亚马逊(Amazon)有Alexa。谷歌(Google)有谷歌助手(Google Assistant)。苹果(Apple)有Siri。很多人可能会说Siri落后于其他两个助手,但仍然有很多人对Apple的HomeKit 智能家居(HomeKit smart home)系统发誓。
Apple HomeKit 系统(Apple HomeKit system)的一个明显缺点(glaring downside)是缺乏广泛的兼容性。许多设备(尤其是第三方制造的设备)无法与Apple HomeKit 一起使用(Apple HomeKit),这限制了用户拥有的选项数量。
但是,如果您已经完全沉浸在Apple 生态系统(Apple ecosystem)中,并且希望您的智能家居能够反映这一点,那就不要害怕。我们为HomeKit 供电的(HomeKit-powered)智能家居汇总了每个类别中的最佳设备列表。
Apple HomeKit 的最佳智能电视:Apple TV((Best Smart TV For Apple HomeKit: Apple TV ()亚马逊(Amazon)(Amazon))
从技术上讲,Apple TV与其说它是(Apple TV isn)一个配件(an accessory),不如说它不是智能的“电视” ,但这也有好处。
对于初学者来说,它比全新的电视便宜得多。您可以将其插入任何带有HDMI 端口的电视,并(HDMI port and cast content)直接从手机投射内容或(phone or stream)通过任何内置应用程序进行流式传输。较新(Newer)版本的Apple TV甚至可以以 4K 流式传输并与蓝牙(Bluetooth)控制器同步,从而更好地控制新的Apple Arcade游戏。Apple TV有自己的应用程序集,即使您已经拥有智能电视,也值得研究一下。
另外要记住的是,Apple需要一个 HomeKit “Hub”来远程控制系统,但出于这个原因,它不销售独立设备。(standalone device)您需要使用 iPad、Apple TV或Apple HomePod来充当集线器,因此投资Apple TV可以用一块石头杀死两只鸟。
Apple HomeKit 的最佳智能锁:August Smart Lock Pro(亚马逊(Amazon))(Best Smart Lock For Apple HomeKit: August Smart Lock Pro (Amazon))
August是一个久经考验的品牌,成千上万的人依靠它来确保他们的家园安全,而August Smart Lock Pro改进了前几代产品的最佳功能。
您可以告诉Siri锁定或解锁您的门,并将设备编程为在(door and program)设定(set amount)的时间后自动锁定。August Smart Lock Pro甚至会在您靠近时解锁——如果您的手臂上装满了杂货,这将是一个巨大的好处 。
由于每个可以使用锁的人都有自己的密码,因此您将始终知道谁在家和不在家。
安装只需要一把螺丝刀和大约十分钟的时间。您甚至不需要移除现有的锁舌;August Smart Lock Pro将安装在其顶部。August一直是智能锁的最佳选择之一,其Apple HomeKit兼容性(Apple HomeKit compatibility)使其更加出色。
Apple HomeKit 的最佳智能灯:Philips Hue(亚马逊(Amazon))(Best Smart Lights For Apple HomeKit: Philips Hue (Amazon))
飞利浦 Hue(Philips Hue)是最受推荐的智能灯品牌之一,因为它们的声誉和(reputation and track record)生产出色灯的记录。许多Apple HomeKit产品给人的感觉就像是对更主流品牌的模仿,但飞利浦 Hue(Philips Hue)与HomeKit开箱即用。安排您的灯在不同时间打开和关闭,使用Siri控制它们,甚至将灯用作唤醒警报。
如果您有Hue Color灯,您可以让Siri将它们更改为您想要的任何颜色和阴影(color and shade)。飞利浦 Hue(Philips Hue)提供 1600 万种颜色,并且能够将它们与屏幕上的内容同步(如果使用计算机)。您甚至可以让灯光随着音乐同步闪烁。
飞利浦 Hue 灯泡(Philips Hue bulbs)可能很昂贵,但如果您想要最好的智能家居系统(home system),这些智能灯很难出错。
Apple HomeKit 的最佳智能插头:Belkin WeMo(亚马逊(Amazon))(Best Smart Plug For Apple HomeKit: Belkin WeMo (Amazon))
许多智能家居产品声称具有革命性,而且公平地说,大多数确实为日常生活增加了一定程度的便利。然而,很少有设备能比智能插头更接近于改变日常电器的工作方式。
智能(Smart)插头使您能够控制插入其中的任何东西的电源。它们非常适合操作“哑”灯或咖啡壶(” lamp or coffee pot)。Belkin WeMo与Apple HomeKit(Apple HomeKit)兼容且足够纤薄,不会占据整个壁装插座(wall outlet)。
您可以安排电器打开和关闭的时间,检查是否有东西通电(不再忘记卷发器或空间加热器(curling iron or space heater)),甚至可以激活“离开模式”,这是一个随机打开灯以查看的设置就像有人在家里搬家一样。许多智能插头都很笨重,但 WeMo 的纤细设计使其成为Apple HomeKit 系统(Apple HomeKit system)的最佳选择之一。
Apple HomeKit 最佳智能音箱:Apple HomePod(Apple)(Best Smart Speaker For Apple HomeKit: Apple HomePod (Apple))
有太多通用的智能扬声器数不胜数,虽然其中很多都与HomeKit配合使用,但没有一个能与(HomeKit)Apple HomePod的音频保真度或功率(fidelity or power)相媲美。
由于价格(price point)高且功能有限,这款智能扬声器从未获得大众市场的青睐,但对于HomeKit用户来说,没有更好的选择。HomePod拥有令人难以置信的音质(HomePod)和六麦克风阵列,可让您从房间的任何地方听到您的声音。
HomePod将成为HomeKit(HomePod)智能家居的心脏。(HomeKit)通过它,你可以让Siri播放音乐、控制灯光、锁门,以及将你喜欢的内容流式传输到Apple TV。
在Apple HomeKit 系统(Apple HomeKit system)中,HomePod取代了Amazon Alexa 或 Google(Amazon Alexa or Google Home—and) Home——虽然Siri还没有与其他两个智能助手在同一水平上竞争,但持续不断的改进使她成为一个可靠的选择。
The Ultimate Apple HomeKit Guide
Amazon has Alexa. Google has Google Assistant. Apple has Siri. A lot of people might say Siri lagѕ behind the other two assistants, but there are still manу that swear by Apple’s HomeKit smart home system.
