‎Matter Smart Home Integration | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
crownmountain's profile

Monday, February 28th, 2022 6:25 PM

13

Matter Smart Home Integration

Will Simplisafe update products to be matter compatible? Matter Home Automation Protocol.  It would make great sense to do it and end the issues with HomeKit and other integrations.

Official Response

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

3 years ago

Hi crownmountain,

We're not able to give info on future release plans. What we can say is that SimpliSafe is a member of the Connectivity Standards Association (CSA), so we're able to keep close tabs on the development of the Matter standard. If and when that results in added integrations with our products and services, we will let you know.

(edited)

1 Message

@davey_d​ 

After being a SS user for many years I am looking for an alternative to SS because it doesn't work with homkit.  Although you are part of CSA there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency to include HomeKit users in your platform or some commitment would have been made by now.  This is my second SS system and I would not want to scrap it but I"m tired of waiting.

I’m thinking the same. There are plenty of security companies that work on the same premise that SS does that already use HomeKit and provide video in the HomeKit app. Since it seems that no HomeKit integration is in the works, I’ll be selling my system and changing over to another system. 

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@traviswhg @hummingbird214 ,

I hear you. Our focus is right in our name - we build systems that are both simple and secure. While we do have some interoperability features already, we're always conscious of striking a balance with keeping our system locked down. After all, our independence from the big guys is a big part of what makes SimpliSafe unique!

That being said, we are indeed part of the CSA, because we want to take part in the conversation. If and when that results in additional features for your systems, we'll keep you updated.

4 Messages

Please allow SS system to be managed by Google home or Amazon Alexa smart home hubs or apps. It would be super help for the customers to view and manage camera feeds from the smart home hubs instead of using phone whenever camera defects someone. 

I don't understand the "striking the right balance" argument the admins is talking about. Whats there to lose by allowing your system more integrated with industry accepted standard  (thread/matter protocol) ???

2 Messages

7 years ago

I have seen multiple requests for integration with Alexa, Homekit, or even Google.  While I see some very apparent issues with integration with a voice assistant like this, I see less of an issue with integration with home automation controllers that could take advantage of motion sensors or even augment the sensors of the alarm system with home automation sensors that may already be in place.

Can integration with devices like Vera or Samsung Smart things be placed on the roadmap?  Other providers like Vivint already have this in place.  Think about turning off the HVAC system if there was a fire alarm?  Using motion sensors from a device like an EcoBee to trigger an alarm with the security system when set to away?  Setting the HVAC to occupied when turning the alarm off, and turning on a small subset of lights in a home?  The possibilities are endless.

I don't expect SS to control these devices but more provide integration with automation controllers.

Is there a reason this would not be on the product development path?
Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Home Automation Integration
I agree.  I really like the idea of the SS system serving as a trigger for other devices in my home.  Basically, as an alternative for GeoFencing on my phone, it'd be nice to have the alarm being turned to off to being a trigger that turns on entryway lights and kicks up my HVAC to an occupied status.  Just as well, having it be turned to away mode turning off any unneeded lights and putting the HVAC into away.  As well, having all lights turn on when an alarm is triggered could also be useful.  On top of the overall system status being triggers, enabling raw feedback from the sensors to outside systems would have a lot of use.  I'm sure there are many other useful things, but enabling these one-way triggers could be very useful to automation users!

Captain

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6.1K Messages

IoT with the SS3 is great, but it has to be 1. secure 2. easy and 3. Optional.

Also, why reinvent the wheel?  Echo, Assistant, HomeKit, SmartThings are all options but the sauce that can tie them all together is IFTTT. Encourage SS to start small and concentrate on Echo integration, having the largest availability in the market.  IFTTT comes right along with it.

