HomeKit Secure Video was launched by Apple in 2019. It was introduced as part of the iOS 13 update, enhancing HomeKit with secure video capabilities designed for better privacy and security in home surveillance. Although a few updates have been seen since then, not much has changed. It’s time for Apple to double its commitment to secure smart home camera storage to work with cameras like the Eve Outdoor Cam and Logitech Circle View.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
Continuous recording of footage
One of the most glaring weaknesses of Apple’s smart home camera storage and processing solution is the lack of 24/7 recording. It’s a key reason I use the Google Nest Cam with Floodlight for my outdoor cameras, while I have the Starling Home Hub to bridge them back to HomeKit for automations and with Apple TV.
I understand the limitations around 24/7 recording for battery-powered cameras, but for cameras on continuous power, like the Eve Outdoor Cam, why is that not an option? Motion detection isn’t perfect. As Apple has continued to raise the price of its services like the Apple One bundle, I believe 24/7 recording would be a welcome addition for most customers.
More cameras and more features
Top comment by thawk9455
I'd love more options with my Circle View Doorbell and eufy cameras. Let me adjust notifications based on different motions and scenarios instead of all or nothing..
Maybe I only want People notifications if no one is home (I don't need 50 notifications if my kids are playing by the front door), but package notifications all the time.
Let me choose multiple activity zones and use them in different capabilities. I'd prefer to record most/all activities, but I only want notifications if they happen in the activity zone.
What if I want time of day based notifications (is someone in my garage at 2 AM) but also always want notifications if no one is home at any time of day?
Apple’s approach to cameras has avoided creating a first-party one and allowed third-party manufacturers to take the lead. Initially, we had several great camera options, but it’s slowed to a crawl. I can’t tell you the last HomeKit Secure Video camera, a completely new innovation relying only on HomeKit. Some newer cameras that work with HKSV are doing most of their innovation in a native manufacturer app. This was not HomeKit’s or HKSV’s promise.
Apple should begin to unlock additional features within the HKSV specification and make their concept cameras. Apple’s cameras could be high-end while letting other manufacturers cover the mid and lower-range options. It’s one of those areas that I believe Apple should be dogfooding their own system.
Apple should be building more privacy controls (fine-tuned), more ways to build automations, more reliable motion detecting, and more noise detection options. These features should be available to all HomeKit Secure Video cameras and inside the Home app.
Wrap up
There are a handful of things I know I want out of HomeKit Secure Video, but I am sure there are things I am not thinking of. Ultimately, it feels like it’s a feature with almost zero engineering and product management attention. No, it’s not a significant revenue driver, but it is a key feature of the Apple and HomeKit ecosystem, so if they aren’t going to make it continuously better, it’s time to kill the product.
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