Gonna drop some quick feedback here. I get REALLY overwhelmed by youtube tech reviewers and their over the top personalities, I always catch myself feeling anxious when I watch their vids and didn't really realize it until recently. You have an incredibly human approach when it comes to your videos and I don't really feel like I'm watching an ad, or someone trying to get me excited for something that I have no business being excited about. Keep it up homie.
Yeah I agree with you. Their antics are just way too much. I find myself watching someone with 100 subs instead just to avoid the antics. Paul Hibert I think his name is comes to mind. It’s too much
I’ve been looking to get into the automation space for a while and your video is the first that I’ve found that isn’t overwhelming. Everybody else makes convenient assumptions and doesn’t cater to the layman. Great job!
Great video! Caseta light switches are the way to go. You can pair multiple remotes to your main light switch. I just got the caseta hub and connected all my light switches to the lutron app. It has an away from home mode where it’ll turn on random lights at night to make it seem like some one is home
Nice video! Living on the Google Assistant & Home Assistant side of things myself. But interesting to see the different ways of doing it. Though I have setup HomeBridge too for some of the GF's devices. As she's in Apple HomeKit world herself. Nice to see the other side of things really is thriving too. In case we make changes in the future. This is probably the first all HomeKit setup I've really seen like this. Props for going for it and doing a really nice setup.
Living in my college dorm, my schools network does not work with my HomeKit devices. I had to improvise by buying a cheap $50 router with ethernet ports, and then have its network source be the ethernet port in my room. This allows my Apple TV and OG HomePod to connect all my devices and it works well. Motion from my Aqara camera with recording allows me to see who comes into my room when I am not there. For my lights, I have a Meross light that changes different colors. Thankfully, none of them require hubs. At my house, I have a Raspberry Pi running home bridge for our Chamberlin MyQ. I have a HomePod mini running as the hub. Previously, I had two jailbroken iPhone 6's running as hubs once but replaced them. This is a solid setup
Cool video!! just wanted to know if there’s any difference between the Lutron and Leviton switches & do you have any links to get all your products in Canada?
Hi Steven, I am a major listener of the apple insider podcast, you shouted me out again on the latest episode of the apple insider podcast. just to say I love your channel and I hope you realise more brilliant videos like this!😀
My most favourite part of Apple Home is Siri announcing who pressed the doorbell, based on your registered faces in your iCloud Photos library, on all HomePods saying “It looks like (Name) is at the door.”
@@duarte_nicolau there are only a few doorbells out there that support Apple Home: Logi Circle, Wemo, Aqara (battery) are the famous ones I know. Netatmo has Apple Home support, but doesn’t have HomeKit Secure Video support (required for this feature).
a great video, i am currently building my new house and i wish to make it smart and not really detailly smart. i just want to focus on smart gate, doors, security and lighting do you have any advice for me
Very cool, well thought out. I've been slowly over time doing a similar thing as I've grown to really like the simplicity of having everything in one management pane. There are a few once in a while vendor specific apps for more high level configuration things (looking at you aqara) like adjusting cameras, but im fine with that for now. I will say one thing, It would drive me crazy having so many different Eco-systems light switches. I've stuck with one vendor for mine, I guess its just my mild OCD.
New sub! Can’t put my finger on it, but you actually sound a lot like an Apple event presenter. Can’t remember who it is but you definitely have the soothing, enunciated voice for it!!
Joking aside, I know this was a lot of work. Fantastic job, very awesome to see all of the cool ways you make life a little more exciting & beneficial for you and your family.
Great Video, great house, love the pool. You mentioned being in Florida. During power outages, do all the devices return to the last state? Do they freak out and open, close, reset? Curious how it handles power interruptions or Wi-Fi outages. Thanks again Stephen.
Thanks Carlos! Typically they return to the previous state or stay off. Doesn’t really freak out and we’ve had several outages during the last hurricane
Thank you very much for the video. I am changing my automation from smart life, cloud edge etc to apple HomeKit. Can you please let me know 1)what is the difference between Bluetooth smart bulb and WiFi smart bulb. I am guessing I can not control the BT bulbs from outside the network but is there any other drawback? 2)previously I never needed a hub and my router acted as a hub, trying to figure out why I need an Apple TV or apple pod to be a hub now.
Really appreciated this, great video and really enjoy the podcast. Curious as to any feedback regarding the Eve Outdoor Cam. I have an Eve Cam indoors, but it was a nightmare to actually connect to given my Eero setup and really the night-vision mode when its dark is just terrible. Does the Eve Outdoor Cam provide a proper quality picture at night?
Thanks a ton! The Eve outdoor cam has been great for me. Setup did take a minute but it’s also very far away from my Wi-Fi AP’s so that was low signal as oppose to 5Ghz / 2.4. Night image is really good, and since the light turns on with motion it does pretty well.
This is the second home in which ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx0jZ_lGlDVJhDnmagEU8gn47cmfPNlLQU we've replaced our "regular" doorbell with a Ring video doorbell and we really enjoy it. It is very easy to install and it works very well, with a clear picture through the app and good in-home use (we added the chime, which is also easy to install and doesn't require another thought to use).
