I wasn’t aware of Guided Access. Since no one else routinely stays in my home, I really don’t need it to keep prying eyes and fumbling fingers out of trouble. BUT it might be perfect for allowing me to listen to audiobooks in bed while keeping me from giving in to the temptation to check my email or see what’s happening on CNN at 3 AM. Thanks for the tip! Also, I found a pretty nifty way to mount an older iPad mini for use with the Home app, while still allowing me to use it detached from the mount whenever I want. Many iPad folio cases are magnetic so that they can turn off the iPad when you close the cover. I found the magnets are strong enough to mount my iPad mini to my refrigerator. I just fold the cover onto the back of the mini and secure it in that position with Velcro. Then I slap the magnetic cover onto the fridge and it stays there until I pull it off. If I want to use the cover for its original (intended) purpose, I can unsnap the Velcro and fold the cover to protect the front of the iPad. Best of all the cost is virtually zero-an inexpensive folio case and a pack of industrial strength Velcro strips. Unfortunately. There isn’t a power outlet near where I mount the mini, so I have to take it down every day or two to charge it.
Several useful ideas here. I've always ignored the Guided Access feature as being irrelevant for what I do with my iPads, but I hadn't thought of using it in combination with a wall-mounted iPad.
I noticed your motto in another video: Simple desires for straightforward automations. Kudos for making understandable this new area of home connected objects which looked like a maze to me before watching your reviews. I have decided in favour of Apple HomeKit. I know there are many alternatives out there, but it looks like a reasonable choice at this point in time. At the speed things evolve, nobody can tell what the market will be in two years time, or even less. Keep it up.
Is there anyway that you can do an updated video on how to get over the issues with inviting and adding a family member to your home on the Apple home app? It seems that anything within the last year doesn’t address the issues. On the App Store, there must be a reason that it gets less than a three star review for this. The only person who has addressed the issues of adding somebody with this new update must’ve had their five-year-old do it. If you can, could you do a video explaining how to not just invite somebody to your home but on the other side, explain why the invitation doesn’t get received from a family member.
Switching over from SmartThings to HomeKit. I just ordered Hoobs to hopefully convert all my current stuff over. I have Apple TV 4K version 1. Do you suggest getting version 2 or a HomePod Mini to control HoneKit? I currently have five Alexa’s that will be given away once I fill my house with HomePods.
Hey Jeff! Congrats on switching over. I think getting a HomePod mini for your home is a great idea. HOOBS should be able to bridge SmartThings but I don't have experience with that plugin myself. The Apple TV 4K version 1 can also act as a HomeKit hub, but the HomePod mini would be what adds Thread support to your home for potential future accessories. Good luck and welcome to HomeKit
I am having a problem with a scene for my office. It urns on the lights and sets them to a certain brightness and color and also turns on my homepod to play my favorite playlist created by apple. But that playlist does not update every Tuesday but stays the same until I go into the scene and choose it again. Do you have any solution for this or can tell me what I am doing wrong? I would love for it to update once a week automatically.
Good info! I was wondering if I could use an iPad like an Echo Show. It's still not a featured as I would like. I want a nightstand clock/music/HomeKit controller device with an always on display.
Eric, I have a maybe not so unique problem that maybe you have an answer for... I live in a colder climate were my termistat only controls the heat, no AC or Fan, therefor I don't have C Wire at the thermostat. Do you know of a Home Kit Compatible termostat that doesn't requre a 'C" Wire? Thank you in advance.
I am facing big issue.. I setup my new iPad as a homekit hub. With this iPad, I only manage to invite one family member. But, I am unable to add my other family members. It so much frustrating... Please help me ..
I just bought an LG TV set that says HomeKit compatible or that it works with HomeKit, however I cannot pair the TV in the Home app because I don’t know what the pair code is, TV does not have a QR code. I don’t have an appletv device. Do you need to have an AppleTV device?
The TV HomeKit code is usually buried in settings somewhere. Whether to use an Apple TV or just a HomeKit TV is a discussion for another day. Thanks for the video idea
@@EricWelander I was just chatting with LG support and this guy tells me I must have an AppleTV device and that is what makes the TV HomeKit compatible....really?
@@geek2330 that’s completely wrong. He must just be trying to get you off the phone. Apple TV and HomeKit TV are different and can always coexist. Maybe this helps? m.ruclips.net/video/aNpCVuuuVeQ/видео.html I find my TV needs to be on Wi-Fi, not Ethernet to work. The other idea is maybe you haven’t gotten a software update enabling HomeKit or your specific TV model isn’t supported. That’s all the ideas I can provide. Good luck!
Thanks. Doing the software update is the first thing I did after turning it on the first time. I tried WiFi as well as Ethernet cable, but who knows if I’m getting frustrated and need to try again. The TV used to show up in HomeKit and then asked for code but not any longer presumably after changing network connection, not sure.
![SUPERCHARGE Your Automations! ⚡️ [HomeKit Edition]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/I3HSXDnR2PY/mqdefault.jpg)
I wasn’t aware of Guided Access. Since no one else routinely stays in my home, I really don’t need it to keep prying eyes and fumbling fingers out of trouble. BUT it might be perfect for allowing me to listen to audiobooks in bed while keeping me from giving in to the temptation to check my email or see what’s happening on CNN at 3 AM. Thanks for the tip!
Also, I found a pretty nifty way to mount an older iPad mini for use with the Home app, while still allowing me to use it detached from the mount whenever I want. Many iPad folio cases are magnetic so that they can turn off the iPad when you close the cover. I found the magnets are strong enough to mount my iPad mini to my refrigerator. I just fold the cover onto the back of the mini and secure it in that position with Velcro. Then I slap the magnetic cover onto the fridge and it stays there until I pull it off. If I want to use the cover for its original (intended) purpose, I can unsnap the Velcro and fold the cover to protect the front of the iPad. Best of all the cost is virtually zero-an inexpensive folio case and a pack of industrial strength Velcro strips. Unfortunately. There isn’t a power outlet near where I mount the mini, so I have to take it down every day or two to charge it.
Love the TV Shortcut. I actually have a similar type of configuration and it's been working great.
That's great! Thanks for sharing
Several useful ideas here. I've always ignored the Guided Access feature as being irrelevant for what I do with my iPads, but I hadn't thought of using it in combination with a wall-mounted iPad.
Thanks! Yeah and then you can use the iPad outside of that as a normal iPad
Do you have to have a specific brand/capability of TV to control TV input?
HomeKit TVs have the ability to specify the HDMI input inside of the accessory settings just like you would adjust brightness or color with a light
Dying laughing when you’re caressing your “new” device. That face, hahahaha
Haha thanks!
Excellent video, thanks Eric.
Thank you Michael!
I noticed your motto in another video: Simple desires for straightforward automations. Kudos for making understandable this new area of home connected objects which looked like a maze to me before watching your reviews. I have decided in favour of Apple HomeKit. I know there are many alternatives out there, but it looks like a reasonable choice at this point in time. At the speed things evolve, nobody can tell what the market will be in two years time, or even less. Keep it up.
Great tips!!
Thanks!
Really awesome
Thanks for sharing
This is Andy Mererdith learning HomeKit appie
Great review!!!!!
Your videos are so fri….. awsome. You should have a lot more viewers. I Will do my part to make more know about you.
Is there anyway that you can do an updated video on how to get over the issues with inviting and adding a family member to your home on the Apple home app? It seems that anything within the last year doesn’t address the issues. On the App Store, there must be a reason that it gets less than a three star review for this. The only person who has addressed the issues of adding somebody with this new update must’ve had their five-year-old do it.
If you can, could you do a video explaining how to not just invite somebody to your home but on the other side, explain why the invitation doesn’t get received from a family member.
Switching over from SmartThings to HomeKit. I just ordered Hoobs to hopefully convert all my current stuff over.
I have Apple TV 4K version 1. Do you suggest getting version 2 or a HomePod Mini to control HoneKit? I currently have five Alexa’s that will be given away once I fill my house with HomePods.
Hey Jeff! Congrats on switching over. I think getting a HomePod mini for your home is a great idea. HOOBS should be able to bridge SmartThings but I don't have experience with that plugin myself. The Apple TV 4K version 1 can also act as a HomeKit hub, but the HomePod mini would be what adds Thread support to your home for potential future accessories.
Good luck and welcome to HomeKit
It would be good if you explain the meaning of Guided Access
Amazing video. I love it
Love the TV shortcut thanks for the Video. However, how to wakeup apple tv if plug in different iput like HDMI 3 , please help
I am having a problem with a scene for my office. It urns on the lights and sets them to a certain brightness and color and also turns on my homepod to play my favorite playlist created by apple. But that playlist does not update every Tuesday but stays the same until I go into the scene and choose it again. Do you have any solution for this or can tell me what I am doing wrong? I would love for it to update once a week automatically.
Good info! I was wondering if I could use an iPad like an Echo Show. It's still not a featured as I would like. I want a nightstand clock/music/HomeKit controller device with an always on display.
Eric, I have a maybe not so unique problem that maybe you have an answer for... I live in a colder climate were my termistat only controls the heat, no AC or Fan, therefor I don't have C Wire at the thermostat. Do you know of a Home Kit Compatible termostat that doesn't requre a 'C" Wire? Thank you in advance.
Are your tvs plugged into smart plugs?
hello Eric can you share the shortcut to open prime on apple tv thanks
I am facing big issue..
I setup my new iPad as a homekit hub.
With this iPad, I only manage to invite one family member.
But, I am unable to add my other family members.
It so much frustrating...
Please help me ..
What HomeKit compatible tv do you have?
I have an older Vizio TV but the brand does not make a difference here
How did you create the shortcut for the remote
+ button in top right corner, search for remote at the botttom
Yes there's an action in Shortcuts to show the remote
Lmao the first thing I think to avoid when going HomeKit is eve
I just bought an LG TV set that says HomeKit compatible or that it works with HomeKit, however I cannot pair the TV in the Home app because I don’t know what the pair code is, TV does not have a QR code.
I don’t have an appletv device.
Do you need to have an AppleTV device?
The TV HomeKit code is usually buried in settings somewhere. Whether to use an Apple TV or just a HomeKit TV is a discussion for another day. Thanks for the video idea
I checked every single area in TV settings and there’s no code whatsoever 😤
@@EricWelander I was just chatting with LG support and this guy tells me I must have an AppleTV device and that is what makes the TV HomeKit compatible....really?
@@geek2330 that’s completely wrong. He must just be trying to get you off the phone. Apple TV and HomeKit TV are different and can always coexist. Maybe this helps? m.ruclips.net/video/aNpCVuuuVeQ/видео.html
I find my TV needs to be on Wi-Fi, not Ethernet to work. The other idea is maybe you haven’t gotten a software update enabling HomeKit or your specific TV model isn’t supported. That’s all the ideas I can provide. Good luck!
Thanks. Doing the software update is the first thing I did after turning it on the first time.
I tried WiFi as well as Ethernet cable, but who knows if I’m getting frustrated and need to try again.
The TV used to show up in HomeKit and then asked for code but not any longer presumably after changing network connection, not sure.
Do you have links for getting these shortcuts?
That’s a great question. These shortcuts are a little too specific to any one home set up that they are impossible to share
Great video!