Background: I have a set of WEMO outlet plugs that I would use occasionally (Holiday tree lights, lamps). Having had these work well enough with iOS Homekit app, I have moved to new location, ISP (Fios) and router setup. Two weeks ago, the WEMO device stopped working from either the Home app or the WEMO app. So, thinking it failed, I went and looked for Apple-compatible Homekit controlled outlet. I found the least expensive as the GE Cync.
You have to have the app. And then an account. Homekit app sees the Cync “Outlet” but it won’t connect. Sits there for more than 30 minutes displaying, “Connecting”.
Now, I put the Cync outlet on my IoT fios network (2.4Ghz wifi), and the Cync app sees if from my iPhone (one non-IoT network) and works.
But I want to have Siri setup to my “Good night” and all lights are out. Or leaving home, and it turns lights on when at 10 mins prior to Dusk. That all worked with Siri and the WEMO.
So, if someone has figured this out, let me know. If you have a recommended plug outlet (I don’t want a bulb, just plug control) that can handle on lamp per plug, and works with Home flawlessly, on an IoT subnet, … (I think there are Meross, KASA, TP-Link, Eve…)
Belkin essentially bricked most of their Wemo devices by shutting down the web services that support Wemo. A lousy “business decision” that hurt owners of devices that work fine.
Shutting down those web services also killed the Wemo app and its ability to reset those devices and move them to a new network. There are open source command line utilities (pywemo) that you can use to set up those old Wemo devices to a new network. But there still isn’t any Wemo app to use them.
If you’re interested in tinkering, check out the open source Home Assistant https://home-assistant.io . It supports a ton of devices (including those orphaned Wemo devices). It also supports Matter-enabled devices. Home Assistant runs in your home network and doesn’t need a cloud service to work. (Although it can use many devices that need cloud services to run). It even has voice recognition options (both local and cloud based) and action automation built into the product
It is surprisingly capable. And can future-proof IoT devices should their manufacturers decide to stop supporting them (like you, Belkin).
I’ve had so much bad luck with VociLINC and Meross suddenly being “forgetton” with HomeKit, but have had great luck with the Eve Matter smartplugs lately.
This is the problem with far too many IoT devices. They can’t function without some kind of connection to a cloud server. So when that server is shut down (as they all are sooner or later), the device no longer works.
This is one of the nice things about the Matter protocol - as I understand it, all Matter devices need to remain operational even if your local Matter hub can no longer connect to the device’s cloud server. At least that’s my understanding based on my reading of the specs.
That’s been my (albeit limited) experience with the devices I have that use Matter. Not only can Matter-compatible devices be set up through any vendor’s Matter implementation, but the devices must have the option for local control.
Matter compatibility is my “Must have” for any future IoT device purchase. Especially since I can run Home Assistant instead of Apple Home app or Google Home and gain compatibility not only with Matter devices, but older non-Matter devices as well. And I don’t need to buy a HomePod or Apple TV to serve as a local Apple Home hub.
Back to @macanix question, I’m using the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-FI Plug Slim (KP125M). They are Matter-compatible and work with both my Apple Home app and Home Assistant. I did not need to use TP-Link’s app or register for a TP-Link account to set them up with either Matter-compatible ecosystem. The plugs are cheap on Amazon.
But I’m not running a separate IoT network for my devices. Everything runs on my “regular” home WiFi network. From what I understand, Matter protocols aren’t routable across subnets - but I haven’t tried it to confirm that.
I moved from (unreliable) Wemo outlets to Meross outlets some time ago. I haven’t had any issues with them and only needed to scan the QR code with the Home app to set them up. I am pleased that they handle 10 amp (2.4kW in Australia) loads such as a tea urn.
My only disappointment is that a Meross outlet with wattage sensing only displays this in the Meross app - not in the Home app.
Thanks for feedback.
As for separate IoT network, the Cync app on my phone, on my main network, will turn on/off the outlet/lamp. But Homekit (Home app) see the Outlet, but fails to connect/use.
I’m going to try the Kasa per Technogeezer, since its cheap. If that doesn’t work, I will try the Eve product.
@technogeezer UPDATE: I got the Kasa set of two, Unpacked, unplugged the GE Cync and lamp cord. Plugged lamp in to the Kasa. Opened Home app, added device, scanned in the QR, waiting…sees it, configuring for Home. Done! Works perfect from home screen (I renamed it shorter, and made it a lamp device with off/on settings).