Smart Home

Philips Hue briefly published details of three upcoming Festavia products—curtain, icicle and net string lights—before removing the post. The smart lighting additions, designed for indoor and outdoor decorative use, are expected to launch in September.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Mijia Smart Bathroom Heater P1 Human Sensing Edition, a ceiling-mounted heater, light, and exhaust fan combo built for China's smart home market. It replaces the basic motion sensors found on most bathroom heaters with 24GHz radar, letting it track whether someone is actually in the room rather than just reacting to movement.

Xiaomi has unveiled a new smart security camera on its global website. The Xiaomi Smart Camera C401 offers high-resolution video, full pan-and-tilt coverage, and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, alongside integrated AI features for smarter monitoring.

There was a time when Shelly devices were the undisputed go-to for affordable smart actuators. But the competition has caught up: A few days ago, various IoTorero devices received the official "Works with Home Assistant" certification – even ahead of comparable products from Shelly.

While Google apparently has no plans for a new Pixel Tablet or a new Nest Hub Max, the company is developing a brand-new smart home display. In fact, there are already several references to this product in the Google Home app's code.

A new smart display that should be well suited for integration into a smart home, where it can serve as a control center. It also features a touchscreen.

Govee has launched a new outdoor floodlight that is not only especially bright but can also light up in color and comes with a motion sensor. A launch discount is available in some markets.

Tech is getting more expensive instead of cheaper - a phenomenon of our time? The crisis is particularly noticeable in the smart home sector, with price increases easily exceeding 100 percent.

Xiaomi has launched a new 10kg smart washing machine featuring an innovative electrolysis function designed to boost cleaning performance. By partially splitting water into active oxygen, the Mijia Washing Machine Pro generates its own sanitizing solution—though some detergent is still required for optimal results.

Waveshare’s compact new development board features an integrated touch display and comprehensive wireless connectivity. Powered by the ESP32-C5 SoC, the model is designed for intuitive operation in smart home and IoT projects.

Apple is apparently using the new smart home features in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 to market an expensive subscription, as the company has now confirmed that Apple Intelligence for Home is available only to customers who have signed up for the most expensive iCloud+ subscription.

Google has worked with the FBI to dismantle the NetNut proxy network. A large share of the roughly two million compromised devices are smart TVs and streaming boxes in private homes that were secretly used as cover for criminal attacks. Here is how to identify and avoid the risk.

A versatile new board with integrated wireless connectivity can be incorporated into smart home systems and supports additional sensors and actuators. The Waveshare ESP32-C5 with its 1.47-inch LCD display is also relatively affordable.

Xiaomi is launching a new smart home device globally, following a significant delay after its domestic release. The Mijia Body Composition Scale S400 Pro features an integrated display and measures both body weight and key health metrics like body fat and muscle mass.

The latest firmware update can render the Philips Hue Bridge Pro inoperable, as several user reports indicate. Until Signify fixes the issue, it’s recommended to disable automatic updates, since setting up lights and accessories again can take several hours, depending on the setup.

The SwitchBot RGBICWW ceiling light has been launched in the US. The Matter-enabled smart ceiling light is designed to combine everyday illumination, colorful ambient lighting, and smart home control in one fixture. Plus, it features RGBIC dynamic color effects, adjustable warm-to-cool white lighting, and two size options for different spaces.

Is "Sorry, I don't know that one" sometimes better than a confident but completely wrong answer? This is a question you inevitably ask yourself when trying out the new Alexa+. While the voice assistant is now better in many respects, it also has its weaknesses.

Sigenergy has unveiled the SigenMate 2700 Ultra, a plug-and-play home energy system with 4,000 W PV input, 3,600 W AC output, IP66 rating, and AI-driven energy management via the updated mySigen App 4.0.

Days after the new Google Home Speaker launched, a Reddit user who bought one from a Walmart shelf before the official ship date revealed that the speaker comes with a permanently attached USB-C power cable roughly 5 feet long. While the 30W power brick on the other end is removable, the cable cannot be unplugged from the speaker body itself, as there is no port on the unit. The early buyer also described sound quality positively — praising midrange and low-frequency performance — but flagged the hardwired cable as a repairability concern and noted that the fabric mesh covering felt loose.

An Argentinian man has developed prototype cement blend that allows finished walls to hold magnet-backed objects without drilling or nails. While the material may make walls more versatile, its future depends on unresolved questions about load capacity, durability, humidity resistance and long-term use.

EcoFlow has unveiled the Stream 2 series, the second generation of its decentralized plug-in solar solution, now offering up to 5,000 W of power. The company also introduced the OASIS 3.0 energy management platform alongside several other new products.

