The ability to use voice control with Siri in Apple HomeKit makes interacting with smart gadgets highly intuitive and convenient. In this publication, we will explore all the key aspects of voice control functionality in a smart home.
Apple Homekit - is an advanced technological platform for automating the operation of all compatible devices. Smart sensors and devices, monitoring and control systems, audio-video equipment, and so on, are practically impossible to imagine in modern living spaces without any of the listed or similar HomeKit devices.
Siri - is an innovative voice assistant developed by Apple, which utilizes cutting-edge natural language processing technologies to execute users' voice commands. The combined use of Siri and Apple HomeKit provides an integrated smart home system with convenient voice control. While using Siri to manage smart devices is simple, we also offer a more detailed exploration of this topic by addressing users' key questions.
What devices can be used to control Apple HomeKit through the voice assistant Siri?
After you have set up your smart HomeKit devices in the Home app, you gain access to voice control of them through Siri. To do this, you can use any device where you are signed in to your iCloud account. This list includes: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, HomePod, and Apple Watch.
Can you control HomeKit smart gadgets through the Siri voice assistant while outside of the home?
Yes, such functionality is provided. To remotely control your smart home while outside of your home Wi-Fi network, you need to use a control center (HomeKit hub). This center can be either an Apple TV (at least third generation) or a HomePod speaker. It's important that the device serving as the home center is always active and connected to your home Wi-Fi network. HomePod and Apple TV are automatically set up as home centers after signing in to iCloud on the device through which the setup was performed.
What settings can you change using Siri, and what phrases should you use?
Primarily, using the Siri voice assistant is convenient for turning on and off smart devices, checking their performance indicators, and adjusting them as needed. You can turn on lights, adjust temperature, adjust brightness of lighting, and much more. Start by greeting Siri, thus activating it - "Hey Siri". However, at the moment Siri only understands English or Russian. But you can also create scenes in Latvian, and Siri will understand them. For example, "Hey Siri, feed the cat", and the pet feeder will dispense a portion of food for the cat or dog.
You can use the following basic commands depending on your needs:
- • "Turn on the lights" - this command will turn on any smart lighting in your home.
- • "Turn on the lights downstairs or in the bedroom, etc." - to turn on the lights in a specific part of the house or room.
- • "Turn off the lights" - request to turn off the lights.
- • "Set brightness to 60%" - this command will decrease the brightness of the lighting to 60% (you can specify a specific room and the name of the smart device).
- • "Turn on the green light in the bedroom" - if you are using RGB lighting, this request specifies the desired color and room.
- • "What's the temperature downstairs?" - check the temperature or other available parameters in your smart home using Siri.
- • "Close the front door" and "Is the front door closed?" - voice requests to check and close the front door (or any other door with a smart lock installed).
- • "Turn off the fan or heater" - you can activate or turn off temperature control devices.
In addition to individual functions, Siri can also activate scenarios where multiple devices work together. You can use the following commands:
- • "Hey Siri, activate the reading scene" - after this request, a pre-configured scenario in the app will be activated.
- • "Hey Siri, I'm home."
- • "Hey Siri, good night."
- • "Hey Siri, feed the cat" - the pet feeder will dispense a portion of food for the cat or dog.
After setting up the home center, you can name voice commands for remote control of devices in different rooms, for example:
- • "Turn off the lights in the apartment in Riga."
- • "Turn on the air conditioner at the country house."
This list is provided as an example and does not cover all available requests, but only the basic commands.
