Flowchart

To get started, take a look at this flowchart below which outlines how the automation actually works. This should make it a little easier to understand what’s going to happen and what I’m explaining.

The Automation

To get started, open the Home app and Long/3D press on the smart button icon. Choose one of the actions and select “add scenes and accessories”. In that menu, scroll all the way to the bottom of the list and choose “Convert to Shortcut”.

Open the actions list, and choose “Get Date” and then set the variable as “current date”. So the automation should read “Get dates from Current Date”.

For the next action we want to format the date into short form. So choose the action “Format Date” and the variable should automatically assign itself to the date from the previous action. In that same action, choose “show more” and change Date Format to none and Time Format to short.

For the third action, we want to round the short format time to a single number. So choose the “Round Number” action and assign the variable to “Formatted Date” and have it rounded to “ones place”. And that’s all that is needed for the first half of this automation. So if the time is 11:30 PM at night, than the rounded number will be “23” (this automations works in 24 hour time).

For the next half of this automation, grab an If Statement and make the condition “If [Smart Light/Device] is off” and within that, use multiple if statements to determine the time and thus the action. For example, in my automation I have “If Rounded Number is between 7 and 10″ turn on the daytime scene”. Continue this until you have all the actions that you want and delete the otherwise tags for all of those inner If Statements. For the outer if statement, within the otherwise tag set the lights to turn off.

Thus, when the automation runs it’ll trigger when you press the button. It checks the time and then checks if the light is on or off. If it is off, then it will compare the rounded down time to the if statements and complete whatever action you set. If the lights are on, it’ll turn them off. And that’s all there is to it. As for the second and third actions of the button, you can do whatever you want. You can use it to control other lights or have it set scenes in its dedicated room. Automation runs as far as your imagination can.

For a visual look at this automation, check out the photo below so you can see what it should look like for you.

The post Advanced Smart Button Light Switch appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

The Australian HomeKit game changed in 2019 with popular phone accessory brand Cygnett announcing their new range of smart home devices including smart light bulbs, power outlets, temperature sensors, motion sensors, door & window sensors, and smart control buttons. The biggest part of this announcement was that these devices would all be compatible with Apple HomeKit.

Despite this news, it seemed there wasn’t much chatter about these game-changing products online and I myself did not even find out about them until earlier this year. A few weeks ago I had the joy of finally purchasing their Smart Home Starter Kit for AUD$200. After experiencing the products for a couple of weeks I can finally share my thoughts on these products with you as well as examine its features, uses, and pros and cons.

PACKAGING/FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The first thing I noticed about the Starter Kit was that it came in a surprisingly small box which initially had me thinking: “they’ve packed a hub and four sensors into this?”. When I finally had a chance to open the box I was amazed at how small the hub actually was. It didn’t take up much space and was able to fit on my desk without obstructing anything else.

Also included in the box was one of their Temperature/Humidity Sensors, a Motion Sensor, a Smart Button, and a Door/Window Sensor. The devices were quite compact and I could tell that they wouldn’t be an eyesore and could blend into their surroundings. The devices were securely packaged with foam inserts and the exterior of the box lets you know that this is a professional, high-quality device.

SETUP

Setup of the smart hub was quite straight forward and required plugging in the hub using the include Micro USB cable. There was no adaptor for this so I had to use an old iPhone adaptor. A few seconds later, the hub was ready for pairing.

All that needed to be done was to download the Cygnett Smart app, register an account and pair the hub. Note here that you need to select Apple Home Setup and you will be redirected to the Home app where you scan the HomeKit code (that is plastered in multiple locations on the box, in the instructions and on the hub itself) and it will return you to the Cygnett app to finish the setup by naming the hub. Immediately I noticed a firmware update was available, however, both of my attempts failed to which I reset the hub and tried again which still failed. I wasn’t sure what the issue was so I ignored the update and continued with the setup. Later I noticed that the Hub did in fact update the firmware itself so I put it done to teething issues.

