My Apple x Aqara Smart Home #AweDropping

I am using Apple Home as my preferred smart home system. Apple Home is providing my matter devices also to Home Assistant. My smart home primarily utilizes Matter over Thread devices, leading to an increasing number of Aqara devices.

Aqara Smart Lock U200

I acquired the Aqara U200 door lock through Kickstarter and have found it to be a highly reliable device. With the Aqara U200, I can unlock my door using Apple Home Key by holding my Apple Watch Ultra near the keypad.

Alternatively, I can utilize the fingerprint sensor on the keypad for quick access. Both methods provide a swift and convenient way to unlock my door.

Aqara G4 Doorbell Cam

As a doorbell, I am currently using the Aqara G4. It also activates the exterior light near the door if a person is detected. I am considering upgrading to the G410 to utilize the mmWave sensor for more precise detection.

Aqara G100 Camera

My garden is protected by the Aqara G100 Camera, it provides a motion sensor that detects individuals or animals and can also be utilized to activate the lights.

Aqara Camera E1

This camera is strategically positioned in the corridor and serves as a primary monitoring device for our dog when he is left home alone. The camera is equipped with an automatic tilting mechanism that enables it to follow our dog’s movements within the viewable area.

Aqara Presence Sensor FP300

I already own one Aqara FP300, which is the new star of my smart home. It is packed with a presence sensor (obviously), temperature and humidity sensor and a light sensor. It effectively manages heating based on occupancy and activates lighting when a specific light level is insufficient.
No more stumbling into my study room in the dark. The FP300 lights up the room, providing ample illumination when I work in front of my monitors! :relieved:

I anticipate that my smart thermostat will soon incorporate Apple’s Adaptive Temperature feature, enabling the FP300 to be utilized more dynamically within this functionality.

I am considering acquiring additional FP300 units for all my living spaces.

Aqara Smart Hub M100

The Aqara Hub M100 extends my Apple Home with the same thread network.

Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1

During nighttime and under specific outdoor temperature conditions, the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 closing the curtain, functioning as a thermal bridge. In the morning, it automatically opens, allowing access to our garden.

Aqara Dual Relais Module T2

I am utilizing the Aqara Dual Relais Module T2 to transform a conventional switch into a smart switch within the children’s room. Consequently, the smart lights are activated by specific scenes through a rebound switch and its current state.

By extending my smart home, I intend to acquire the following devices:

  • A quantity of Aqara G5 Pro PoE cameras
  • A substantial number of Aqara FP300 Presence Sensors
  • Replacement of my existing smart bulbs with Aqara T2 smart bulbs
  • Replacement of my Aqara G4 Doorbell Cam with the Aqara G410 Doorbell Cam
  • and more to come Aqara Matter over Thread devices :wink:
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May I ask why Apple Home I supplying Matter devices to Home Assistant. Why not share directly via Matter?

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To clarify, I am utilizing the Matter architecture within Apple Home. Consequently, I share the devices with Matter to Home Assistant (or other platforms). :slight_smile:
My Apple devices offer the most robust and dependable thread network and smart home hub (redundancy). I utilize Home Assistant for any tasks that require greater complexity and cannot be accomplished using Apple Home.
Most of my devices work with Matter, except those with Apple HomeKit Secure Video or a few older devices I haven’t replaced, yet (I think it may be just one device :thinking:).

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Regardless of what everyone says about Siri, it remains the best voice assistant when it comes to smart homes and ecosystems. One assistant for all of my devices.

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I have to dissagree with that they all have their flaws…

(I have google speaker, apple pod as well as alexa and of course homeassistant voice with ai).

Google is a mess and miss hears things more than all the others, but as a local wifi speaker with no restrictions is great,

Siri is great for smart home but ask it anything out of the ordinary and it does not know that one,

Alexa will respond 70% of the time to these random questions that others cant apart form home assistant voice

Home assistant voice with ai is kicking butt on the audio responses over all the rest, but when it comes to picking up what your saying can be a bit hit and miss like google.

again I have no bias I test a lot of stuff in home assistant for development and knowlage and have all 4 systems active with my stuff shared to all 4 because of this.

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Each smart speaker possesses its distinct strengths and weaknesses. Siri stands out as my preferred choice for home automation tasks. I utilize Alexa with my Sonos speakers and this combination offers an optimal blend of exceptional sound quality and the ability to obtain responses to a wide range of inquiries. Additionally, Sonos can be integrated into my smart home using Home Assistant.

It is conceivable that the Home Assistant voice assistant, when integrated with AI, provides the most optimal experience. However, it is essential to ensure that the appropriate hardware is utilized.

I did have a sonos setup, but since finding out about blue tooth proxies on esp, stopped buying more and made use of some of my older equiment as media players through phono input :slight_smile:

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Excellent, thank you for sharing

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