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MacSparky.com

Rosemary Orchard

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    #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.
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    • FastScripts: Powerful script management utility. Instant access to your scripts, by keyboard shortcut or menubar. Get 20% off for a limited time only.
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    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