Theoretically you shouldn’t need those hubs soon right (assuming one has an AppleTV? Do you know if there’s a controller that supports Thread and has both IR and RF blasters (to control window A/C, TVs etc.) I was looking at Broadlink and MoesGo but I can’t tell if they currently support Thread. I’m hoping to avoid buying unnecessary devices given the changes on the horizon.
Lutron makes smart blinds that actually look, and work very well. You can pair them to a pico/caseta bridge etc. They kind of shot themselves in the foot because they can only be purchased/installed by a “trained professional” who has taken their $2000+ course.
Wow. I just recently switched over to an iphone and have been considering replacing my google home mini's with apple products. We're moving over the next couple of months and your video has helped me discover multiple products to implement in the new home.
Glad it was helpful, and welcome to iPhone! I do have an hour-long walkthrough of using iPhone for first timers here: ua-cam.com/video/pXvd8HNAdAk/v-deo.htmlsi=o6KxOtEZsZ2VsLN1 and here's a playlist of all my Apple Smart Home videos! ua-cam.com/play/PLCnyeuWW0bgZSWUi-IZwVKT_Mk3koBnuq.html&si=6zXANSkYK1fm3iyM
@@crazywarp36 Galaxy note 20u, not that it matters. Both os' have their strengths and weaknesses. You have to find the system that works the best for you
Hello, I m staying in Malaysia, so far those smart devices that you sharing here couldn’t find here. Not sure if I purchase through online, it able to function well in my home? Please advise. Thank you
lots of good information sir. your kids bathroom switch one of them is a Leviton switch you can see it in the video says right on it. I have done every switch and rec in my home with Leviton.
Thanks! They are the Levolor brand from Lowes, and they'll cut the width in-store to fit your windows: www.lowes.com/pd/LEVOLOR-Trim-Go-2-in-Cordless-White-Faux-Wood-Room-Darkening-Blinds-Common-35-in-Actual-34-5-in-x-64-in/1000576741
I’ve been waiting for Apple smart home ever since Alexa was a thing. Now with matter, it’s the year of smart home now! I only hope they all put thread support!
This is a very fantastic video and I’m looking to do something similar with my home setup. May I ask what Access points you use with your Unifi Dream Machine?
10:00 there should be an option in the shortcut to always allow it to run, I think it’s a toggle that says to ask before running or something like that
Well done sir. Very nice video and content. Do you have an Amazon shopping list for your HK products? I don’t see a link to a page only for individual products
I'm up to 91 homekit accessories myself, 100% homekit, my current obsession is SmartWings Shades w/solar charging, they work so damn well... I just got one shade for my master bedroom as a test (and alarm clock basically). Plan on retrofitting the entire house with them soon.
I recently got a cpl Google protect smoke/CO detectors…but then decided I wanted to go the Apple HomeKit route and got an Apple TV, Pod Mini, with garage opener and lighting to follow etc. Are there any smoke/CO detectors that work w HomeKit app do you know?
10:00 - see if editing your shortcut will help. If your shortcut allows you to change the mode....turn off "Show When Run" and that may bypass Siri asking if you want to run it.
Awesome video man! I have the perfect question for you. Someone who’s input I respect. We just moved into a new house and I would like to set up a motion sensing led strip mounted under my hand rail. I’ve researched quite a few but not sold on anything. Then I saw the Phillips Hue motion sensor in your video. I’m thinking that might be my preferred route as I have plenty of Hue stripes in the box ready to go. What are you thoughts on a motion sensing stairway? Thanks in advance, I just subscribed to your channel because of this amazingly techy video!
Thank you! I highly recommend the Hue motion sensor, it's the fastest to respond. Just make sure you also have the Hue hub. And you can still create Home automations with the hue motion sensor but use the Eve light strip or other HomeKit options as well!
@@beardfm I decided the Hue Motion is exactly what I need for this. As for the light strip, I had never heard of the Eve brand until this video. Why do you recommend the Eve strip over Hue?
Do you have connection issues with the Logitech Circle View cameras? Mine disconnect frequently and I’ve read it’s due to the different networks my router runs 5g etc and it switching. Does the eve flood camera have similar issues? I would appreciate your recommendation. Great video and presentation. The flow was good and you did a great job explaining the functionality of each device. Bravo
Thank you! The Circle Views disconnect occasionally but maybe for an hour or so at a time. They usually reconnect consistently. Eve Outdoor camera is pretty solid and I don’t see those issues
This video is awesome. I have to admit I am struggling with a much less ambitious setup. I just dumped my Wemo video doorbell in favor of the Logitech in your video (too many connectivity problems). I have similar issues with my Yale doorlock, but I persevere. I love the Meross fan/light switch. I will be buying the water sensors using the links in your website, My current struggle is a MSS560 Dimmer switch, which I can add to the Meross app but am failing to add to HomeKit! And lucky me, I bought the 2 pack ... But I just signed up on your site. Curiously, when i 'Liked' your video, the counter changed from 9.9k to 10k, so I may be your 10,000th liker! Thanks for all the content.
