Skip to main content

Even your ceiling fan can be a smart home device thanks to Hunter’s new Signal

Meet the Signal
It’s unclear whether the world as a whole is getting smarter, but your home certainly is. Apple’s vision for a connected home continues to come to fruition, and the latest appliance to join the smart revolution comes just in time for this record-setting summer. Meet the Signal, a Wi-Fi enabled, Apple HomeKit-integrated ceiling fan from the Hunter Fan Company.

It’s the first of what promises to be an “unprecedented 2016 new product launch” from the 130-year-old fan company, and while tradition has kept Hunter in business for well over a century, there’s nothing traditional about the technology behind its latest fans.

The Simple Connect ceiling fans can be programmed to be turned on before you ever walk into a room, synced to your thermostat so the temperature is always where you want it to be, and even set up to turn on its light fixtures so that you never have to walk into a dark room.

“This new product launch is a testament to our dedication to un-matched quality and performance and determination to bring our customers the latest designs and technology at an affordable price,” said John Alexander, the firm’s CEO. “We are thrilled to finally share this new innovation with our eager customers and are hoping to see a Hunter Fan in every home.”

Thanks to the fans’ Apple HomeKit integration, users can easily and safely control one or all of the fans in a home using either the new iOS 10 Home app or Siri. HomeKit-enabled products can also trigger one another — for example, you can have your Signal fan turn on when your connected fire alarm detects smoke.

“When we first had cameras on our iPhones, we didn’t immediately envision the ability to deposit checks with them,” said Hunter Chief Marketing Officer John Neilson. “Similarly, we know that these fans enhance energy efficiency, home security and convenience, but we believe we’ve just scratched the surface of their full potential.”

The Signal fan, Hunter’s flagship connected product, promises a contemporary and sleek aesthetic with satin nickel housing, reversible wooden-finished blades, and of course, smart technology. It’s currently available across a number of online and in-person retailers, and sells for $379.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
How to save money with your smart home this winter
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat in stainless steel.

Keeping your home warm and cozy during the winter is a challenge. Homes equipped with a fireplace benefit from a frugal heating option -- though there's no doubt they can be messy and time-consuming to clean. You can also ramp up your furnace, but that's a quick way to spend a fortune on your heating bill.

Instead, consider using smart home gadgets to save money and keep your house at a nice temperature until spring rolls around. If you need some help getting started, here are a few smart home gadgets that can help you make it through the cold, dark winter.
Invest in smart blinds

Read more
Ikea launching 3 new smart home safety gadgets in 2024
The upcoming Ikea motion sensor and door sensor on a yellow desktop.

It looks like Ikea is getting further invested in the smart home space, as the company plans to launch three new smart home safety products in 2024. The lineup includes a window sensor, motion sensor, and water sensor, and all three sync with the existing Dirigera Hub for easy operation and customization.

The products are expected to launch in the first half of 2024, starting with the door and window sensor, Parasoll, in January. Parasoll works much like all other door and window sensors on the market, giving you alerts when they've been opened or closed. It features a slim design (so it doesn't look too obtrusive when installed), and pairs with both the Ikea app and smart bulbs.

Read more
The best smart home devices for 2023
The X2 Omni dock up against a wall.

With hundreds of incredible products available, it can be intimidating to piece together a smart home. From smart displays and thermostats to smart light bulbs and video doorbells, not only are there tons of categories to browse, but each category is filled with highly reviewed products that can be difficult to distinguish from one another. If you’re in the market for a new smart home gadget or are just starting your smart home journey, there are tons of factors to consider.

If you need help navigating all the products, here’s a look at the best smart home devices of 2023 across a wide variety of categories. It’s hard to go wrong with products from big names like Ring, Arlo, Amazon, and Google, but if you need a bit more guidance, here are some of our top picks.
Voice assistant

Read more