Okay, now its the Apple Fan club to chime in.  :-)

3 Messages

4 years ago

This is something I could probably figure out how to do if I tore apart a door/window sensor, but I would love to see SS sell a Normally Open / Normally Closed input and output device.  Basically, this would enable the more advanced users to purchase specialty sensors or other components and then have SS trigger when these are tripped.  For example, I have a workshop which does not get wireless signal back to the base unit.  I have low voltage cable running from the workshop to the house.  It would be fairly easy for me to wire up the doors, cabinets, etc with sensors and cable these back to the house and run them to a wireless sensor that has one NO/NC contact point.  This would also allow people who have previously wired systems re-use those sensors and wires.   Such a sensor would actually be cheaper than any other sensor you make, because it is the wireless transmitter minus the sensor (magnetic door contact, PIR, etc).  In a perfect world, you might even make a multi sensor which has 8 contact input points and 8 different wireless codes.

Likewise, a wireless output device could be tied to a power supply and an advanced user configurable device, like a strobe or other output device.  Again, this would be very easy for you since all you would have to do is take an existing siren and remove the siren part, just leaving the wireless receiver.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Sensor status trigger for 3rd Party IOT devices

2.2K Messages

Since they have never offered one despite how trivial it would be to do, the odds are that they won't.  And if they did make one, it would be better if it had selectable response rather than just an "intrusion" response, but I guess that would be a lot more complex to implement.

245 Messages

Two possible solutions, neither of which is offered or sanctioned by Simplisafe:

1. It's easy to open up a door sensor and modify it to be a NC input.  It can even be done non-destructively if you simply wrap the wires around the legs of the reed switch.

2. The antennas in the sensors are too small for optimum range at the operating frequency.  The range can be improved significantly by making them a proper quarter-wave dipole.  That takes a bit more know-how and handiness.


Simplisafe is highly unlikely to ever offer external input or output devices for reasons of liability, support issues, and profits.

3 Messages

I would absolutely love a "generic' sensor like this. My backup sump pump has a NO/NC output to alert that it had to run.

I had a 3g cellular alarm connected to it. The company replaced their Verizon  3g with 4g LTE.  Verizon LTE totally sucks at our location, barley get a usable signal outdoors, above ground.  Tried the various WiFi options sump pump manufacturers offer, but either they don't seem to like dual-band mesh access points and disconnect routinely, or it literally takes hours to receive an alert from their servers, if one comes at all.

So, being able to use my SimpliSafe system, with its reliable WiFi and cellular connections, to alert us of a sump pump issue would be a huge benefit of our system...

2 Messages

I am starting to think I should have read more about SS. Some of the most basic devices are lacking big time. A strobe for my deaf wife, NO/NC contact sensors, sensors that aren't intrusion, ability to announce which door is opened and closed, temp sensors for fridge/freezer, power monitors (base only tells me one leg of my power), smart outlet or API into my smart lighting so that all lights come on bright white with intrusion, heck tie into an RGB lighting system and store red/blue.

I listened to the hype on YouTube with all the sponsorship. Learned my lesson. Heck don't even listen to commercials, why did I this time?

245 Messages

Caveat Emptor.


Simplisafe is primarily an alarm system, not a home monitoring and automation system.  There are systems that will do more, but they cost more, both initially and monthly.

245 Messages

3 years ago

I'd rather see an open, non-proprietary protocol like MQTT.  

Matter is owned and controlled by megacorps.

But unfortunately we are highly unlikely to see any general-purpose HA protocol integration as it would threaten their business model.

27 Messages

@simplistuckon​ Get your point BUT something would be better than nothing which is where we are now.   And I suspect the chance of Apple doing MQTT having committed to MATTER is slim to none. ahh well.....

Captain

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6.1K Messages

3 years ago

@crownmountain What I can tell you is that Simplisafe is a member of the CSA - Connectivity Standards Alliance - and it follows logic they joined for a reason. Hopefully this is an indication that more 3rd party integration (with world leading security in place) with SS in the near future.

