The SwitchBot Universal Remote with MATTER (sort of) - a Leap Forward or a Step back?

The Switchbot Universal Remote is a bit of an oddity, in that in a smart home world, where we’re looking to have as much as possible just work without us having to do anything, this has entered that very world. Is it a step back, or does it really offer genuine use cases. I think it does to an extent, although there are reasons why I think it could be better. Watch to find out more.
**NEW** SwitchBot has just pushed a firmware update that allows the Universal Remote to work with Apple TV, as well as Amazon's own line of Fire TV streaming devices.
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Timestamps:
0:00 intro
0:11 Introduction
0:53 What's in the box?
1:42 A closer look
2:28 Initial setup
3:39 Quick tests (curtain & blind)
4:42 Settings & options
5:22 No more lost remote
5:38 The display & more
6:14 Pros vs Cons
7:53 Outro
#applehome #smarthome #homeautomation #homekit #matter #switchbot

[@cantatacsfr]

So we got some competition now.

[@Dr_Cole]

Interesting remote. I think your summary of this device - currently - being akin to a glorified smart button is accurate. The upcoming controls for new devices, such as Apple TV, obliterates that comparison. Indeed, so does the current control of HVAC units and others. I just don’t know how handy this will be given that it seems best if you take it throughout the home. And the only device with which I do this is my phone… which can largely do all of these functions anyhow. Great review as always!

[@homekitnews]

I feel this is going to be just another tool in the smart home, but one that may be more familiar to family members that don’t otherwise participate in the smart home experience. Maybe that’ll change, as you say, if/when Apple TV support arrives.

[@matthias_petrat]

Great Video 👌🏻

[@jeanmichelgonzuna1173]

Great review ! If I have Philips Hue lights on Apple Home Kit, will I be able to control them with this remote?

[@homekitnews]

Yes, although you would only get on/off control or if they were part of a scene, you could activate that scene.

[@rockev]

If the hub is in my bedroom, can i use the remote in my living room ?

[@homekitnews]

In one respect it depends on how far one room is from the other. If you are controlling either devices via Matter or other SwitchBot devices connected to the hub, the remote has to be within Bluetooth range. Walls and doors will diminish the reach of the Bluetooth signal, but not usually totally stop it. If you are controlling dumb devices via the IR inside the remote, then being disconnected from the hub doesn’t make any difference, as the remote is self sufficient in this respect, as long as you’ve programmed the remote to control the device.

[@minh_tommy]

Is there an option to change the remote's language ?

[@homekitnews]

You have three language options - Chinese, Japanese, and English.

[@williamcoloma9129]

Does this work with fire sticks and fire tvs??? Great video

[@homekitnews]

There is an update that adds support for Fire TV integration, but as I don’t have any Fire TV devices I can’t tell you how well it works. One thing to note is that the update that adds this functionality seems to have introduced bugs which make the device worse than it was before. Hopefully they’ll fix these bugs, as I’ve already made them aware of the issues I encountered.

[@ivica7092]

Yeah you need a hub but it lets you control AC etc. not sure about that approach but I can see this going in right direction if it is hub itself that would be freaking awesome

[@Robertus85]

Is there a mic?

[@homekitnews]

No, there isn’t a mic built into it.

[@aftabsheikh1575]

If the home kit connect via Matter, does it mean in the future other matter hubs like Smartthings and Alexa will work too?

[@homekitnews]

Alexa and SmartThings already support Matter, so if you have a suitable SwitchBot hub this remote can be exposed to those platforms too.