Great video Eric. I’ve really enjoyed using hoobs for my roomba vacuum mostly (new video just posted today on that setup, haha). I also really love the dummy switch plugin....it’s so helpful with certain automations. I agree in that I always search for products with native HomeKit support also, but hoobs is great when that just isn’t an option, such as a robot vacuum or my Twinkly Christmas lights. It’s also great for people with lots of other smart home accessories that decide to make the move over to HomeKit without having to buy all new stuff right away.
Thanks Shane! That's good to hear your roomba integration is working well. I agree for people who've bought into other systems already it can save them a lot of money.
@@mrxkyle22x A great use is to fully automate "secure" devices, such as garage doors or locks, with geolocation. For example, normally if you set up a geolocation automation with a garage door, it will as you to authenticate on your phone before opening. So you can instead say, when I arrive home, turn on my dummy switch. Then a separate automation say, when the dummy switch turns on, open the garage. No requirement to authenticate this way (less secure perhaps so proceed at your own risk). Another common use is for timers. You can set up dummy switch timers to use in automations. For example when something happens, start a dummy switch timer, and then trigger another automation after a set amount of time...
Thanks for the reply Shane sounds interesting. What app do you use to set up time delayed automations like that? I’ve really been struggling to find something that can create the automations I want with a time delay.
mrxkyle22x the apps that Shane mostly recommend is the eve app or the home+ app. One you have to pay for the other one is free. I use the Home+ app with the dummy switch that Shane recommend (from a video from him). You can take a look to his channel also, he has some interesting stuffs. Between him and Eric I have learn a lot.
Homebridge is a must for me. With Vivint alarm, nest thermostats, TP Link smart plugs, and my insistence on using HomeKit vs Alexa/Google, homebridge is invaluable. I initially looked at hoobs. But at $170, I went digging for an alternative. That’s when I discovered homebridge was open source. As an Apple IT guy, I just put it on my “always on” Mac mini backed up on UPS without any additional costs.
Your point about any of these solutions (Hoobs, Starling, Homebridge, etc.) is ultimately a hack is very much appreciated. I have Hoobs and I like it, but I actually decided to completely wipe it and start over to simplify everything that I was doing. At first, I tried to get everything exposed that I could to control via HomeKit. Now I am being much more purposeful for the automation challenges that I want to solve.
That sounds like a great plan. Homebridge is really handy, but leaning too much on too many Homebridge plugins probably isn't the most reliable option long term.
I had an old HP Elite Desk sitting around so I installed Ubuntu and then Homebridge on that machine. Free OS and free Homebridge! Can't beat free! I use Homebridge for my IP Cameras that are around my property. I installed a WOL plugin for my windows PC, and a Broadlink plugin for my RM4 pro which controls my IR devices. My Linux Hombridge Server communicates very well with my Homepod mini hub. I recently added a Aqara G2H Pro indoor video system to homekit. This Aqara camera is also a Zigbee hub itself which now can expose Zigbee products to homekit. It was peiced together over time but all works very well.
hello professor , it's a pleasure to join you. I'm new to hoobs. I just installed one. I have almost 100 shelly quotes and I thought it was easy just a shelly plugin to install on hoobs and it will work. booommm it was not like that. I'm a beginner I'm not an expert, first of all the devices work on a single action if you turn on you can't turn off. I searched everywhere, and I found that I have to uncheck something like igmp beamforming stuff like that. finally all sombler very well turn on turn off it's perfect. after a few hours I see no repence, nothing works. I see the router the IP address of hoobs is good .144 I type it on browser site inaccessible. I restart hoobs all function after a few minutes the same problem. I'm sorry it's very long and thank you very much for your help
Personally I LOVE hoobs! I pull the trigger one month ago, because I wanted to expose non homekit accessories to homekit! I’ve used the same Shane Wheatley ifttt method and now I can control my old Sony TVs (from 2013) change channel, turn up and down volume, turn on and off my Xboxs, my 5.1 setup, arm and disarm my Arlo pro 2 Base Station, and most importantly open my big gate or the small one when I’m coming home via automations , because all devices are exposed and visible in homekit app! Using iPhone, Apple Watch or HomePod ( consider that HomePod doesn’t even speak or understand my language, but I’ve settled up all the scenes in Italian via homekit and it works flawlessly). Hoobs is great aggregating and exposing all this stuff that works perfect are absolutely reliable but non homekit native! Ah, I’m absolutely noob in this kind of things, but the ifttt route in Hoobs is supereasy! P.s. I didn’t experience all this bug u mentioned: no flaw consulting the local Hoobs page or need to restart :)
Eric Welander thank u Erik for your always humble and very informative HomeKit videos. Keep them coming! I can’t wait for your video about Sonos and home bridge!