The one glaring downside to the Apple HomeKit system is the lack of widespread compatibility. Many devices (especially those made by third parties) do not work with Apple HomeKit, which limits the number of options users have.
But if you’re fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem already and you want your smart home to reflect that, never fear. We’ve put together a list of the best devices in each category for a HomeKit-powered smart home.
Best Smart TV For Apple HomeKit: Apple TV (Amazon)
Technically speaking, the Apple TV isn’t a smart “TV” as much as it is an accessory, but there are perks to this.
For starters, it’s much more affordable than a brand-new TV. You can plug it into any TV with an HDMI port and cast content straight from your phone or stream over any of the built-in apps. Newer versions of the Apple TV can even stream in 4K and sync with Bluetooth controllers to give even more control over the new Apple Arcade games. Apple TV has its own set of applications that make it worth looking into even if you already have a smart TV.
Something else to keep in mind is that Apple requires a HomeKit “Hub” to control the system remotely, but it doesn’t sell a standalone device for that reason. You need to use an iPad, Apple TV, or Apple HomePod to act as a hub, so investing in an Apple TV kills two birds with one stone.
Best Smart Lock For Apple HomeKit: August Smart Lock Pro (Amazon)
August is a proven brand that thousands of people rely on to keep their homes safe, and the August Smart Lock Pro improves upon the best features of previous generations.
You can tell Siri to lock or unlock your door and program the device to lock automatically after a set amount of time. The August Smart Lock Pro will even unlock when you approach – a huge benefit if you have your arms full of groceries.
Since everyone with access to the lock has an individual code, you’ll always know who is and isn’t home.
Installation requires only a screwdriver and about ten minutes of time. You don’t even need to remove your existing deadbolt; the August Smart Lock Pro will attach over the top of it. August has always been one of the best options for smart locks, and its Apple HomeKit compatibility makes it even better.
Best Smart Lights For Apple HomeKit: Philips Hue (Amazon)
Philips Hue is one of the most-recommended brands for smart lights due to their reputation and track record for producing great lights. A lot of Apple HomeKit products can feel like imitations of more mainstream brands, but Philips Hue works with HomeKit out of the box. Schedule your lights to turn on and off at different times, control them with Siri, and even use the lights as wake-up alarms.
If you have the Hue Color lights, you can ask Siri to change them to whatever color and shade you want. Philips Hue offers 16 million colors, as well as the ability to sync them with what you have on screen (if using a computer.) You can even make the lights pulse in time with music.
Philips Hue bulbs can be pricey, but if you want the best for your smart home system, it’s hard to go wrong with these smart lights.
Best Smart Plug For Apple HomeKit: Belkin WeMo (Amazon)
A lot of smart home products claim to be revolutionary, and to be fair, most do add a level of convenience to everyday life. Few devices come close to changing how everyday appliances work than a smart plug, however.
Smart plugs give you the ability to control the power to anything plugged into them. They’re perfect for operating a “dumb” lamp or coffee pot. The Belkin WeMo is Apple HomeKit compatible and slim enough that it doesn’t dominate your entire wall outlet.
You can schedule times for appliances to turn on and off, check whether something is powered on (no more forgetting about a curling iron or space heater), and even activate “Away Mode”, a setting that turns lights on at random times to look like someone is moving throughout the home. Many smart plugs are bulky, but the WeMo’s slender design makes it one of the best picks for an Apple HomeKit system.
Best Smart Speaker For Apple HomeKit: Apple HomePod (Apple)
There are too many generic smart speakers to count, and while a lot of those work with HomeKit, none come close to the audio fidelity or power of the Apple HomePod.
The smart speaker never gained mass-market appeal due to its high price point and limited functionality, but for HomeKit users there is no better option. The HomePod has incredible sound quality and a six-microphone array that lets it hear you from anywhere in the room.
The HomePod will be the beating heart of a HomeKit smart home. Through it, you can ask Siri to play music, control the lights, lock the door, and stream your favorite content to the Apple TV.
In an Apple HomeKit system, the HomePod takes the place of the Amazon Alexa or Google Home—and while Siri doesn’t yet compete on the same level as the other two smart assistants, a steady stream of improvements make her a solid choice nonetheless.