A news site all about building an affordable Apple Smart Home

Join us for a lively discussion about all things in the Apple Smart Home Ecosystem. We will be talking Siri, HomeKit, and Smart Home devices. This month we will focus on HomePod Rumors and then dive into a general Q&A discussion on any/all HomeKit topics with the questions coming from the viewers.

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Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

00:00 Weekly HomeKit News Intro 00:12 Eufy outdoor cam showed up in security app 02:17 Aqara releases H100 smart lock with Video camera 04:51 Vocolinc Ripple smart diffuser pictures discovered

In this weeks show we talk about a Eufy HomeKit camera, an Aqara HomeKit lock, and another Vocolinc HomeKit diffuser.

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Building an Apple Smart Home with Affordable HomeKit Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d10Vnt0IAxM&list=PLptttE0nudFvyrwSqnJfeqB79nA0vSX0e

HomeKit Weekly News Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wCnrhfYF4&list=PLptttE0nudFuTjlWbKwN2IewrA3gw08Gb

🔗 LINKS

🍎🏠 HOMEKIT 5 PODCAST

🎸 Some music supplied by StreamBeats

🌎 Web: https://www.thehomekitlife.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehomekitlife 🍎 Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homekit-5/id1493800857 🌥 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1493800857

Join Josh & Brayden as they unbox, install, and setup the Level Lock Touch for their Apple Smart Home. Grab your own lock here and support our channel: https://amzn.to/3cOCiSY

We are building a HomeKit smart home every week, be sure to tune in as we add new smart home tech like the Level Lock Touch to our smart house. In this Level Lock HomeKit review we will show you all of this:

00:00 Intro to Level Lock Review 00:25 Unboxing the Level Lock Touch 00:43 Installing the HomeKit Smart Lock 01:48 Adding the Level Lock to HomeKit 03:48 Final thoughts on the Level Lock HomeKit Smart Lock 04:35 Our grade for this HomeKit Smart Lock 06:04 The End of our Level Lock HomeKit Review

Let us know in the comments if you have questions after watching our Level Lock review, or if you have any apple smart home tech questions.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/thehomekitlife?sub_confirmation=1

Building an Apple Smart Home with Affordable HomeKit Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d10Vnt0IAxM&list=PLptttE0nudFvyrwSqnJfeqB79nA0vSX0e

HomeKit Weekly News Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wCnrhfYF4&list=PLptttE0nudFuTjlWbKwN2IewrA3gw08Gb

🔗 LINKS

🍎🏠 HOMEKIT 5 PODCAST

🎸 Some music supplied by StreamBeats

🌎 Web: https://www.thehomekitlife.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehomekitlife 🍎 Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homekit-5/id1493800857 🌥 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1493800857

Join Josh & Brayden as they explore an affordable HomeKit device to potentially increase your safety around the house. Get your OneLink HomeKit Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector: https://amzn.to/3tbQZG2

00:00 Intro 00:20 Unboxing the OneLink Home Smoke Detector 00:37 Hands on with the Home Smoke Alarm 01:12 Setting up OneLink Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector in HomeKit 06:28 Testing the Smoke Detection for Fire Safety 07:42 Final Thoughts and our HomeKit Grade

We take Fire Safety serious in our Apple Smart Home. That is why we bought the Onelink HomeKit Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector to help protect our home. If fits nicely into our Apple smart home tech as one of our affordable homekit devices.

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Building an Apple Smart Home with Affordable HomeKit Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d10Vnt0IAxM&list=PLptttE0nudFvyrwSqnJfeqB79nA0vSX0e

HomeKit Weekly News Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wCnrhfYF4&list=PLptttE0nudFuTjlWbKwN2IewrA3gw08Gb

🔗 LINKS

🍎🏠 HOMEKIT 5 PODCAST

🎸 Some music supplied by StreamBeats

🌎 Web: https://www.thehomekitlife.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehomekitlife 🍎 Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homekit-5/id1493800857 🌥 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1493800857

Join Josh & Brayden as they add the Nanoleaf Essentials lightstrip to their Apple HomeKit Podcast studio setup. Is this one of the best homekit led lightstrips available? Watch and find out!

Don't forget to grab a diffuser if you want for the Nanoleaf or Phillips Hue light strip: https://amzn.to/2OhSBiF

We snagged a Nanoleaf Essentials 80 Lightstrip starter kit from the Apple Store and put it into a nice LED diffuser channel to get a warm glow on the Podcast studio wall. Now we can use the HomePod Mini and Siri to control this Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip via HomeKit.