Here is a link to the CSA site and SS's membership page.

https://csa-iot.org/members/search/?m_keywords=simplisafe

729 Messages

3 years ago

@davey_d Was Simplisafe a member of the Zigbee Alliance? Or did they join after the ZA was rebranded to the CSA?

27 Messages

@worthing​ Looks to be BLE at 433mhz with possible proprietary additions.   Found this rather informative article.  So no Zigbee or Zwave

Inside Simplisafe Alarm System

4 Messages

@worthing​ As of today, it appears they are listed on the CSA site as a promoter of the Matter Workgroup. That said, as other have mentioned, they were supposed to be HomeKit compatible years ago (which was a major factor in my adopting SS). Since they miserably failed on integrating native HomeKit support, I’m not holding my breath for Matter. ADT has already confirmed they will be adopting Matter as soon as possible when the necessary protocol is released for security devices. Realistically, if ADT brings native Matter support for their devices to market before SS finally catches up, I’ll jump ship in a heartbeat. I loathe having to use homebridge for my SimpliSafe devices and I have absolutely no patience for their several years of integration failures. 

729 Messages

3 years ago

It would make great sense to do it and end the issues with HomeKit

The issue being that SimpliSafe still doesn't natively support Homekit? :)  Despite there being a January 2018 interview where Apple Insider talks to the CEO and founder of SimpliSafe, Chad Laurans who states that Homekit is planned for that year? That video can be found here and but here's the transcript of the Homekit specific exchange:

VM: At AppleInsider, we're big fans of HomeKit. So, have you got the system working with HomeKit? What's the news here?

CL: Yeah, we're excited to be adding all sorts of additional integrations with this next-generation system, so this will include integrations with folks like Apple's HomeKit, and we're excited to roll those out. We have a whole suite of them planned for this year as this year rolls along, and are excited to add that among them.

Since then we've heard almost nothing official from SimpliSafe re: Homekit. About 6 months ago Harriet C replied to my question about Homekit integration in the old forums and informed us that, "There are no plans that we're able to share publicly at this point." In fact, if you search for homekit on the support site it only shows one result which has nothing at all to do with smart home integrations. It doesn't even show up in the support article about smart home integrations! There are almost 250 messages on the forums referencing it though. :)

All of this is to say, I advise a (more) cautiously (than) optimistic approach to hoping / waiting for new SimpliSafe integrations and features.

2 Messages

2 years ago

It has been a year since I purchased my system.  I continue to be very pleased with SIMPLISAFE.  It taking the system to the next level, it would be great if a home automation component could be integrated into the product.  It would make the system competitive with Amazon’s RING and Blink product lines.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Taking SIMPLISAFE to the Next Level

Captain

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6.1K Messages

2 years ago

Things for MATTER seem to be finally accelerating. Samsung just announced "Smart Things Home Life" to consolidate all of their smart home product/service offerings in one place. My chips are on the line betting Simplisafe, liking it or not, will be in the midst of this industry wide initiative with their own Matter product(s) by the end of this year. In the past SS could afford to ignore other splintered "standards" but Matter appears to be the real thing and if your in the home security industry, you will have to support it.

In my thinking, within reason, if SS's response to an "open format" requires 1. A needed proprietary product to access those open standards (hub hardware, software subscription etc) and 2. A signoff to limit SS's liability, to access 3rd party access, I would be potentially in favor.  Of course, another route would be for SS to partner with enough 3rd party companies offering a wide range of products via Matter that could be limited or approved to the SS eco system. To make that feasible, that range would have to include auto water supply shutoff switches, garage door openers, light socket/switches, thermostat, cameras, locks and more.

Here is the link to the Samsung story:

https://www.xda-developers.com/samsung-launches-smartthings-home-life-to-make-the-connected-home-even-easier/

What do you think? What would you like to see Simplisafe pursue?

(edited)

27 Messages

@captain11​ In favor of THREAD and MATTER support on SimpliSafe oh yes!!!  Should make integration very seamless.

