Spring 2024 - Which Apple Home products are a good buy?

[@odc43054]

I bought two of the Tuo switches to work with HomeKit. Both were a pain to configure and neither worked for more than a couple hours. Returning them to Amazon.

[@John-Smith-1]

I'm really excited for Matter to bring new device categories to Apple Home users in the coming years! I only purchase smarthome products that work with Thread, and I do not purchase anything that requires an additional hub. All of my smarthome products connect to my HomePods / HomePod Minis / Apple TVs using Thread! Will security cameras (indoor/outdoor/doorbell) ever work with Thread?

[@JohnSmith-sb7sh]

Do you recommend a particular carbon monoxide sensor that works with HomeKit?

[@deputyvillageidiot]

My Honeywell security system (Honeywell Lyric) is compatible with HomeKit, and all of its sensors are exposed to the Home app., except what they call life safety sensors, because Apple doesn’t allow that. So its motion sensors can be used to trigger automations, as well as its contact sensors, and glass breakage sensors, but Apple doesn’t allow smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and heat detectors to be exposed.

[@deputyvillageidiot]

Why does my reply keep getting deleted?

[@grahamwalker9612]

I didn’t hear you tell us what’s your favorite smart lock was for the home. I heard you mentioned that you were going to, but never heard anything more about it later in the video so my question is what is the best?

[@johnmcghee3963]

5:51 “my current pick for home key lock”

[@steveliberty]

I think the smart outlets from Eve and others will be really nice upgrades in my home. Using smart plugs is fine, but this will be neater and take up less space when behind furniture. I have a Level Bolt smart lock currently, and really like it, but it doesn't support HomeKey. Level makes another lock that does support HomeKey, but it doesn't include the keypad like the Schlage (I have a Level Keypad seperatly on the door). Not sure I like the physical size of the Schlage. Although integrating the keypad does sort of justify it. But, I might just use an NFC tag to open and close my existing Level Bolt. I do have a couple of non-Homekit non-Matter devices and I would like to replace them so that I can get rid of Scripted. One is my Ring Video Doorbell. Will consider maybe the Logitech or something else that supports Homekit natively or Matter when I am ready. I also have an outdoor camera in my garage in the Northeast US that needs Scripted but I think I will be able to retire that one without replacing when I move later this year to the Southeast US. Already have the Aqara Door/Window sensor, and the Tuo button, both are great.

[@nickpanzeca7640]

Does anyone know when the Eve smart outlets will be released?

[@ThemelisPikos]

Might have to start investing in some of those buttons. I need manufacturers to go all in on Thread already. WiFi smart home devices begone!

[@kclaxton1]

What’s the best option for a mesh WiFi routers for my HomeKit home

[@sneymom]

For goodness sake can HK ( I have soooo many apps already one more is insanity) update the UI to allow for light temperature and color setting entry directly and not the ridiculous circle dot drag…….

[@zagohcap]

I've found that the best Apple Home product is just Home Assistant. The best Homekit camera is Scrypted. I have 3 Reolink PoE color night cameras hooked up to an NVR AND Homekit Secure video. Best of both worlds and beyond any official HKSV camera. I wish there was a lever lock Homekey lock too. Zero options currently.

[@mikemccormick6128]

Do you mean Level Lock? The Level Lock+ absolutely does have support for Apple Home Keys. I was going to buy one until I did my research and found out that unlocking the door using Home Keys is very hit or miss. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work. The Schlage Encode Plus works every time, so that is the one I bought. For anyone in the Apple Ecosystem though, I would strongly recommend only adding the Encode Plus to HomeKit and not through the Schlage app. If you go through the Schlage app, you will have to use WiFi which will give you only a couple of months of battery life. If you set it up through HomeKit instead, you will be using Thread, which will give you a year of battery life.

[@Aidan-tu4un]

For the benefit of your international viewers, when you review smart sockets, please can you check if the manufacturer makes versions that can be used with, say, euro plugs or UK plugs…

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

The first smarthome improvement I'm going to do in 2024 is to try to improve the networking inside my house. I know it's going to be the first thing because I've already bought a new Unifi gateway but haven't installed it yet. I have also come to the conclusion that the layout of my house is such that I need a second wifi access point to get good coverage everywhere, but I haven't ordered that yet. I also want to wire up at least one smart camera outside the house, with the noble goal of trying to watch the chickadees coming-and-going in the winter months (which is when I put birdseed out for them).. After that I'll probably go for a new HomePod. I have one HomePod Mini in m downstairs office, but I want to move that upstairs and then get a full-fledged HomePod for the office.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

... and hopefully at least one doorbell which includes at least one downward-facing camera to check for packages. Maybe one for the front door, and one for the back door.

