SIGNALS FOR HOMEKIT APP
In my latest video, “Top 5 Reasons for a Homepod Mini in every room”, I share why the reasonable price point of Apple Homepod Minis make it possible for you to consider multiple Homepod minis in every room!
I have 4 Homepod Minis (HPMs) so far and I really enjoy having one in every bedroom and in my open concept kitchen. The Signals for Homekit
As promised here are detailed instructions on how to use the Signals app. I use this currently as part of a dinner time alarm to let our kids know when dinner is ready.
WHY INSTALL SIGNALS FOR HOMEKIT?
Get the attention of your household by flashing selected lights. The Signals App is built for Homekit which you know I love and it is very easy to use. This app adds flexibility to my Smart Home and help with reducing the noise around the house so I don’t have to yell up to my kids rooms when it is dinnertime. I can also use this app to compliment using Intercom and I use it in places where I do not have a Homepod mini currently, for example my basement. I also like that this app allows you to set a command and the lights will return to the previous state which is seamless. Head over to the App store and check out the below instructions to download and install Signals for Homekit.
Combined with a simple Siri shortcut you can create a command that will flash your lights on and off or choose a specific colour.
Step 1:
Download the Signals for HomeKit app from the App Store
If you like these colours, for a very small monthly fee, you can upgrade for more customization.
Step 2:
Open the Signal for HomeKit App
Select “New Signal”
Step 3:
Create a name for your Signal
Choose an Icon to personalize your Signal.
Step 4:
Select your lights
Here you have a list of all your lights
Choose the ones you would like the Signal to flash or change colours
Step 5:
Click three dots to select edit the signal
In this screenshot, I would choose the 3 dots in the circle in the top right corner of the “Ashlyn 1” box to create a flash effect.
Step 6:
Select flash, pulse or hold. Select duration and if you have a coloured light, select your colour.
On this screen, you can really personalize the effects you’d like to use. I chose to flash the lights for 3.5 seconds.
You can also use the colour wheel to, for example, change the lights red when flashing for the Signal.
Optional:
Select a “finish” state if you don’t want the lights to return to the original state. For example, if you turn the lights on and want to shut them off after the command is run or perhaps turn them back to white.
Step 7:
Open the Shortcuts app and Create New
Search Signals then select the Signal you created.
Enter a Name for your shortcut, click Done and you are all Set up!
Once the Signal is created, you’ll need to open the shortcuts App for this to work in your Smart Home. You can see my Time To Eat Signal to the left is ready to run!
Tip: You could take this a step further and combine with a scene.
ie. If you have a dinner scene with lights and music, you could combine the shortcut. When I say, “Time to eat” my lights flash for 5 seconds and dinner time scene runs.
I hope you found this helpful and enjoy the ease of notifying friends and family members with the extra functionality that the Signals for Homekit app provides. I have found this very useful in my Smart Home.
Thanks so much for reading & talk to you soon!