HomeKit is a Smart Home Ecosystem

Apple’s HomeKit is a smart home ecosystem built by Apple; similar to the Mi Home smart home ecosystem built by Xiaomi in China. Ecosystems are very user-friendly for consumers, as committing to one ecosystem can save a lot of time and effort.

The characteristics of a smart home ecosystem are:

When selecting devices, as long as they support this ecosystem, they can interact with each other.

If you want to build your own system, just look for the HomeKit logo. Any smart device that supports this logo can be used.

This is the logo

Apple’s official website provides a list of all products that can be integrated, but it is not very user-friendly for people in China, as most are foreign products and brands that are not easily available domestically. Additionally, the number of products is not particularly large.

If you’re interested, you can check it out: iOS – Home Accessories

Smart Home Knowledge Points

1. What is a Gateway: The control center of a smart home, which sends commands to devices.

The Apple HomeKit platform is quite unique; first, Apple’s iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV (not released in mainland China) can serve as the smart home gateway. Second, some domestic smart home companies produce gateways specifically supporting HomeKit.

2. Smart Speakers: The voice entry point for smart homes, capable of receiving voice commands to control smart devices. Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini can do this, as can Siri on your phone.

3. Communication Protocols: The languages used for communication between devices.

Only devices that speak the same language can interact with each other; otherwise, a translator is needed, which is a gateway that supports multiple communication protocols. Currently, the main communication protocols in the smart home field are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/Bluetooth Mesh, and Zigbee.

4. Universal Infrared: Infrared serves as the control center for traditional appliances.

Its full name is a universal infrared remote control, which acts as a universal remote for household appliances. If you don’t want to replace your TV, air conditioner, or fan, you can buy a universal infrared remote.

5. Various Sensors: Used to determine whether a certain condition is met.

For example, to achieve the function of turning on the lights when someone moves, a motion sensor is needed; to turn on the air conditioner when the temperature is too high, a temperature sensor is required.

What Products Support Apple HomeKit Smart Home?

PS: Before introducing, note that 1. The functions and implementation logic of each device will be introduced alongside the device. 2. All devices support the HomeKit smart ecosystem. 3. No specific quantity is given; the quantity should be determined based on family needs.

1. Gateway:

As mentioned above, Apple HomeKit can use an iPad or Apple TV as a gateway, or a dedicated third-party gateway device can be chosen. It is recommended to use a third-party gateway as it is much more cost-effective.

(1) iPad or Apple TV

One must be placed in the room, even an unused iPad can work, as its role is to send commands to devices.

An iPad Mini is sufficient.

(2) Third-party dedicated gateways:

Xiaomi Multi-Mode Gateway

This Xiaomi Multi-Mode Gateway supports Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Bluetooth/Bluetooth Mesh communication protocols, meaning that any devices that use these protocols can be chosen for more options.

This model also supports the Mi Home smart home ecosystem.

Green Rice M2 Gateway

Designed specifically for Apple, this smart gateway not only serves as a gateway but also has infrared capabilities to control traditional devices like TVs and air conditioners.

However, this model only supports the Zigbee communication protocol.

2. HomePod Mini Smart Speaker

The HomePod has been discontinued, though it is still available; currently, Apple’s only smart speaker is the HomePod Mini, which carries the flag for voice entry, so there is no selection issue. However, to be honest, both of Apple’s speakers are well-equipped.

Both have six microphones and are very sensitive to sound, picking up even the faintest sounds.

The Mini has dual passive radiators and a large speaker that produces rich sound.

It can play music, tell stories, and connect to Bluetooth speakers.

It also has a high aesthetic value.

3. Aqara Various Sensors

Sensors are used to determine conditions, such as turning on lights when someone is detected, or opening lights when doors or windows are opened, or turning on the air conditioner when the temperature is high.

• Motion sensor to detect human movement

• Temperature and humidity sensor to monitor temperature and humidity

• Door/window magnetic sensor to detect whether doors or windows are opened or closed

• Smoke, water immersion, and natural gas sensors for disaster prevention

• Light sensors to detect brightness and can be used with smart switches

These sensing devices need to be paired with the Aqara M2 gateway.

Motion sensor

Door/window sensor

4. Aqara Smart Switch D1

This device automates lighting control. It can be controlled by voice and comes in 1, 2, or 3 switches to choose from.

PS: Before purchasing, confirm whether your home has a neutral wire; for those with it, choose the neutral-fire version; for those without, choose the single-fire version.

Choose between 1, 2, or 3 switches and wireless switches based on your needs.