[@roberto.gallegos]

Can you use the opal with Apple TV with face time

[@nicolascostao]

Is there any smart lock for a glass sliding door that also works with HomeKit? It seems no body is making these

[@MeadowsWorkshop]

Hey, Eric. What mounting arm are you using on your desk for your mic setup?

[@snakx7053]

It looks like the "Rode PSA1+ Studio Boom Arm"

[@EricWelander]

@snakx7053 that’s correct

[@trucker4life333]

I wish there was just 1 brand of home security I could buy and go crazy. I hate having a bunch of different products to use homekit

[@lorenipsum93]

I've always wondered, why aren't there any smart locks that lock both the deadbolt and the handle? probably because of all the different handle variations there are.

[@vboom15]

I got the logitech circle view camera and the circle view doorbell. I'm trying to get a third camera and both the eufy camera and the ecobee smart camera seems not to work properly with homekit. The eufy camera desable all activity zones, including the logitech cameras ones. I setup the ecobee smart camera and now it is doing the same. For some reason, it seems that once you get logitechs you can't add a different brand, because the activity zones won't work and you will start getting "motion sensor detected" notifications for stuff outside the activity zone. Does anyone have a solution for this? I have look several videos and I have not been able to find anyone talking anout this.

[@CameronYoung-n4v]

Nice call on the Nanoleaf lightstrips! Those colors really bring the wow factor

[@mikewolf5367]

100% HomePod and Apple TV

[@scottspiro4876]

Hi Eric, I’ve ran into some challenges with Home Key. I’ve got the Schlage Wireless Encode Plus and while my wife and I can my phone and Apple Watch/iphone no problem, the kids devices seem not to work. Also, for guests, you STILL have to assign them a code. You cannot set it up to allow them to use their Apple Watches etc. Has that been your experience as well?

[@xitsjulix]

Children who are not 13 years old (or the age raised in your country, for example Germany with 16), thea cannot use apple pay or nfc cards like a home key

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Concerning the Schlage smart lock. They claim 6 month battery life but I watched one video where the guy loves it but he can only get two months out of batteries on it. Anyone else have better info. Two months is pretty weak

[@SmartHomeTheory]

Nice stuff, Eric. Very well put together list and great production quality. Liked and subbed. I'm actually putting together a HomeKit video at the moment, do you mind if I use a short clip from your video as b-roll?

[@Vlan3D]

I would like to recommend Aqara wireless mini switch instead the TUO .

[@nn2z]

There does not seem to be a way to upgrade firmware on aqara P2 door sensor just with homekit we may need m3 hub. Thoughts ?

[@EricWelander]

You need to set it up in the Aqara app to update firmware

[@nn2z]

I thought it would not add P2 senor matter only sensor. if I am missing something let me know as it is not listed in the menu. No hub here @@EricWelander

[@TerraMagnus]

I’m liking the Yale Assure Lock 2. No mechanical keyhole to pick. And it’s convenient to open with Apple Watch or iPhone. My only misgiving is that it’s Bluetooth instead of Matter over Thread.

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Picking locks is the least of your worries though. Criminals will just bust a door in or go through a window anyway. Not many lock picking pros in the street crime world

[@BV35]

GREAT Video AS USUAL - THANKS - I would like love to see Doorbell, Security Kits, Lights and Camera - but the kind the would also have manual interfaces (like with the lights) I am the geek in the household :) but my wife not so much. Also I have an elderly Mom and would like to put some HomeKit items for me to check up on her.

[@Dr_Cole]

Great video, Eric. I love the 2024 considerations shortly after CES. To me, CES was a bit of a let down on new tech for the SmartHome vs. advancements to existing tech. Nevertheless, I think all of us can find something in here that we’ll want to upgrade/add this year.

[@jsze8772]

hey eric do you experience Schlage encode plus bing no response when using apple tv as home hub? when i switch over to homepod mini and work fine ,

[@camerongrinnell-wright9250]

Apple wallet is not available to kids under 13

[@RyGuyVidz]

Eric, have you seen any RF blasters compatible with homekit? Not IR, but RF.

[@mr.k3676]

I have a question. If I have a home pod mini do I need a separate Aqara hub or any hub to add the non thread Aqara sensors? Thanks and great content.

[@EricWelander]

Yes you would need the Aqara hub for non-Matter-over-thread devices

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you for the video. Just getting started with Apple Home and need to learn a lot, even what Matter is. Like how to control lights like we do with Echo and the A Lady as we call her. Need to learn a lot more.

[@Pranilkarki551]

Any hardwired smart dimmer switch works with hub

[@TerraMagnus]

Eve is sooo expensive for what you’re getting.