Are you going to test the Hoobs Pro 5 when it starts shipping to let us know if it is worth upgrading to it? You have a great channel, thanks for all you do to make things vary understandable. Gregg
Hey Eric... I largely use it to have access to a wider ecosystem of devices... Not all solutions That work well or look good when installed are available/certified for HomeKit so it’s an easy convenient middleware That means I don’t have to rip and replace. I can extend the investment already made in smart devices.
Great video, I wish you talked more about the functional differences. For example, are there some plugins that are only available for Homebridge and not HOOBS? How can they be installed? Is one more compatible with more devices and "off label" uses than the other? I'm looking to connect older products and make them smart, like an old projector screen and elevator. (aka. Motor controllers that might have some random who wrote a plugin for them)
Great video Eric! I’m quite shocked you mentioned you had to reboot hoobs to add or remove accessories. I also have hoobs and the tplink plugin and my devices show up almost instantaneously. I have never had to reboot my system. Hoobs recommends waiting a bit for them to sync up! Also their web interface I don’t think I’ve ever had any issues with searching for plugins failing. Maybe has something to do with your browser or internet connection. I don’t think the actual device would cause that issue. Cheers on your second channel best of luck.
On the security side of things - is it possible for a plug in to get access to things beyond the accessory being added (e.g by adding a plug for a bulb, can the plug in connect to your cameras operating on HomeKit)?
All I have now is a couple Nest Learning Thermostats, will you recommend this or Starling for HomeKits integration? And I won’t be buying any Nest product in the future. Thanks
Hoobs is definitely a great option for someone not comfortable with the json files but I’m finding that I like the HomeBridge-UI-x plugin for a GUI to be a little more flexible. I do have hoobs running on my raspberry pi for flic buttons. The real power of homebridge for me are the additional software buttons and other automation plugins. Things like http buttons to interface with googles home for voice notifications is awesome.
Great video. I noticed you have Staling next to the Hoobs, and you talk on Nest and Starling. Is the Hoobs not bring in Nest cams and doorbells a Starling does? I have Starling but was hoping to simplify and use one "hack" only (Hoobs) I'm considering the Hoobs to bring in Sonos and Nest, and rid the Staling. Thoughts? Cheers!
HOOBS brings in your nest devices and cams as well but require you to use 2 separate plugins. One for thermostats and nest protects and the other for the nest-cams and doorbells.
This is exactly the video I was looking for. Thank you! I don’t like that it’s a hack at the end of the day, but Apple just makes life so difficult. They’re so stingy on what brands and devices they’re compatible with.
Hmm, i have a lot of outlets plugs like Iqore, Innr sp120 Fibaro F. i dit it with Homebridge but all oulets only make switches not power measurement. How is this with Hoobs?
It is basically a Pi + internal storage with some easier-to-use UI on top. If you haven't done any coding I would recommend checking out HOOBS instead of setting up a Raspberry Pi yourself.
Excellent video - looking at this to bring all the devices we have to homekit. The one device we have that I can't seem to get an answer for is a large ceiling fan that is from Modern Forms. Do you know of any way to add this device to homekit? TIA ! keep the videos coming!
Great video. I just ordered a Hoobs. I had homebridge setup on my PC that just crashed. Fortunately, I was able to save a backup of my homebridge. Is there any way I can recover my homebridge plugins through Hoobs? Or, do I have to start from scratch with adding plugins?
When you toggle the power on one of your tp-link outlets connected through homebridge, do you know if it goes out to the internet or is the traffic contained in your local network? I am looking for a HomeKit outlet setup that I can use to reboot my router every week. Clearly once i power down the router the outlet won’t be able to get a signal from the internet to say power back up.
Expensive??? In Canada on Amazon CA a raspberry Pii runs around $170, less bear, the Hoobs is about $249.00 in Canada. So about $80.00 more for a plug and play item.
