Lifx today introduced a new HomeKit-enabled Lifx Z Starter Kit that includes two 3.3-foot light strips and a power pack for $89.99.
The new Lifx Z setup is similar to the previous version, but it adds HomeKit support. The light strips offer 1400 lumens per two meters and can be set to 16 million colors. Multiple shades of white are also available, as is dimming functionality.
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Lifx light strips offer eight zones that can be separately controlled per strip, which is different from Hue light strips that offer a single color at a time. Lifx products are also able to connect directly to Wi-Fi and do not require a hub.
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Lifx Z light strips can be controlled through the Lifx app, through the Home app on iOS devices, or using Siri, and they can be incorporated into HomeKit scenes with other HomeKit products.
While the new Lifx Z setup is HomeKit compatible right out of the box, Lifx is also introducing a new controller that allows existing Lifx Z light strips to work with HomeKit.
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The New Lifx Z is available from the Lifx website for $89.99, while the separate controller for existing setups can be purchased for $39.99.
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(View all)How do you figure?
Yes, this. Anyone saying Alexa is way beyond HomeKit has either never used Alexa or HomeKit. HomeKit is elegant and powerful and does things (like geofencing, timers, multiuser) that is probably not even on the horizon for Echo.Alexa can't even do rooms. You have to make groups. When I tell it to turn on my bedroom lights it says there's more than one device with that name. I have all of this set up in hue and homekit yet Alexa can't seem to manage it without me learning a whole new set of commands. I'm not impressed at all.
But also I think people are confused about the difference between Alexa/Siri and Alexa app/HomeKit. Alexa home device/scene management is a total hot mess. Between Alexa and Siri, opinions vary depending on who you talk to.
Not saying I have a dog in the fight, I use HomeKit because that’s what I use
Intresting. Good to know. Although personally I wouldn’t consider 1 second game changing.
I second this. I have amassed quite a collection of Hue and other devices. Siri (shockingly) is far more reliable and quick with operation.Alexa is way superior to Siri and 3rd party apps are every bit as good as HomeKit. Not seeing what the hoopla is about HomeKit. I have had lifx products for years and get by just fine without HomeKit.
My Alexa takes about 1 second longer to activate home automation devices vs homekit, and for some reason, my siri which is usually awful at most everything, is much better at understanding our room names that we named somewhat uniquely (our pet's names).My Alexa takes about 1 second longer to activate home automation devices vs homekit, and for some reason, my siri which is usually awful at most everything, is much better at understanding our room names that we named somewhat uniquely (our pet's names).
Intresting. Good to know. Although personally I wouldn’t consider 1 second game changing.