Well, since they killed it and are considering Apple Homekit support to be a low priority, WYZE is now dead to me, and I will consider them to be an extremely low-priority product.
Anybody want to buy 5 cheap Wyzecams?
Where did they say they are not going to do HomeKit, I thought it was still maybe?
1 Like
It is categorized by the tag on this topic as “researching”. That’s a step above “maybe-later”. However, the Q&A video says it will not be until Q4 at the earliest.
1 Like
I need and want HomeKit cameras, for the same reason everyone else in these threads has listed.
As such, I would rather give my money to companies that actually understand the value in HomeKit cameras (including to their own bottom line), instead of continuing pining for that functionality from a company that doesn’t comprehend that.
The ones I had were bought to experiment with - and yes, they are nice little inexpensive cameras with decent functionality - just not in the aspect that I need.
Since I do system integration for smartHomes, were there a chance that Wyze would develop this, I would give it more time - but it’s vwry obvious after this podcast (and their consistent non-replies) that Wyze considers this to be very low priority (that’s code, usually, for ‘no priority’).
If this were to develop, I’d easily buy 50-100 cameras right away, and then that same amount each month for various projects.
As it stands right now, I’d rather invest my resources and efforts into other devices. If Wyze doesn’t care for me, or even their own economic advantages, why should I?
That’s all.
1 Like
I said Q4 2019 because for the moment we can’t commit to it. We have to get an exemption from Apple because the second stream is not to Apple’s standard. We also have quite some work to get it done and we don’t have the resources completely locked up. We have also some serious changes in the firmware that we are targeting for Q2, Q3 and Q4 that can impact our ability to do the integration so we have to see some of those changes in place before we can move forward on HomeKit.
It’s on research because we invested 3 weeks of engineering time in the evaluation of the technical work required for the integration. We have also spent several hours in conversation with Apple to understand how to get around some of the limitations.
Also who said we killed it because of hardware constraint???
5 Likes
It’s not so much of the hardware but on the firmware. Basically, the second stream is 360p and they are requiring 720p. We can’t upgrade the firmware to 720p so we have to ask for an exception from Apple and we don’t know if that exception will be accepted.
7 Likes
I’d gladly buy a 4K Pan Model. Really love my wyze just prefer to have all the automation in HomeKit and not separate apps for everything.
3 Likes
Count me in as being very interested in this. Especially with the Home app coming to macOS, it would instantly make Wyze cameras viewable on desktop.
2 Likes
“So now one of the next Aqara products to hit the stores, at least initially in China, will be the new Aqara G2 Smart Camera.”
“this new camera from Aqara, that we estimate will be due out within the next couple of months, won’t be HomeKit compatible at launch, but will, according to our source, get HomeKit compatibility soon after. If this really happens, then with the price in China roughly around $35-$40, will be by far the cheapest HomeKit compatible camera on the market”
Xiaomi manufactures the WyzeCam cameras (in fact, Wyze’s models are rebrands of the existing identical Xiaomi models, with localized and arguably better apps / software. Seems that Xiaomi will be providing HomeKit compatibility to their Aqara camera pretty soon (maybe).
I just ordered 2 of them to try them out.
1 Like
I was concerned that I’d have to go through AliExpress or AliBaba – but they are available via Amazon, slightly more expensive, but with free shipping:
They are also billed as “HomeKit” already, but that could also just be the vendor fibbing - it’s a Chinese reseller, so who knows. That’s why I’ve ordered two, as well as the hub, to try them out.
This has now been been fixed with the latest firmware for the cam, and latest update of the Mi Home app. You still need to select China as your location, but everything else works.
———
Also, I’ve noted that Xiaomi’s latest iOS app and firmware has locked out their Xiaomi Dafang cameras (the OEM of Wyze’s cameras) from working outside of China. This is a recent change from Xiaomi and smells of dirty pool… they can still be hacked, though.
Perhaps Wyze could consider adding HomeKit via a plug-in module similar to the Wyze Sense approach.
That way the cameras remain at the current price point (or there about) and those of us who want HomeKit can pay for the more expensive tech via plug-in module(s).
4 Likes
Interesting idea. I’d try one out for $20, and if I liked it would buy several more.
That’s a great idea - you mean something like a gateway or hub of sorts?
This would make the most sense, and would require very little actual modifications or firmware tweaks on the cameras, as the gateway module can basically act as a converter (including providing that second elusive 720p stream through a conversion).
Such a module could reasonably sell for anything between $20-$60 (you just need one for XX cameras), and conveniently enough Xiaomi makes such a hub as part of the Aqara line (I ordered one) that already provides Homekit support - so WYZE could/should just re-brand it for the US market.
2 Likes
As many others have said, Apple Homekit integration would be huge!
Apple Homekit integration = more sales and $$$ for Wyze, as this would be a huge selling feature.
3 Likes
I would pay you an extra 10 dollars to add homekit firmware to my wyzecam and happily spend that much more for future cameras.
1 Like
I agree I would love to be able to have a live feed on my Apple TV.
3 Likes
With the RTSP firmware, you can have live feeds on your AppleTV.
Install an appleTV app called CCTV on your appleTV, and enter the URL provided by the RTSP feature.
Boom, live feeds!
1 Like
Okay Seriously now. With the door and motion sensors, you have to get Homekit integration completed. If Onvis can do it, so can you. If my Wyze mailbox (door) sensor could tell my Homekit lights to turn blue, it would be awesome.
2 Likes
I second this. Homekit integration would be amazing.
1 Like