Andrew_OSU
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Wish List: 14 new HomeKit features we want to see from Apple
I find your outlook unnecessarily glib...zoetmb said:I think automated control of kitchen appliances is overkill and not worth the added security risks. Any oven that could potentially be remotely controlled also has timers that can turn the oven on at a chosen time (any oven that has a Kosher mode can also do this) and even if it couldn't, how long does it take to heat an oven - 15 minutes tops? And I can't think of a single instance in which one would need to control a toaster or microwave by a device. Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should.
Turning on a car in order to heat it means running the engine. So now we're going to substantially increase the use of gasoline. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average car commute time is 25.4 minutes. So now we're going to turn the car on say 10 minutes in advance, potentially increasing fuel consumption by up to 39% on cold days. Even if the car uses half the amount of fuel when idling, that's still 20%. Suck it up.
And using a device to turn lights on and off reminds me of the characters in WALL-E, who have become obese and feeble, in part due to automation.
If one lives in a really large house, some automation might be desirable. But for the majority of Americans who live in urban environments and largely in relatively small apartments or small homes, IMO automation is overkill and only going to make us even fatter. For the year 2013-2014:- More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight.
- More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity.
- More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity.
- About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity.
- About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity
For appliances, you never start preheating your oven, walk into another room, and wonder if it reached temp or not? You could get alerts on your phone when it reaches its temperature. That is why the oven beeps when it preheats, so you know. It would be handy to get that on your phone if you aren't in the kitchen. As someone who cooks every night, I would really appreciate this.
When it comes to turning on a car, we aren't saying that Apple needs to make auto-start cars or make manufacturers make them. They are already doing that. Most people already pre-start their cars manually so that they warm up and start to defrost. You can already do this from Alexa, and from the iPhone with the manufacturer's app. I can do this on my Ford with the FordPass app. I can actually schedule it too. I just would rather use Siri than Alexa. Your math also doesn't add up on fuel consumption. You burn far more fuel driving than idling.
Lastly, when it comes to automation making us fatter, that isn't true in the slightest. You burn a negligible amount of energy turn hit a switch, vs picking up your phone. That isn't even what platforms like HomeKit is about. It is about making your home more enjoyable, energy saving, and safe.
Before HomeKit: Someone could come into your driveway and get in your vehicle.
After HomeKit: The motion sensor on your camera causes your porch lights to turn on and causes would-be thieves to scurry.
Before HomeKit: You go into the kitchen at night, you have to turn the lights on with the switch, which is either 100% brightness or pitch black.
After HomeKit: Based on the time of day, the motion sensor automatically turns the lights on to different levels of brightness. Dim during the evening, bright during the day.
Before HomeKit: You go into the bathroom at night and either have no lights, or 100% bright lights.
After HomeKit: You hit the switch and at night they come on at 10%, or have a motion sensor that triggers a light strip by your baseboards. Also useful for stairs and hallways.
Before HomeKit: You have to turn lights on and off with each room. when you enter or leave.
After HomeKit: Motion sensors turn the lights on only when you are actively in the room, saving energy and money.
Before HomeKit: You would come home to a dark house, need a key for the door, and a remote for the garage.
After HomeKit: Patio and door lights come on as you approach the home, as the door unlocks and the garage opens.
These are all scenarios I use in my home. HomeKit has saved money (which you cite as being important) and made my home more enjoyable to live in. My home is also quite small.
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Wish List: 14 new HomeKit features we want to see from Apple
So with Zwave, you still need a bridge. Sounds like the Iota from Abode will be filling that void when it launches this summer. From what we've seen, it could bring those devices to HomeKit.MplsP said:How about compatibility with existing z-wave devices? That ranks far higher than a smart dog food bowl in my opinion. There’s already a huge installed base of Zwave devices, and right now, you essentially have to rip them all out and replace them with home kit devices. That’s a non-starter for me and many others. The other problem is the relative dearth of HomeKit compatible devices. -
Wish List: 14 new HomeKit features we want to see from Apple
I think you'd be interested in an upcoming installment of our HomeKit series. It primarily focuses on how to make HomeKit more accessible for other members of the family, but going into ways to make HomeKit actually more useful than without. We've done a few things in our home that my family really enjoys, even if they get annoyed with some of the other inconveniences.king editor the grate said:I'm a geek who adores the way a myriad of Apple products has changed my life. I keep thinking I should delve into the joys of HomeKit (The Kit for Your Home!) but have yet to see how it tops old-timey hardware light switches, locks, and thermostats. I'm starting to think I'm too old (48 this year and surely nearer the grave!), too set in my ways, or/and that my house is just too small.
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Wish list: 9 new CarPlay features for iOS 12
I don't think so. Most people have car chargers anyway. I've been reviewing a ton of wireless car chargers lately and I'd love to be able to use them but there is no point when I still have to plug in my phone.beowulfschmidt said:Andrew_OSU said:According to Apple, wireless CarPlay requires "Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi access point and location data. Bluetooth is used to discover and reconnect CarPlay devices. ... The Wi-Fi link is used for all audio and video transfer to the CarPlay protocol, as well as iAP2 data transfer."
My Ford has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location data, yet Ford still requires it to be physically attached for CarPlay.
Any chance that's a power related thing? Perhaps Ford thinks that without a USB cable, a long drive might drain the phone and cause navigation of something to fail, or prompt someone to fumble for a power cable while driving?
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Eight Siri features we want to see in iOS 12, macOS 10.14, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 at WWDC ...
No, when you say Hey, Siri she will wait for you to say a command. After a few moments, she will say something like "I'm listening". What I'm looking for is like a loud pinging tone akin to when you use your Apple Watch or Find My iPhone. Siri doesn't make any noises this loud.mike1 said:"First, one could just holler "Hey Siri!" into a room where the iPhone has been misplaced. Siri could them respond in a loud ping or some other audio cue to help the phone be located."
Isn't this how Siri normally works?
"Siri currently can change many different settings on your phone, like disabling Bluetooth. It doesn't, however, have the ability to toggle the flashlight."
If I'm holding the phone to use as a flashlight, why would I need Siri to turn on the flashlight?!
You could say the same thing about almost everything Siri can do. If I'm holding the phone, why do I need Siri to toggle off the WiFi? If I'm holding the phone, why do I need Siri to text someone for me? It's partially a consistency thing part accessibility thing. If the phone is unlocked, I'm not sure my grandmother would know to open Control Center and find the flashlight toggle, but she does use Siri most of the time.
