After a solid few years of running my smart home on Google’s platform, I’m starting a transition to Apple HomeKit. For several reasons, it’s not going to be a cheap or seamless endeavor. And it’s going to take some compromises on my part as … [Read more...]
Can you use Apple HomeKit’s adaptive lighting with Lutron switches?
On our most recent IoT Podcast, Tom called in to our voicemail hotline with a HomeKit question. He currently has Lutron switches but was thinking about swapping out the standard bulbs those switches control with smart bulbs. Why? Because he's hoping … [Read more...]
How to use your phone’s GPS location to change a Nest thermostat between Home and Away mode
On our most recent IoT Podcast episode, Dean called in to our podcast hotline with a question about having his Nest thermostat automatically turn on when he gets near his home. He used to use IFTTT for this, but it no longer works. He’s wondering how … [Read more...]
Apple HomePod mini review: A good option for iOS and HomeKit smart homes
Until recently, if you wanted Siri in a smart speaker, you had to pay several hundreds of dollars to choose from one and only one option: Apple’s HomePod. Last month, the $99 Apple HomePod mini became available, providing a second, less-expensive … [Read more...]
Without a phone of its own, Amazon’s Alexa on the go isn’t going anywhere
We often talk about the three main voice assistant platforms, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and the Google Assistant. They’re generally all the same to most people, right? I’d counter that there’s a massive difference between Alexa and its digital … [Read more...]