Haha thanks for that! And they’re expensive but if you keep having trouble with light switches, try lutron! I compare several here: ua-cam.com/video/iHf70FRoQhY/v-deo.htmlsi=iSd1a5kNxFu8lec0
Interesting to see this. I can say i have done the same but i sticked to xiaomi smart home with aqara, qingping, mijia and other Chinese brands. I use a lot of light sensors and body sensors to do the work so i dont use to meny buttons in my house. I basically try to avoid using app to turn things on and i try to avoid using voice commands as well i want it to work seamlessly. Sometimes possible other times i really need a button to do things. But the more you can automate away the more natural it will feel :)
Thanks for showing off your smart home i know its never finished completely and its always a work in progress. I can see a lot of time and effort went into building this :) 👍 goodjob
Cool tour! I thought I saw a air purifier as well. Do you use that and do you notice any difference with the air quality inside your home (both based on the number and on the smells you have inside your house)?
Thanks! The Air Purifier is actually "dumb", called an AirDoctor. My wife has a lot of allergies and it does seem to help her. We don't have purifiers throughout the house, just in our bedroom.
Hey Stephen, great video! Do you have any smart bulbs in the house? If I bought some of these switches you use, would I be able to control both my dumb and smart bulbs? Thanks!
Great walkthrough. I am a Smart Home n00b and am stuck in that research phase before diving into an ecosystem. My wife and I are iPhone users, but I can't quite figure out if that is enough to shunt us to Apple Homekit or if we would be better served by going Google Home. What's your take?
Even with iPhone as a starting place, I'd recommend HomeKit. You won't get Siri controls or Shortcuts automations with Google Home devices. That being said, when you start buying individual devices, look for Matter-supported stuff. Matter devices will work with Apple Home / HomeKit, but also works with Google Home and Amazon if you'd like to eventually try a different ecosystem.
I still can not automate my Roborock, I have some shortcuts, but I need to click everytime. Do you know ho to do automation like if everyone is out turn on Roborock? Thank you!
@@beardfm I’m really deep into Philips Hue. Most of my devices are Hue. But besides Hue, my favorites would be Ecobee Thermostat, Meross garage door openers, and all Aqara devices. I use Homebridge to enable our Xfinity Home Security in HomeKit, which in turn adds all door and window sensors to HomeKit.
Thanks again for the great content. Question: I bought the Meross Smart Light Switches, single pole that you used. I was able to add it to my Apple Home, but I could not add it to the Meross app. Did you have similar issues? (I don't know if this could be an issue, I only have a three wire electrical system. The Meross smart switch has four wires, I ended up watching another video in which they recommended to wire the white and grey wires [of the smart switch] both to the bare wire of my house wiring. Apple Home connected but not the Meross app. Thank you for your help!
If it's in the Apple Home app and working, you wired it correctly! But you may need to give the Meross app access to your Home data so it sees those devices. Once the device is paired in Apple Home, there's not usually a way to pair again in the meross app, that's why it needs home data access.
Thanks for the great video! I have the Meross garage opener - it only works when I am connected to my home Wifi? Does not work say when I am not at home out of wifi range ie. on mobile cellular 4/5G.
@@beardfm thank you taking the time to reply my message much appreciated! I have added both via Home app and Meross app. Funny strange thing is opening the garage door via the Meross app works remotely via cellular Apple Home App only when I am connected to local Wifi. I am not using HomeBridge or Apple HomePod hub - just stand alone. Could this be the reason?
Dear Stephen. Thank you so much for the video I am lear a lot how use HomeKit with you. but I like to ask is you kindly you can share the automations for mine fridge outside. at the 14'23'. thank you so much , have a nice time.
Hey there! That’s actually an automation directly in the Aqara app. It’s not something I can share like a shortcut but I show it here: ua-cam.com/video/njMXkFxIFe4/v-deo.htmlsi=D_NsGG8Kf5eLVrdF
Nice tour thank you. Just curious why most reviewers do not review brilliant switches. They can do way more than Lutron and look much better. I have 2 control panels ( can control, sonos, thermostat and is compatible with ring cam if you have ring and a lot more) installed one up stairs and one down stairs. They are single control panels 399 each. but the switches are the same price as the Lutron and do a lot more. I have 16 smart switches. Each switch can din if needed and they each have motion control built in. Also you can assign a double tap to any smart switch and control a scene. Also not sure why not many reviewers are reviewing smartwing blinds. They are awesome and are half the price of eve motion blinds and they make them custom to fit your windows. I am cuttingly using 10 blinds and save a lot of money. Lots of fabric choices.
The Mac mini is running Homebridge, which is a third party service that’s not officially supported. My experience over the years is devices that use homebridge to connect HomeKit are buggy and since this video I’ve removed those devices and gone all-in on homekit direct devices. But I could still make a video if interested 🤔
I'm looking for an interface that allows the home kit to control an existing blinds motor. This motor is connected to the lutron hwqs but it has dry contact and that's why I can't control it via the lutron app. I can't put this roller blackout motor in scenes etc.
Do you know a HomeKit device that is work like a piston. I mean, a device that can tap on a button to start old shutter for example ? Thanks a lot for your video it’s incredible
Thanks for watching! The SwitchBot "fingers" may be the closest thing. When paired with the SwitchBot Matter enabled hub, you can access and automate them from HomeKit: us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot?currency=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2B23GmT12Z8UVYpd7YNxOFMf6ALdU6zNYu8QcJnzLCcy3Cd3Eff_CoaAqX5EALw_wcB
I am curious about your use of Wifi. when I move and need to re-do my setup, I was thinking of getting a completely separate Wifi router (either as an AP or completely separate network) to have my smart home stuff. My thoughts on this was to keep the busy "chatter" away from normal wifi that would be used by iPhones/iPads/PC/Macbooks, Plex Server, etc. Currently I have everything on 1 TP-Link AX3000 Wifi 6 router and sometimes I feel that something is bogging my network down.
