Ikea's HomeKit-compatible Smart Shades come to the US on Apr. 1

AppleInsider

Revealed earlier this week during CES 2019, Ikea's low-cost Smart Shades now have a precise U.S. launch date, Apr. 1.

The U.S.-bound Fyrtur.

The only model available will be the opaque Fyrtur, an Ikea spokeswoman informed Fast Company. The translucent Kadrilj model won't be coming to the U.S., even though both lines are already out in Europe.

European prices range from 99 to 155 euros, or about $113 to $181. Available dimensions run from 60-by-195 centimeters (23.6-by-76.8 inches) to 140-by-195 centimeters (55.1-by-76.8 inches).

Very few HomeKit-compatible shades are on the market, typically because of factors like custom sizing and elaborate electronics, which can also push prices out of the average person's range. Ikea's product gets around these issues with a limited selection of sizes, and a rechargeable battery that has to be periodically removed. People will be able to buy extra battery packs to minimize downtime.

The blinds also require buying Ikea's Tradfri hub for smarthome functions. Aside from HomeKit, the hub works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and an Ikea app.

The Swedish retailer offers a collection of Tradfri-enabled accessories, including plugs, lights, and motion sensors.

ihatescreennames

AppleInsider said:

European prices range from 99 to 155 euros, or about $113 to $181. Available dimensions run from 60-by-195 centimeters (23.6-by-76.8 inches) to 140-by-195 centimeters (55.1-by-76.8 inches).

Very few HomeKit-compatible shades are on the market, typically because of factors like custom sizing and elaborate electronics, which can also push prices out of the average person's range.

I've been looking for some HomeKit-compatible shades for a while.  I would like some for the tiny windows in our basement.  I checked out Serena, for the size we need (about 2'x1') the cost was about $450 a piece for the battery operated variety.  That price is just too high for such a small shade, especially considering the costs on the much larger (though not automated) shades/blinds/curtains we have on, say, our 8' sliding door, for instance.  I haven't used any of the Tradfri stuff and have seen mixed reviews.  It's marginally disappointing Ikea's sizing is not in line with my current needs.

Edit: thinking about it more, it would be nice if someone came out with just the mounting kit that would allow the HomeKit integration.  We don't need to replace our shades but maybe they could be swapped into a motorized and HomeKit ready chassis. That would be nice.

22july2013

My current shades have a thin aluminum later to create 100% opaqueness. Those don't look opaque to me. They seem to be bleeding skylight, especially on the left where the sky is behind them. But it's hard to be sure. They might just be reflecting internal light, which is fine.

macmarcus

ihatescreennames said:

It's marginally disappointing Ikea's sizing is not in line with my current needs.

Aren't they the cut to custom width type of blinds? On an inside mount that would be important, on an outside mount not so much.

AppleExposed

If Apple even acquired a Homekit company it would be IKEA.

When will Apple change the name to simply "Home"?

gutengel

Can you guys do a review of Ikea Homekit products? The existing one are pretty old and overall negative. I'd be interested to see if they improve with new updates or version of the products.

dewme

It seems very odd that the translucent version is being withheld from sale in the US. That's the model that I'm interested in.

hentaiboy

Now you see if these blinds were really “smart” they would have a light sensor that allows them to close on sunny days and open on cloudy...

gatorguy

hentaiboy said:

Now you see if these blinds were really “smart” they would have a light sensor that allows them to close on sunny days and open on cloudy...

Whaddaya expect to get for a relatively inexpensive "smartblind". You're getting greedy

Mike Wuerthele

gutengel said:

Can you guys do a review of Ikea Homekit products? The existing one are pretty old and overall negative. I'd be interested to see if they improve with new updates or version of the products.

We're working on it, as we speak.

Gaby

ihatescreennames said:

AppleInsider said:

European prices range from 99 to 155 euros, or about $113 to $181. Available dimensions run from 60-by-195 centimeters (23.6-by-76.8 inches) to 140-by-195 centimeters (55.1-by-76.8 inches).

Very few HomeKit-compatible shades are on the market, typically because of factors like custom sizing and elaborate electronics, which can also push prices out of the average person's range.

I've been looking for some HomeKit-compatible shades for a while.  I would like some for the tiny windows in our basement.  I checked out Serena, for the size we need (about 2'x1') the cost was about $450 a piece for the battery operated variety.  That price is just too high for such a small shade, especially considering the costs on the much larger (though not automated) shades/blinds/curtains we have on, say, our 8' sliding door, for instance.  I haven't used any of the Tradfri stuff and have seen mixed reviews.  It's marginally disappointing Ikea's sizing is not in line with my current needs.

Edit: thinking about it more, it would be nice if someone came out with just the mounting kit that would allow the HomeKit integration.  We don't need to replace our shades but maybe they could be swapped into a motorized and HomeKit ready chassis. That would be nice.

I agree about retrofitted mounting for HomeKit. It would be nice if they at least offered customised lengths even at IKEA and maybe a bit more variety on width. Just because the windows I want for 2 of which are 140, but they’re also only a 130 drop which is a waste. Even if it only knocked €10-20 off the price it is better than nothing, and it just seems wasteful. And the last window I want they don’t do a width big enough. As it stands I wouldn’t go near made to measure at the exorbitant prices. 

kruegdude

I’m thinking you could separate the hardware from the shade and customize the sizing. Just a thought. 

payeco

22july2013 said:

My current shades have a thin aluminum later to create 100% opaqueness. Those don't look opaque to me. They seem to be bleeding skylight, especially on the left where the sky is behind them. But it's hard to be sure. They might just be reflecting internal light, which is fine.

I think that’s just an optical illusion from the heather grey color. Look at them on the IKEA website:

https://m2.ikea.com/de/de/p/fyrtur-verdunklungsrollo-kabellos-batteriebetrieben-grau-40408196/?query=Fyrtur

ireland

AppleExposed said:

If Apple even acquired a Homekit company it would be IKEA.

When will Apple change the name to simply "Home"?

Tuesday

All-Purpose Guru

dewme said:

It seems very odd that the translucent version is being withheld from sale in the US. That's the model that I'm interested in.

I'm guessing that either IKEA is either being cautious or maybe the fabric doesn't meet US standards for flammability or gorilla-proofness or something.

All-Purpose Guru

ireland said:

AppleExposed said:

If Apple even acquired a Homekit company it would be IKEA.

When will Apple change the name to simply "Home"?

Tuesday

If they bought the whole company they could call it iKea.