Today’s home security cameras are filled with features, not to mention the compatibility of tests with the Apple Home application. We test in several different ways in our houses and our CNET offices to really check everything that these cameras can reduce.
Camera configuration and quality
As we create cameras, we pay particular attention to their design and its fragile or durability, as well as the features they have – for example, how easy it is to change batteries or insert a microSD card. And, of course, we spend more time with the lens of the camera itself, seeing how it moves and what the image quality looks like. If a camera has a 2K resolution, for example, we expect its live sight to be clear and clear even when it is enlarged. We also test the latency of the camera image and the reliability of the connection during remote visualization.
Application controls and design
Even if you plan to use the Apple Home application for more of your work, you will always need to use the Camera application for certain configuration and additional features that Apple may not support. It is therefore important that the application has good instructions and an intuitive design, with easy access menus and parameters. We monitor warning panels such as confused multi-menu stages, announcements in the application and features that are not well taken care of when they should be, as the possibility of adjusting sensitivity to movement.
Apple connections and functionality support
For an Apple camera, connections with the Apple application and SIRI commands are very important. So we check how easy it is to add the Apple functionality and what features are supported directly in Apple Home. We also ensure that Siri can control important functions with voice commands. And as we test over several days, we monitor connections or abandoned bugs from the platform.
If the camera supports connections with other domestic routines, we also see if can be easily configured in a routine and operate as expected.
Aqara sensors have some compatibility with Apple Home, but I found it quite limited compared to other options.
Night and audio vision
Most cameras have additional features such as night vision and bidirectional audio, so we excavate in capacities like that and check how they work. The night vision through 10 feet is quite easy – but how is it 30 or 40 feet? Can he see through a courtyard or a large high quality room?
Likewise, we listen to the bidirectional audio and test conversations, not only closely, but at a distance, checking the clarity of the audio and the ease with which it collects random noise.
Movement detection and recognition of IA objects
If a camera supports movement detection, we see how it works and if we can adjust sensitivity to reasonable levels so that it is not triggered too easily. We also check all the available AI features, such as the option to recognize a human or a package, as well as to ignore things like pets.
