Latest news with #HomeApp
The Verge
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Apple Home is expanding its energy management features
Apple's smart home didn't get a single nod during the WWDC keynote, but it turns out there are some interesting developments coming to the Home app around energy management. In a video posted to the Apple developer site this week, the company outlined its new EnergyKit framework, which allows developers to integrate energy data from Apple Home in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 to reduce or shift the electricity usage of their devices to prioritize cleaner and/or less expensive energy. So, for example, your thermostat can reduce its energy use when prices are higher, and your EV can generate a charging schedule based on forecasted prices to save you money. The Home app can already display your electricity usage and electricity rate, plus the availability of clean energy via the Grid Forecast widget, when connected to your utility provider. (Currently, PG&E is the only supported utility company.) With EnergyKit, developers can use a feature called EnergyKit Guidance that uses these data points to create actions for their devices to reduce or shift energy use. Apple's documentation says EnergyKit is currently designed to work with EV chargers and smart thermostat apps. Today, several individual products offer these features. Ecobee and Google Nest thermostats can shift their energy use based on factors such as clean energy availability and rates, and work with demand response programs, and most EV chargers have apps that can create schedules based on energy data. While EnergyKit is designed to bring data securely from Apple Home into the manufacturer's app, you can see the potential here to one day manage all of these devices and functions from within Apple Home. It could be laying the groundwork for Apple Home to eventually become a home energy management system (HEMS): a system that can monitor, control, and optimize your energy usage. We're already seeing this implemented in smart home platforms like Samsung SmartThings with its AI Energy Mode, Homey (owned by LG), and others. Apple has a lot of catching up to do, as its platform doesn't currently support energy monitoring from connected devices. This could lay the groundwork for Apple Home to eventually become a home energy management system This is likely why EnergyKit is focused on allowing developers to integrate the data from Apple Home into their own apps, as Apple Home doesn't support EV chargers or energy monitoring of thermostats. However, with Apple's deep involvement in the Matter smart home standard, it's possible that support for these devices might come to Apple Home. Matter recently added support for most major appliance types as well as energy-intensive devices like heat pumps and electric water heaters, all of which could now more easily be integrated into Apple Home via Matter. The standard also supports battery energy storage systems and solar power devices such as inverters, panels, and hybrid solar / battery systems. When you connect the dots, it seems that this could be a natural next step for Apple's smart home ambitions.
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Living illegally in US? Indians offered $1,000 to leave voluntarily
Indians in the United States without valid visas or documents now have an unusual opportunity: leave the country voluntarily and receive a $1,000 stipend — around ₹86,000 — from the US government. The US Embassy in India issued a fresh advisory on Saturday morning, warning foreign nationals who are residing unlawfully in the US to depart immediately. At the same time, it described the voluntary departure initiative as a 'historic opportunity'. US offers financial aid for self-deportation 'Depending on their circumstances, they might receive financial and other assistance from the US government to depart,' the notice said. Those interested have been directed to register through the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Home App, launched under the Trump administration. The move is part of a broader push by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to encourage illegal residents to leave the country voluntarily, using a tech-based self-deportation system. 'DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,' said Kristi Noem, US Secretary of Homeland Security. 'This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers.' According to the Homeland Security website, those approved under this scheme will: Be eligible for help with travel arrangements and documentation Have their departure scheduled within 21 days of application approval Be deprioritised for detention and removal by ICE if enrolled Be allowed a longer time to depart if paying their own way Potentially improve their chances for future legal immigration Who qualifies for the $1,000 stipend? Two main categories are eligible, according to DHS: 1. Non-criminal foreign nationals who encountered CBP at a port or between ports of entry and are now in the US without valid status 2. Parolees whose legal stay has expired or is about to expire Applicants must be physically present in the US at the time of registering their intent to leave. The embassy also warned individuals who overstayed valid visas that they face arrest, fines, deportation, and even a permanent travel ban. 'They may be deported and could face a permanent ban on future travel to the United States,' the embassy said in a post on X. What undocumented Indians should know Immigration experts say those without legal status, especially those who entered illegally, have very few options to remain in the country. 'There are not many legal pathways for those on illegal status, especially the ones with criminal records,' Ajay Sharma, founder of Abhinav Immigration Services told Business Standard. 'Even those without criminal records who try to file in any permitted category must leave the country once to get new status validated, and the probability of being denied re-entry is still very high.' He added that other countries may also restrict visa access for those with a history of illegal stay in the US. Jonathan Grode, US practice director at immigration law firm Green and Spiegel, said the options vary depending on the person's circumstances. 'Options really depend on the person's individual status and if they have family or other means of staying in the US, such as asylum. Generally speaking, employment sponsorship is not an option,' Grode said. 'If you are a visa overstay, marriage to a US citizen can quell the issue – but no other filing really can. So even if you had an employer, it does not mean you can get status,' he said. 'The only other real avenue is asylum – but that is predicated on a specific fear of harm if you return to your home country.'