[@paulwoodward8265]

Onboarding Nanoleaf matter bulbs is a nightmare. Is the matter light strip any better I wonder?

[@HesperianHorsePower]

What was difficult? I haven’t experienced that

[@BrandonDoyleMN]

We love our Schlage encode plus, will be testing the aqara, u-tec and the new lockly visage

[@HesperianHorsePower]

What kind of timeframe do you get out of a set of batteries in the Schlage? I want to get one but trying to figure out the battery usage. They claim 6 months I think but I saw a video stating he was only getting 2 months.

[@BrandonDoyleMN]

@@HesperianHorsePower it’s about 6 months

[@jaycorbin]

Is it even possible to make a 100% native HomeKit home? There are so many gaps in their product line and capability they could have filled if they spent the time on that instead of developing the “Vision Pro” paperweight

[@HesperianHorsePower]

lol Vision Pro is hardly a paperweight even if you don’t want one.

[@jaycorbin]

@@HesperianHorsePower so far the only thing it can do is play Apple TV+ as your neck is broken by the weight of the goggles.

[@willito6969]

aqara sensors uses batteries??

[@hubbiemid6209]

video on aqara u100 vs schlage encode plus?

[@EricWelander]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@hubbiemid6209]

@@EricWelander i ended up buying the u50! ur channel helped a lot, thank u!

[@nickpanzeca7640]

Any idea when the Eve outlet is coming out?

[@EricWelander]

Last I heard it’s early February

[@nickpanzeca7640]

@@EricWelander thank you Eric!

[@jockaud]

Would you put off buying the HomePod 2 until Apple incorporates AI into this unit?

[@richardgarno6591]

For me, the TV’s that work with Apple HomeKit, and the accent lighting are most-interesting. I have a couple of areas where I would add the GE and Gobee lights now, if they were available. The TV is more of a future purchase.

[@abbofun9022]

Why not buy an AppleTV? Then your actual TV can be a simple one

[@EricWelander]

Sounds like a good plan! Thanks for sharing

[@EricWelander]

Apple TV could make sense and it’s why I mentioned it with the HomePods. But outside of audio for everything with eARC it only covers content you’d want to watch on that box. For some people that’s everything but not for others

[@christianhotter]

Nice recommendations!

[@ArunKonanur]

I’ve said it before elsewhere, but I’m fairly certain “Schlage” is pronounced “Sh-La-guh” - think how Schwarzenegger would say it. 😅

[@zizimugen4470]

1:12 just don’t get a Vizio HomeKit tv.

[@kwongchu5397]

Don't see the point with Homekit TVs, most Homekit user will be using an Apple TV hub anyway. My LG OLED is not even connected to the internet, I don't need LG showing me ads or knowing my viewing habits.

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Every other device you own already knows your viewing habits and are likely selling it to folks like LG anyway to be fair.

[@nickpanzeca7640]

I have original nanaoleaf essentials thread bulbs. Is it imperative to update to the matter over thread nanoleaf bulbs? Or are the original bulbs still sufficient? Thank you

[@Max86421]

Matter smart devices save Apple HomeKit 💯 🍎

[@TerraMagnus]

The Aqara Matter over Thread door/window sensors are nice. Very low latency (feelings instantaneous) and reliable for me so far.

[@Bigglare]

eggo syrup, 5.1 or higher with homepod minis. Please don't ever recommend Nanoleaf Matter bulbs worst possible device even in same room with your thread router despite every other thread device in home being rock solid.

[@asapierre1088]

I have Nanoleaf bulbs and they never gave any issues. One room even has 4 bulbs

[@troublesomeandrew]

@@asapierre1088 you’re lucky there really buggy

[@TerraMagnus]

I have a number of Nanoleaf Essentials Matter bulbs and they are better than my Hue bulbs. I quite like them.

[@AgWhatsUp]

@@TerraMagnusI also got Nanoleaf thread bulbs to replace my unreliable hue bulbs and it was the best smart home decision I ever made

[@noel203]

I’ve got 16 nanoleaf bulbs clustered in a single lamp. Works pretty solid.

[@Max86421]

I'm using Google nest hub max 👌

[@miHah]

I like your video overall, but please, don't sellout so easy the next time. Opal Tadpole is worse compared to MacBook original camera + microphone.

[@HesperianHorsePower]

The original MacBook camera is better? Hardly

[@DjBlaaack]

Shout out to you for almost cutting your hand in the unboxing

[@bartjanremers]

Would handoff work with this? than it would be a nice thing combined with the ethernet.

[@LasVejas]

yay first

[@HesperianHorsePower]

Yay last! 😃

[@CapitanGreenhat]

None, Apple sucks. Go with a company other than apple

[@ghosthorse77]

NONE!