Updated C-8 Pro and saw new HomeKit Controller Integration. It found my Lutron hubs. Now I am confused as to which way to connect the Lutron Hubs.
Currently using the built-in Lutron Integration to get them into Hubitat. I also have the Lutron hubs connected to HomeKit by adding them as a bridge. I assume this would let me connect them as they are to HomeKit, and then use this new integration to get them into Hubitat. Is that preferable, or just another way to skin the cat? Seems like telnet from Hubitat to Lutron would be as efficient.
Similar question but with the Abode home security hub. It is already integrated using a driver and virtual device. But there is a new option because the hub was found to be home kit compatible. Any suggestions or guidance or documentation to point me to?
If there already is a dedicated integration, use that instead of HomeKit controller (or any other generic integration).
Would there be an exception to that if the current integration being used is cloud based? I would think switching over to the HK Controller would be all local, thus better.
Yes, provided HomeKit Controller supports all the features a user needs from the cloud integration. We strongly favor local integrations whenever possible.
This has me wondering if the ecobee integration can be direct now instead of via API? That would probably convince me to buy a C8 pro.
I haven’t moved mine from Home Assistant yet but it is my understanding that HK Controller has a thermostat driver and @bobbyD is using it.
It can. What are your expectations?
Would this HomeKit Controller on C8p allow Hubitat to control Eufy security cameras (change Eufys modes / arm & disarm) via the Eufy Homebase3 which is HomeKit compatible?
Just local control of the thermostat as opposed to requiring the online API connection. I know there's some limitations to ecobee local control, but considering the number of times it has gone offline, i think it's worth it.
I am late to the game but does the new Homekit Controller allow you to add Homekit compatible devices directly to the HE hub without using the cloud? Keeping them completely local to the hub without needing the Homekit cloud connection?
This works fine. Data from the remote sensors is currently not made available to Hubitat via HomeKit.
HomeKit is simply a home automation communications protocol, similar to Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter. It was created by Apple, but can be used 100% independently of Apple devices.
"Apple Home" is a home automation system, similar to SmartThings, Hubitat, and Home Assistant. Apple Home can use HomeKit over WiFi, HomeKit over Thread, Matter over WiFi, and Matter over Thread communications protocols to communicate with various devices that support those protocols.
Hubitat's latest release has added HomeKit as a communications protocol, to talk directly with HomeKit over WiFi devices. Hubitat current device support is probably somewhat limited to popular devices like the Aqara FP2 and Ecobee Thermostats, as these are very popular devices whose only means for local control is using the HomeKit communications protocol.
So... when a user wants to integrate a device like an Ecobee thermostat or Aqara FP2 sensor with Hubitat locally, using Hubitat's new HomeKit controller support, these devices must first be removed from Apple Home (if they were already paired) so that they can be paired to Hubitat. Thus, they lose all connectivity to Apple Home and the Apple iCloud once they are directly paired to Hubitat.
It might be possible to add them back to Apple Home via Hubitat's earlier HomeKit support, which allows sharing Hubitat devices with Apple Home via HomeKit. It can be a little confusing as Hubitat now supports sharing Hubitat devices with Apple Home via the Homekit protocol AS WELL AS being able to now pair HomeKit devices directly Hubitat using this recently released HomeKit Controller integration.
Hope this helps and doesn't make things even more confusing...
Curious: what spec, version(?), does the Ecobee thermostat have to have?
I've got an old one.
Thanks.
Pretty sure it's common to the Ecobee 3 or later (basically all their tstats for the last 11 years).
I know that my Ecobee 3 Lite thermostats have HomeKit support. But I have no idea of when Ecobee added that as a standard feature.
Here is a snippet from Ecobee's website
Thanks.
I have a Smart Si, 3.4.4.179
Doesn't look good.
Good to know.
They're pretty cheap used, lol.
Not to derail the thread, but with the Ecobee 3 Lite, do you just buy one thermostat unit and then remote sensors, for say, the second floor.
Thanks.
I have two heat pumps, so I have two Ecobee 3 Lite thermostats. I also bought some additional remote sensors, and paired two with each thermostat, to improve overall comfort of each floor of my house.