00:00 Intro 00:13 Unboxing 00:38 What are we using the Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip for 01:15 Installing the Nanoleaf light strip 02:12 Why use a LED diffuser channel? 02:56 Adding the HomeKit thread lights to the Home app 04:16 Our thoughts on Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip 05:52 Our HomeKit Device grade 07:19 The End

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Building an Apple Smart Home with Affordable HomeKit Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d10Vnt0IAxM&list=PLptttE0nudFvyrwSqnJfeqB79nA0vSX0e

HomeKit Weekly News Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wCnrhfYF4&list=PLptttE0nudFuTjlWbKwN2IewrA3gw08Gb

🔗 LINKS

🍎🏠 HOMEKIT 5 PODCAST

🎸 Some music supplied by StreamBeats

🌎 Web: https://www.thehomekitlife.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehomekitlife 🍎 Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homekit-5/id1493800857 🌥 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1493800857

Join Josh and Brayden as they setup and install the Meross Garage Door Opener for their Apple HomeKit home. We are using the Meross MSG100 Smart Wifi Garage Door Opener that has full Apple HomeKit support.

Grab your own and support our channel too; https://amzn.to/3kuKI5c.

00:00 Intro 00:16 Unboxing 00:59 Story Time 01:29 Installing 02:23 Initial Thoughts 03:52 Demo 04:30 Final Thoughts 04:57 Our grade

Join Josh & Brayden for The HomeKit 5 Podcast as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Products mentioned (Support the show by shopping these links): Meross Baby Light - https://amzn.to/3aMKXFL

00:00 Intro 00:28 Meross launches a new night light for the nursery 02:20 IKEA HomeKit support coming to motion sensor and shortcut button 04:36 Aqara’s EU smart switches surfaces 06:28 Q&A and HomeKit Clubhouse room

Join Josh and Brayden as they install and setup the Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Bulbs in the Podcast/YouTube studio. These are super affordable HomeKit devices that don't need a hub! They use Thread chips instead. Are these the best homekit bulb on the market?

We also show how the HomePod Mini is used as a hub to easily control these bulbs over thread instead of bluetooth. Stay tuned to the end to see what grade we give this Apple HomeKit device!

00:00 Intro 00:15 Unboxing 00:46 Examining the nanoleaf smart light 01:35 Nanoleaf A19 Essentials Bulb setup 02:14 How to reset the Nanoleaf A19 Essentials Bulb 03:15 Eve App and Nanoleaf Thread bulb works 03:35 Using the HomePod Mini to control the Nanoleaf essentials line over Thread 04:14 Is this one of the best smart bulbs for apple homekit? 05:32 The End

Join Josh and Brayden as they install the Aqara G2H Camera to their Apple HomeKit Home. Watch our Aqara G2H setup and review and if you want you can grab one off Amazon and support our channel too: https://amzn.to/3ql8TVH.

The Aqara G2H is a HomeKit Secure Video supporting camera. It offers facial recognition support, two way audio, and night vision. It also works as a hub for the Aqara ecosystem, which allows you to easily add sensors to your Apple Smart Home. Maybe after hearing our thoughts on this Aqara Camera for HomeKit, let us know what questions you have in the comments below.

00:00 Intro 00:16 Unboxing 00:35 What is the Aqara G2H? 01:50 Adding to HomeKit 04:01 Mounting the Aqara G2H 04:28 Final Thoughts

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Products mentioned: Abode Security Kit: https://amzn.to/3p0ArhT

00:00 Intro 00:16 Abode adds shortcut and widgets to their security app 02:20 Our favorite HomeKit Devices

Join Josh & Brayden as they install the Ecobee Smart Thermostate (Ecobee 3 Lite). Watch the Ecobee Smart Thermostat for HomeKit Review and if you like it you can grab your own here and support our channel: https://amzn.to/2YWM5j4.

The Ecobee 3 Lite is one of the few natively supported HomeKit thermostats, it allows you to use Siri or the Home App to control the temperature of your HomeKit Home. We give this a solid B rating for reliability and value reasons, as a HomeKit device.

00:00 Intro 00:10 Unboxing 00:46 Why a Smart Thermostat for HomeKit? 01:46 Installing 03:41 Thoughts on the Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Curious about the EufyCam 2 Pro? Join us as we setup and install this 2k HomeKit Secure Video camera and how it works. If you like our EufyCam 2 Pro Review and want to support the channel, you can use this link: https://amzn.to/3s3fLrw

We cover topics including how to add this outdoor security camera to your apple homekit setup, how to mount the video camera, and what the color day mode looks like vs the nightvision camera mode. We also discuss eufycam 2 vs eufycam 2 pro and if it is worth the upgrade.