With the hub connected, it was time to set up the devices. It was a simple process and you just need to use the included screwdriver to open the backs of the devices, remove the battery pull tab and then hold down the pair/reset buttons on the devices. Move to the Smart App where you can press the “+” button, or alternatively press the power button on the hub, and it will search for the devices and pair them to the hub. You will know when the hub is in pairing mode by a vocal feedback message.

Once this is done you can move to the Apple Home app where the devices will appear and from there you can customise their name, locations and icon. It is important to note that the Cygnett Smart app doesn’t really give you many options to modify and automate the devices however it does show you logs of detected motion, doors opening and closing, and when buttons are pushed.

Once the devices are setup you can peel off the adhesive backing and stick the devices onto the wall. My concern with this was that the adhesive covered the backs of the devices where you need to open them to access the battery so when it comes to replacing batteries you will need to also replace the adhesive. Cygnett does cover you with extra adhesive for the first round of battery changes but after that, you are on your own to find a solution.

INITIAL THOUGHTS
My first instinct before mounting the devices was testing the range of the Smart Button, so I moved through different areas of my house and tested it out. Surprisingly, it worked more than 40 meters away which gave me high hopes for buying additional buttons for around the house. I didn’t have a chance to test the range of the other devices but I would presume the range would be similar.

After mounting the devices to the wall, I set up a few basic automations and enabled notifications. All I had to say was “wow!”. The devices had an almost instant response time and triggered automations right away. Given that the Hub is Wi-Fi and not Ethernet-enabled I had concerns there about communication but for once I am actually happy with my NBN service.

DAY TO DAY USAGE
Given that the devices are currently located in my bedroom I put them to good use with automating my lights to come on when motion is detected or a door is opened. I further automated these using the Home+ app but that is for another time.

Since then I’ve noticed myself rarely using my phone to control the devices as I have the automations scheduled exactly to my liking and at nights I can hold down the smart button and turn everything off.

I have faced a small issue with the button, that being that it sometimes fails to respond. I believe though that this is a common HomeKit problem as the button needs to communicate to the hub so it might be time to retire the old iPad Air and purchase an Apple HomePod. Other than that, it works exactly as expected and makes it much easier for those who aren’t as technologically competent to control the lights in my room. Additionally, with the lack of smart switches in Australia, these smart buttons are a great alternative for the time being.

The Hub also has a Smart IR feature to be able to control infrared enabled devices, such as TVs and Air Conditioners, with the Cygnett Smart App, however, I am yet to use that feature and do not intend to use this feature as you cannot use the Apple Home option and Smart IR option at the same time.

Other than this, the Sensors help me keep an eye on my room when I’m not at home so I know when someone is going in there without my knowledge. Next up is to add a security camera.

COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER SYSTEMS
The box does say that the devices are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. I do not use Google Home but I do have an Amazon Echo which I did link the Cygnett Smart Skill to. However, it only exposed the Door Sensor and Temperature Sensors which I did not intend to use. I did create an automation to have Alexa announce when the door is opened though. Needless to say, I disabled that less than a day later. If you do want to use the Button and Motion Sensors with Alexa this probably isn’t the product for you.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Ultimately, the Cygnett Starter Kit is reasonably priced and the devices are very affordable which make them a perfect addition to any HomeKit setup. Like all technology, the devices have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

• The Cygnett Smart Range uses the Zigbee protocol meaning that all devices connect to one central hub rather than connecting individually to wi-fi.
• Individual devices are cheaper than similar devices on the market such as Eve and Logitech.
• Can all be controlled solely from the Apple Home App.
• Cygnett customer service as extremely helpful and they have a range of videos online to support customers.
• Starter Kit comes with all the tools to set up the hub including power cord and screwdriver as well as extra adhesive.
• Cygnett Smart App records button presses, motion detection logs and door open and closing logs.

Cons

• Hub connects to Wi-Fi rather than Ethernet which could cause communication issues. However, I am yet to face them.
• The 3M adhesive can only be used once and after removing it to access the battery compartment you need to find another way to stick them to the wall again.
• Button sometimes fails to respond however this is a HomeKit issue, not a Cygnett issue.
• You can’t use Apple HomeKit and the IR Option for the hub at the same time. Additionally, you cannot control IR Devices connected to the Hub in Apple Home.