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Self-deporting via app? US offers $1,000 and travel aid for undocumented immigrants
The US Embassy in India Saturday again addressed foreign nationals in the United States announcing incentives for those willing to leave. In a post on X, the US Embassy warned international individuals illegally present in the country to leave immediately. However, it followed this message with what it called a 'historic opportunity for foreign nationals who wish to leave the United States, including those unlawfully present.' The statement said: 'Depending on their circumstances, they might receive financial and other assistance from the US government to depart.' Those interested have been directed to register through the Trump administration's self-deportation Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. The US government is promoting the CBP Home App for its incentives tied to voluntary exits of illegal immigrants. US Secretary of Homeland Security described self-deportation as the 'best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.' Foreign nationals in the United States residing illegally should leave immediately. The Department of Homeland Security has announced an historic opportunity for foreign nationals who wish to leave the United States, including those unlawfully present. Depending on their… — U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 7, 2025 'DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App. This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70 per cent savings for US taxpayers,' she added. Currently, the DHS claims that the average cost to arrest, detain and deport someone from the US is $17,121, The Guardian reported. According to the official Homeland Security website, incentives tied to self-deportation include a $1,000 stipend, and financial and travel document assistance. The stipend is granted once confirmation is received through the CBP Home App that the return has been completed. Those who voluntarily register may also receive help with booking tickets and obtaining necessary travel documentation. 'Aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arrangement facilitated for them (estimated departure to be within 21 days of approval),' the website states. Other incentives include a longer departure period for self-funded travellers, deprioritisation for detention or removal by ICE, and improved chances for future immigration options. The DHS outlines two eligible categories: 'Non-criminal aliens illegally in the United States who had an encounter with CBP either at a port of entry or between ports of entry' and 'categorical parolees whose legal presence in the United States has expired or will soon expire.' Applicants must be physically present in the US at the time of applying. Just days earlier, the US Embassy in India had issued another alert for visa overstayers, warning they 'risk arrest and heavy fines or incarceration… may be deported and could face a permanent ban on future travel to the United States.'
Android Authority
03-06-2025
- General
- Android Authority
Can't change Activity Zones on your Nest Cam? Google's working on a fix
Smart cameras are a cheap and easy way to help you feel secure about your house and belongings , making it a snap to keep an eye on things even when you're away from home. Features like motion alerts help us keep on top of what's happening, but they can also quickly become overwhelming if your cameras just see a lot of motion. That's exactly why we love features like Activity Zones on Google Nest cameras , letting us define specific areas of interest (or those we want to ignore). Right now, though, some users are running into trouble working with Activity Zones. While your existing Activity Zones may be working as intended, we spotted a Reddit thread started by user Cool_Willingness_302 where multiple Nest users have been complaining about recently losing the ability to edit and create Activity Zones. Affected users encounter a 'could not turn on' error message in the app. Although not yet confirmed, the loss of functionality may be tied to the release of a recent Home update or involvement with the Public Preview program. A number of Nest owners, like TheGowanus , report running into the problem specifically with the Home app on iOS. What we do know is that an official Google account popped up in both of these threads and acknowledges the problem: We're aware of an issue impacting activity zones and are looking into it. We will keep you updated when this is resolved. Thanks for your understanding. We haven't spotted any further update since Google first shared that message yesterday afternoon, but it's reassuring to at least hear that developers are on the case. If your Nest cameras are refusing to let you configure your Activity Zones, know that you're not alone, and help is on the way — sooner or later.
New York Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
‘Project Homecoming' launches first flight of 64 illegal immigrants accepting $1,000 to self-deport
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted its first self-deport operation, dubbed 'Project Homecoming,' with a charter flight on Monday from Texas, and made stops in Honduras and Colombia, taking 64 illegal immigrants who chose to self-deport back to their home countries. DHS said in a post on X that all participants who chose to leave the U.S. were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. 'They received travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally,' DHS said. Advertisement 5 The first flight carrying migrants who voluntarily opted to return to their home countries departed from Houston, Texas, on May 19. @DHSgov/X 5 A woman is seen getting on a flight to self-deport. @DHSgov/X DHS also shared a video of the events leading up to the first flight, showing families preparing to leave Houston, where they were greeted and offered food, games and stuffed animals for their children. Advertisement Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the first ever self-deportation program which incentivizes illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S. on a free flight and with a cash bonus. 'Project Homecoming' authorizes government-funded flights and offers money to illegal immigrants who are willing to self-deport. 5 People are seen getting their luggage for the flight. @DHSgov/X When Trump announced the signing of the order in a post on Truth Social, he said the program would end up saving taxpayers 'billions and billions' of dollars. Advertisement 'We are making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens to leave America. Any illegal alien can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out of our country,' Trump said. 'Illegals can book a free flight to any foreign country as long as it's not here. You can go anywhere you want.' DHS said days before the executive order was signed that migrants would be offered a $1,000 stipend each to leave. The department said this will be 70% cheaper for American taxpayers, as it currently costs DHS, on average, over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport someone. 5 A total of64 people were on board the flight. @DHSgov/X 'This deportation bonus will save American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars,' Trump said. Advertisement Illegal immigrants are encouraged to use the CBP One app to arrange their deportations. The same app under the Biden administration was used to expedite migrants from scheduling appointments at official ports of entry before they were paroled into the U.S., which was discontinued on the first day of Trump's second term. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared a post about the first 'Project Homecoming' flight on X, advising those in the country to take advantage of the program. 5 The plane left from Houston, Texas, on May 19, 2025. @DHSgov/X 'If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home,' Noem wrote. 'If you don't, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return. If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.' Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
