FlubWubJub
Established Member
I've recently embarked on my Smart Home/Home Automation journey after a few failed attempts over the last few years (pre-homekit/WeMo/etc), and i'm amazed to see here in the UK that it's still so difficult to create a smart, automated home.
I'm a huge Apple fan, and as such i'm really interested in the potential of HomeKit. However, even this has been disappointing so far.
Then we've got the competing platforms, like SmartThings, which are great, but of course start tie-ing you in to one platform (or limited options for expansion in future).
But i think what most annoys me right now is that companies seem to think everybody wants sensors - Air quality sensors, temp sensors, motion sensors... Yes they're great for some applications but there are far better ways to improve the home.
I've lived without an Air Quality Sensor all my life, but yet 'the industry' seems to think this is what i now need.
How about a 'smart' bath - i set the temp, set the water level, and away it goes... notification when filled.
Or maybe a 'smart' coffee machine/kettle (please don't link to the iKettle - it's horrendous).
Lighting is of course a big player in recent times with the likes of Phillips Hue, but why haven't we got a decent selection of Light switches? Instead of changing all the bulbs, why can't i just have a 'smart' light switch - they seem to exist in the States, but not here in UK.
What i'm getting at is generally speaking i'm really disappointed so far in the efforts to push the Automated Home.
It seems if you want a good setup you're forced in to some kind of DIY system, comprising of many Open Source projects (or just plain hacks) to get things working... For example, i currently have a WeMo switch on my desk which will be going home to link in to my HomeBridge setup so i can use it with Siri etc.... we should be further along than this!
Thoughts?
I'm a huge Apple fan, and as such i'm really interested in the potential of HomeKit. However, even this has been disappointing so far.
Then we've got the competing platforms, like SmartThings, which are great, but of course start tie-ing you in to one platform (or limited options for expansion in future).
But i think what most annoys me right now is that companies seem to think everybody wants sensors - Air quality sensors, temp sensors, motion sensors... Yes they're great for some applications but there are far better ways to improve the home.
I've lived without an Air Quality Sensor all my life, but yet 'the industry' seems to think this is what i now need.
How about a 'smart' bath - i set the temp, set the water level, and away it goes... notification when filled.
Or maybe a 'smart' coffee machine/kettle (please don't link to the iKettle - it's horrendous).
Lighting is of course a big player in recent times with the likes of Phillips Hue, but why haven't we got a decent selection of Light switches? Instead of changing all the bulbs, why can't i just have a 'smart' light switch - they seem to exist in the States, but not here in UK.
What i'm getting at is generally speaking i'm really disappointed so far in the efforts to push the Automated Home.
It seems if you want a good setup you're forced in to some kind of DIY system, comprising of many Open Source projects (or just plain hacks) to get things working... For example, i currently have a WeMo switch on my desk which will be going home to link in to my HomeBridge setup so i can use it with Siri etc.... we should be further along than this!
Thoughts?