a review by Tom Piper
Assembling all of the components for a reliable Smart Home is a continual challenge. It is increasingly important to acquire devices that are not only remotely controlled, but which also have the ability to communicate with each other. Another new unit from a great company more than meets this expectation.
The Elgato Eve Motion unit has become a terrific addition to my household. This device is located in my office so that whenever I walk into the room, it cues the Eve Energy unit to turn on a lamp, and sends a message to my iHome outlet to turn on two additional accent lights. These lights remain on for 10 minutes (or whatever other time I set them for in HomeKit Automation). Elgato also assures that it's software is always up-to-date by sending firmware updates on a timely basis.
As their website promises, Eve Motion can "enrich scenes with powerful rules to automate accessories on your conditions. Automatically activate your 'I'm home' scene in which your connected ceiling fan and ambient lighting switch on, but only after sunset. Then have everything turn off if you're out of the room for ten minutes, provided it's past your bedtime." That is just one of many examples of a combination of "rules" that I can set for automatic control, or change from wherever I'm located.
This means that I have the ability to control devices immediately via Siri, my Control Center, or Apple Watch. This also includes changing accessories using the Home app on my iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Home Pod. And to see concise records, gain insights, and enjoy full control of my connected home, I need look no further than the convenient Eve app. It also alerts me when motion is detected, which makes it another security device when I'm not home. And, it has its own pair of "AA" batteries which work for months before replacement is necessary.
This unit, like all of my Eve accessories, is exclusively HomeKit-enabled. Even when accessing my home remotely via my Apple TV, data is end-to-end encrypted and stored on my iPhone or iPad. Out of the box, Eve accessories work easily with all of my Apple devices. This keeps me connected while out and about, and enhances the value and reliability of my Smart Home.
You can learn more about the Elgato Eve Motion at elgato.com/eve-motion, and purchase it for only $49.95 at the Apple Store. It has happily joined my family of Elgato devices including Eve Energy, Eve Degree, Eve Door & Window Sensor, as well as a variety of Avea lights. This is a great company with units which I highly recommend, particularly at very reasonable prices!