Despite this, I’d highly recommend the Cygnett Smart Hub to anyone looking to expand their smart home. With a lack of many notable brands in Australia, Cygnett is the best alternative to them and features many of the same devices. Fingers crossed, one day we’ll be able to get a Water Leak Sensor and Vibration Sensor added to the range.

If you have any questions about the hub feel free to leave a comment below and be sure to check out my unboxing of the hub on YouTube.

The post Cygnett Smart Home Starter Kit (review) appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Adjust your lighting to set the right mood, choose between warm lighting (yellow) and cool lighting (blue). Create a cosy feeling with warm lighting in your living room, dining area or bedroom. Or set cool lighting for areas that need energy and focus such as, kitchens or bathrooms.

• Ambience (warm to cool) & dimming 
• Super bright 9W 900lm 
• Create schedules & automations 
• Control with Google Assistant, Alexa & Siri 

Left the house in a rush and forgot to turn off the lights? No worries control your lighting from anywhere using the Cygnett Smart App (available on iOS and Android) or Apple Home Kit. Check the App to see if you have forgotten to turn off any lights or turn the lights on as you arrive home.

Create the perfect ambience for waking-up or going to sleep by automating your lighting – set a schedule to wake up to energising blue light or go to bed to calming yellow light. Always forgetting to turn-off lights? Why not save on electricity by automatically scheduling lights to turn off at specific times.

Input/Output

• Input: 220-240V˜ 50Hz, 0.06A (Max)
• Output: 9W
• Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
• Bulb Size: A19
• Brightness: 900lm
• LED Life Span: 25,000hrs
• CCT (2700K-6500K)
• Operating temperature: 0°~ 40°C
• Socket: B22 or E27

System Requirements

• To control this HomeKit-enabled accessory, the latest version of iOS or iPadOS is recommended.
• Controlling this HomeKit-enabled accessory automatically and away from home requires a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad set up as a home hub. It is recommended that you update to the latest software and operating system.
• Existing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
• Mobile device running iOS or Android

The post Cygnett Smart Wi-Fi Ambient White Bulb appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

At home or away, control your appliances from your phone or with any voice assistant, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri. Use your voice assistant or phone to turn-on/off most appliances including lights, portable heating and cooling, TVs, etc.

Create schedules and automations so your favourite appliances and electronic devices turn on or off at specific times of the day. During the colder months schedule your electric blanket to turn-on in the evening, then turn-off in the morning.

Track the power usage of any device or appliance connected to a smart plug. Gain insight into your power usage to make smarter decisions that save money on your power bill.

• Control your appliances 
• Works with Google Assistant, Alexa & Siri 
• Control using the Cygnett Smart App
• Control using Apple HomeKit App 
• Monitor power usage

Input/Output

• Input: 100V-240V~,50/60Hz,10A Max, 2400W Max
• Output: 100V-240V~,50/60Hz,10A Max, 2400W Max
• Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n

System Requirements

• To control this HomeKit-enabled accessory, the latest version of iOS or iPadOS is recommended.
• Controlling this HomeKit-enabled accessory automatically and away from home requires a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad set up as a home hub. It is recommended that you update to the latest software and operating system.
• Existing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
• Mobile device running iOS or Android

The post Cygnett Smart Wi-Fi Plug appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Receive security notifications if someone enters your home when you’re out. Alternatively, place this sensor on any door in the home and receive alerts when someone enters that room.

No need to scramble to check if you’ve shut all your windows and doors before leaving your home. Check the Cygnett Smart Home app and check if everything is closed and secure – quick and simple.

Partner this sensor with a Cygnett Smart Bulb to automatically turn on a light whenever you enter a room. Ideal for spaces in the home like the pantry or storage cupboards. Once the pantry door closes, the light with automatically switch-off.