Aqara Air Conditioner Companion

The air conditioner companion is a device that makes a regular air conditioner smart. It can be controlled by voice, etc. Just plug the air conditioner companion into a socket and then plug the air conditioner into the companion to achieve voice control and linkage with the air conditioner, easily turning a traditional air conditioner into a smart one.

You can also purchase the Aqara HomeKit series kit, which includes the following 8 devices:

1. Aqara Gateway: Smart Home Control Center

2. Aqara Door/Window Sensor: Detects the status of doors and windows

3. Aqara Motion Sensor: Detects human movement

4. Aqara LED Bulb: Adjustable color temperature, intelligent lighting modification

5. Aqara Wireless Switch (Wall-mounted Dual-key): Remote control modification

6. Aqara Water Immersion Sensor: Water monitoring alarm

7. Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor: Real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity

8. Aqara Wall Switch (Single Fire Dual-key Version for Smart Lighting Modification).

5. Yeelight Smart Lighting Series

Yeelight is a company that specializes in smart lighting and is part of Xiaomi’s ecosystem. Currently, there are not many companies in China providing devices for Apple, with two major players being Green Rice Aqara and Yeelight.

Yeelight Aurora LED Ceiling Light supports voice control, including Xiaomi Xiao Ai speaker, Yeelight voice assistant, Tmall Genie, Baidu speaker, and Xiao Ya, among others, supporting most smart devices and platforms, making it easier for users to use.

Yeelight Smart Eye Protection Desk Lamp, with a color temperature of 4000K and no blue light hazards, is an excellent configuration for studying; combined with multi-angle adjustment, it can perfectly accommodate children of different heights and also supports Mi Home control and smart linkage.

There are many more; you can search for them by brand.

6. Smart Door Locks

There are several smart door locks available:

(1) Xiaomi Smart Door Lock Pro

• Comes with a peephole and doorbell, offering excellent value for money.

• Can be controlled by Siri voice command to unlock.

• Safety is assured with semiconductor fingerprint recognition, grade C lock core, and support for NFC, along with periodic passwords that cater to both the elderly and children.

(2) Green Rice Smart Door Lock P100

This model also includes a peephole and doorbell, with a very high safety rating. If you have purchased the AQARA M2 gateway, it is recommended to buy this door lock for linkage.

7. Aqara Curtain Motor

This device enables smart control of curtains, allowing for voice and remote control of curtain opening and closing.

If you have an electrical socket at home, choose the plug-in version; otherwise, choose the lithium battery version. If you need a roller blind, there is also a version for that.

This curtain motor supports both Mi Home and Apple HomeKit, so if you are building a Xiaomi smart home, this curtain motor can also be used.

It can also be referred to as a tubular motor.

8. Aqara Smart Camera G2H

This device is for smart security and can be set to specific times and locations.

It can work with motion sensors, where if the motion sensor does not detect anyone while you are at work, it can trigger an alarm. This flagship model will sound an alarm when it detects motion.

9. Yeelight Entrance Motion Sensor Light

This light does not require control; it is purely a motion sensor light that can be placed at the entrance, turning on automatically when someone enters at night, which is very convenient. You can set the time freely, and it works well without needing to connect to any ecosystem.

10. Aqara LED Bulb

This can be used as a table lamp bulb or a night lamp bulb. It can adjust the ambiance and can be used for soft lighting.

11. Aqara Wireless Switch

This can be placed anywhere, whether on the bedside table, coffee table, or wherever you prefer; it allows you to turn on/off all lights with one click. It can be paired with the smart switch, curtain clicker, and smart lights. It can also be stuck on the door to act as a doorbell, or placed on the bedside to control anything you wish.

12. Yeelight Smart Light Strip

To create various atmospheres, dimming, and color adjustment, this is the go-to product. It can be directly controlled via Siri voice command and can be set to various modes with curtains, TVs, and computers, such as movie mode, gaming mode, etc.

Other lighting brands also have products that support Apple HomeKit; the principle remains the same: check if they support Siri and if they integrate with Apple HomeKit.

Final Thoughts:

Apple HomeKit currently relies on the market share of iPhones and iPads, so it certainly has a user base; however, there are indeed some issues, such as a lack of product variety and limited options for products that can be chosen and used. While it is possible to build a smart home, if you need devices like TVs, air conditioners, drying racks, water dispensers, etc., the choices are still quite limited.

In China, Xiaomi’s Mi Home is one of the better options for smart homes, mainly due to its rich product offerings, and it can also be considered as an alternative.