In a move not often seen, Siri voice control and AirPlay integration are being enabled on Aqara’s Panel Hub S1 Plus, much as they were on Ecobee’s own Thermostat Premium. This feature was first announced at IFA earlier this year, and news of its apparent arrival surfaced via Reddit user u/Hyder2020r, who received the update on their panel hub.
For now the rollout appears limited. Aqara told us the firmware is still officially pending, with a wider push expected sometime next month. The user in question is using the SEA/ME (South East Asia/Middle East) model.
The firmware version being reported is 4.5.1, while the EU model we’re using is currently on 4.3.1.
Here’s how Siri works in this context; When you say “Hey Siri” near the panel hub, its built-in microphones hears you. But rather than processing the request itself, the panel hub forwards the voice to a HomePod, HomePod mini (or other Apple Hub Hub), which does the heavy lifting (speech recognition, executing commands, etc.). The response is then played back via the panel hub’s built-in speaker.
The full set of features include the following, available to activate or deactivate via Apple Home;
Siri voice control
AirPlay streaming (in Beta)
Intercom
Doorbell Chime
The AirPlay feature simply allows you to stream audio to it as you would from your phone or computer, to a HomePod, Apple TV, or any third party AirPlay enabled Streamer like the WiiM Mini (review HERE, video HERE) or the Arylic LP10 (review HERE, video HERE). given the speakers on the panel hub are pretty small and basic, this isn’t something you’re likely to use for a serious music session, but it could have its uses.
As for the intercom feature, we can only assume this allows you to use the intercom feature with the speakers in the panel hub This feature is accessed from within Apple Home, and directly via Home Hubs that allows you to send a voice message to any AirPlay enabled speakers. Whether this only acts as a receiver for intercom announcements is not clear at this time.
The doorbell chime is useful in that currently whilst the panel hub can already be used as a chime for Aqara’s video doorbells like the recently released G410 (review HERE, video HERE), this update should allow third-party video doorbells to work with the panel now.
All in all this is an impressive update, and one we hope will be pushed internationally at some point soon. If we also receive the update, we’ll update this article accordingly. You can check out our video review of the Panel Hub S1 Plus below or read the written review HERE;
