If there's one thing every homeowner can agree on, it's the importance of home security; and recent digital trends in smart home technology have played a crucial role in keeping homeowners safe along the way. Take Apple HomeKit Secure Video for example. Even though it's only been on the market for just under 5 years, it's been enhancing privacy and security through quality home surveillance ever since.
We understand home security at its core, and why having user-friendly and deeply-integrated smart home technology is so important. That's where Starling Home Hub comes in.
In February of 2022, we launched a highly anticipated feature for Home Hub: iCloud recording via HomeKit Secure Video for most new-generation Nest Cams, giving Google Home app users on iOS a more accessible and user-friendly means of securely recording and reviewing camera footage to help protect their homes, directly from the Apple Home app. Over time, we've extended this to more camera models and added tons of features. This is just one example of how improved home security through Nest HomeKit integration is made possible thanks to Starling.
Advanced Features and Automation
Apple released HomeKit Secure Video as a part of their iOS 13 update in April of 2019. HomeKit Secure Video is a cloud-based service that allows users to connect and monitor compatible security cameras in and around their homes. Users can access security camera streams, recordings, and notifications through the Apple Home app on most Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. (Apple Watch and Apple TV also support viewing live video streams and receiving notifications from HomeKit cameras.)
HomeKit Secure Video recording extends the 'basic' live view functionality supported by all HomeKit cameras, introducing advanced features like facial recognition and activity zones, enhancing your home security system's intelligence and responsiveness. Face recognition allows your system to identify known individuals, minimizing false alarms and tailoring notifications. Activity zones enable you to specify areas within your camera's view for motion detection, focusing on critical spaces in your home.
Examples of Smart Home Automation:
Welcome Home Scene: Automate lights to turn on and your favorite music to play when a recognized family member arrives home.
Security Motion Alerts: Set up the system to turn on outdoor lights and send immediate notifications if unexpected motion is detected in designated activity zones during night hours.
Energy Efficiency: Integrate your thermostat to adjust temperatures based on occupancy detected by your cameras, enhancing comfort while optimizing energy use.
By combining HomeKit Secure Video's advanced features with Starling Home Hub's integration capabilities, you can create a smart home environment that's not only secure but also intelligently responsive to your lifestyle.
HomeKit Secure Video & Starling Home Hub
If you are a Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell user, iCloud recording through HomeKit Secure Video is available for the following camera models (with a Nest Aware subscription and an appropriate iCloud plan) from within the Apple Home app:
First-generation Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam Outdoor transferred to the Google Home app
2021 model Nest Cam (wired)
2021 model Nest Cam (battery) when plugged into a power outlet
2021 model Nest Cam with Floodlight
2022 model Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen)
If you're purchasing Starling Home Hub to add HomeKit Secure Video to your Nest camera or doorbell, please check this list carefully to make sure your Nest product supports HomeKit Secure Video. All other Nest camera models not listed above, including pre-2021 models, the 2021 model Nest Doorbell, and cameras running off battery or solar power, do not support iCloud recording via HomeKit Secure Video. However, all other Apple Home functions (including live video) are still fully supported on all camera models.
Enhancing Your Smart Home Experience
Integrating HomeKit Secure Video with your smart home through Starling Home Hub significantly elevates the convenience and efficiency of your home security. This system ensures that your smart home devices work in harmony, offering seamless control and monitoring. By using HomeKit Secure Video, you gain access to a comprehensive platform that prioritizes your privacy and security, making smart home management both intuitive and user-friendly.
Tips on Optimizing Your HomeKit Secure Video Setup
Centralize Control: Use the Home app to manage all your HomeKit Secure Video and other HomeKit-compatible devices in one place.
Customize Notifications: Tailor notification settings to receive alerts based on specific criteria, such as time of day or detected movement, to reduce unnecessary notifications.
Smart Detection: Leverage the smart detection capabilities to differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles, ensuring you're alerted only to the movements that matter to you.
Getting Started with Starling Home Hub
By embracing HomeKit and Nest integration with Starling Home Hub, you're not just upgrading your home security; you're investing in a smarter, more connected future. The advantages of HomeKit Secure Video integration with Nest cameras and doorbells are within reach, thanks to Starling - offering an unparalleled blend of security, convenience, and innovation.
Now is the time to secure your home with the intelligence it deserves. Discover the potential of a seamlessly integrated smart home by purchasing your own Home Hub today! Check out Wired Magazine’s objective assessment of Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video.