Elgato debuts standalone Eve Light Switch for Apple's HomeKit
Accessory maker Elgato on Wednesday launched the Eve Light Switch, which it claimed is the world's first standalone switch with support for Apple's HomeKit.
The Bluetooth-based Light Switch replaces a standard pole switch, and controls lights that way instead of through a more expensive smartbulb setup. People with Philips Hue bulbs, though, have access to additional color and brightness settings.
To manage lights, people can use Siri, iOS 10's native Home app, Elgato's Eve software, or the switch itself. Because the device uses Bluetooth rather than Wi-Fi, control away from home requires an Apple TV to serve as a HomeKit hub.
The Eve Light Switch is selling for $49.95 from Elgato's website and Amazon.com.
The Bluetooth-based Light Switch replaces a standard pole switch, and controls lights that way instead of through a more expensive smartbulb setup. People with Philips Hue bulbs, though, have access to additional color and brightness settings.
To manage lights, people can use Siri, iOS 10's native Home app, Elgato's Eve software, or the switch itself. Because the device uses Bluetooth rather than Wi-Fi, control away from home requires an Apple TV to serve as a HomeKit hub.
The Eve Light Switch is selling for $49.95 from Elgato's website and Amazon.com.
Comments
My houseful of Lutron & Hue lighting is SOOOO ready for these.
Currently using Lutron Caseta with its tiny hub and it totally rocks! Switches, Dimmers, Pico remote controls, lamp adapters etc... Fully HomeKit compliant.
Lutron PD-6ANS-WH Caseta Wireless Multi-Location In-Wall Neutral Switch, 6 Amp
Lutron PD-6WCL-WH Caseta Wireless 600/150-Watt Single Pole In-Wall Dimmer
Lutron PICO-WBX-ADAPT Pico Wallplate Bracket
Lutron PJ2-3BRL-WH-L01R Pico Remote Control with Favorite Setting
Lutron PJ2-2B-GWH-L01 Pico On/Off Remote Control
Lutron PD-3PCL-WH Caseta Wireless 300-watt Plug-In Lamp Dimmer
Lutron PD-10NXD-WH Caseta Pro In Wall Dimmer 250W LED / 1000W Incandescent/Halogen/Magnetic Low Voltage
I have all the devices devices on your list. And Hue bulbs.
The Pico remotes cannot control anything that isn't Lutron Caseta. I cannot make my Picos control my Hues. The Picos are Caseta devices that only have as much capability as the Caseta Hub allows them.
I agree that Caseta rocks, but it is limited. A home full of mixed-brand devices needs something like this Eve switch that can bridge across brands & hubs.
Look at these pictures of packaging:
Notice the Dimmer & Pico bundle has no HomeKit branding.
Here is the Hub:
Notice the HomeKit branding?
I'm not talking shit about Lutron. I like my Caseta setup. I'm looking for a true HomeKit switch with which I can control Hue bulbs, Caseta and whatever other HomeKit devices.
The Hue bulbs are superior for floor lamps and desk lamps. The Lutron in-wall switches are super for overhead and other built-in fixture lighting. There will probably be other brands that offer superior products for other uses. I'd like a switch that can control them all, or trigger scenes that cross brands.
To do that, we need HomeKit compliant switches, built from the beginning to be brand agnostic.
The Caseta Pico remotes and Philips Hue Dimmers have been grandfathered into the system by way of their Hubs, but the switches aren't true HomeKit devices.
I'm a total newbie at this, so please bear with me:
I'm trying to replace just one light switch in a bedroom. What I want is something that can be turned on and off by:
1. the switch itself
2. an iDevice
3. a Logitech Harmony Smart Home remote (which is NOT HomeKit compatible)
Does any such thing exist?
Most Smart Switch systems require some type of Hub that is wired into your network via ethernet.
But if you are willing to add a Hub to your bill of materials, look for a Hub that has an iOS App and integrates with Logitech. I'm pretty sure several systems do. Note that you will not be HomeKit-compatible unless your Hub is also HomeKit certified. Though it sounds like that isn't important to you.