I keep everything on the same network and it works great. I wouldn’t bother with separate routers and networks for smart home devices. I explain about my setup here: ua-cam.com/video/w2h7fu7Kjs0/v-deo.htmlsi=yHNXp_RFpQN0SJfc
I honestly think you're the first person on UA-cam to ever properly indulge in the HomeKit eco system. Props bro.
Appreciate that! 🙏🏻
Agree. I just got a home pod…been trying to set it up for 3 hours haha
@@k4r1os i got two and it took so long to get them going
@@beardfmif u don't mind how did u set that home wall paper with that color
@@beardfm
idk how but this man just made me watch a 15 min video of switches lights and sensors without even realizing
Love the content and presentation
Haha glad it was entertaining 👍🏼
I feel the absolutely same!!! This shit was entertaining asf.
@@beardfm
Yep me too, I appreciate people who are willing to show how they use Home Kit/compatible devices.....lights, cameras, sensors and switches.
Gonna drop some quick feedback here. I get REALLY overwhelmed by youtube tech reviewers and their over the top personalities, I always catch myself feeling anxious when I watch their vids and didn't really realize it until recently. You have an incredibly human approach when it comes to your videos and I don't really feel like I'm watching an ad, or someone trying to get me excited for something that I have no business being excited about. Keep it up homie.
Wow, that means a lot. In the past I’ve tried to be over-enthusiastic but it’s not really me 😅 appreciate the encouragement
Yeah I agree with you. Their antics are just way too much. I find myself watching someone with 100 subs instead just to avoid the antics. Paul Hibert I think his name is comes to mind. It’s too much
Mkbhd is chill
its all fun and games until the power goes out or the wifi goes down
I’ve been looking to get into the automation space for a while and your video is the first that I’ve found that isn’t overwhelming. Everybody else makes convenient assumptions and doesn’t cater to the layman. Great job!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching
Pretty amazing walk through of HomeKit integration. Nice house as well. God bless and thanks for sharing.
You and I are very alike in tech taste! Thanks and I hope UA-cam sends me more of your videos!
What you doin’ here, Lamar? 😄
Or you can just go to his channel manually like a normal person
Or you can just subscribe to the guy
Great setup, Stephen! I’m ready to start adding smart blinds to my HomeKit setup.
Love smart blinds! They're one of the more expensive smart home products so will add more over time, but it's one of the coolest devices
Yes! I've been looking for something like this. I'm building a new house and I wanted everything Apple Homekit compatible.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Great video! Caseta light switches are the way to go. You can pair multiple remotes to your main light switch. I just got the caseta hub and connected all my light switches to the lutron app. It has an away from home mode where it’ll turn on random lights at night to make it seem like some one is home
Of all the switches the Caseta are the most solid for sure!
Nice video! Living on the Google Assistant & Home Assistant side of things myself. But interesting to see the different ways of doing it. Though I have setup HomeBridge too for some of the GF's devices. As she's in Apple HomeKit world herself. Nice to see the other side of things really is thriving too. In case we make changes in the future. This is probably the first all HomeKit setup I've really seen like this. Props for going for it and doing a really nice setup.
Appreciate that! Here’s some updated automations and devices too: ua-cam.com/video/njMXkFxIFe4/v-deo.htmlsi=Y7hoc-r1f3dRgtar
Living in my college dorm, my schools network does not work with my HomeKit devices. I had to improvise by buying a cheap $50 router with ethernet ports, and then have its network source be the ethernet port in my room. This allows my Apple TV and OG HomePod to connect all my devices and it works well. Motion from my Aqara camera with recording allows me to see who comes into my room when I am not there. For my lights, I have a Meross light that changes different colors. Thankfully, none of them require hubs.
At my house, I have a Raspberry Pi running home bridge for our Chamberlin MyQ. I have a HomePod mini running as the hub. Previously, I had two jailbroken iPhone 6's running as hubs once but replaced them. This is a solid setup
Stephen, thank you for sharing. what a well thought out home automation.
Appreciate that!
That's incredible. I was thinking about smarthome system running with apple homekit and everything I need here. thank you for sharing.
Glad it helped!
Cool video!! just wanted to know if there’s any difference between the Lutron and Leviton switches & do you have any links to get all your products in Canada?
Hi Steven, I am a major listener of the apple insider podcast, you shouted me out again on the latest episode of the apple insider podcast. just to say I love your channel and I hope you realise more brilliant videos like this!😀
Appreciate that!
Great job - great video lots of different brands referenced for sure. Thank you and very nicely done!
Appreciate that!
It’s videos like these that make me wish I owned a house just so I can put all the tech.. 😂 I’m always trying to find more stuff I can do to my room
My most favourite part of Apple Home is Siri announcing who pressed the doorbell, based on your registered faces in your iCloud Photos library, on all HomePods saying “It looks like (Name) is at the door.”
