Centers - Take Control of Apple Home Automation 1.1

Josh Centers

Welcome to Take Control of Apple Home Automation, version 1.1, published in February 2019 by alt concepts inc. This book was written by Josh Centers and edited by Dan Frakes (version 1.0) and Joe Kissell (version 1.1).

This book explains how to use Apples HomeKit home automation platform to control smart devices in your home, such as lights, outlets, thermostats, and more.

If you want to share this ebook with a friend, we ask that you do so as you would with a physical book: lend it for a quick look, but ask your friend to buy a copy for careful reading or reference. Discounted classroom and Mac user group copies are available.

Copyright 2019, Josh Centers. All rights reserved.

This book was sponsored by Elgato, the original makers of the Eve line of HomeKit accessories before Eve was spun off into its own company. Special thanks to Adam Steinberg for his support, without which this book wouldnt be possible.

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• Download any available new version of the ebook for free, or buy any subsequent edition at a discount.

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• Read the ebooks blog. You may find new tips or information, as well as a link to an author interview.

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Here are a couple of things to note before we start:

• Almost all the software covered this book runs on iOS, the operating system used by iPhones and iPads. If youre dissatisfied with your level of iOS proficiency, check out my book Take Control of iOS 12, which covers the basics, and also offers a crash course in Apples Home app.

• Throughout this book, I use the term press to refer to pressing firmly on the screen (for iOS devices equipped with 3D Touch) or touch and hold (for devices without 3D Touch). I use the same term in both cases because the gestures are usually interchangeable in iOS 12. I note the places in which they are not.

Version 1.1 of this book brings the text up to date with the release version of iOS 12. Changes include:

• Instructions for the new Home app in macOS 10.14 Mojave. Since its a direct port of the iOS app, the interface is almost identical, but I point out differences when necessary.

• Discussion of HomeKit support in third-party TV sets. Yes, you read that correctly! See .

• Elgato has spun Eve off into its own company, and Ive updated the text accordingly.

If youve never used home automation, it can seem like a gimmick at best, and a potential nightmare at worst.

Untold numbers of movies and TV shows have explored the potential horrors of home automation. In an episode of Mr. Robot, a woman is driven from her home after hackers make her apartment go haywire.

Even if complete takeover of your home by revolutionary hackers is far-fetched, problems could be annoying. By definition, home automation takes place in your personal space, and buggy code or simple human error, even in Apples somewhat simplified offering, could have a real impact on your life. Its prudent to think carefully before diving in.

But once you begin to use home automation, you start to see the everyday problems it can solve. Home automation may not change your world, but it can remove friction from your daily existence. Think about how many times a day you turn lights on and off, set your thermostat, adjust a ceiling fan, or check door locks. Even if its just a matter of making sure everything is as you want before bed, thats a win. It can also compensate for the thoughtlessness of othersthose people in your household who forget to turn off lights or check that the fridge is closed.

When you set up home automation intelligently, youll feel empowered, not overwhelmed. For Apple users, HomeKit offers the easiest, most secure way to achieve that goal.

Maybe you picked up this book because youre curious about home automation, but youre hesitant to try it yourself. Here are some common misconceptions that surround home automation:

• Its a gimmicky luxury: Is home automation a luxury? Sure! So are electricity, computers, and the internet, depending on your point of view. And, yes, it can be gimmicky (flashing dance lights!). But it can also be a powerful tool that can solve real problems around your house (say, if youre stuck in a chair with an injured leg and just want to turn the stupid light off). Its all in how you implement it.

• Its expensive: You could easily spend several thousand dollars on home automation, but spending that much is entirely unnecessary. Even an inexpensive smart outlet (usually $50 or less) can solve a lot of problems around the house.

• Its complex: Theres a mistaken belief that you have to automate your entire home before home automation pays off, but thats not true at all. Youd be surprised at what just a few devices and scenes can accomplish. In fact, I recommend starting simple to get a feel for it.

• I rent: There are some HomeKit accessories that you permanently install in your house, but many of them plug into an outlet or use batteries.

• Ill lose control of my house! Its true, if you go hog-wild on devices and automations, you can suffer what I call haunted house syndrome, but any sufficiently powerful tool can be a hindrance if used incorrectly. Follow the methodology I lay out in this book, and youll always feel in control.

• Hackers will take over my home! Any time you connect a device to the internet, there is a real risk that bad actors could use it against you. Compared to some smart home platforms, Apples HomeKit offers superior security, backed by two-factor authentication, but of course, nothing is perfect.

Home automation with HomeKit is not only safe, but potentially life-changing, and its only as complex as expensive as you want it to be. In other words, its like any other kind of computing! Lets start making your life easier

You should read this book from beginning to end, as it will walk you through the process of automating your home using Apples HomeKit framework. But if youve already done so and want to refer back to certain topics covered in the book, this Quick Start can help:

• Learn the basics of HomeKitwhat it is and how it worksin .

• Identify problems around your home and consider your needs; see .