The smart button market is small, but competitive. Gadgets like the Flic successfully couple affordability and flexibility, and last year’s Logitech Pop brought even stronger design to the market. But Logitech has returned with a second-generation button — one that works with Apple‘s smart home platform HomeKit.
The $60 Logitech Pop Smart Button Kit includes a HomeKit-enabled button and the bridge necessary to connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Each additional button will set you back $40. These prices aren’t quite as low as the $35 Flic Button, but they’re reasonable — especially given the new integrations.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Logitech’s newest device doesn’t change the market dramatically, although this second generation does improve on the original’s concept. Essentially, using a single, double or long button press, you can control your devices like lights and locks. It’s a simple concept that adds convenience to smart home devices too often controlled by cumbersome apps.
What this new device adds is HomeKit compatibility. The Pop will be the first smart button to work with Apple’s smart home platform, which means users will gain access to a number of new devices. And most importantly, there will already be an integration structure in place. In other words, all the devices already integrated under Apple’s smart home umbrella (and thus controllable with Siri) will be newly toggleable using the smart button.
Logitech is even showing some extra love to owners of the original Pop who aren’t buying the new generation. No, you won’t get HomeKit compatibility, but through a firmware update, users will be able to control:
- Osram Lighting
- Hunter Douglas Shades
- Lutron Shades
The Pop Smart Button Kit will be available in Apple Stores soon.
