Smart home company Tado has announced an updated version of its Smart AC Controller that includes Apple HomeKit support out of the box.
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Available today in the U.K. and other European countries, the controller connects compatible air conditioners and heat pumps to a home's Wi-Fi network, allowing users to adjust the temperature with their mobile device rather than the remote control that came with their AC unit.
The Tado device works by detecting the make and model of the AC unit from its infrared signal, and then mimics the signals that correspond to the user controls found on the original IR remote so that the Tado mobile app can take its place.
The accompanying app has also been redesigned and introduces some new features, including an Air Comfort Skill which measures air freshness inside and outside of the home. The skill complements other features like Geofencing, Open Window Detection, Weather Adaptation, and energy reports that aim to save energy and improve comfort.
Users can also make use of the Smart Schedule and settings to minimize AC noise levels and disruption by managing the fan speed and the time when it's running.
With the new HomeKit support, users can ask Siri to change temperatures and add air conditioning into HomeKit Scenes and Automations. Like the company's V3+ Smart Thermostats, the new Smart AC Control also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
The new Smart AC Control V3+ is available starting today at £89.99 from retailers across Europe as well as from the tado.com website.
Top Rated Comments
I myself have a Nest as a controller, thought it could control AC as well, was wrong on that.
Might get a Tado, has Homekit, the Nest doesn't, in fact, Google will mess it up in a couple of months, time to get of this Google crap.
Had the same problem - Switch out your network cable that goes to the Tado bridge and make sure the plug is tightly squeezed in (use tape if necessary). I had the same issue but after a while found out that the bridge’s RJ45 plug is pretty crappy and the plugged in cable often loses contact.
Bit off topic but related, some companies design their equipment with "special" RJ45 dimensions, hey Siemens are you reading, Siemens wants you to buy their overpriced crappy patch cables (big radius, bent them too far and they kink....), using others is not recommended....hahaha, the connection while using other branded cables is poor, seems like they don't fit snuggly.Doesn't stop there, like still selling flash cards for absurd prices.(Google that one, see for yourself)
Those bastards.
/rant
I’m on the verge of homebrewing my own via a Raspberry Pi, an IR blaster, and HomeBridge to achieve this functionality, but having a fully-fledged product that doesn’t require hours to setup is much preferred! Homes don’t have central AC here like they do in North America.