Getting started with a HomeKit smart home

 A constantly growing number of compatible smart home products and ever deeper integration into operating systems: Apple's HomeKit has developed into an interesting smart home platform. We explain what you should pay attention to if you want to realize your Smart Home with HomeKit.

What is Apple HomeKit?

HomeKit is a software platform from Apple with which compatible smart home products can be centrally controlled. The devices are set up and operated via Apple's Home App, which was introduced with version 10 of the mobile operating system iOS and is now also available on the desktop operating system macOS and on Apple Watch. In addition, HomeKit-compatible products can also be controlled with voice commands via Siri.

Advantages and disadvantages of HomeKit

HomeKit Advantages

If you have several networked devices, you know the problem: To use the different products, you have to use the respective app of the manufacturer, which quickly gets annoying in everyday life. HomeKit wants to solve this problem: All HomeKit-compatible products can be configured and operated centrally with Apple's Home App.Another advantage of HomeKit is the relatively simple setup and configuration of the smart home. New devices can, for example, be added to an existing HomeKit system by photographing a small code with the Home app, which is usually located on the underside of the device. The setup of command sequences to automate the Smart Home is also relatively intuitive. For example, the light can be switched on automatically when the occupant arrives at home (after sunset). Compared to most other smart home systems, HomeKit also does not require an additional control center ("Smart Home Hub"), for which additional costs are incurred when setting up a Smart Home. More precisely: HomeKit does not necessarily require a hub, as the smart home devices can be controlled directly from an iPhone or iPad. However, if you want to access your Smart Home while on the move, for example to turn off the lights or turn down the heating, you need an Apple TV, an Apple TV 4K or an iPad (which must of course be at home) as the control center. After all, there are no additional costs if one of these devices is already available. Finally, Apple representatives repeatedly stress how important data protection is to them. It's up to everyone to decide for themselves whether they believe this promise. With regard to data protection breakdowns and scandals, however, Apple is at least much less likely to be in the headlines than Google - which is probably also due to the fact that Apple primarily generates revenue from the sale of hardware and therefore presumably has no such pronounced interest in accumulating data about its customers (here you can find more information about data protection in the smart home).

The HomeKit advantages:

• one app for all (HomeKit-compatible) Smart Home devices
• intuitive setup and operation
• (if applicable) existing Apple TV can be used as Smart Home control panel
• (presumably) high data protection standards

HomeKit Disadvantages

No matter if Macbook, iPhone or Apple Watch: Apple is known for its high prices. Most manufacturers of HomeKit accessories seem to follow this pricing strategy and demand an "Apple surcharge" for their products. Anyone who wants to network their entire home with HomeKit will quickly invest thousand dollars. After all, Chinese companies such as Koogeeek have been pushing their way into the market for some time now, offering their products at a much lower price than their established competitors. A further problem can be insufficient radio range: Many HomeKit devices communicate via Bluetooth with the iPhone or a control centre such as the Apple TV. If the Apple TV is located on the ground floor, HomeKit devices located on the first or second floor may no longer be accessible. The problem can be solved with another Apple TV for the upper floors or by using HomeKit products that rely on WLAN instead of Bluetooth.Those who want to build their Smart Home with HomeKit should be aware that the system can only be operated with Apple devices. If iPhones are used throughout the household anyway, this disadvantage is no longer relevant. But if, for example, the children are equipped with Android smartphones, they will not be able to control the system. Also the automatic presence and absence detection based on the location of the smartphones only works with Apple devices.

The HomeKit disadvantages:

• high prices for HomeKit accessories
• limited (radio) range
• requires Apple devices for control
• select HomeKit compatible products

While at the start of the HomeKit platform the selection of compatible hardware was still very manageable, the number of corresponding products is now almost unclear, as the search for "HomeKit" on Amazon* shows. We present you some HomeKit-compatible products, which we have tried and tested in the past years mostly by ourselves.

Door and window sensor

With HomeKit-enabled door and window sensors, you can set up a simple alarm system. For example, you can use a push message to be notified when a window or door is opened during your absence. In addition, you can turn on the lights and activate a siren connected to a HomeKit-compatible outlet.It also makes sense to work with HomeKit-compatible radiator thermostats: In this way, the thermostat can be turned off automatically as soon as a window in the same room is opened. While you are airing, you are no longer heating "out of the window".

Xiaomi Aqara window door sensor

This Aqara sensor is simply stuck to the door or window and is available as a trigger in your HomeKit system after setup. Although the sensor has a restrained design, it could be a bit more compact for our taste.

Lighting

With HomeKit compatible light sources you can automatically switch the lighting on or off at certain times or occasions (time, arrival of residents, etc.). Voice control with Siri ("Hey Siri, turn off the light in the bedroom") and linking to other devices or sensors are also possible: If the front door is opened after sunset, the light in the hallway should be switched on automatically and switched off again after 10 minutes.

Comprehensive lighting system: Philips Hue

Philips Hue's networked lighting system is very popular with smart home users, as many indoor and outdoor light sources are now available. Unlike most other HomeKit products, however, the system requires an additional hub as the control center, the so-called "Philips Hue Bridge". In addition, the Philips Hue products are expensive, even though they are available at significant discounts in the context of discount campaigns such as Black Friday.

Indoor surveillance camera: Netatmo Welcome

The Netatmo Welcome surveillance camera is now HomeKit capable thanks to a software update. Unlike many competing products, there is no subscription fee for using the camera, as recordings are stored locally on a memory card in the camera (and optionally in the Dropbox or an FTP server).With regard to privacy, we like the face recognition function: If desired, only unknown or unidentifiable (e.g. masked) persons will be recorded, familiar faces will not be recorded. We consider the price of around 180 dollars to be appropriate in view of the high functional scope