Technical article I wrote for CE Pro

[Dean Roddey]

Custom triggers hardly gets it anywhere close to the capabilities of customized systems. It's the extensive customization that makes the difference.
 
As to the customers familiar with inexpensive alternatives, it makes no difference. They can either do it themselves, which most of them still will not do, or they can pay for something that a professional can actually make a living from doing and feels comfortable supporting. That's been the case for a long time now. The vast majority of people will still not set up anything beyond trivial on their own, neither HomeKit nor Thread is likely to change that. 

 

[Deane Johnson]

pvrfan, it's interesting that the first verbiage to pop up in that link is:
 
HomeKit is Apple's framework that enables apps to easily and securely interact with HomeKit enabled accessories such as lights, locks, thermostats and more.
 
The words "HomeKit enabled accessories" sort of stood out.  I assume this is the 500 lb gorilla saying you modify your device to my protocol or you don't get a seat at the table.
 
Then, I went to view the video and it wouldn't work.  In squinting at the print, I discovered why.  It only works with Safari.  Hello.

 

[Dean Roddey]

Maybe, yes, from your perspective, since you already have a central HA controller.  However, I think what's driving the shift is the simple fact that 99%+ of people don't.  It's also the shortest path (however short sighted it may turn out to be in the long run) toward "just get it done and move on."  I mean, if you're the irrigation controller, do you really want to write plug-ins for all of the centralized HA systems just to do that simple thing (turn on the irrigation if the smoke alarm activates) within each of their respective software architectures?

 
But, there are hundreds of 'just one things' that someone might want to do in response to something else happening. And, more likely, there will be a set of coordinated things that they want to do if something else happens. Having to try to create a situation where every device understands all of the possible interactions with other devices is a losing game. It just drives up the cost of every device with redundant smarts.

 

[pvrfan]

...I would argue that, the more devices there are, the more important the centralized controller becomes if you are looking to do real automation, and you want it to work whether your internet connection is up or not.

I think that there will need to be something in the house monitoring conditions and coordinating actions.  But it needn't be solely dedicated to that function.  Homekit is using the Apple TV (which is, itself, another iOS device).  I believe the Thread folks are talking to a bunch of the router manufacturers.  
 
Note that Homekit already allows for multiple controllers.  Every time we make a change to the Homekit configuration (add a new accessory, modify a scene, etc) it is replicated through iCloud to all my authorized iOS devices.  So, if I have an iPhone, iPad and Apple TV they all update in near-real time.  I don't know how it happens but somehow when a scheduled command is sent to an accessory, the protocol takes care of eliminating duplicates.
 
Craig

 

[Deane Johnson]

Craig, do I understand from your post that HomeKit works only with iOS devices?  No Android or other?  I only ask because I haven't followed it much, but I find threads like this very useful in learning what things are all about.

 

[pvrfan]

Craig, do I understand from your post that HomeKit works only with iOS devices?  No Android or other?  I only ask because I haven't followed it much, but I find threads like this very useful in learning what things are all about.

Correct.
 
Homekit is still in very early days; who knows if they will open it in the future.  The newly announced Apple Music service has (or will have) an Android client.  The first iPhone had no app store but that was added a year later.
 
OTOH, one of the key elements of Homekit is security.  Every Homekit accessory has an Apple-designed chip incorporated that encrypts everything communicated with the iOS device.  Keeping that secure may preclude Android; I don't know.
 
Craig

 

[Deane Johnson]

I'm not exactly anti-Apple.  I have two iPads, an IPhone5, and Apple TV.
 
HomeKit will be interesting to watch from a "ease of use" and "universal acceptance" standpoint.  I think one of the things that will propel Echo to a fairly high acceptance level is the ease of setup.  There is little to do other than plug it in.  I think it's a little beyond the "grandma" level, but not a long ways.

 

[pete_c]

Yup the relative who is enamored with Alexa is primarily an iPhone/iTablet user these days for anything internet related.
 
IE: social media, texting et al type of stuff....well I think too she sleeps with her phone (well and her husband) but primarily speaks to her phone.
 
well; she is a grandma ... and I do believe when Alexa introduces her to automation she will go for it in a split second (relative to age relative to time relative to what she likes to do these days with her spare time).
 
Just noticed this advertising relating to the cloud stuff...
 

