I recently came across the Smart Presence app for Homey and decided to give it a try. The idea of tracking my household members and guests through their IP addresses seemed intriguing, especially for enhancing my home automation setup. Here’s my experience and some insights I gathered during the installation and setup process.
Setup and Configuration
-
Static IP Addresses: The first step was assigning static IP addresses to all devices I wanted to track. This involved logging into my router’s admin interface and setting up DHCP reservations. It was a bit technical, but the guide provided in the app made it manageable.
-
Device Addition: Adding devices to the app was straightforward. I simply entered the device name and its static IP address. The option to label devices as ‘guests’ or ‘kids’ added a nice touch of customization.
-
Testing Connectivity: The app uses port scanning to detect devices. I chose a closed port for this purpose, and it worked seamlessly. The app correctly identified when devices were online or offline, which was a pleasant surprise.
Features and Functionality
-
Presence Detection: The ability to trigger automations based on who is home or away is incredibly useful. For instance, I set up a routine where the lights dim and the thermostat adjusts when everyone leaves the house.
-
Guest and Kid Tracking: This feature has been particularly handy. It allows me to differentiate between family members and guests, enabling tailored automations. For example, guests get a welcome message with essential house info when they arrive.
-
Custom Triggers: The variety of triggers available (e.g., first person arrives, last person leaves) opens up endless possibilities for creating personalized routines. I especially like how it integrates with other apps and devices in my ecosystem.
Challenges and Considerations
-
IP Address Management: Ensuring all tracked devices have static IPs can be a bit cumbersome, especially in a large household. However, the benefits of consistent tracking far outweigh the initial setup effort.
-
Network Stability: The app’s reliability heavily depends on a stable network connection. Any network disruptions can temporarily affect device tracking, but this is a common issue with IP-based solutions.
Conclusion
Overall, I’m impressed with Smart Presence. It has added a new layer of intelligence to my home automation setup, allowing for more personalized and efficient routines. The integration with Homey’s ecosystem is seamless, and the app’s features cater to both casual users and those looking for more advanced automation.
If you’re interested in enhancing your home’s smart capabilities with presence-based automation, I highly recommend giving Smart Presence a try. It’s a versatile tool that can adapt to various household needs, and the developer’s commitment to improving the app is evident from the regular updates and community engagement.
Happy automating! 