Anthbot has introduced the new M5 Pro and M9 Pro robotic lawn mowers, which feature the HoloSense navigation system. By combining LiDAR, RTK/NetRTK positioning, and AI vision, the company promises highly accurate positioning and reliable navigation even in challenging garden environments.

A compact system with numerous possibilities: The ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.85B features a round display that can showcase various types of data and, in principle, can also serve as a smart display. The device is not particularly expensive.

TerraMow has launched its X AWD robotic mower on Kickstarter, offering a 25% early-backer discount with deliveries planned for September 2026. Built for very large lawns, the mower combines AI vision, nRTK navigation, all-wheel drive, and a 50.2 cm cutting width.

SunEnergyXT is expanding its PV solutions portfolio not only with the new PowerBox, but also with an 11 kW wallbox and an AC-coupled home battery storage system.

Following a recent update to the Shelly Control platform, the company has introduced a new feature for managing multiple homes. This can be highly practical in everyday life, considering that users previously had to rely on external platforms for similar features.

After a six-year hiatus, Google is finally launching a smart speaker again. The brand-new Google Home Speaker features 360-degree sound, Google's Gemini Live AI assistant, and the ability to control smart home devices.

First unveiled at CES 2025, the Schlage Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt finally has a launch date: June 29, 2026, arriving at $399 with Ultra Wideband hands-free unlocking via Apple Home Key, Matter over Thread smart home integration, Aliro certification for Android support, and WiFi remote access.

The AI-Powered 4WD Robotic Mower Built for Slopes, Rough Terrain, and Large Lawns.

Google has finally shared an update on the new Google Home Speaker. Looks like it will not miss its Spring 2026 deadline as initially promised in October 2025.

Anyone looking to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 outdoors now has new waterproof outdoor TVs from WeMoove with sizes up to 86 inches, Google TV, and peak brightness of 4,000 nits.

Mova has announced the launch of the Z70 Ultra Roller Complete. In just a few days, the improved successor to the already excellent Z60 Ultra Roller will go on sale with a discount.

It’s only natural that during keynotes or livestreams where voice assistants are being talked about, there can be random activations for those listening or viewing the events. Brands, including Apple, have a somewhat effective fix for this, as reiterated by WWDC 2026.

An April Fool's joke from 2025 could soon become a real product, as Philips Hue Go XXL has been spotted in the Philips Hue app, along with Philips Hue Panels and several new wall switch modules designed to make old-fashioned switches smart.

A new, affordable and relatively compact display could be particularly well suited for smart home use, as it comes with speakers and a microphone and can also process touch inputs. The new ESP32-S3 display also supports wireless connectivity.

Dreame’s new X60 Pro Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum Cleaner is now available to pre-order in Europe. This powerful model is the first from the brand to feature a dual-joint robotic arm. Plus, early customers are offered a launch discount.

The Baseus Security X1 Pro dual-camera is available at its lowest price ever for a limited time. The camera features 3K resolution, 300-degree pan coverage, night mode, motion tracking, and more.

Very cheap and somewhat of an eye-catcher: A new smart display costs well under $10 and can show the current weather as well as photos and animations. The weather data can be updated thanks to built-in WiFi.

Xiaomi has launched a new smart home device that promises not only increased convenience but could even save lives in an emergency. The Xiaomi Smoke Detector 2 uses optical sensors to detect smoke and also records other metrics.

The SwitchBot Weather Station delivers daily atmospheric conditions from online sources and external monitors, displays personal calendars with alarms, and offers smart home control via Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, or a Matter-compatible SwitchBot Hub.

Xiaomi is now selling a new 2.1-channel sound system in the UK. Available for less than £200, the Xiaomi Soundbar Pro 2.1 ch delivers up to 300 W with Bluetooth, optical audio and HDMI Arc connectivity. Dolby audio and DTS Virtual: X integration is onboard too.

Xiaomi is finally selling its latest budget streaming stick. Available in Europe before its eventual global release, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) runs Google TV at up to 1080p for approximately $57.

Xiaomi has started selling one of its award-winning wireless soundbars in a new country. Equipped with four drivers, the Soundbar Pro 2.0 ch contains mutliple connectivity options and even NFC pairing despite its sub-£100 launch price.

Thermacell’s new LIV 2.0 mosquito repellent system expands coverage to up to 3,000 square feet, with a redesigned hub that supports more repellent units and adds protection against no-see-ums. The system offers app controls and refill monitoring, among other things.

Xiaomi has finally released its latest wireless soundbar and subwoofer set in the UK. Featuring analogue and digital audio inputs, the Xiaomi Desktop Speaker Pro Set also offers RGB lighting elements to distinguish itself from its peers.

Xiaomi is offering a new and powerful air conditioner. It promises particularly fast room temperature control, which should allow the room temperature to be adjusted more situationally. On an annual average, the model is said to be able to use the electrical energy it consumes almost five times over for heating and cooling.