Does it support all basic stuff ESP8266 / NodeMCU Relays MQTT arduino codes etc ? Also, what if someone has Android phone too. how does Hoobs/homekit solution accommodate those users ?
Really wished homebridge supported nest secure. I ended up having to buy the starling, even though the nest plugin for homebridge said it’d work with nest secure. No more running homebridge on my esxi. :(. But hopefully I’ll have the functionality now.
I don’t feel that HOOBS is necessary anymore, as the HomeBridge team has released their official image that can be installed on your RPI, etc. It includes the same UI HOOBS utilizes out of the box, and is incredibly easy to configure.
Hey I’m having a lot of connection issues with LIFX lights. I have 35 LIFX downlights that go unresponsive if they are in standby for more than a few hours. Do you think HOOBs would help?
I don't think HOOBS would help. I would contact LIFX support if you haven't already. Since those bulbs are Wi-Fi based, you might take a look at your Wi-Fi router situation and see if it needs upgrading to a mesh network that can better handle that many connections.
Great video, Eric! Thank you. Is there a difference between buying the HOOBS SD card for $20 and/or downloading the HOOBS software for $7 donation and installing it myself? Is it basically the same thing, just paying for the SD card and convenience?
Hey mate, Great video. Thanks. My neighbor shares her Nest public web camera addresses (simple http//:) to help monitor the shared courtyard. I have two separate web addresses that I like to expose to the home kit. I can't find any plugins for that simple mode of operation. Any ideas? Thanks
Hey Morty! Thanks. I don't have an idea on this with HOOBS/Homebridge. You might try something like the Scriptable app on iOS to build a custom widget that fetches images from the camera.
Just install the plugin Config-UI-X. So much cheaper and works exactly the same. With the new install it is already there. You can set it up in under 10 minutes.
Don’t understand how people say this is easy with the box. You still need the tokens and id’s etc. I tried to get my nest and eufy vacuum going. I gave up in frustration. What a waste of money🤬
Not all plugs ins require tokens and IDs and OAuth. The TP Link plug in I use only talks over my local network. This is true for a variety of other plug ins too
Thats another boloks!! So many routers and home clouds are so powerful today and you still have to install aditional hardvare!!! Boloks not gona buy it!!
Great video Eric. I’ve really enjoyed using hoobs for my roomba vacuum mostly (new video just posted today on that setup, haha). I also really love the dummy switch plugin....it’s so helpful with certain automations.
I agree in that I always search for products with native HomeKit support also, but hoobs is great when that just isn’t an option, such as a robot vacuum or my Twinkly Christmas lights. It’s also great for people with lots of other smart home accessories that decide to make the move over to HomeKit without having to buy all new stuff right away.
Thanks Shane! That's good to hear your roomba integration is working well. I agree for people who've bought into other systems already it can save them a lot of money.
Hey Shane can you give an example of what you use the dummy switch for?
I’ve seen it but can’t really think of a use for it, I’m curious.
Thanks
@@mrxkyle22x A great use is to fully automate "secure" devices, such as garage doors or locks, with geolocation. For example, normally if you set up a geolocation automation with a garage door, it will as you to authenticate on your phone before opening.
So you can instead say, when I arrive home, turn on my dummy switch. Then a separate automation say, when the dummy switch turns on, open the garage. No requirement to authenticate this way (less secure perhaps so proceed at your own risk).
Another common use is for timers. You can set up dummy switch timers to use in automations. For example when something happens, start a dummy switch timer, and then trigger another automation after a set amount of time...
Thanks for the reply Shane sounds interesting.
What app do you use to set up time delayed automations like that? I’ve really been struggling to find something that can create the automations I want with a time delay.
mrxkyle22x the apps that Shane mostly recommend is the eve app or the home+ app. One you have to pay for the other one is free. I use the Home+ app with the dummy switch that Shane recommend (from a video from him). You can take a look to his channel also, he has some interesting stuffs. Between him and Eric I have learn a lot.
Homebridge is a must for me.
With Vivint alarm, nest thermostats, TP Link smart plugs, and my insistence on using HomeKit vs Alexa/Google, homebridge is invaluable. I initially looked at hoobs. But at $170, I went digging for an alternative. That’s when I discovered homebridge was open source. As an Apple IT guy, I just put it on my “always on” Mac mini backed up on UPS without any additional costs.
