HomeKit Bridge Replacement = Priorities?

GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 3:49 pm

Yes should be fine - to run this Homebridge indigo plug-in and another homebridge on same PC
I haven’t completed tested it - but have the plug-in itself running 8 separate bridges (which is essentially what a external homebridge instance) would be

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Post by **jay (support)** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:38 pm

So, wait: Glenn, the python library you are using runs homebridge plugins??? I thought those were written in javascript!

GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:41 pm

jay (support) wrote:So, wait: Glenn, the python library you are using runs homebridge plugins??? I thought those were written in javascript!

No. It doesn’t run homebridge plugins

But I believe the question was can you have another non-indigo homebridge instance running as well -
Which the answer is yes. That separate to indigo instance can run whatever plug-in you wish

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Post by **jay (support)** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 6:44 pm

Ok - I thought maybe this from your earlier post might have caused some confusion:

GlennNZ wrote:
7rdr7 wrote:Sounds promising. If not Homebridge, is this plugin moving toward Matter?
No its still homebridge - just not “homebridge” the external running server app that is common and was the basis for the previous plugin. (The one runnning on node.js).

This uses a python 3 library to create a homebridge server all by itself.

Calling what the python 3 library creates "homebridge" isn't really accurate and only leads to confusion. The library creates HomeKit Bridge devices (correct me if I'm wrong here) - which are logically similar to the homebridge software but are not the same. I want to make sure that we keep this clear in everyone's mind because there has been a huge amount of confusion in the past that has caused some ill-will.

In fact, Glenn, would you like me to go ahead and create a subforum for your plugin in your forum? What should I name it? I think it's time that we separate discussion of your plugin from the HomeKit Bridge plugin discussion. A clean start if you will (though I can move this topic over there).

And to further clarify, nobody yet has stepped up to update the HomeKit Bridge plugin to work with python 3 - it would be a very large task.

We are so happy that Glenn has taken this important integration on - I think it's going to be significantly easier to use and more reliable.

GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:53 pm

Hi Jay

You are right there are plenty of confusing cross-over terminology, not helped by using the word homebridge and homekit somewhat interchangably I suspect.

Welcome to open a new sub-forum - in usual spot, as per earlier photos/Teaser post - HomeKit Spawn indigoPlugin.

I'll post some overview there when created, but basically the priority of the plugin is to create HomeKit Bridges that allow all your indigo only devices (like Z-wave, Insteon, Action Groups, Virtual Devices etc) to be accessible and controllable from within HomeKit. (Other devices such as eg. Samsung TV, which you also access in Indigo via a plugin - are likely better supported in a separate homebridge running instance with homebridges own plugin.)

Glenn

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Londonmark · Post by **Londonmark** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:14 pm

Glenn

This all sounds great. I don’t suppose there is any possibility of getting communication from non-indigo HomeKit devices into Indigo? Eg I have a Landroid lawnmower that works with HomeKit via Homebridge. Would be great to map it back to Indigo. Ditto a ring doorbell.

LM

GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:40 pm

Londonmark wrote:Glenn
This all sounds great. I don’t suppose there is any possibility of getting communication from non-indigo HomeKit devices into Indigo? Eg I have a Landroid lawnmower that works with HomeKit via Homebridge. Would be great to map it back to Indigo. Ditto a ring doorbell.
LM

This has been asked a few times, and short answer is no - there is no easy path from (have to double think my terminology!) HomeKit back to Indigo. HomeKit doesn't allow bridges to access what is going on in other bridges - only the HomeKit app can access and that is secure/inaccessible.

You could however have a virtual device, action group that through some mechanism (via another indigoplugin, or python script/library/request call) communicates with either of these devices and publishes/spawns that to Homekit via this plugin.

Glenn

Londonmark · Post by **Londonmark** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:48 pm

Thanks. And yes - have done the virtual device thing a bit but it’s quite clunky.

boisy · Post by **boisy** » Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:36 pm

Hi Glenn,

THANK YOU for working on this. I'm currently using the HomeKit Bridge plug-in and while it works fine for the devices I have, one thing that I really wish it would do (and doesn't appear to) is support Security/Alarm systems.

I'm implementing my own Arduino-based security system that monitors door states and report status over to Indigo virtual devices. It would be great to somehow use Python scripting and Indigo to make a HomeKit compatible security system.

I'll be very happy to help test your work. Thanks again.

durosity · Post by **durosity** » Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:24 am

I’ve been wondering, would it be feasible to add functionality to combine items like you can in some native HomeKit devices?

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GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:52 am

Depends on what you are referring to.

Currently with progress thus far (and very close to Beta just need a name!) can go to HomeKit app select accessories (eg. Light) and go to combine devices within settings for this accessory.

You can then group with a whole lot of other devices (presume they are all lights)
And creates one device

eg.
I have 2 hue bulbs in a standing up lamp (sure there is a technical name for the lamp!)
Grouped together with HomeKit app and on/off, brightness, color all behave the same.

Is that what you mean?
It does seem mainly for Bulbs - on further HomeKit app checking..

Glenn

Different Computers · Post by **Different Computers** » Sat Apr 30, 2022 9:21 pm

GlennNZ wrote:just need a name!

IndiKit
HomeGo
TreeHouse
CiderHouse
PommeKit
CrabHouse
Plum
Plummer
Cobbler

I could explain the names, but if I need to, they’re bad names.

GlennNZ · Post by **GlennNZ** » Sun May 01, 2022 12:15 am

Front runner names…

Homekit Spawn -- apparently bad association, who would have guessed.....
HomeSpawn -- same
HomeKit Siri indigoPlugin (most descriptive)
HomeSpan
HomeLink
HomeLink Siri
SiriLicious
SiriGo

???

DaveL17 · Post by **DaveL17** » Sun May 01, 2022 6:06 am

Different Computers wrote: TreeHouse

This name doesn't describe the plugin at all, but for some reason, I love it.

DaveL17 · Post by **DaveL17** » Sun May 01, 2022 6:10 am

GlennNZ wrote:Front runner names…

Homekit Spawn -- apparently bad association, who would have guessed.....
HomeSpawn -- same
HomeKit Siri indigoPlugin (most descriptive)
HomeSpan
HomeLink
HomeLink Siri
SiriLicious
SiriGo

???

HomeLink might be a bit confusing to some, only because of the commercial product of the same name.

What about "HomeKit Link"?

Indigo Domotics