anyone else have home automation / smart home set up? 

[Zando_]

I'd like to use HomeKit, but $$$.

[Princess Luna]

I guess I'm too old school for this.

[agarabaghi]

In the end its not really homekit that is expensive, but the retro fitting of switches. 

 

The lutron caseta hub and switches are the most expensive part. We just wanted the lights and shades to be on the same system and the only company we found the offer that reasonably was lutron.