[Feature Request]: Custom accessory support

[CaseyRo]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
I saw some other homebridge plugins using the 'custom' accesory. I like it, I want it 😉

Describe the solution you'd like

the home+ / eve apps use these kinds of accessoires to use as 'labels'

Describe alternatives you've considered

• I've tried NRCHKB with custom characteristics, but that didn't fully cut it - it doesn't display these values as such currently.
• similar with CMD4
• homebridge-calendar "hacked", it kind a works but my coding skills are too limited.

Additional context
Some use cases I see for this:

• as a user I can see what song is playing in my living room (based on some form of node red input)
• as a user i see the value of bitcoin currently
• some other random display of data pulled from an API by node red

Thanks for your consideration!

[Shaquu]

Probably what we need is a custom Service option

https://github.com/naofireblade/homebridge-seasons/blob/master/index.js

[houser42]

Just a word that I am now testing iOS 15 that supposedly has custom service support.
I have a ton of use for this, as I build bridges to small off-grid solar systems.
I have a few nodes live in node red that I would like to publish with correct names rather than as it is now
with all things like voltages, currents and state of charge shown as humidity and temperature.
Ah well. Just a word that I would be really happy to test this as I see it might make it into your version 1.5.0?
Many thanks for a fantastically useful node!

[crxporter]

iOS 15 that supposedly has custom service support

Hold up. Really? Can you share some screenshots?!

@Shaquu I vote for adding this whenever you've got time if iOS 15 has some magical new features.

[Shaquu]

@crxporter first post contains screenshot :)

Edit, did not see it on iOS 15 yet

[houser42]

hello @crxporter
I have no new accessory types working in my setup that I can show :(
All I am saying is that it seems to me that support is there to be tapped into in iOS15. Or will be soon.
Either via Matter or directly as an accessory developer. This is beyond my skillset but I assume the node-red-contrib-homekit-bridged team is considered a pretty serious accessory developer ;)
The specification requires developer access but is here:
https://developer.apple.com/homekit/specification/
General stuff that I am sure you are aware of:
https://buildwithmatter.com
https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10298/
etc. Should be a good year for this excellent node!

[crxporter]

Yeah I'm real excited about matter and new upgrades.

I wonder if the HK simulator is updated with iOS 15 - could give some insight

[djiwondee]

@crxporter

I wonder if the HK simulator is updated with iOS 15 - could give some insight

For Xcode 12 - HK simulator release is 4.1
For Xcode 13 beta 3 HK simulator release is 4.1.1

Don't see real difference but HK simulator bugs. However was able to quickly create a device with custom prop:

But don't see an option for custom accessory rather than "Other"

[houser42]

Hello,
Today I came across this link
which appears to be using a HK Service called "Energy Monitor":
"... an undocumented feature to actually show Watt, kWh and so on in Eve"
I am wondering if it could be added to NRCHKB?
It looks like a possible candidate for a decent start to try and get energy consumption into Home Kit via NRCHKB.
If there is also an undocumented accessory to go with it.that would certainly be great ;)
Any comments? Many thanks.

[Shaquu]

Hello,

Today I came across this link

which appears to be using a HK Service called "Energy Monitor":

"... an undocumented feature to actually show Watt, kWh and so on in Eve"

I am wondering if it could be added to NRCHKB?

It looks like a possible candidate for a decent start to try and get energy consumption into Home Kit via NRCHKB.

If there is also an undocumented accessory to go with it.that would certainly be great ;)

Any comments? Many thanks.

Custom Characteristic is already added.

https://nrchkb.github.io/wiki/discover-more/experimental/

[houser42]

@Shaquu wrote:

Custom Characteristic is already added.

https://nrchkb.github.io/wiki/discover-more/experimental/

Excellent. Will have a look. Many thanks!

[Typ1er]

With the custom characteristics you can still add your own units?

[houser42]

If anybody successfully gets things like energy consumption (watts, battery state of charge etc)
into the iOS 16 Apple Home app, please share.
I could get it to work partially in the Eve app but not the Apple Home app.