3 Messages

2 years ago

I believe the initial spec of Matter (1.0) does not account for home security systems or cameras. Unfortunately this means we'll have to wait a bit longer for the 2.0 spec.

Captain

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6.1K Messages

@sahilpatel1027​ You appear very knowledgeable of the subject matter (Pun intended).  Can you go into this a bit more and explain the differences between 1.0 and 2.0 and timing? Greatly appreciated if you do. Thanks!

27 Messages

3 Messages

@captain11​ hi sorry I just saw your reply! I haven't seen any timelines from the CSA, but they did acknowledge they're working on it. Here's a guide I use in case you want more info!

https://www.theverge.com/22832127/matter-smart-home-products-thread-wifi-explainer

6 Messages

2 years ago

I think we should have Matter 1.0 integration so we can integrate our systems with other devices for the full smart home experience. https://www.engadget.com/matter-smart-home-standard-released-160059101.html

Other home security systems have already integrated, and I think Simplisafe should as well!

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Matter 1.0 integration with Simplisafe systems

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

Hi @nattyandes63 ,

Thanks for the suggestion. SimpliSafe is a participant in the Connectivity Standards Alliance, which oversees the Matter standard. But we currently have no announcements regarding our own products. I'll keep you updated when we do.

2 Messages

@davey_d​ Thanks for taking the time to reply, and I get that as a company you’re holding your cards close to your vest, but 4 years after a promised HomeKit upgrade (that prompted many of us to switch to Simplisafe), the public foot dragging on Matter integration is beyond disappointing. It’s 2022, and plenty of other home security solutions have announced cross integrations. Unfortunately SimpliSafe’s USP isn’t unique enough to keep me loyal when there are other integrated options or companies better able to telegraphed their future plans. 

2 Messages

Absolutely agree! I've been considering changing security companies to one that supports Apple's home kit. If matter goes through, I won't have to spend more $$$

2 Messages

Are there good, professionally-monitored alternatives out there that support Matter or HomeKit? I think it’s a 2023 must. 

2 Messages

I'd just like to add my support to this idea.

I have long been bothered by the inability to use SimpliSafe door sensors (and system as a whole, ideally) with Smartthings, for example - requiring me to add a second door sensor to do any automations of things like lights, etc.

Light automation is convenient and fun, yes, but it also IS actually a security/safety feature for many.

I have seen repeated comments from SimpliSafe that such "prosumer" features are not on the radar because the company is focused on providing simple solutions that won't confuse users, but the use of these features would be optional and invisible to those who don't need it.  

I'd be buying more simplisafe sensors if they could also talk to my other stuff, even if SimpliSafe does nothing but provide _access_ to it for folks to contribute to communities like Smartthings, Home Assistant, etc. I'm not even expecting SS to do the work.  Many other sensors have custom device handlers written by the community, but the ability to interface with them is needed in order for us to provide that.

2 Messages

2 years ago

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this but?

It sure would be nice if simply safe would develop An input/output module to triggerIs extra point events that we may already have that we would like to add to the alarm.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Input/output module request

5 Messages

2 years ago

Along with the Camera footage being able to be viewed on Nest Hubs, I would also like to see Notifications, similar to that found on iOS, detection alerts for example.

Cheers,

Thomas

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Notifications on Google Nest Hubs

5 Messages

2 years ago

Can someone from SimpliSafe give an official update to Matter support now that v1.0 is out and Google and others have launched support? @davey_d can we get some information?

3 Messages

@scottdetoffol​ I believe matter doesn't support security systems right now. Hopefully in future releases.

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

I can also confirm that we don't have any news on this front yet. I'll let you know when I do.

137 Messages

2 years ago

Is there any ETA or even plans of HomeKit / and or Matter support? I seen a couple years ago SS mentioned HomeKit support coming but haven’t seen anything since. 

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled HomeKit / Matter Support
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