Might wanna get the xiaomi vacuum with lidar sensor, better mapping of the house area and can vacuum in the dark

I don’t think you have to spend 2,000 for a single smart lock for the door since there’s cheaper option out there. Depends on your door lock type of course

Better spend more on cctv. Should used IPC instead of analog. Also, Tuya can work with Homekit? Best to invest in a single ecosystem instead of mix and match unless you want to go the RPI way with HA.

Even 4 nos 4k ip camera will not affect your internet performance because only the NVR will stream on demand to your mobile or laptop.

ip camera only means it is using digital signal.

lots of ip camera use ethernet cable to connect, like analog camera.

the benefit of ip camera is higher bandwidth which means possible much higher picture quality than analog. there's also possibility of power over ethernet which means less cables and possible easier installation.

Suggest for u to use aqara m2 hub bos, worth every penny.

The IR a function is the one that attract me the most. I program to control my home speakers, Aircind remote, fan remote and also turning on/off my aquarium lights.

I bought it from AI HOME shops, they have various shops around Kluang valley..The official aqara from Lazada and shopee from Malaysia I think owns and run by its sole distributor bellicose sdn bhd. Ai home also if I’m not mistaken gets it’s products from them too.

For smart switches I get it from ai home, easier for warranty replacements. But if things aqara cube and sensors for vibration and motion I get it from aqara Lazada official China shop, lots of sale and discount but delivery time takes a couple of days to weeks. So far kastam haven’t stop my electronics products yet(blessed)

Any reason why you want to use Apple Home? just curious.

Tuya is the largest smart home platform that have all the products that you will ever need & they are too big to fail(hopefully  ) so it's a good bet on using their ecosystem. Zigbee hub is the most stable with quick response if you have any worry about the devices slowing down your wifi router.

My requirements for the smart lights is Brightness and Temperature control, and able to control with Apple Homekit (Because I have an iPhone and iPad)

Tuya is the largest smart home platform that have all the products that you will ever need & they are too big to fail(hopefully  ) so it's a good bet on using their ecosystem. Zigbee hub is the most stable with quick response if you have any worry about the devices slowing down your wifi router.

Tuya does not natively support Homekit because Apple requires a specific set of guidelines to be followed for a third-party manufacturer to get approved for the “Works with HomeKit” label.
Kicap here

Cheapo way someone suggested is to put door sensor, on the flaps
If flaps closed, that means aircon off

doesn't look smart to me

Seller is smarter than switch and you 

Hi guys, first time exploring smart devices for homes so not sure where to start and what to be done, hope can get some advice cuz after reading online still tak faham.

1. What is the difference of running Aqara app vs Apple Homekit vs Google Home? Is there a way that can integrated all 3 together?

2. What is ZipBee? How to know whether the house needs a 'hub'?

3. Difference between Neutral switches and Non-Neutral switches is just the ZipBee feature & able to calculate used voltage right? Is it a must to have Neutral switches?

Context:
- I'm currently reno-ing a condo unit, so I was thinking of "smart"-ing my unit for own stay since need to engage electrician to do extra plug points.
- I'm totally new to this so in my mind I'm only thinking of having an easy access to turn on/off lights, play music via voice assistant, or set simple automation.
- The electrician I'm engaging seems to be old school uncle style also. Donno much about smart switches but he say he can install it. He suggest not to pull Neutral because it will cost alot.

Currently, I have 4x aircond with WiFi (Daikin models) and am gonna get a Avant Digital Smart Lock. I'm planning to get a few Aqara switches (3Gang, 2Gang and 1 Gangs) for fan + lights.

I'm thinking of simple automation like;
- Once the digital smart lock is unlocked, auto turn on the lights and on living room air cond.
- If the lights/air cond are already turned on, then when closing the main door (digital smart lock is closed), everything auto off.

I'm an iPhone + Apple Watch user, but I don't think I'll be getting the HomePod Mini due to pricing. So I'm planning to get Google Home Mini Nest instead (a few devices - 1 for living room, 1 for study, 1 for master, 1 for kitchen).

Any suggestions on what I should do, or read up on? And what else automation can I do.

Appreciate if you can explain to me like a 5 year old, thank you!