X

Heads up, Haiku: Hunter's HomeKit ceiling fan is here

The Signal is a smart ceiling fan designed to work with Apple HomeKit -- which means you'll be able to ask Siri to turn it on and off.

Ry Crist Senior Editor / Reviews - Labs
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Expertise Smart home technology and wireless connectivity Credentials
  • 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
See full bio
Ry Crist
2 min read
Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Seven months after its CES debut, the first of Hunter's Apple-friendly smart ceiling fans is now available for purchase. Called 'The Signal,' the fan sells for $379, and offers full compatibility with Apple HomeKit, the company's iOS-based smart home platform.

With Apple HomeKit, you'll be able to control the fan and its built-in light remotely on your iOS device alongside other HomeKit-compatible gadgets in Apple's Home app. You'll also be able to automate the fan using HomeKit's "scenes." For instance, a "bedtime" scene could dim the lights and turn the fan to low, while a "goodbye" scene could turn the fan and the lights off altogether. You can trigger those scenes in the Home app -- or by asking Siri to do it.

That puts this smart fan right up against the Haiku L Series fan from Big Ass Solutions, which costs $450. Though it doesn't work with HomeKit, the Haiku fan offers similar smart functionality, and syncs up with Amazon's Alexa to bring voice controls into the picture.

Watch this: The fanciest thing in the CNET Smart Home? The fans

The Signal comes in brown and black wood finishes, each accented with stainless steel trim. You'll be able to find it online at Amazon, Lowe's, and Home Depot. Another HomeKit-compatible model called 'The Symphony' is due out later this year -- it's a simpler design that ditches the wood and costs a bit less at $329.

We've already tested out a few Haiku models in the CNET Smart Home, so we're eager to see how well the Signal works in comparison, especially given that it's a more affordable option. We'll let you know all about it just as soon as we get one installed.