Automation makes your life easier and everyone can do it. We tell you how.

Navigation

Links

Get in touch

Submit Feedback

#63: Home Automation Wizardry and Nerd Out

November 20th, 2020 · 91 minutes

In this episode, David and Rosemary dive back into the wonderful world of home automation and look at Rosemary's new setup. From "You've Got Mail" to picking accessories, they go beyond the normal, and possibly the sane.

This episode of Automators is sponsored by:

  • Command Line Heroes: Epic true tales of people revolutionizing the technology landscape. Season 6 out now.
  • Sync Up, a OneDrive podcast: Takes you behind the scenes of OneDrive.
  • FastScripts: Powerful script management utility. Instant access to your scripts, by keyboard shortcut or menubar. Get 20% off for a limited time only.
  • Setapp: More than 200 powerful apps for your Mac. Try it free for a week.

Stream this episode

Download: MP3 (83.62 MB)

Links and Show Notes

Smart lighting | Philips Hue
Logitech Harmony Elite - Universal Remote, Hub & App

This frequently goes on sale on Amazon, so keep an eye out for deals.

Smart Home & Home Automation with Lightwave
Caseta by Lutron | Smart Light Switches, Controls & Dimmers
Switch Covers for UK Lights and Philips Hue Buttons
Philips Hue Smart Wireless Dimmer Switch (Installation-Free, Exclusive for Philips Hue Lights), White: Amazon.co.uk: Lighting
Hue Motion Sensor
Aqara Door & Window Sensor - HomeKit Enabled Door & Window Sensor
Motion Sensor & Detector | Aqara
Xiaomi Mi Motion Sensor
TRÅDFRI, Wireless control outlet - IKEA
Home+
The Eve App | evehome.com
Eve Energy UK - Smart Plug & Power Meter

Tip: As you never want to turn off your washer or dryer while they're working, put these in a separate room called "Do Not Touch" or something similar, and make sure to disable them as favourites so rogue taps in the control center don't cause problems!

Smart Vibration Sensor - Wireless Vibration Detector | Aqara
Current status: This is my life now : HomeKit

Rosemary took a lot of ideas from this thread.

Temperature Sensor & Humidity Sensor | Aqara
Wireless mini switches - Remote control light switch | Aqara
Security Camera, eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam Pan
eufyCam 2C Wireless Home Security Camera System
eufy Security Floodlight Camera

Cameras with outdoor lights attached to them.

HomeCam for HomeKit
FYRTUR wireless, battery-operated grey, Block-out roller blind
SOMA Smart Shades - Smart Motor for Roller Shades - SOMA Smart Home
How to modify IKEA Fyrtur to fit your window frame - YouTube
Homebridge
homebridge-pihole - npm
homebridge-dummy - npm
homebridge-http-switch - npm
Pi Zero W Starter Kit – Pimoroni

If you want to try out the Raspberry Pi, this is the Zero W with lots of handy extras.

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher, No Wiring, Wireless App or Timer Control, Add SwitchBot Hub Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, HomePod, IFTTT
SwitchBot Hub Plus, Smart IR Remote Control for Air
Custom App Icons on Home Screen No Longer Route Through Shortcuts App in iOS 14.3 Beta 2 - MacRumors

On the show, we mentioned that the stock apps no longer went through Shortcuts. Of course, just after recording Apple released a new beta where none of the apps do!

Mac Power Users #552: HomeKit in 2020, with Mikah Sargent - Relay FM
Hiome

HomeKit Occupancy Sensor

Toolbox Pro