 
 

 

[jkmonroe]

JK, regarding your #1 comment, I'm curious.  I have lighting conditions that I change at different times of the day on a schedule.   Are you suggesting that in a non-central controller environment each light would be programmable to do different things at various times.  Taking that further, if an occupancy sensor was to be programmed to do multiple things, such as turn on lights, perhaps activate a voice warning, maybe add a siren and make a phone call notice to a smartphone, wouldn't that have to be a sensor with a complete controller built in.
 
What I am getting at is isn't the central HA controller that can talk to devices with a more universal protocol still the simplest and most versatile way to go?
 
I'll toss in another example.  My home theater.  I have several different lighting scenarios.  One is an iPad widget labeled "preview level".  Nothing more than a number of different lights running at about 15% brightness while the previews are running and all of the other nonsense on a DVD before the feature. It let's everyone get settled just like in a real theater before the room goes totally dark for the feature.  Then another widget that gives me full lighting.  And another that turns off the theater completely and sets the lighting for the post-movie mood.  I can't imagine programming this stuff without a central HA controller such as CQC.

 
Yep.  I have Hue, which has its own in-built timers and scheduler.  I can set various scenes to trigger based on set times or sunrise and sunset.  Most other lighting systems offer the same type of functionality.  For the sensor?  Yes, with exceptions.  Take something like Z-Wave where you can associate modules with other modules - if the motion triggers you can turn on lights without the need for a controller.
 
I fully understand the value of what Dean is getting at.  It will make his job exponentially easier, and in doing so provide the basis to be able to connect many more devices with the least amount of effort to his product.  Take a look at AllPlay, the newish Sonos competitor from Qualcomm; many manufacturers have implemented their protocol, from Hitachi to Polk Audio.  So Dean supports AllPlay, and by default gets all of the products compatible therein.  I think this is what he was getting at in the article.
 
So while I personally care, because I enjoy this stuff, the typical user could give two shits about how hard it is for the dev to make a device compatible, just that it is or it isn't.
 
And I am an advocate of having a central controller like CQC.  But at the same time I feel that each device or system needs to be utilized to its own fullest extent - and that means things like scene and timer control for lighting systems.
 
But it's easy for me to play devil's advocate in these scenarios to drive the conversation forward.

 

[pete_c]

This morning I added a comment to your great article after I noticed only one comment.

I am thinking that mostly the drive in a commercial sense of automation is just reoccurring revenues these days.

I mean what is the sense in installing automation that you purchase once and doesn't generate any reoccurring revenue?

Well the mothership sitting in the house works for me but really doesn't do much for the economies of newbie automation.

 

[Sparkman1]

I think a lot of start-up HA companies exist solely to be bought by one of the big guys.  Come up with a "good" idea, use crowd-funding or VC dollars to build out your idea and market it and then poof Google (or Microsoft or Apple or Samsung or ...)  walks in and offers you a ridiculous amount.  None of these kind of companies care about integration.  
 
Cheers
Al

 

[NeverDie]

I think a lot of start-up HA companies exist solely to be bought by one of the big guys.  Come up with a "good" idea, use crowd-funding or VC dollars to build out your idea and market it and then poof Google (or Microsoft or Apple or Samsung or ...)  walks in and offers you a ridiculous amount.  None of these kind of companies care about integration.  
 
Cheers
Al

I'm behind on my news reading.  Aside from Nest, what other home automation related companies have been purchased for a ridiculous amount?

 

[jkmonroe]

Revolv by Google for undisclosed amount.  SmartThings by Samsung for like $200M.  Wink raised $100M.

 

[Dean Roddey]

I think a lot of start-up HA companies exist solely to be bought by one of the big guys.  Come up with a "good" idea, use crowd-funding or VC dollars to build out your idea and market it and then poof Google (or Microsoft or Apple or Samsung or ...)  walks in and offers you a ridiculous amount.  None of these kind of companies care about integration.  
 
Cheers
Al

I certainly agree with that. Add to that: Everyone knows we are already starting to build the next bubble, and that they probably don't even ever need to sell anything in order to do it, as long as they have a high enough buzz word quotient and visibility.

 

[jkmonroe]

I certainly agree with that. Add to that: Everyone knows we are already starting to build the next bubble, and that they probably don't even ever need to sell anything in order to do it, as long as they have a high enough buzz word quotient and visibility.

 
 
'Murica!
 
But seriously, if someone comes along and offers untold millions, I'd jump ship too.  It's the American Dream, baby!