Would love this feature! I use HikVision intercoms, and they ring through to my phone, but how cool would it be to call your ATV.
@@duarte_nicolau there are only a few doorbells out there that support Apple Home: Logi Circle, Wemo, Aqara (battery) are the famous ones I know. Netatmo has Apple Home support, but doesn’t have HomeKit Secure Video support (required for this feature).
@@LeePalisoc The Aqara u100 doorbell isn't just battery either. I have mine hardwired and get 24/7 recording.
a great video, i am currently building my new house and i wish to make it smart and not really detailly smart. i just want to focus on smart gate, doors, security and lighting do you have any advice for me
Got a lot of the same products. Currently rocking a 50 accessory HomeKit setup. 🤟🏼
Nice!
Very cool, well thought out. I've been slowly over time doing a similar thing as I've grown to really like the simplicity of having everything in one management pane. There are a few once in a while vendor specific apps for more high level configuration things (looking at you aqara) like adjusting cameras, but im fine with that for now. I will say one thing, It would drive me crazy having so many different Eco-systems light switches. I've stuck with one vendor for mine, I guess its just my mild OCD.
In retrospect I wish I had gone all Lutron Diva and Clara switches, but I was trying to choose some budget options.
@@beardfm
New sub! Can’t put my finger on it, but you actually sound a lot like an Apple event presenter. Can’t remember who it is but you definitely have the soothing, enunciated voice for it!!
That's a high compliment! Thank you 🙏
No idea why, but it feels relaxing and simple to follow you, great review!
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Nice setup. I really like the garage opener.
Thanks! And it’s one of my favorites
Joking aside, I know this was a lot of work. Fantastic job, very awesome to see all of the cool ways you make life a little more exciting & beneficial for you and your family.
Appreciate it!
super-helpful and interesting to see how you've deployed all the stuffs. Well done.....
Thanks Todd!
What a great video. Just created my vision of dream smart home.
thanks! exactly what I wanted - demo on HomeKit eco system
Appreciate it!
moving out soon, gonna make everything apple homekit
Solid video, thanks. Would have loved to hear the noise level for the blinds and the relay switches (which I guess some of them are).
Thanks, I discuss shade volume specifically here! ua-cam.com/video/szlK82H2RhY/v-deo.htmlsi=Zk7ua2z19eAO7EFT
Great Video, great house, love the pool. You mentioned being in Florida. During power outages, do all the devices return to the last state? Do they freak out and open, close, reset? Curious how it handles power interruptions or Wi-Fi outages. Thanks again Stephen.
Thanks Carlos! Typically they return to the previous state or stay off. Doesn’t really freak out and we’ve had several outages during the last hurricane
Love it! Great job! 👌
Sehr cool was sie hier alles auf die Beine gestellt haben. Wahnsinn 👍👍👍
Love! Where did you get the lights on your bed? And the HomePod stands?
Thanks! The light is an Eve Light strip: amzn.to/469L08z and HomePod stands: amzn.to/46aflUs
Thank you very much for the video. I am changing my automation from smart life, cloud edge etc to apple HomeKit. Can you please let me know
1)what is the difference between Bluetooth smart bulb and WiFi smart bulb. I am guessing I can not control the BT bulbs from outside the network but is there any other drawback?
2)previously I never needed a hub and my router acted as a hub, trying to figure out why I need an Apple TV or apple pod to be a hub now.
I love it bro! I have smart light bulbs and strips too with a bunch of homepods. It all comes down when the wifi goes down lol.
Haha power outages are no fun either 😂
Really appreciated this, great video and really enjoy the podcast. Curious as to any feedback regarding the Eve Outdoor Cam. I have an Eve Cam indoors, but it was a nightmare to actually connect to given my Eero setup and really the night-vision mode when its dark is just terrible. Does the Eve Outdoor Cam provide a proper quality picture at night?
Thanks a ton! The Eve outdoor cam has been great for me. Setup did take a minute but it’s also very far away from my Wi-Fi AP’s so that was low signal as oppose to 5Ghz / 2.4. Night image is really good, and since the light turns on with motion it does pretty well.
This is the second home in which ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx0jZ_lGlDVJhDnmagEU8gn47cmfPNlLQU we've replaced our "regular" doorbell with a Ring video doorbell and we really enjoy it. It is very easy to install and it works very well, with a clear picture through the app and good in-home use (we added the chime, which is also easy to install and doesn't require another thought to use).
I do work from home, so...
Theoretically you shouldn’t need those hubs soon right (assuming one has an AppleTV?
Do you know if there’s a controller that supports Thread and has both IR and RF blasters (to control window A/C, TVs etc.)
I was looking at Broadlink and MoesGo but I can’t tell if they currently support Thread. I’m hoping to avoid buying unnecessary devices given the changes on the horizon.
Lutron makes smart blinds that actually look, and work very well. You can pair them to a pico/caseta bridge etc.
They kind of shot themselves in the foot because they can only be purchased/installed by a “trained professional” who has taken their $2000+ course.
Great job with this video and all of the great b-roll you were able to get. Keep it up!
Thank you, all shot on an iPhone rig!
@@beardfm Nice! I use an iPhone for my videos as well
Very informative stuff bro! Kudos to you 🙏🏽
Appreciate that!
