9/2/2023 0 Comments Work clock shades![]() Once you’ve got the Soma Connect paired with your phone, you can proceed to add it to your WiFi network. ![]() The Smart Shades 2 should then be bound to the Connect bridge. Once added, you need to calibrate the blinds, which involves setting the upper and lower limits of the blinds.Īfter that, you set up the Connect in pretty much the same way, initially via Bluetooth on your phone. As the connection at this point is via Bluetooth, the app recommends you be reasonably close to the motor to initially pair it to your phone. The rear of the box makes it clear that this box is ‘Powered by Raspberry Pi’, so whilst it doesn’t spell out that it’s not a certified product, those with a bit of knowledge of HomeKit and HomeBridge will recognise what this box is at its core.Īdding the Blinds is initially quite easy All you need is the ‘Smart Shades’ app (don’t look for ‘Soma’ in the App store), and once downloaded, you add the Smart Shades via the Hamburger menu at the side. The front of the box mentions Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, but it also works with Google Assistant, if you’re looking for that flavour of compatibility. However, even the Soma Connect is actually not HomeKit certified as such and is basically a Raspberry Pi with custom ‘HomeBridge-type’ software to get the Connect exposed to HomeKit, and by extension, the Smart Shade 2 motor as well. ![]() So in order to get the Smart Shades 2 exposed to HomeKit (as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa), you will need the company’s Soma Connect (or your own RPi with the company’s own plugin). the Philips Hue Bridge or the Aqara Hub respectively. This is similar (in principle) to smart bulbs by Hue, or smart sensors by Aqara, in that they aren’t HomeKit compatible in and of themselves, and require a ‘bridge’ or ‘gateway’ to get them exposed to HomeKit – i.e. In the interests of being totally transparent about this product, especially for people that really only want to use officially certified Apple HomeKit products, it should be noted that this is not a certified device, and even then, you can only get the Smart Shades 2 to be exposed to HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant via the addition of the company’s Soma Connect Bridge, which is also not a certified product, but a custom Raspberry Pi with the company’s own software.Īs stated at the beginning of this review, on its own, Soma Smart Shades 2 isn’t HomeKit compatible at all, and will only be able to be controlled via the Smart Shades app on your phone, with a direct Bluetooth connection between the two. *you can read our Xiaoyan Smart blind motor review HERE. It’s relatively inexpensive, you don’t have to swap out your own blinds, and you don’t need a nearby power outlet. These options require mains power, however, so what if you don’t have a power outlet anywhere near your window, AND you want to use the blinds you already have? Enter Soma’s Smart Shades 2, an updated and upgraded version of the company’s original Smart Shades motor. ![]() Aqara and Xiaoyan* both offer blind motors, and if you’re ok with sourcing your own blinds and the tube they wrap around, then that’s another good DIY option. However, no matter how good they might be, you’re initially stuck with Ikea’s choice of material and colour, which is grey. Even better, they use rechargeable batteries, so no nearby power outlet is required. Ikea has gone some way to addressing both these issues, with their Fyrtur product range, that offers a reasonably priced solution, with a few size options. Along with a few other HomeKit compatible devices that may be already available, but lacking in options perhaps, smart blinds seem to be one of those items that are either quite expensive or simply don’t offer the choices that fit your requirements.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |