The state of HomeKit and home automation with Apple’s smart home gadgets 2019

Originally published at Gadget Flow on June 26, 2019.

• Where can I find more smart home gadgets? Here’s a curated collection of smart home gadgets to improve your home.
• Where can I find more HomeKit compatible gadgets? We have also curated a collection of HomeKit compatible gadgets.
• What are the coolest gadgets in 2019 so far? Always on the hunt for the latest gear, gadgets, and innovation isn’t always easy. Lucky for you, keeping up with tech trends is what we do best. Check out these 30 cool gadgets that we just can’t get enough of.

When it comes to the smart home space, Alexa and Google Assistant ecosystems seem to take center stage. While Apple doesn’t have as many compatible devices, the outlook and state of HomeKit is looking more promising every day.

Apple HomeKit is a software framework that lets you connect your smart devices for home automation. The framework allows the devices to communicate with each other through the app which you can access through your smartphone, tablet, or even using your voice thanks to Siri.

HomeKit integrates effortlessly through your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Rather than requiring all the different apps, you can communicate and interact with iOS to initiate just about anything. All of your connected HomeKit devices reside within the HomeKit app where you can manage your rooms, create actions, establish schedules, and more.

With privacy as a major concern for anyone with a smartphone, Apple revealed some long overdue upgrades to HomeKit’s security at WWDC 2019. These updates include HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit for Routers.

HomeKit Secure Video analyzes every single clip before uploading and storing on iCloud. In addition, even iCloud won’t be able to access the clips stored in their servers. The subscription also now includes 10 days of recordings for more security.

On the other hand, HomeKit for Routers enhances overall internet security by creating a virtual firewall between your network and all the devices on that network.

Suffice to say, HomeKit is a powerful framework to turn your home into a truly smart and automated home. Here are all the top HomeKit-compatible devices to make it possible.

U by Moen Smart Shower

These showers allow you to control them with your voice. You can easily start, stop and pause your shower with a simple command. Just ask Siri and you’re ready to go. Additionally, the customizable shower technology and mobile app make it a must-have for your everyday life. Use the connected app to set the perfect temperature and save your settings for future use. This way, the shower will know your preference before you even step in. In addition, you can use the app to start or pause the shower.

Kohler Konnect Sensate Smart Kitchen Sink Faucet

This virtual kitchen assistant features voice-activation technology, making it seamlessly compatible with Apple HomeKit. The Sensate Smart Faucet dispenses accurate amounts of water and offers two spray options to simplify your daily kitchen tasks. Likewise, you can just use your voice to turn the water on or off or dispense a certain amount of water. You can even customize filling the items you use regularly. Utilizing an innovative sensor, the faucet offers reliable touchless operation so you can turn it on and off easily.

Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller

Featuring hyperlocal Weather Intelligence™ Plus, the Rachio 3 makes it easy to water your yard only when it needs it. It is also compatible with Rachio Wireless Flow Meter and integrates with your smart home devices. Additionally, the Rachio App works as a personal watering assistant to help you manage and monitor watering using just your smartphone. Using the app, you can create schedules, make automatic weather adjustments and more. Installing the smart sprinkler controller is easy for anyone thanks to easy-press connectors for quick wiring.

Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus Extension Set

Measuring three feet long, this strip is loaded with powerful lights to produce an incredible 1600 lumen output. Connecting to the Philips Hue app on your smartphone or tablet, the Lightstrip Plus Extension Set gives you the freedom to control and manage the amount of light in any space. The smart construction of the Lightstrip Plus Extension Set automatically diffuses the light to produce a soft glow in your choice of up to 16 million different colors. The Lightstrip Plus Extension Set can be shaped, bent, and even cut to conform to your space.

Caséta Wireless App-Enabled Smart Bridge by Lutron

Never accidentally leave your lights on again with Caséta Wireless, the app-enabled smart bridge from Lutron. Caséta Wireless works with other Lutron products to give you home automation at your fingertips. And, working with HomeKit, this extends to Siri, too. Using the app on your iPad, iPhone, and even Apple Watch, you can control the lights, air conditioning unit, electronic shades, and more. You can also set a schedule so the lights turn on before you’re home. Caséta Wireless even knows when to automatically adjust for daylight savings.

Eve Motion Wireless Motion Sensor

This powerful device has an impressive 120-degree viewing angle to capture all the action in your home. Simply place it in any room, connect to your Apple device, and get total peace of mind. Eve Motion can detect motion up to 30 feet away. In addition, it has a 2-second reaction time. You can use the app to set your preferences and even control your other smart accessories in your home. Eve Motion works with iPad, iPod, and iPhone so you can stay alert from anywhere. It sends you an instant notification so you can take action.

Philips Hue Go Portable Smart Light

Incredibly intelligent, this light gives you access to millions of colors as well as shades of white light. You can also sync the light to your music, movies, and even games to add in another dimension of entertainment. The Hue Go Light is totally wireless and complete with a built-in lithium-ion battery. Lasting up to three hours, you can bring the light to any room of the party. If that’s not smart enough, the Hue Go Light is also compatible HomeKit for total automation.

Ikea Smart Window Blinds

Complete with an included remote and smartphone control, this device makes it easy for you to lower and raise the shades automatically. The Smart Window Blinds work with HomeKit for convenient control. In addition, you can even use the app to set a timer. The Smart Window Blinds come in two models including the Kadrilj and Fytur. The Kadrilj features a set of gray blinds while the Fytur are blackout shades.