We’re all hoping, but nothing yet unfortunately…
Some things I don’t mind that there is no Homekit support with it, Other things I do. About 50% of the U.S. population has iPhones, so to me, it seems a little strange. You have to just look at WYZE and think they could care less about Homekit support. Because at this point, that is how it looks, and until they say otherwise,… You’ll have to look elsewhere. Never buy anything in the hope it may have the feature at some later date. Buy a product for what it has currently. So if it’s WEMO or Eufy or Ecobee, or Rachio, or one of the growing number of other company’s that support Homekit, you’ll have to buy their products instead. It is, what it is.
My perspective is that Wyze continues to put out a greater variety high quality smart home components, with a fantastic iOS interface. And that we, as consumers, would like a full system support with Home Kit.
Wyze needs to make its own business decisions. This, of course, is true.
However, some hardware manufacturers have followed through on their commitments to provide HomeKit compatibility and some have not.
WeMo, for example, most certainly did. Although they initially provided a bridge for older non compliant devices, some of those devices, plugs, were made natively compatible and others, older switches were not.
I own all of the above and with iterative firmware updates they all work quite well. So clearly it can be done. And Wyze would be wise to follow the same course.
HomeKit with its emphasis on security isn’t a choice for so many of us, it’s a requirement. So that’s why.
I would like to see Wyze take advantage of Apple HomeKit. Like others, I have various devices, from Amazon to Apple to iHome to Wyze, not to mention many smart devices, namely TVs and Rokus for me.
Adding Apple HomeKit for Wyze devices would mean I can use Apple HomeKit for everything, plus Amazon Alexa. Plus IFTTT, And I will be able to keep them together on Alexa and Home, which means double accessibility for Wyze devices.
And, the tradeoff of inexpensive or free for lacking privacy matters.
They need to create a hub, and they’d be good to go!
Hey man I understand you’re frustrated, but let’s not turn this into insults thrown around a schoolyard please simply because you want to disagree.
Apple rejected WyzeCam2 for HomeKit, and as well as at least one other product, based on hardware grounds, as Wyze let us know about it.
Wyze is entitled to run it’s business however it sees fit, and as much as I would like for HomeKit support too, they most certainly don’t owe it to anyone because a promise was never made, and it was never advertised as a guaranteed capability either.
Furthermore, for any other of Wyze’s products that contains hardware that could possibly provide support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon, and Google Home.:
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It still requires a ton of software engineering to make that happen on a resource constrained micro controller with memory capabilities measured in kilobytes
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It was difficult for much larger and longer established companies with much larger software development teams to include HomeKit support along with support for all other platforms. HomeKit was always the last to be supported, as it has the smallest consumer base.
That is business logic. -
Yes, Belkin WeMo plugs can be bought for $5. But they used to sell them for about $40 each, and they were not able to add HomeKit support to those until they were already on the market for about four years or so.
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Wyze does not have Belkin’s resources in software development and support.
It’s a simplistic logical fallacy to go from observing e.g. a $5 WeMo for sale with HomeKit support, to concluding that therefore there’s no realistic reason explaining why Wyze does not offer HomeKit.
There’s a lot of assumptions being made on under the hood there.
- any other conclusions made on that fallacy are unfounded, and kind of unfair to the company really.
If it would be relatively easy for Wyze to add HomeKit support, then they would do so… it would actually save them a bit of $$ by having that money fewer devices frosting them usage charges being incurred to them on their AWS-based infrastructure
The more I read this topic, the more I dont understand why are people still looking/waiting for this HomeKit integration.
I really liked Wyze (actually I still do), and what they wanted to do. They offered incredible camera at one low price, and as company they had that startup vibe and everyone seemed cool and fun to talk to.
However, the more product they introduced (which I did buy) the less I wanted to integrate Wyze with HomeKit – and my main reason is so many bugs I have experienced.
I backed up six different products and most of them had so many bugs.
Cam 1/2/Pan: I had all three, total of eight cameras and for most part they were ok if I wanted to just check out what is going on in specific room. Notifications were hit or miss, sometimes it worked good and sometimes it worked bad. Overall it was not that bad, price point was low so I was ok.
Wyze Sense: Loved size of the sensor and motion detectors, but notifications were bad, sometimes I would not even get them at all.
Wyze bulb: Worst product ever, imagine light turning on at 2am for no reason. Went through so many troubleshooting steps, logs, new bulbs, two houses, still same issue.
Wyze Plug: Best Wyze product, never had issues, rules start/stop on time. Even used them outside.
Wyze Can Outside: Similarly to Wyze Bulb, waste of money. Notifications/detections are so bad.
If the HomeKit was introduced today, I dont think I would use Wyze to integrate.
What I have done is slowly started buying HomeKit products and replaced Wyze. It took me a year but I am more happier with current set up, and its integrated with HomeKit. It did cost me more than Wyze, but there are way less bugs + its integrated with HomeKit,
Current Set Up:
Lights: Sengled, have had zero issues
Sensors: Door/Windows/Temperature/Water Leak - sensors are small in size, and they work, water sense is the one that is going off/on sometimes but overall its ok - Aqara
Nest: Doorbell, Smokedetector, Outside cameras - All connected through Starline Home Hub which works really good (outdoor cameras price sucks).
Cameras: Indoor Cam 2k - Eufy
Maybe I am wrong as I am making my decision on only 6 products from Wyze. But, if you want to wait, wait, if you dont, then stop complain and get some HomeKit products and start integrating them…its cool once u connect everything.
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Cam+ with RSTP please so I can use it with home bridge and HomeKit
I am still asking … where is iOS HomeKit, Siri ???
I have been an earlier adopter, pro supportive proselytizer and thrilled user and with far more products than likely 99% of WYZE users.
I’m must however address the large percent of disgruntled current owners of WYZE products as well as the tens of millions of potential sales of iOS was a priority over dumb hand held vacuums and their commercial gimmick claims.
Real use will come to Apple Siri / HomeKit households soon or WYZE may be known for its meteoritic fall as much as its precedent setting start and subsequent year over year growth.
DO NOT BE MISTAKEN
I would love to see WYZE take over more industries as they have already dominated areas of certain smart home markets in many of our minds.
The FOCUS must be turned now before it’s too late.
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I know what you mean. I have quite a few of their products also.
There is a work around for some of their older devices currently. That is using Homebridge and the Wyze plugin. Or using Hoobs, which is Homebridge with a different overlay interface and hardware interface. Almost plug ang play. Though with a little effort, you could buy a Raspberry pie yourself with a case and so forth and install the software onto that for about have the cost.
I hadn’t tried it’d with Wyze yet as is limited. There is no camera support though there is another way to get their V2 camera working. That’s a whole other thing. I hear the same thing is in the works for their V3 camera.
I got Hoobs for some other devices I have that lack Homekit support like a couple of my blinds that were only Alexa and Google supported. Well now with a plugin for Hoobs is working great with Siri. It acts like any other homekit supported device. I have a few other devices too get setup still.
Half the US population uses iPhones. The lack of support is pretty weak. When I can get Wemo smart plugs for $5 a pop which support Amazon, Google and Apple Homekit, why doesn’t Wyze?
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Wyze has been silent on homekit for a while. Unless I missed an update. I wonder if wyze wants to collect the recurring cam plus services revenue as long as possible so they will delay or never integrate with homekit.
Homekit video brings with it person detection and full detection clips making it competition for cam plus subscriptions. Interesting that HomeKit AI comes from the company wyze was using for person detection over a year ago.
I believe Wyze could corner the homekit camera market if they integrate the cam v3 and outdoor cam with homekit. But it wouldn’t surprise me if wyze makes the business decision to keep it all in house with cam plus and pass on HomeKit. If they need more investment or looking to be bought out they would take the short term services money to show revenue streams over HomeKit integration.
All my smarthome products are both Amazon and HomeKit compatible so wyze never makes the cut on thermostat, sprinkler, bulbs, doorbell, plugs. There weren’t HomeKit camera options until recently and wyze hinted as possible support. So I’ve tried multiple of each version of wyze cam.
Still believe in what Wyze is doing and they have some great customer service people. But I’ll personally be replacing the wyze cam products over the next year or so as more HomeKit camera options come to market.
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Yup, still no Apple Homekit, and still haven’t bought any more of their products. I’ve got the 3 cams, the senor kit, and a bunch of lights…but refuse to invest any more until they announce something firm.
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Wyze can support Homekit without supporting the new Homekit features that Wyze wants you to pay for. It would be nice if they did both, but I just basic Homekit support, most people would be happy enough with.
