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Tagged: HomeKit Compatibility
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February 14, 2018 at 1:42 pm #719
tomdukers
ParticipantThanks for your questions TOMDUKERS! We are very excited that B-hyve will be compatible with Apple Homekit very soon! Look for it in the coming weeks:)
The timers that are currently on the market will not be homekit compatible, but the timers that will be are shipping right now and should arrive in stores in the coming weeks.
The way to distinguish between which timers are homekit compatible and which ones are not, is that the ones that are homekit compatible will have on the manual program button “A,B,C,D” (see picture on left). Whereas, the timers currently out that are not homekit compatible have on the manual program button, “A,B,C” (see picture on right).
Spread the love!February 17, 2018 at 6:14 pm #774tomdukers
ParticipantMany thanks for the detailed answer,I’ll keep an eye out.
Spread the love!February 17, 2018 at 8:43 pm #777tashbaugh49
ParticipantHMMM,
this is both good news and bad news. Good news that Homekit support is coming very soon. Bad news about B-Hyve controllers that will support Homekit. I recently purchased a 57946 timer specifically to support HomeKit and only after first reaching out to Orbit via chat on Jan. 23rd. My conversation was very specific as was the answer:”If it is a bhyve, then it will be able to get the firmware update. The model your thinking of is the 57946 and that one will be able to be compatible.”Am I now stuck with a new timer that will not be able to be upgraded via firmware to support Homekit? Mine looks like the picture on the right with A, B, C.
Anxiously awaiting your reply.
TomSpread the love!February 25, 2018 at 6:52 pm #807ReyG
ParticipantIs there an ETA when these HomeKit compatible timers arrive in retail? Also, will it be HomeKit compatible out-of-the-box or will a future firmware update be needed?
Spread the love!February 26, 2018 at 6:15 pm #815Justin
KeymasterHey there TASHBAUG49! We are currently exploring the option to have B-hyve integrate with Homekit through just a software update, rather than having to have the MFi chip on the actual timer. So the B-hyve timers with the program buttons “A,B,C” may be able to become compatible in the future.
Here’s a link to an article explaining this option.
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/08/apple-opens-up-homekit-platform-to-developers/
However, reach out to us at [email protected] and I’m sure we can work something out.
Spread the love!February 26, 2018 at 6:17 pm #816Justin
KeymasterThanks for posting REYG! Homekit compatibility is coming soon! The timer with the program buttons “A,B,C,D” have the MFi chip and will require a future firmware update to be compatible.
Spread the love!April 11, 2018 at 1:58 pm #1037ChrisTheMeat
ParticipantI have not yet seen the new timers with the A, B, C, D button anywhere yet. Is there an ETA when this should be shipping?
Spread the love!April 11, 2018 at 9:16 pm #1042Justin
KeymasterThanks for posting CHRISTHEMEAT! Hmm the stores may have older inventory that they are selling before putting the new timers on the shelves. Email [email protected] and we can hook you up with one at a comparable price.
Spread the love!April 15, 2018 at 7:42 pm #1067Jebka02
ParticipantI just bought this thing (Model 57946). There is a big sign at Home Depot that says it works with HomeKit. It doesn’t. It never has. It never will. I just wasted 2 hours on an Orbit lie being told at Home Depot. It is nothing short of a scam. So how are you going to fix the fact that you are knowingly falsely claiming compatibility? What do I do here? Knowing that your advertising is lying do you plan to make it right by sending me a homeKit compatible unit? Please tell me the plan to fix this lie as right now I am upset enough to call both a lawyer and Home Depot corporate offices.
Spread the love!April 16, 2018 at 3:30 am #1073ReyG
ParticipantFYI, the timers in stores may be compatible with HomeKit once Orbit releases the firmware update. I noticed that the packaging on shelves hasn’t been updated with the new timer image and still only show the A,B,C program button, but if you open the package it will likely be the newer timer with the A,B,C,D program button. I checked my local Home Depot and Lowe’s and they were both stocked with the new timer.
My guess is that Orbit is waiting for the timers to be HomeKit compatible out-of-the-box before updating the packaging with the “Works with Apple HomeKit” badge. Now we just wait patiently for the firmware update.
Spread the love!April 16, 2018 at 3:32 am #1074ReyG
ParticipantThere will be an upcoming firmware update that will enable HomeKit. AFAIK, no timers are shipping with HomeKit compatibility out-of-the-box at this time.
Spread the love!April 16, 2018 at 4:06 pm #1075Jebka02
ParticipantMy Home Depot must be one of the unlucky ones as the timer I just bought yesterday is ABC.
Knowing there is a firmware update coming (for ABCD units only from what I am reading) that means that Orbit is falsely claiming compatibility with their in store signage.
So I am still stuck with a unit that was purchased based on a lie from Orbit.
I am expecting Orbit to fix this for me. I have already notified Home Depot that they are perpetuating a lie.Spread the love!April 17, 2018 at 4:26 pm #1090Stephen
KeymasterJEBKA02, thanks for your reply. We are committed to making sure you have a great experience and get the product you want. Please email us your contact information and we will get you the product you were expecting. You can send your info to [email protected] and put Attn: Stephen.
Thank you!
Spread the love!April 17, 2018 at 5:36 pm #1091Jebka02
ParticipantSent
Spread the love!April 19, 2018 at 12:13 pm #1133cat
ParticipantThis is a little confusing. Is there a timer that works now with HomeKit?
I have an old Insteon timer that is not reliable anymore (either doesn’t go on, or stays on for hours). I really want to replace it with a HomeKit timer.
From the forum posts, it looks like the new timer should be available at Home Depot, but it doesn’t work with HomeKit yet. Does it still need a firmware update or did I read that wrong.
Thanks.
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