Smart Home

Shelly has launched the new Wall Display X2 in countries across Europe. The device combines a smart home hub and switch, acting as a control centre for various appliances. Other features include a touch display and built-in temperature, humidity and light sensors.

Huawei has unveiled the Smart Screen S6 Pro TV, which will launch in China shortly. The model is available in four sizes ranging from 65 to 98 inches and has an ultra-thin design. Features include a 288Hz frame rate, built-in 2.1 channel speakers and a remote control with integrated NFC.

The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum is now available to pre-order in the US. Plus, early customers are offered their choice of free products from a range of wet-dry and robot vacuums. The Saros Z70 was unveiled earlier this year and is the first robot vacuum from the brand to feature a robotic arm.

Signify has launched four new Philips Hue Datura Ceiling Light panels in the US. The range includes four products: the Round small, Round, Square and Rectangle. Each offers dimmable white and colored lighting across two light sources, with remote controls available through the Philips Hue app.

Xgimi has announced that it will launch a new portable projector series, the Play 6, in China this month. There appear to be two models with a similar design to the older Play 5 or MoGo 3 projectors. They each feature a hidden 360° gimbal stand, integrated speakers and a built-in battery.

Xiaomi has launched the Mijia Smart Bathroom Heater P1 in China. The smart home product offers heating and ventilation for your bathroom, and there is an integrated lighting panel for warm or cool white light. It comes with a remote control touch panel and works with the Mi Home app.

A new version of the Philips Hue app, 5.38.0, has arrived for users of the brand’s smart home products. This release, available for iOS and Android, brings a new QR code scanning tool, making it easier to set up devices. Plus, there are improvements for users with multiple units of the Hue Bridge.

A new unannounced smart lighting product from Govee is now Matter-certified: the Outdoor Clear Bulb String Lights. The model has also been listed at Amazon UK, though this is likely an unintentional leak. It appears that the smart lights will offer white and colored lighting, with various remote control options and a slightly different design compared to older products from the brand.

Nanoleaf lights now illuminate nearly every nook and cranny of a home. The new Nanoleaf PC Mirror Lightstrip targets monitors, previously ignored parts of gaming rooms. Using a USB-C connection to reduce latency, the monitor backlight kit will cost $49.99.

The LG B4 OLED TV with rich colors and excellent viewing angles is currently on sale at a 29% discount at Best Buy. The TV comes in a 48-inch screen size and brings a 120 Hz refresh rate alongside AMD FreeSync/Nvidia G-Sync support.

The fact that iRobot has been a little down on its luck especially after the prospect of acquisition by Amazon fell through has become yesteryear’s news. In addition to a fall in stock, the company lost its founder and CEO Colin Angle. Could the latest Roomba bots be the resurgence of iRobot's market dominance?

Mammotion has announced that its upgraded Luba 2 AWD 3000X and 5000X and Luba Mini AWD 800 and 1500 robot lawn mowers are now available in many European countries. These four models do not require a perimeter wire, using a combination of RTK and cameras to navigate your lawn. Other features include the ability to tackle up to 80% inclines, 50 mm obstacle clearance and a 3D lawn printing tool.

The Xiaomi Router BE3600 has officially landed in a couple of European countries. This is a cheaper Wi-Fi 7 capable device, which can be managed in the brand’s smart home app. It can support over 120 simultaneously connected devices, with automatic prioritization for some smartphones.

Released in 2023 at a price of $1,600, the 55-inch Sony A75L OLED TV is now on sale at a total discount of 37.5% vs launch price. This corresponds to massive $600 savings, resulting in the lowest Sony A75L price to date.

The SwitchBot Hub 3, an unreleased smart home control centre, has appeared in the CSA database. The Matter-certified device has a built-in display and integrated sensors to detect motion and temperature. There are various upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Hub 2, including a new intelligent knob.

The TCL PlayCube, a new portable projector, has recently been named an iF Design Award 2025 winner. In the announcement, more specifications of this upcoming model have been revealed, including a brightness measurement. Unveiled at CES 2025, the projector has an unusual twisting design that is said to be inspired by the Rubik’s Cube.

The SwitchBot Floor Lamp, an unannounced smart light, has appeared in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) database. The upcoming product supports the Matter standard, meaning it can integrate with many other smart home products. Features include white and colored lighting, and dynamic effects, including a music-synced mode.

The rumored Apple smart home hub is predicted to be delayed until the latter half of 2025, according to Apple market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo states that the hub's launch is delayed due to iOS 19 launching later this year, which will overhaul Apple's entire mobile design language.

Following a massive layoff and a string of exits from top executives, Sonos new leadership has made the decision to cancel an upcoming product. The Android streaming device would have been a rival to the Apple TV 4K and Google TV Streamer.

TCL has launched the Q10L Pro QD-Mini LED TV in China. This new model, available in four sizes, arrives alongside the Q10L with upgrades, including a higher peak brightness and more dimming zones. Plus, the Q10L Pro and other high-end models from TCL have recently won an award.

The latest TCL QM6K 55-inch QD-Mini LED TV has dropped to its lowest price yet after scoring a sizeable 25% discount on Amazon. The TV is a 2025 release that relies on a HVA panel and QD-Mini LED backlighting system to enhance picture quality.