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week. We are gearing up to attend CES this week, so be ready for a big show next week!

Sony Adds HomeKit Support to Select Models Of the Bravia Line TVs All Future NanoLeaf Products to Include Thread HomeWidget launched Lutron has something coming out...

Come learn more about the Logitech Circle Doorbell as we get it installed and give you our initial thoughts on it after 24 hours of using it. Is this Smart Home Wifi Doorbell ready for prime time? Follow along for the Logitech Circle Doorbell review.

We love this HomeKit secure video doorbell because it was easy to setup, it works with your existing doorbell chime, and has a great night vision setup that works with full color. At the $199 price point, Brayden and I highly recommend the Logitech Circle View Doorbell with HomeKit Secure Video.

This piece of hardware definitely has a long term life in our Apple HomeKit installation because it is such an affordable HomeKit device.

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Eufycam Black Pan and Tilt Surfaces Online Our Top 5

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Wall Outlet Hub, Aqara Smart Bed and More from Aqara!

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Philips Hue announces new 1600 lumen smart bulb, updated Lightstrip Plus and Bloom table lamp (https://9to5mac.com/2020/06/16/philips-hue-brighter-bulb-more/) Aquara Father’s Day sale (https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeKit/comments/hbyvu2/official_fathers_day_sale_from_aqara/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) The HomeKit-enabled VOCOlinc VS1 and LifeSmart Cololight Strip are now available on Amazon (https://www.imore.com/vocolinc-vs1-and-lifesmart-cololight-strip-are-now-available-amazon) Vocolinc Mistflow Air humidifier VH1 leaked (https://www.homekitauthority.com/vocolinc-misflow-air-humidifier-vh1-leaked/)

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

RoomMe Personal Location Sensor adds support for IFTTT and more (https://www.imore.com/roomme-personal-location-sensor-update-adds-support-ifttt) Aqara’s HomeKit Water Leak Sensor is now available (https://www.imore.com/aqaras-homekit-enabled-water-leak-sensor-now-available) Rio heating 2kw panel heater - first Apple certified heater in the world (https://rioheating.co.uk/) HomeKit Secure Video rollout for EufyCam 2 and 2c has started (https://www.homekitauthority.com/official-roll-out-of-homekit-secure-video-for-eufycam-2-2c/)

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

August’s new door lock now available to buy (https://august.com/products/august-wifi-smart-lock) Eero mesh routers available on Apple’s online store (https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/13/eero-wifi-products-apple-online-store/) Brilliant home control now works with HomeKit via public beta (https://www.imore.com/brilliant-home-control-update-adds-support-apples-homekit) Logitech ‘circle view’ leak (https://9to5mac.com/2020/05/04/logitech-circle-view-homekit-camera/)

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Hometags is released (https://www.imore.com/hometags-app-now-available) Sony’s ces lineup has airplay 2 and HomeKit support (https://www.imore.com/sonys-ces-2020-tv-lineup-homekit-and-airplay-2-support-now-available) Meross HomeKit enabled smart light switch available (https://www.imore.com/meross-homekit-enabled-smart-light-switch-now-available) Onvis smart camera with HomeKit secure video (https://www.homekitauthority.com/onvis-smart-camera-with-homekit-secure-video-to-arrive-in-may/) Aqara Wall Switch Review (https://youtu.be/3Ixg5tXT-DI)

Join Josh and Brayden as they explore setting up some basic homekit automations for the house. With the right mix of sensors and devices we can start to build that affordable homekit home. We dive into HomeKit Automations 101 with time of day and sensor based automations. In this episode we use the EufyCam motion sensors, Wemo switch, and Apple Homekit to easily control our lights at night.

Join Josh & Brayden as they talk about all the Apple HomeKit news of the week:

Gh2 HomeKit secure video support (https://www.imore.com/aqara-confirms-its-upcoming-g2h-camera-will-support-homekit-secure-video) Hue Bridge V1 End of Life’d (https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/06/original-hue-bridge/) Adobe updates its app for HomeKit security system (https://www.homekitauthority.com/abode-updates-its-app-for-its-homekit-security-system/) Starling Home Hub adds two way camera support to HomeKit for Nest (https://homekitnews.com/2020/03/02/starling-hub-updated-with-2-way-audio-support-for-nest-cameras/)

Take a peak at how Josh and Brayden set things in the podcast studio up for their HomeKit 5 podcast. It involves XLR Mics, Hue bulbs and light strips, and an iMac. We edit on the iPad using Ferrite. We also give a quick overview of our new Apple Shortcuts workflow.