Wow. I just recently switched over to an iphone and have been considering replacing my google home mini's with apple products. We're moving over the next couple of months and your video has helped me discover multiple products to implement in the new home.
Glad it was helpful, and welcome to iPhone! I do have an hour-long walkthrough of using iPhone for first timers here: ua-cam.com/video/pXvd8HNAdAk/v-deo.htmlsi=o6KxOtEZsZ2VsLN1 and here's a playlist of all my Apple Smart Home videos! ua-cam.com/play/PLCnyeuWW0bgZSWUi-IZwVKT_Mk3koBnuq.html&si=6zXANSkYK1fm3iyM
@@beardfm thanks, although I'm not a stranger to iphone. Been watching your videos all day though!
bro downgraded
what phone did u have before? a flip phone? 😂😂
@@crazywarp36 Galaxy note 20u, not that it matters. Both os' have their strengths and weaknesses. You have to find the system that works the best for you
Damn I knew your voice was familiar! I listen to homekit insider every Monday! Keep it up, you guys inspired me to build up to 36 homekit devices.
Haha you found the channel! Thanks for listening and watching 🙏🏻
Hello, I m staying in Malaysia, so far those smart devices that you sharing here couldn’t find here. Not sure if I purchase through online, it able to function well in my home? Please advise. Thank you
lots of good information sir. your kids bathroom switch one of them is a Leviton switch you can see it in the video says right on it. I have done every switch and rec in my home with Leviton.
I have a number of Leviton switches, they’re great!
I have the Meross garage door opener and very satisfied with it.
Same! Rock solid
Very impressive setup and knowledge of the HomeKit
Thanks!
Hi. Great video. Love the SwitchBot Blind Tilt. Can you share what brand of blinds you have? Thanks.
Thanks! They are the Levolor brand from Lowes, and they'll cut the width in-store to fit your windows: www.lowes.com/pd/LEVOLOR-Trim-Go-2-in-Cordless-White-Faux-Wood-Room-Darkening-Blinds-Common-35-in-Actual-34-5-in-x-64-in/1000576741
I’ve been waiting for Apple smart home ever since Alexa was a thing.
Now with matter, it’s the year of smart home now! I only hope they all put thread support!
Thread is getting more widespread for sure!
This is a very fantastic video and I’m looking to do something similar with my home setup. May I ask what Access points you use with your Unifi Dream Machine?
Thanks! The Long-Range Wi-Fi 6 AP’s: amzn.to/3Z0SXJQ
10:00 there should be an option in the shortcut to always allow it to run, I think it’s a toggle that says to ask before running or something like that
Yes, good point
Nice video, thanks for the tour.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well done sir. Very nice video and content. Do you have an Amazon shopping list for your HK products? I don’t see a link to a page only for individual products
This is a great idea actually! I’ll publish a page on my website this week with a running list of products I’m currently using! Watch beard.fm
I'm up to 91 homekit accessories myself, 100% homekit, my current obsession is SmartWings Shades w/solar charging, they work so damn well... I just got one shade for my master bedroom as a test (and alarm clock basically). Plan on retrofitting the entire house with them soon.
Nice! SmartWings just released some thread models too. Will be trying some of those!
Nice, they didn’t have the thread option there literally 2 months ago! Good to see they’re keeping up with the tech…
Are they blackout blackout? I work nights on 4 months rotations. Half the year I would like to look outside but half the year I want an absolute cave.
That’s amazing thank you for the great video!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Updated tour coming very soon!
Great set up! Do those Philips Hue Motion Sensors connect to HomeKit or do they need some sort of hub thing?
Thanks! All Philips Hue stuff requires a Philips hub, but they all connect to HomeKit once you have it
I recently got a cpl Google protect smoke/CO detectors…but then decided I wanted to go the Apple HomeKit route and got an Apple TV, Pod Mini, with garage opener and lighting to follow etc. Are there any smoke/CO detectors that work w HomeKit app do you know?
stephen...did i miss the level locks? can you setup schedules to unlock / lock with apple homekit
I actually don't have a Level Lock yet! Once of the few categories I haven't upgraded to, so unsure. Maybe when I update this video in a year or so!
10:00 - see if editing your shortcut will help. If your shortcut allows you to change the mode....turn off "Show When Run" and that may bypass Siri asking if you want to run it.
Awesome video man! I have the perfect question for you. Someone who’s input I respect. We just moved into a new house and I would like to set up a motion sensing led strip mounted under my hand rail. I’ve researched quite a few but not sold on anything. Then I saw the Phillips Hue motion sensor in your video. I’m thinking that might be my preferred route as I have plenty of Hue stripes in the box ready to go. What are you thoughts on a motion sensing stairway? Thanks in advance, I just subscribed to your channel because of this amazingly techy video!
Thank you! I highly recommend the Hue motion sensor, it's the fastest to respond. Just make sure you also have the Hue hub. And you can still create Home automations with the hue motion sensor but use the Eve light strip or other HomeKit options as well!
@@beardfm I decided the Hue Motion is exactly what I need for this. As for the light strip, I had never heard of the Eve brand until this video. Why do you recommend the Eve strip over Hue?
What an awesome video
Do you have connection issues with the Logitech Circle View cameras? Mine disconnect frequently and I’ve read it’s due to the different networks my router runs 5g etc and it switching.
