I love writing about the Apple Watch and I love writing about smart home devices. But watchOS 8 may have changed that.

Among other useful updates, such as a vastly improved messaging experience and an added "Find My Device" app, watchOS 8 introduces a redesigned HomeKit app. In the weeks since the full software was released, I have been using HomeKit more than ever.

For a long time, HomeKit fell short compared to the ever-growing skills of Alexa and Google Assistant. I use Siri on my iPhone when I'm out and about or need help sending emails, but at home, Amazon and Google's AI butlers have proven to be more effective.

But Apple stepped up its smart home efforts last year with the release of the decently priced and powerful sounding HomePod mini, challenging the best Alexa speaker and the best Google Home speaker with a Siri-callable version.

But the new hardware wasn't enough to convince me. I already have enough of the best smart speakers. The company's gradual increase in compatibility with smart home brands of all sizes piqued my interest somewhat, but I refrained nonetheless. [But then watchOS 8 (along with some HomeKit improvements in iOS 15) promised to make my Apple Watch 6 the ultimate smart home controller. The revamped app allows key control of all eligible smart home devices with a simple tap of the wrist. It's all very James Bond-esque, and I love it.

I started with one of the best smart light bulbs that works with HomeKit. It was a warm-toned Edison bulb from Sylvania that I had lying around. I didn't want to create a Sylvania account or download another smart home app on my phone, so I decided to set it up with HomeKit.

Within 5 minutes of taking the bulb out of the box, it was powered on, connected to the HomeKit profile, and controllable from my wrist. watchOS 8's new HomeKit layout shows how simple it is to turn smart lights on and off To showcase this, we also featured it on TikTok (speaking of which, have you followed Tom's Guide on TikTok yet?

For those of you with the best security cameras that work with HomeKit, you can see a small feed from those cameras on your wrist; the Apple Watch 7's larger screen will make checking cameras more practical.

Some of the best Fitbit smartwatches, like the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3, can already control Alexa-enabled devices from the wrist with voice commands; the Apple Watch can tap lights to turn them on without using voice The Apple Watch makes it easy to add a visual element to your life by allowing you to tap on a light to turn it on without using your voice. When I'm relaxing at night and want mood lighting, I don't necessarily want to talk to Siri.

I think HomeKit has a ways to go to catch up to Alexa and Google Assistant. For now, I see HomeKit as a complement to my existing IoT system, and I'm adding a few of the best HomeKit devices to my space. However, I would not have done this had the app not been updated with watchOS 8. I hope to see continued improvements and that this is not a one-time upgrade.