Home automation is building automation for a home; it involves the control and automation of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and security, as well as home appliances such as washer/dryers, ovens or refrigerators/freezers. WiFi is often used for remote monitoring and control. Home devices, when remotely monitored and controlled via the Internet, are an important constituent of the Internet of Things. Modern systems generally consist of switches and sensors connected to a central hub sometimes called a "gateway" from which the system is controlled with a user interface that is interacted either with a wall-mounted terminal, mobile phone software, tablet computer or a web interface, often but not always via Internet cloud services. While there are many competing vendors, there are very few worldwide accepted industry standards and the smart home space is heavily fragmented. Manufacturers often prevent independent implementations by withholding documentation and by litigation so...caveat emptor!
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Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-And-Alexa-Devices)
ecosystem: Alexa
home hardware controllers:
supported:Echo/EchoDot/EchoPlus/Tap(portable wireless speaker for Alexa on-the-go)
future support: EchoSpot/EchoShow/FireTV
O/S: FireOS - Android fork
mobile app development: none,proprietary
mobile hardware controllers(w/ downloadable apps on Amazon,GooglePlay, and Apple's AppStore):
KindleFire / FirePhone (FireOS), amazon products
Android Phones (AndroidOS, app development: AndroidStudio) alternate controllers
Apple Phones (iOS, app develoment tool: XCode)
WebBrowser/Website control
compatibility: pandora, tunein, iHeartRadio, Spotify, SiriusXm,
skills: GoogleCalendar,Uber, Fitbit, CapitalOne, Dominos,1-800-Flowers
smart-home hardware compatibility: wemo, samsungSmartThings, phillipsHue, Insteon, tp-link, NEST, ecobee
supported NEST device types:
- NestThermostat
- NestThermostatE
- NestProtect
- NestCam
- NestSecure
- NestConnect
Apple (https://www.apple.com/ios/home/accessories/)
ecosystem: HomeKit
mobile app: Home (in Apple's App Store)
home hardware controller: HomePod (which is also the *only* speaker available on HomeKit system)
O/S: iOS
mobile app development: none, proprietary
hardware development: MFI, licensed
smart-home hardware compatibility: HomeKit products only
skills: Siri (many: see https://www.apple.com/ios/siri/)
Google (https://store.google.com/us/product/meet_google_home)
ecosystem: GoogleHome
home hardware controller: GoogleHomeMax and GoogleHomeMini
mobile app: GoogleHome
O/S: AndroidOS
app development: AndroidStudio
supported services:
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Google Play Music
- TuneIn Radio
- YouTube
smart-home hardware compatibility:
- Chromecast
- Nest
- SmartThings
- Phillips Hue
- LIFX Smart Lights
- TP-Link Smart Home
- Vivint Home Security
- Rachio Sprinklers
- Logitech Harmony
- Geeni Connected Tech
- August Smart Locks
- iHome Control
- Hive Home Automation
- Honeywell