Your point about any of these solutions (Hoobs, Starling, Homebridge, etc.) is ultimately a hack is very much appreciated. I have Hoobs and I like it, but I actually decided to completely wipe it and start over to simplify everything that I was doing. At first, I tried to get everything exposed that I could to control via HomeKit. Now I am being much more purposeful for the automation challenges that I want to solve.
That sounds like a great plan. Homebridge is really handy, but leaning too much on too many Homebridge plugins probably isn't the most reliable option long term.
You could always install config ui. I almost never touched json in config
@@kubamaliszewski1167 that sounds so confusing… sheesh I’m not tech savvy to know how to do any of this
I had an old HP Elite Desk sitting around so I installed Ubuntu and then Homebridge on that machine. Free OS and free Homebridge! Can't beat free! I use Homebridge for my IP Cameras that are around my property. I installed a WOL plugin for my windows PC, and a Broadlink plugin for my RM4 pro which controls my IR devices. My Linux Hombridge Server communicates very well with my Homepod mini hub. I recently added a Aqara G2H Pro indoor video system to homekit. This Aqara camera is also a Zigbee hub itself which now can expose Zigbee products to homekit. It was peiced together over time but all works very well.
hello professor , it's a pleasure to join you. I'm new to hoobs. I just installed one. I have almost 100 shelly quotes and I thought it was easy just a shelly plugin to install on hoobs and it will work. booommm it was not like that. I'm a beginner I'm not an expert, first of all the devices work on a single action if you turn on you can't turn off. I searched everywhere, and I found that I have to uncheck something like igmp beamforming stuff like that. finally all sombler very well turn on turn off it's perfect. after a few hours I see no repence, nothing works. I see the router the IP address of hoobs is good .144 I type it on browser site inaccessible. I restart hoobs all function after a few minutes the same problem. I'm sorry it's very long and thank you very much for your help
Personally I LOVE hoobs! I pull the trigger one month ago, because I wanted to expose non homekit accessories to homekit! I’ve used the same Shane Wheatley ifttt method and now I can control my old Sony TVs (from 2013) change channel, turn up and down volume, turn on and off my Xboxs, my 5.1 setup, arm and disarm my Arlo pro 2 Base Station, and most importantly open my big gate or the small one when I’m coming home via automations , because all devices are exposed and visible in homekit app! Using iPhone, Apple Watch or HomePod ( consider that HomePod doesn’t even speak or understand my language, but I’ve settled up all the scenes in Italian via homekit and it works flawlessly). Hoobs is great aggregating and exposing all this stuff that works perfect are absolutely reliable but non homekit native! Ah, I’m absolutely noob in this kind of things, but the ifttt route in Hoobs is supereasy! P.s. I didn’t experience all this bug u mentioned: no flaw consulting the local Hoobs page or need to restart :)
Sounds like a nice setup. Thanks for sharing
Eric Welander thank u Erik for your always humble and very informative HomeKit videos. Keep them coming! I can’t wait for your video about Sonos and home bridge!
Are you going to test the Hoobs Pro 5 when it starts shipping to let us know if it is worth upgrading to it? You have a great channel, thanks for all you do to make things vary understandable. Gregg
Hey Eric... I largely use it to have access to a wider ecosystem of devices... Not all solutions That work well or look good when installed are available/certified for HomeKit so it’s an easy convenient middleware That means I don’t have to rip and replace. I can extend the investment already made in smart devices.
Nice Vid Eric thank you!. The reason btw that Hoobs responds more quickly is because ipv6 is disabled. IPV6 causes a slight delay is responding times.
Great video, I wish you talked more about the functional differences. For example, are there some plugins that are only available for Homebridge and not HOOBS? How can they be installed? Is one more compatible with more devices and "off label" uses than the other? I'm looking to connect older products and make them smart, like an old projector screen and elevator. (aka. Motor controllers that might have some random who wrote a plugin for them)
Are there any security risks using it?
That’s what I want to know
@@jayarecallens same here
Nice overview! I’m convinced I need to jump into Homebridge.
Thanks! Yeah jump in...the water is great in the Homebridge smart pool.