Does the eve flood camera have similar issues? I would appreciate your recommendation.
Great video and presentation. The flow was good and you did a great job explaining the functionality of each device. Bravo
Thank you! The Circle Views disconnect occasionally but maybe for an hour or so at a time. They usually reconnect consistently. Eve Outdoor camera is pretty solid and I don’t see those issues
This video is awesome. I have to admit I am struggling with a much less ambitious setup. I just dumped my Wemo video doorbell in favor of the Logitech in your video (too many connectivity problems). I have similar issues with my Yale doorlock, but I persevere. I love the Meross fan/light switch. I will be buying the water sensors using the links in your website, My current struggle is a MSS560 Dimmer switch, which I can add to the Meross app but am failing to add to HomeKit! And lucky me, I bought the 2 pack ... But I just signed up on your site. Curiously, when i 'Liked' your video, the counter changed from 9.9k to 10k, so I may be your 10,000th liker! Thanks for all the content.
Haha thanks for that! And they’re expensive but if you keep having trouble with light switches, try lutron! I compare several here: ua-cam.com/video/iHf70FRoQhY/v-deo.htmlsi=iSd1a5kNxFu8lec0
Thank you for the awesome video! What wall plates did you use for the Meross Light Switch to match the same type of white color? Thank you!
Thanks! They’re just inexpensive ones from Home Depot. I replaced the switches but kept the plate from dumb switches
@@beardfm Thank you!
Beautiful home with nice set up
Thank you!
Interesting to see this. I can say i have done the same but i sticked to xiaomi smart home with aqara, qingping, mijia and other Chinese brands. I use a lot of light sensors and body sensors to do the work so i dont use to meny buttons in my house. I basically try to avoid using app to turn things on and i try to avoid using voice commands as well i want it to work seamlessly. Sometimes possible other times i really need a button to do things. But the more you can automate away the more natural it will feel :)
Thanks for showing off your smart home i know its never finished completely and its always a work in progress. I can see a lot of time and effort went into building this :) 👍 goodjob
Once presence sensors are more widely available here in the US I’ll be trying to automate more of the lights in that way! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thanks for the video,very nice and helpful,how do you receive a notification when the fridge is open after….time?
When using an Aqara contact sensor the Aqara app lets you program notifications like that
Great tour!! Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
I added it to my smart home tour playlist if you want to check it out
Cool tour! I thought I saw a air purifier as well. Do you use that and do you notice any difference with the air quality inside your home (both based on the number and on the smells you have inside your house)?
Thanks! The Air Purifier is actually "dumb", called an AirDoctor. My wife has a lot of allergies and it does seem to help her. We don't have purifiers throughout the house, just in our bedroom.
More on the floor cleaner please!
Incredible setup. Any connectivity or lag with the cameras? I have the same doorbell cam with a nest Wi-Fi and it has terrible connectivity.
It takes a few seconds to start the live video stream but no more lag than other HomeKit cameras
Amazing setup! But I personally wouldn't want all those devices relying on some cloud service
This was dope
Thanks!
Nice Video !
What are the name of these black and white sound panels in your home studio ?
They’re the GIK Acoustics impression panels! Link in the description I believe
Hey Stephen, great video! Do you have any smart bulbs in the house? If I bought some of these switches you use, would I be able to control both my dumb and smart bulbs? Thanks!
Thanks! I’ve used Nanoleaf and hue smart bulbs and those work great with Apple Home
Would they work well with the switches?
I have subscribed to your channel, super nice home and great video👍
Awesome! Thank you!
I absolutely HATE the UDM-Pro & ubiquiti in general, so I’m glad to hear that you love your SE! Maybe they’re finally starting to do better with QA.
The SE seems to be widely loved. Just very hard to get (often out of stock).
Great walkthrough. I am a Smart Home n00b and am stuck in that research phase before diving into an ecosystem. My wife and I are iPhone users, but I can't quite figure out if that is enough to shunt us to Apple Homekit or if we would be better served by going Google Home. What's your take?
Even with iPhone as a starting place, I'd recommend HomeKit. You won't get Siri controls or Shortcuts automations with Google Home devices. That being said, when you start buying individual devices, look for Matter-supported stuff. Matter devices will work with Apple Home / HomeKit, but also works with Google Home and Amazon if you'd like to eventually try a different ecosystem.
I still can not automate my Roborock, I have some shortcuts, but I need to click everytime.
Do you know ho to do automation like if everyone is out turn on Roborock? Thank you!
At 180 devices, my home is almost just like yours! Good job!
Nice! Which are some of your favorite?
@@beardfm I’m really deep into Philips Hue. Most of my devices are Hue. But besides Hue, my favorites would be Ecobee Thermostat, Meross garage door openers, and all Aqara devices. I use Homebridge to enable our Xfinity Home Security in HomeKit, which in turn adds all door and window sensors to HomeKit.
Tour?
Hi sir can you create a video on how you started smart home and how you use the voice control command
Yes! Planning a "HomeKit 101 Video" very soon!
