The world’s largest HomeKit gadgets show is in full swing again: the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2019 in Las Vegas. And that also means a lot of new devices that work with HomeKit. Time for an overview.
CES 2019: substantial expansion of the HomeKit gadgets
The most diverse innovations are shown for the first time to the general public during CES. Apple itself does not participate in the tech fair, but that does not mean that the company from Cupertino is not working.
Apple has made a lot of agreements with manufacturers to present their HomeKit gadgets during CES 2019. After this week the assortment for Apple’s ecosystem in the house is also a lot bigger. iPhone will list all the new HomeKit products for you.
1.Eve Energy Strip & Eve Light Strip
Eve is already strongly represented in the currently relatively small range of HomeKit devices. The manufacturer of smart home products does not like it and presents the Light Strip and Energy Strip at CES. These were announced last summer at the IFA 2018 in Berlin, but will finally be available early this year.
The Light Strip is a light tube that you can set in various colors and whites via Siri or the Woning app on your iPhone, Mac or iPad. The Energy Strip is no more than a smart power strip with room for three plugs. This allows you to keep track of the energy consumption of connected devices and set up time schedules.
2. Wemo smart light switch
Wemo – part of manufacturer Belkin – brings a smart light switch on the market later this year. Various light dimmers, including IKEA and Lightwave, are already available for HomeKit.
But this variant of Wemo also promises to be an affordable way to control your smart home lighting with your voice or at the touch of a button. The switches cost between 40 and 50 dollars.
3. Netatmo video doorbell
While Nest’s popular video door and thermostats still do not offer HomeKit support, Netatmo is launching the first smart doorbell for HomeKit. If someone rings the door, you can open the House app to see who is on the sidewalk. Or simply ask Siri to show it.
What’s also nice about such a doorbell is that you can adjust smart outdoor lighting and motion sensors. For example, in the Woning app, you can build scenes that the outdoor lighting will jump on as soon as someone rings the doorbell. It is not yet known how much the video doorbell has to cost. It is clear that the device will only be sold in the second half of this year.
4. AirPlay 2, HomeKit and Siri on TVs Sony, LG & Samsung
This year, Apple is taking a big step by incorporating AirPlay and iTunes into smart TVs from other major electronics brands. Siri and HomeKit support are also added, so you can also combine your television with other smart devices.
Samsung thus had the scoop, but now LG and Sony have also announced that they will use Apple’s apps and software. LG adds it to all smart TVs produced in 2019, and Sony only to its latest high-end models released this year.
5. Video hub with The Brilliant Control
Although you can control your smart home from the Home app, some people may prefer a physical ‘remote control’ for their home. Brilliant adds HomeKit support to The Brilliant Control later this year.
This is a hub/light switch with a touchscreen on it. From that screen, you control your house in all sorts of ways, and you can also use the previously mentioned doorbell of Netatmo with it.
6.TP-Link smart plug
Another fine addition to the HomeKit range is the Kasa Smart Plug Mini from TP-Link. This smart plug has been working with Amazons Alexa for a long time, but will soon also be operated with Siri. The nice thing is that the price is very friendly: the plug goes via Amazon over the counter for only 25 dollars. It remains to be seen when the plug is also available in the Netherlands, and at what price.
7. A completely smart security system from Arlo
Securing your home completely with smart equipment can be quite pricey. But Arlo has succeeded in developing a relatively complete security system that you can use with your Apple devices. The Arlo Security System is a smart set that consists of a multisensor, siren and remote control.
The multisensor detects all sorts of suspicious things, such as open windows and doors, movements, smoke, carbon monoxide in the air or water leaks. If something suspicious happens, you get a notification and you can let the siren go off. You can also play fake sounds so that it looks like a dog is at home or someone watches TV.
8. Smart locks with HomeKit support
If you want a smart lock on your front door, with HomeKit you currently only have the Danalock lock as an option. There will be two options in 2019 because manufacturers Mighton and Kwikset both present a HomeKit-friendly lock at CES.
The variant of Kwikset has a screen above the lock, where you enter a code. Of course, you can also unlock Siri or the Woning app. It is not clear when this slot comes to the Netherlands. The Mighton Avia has a familiar door handle, with a clever button underneath. What this item will cost will be announced later.
9. Gardena Smart System automates your garden
A smart home is not limited to the walls of your home, because your garden can now also be automated for a good part. The manufacturer Gardena contributes to this by giving the Smart System products a software update, so that these can be added to HomeKit. You can choose among various smart nozzles, moisture meters for in the ground and a smart water manager for all your sprinklers.
10. HomeKit shower from Moen and Kohler smart faucet
At CES, manufacturers announce the most diverse products, and this year a number of special new HomeKit devices have also been added. For example, this year we can expect a smart crane from Kohler, so you can give orders like: ‘Hey Siri, tap 500 milliliters of water’.
A second in this category is Moen’s smart shower, which this year launches a HomeKit-compatible version of it. So your complete morning routine will soon be automated, and you will receive a notification, for example, when the shower has reached the desired temperature.