Great video Eric! I’m quite shocked you mentioned you had to reboot hoobs to add or remove accessories. I also have hoobs and the tplink plugin and my devices show up almost instantaneously. I have never had to reboot my system. Hoobs recommends waiting a bit for them to sync up! Also their web interface I don’t think I’ve ever had any issues with searching for plugins failing. Maybe has something to do with your browser or internet connection. I don’t think the actual device would cause that issue. Cheers on your second channel best of luck.
Great Hoobs overview Eric! I have one sitting on my desk that I look forward to diving into soon
Nice! I'm excited to hear how it goes.
On the security side of things - is it possible for a plug in to get access to things beyond the accessory being added (e.g by adding a plug for a bulb, can the plug in connect to your cameras operating on HomeKit)?
All I have now is a couple Nest Learning Thermostats, will you recommend this or Starling for HomeKits integration? And I won’t be buying any Nest product in the future. Thanks
Problem with hoobs is price. I installed homebridge and it is actually quite easy.
I just run “homebridge” on my iMac, it’s always on anyway. No extra hardware needed
Hoobs is definitely a great option for someone not comfortable with the json files but I’m finding that I like the HomeBridge-UI-x plugin for a GUI to be a little more flexible.
I do have hoobs running on my raspberry pi for flic buttons. The real power of homebridge for me are the additional software buttons and other automation plugins. Things like http buttons to interface with googles home for voice notifications is awesome.
Great video. I noticed you have Staling next to the Hoobs, and you talk on Nest and Starling. Is the Hoobs not bring in Nest cams and doorbells a Starling does?
I have Starling but was hoping to simplify and use one "hack" only (Hoobs)
I'm considering the Hoobs to bring in Sonos and Nest, and rid the Staling.
Thoughts?
Cheers!
HOOBS brings in your nest devices and cams as well but require you to use 2 separate plugins. One for thermostats and nest protects and the other for the nest-cams and doorbells.
Yes you technically can just use HOOBS/Homebridge but I still recommend using Starling for Nest. More on this specific question in my latest video.
This is exactly the video I was looking for. Thank you! I don’t like that it’s a hack at the end of the day, but Apple just makes life so difficult. They’re so stingy on what brands and devices they’re compatible with.
Hi, new guy here! 👋🏼 does HOOBS come with a ”sniffer” that detects the sensors etc, or do you still need to buy the hubs for those devices?
Hmm, i have a lot of outlets plugs like Iqore, Innr sp120 Fibaro F. i dit it with Homebridge but all oulets only make switches not power measurement. How is this with Hoobs?
Fantastic video Eric. Is Hoobs Box equivalent to Rasp Pi + Hoobs MicroSD? I don’t have any knowledge about coding. What should I go for?
It is basically a Pi + internal storage with some easier-to-use UI on top. If you haven't done any coding I would recommend checking out HOOBS instead of setting up a Raspberry Pi yourself.
Excellent video - looking at this to bring all the devices we have to homekit. The one device we have that I can't seem to get an answer for is a large ceiling fan that is from Modern Forms. Do you know of any way to add this device to homekit? TIA ! keep the videos coming!
Great video. I just ordered a Hoobs. I had homebridge setup on my PC that just crashed. Fortunately, I was able to save a backup of my homebridge. Is there any way I can recover my homebridge plugins through Hoobs? Or, do I have to start from scratch with adding plugins?
I haven't totally got this. Is this instead of having a AppleTV for an exampel or can you do more with this device.
I see a lot of people talk about HOOB but I don’t really see videos of them actually using it with real devices.
Great video!! I do not have a desktop and use an ipad as my everyday driver. Will this be an issue?
When you toggle the power on one of your tp-link outlets connected through homebridge, do you know if it goes out to the internet or is the traffic contained in your local network?
I am looking for a HomeKit outlet setup that I can use to reboot my router every week. Clearly once i power down the router the outlet won’t be able to get a signal from the internet to say power back up.
Can you use HOOBS to make devices work with Apple "shortcuts" as they could with IFTTT?
hi Eric are you using hoobs right now?
I still think it’s a good option, but I am not currently using it
I want Hoobs because it's easier and WAY CHEAPER to use other switches rather than the 30 dollars one specified for HomeKit. I love SonOff.
Witch antenna standards onboard (WLAN, Bluetooth, enocean, zwave, zigbee)?
