At the IFA 2017, consumer technology device maker Elgato unveiled a series of HomeKit-compatible products developed in partnership with other smart home brands such as Assa Abloy, EiMSIG and Hager.
At the IFA 2017, consumer technology device maker Elgato unveiled a series of HomeKit-compatible products developed in partnership with other smart home brands such as Assa Abloy, EiMSIG and Hager.
Eve Thermo, for example, uses control technology from Eurotronic, one of Europe’s market leaders in electronic radiator control systems. The product retains all the features of its predecessor and features capacitive touch controls and a temperature display to monitor and adjust the target temperature.
Eve Lock, which is powered by an internal battery and uses Bluetooth, is developed in cooperation with Yale, an Assa Abloy Group company. The product turns the door into a self-locking entrance, securing it automatically against break-in attempts. Once users close the door behind them, Eve Lock will secure the latches and bolts.
Eve Smoke relies on smoke detection technology by Hager, a provider of electrical installation and security technology. In the case of a fire, the device not only sets off the alarm, but also sends notifications to users’ mobile phones. Through Siri, Apple Home or the Eve App, users can check the detector’s state or access its settings.
Smart sensor Eve Window Guard senses tamper force on a window and detects if it is open, closed or tilted. When the state is changed, Eve Window Guard will send a notification to iPhone. The sensor is a HomeKit enabled version of the one-piece EiMSIG sensor design that slots into window frame completely out of sight.
Elgago introduced its first smart home products in mid-2015. The company is among the first five companies to come up with HomeKit accessories, according to Lars Felber, Elgato’s Director of Public Relations.
The aforementioned joint product development is part of Elgato’s B2B program where Elgato’s cloud platform is integrated into those professional products. Felber commented that such cooperation has sped up Elgato’s product development. “We are very focused on our product roadmap, both on the software and the hardware for providing complete smart home solution. The cooperation between Elgato and Assa Abloy, EiMSIG, Hager and many other professional device brands in the future benefits to both parties,” said Felber.
Soon Eve Thermo, Eve Lock and Eve Window Guard will be introduced in Apple Stores in Europe like the market practice of Elgato for other smart home gadgets.
The company specializes in linking Bluetooth-enabled products with Apple HomeKit. Felber cited iOS 10 arrived with basic automation and notification for Bluetooth smart home products. Now with iOS 11, which was launched this September, the response time between HomeKit products is much faster and “perfectly acceptable,” Felber said, adding that “we can now apply it with all our existing products. iOS11 is a big leap in regards to smart home connection and integration.”
Felber also anticipated more suppliers joining Apple HomeKit ecosystem after the launch of iOS11, as the mobile giant has eased its multiple constraints to third-party developers who want to develop HomeKit based devices. This can simultaneously bolster the HomeKit regime.
About future product development, Felber revealed that Elgato is finding better and easier methods for smart home control. Voice control can be intuitive, but to some users, using a button to control can be the better option.
Product Adopted:Detectors / Sensors