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You are correct there is a basic HomeKit support for cameras and doorbells.
I am seeking the privacy, face recognition notifications and motion triggered Picture in Picture pop ups on Apple TV. So I need a camera that supports Homekit Secure Video.
I’m not holding my breath as cameras supporting HomeKit secure video have access to features that overlap with CamPlus. If Wyze doesn’t do that I’ll still have to leave Wyze for Arlo, Eufy, Dlink, Ecobee, Logitech, Eve, Neatmo or others that are in development.
Those HomeKit Secure Video features are too compelling over the basic HomeKit video support.
Also, with basic HomeKit support Wyze won’t be cornering the camera market as I commented above. It’s the HomeKit secure video that most Apple users are seeking and competitors are building into their products. Secure video support is what gets all the press when a new camera supports it.
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Yes, I get what you are saying. I have my Ecobee 4, and Racho 3 both which support Google, Alexa, and Homekit. My Cameras are PoE and so will never see any time of Homekit support with them in the ways YOU want. Though I may be able to figure out a way around that to do what you’re asking. I’ll have to look into that. I wouldn’t be able to do it with my NVR, but a different software solution, maybe. Maybe with need of Homebridge. I’d have to really look more into that. But I can currently view on my cameras on my iOS devices anyway and the video is all recorded locally. It works good enough for my needs for now.
I do really like EUFY devices over Ring or Arlo. There are more and more company’s supporting Homekit, though slowly. It would be nice if I could get my security cameras onto the Apple TV, but there is no app currently for that and my cameras. I get why company’s are reluctant to support things like Homekit Secure Video. Because it’s taking a monthly payment feature away from them that they really want/need. Being able to charge you a little bit for basically forever or as long as you use their devices.
So I’d like to at least see basic Homekit support first. Homekit Secure Video would be nice, but I don’t want to be greedy. One step at a time as they say. It’s not just Cameras here, but Prinkler controller, Home Temp controller, Door lock, Robot Vacuum, Lights, Smart power outlets, etc. None of those need Homekit Secure Video. Just getting support for Homekit for their many devices would be a huge PLUS.
But as of now, of Homekit is really Important to you, and Homekit Secure Video is a must have, in either case you need to look elseware. Don’t wait around for Wyze to maybe support one or both of those. You could be waiting forever. Support those company’s that DO support Homekit and Homekit Secure Video. As I’ve always said, Support the company’s that have the features YOU need.
These Wyze headphones I have, I could care less about Homekit support, but the crashing every 20 minutes is my big issue with them making them pretty much worthless. That’s 3 times an hour. Wyze Support has been 100% worthless.
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Same exact situation.
SamK
Well, this might be a valid statement based on the recent email about chip shortages. However, they do not need to be incompatible and HomeKit doesn’t do the AI tagging of video.
I feel your pain on the headphones. I’ve bought most of Wyze’s first release products and they all had frustrating issues that are worked out in many months of firmware updates or updating the hardware. Wyze cam v1 had 2 IRs that were not adequate before they updated the v1 with 4 IRs. That hardware change was all before the v2 cam.
As I wrote in my first message, over the next year I will be switching from Wyze. I’m not waiting for Wyze but they do have a window to keep me. I just need the time to look into what product line of cams will suit my needs across more than one location.
I’m running a full ring setup elsewhere and it’s been great. Plus the $10/month covers all cameras and more. Like you, everything I’ve bought supports more than one of the major ecosystems. For me everything is capable of running on Apple and Amazon. The only exception are the cams that are ring at one place and wyze at another. Wyze could solve them all with HomeKit secure video or I will be evaluating other solutions in 2021. The Eufy and Arlo are top of the list right now due to their diverse product lineup and HomeKit secure video support.
HomeKit Secure Video allows AI tagging. They can trigger motion on people, vehicles or animals. HomeKit secure video also has face recognition that can give alerts identifying a known person. Apple bought many AI companies including Xnor.ai that used to power Wyze person detection when that first launched. Wyze had to stop using that when Apple bought the company. The face recognition should be nice as I won’t check motion video capture if the alert is for someone I know.
My statement was that HomeKit doesn’t DO the AI tagging. It might allow the tags be be applied/present, but HomeKit itself isn’t processing the video and DOING the tagging.