Ecobee SmartCamera Firmware Update Adds HomeKit Secure Video Support
Ecobee has updated its SmartCamera to support Apple's HomeKit Secure Video, which allows the cameras to capture and store recordings securely in iCloud.
/article-new/2020/12/ecobee_SmartCamera.jpg?lossy)
The firmware update means SmartCamera owners have another option aside from Ecobee's $5-a-month subscription for video recording and movement notifications.
With HomeKit Secure Video, video footage is encrypted and stored in iCloud rather than on servers handled by Ecobee. Footage can be viewed in the Home app, and all motion and people detection is done on-device for privacy purposes.
Using HomeKit Secure Video requires an upgraded iCloud storage plan. Apple's 200GB plan supports one HomeKit Secure Video camera, while the 1TB plan supports up to five cameras.
Users with the 200GB plan can store 10 days of recordings from one camera in iCloud at no extra cost, while those with a 2TB plan can store 10 days of recordings from up to five cameras. HomeKit Secure Video recordings do not count towards a user's iCloud storage usage.
HomeKit Secure Video requires an iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV in the house to serve as a home hub for connecting the cameras to the Internet.
As The Verge points out, if you're thinking of switching from Ecobee's $5-a-month video recording subscription to HomeKit Secure Video, it's worth noting that, like other HomeKit-compatible cameras, Apple's Home app doesn't support the camera's ability to pan and tilt.
Top Stories
Apple today announced a range of new smart home features for HomePod mini, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, as well as third-party Siri integration on accessories for the first time.
Siri on the HomePod now supports making commands to control content on an Apple TV. The HomePod mini can also be set as a default output for an Apple TV.
SharePlay will work with the Apple TV through FaceTime on...
Belkin's Wemo brand today announced the launch of the Wemo Stage Scene Controller, a wireless remote control that allows HomeKit users to manage and control their various HomeKit scenes.
The Wemo Stage works with up to six HomeKit scenes, with each scene activated through long and short press functions. HomeKit scenes can be set up to activate multiple HomeKit products, and are useful for...
Apple's all-online Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) starts today with the traditional keynote kicking things off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
We're expecting to see a number of announcements, including iOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15, but it's unclear what else we'll be seeing at the event. While there had been some claims of redesigned MacBook Pro models making an appearance...
The Sensibo Pure air purifier was today updated with HomeKit compatibility, making it one of the few air purifiers on the market able to integrate with HomeKit.
HomeKit allows you to control the Sensibo Pure through the Home app, and it enables Siri commands for checking air quality, turning the air purifier on and off, and more.
It also enables automations, so the Sensibo Pure can be...
At WWDC, Apple announced that iCloud is getting a premium subscription tier called "iCloud+," which includes "Private Relay" that allows users to browse the web through Safari with all information leaving their device remaining encrypted and access to "Hide My Email." One of the headlining features for iCloud+ is Private Relay, which, similarly to a VPN, ensures that all traffic leaving a...
French accessory maker Netatmo today announced that its Smart Video Doorbell with HomeKit support is now available to pre-order for $299.99 in the United States and $399.99 in Canada. The doorbell will begin shipping to customers in these countries starting January 6, 2021, as noted by the blog HomeKit News.
As with other video doorbells, the Smart Video Doorbell lets you see and speak to...
Smart home device company Aqara has today launched the "G2H" home security camera with HomeKit Secure Video support.
HomeKit Secure Video allows the G2H to stream end-to-end encrypted video via Apple's Home app, and the camera will store up to 10 days of footage on iCloud accounts with at least 200GB of space.
Activity detected by the G2H can be analyzed by the HomeKit home hub device...
Ecobee today announced that its SmartCamera has a new price of $129.99, down from $179.99, and the camera has also been updated with some new features.
In addition to gaining compatibility with HomeKit Secure Video last month, which allows users to securely stream and store video from the SmartCamera on iCloud servers, the indoor security camera now features Spotify integration, smoother...
Owners of Eufy home security cameras are this morning reporting seeing live and recorded feeds show up in the Eufy app from other users' cameras, in what appears to be a disturbing breach of privacy and a major malfunctioning of the company's service.
As with many connected domestic security cameras, Eufy cameras offer users the ability to view real-time and recorded streams of video feeds...
Eero today released an iOS app update that includes new firmware for its Eero 6 and Pro 6 routers, introducing HomeKit support.
HomeKit support for the Eero 6 allows the routers to be managed through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In the Home app, there are options to define how routers are able to communicate within the home and via the internet.
With HomeKit integration, Eero...
Top Rated Comments
I’ve been using a single camera so far with HomeKit secure video. Honestly it’s so nice how it’s built in and the scrubbing through video history works so well.
next I just need to find a decent doorbell that works with HomeKit.
ditto on the doorbell...we’ve waiting six years for a doorbell for crying out loud!
Apple needs to let the 2TB plan support 20 or so cameras. At minimum 10-15, 5 is not enough if you want to use many cameras.
And let's hope Apple will eventually add Pan & Tilt, as well as better resolutions, more days of storage and more cameras.