Aqara Beta Updates Suggest HomeKit Coming For Aqara Smart Locks
If you recall recently, we reported on – and reviewed – the new Aqara B1 Curtain Controller, and in the review, we mentioned that it will almost certainly get HomeKit support when it’s finally released to the public, or soon after. Well although the Aqara B1 is still to be released, we do have access to beta software and beta firmware updates, and our latest findings have some interesting things for anyone who’s into HomeKit – and if you’re not, why are you still reading?
So, in the latest beta firmware update for both the Aqara hub and the Aqara B1, you can now add the B1 to the hub, which in turn exposes the B1 to HomeKit. This does NOT guarantee it will make it to the retail version, so don’t hold us to these findings, but it’s unlikely Aqara have gone this far, only for it to be removed again.
What we also found is that the recently reported Aqara Roller Shade Controller is also included in the update, so this too, when it becomes available, will have the ability to connect to HomeKit via the Aqara hub.
Our final finding was that Aqara plans on adding support for at least one of their Smart door locks, although the evidence of this via the beta version of the Aqara app is a little hazy, only mentioning Aqara smart lock, but not specifying a model. Aqara currently has three models that we’re aware of – the S1, the S2, and the S2 Pro – but our money is on the S2 Pro getting the update for HomeKit compatibility.
More news as we find it.
Apple prohibits bridging safety devices such as locks and gates. I do not think Apple changed his mind. Such devices must connect directly with HomeKit (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
Yes, you’re correct, although the article doesn’t explicitly say which, if any, lock will be supported, and whilst the current S2 Pro lock uses Zigbee, there could be a new, yet to be revealed smart lock that will use Wifi or Bluetooth instead of Zigbee.
That would mean that a new model must be created. Unless the current one is based, for example, on TI modules that can work as Bluetooth or ZigBee (at least some of them).
As the beta version of the app isn’t a working version, it doesn’t give us much info as it stands, but hopefully we’ll know more in the coming months. I’m not certain what the other oldest model uses for connection, as their website doesn’t mention Zigbee for this, as far as I can see at least.
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