Thanks again for the great content. Question: I bought the Meross Smart Light Switches, single pole that you used. I was able to add it to my Apple Home, but I could not add it to the Meross app. Did you have similar issues? (I don't know if this could be an issue, I only have a three wire electrical system. The Meross smart switch has four wires, I ended up watching another video in which they recommended to wire the white and grey wires [of the smart switch] both to the bare wire of my house wiring. Apple Home connected but not the Meross app. Thank you for your help!
If it's in the Apple Home app and working, you wired it correctly! But you may need to give the Meross app access to your Home data so it sees those devices. Once the device is paired in Apple Home, there's not usually a way to pair again in the meross app, that's why it needs home data access.
Makes sense. Where do I allow accessof my Home data on the Meross app? Thank you for all your help!
@@beardfm
The blackout blinds in your office that close when you start recording. Am I missing that in the list? I need these in my life.
Forgot! Will put them in, but I got them from Select Blinds: www.selectblinds.com/roller-shades/architect-blackout-motorized-roller-shades.html
Excellent presentation sir.
Thank you! Actually just published an update here: ua-cam.com/video/0y90HOsHp2o/v-deo.htmlsi=AWuqB-s84yMPfdk7
You set up is 🔥🔥
Appreciate it!
Thanks for the great video! I have the Meross garage opener - it only works when I am connected to my home Wifi? Does not work say when I am not at home out of wifi range ie. on mobile cellular 4/5G.
Thanks! And that’s strange, have you added it to the Home app specifically or just using in the Meross app?
@@beardfm thank you taking the time to reply my message much appreciated! I have added both via Home app and Meross app. Funny strange thing is opening the garage door via the Meross app works remotely via cellular Apple Home App only when I am connected to local Wifi. I am not using HomeBridge or Apple HomePod hub - just stand alone. Could this be the reason?
Please do a video on how to put three lutron big a** switches into that tripple gang. Thanks!
Listen, that was harder than college
Very cool! I got some interesting ideas for myself
Nice! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Dear Stephen. Thank you so much for the video I am lear a lot how use HomeKit with you. but I like to ask is you kindly you can share the automations for mine fridge outside. at the 14'23'. thank you so much , have a nice time.
Hey there! That’s actually an automation directly in the Aqara app. It’s not something I can share like a shortcut but I show it here: ua-cam.com/video/njMXkFxIFe4/v-deo.htmlsi=D_NsGG8Kf5eLVrdF
Nice tour thank you. Just curious why most reviewers do not review brilliant switches. They can do way more than Lutron and look much better. I have 2 control panels ( can control, sonos, thermostat and is compatible with ring cam if you have ring and a lot more) installed one up stairs and one down stairs. They are single control panels 399 each. but the switches are the same price as the Lutron and do a lot more. I have 16 smart switches. Each switch can din if needed and they each have motion control built in. Also you can assign a double tap to any smart switch and control a scene. Also not sure why not many reviewers are reviewing smartwing blinds. They are awesome and are half the price of eve motion blinds and they make them custom to fit your windows. I am cuttingly using 10 blinds and save a lot of money. Lots of fabric choices.
I've just never invested in the brilliant switch panels. They look amazing and would like to try them for sure!
Mac Mini running HomeKit stuff? Could you do a video on that? My knowledge of that is minimal.
The Mac mini is running Homebridge, which is a third party service that’s not officially supported. My experience over the years is devices that use homebridge to connect HomeKit are buggy and since this video I’ve removed those devices and gone all-in on homekit direct devices. But I could still make a video if interested 🤔
I'm looking for an interface that allows the home kit to control an existing blinds motor. This motor is connected to the lutron hwqs but it has dry contact and that's why I can't control it via the lutron app. I can't put this roller blackout motor in scenes etc.
Hi Stephen,
What fans do you use that work with the HomeKit?
Thank you in advance
The fans are all dumb fans on Lutron Caseta fan control switches!
Do you know a HomeKit device that is work like a piston. I mean, a device that can tap on a button to start old shutter for example ?
Thanks a lot for your video it’s incredible
Thanks for watching! The SwitchBot "fingers" may be the closest thing. When paired with the SwitchBot Matter enabled hub, you can access and automate them from HomeKit: us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot?currency=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2B23GmT12Z8UVYpd7YNxOFMf6ALdU6zNYu8QcJnzLCcy3Cd3Eff_CoaAqX5EALw_wcB
This is awesome
I am curious about your use of Wifi. when I move and need to re-do my setup, I was thinking of getting a completely separate Wifi router (either as an AP or completely separate network) to have my smart home stuff. My thoughts on this was to keep the busy "chatter" away from normal wifi that would be used by iPhones/iPads/PC/Macbooks, Plex Server, etc.
Currently I have everything on 1 TP-Link AX3000 Wifi 6 router and sometimes I feel that something is bogging my network down.
I keep everything on the same network and it works great. I wouldn’t bother with separate routers and networks for smart home devices. I explain about my setup here: ua-cam.com/video/w2h7fu7Kjs0/v-deo.htmlsi=yHNXp_RFpQN0SJfc
Good video and a very cool house! Can't imagine paying for all that so I'm happy you did for me ;)
Subbed!
Thanks for the sub!
Tengo Home Pod mini, quiero emlezar con algunas bombillas inteligentes que me recomiendas, tambien zigbee vs wifi
Nanoleaf bulbs with thread would be a great place to start. Or if you’re ok with a hub, Philips Hue is a great option!