Expensive??? In Canada on Amazon CA a raspberry Pii runs around $170, less bear, the Hoobs is about $249.00 in Canada. So about $80.00 more for a plug and play item.
Does it support all basic stuff
ESP8266 / NodeMCU
Relays
MQTT
arduino codes etc ?
Also, what if someone has Android phone too. how does Hoobs/homekit solution accommodate those users ?
Really wished homebridge supported nest secure. I ended up having to buy the starling, even though the nest plugin for homebridge said it’d work with nest secure. No more running homebridge on my esxi. :(. But hopefully I’ll have the functionality now.
I don’t feel that HOOBS is necessary anymore, as the HomeBridge team has released their official image that can be installed on your RPI, etc. It includes the same UI HOOBS utilizes out of the box, and is incredibly easy to configure.
But the HOOBS interface looks different from the Homebridge one. The key difference is you have to setup the Homebridge one yourself.
I returned mine and they are refusing to give me my money back
can not get logged into hoobs.local any recommendations?
Hey I’m having a lot of connection issues with LIFX lights. I have 35 LIFX downlights that go unresponsive if they are in standby for more than a few hours. Do you think HOOBs would help?
I don't think HOOBS would help. I would contact LIFX support if you haven't already. Since those bulbs are Wi-Fi based, you might take a look at your Wi-Fi router situation and see if it needs upgrading to a mesh network that can better handle that many connections.
Hi Eric - if I use the Hoobs bridge do I need to disconnect my Ring Bridge?
Help I upgraded to HOOBS 4 and it broke everything
Muy cierto, sale mejor comprar home kit directamente, aunque apple tiene que poner de su parte y poner más opciones a los fabricantes.
Great video, Eric! Thank you. Is there a difference between buying the HOOBS SD card for $20 and/or downloading the HOOBS software for $7 donation and installing it myself? Is it basically the same thing, just paying for the SD card and convenience?
Since HOOBS sent me the box, I haven’t tried either of those options myself, but I think it’s just added convenience with the card.
Where can I find help for HOOBS? tried GitHub and Reddit and no luck.
About what about homey pro apple user
Do you need the Starling when you have Hoobs?
That is what I get for asking a question only 10 minutes in, lol.
Hey mate, Great video. Thanks.
My neighbor shares her Nest public web camera addresses (simple http//:) to help monitor the shared courtyard. I have two separate web addresses that I like to expose to the home kit.
I can't find any plugins for that simple mode of operation.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Hey Morty! Thanks. I don't have an idea on this with HOOBS/Homebridge. You might try something like the Scriptable app on iOS to build a custom widget that fetches images from the camera.
@@EricWelander Thanks for the reply - I'll try....
Hoobs box overheats and a fire hazard device. Customer service says it is a “normal” operating condition. The tech is good but has safety issues.
Michael Kellsy You got your answer.
Is hoobs free for ubuntu?
HOOBS is a nicely packaged version of Homebridge, which runs on a computer that can run Node.js.
well im seeing this after i just spent all of yesterday doing homebrdige on linux and all of today configuring more devices 🤦♂️
Just install the plugin Config-UI-X. So much cheaper and works exactly the same. With the new install it is already there. You can set it up in under 10 minutes.
I purchased this a year ago and it had promise. It never really lived up to the hype and now, it doesn’t even work for me.
Want to sell it
What happened with it?
Stop the arm swing 😁
Can you install nest on hoobs?
Yes plugins.hoobs.org/plugin/homebridge-nest
that price did not age well... $270 now
I’m 1/3 into the video and I’m hella confused
Confused about HOOBS?
Same
Don’t understand how people say this is easy with the box. You still need the tokens and id’s etc. I tried to get my nest and eufy vacuum going. I gave up in frustration. What a waste of money🤬
Not all plugs ins require tokens and IDs and OAuth. The TP Link plug in I use only talks over my local network. This is true for a variety of other plug ins too
Can you add some more color to the background of your talking shots? I think it would help
$250 now geez
A hack??!!! Come on bro
Thats another boloks!! So many routers and home clouds are so powerful today and you still have to install aditional hardvare!!! Boloks not gona buy it!!
Man you’re all over the place and you need to actually show how it works it’s only yap yap yap and no simplification
Dude, you said the same thing over and over again for 13 minutes.