After updating my iPhone to iOS 16.1, the AppleTV to tvOS 16.1 and the HomePod Mini to HomePod Software version 16.1, I was able to get the Current Weather and Weather Forecast functions to work in HomeKit automation shortcuts. However, just updating the software wasn’t enough. I had to delete and recreate the automations to […]
The iOS 16.1 update fixes the Weather function bug Read More »
As I’m sure a lot of you have already noticed, there are problems with using the Weather function in HomeKit automations (shortcuts). They work fine if you’re test run them in the Home app, but not when triggered normally. Let’s hope these are fixed in the next update.
Problems with automations using the Weather function in iOS 16 Read More »
A heads-up to everyone using an iPad as their only HomeKit hub. When you update to iOS 16 later this fall, the iPad will no longer work as a HomeKit hub. The reason behind this is likely that the iPad lacks Thread, which is a low power wireless connectivity standard that is becoming more and
As of iOS 16, the iPad will no longer work as a HomeKit hub Read More »
Now it’s time to finally look at how we can use what we’ve done in part 1 and part 2, and add the ability to use offsets with sunrise and sunset time. When we’re talking about offsets, we mean using for example the time of the sunrise in a conditional but shifted by a predetermined
UPDATE: It appears that the bug has been fixed with iOS 15.1 / tvOS 15.1 / HomePod Software Version 15.1. There is a workaround for the HomeKit shortcut bug in iOS 15 / tvOS 15. The problem occurs in shortcuts using for instance brightness percentages values (of lights) or brightness lux values (from sensors) in
Workaround for the HomeKit shortcut bug in iOS 15 / tvOs 15 Read More »
It seems like some HomeKit Automations are still broken in the release version of iOS 15 / tvOS 15. For instance, HomeKit shortcuts using conditional if statements where the brightness off a room (with a lux meter / motion sensor), or even the brightness of a lamp is checked, these conditionals are always interpreted as
Some HomeKit Automations (using shortcuts) are broken in iOS 15 / tvOS 15 Read More »
This is part two of the power of the Format Date function, and it will build on what we looked at in part 1. We’ll look at how we can utilize the Format Date function for use with the sunrise and sunset. In part three we’ll look at using this technique with offsets (for example if
In this post I want to spotlight the Format Date function, which is very useful and makes using time in shortcuts a breeze. I’ll explain how you can use it with a shortcut example. What is the Format Date function? 🤔 The Format Date function formats date values as the name implies. However, it also
This is my prediction on where HomeKit and the smart home will be in 10 years. I admit it is quite optimistic and perhaps even borders on science fiction, but I do think a lot will have changed in 2030. I’ll start by listing the reasons for the change. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI)
Where will HomeKit / the smart home be in 10 years? Read More »
Apple, Amazon, Google and Zigbee Alliance will develop and promote the adoption of a new, royalty-free connectivity standard to increase compatibility among smart home products, with security as a fundamental design principle. The members of the Zigbee Alliance are companieas such as IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting),