In the expanding world of smart home accessories, window blinds are among the most complicated items to install and use. But Eve Systems and window-covering retailer Coulisse have announced they’re about to change that with Eve MotionBlinds. The HomeKit-enabled motorized blinds — the first to support the Thread standard — will come out early in 2022.
The Thread standard in the smart home
The companies said Eve MotionBlinds are the first on the market to support the Thread IP-based open-standard networking protocol.
Supporting Thread should simplify installation and as well as future-proof devices in preparation for Matter, the new smart home protocol in development among Apple, Amazon, Google, and others. After delays, Matter certification is expected to roll out for most smart-home hardware by mid-2022.
Easier setup and use
Thread makes it easier for devices and smart home accessories to communicate. It can contribute to ease-of-use, longer battery life, faster response times and more. It solves many of the modern smart home’s problems.
Eve and Coulisse said setup will be simple with the Eve MotionBlinds because they don’t need a proprietary bridge and they support both Bluetooth and Thread.
Users simply scan the HomeKit setup code with an iOS device, like an iPhone or iPad. If a Border Router is in use — for HomeKit over Thread that would be a HomePod mini or the new Apple TV 4K — Eve MotionBlinds will automatically join the Thread network.
Put the blinds on a schedule
The Eve app lets you create on-device, network-independent schedules. So, through HomeKit Scenes and Rules, the blinds securely interact with other HomeKit accessories, such as light bulbs, thermostats, motion detectors and other items with sensors.
As with other Eve accessories, Eve MotionBlinds safeguard user privacy. Instead of relying on the cloud, like many applications do, Eve’s blinds store all data on the motor itself.
Pricing and availability
You can check to see which Coulisse resellers will distribute Eve MotionBlinds starting in early 2022 by using the store locator function at motionblinds.com/eve. In some countries in Europe, Eve MotionBlinds are available for pre-order through Smartblinds.com.
No pricing information is available yet for Eve MotionBlinds. You can sign up to receive word on pricing and availability in early 2022 at the company’s website.