• Detects when any door or window is open 
• Create automations during open & close 
• notifies when a window or door is opened 
• Cygnett Smart Hub & IR Remote required

The post Cygnett Smart Door and Window Sensor appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Using the Cygnett Smart App you can remotely check the temperature and humidity in your home. Perfect for hot or cold days when you’re away and decide to turn on the air conditioner or heating before arriving home.

Set the perfect temperature in any room, perhaps you want your lounge to stay at cool 18°C or a cosy 24°C, program it all in the Cygnett Smart App and you’re set. Or perhaps you want a humidifier to switch-on when the air gets too dry. That’s easy, pair with our Smart Plug and it’s done.

Use several temperature sensors to monitor every room in your home. Our sensors are easy to install onto almost any surface, helping you to orchestrate the perfect indoor conditions.

• Monitors temperature & humidity 
• Create automations 
• Automated a scene based on temperature
• Cygnett Smart Hub & IR Remote required

The post Cygnett Smart Temperature and Humidity Sensor appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Have peace of mind when you’re away from home. Our Smart Motion Sensor will send you security notifications if there is motion detected in your home. You can also check the last time motion was detected.

Turn on appliances simply by coming home. For example, position a Cygnett Smart Motion Sensor next to your front door and as soon as the sensor detects you, your heating and cooling can be activated. You can active most appliances to turn-on/off through scenes you set on the Cygnett Smart Home App.

Partner with a Cygnett Smart Bulb or Smart Plug and save power by automatically turning off lights when there is no one in the room. Once motion is detected again, the lights will automatically turn back on. Scene setting is only limited by your imagination.

• Notifies when movement is detected  
• Create automations 
• Compatible with Cygnet Smart Home app
• Compatible with Apple HomeKit 
• Cygnett Smart Hub & IR Remote required  
• 6-12-month battery life

The post Cygnett Smart Motion Sensor appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Control your home with the click of a button, two clicks or a long press. Easily program the Smart Control Button to perform 3x customisable scenes or actions. For example:

• Click the button once – your bedroom lights turn-on
• Click the button twice – your bedroom lights turn-off
• Long press the button – your heating/cooling system turns on

And of course, you can change any of the scenes or actions to perform another task or work in unison with other smart products.

A smart control button is super convenient, give anyone in your home access to connected appliances. Have guests feel at home by giving them control of the lighting and heating. Hopped into bed and left the kitchen light on? Keep a Smart Control Button by your bedside that turns-off every smart light in your home.

Our Smart Control Button is small, discrete and blends in with any home décor. Place buttons around your home to perform different programable functions like, “evening chill” which lowers your smart bulbs to a calming yellow light at 40% brightness and turns-on your oil diffuser. There are thousands of possibilities.

• Program 3x customisable actions per button
• Place multiple buttons around the home
• 40m range
• Mounts to any surface
• Requires Cygnett Smart Hub & IR Remote

The post Cygnett Smart Control Button appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Input/Output

• Input: 220-240V˜ 50Hz, 0.06A (Max)
• Output: 9W
• Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n
• Bulb Size: A19
• Brightness: 900lm
• LED Life Span: 25,000hrs
• CCT (2700K-6500K)
• Operating temperature: 0°~ 40°C
• Socket: E27 or B22

System Requirements

• To control this HomeKit-enabled accessory, the latest version of iOS or iPadOS is recommended.
• Controlling this HomeKit-enabled accessory automatically and away from home requires a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad set up as a home hub. It is recommended that you update to the latest software and operating system.
• Existing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
• Mobile device running iOS or Android

The post Cygnett Smart Wi-Fi Colour Bulb appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.

Includes

• Cygnett Smart Hub + IR Remote Control
• 1.5M Micro-USB to USB-A cable
• Quick start guide

System Requirement

• To control this HomeKit-enabled accessory, the latest version of iOS or iPadOS is recommended. controlling this HomeKit-enabled accessory automatically and away from home requires a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad set up as a home hub. It is recommended that you update to the latest software and operating system.

The post Cygnett Smart Hub and IR Remote Control appeared first on Homekit News and Reviews.