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Kwikset and Mighton unveil HomeKit-friendly smart locks
Apple is bent on extending HomeKit's reach at CES this year, and you don't need to look much further than the smart lock world for proof. Kwikset and Mighton Products are both unveiling locks that can take advantage of HomeKit, such as unlocking the door through Siri. Kwikset is unveiling contemporary-looking versions of the Premis (above), a touchscreen-equipped deadbolt that comes in thoroughly modern (if not exactly adventurous) nickel and black hues. It's reaching the US sometime in 2019 for $229.
Belkin's latest Wemo light switches work natively with HomeKit
Until now, using one of Belkin's Wemo Light Switches with Apple's HomeKit has meant attaching a bridge. No more: Belkin is introducing new Light Switches that take advantage of Apple's software-based authentication to offer native HomeKit support. In other words, you don't have to think much about your setup -- you can flick a switch and know that it'll turn on all the lights in your Home app rooms. This isn't completely novel (Philips added HomeKit support to the Hue Tap in 2017), but it's certainly helpful.
Netatmo unveils the first HomeKit-friendly video doorbell
Apple's HomeKit doesn't have a wide range of device support, but that's changing very shortly. Netatmo has unveiled the Smart Video Doorbell, which it says is the first doorbell to support HomeKit. You can view it through the Home app, or ask Siri to show you the doorbell when someone's waiting outside. And yes, it'll integrate nicely with your other devices -- you can turn on the porch lights the moment the device spots someone at the front door.
GE's latest smart lighting includes Alexa and HomeKit options
Creating a smart home can be a complicated affair, with myriad options for adding voice control and automation to your lights, window coverings, thermostats and more. GE wants to simplify your options (with its own branded products, of course) with some new smart ceiling fixtures, wall switches, and lamps for 2018.
Apple ignored a major HomeKit security flaw for six weeks
Apple's HomeKit home automation platform is sold on the basis of security, privacy and trust -- users had to buy brand-new accessories with Apple-approved security components just to get it up and running. But back in October a developer uncovered a huge vulnerability which essentially meant a stranger, with some basic tech know-how and an Apple Watch, could waltz right on in to your home. And Apple has only just fixed it.
Apple releases iOS 11.2.1 to restore limited HomeKit functionality
Apple has released iOS 11.2.1 for iPhone and iPad following last week's discovery that HomeKit had a major security vulnerability. The bug, first reported by 9to5Mac, allowed unauthorized users to access connected smart devices like lights, thermostats, locks and garage door openers. Apple's server-side fix of the issue corrected the problem but also disabled remote access to shared users. That functionality is now restored with the update.
iOS HomeKit bug exposed smart locks to unauthorized access
Apple has another security issue to deal with. As 9to5Mac reports today, Apple's HomeKit framework has a vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to connected smart devices like locks and garage door openers. Apple has already put in a server-side fix that rectifies the issue, but the fix also disables remote access to shared users. Apple says that the reduced functionality will be restored with an iOS 11.2 update next week.
Engadget UK giveaway: Win a smart heating system courtesy of Tado
There's nothing like cosying up in front of a roaring fire during the Christmas holidays, but you can't exactly stoke the embers from your smartphone on the way home from work. Turning your central heating up to tropical temperatures from afar is something you can do with Tado's smart heating system, though. This week, we're giving away one of Tado's connected thermostat starter kits, two smart radiator valves for creating specific heating zones, and free installation for the lot. The smart thermostat also works with Alexa, Siri and Google's Assistant, so there are plenty of ways to fiddle with the dial without taking your hands out of those toasty pockets. Go ahead and get your entries in via the Rafflecopter widget below, but make sure to familiarise yourself with the giveaway rules first.
IKEA’s smart lighting officially supports HomeKit
After what seems like an eternity (for IKEA and HomeKit fans, at least), the Swedish furniture maker has added support for Apple's smart home platform. As 9to5Mac notes, so long as you have the company's Tradfri hub installed at your house, you'll be able to start controlling the lighting via your iOS device. It's worth noting that, this will only work with smart lightbulbs at this time; dimmer switches aren't online just yet. More than that, the hub integrates with Amazon's Alexa so if you aren't all-in on HomeKit, you can still use voice commands to turn your lights on and off. Google Assistant support isn't included in this update, however.
Philips retroactively adds extra HomeKit support to Hue
Philips has added HomeKit support to a number of existing Hue accessories, expanding their capabilities and making them easier to configure. With the latest software update Hue tap, dimmer switch and motion sensor will all be compatible with Apple' Home app. Tap and dimmer switch can now be configured with HomeKit scenes and can be used to control other accessories (not just Hue lights), while motion sensor will now appear in the Home app as a sensor that can activate both HomeKit scenes and other automations. As well as retroactively adding HomeKit features, the latest update for iOS also brings scheduled automatic updates to accessories, plus the option to reset them to their default state.
Lowe’s Iris smart home system can connect to your Nest thermostat
Home improvement retailer Lowe's continues to update its Iris smart home system. Originally released in 2014, it added mobile set up, remote monitoring and subscription-based emergency services to it's offered services. Now you can manage your home's temperature with Iris, via a new integration with the Nest learning thermostat.
Android phones can now open Schlage's premium smart lock
Android users in search of a smart lock now have another option available to them. On top of its existing iOS (and HomeKit) support, Schlage is adding compatibility for Google's OS to its top-of-the-line Smart Deadlock. That's not all, if you're willing to fork out an extra $70 you can also grab the company's new Sense Wi-Fi adapter, allowing you to control the smart lock from anywhere.
IKEA smart lights will play nicely with Apple HomeKit this fall (update)
IKEA's Tradfri smart lighting line is an impressive system at a relatively affordable price point, and it just got even better. Earlier this year, IKEA announced that it would be integrating Tradfri with Apple's HomeKit. Today, the Swedish furniture company pushed an update to all existing hubs that does just that. What's more, Ikea bulbs will now work with Philips devices, meaning you don't have to buy an IKEA hub if you have a Hue Bridge compatible with HomeKit. Bulbs will come in multiple colors starting in October.
Take HomeKit devices for a spin at a handful of Apple Stores
As a mark of just how serious Apple is about its smart home initiatives, the company has built HomeKit into 46 of its brick and mortar stores. That means if you stop into the Union Square location in San Francisco or the World Trade Center and Williamsburg stores in New York you'll be able to give the IoT suite a test run, TechCrunch writes. Some 28 other stores throughout the country will have the demos up and running. If you don't have one of the fancy stores, you'll have to settle for non-interactive literature and the like. Ugh.
Logitech's human-spotting Nest cam rival works outdoors
Back in 2015, Logitech took one look at Dropcam / Nest's home security cameras and thought it could do better. It released Circle, a cute ball that could monitor your dwelling and even stream video for three hours untethered from the socket. Two years later, and the company is launching the Circle 2, which looks a lot more like Nest's outdoor camera, and similarly works outside. Kinda. If you don't live in a perma-dry state, you'll need to plump for a weatherproof accessory to protect the cabling from the elements.
Apple brings multiroom speaker support to HomeKit with AirPlay 2
Apple's HomeKit has provided iPhone and iPad users with a simple platform to connect multiple smart home devices, but it's shied away from one of the most important gadgets: speakers. Before revealing the rumored Siri speaker, the company announced today that it's expanding its smart home hub to support a large number of third-party audio hardware.
Siri will soon control Belkin's WeMo smart switches
WeMo, Belkin's line of smart light switches and plugs, will soon be compatible with Apple's HomeKit. Its products already give you a way to control the electronics in your home wherever you are, but HomeKit support means you'll be able to ask Siri to do it for you. You can, for instance, tell virtual assistant to "dim the lights in the living room" or switch them on or off completely. That said, you'll have to do more than update your software or download an app to get that feature. You'll have to get WeMo's upcoming HomeKit-enabled device called Bridge to be able to ask Siri on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch to control supported devices.
IKEA's affordable smart lights will dim with your voice
Last month, IKEA launched its own line of low-cost smart lighting, called TRÅDFRI, and up until now, users have had to rely on a remote control or a proprietary app to use the product. But no longer. Today, the Swedish retailer announced that their IKEA Home Smart products will respond to voice commands from Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant starting this summer. Additionally, the product line will integrate with Apple's HomeKit. "With IKEA Home Smart we challenge everything that is complicated and expensive with the connected home. Making our products work with others on the market takes us one step closer to meet people's needs, making it easier to interact with your smart home products," said IKEA Home Smart's business leader Björn Block.
Indiegogo backers get their smart lock... two years later
Friday Labs has finally begun shipping the smart locks it promised its Indiegogo backers way back in 2015. Long waiting periods like this are definitely one of the most important things to take into consideration when backing crowdfunding projects. But, hey, at least this one didn't fold without shipping even a single product. In fact, the startup has also begun accepting pre-orders for those who didn't get to back the campaign. Non-backer purchases won't ship until next month or so, though, and it will set you back the device's full retail price ($249).
Logitech's Pop buttons can control Apple HomeKit devices
Smart devices give you more control of your home while simultaneously making it more complicated. Logitech launched its Pop Smart Button last year to help simplify things a bit, and now they've made it more useful with Apple HomeKit compatibility. That'll let you control any HomeKit peripheral using the button, including Honeywell Lyric thermostats, Philips Hue Lights, iHome smartplugs and more. There is a catch: You'll need the Pop button bridge, which will be sold exclusively by Apple to start with.
