HomeKit support rolling out for Netatmo Welcome security camera
Netatmo is beginning to deploy HomeKit support for owners of its Welcome indoor security camera, beginning with beta testers, the company has confirmed.
Support "will be available soon for everyone," a representative added in official forum comments. One Welcome owner on Reddit noted that the firmware update adds the camera and a motion/occupancy sensor to Apple's Home app, but that HomeKit doesn't integrate with Netatmo's facial recognition, which is to be expected since HomeKit doesn't currently support any kind of biometrics.
HomeKit should allow the Welcome to be integrated into complex automations, for instance triggering smartbulbs when motion is detected. Its view should appear in the Home app, and Netatmo has also promised Siri controls like "turn on the camera" or "show me the Kitchen camera."
The company originally announced HomeKit plans in August 2017, aiming to deliver support to the Welcome and Presence by the end of that year. While it did follow through on the Presence, Welcome compatibility was delayed not once but twice -- the company missed a second target of March 2018.
HomeKit compatibility is still relatively rare among security cameras, offered by just a few brands. Companies like Google's Nest and Amazon's Ring are likely withholding support for competitive reasons, but another obstacle is Apple's requirement that cameras have a wired power supply. That's why the Arlo Baby is the only Arlo camera to use the technology.
Support "will be available soon for everyone," a representative added in official forum comments. One Welcome owner on Reddit noted that the firmware update adds the camera and a motion/occupancy sensor to Apple's Home app, but that HomeKit doesn't integrate with Netatmo's facial recognition, which is to be expected since HomeKit doesn't currently support any kind of biometrics.
HomeKit should allow the Welcome to be integrated into complex automations, for instance triggering smartbulbs when motion is detected. Its view should appear in the Home app, and Netatmo has also promised Siri controls like "turn on the camera" or "show me the Kitchen camera."
The company originally announced HomeKit plans in August 2017, aiming to deliver support to the Welcome and Presence by the end of that year. While it did follow through on the Presence, Welcome compatibility was delayed not once but twice -- the company missed a second target of March 2018.
HomeKit compatibility is still relatively rare among security cameras, offered by just a few brands. Companies like Google's Nest and Amazon's Ring are likely withholding support for competitive reasons, but another obstacle is Apple's requirement that cameras have a wired power supply. That's why the Arlo Baby is the only Arlo camera to use the technology.
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