A Philips Hue Secure video doorbell might launch this year, according to recent rumors. It would join the brand’s lineup of smart home products, which already include a range of security cameras. It has been suggested that the device could launch with at least one accessory and would be compatible with the Philips Hue app.

Home Assistant has announced that it has received Matter certification from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The Home Assistant interface and Open Home Foundation Matter Server have been certified under different classifications. The company hopes that this will attract new users and brands to its platform.

The Nuki Smart Lock Pro (5th Gen) has been released in countries across Europe. It features various upgrades over its predecessor, including a new brushless motor with multiple locking speeds. On top of this, the most recent version is cheaper and more compact than the fourth-generation device.

The TCL Q10L QD-Mini LED TV has been unveiled in China, in sizes ranging from 65-inch to 98-inch. This 4K model offers up to 5,000 nits peak brightness, with an HVA panel for an enhanced contrast ratio and a ZeroBorder design. Plus, it is said to offer an integration with DeepSeek.

The Roborock P20 Ultra robot vacuum and mop has been officially unveiled in China. This is a slim model, thansk in part to a retracting LDS navigation module but a particularly high peak suction power. Many of its features are shared with two early models which have been released worldwide.

The TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is now available in the US. The model replaces the QM715G with upgrades and new technologies. These include a higher peak brightness level, the Halo Control System and the CrystGlow HVA panel for an enhanced native contrast ratio.

iFixit's latest teardown video has a timely Mario theme - although the clip features the OEM's alarm clock rather than one of its consoles. The Sound Clock: Alarmo proved capable of lasting at least as long, as various parts of Nintendo's most fun way to wake up can apparently be replaced with ease.

TCL has launched the X11K, a 4K QD-Mini LED Smart TV, in the US. This model is available in two larger sizes: 85-inch and 98-inch. Its features include the brand’s new Halo Control System, an HVA panel, gaming tools like ALLM and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification.

Roughly three months have passed since a renowned Apple analyst received word that the so-called Smart Home Hub had been delayed beyond its Q1 2025 release window. Now, a separate source has shed new light on the state of the project.

Music Assistant version 2.4 has officially been released for Home Assistant users. It brings a wide range of new features and improvements for this add-on, which lets you stream content from many sources on your smart home devices. These include a Spotify Connect plugin, equalizer controls and native support for podcasts and audiobooks.

Three new Philips Hue Impress outdoor lights have been launched in North America. The line-up includes new wider and hardwired versions of an older model, as well as a pedestal variant for lighting lower to the ground. All three are White and Color Ambiance products which can be remotely controlled via the Philips Hue app.

The Roborock G30U robot vacuum and mop is expected to launch in China in the next few days. This new model shares similarities with the earlier G30 and G30 Space models, which are known in other countries as the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. Features include the AdaptiLift Chassis, a slim body and an intelligent docking station.

The GamePix 800 Smart is the latest projector produced by GamePix and Screeneo. Available from next month, the new projector delivers a 1080p and 120 Hz image with up to a 150-inch projection size.

The Home Assistant 2025.3 release has arrived. This is the third release from the company this year, bringing a series of new features and improvements to dashboards. These include the addition of headers and better tile cards. Plus, there are optimizations for the Assist AI assistant and several new integrations.

Govee’s upcoming Ceiling Light 1s has been spotted in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) database. The listing reveals a few details about this unreleased smart light, which will be Matter-compatible. This is the third smart lighting panel from the company to gain CSA certification in recent weeks.

Navimow is rolling out a range of new features for its wireless robotic lawnmowers via a major update. The Navimow i-series in particular benefits from a wide range of improvements, and the app is also being prepared for the new X3 series.

Roborock is about to reveal a new robot vacuum in China: the P20 Ultra. The company has posted images and videos relating to this upcoming model on social media. These indicate that this model will be particularly slim, thanks in part to a retracting LDS navigation module.

Govee has launched a new Water Leak Detector 1s, an upgraded version of its original smart home sensor. Improvements include a longer communication range between the leak detector and Wi-Fi Gateway. Plus, the Govee Home app offers a new Find Device tool in case you forget where you placed the sensor.

The Philips Hue app version 5.37.1 is rolling out to users of the brand’s smart home devices. This release brings a new manual video recording tool for the Secure cameras. Plus, there are two tools to help some users organize their Hue Bridge and other Hue lighting products.

The Mammotion iNavi Service is coming to some of the brand’s robot lawn mowers. The feature was spotted in the change log of a recent app update and appears to be launching in one country initially. It is said to provide centimeter-level positioning accuracy without the need to install an RTK antenna in your garden.

The Roborock Qrevo Edge S5A robot vacuum and mop is now available in various countries worldwide. The model is a cheaper version of the older Qrevo Edge, with a few features removed or tweaked to reduce its cost. It still offers relatively strong suction power and comes with a self-cleaning docking station, but it is missing newer climbing technology.

Roborock has launched the Qrevo Curv S5X robot vacuum worldwide. This is a cheaper version of the Qrevo Curv, which was released in 2024, priced at $1,599.99. To make the S5X variant more affordable than the original, the company has removed and tweaked a number of features.

The Lenovo Xiaoxin Whale Color Inkjet Multifunction Printer has been launched in China. This 3-in-1 model offers scanning and copying as well as color printing. Lenovo indicates that its latest model offers enhanced remote controls, including support for a greater number of simultaneously connected users.

The Dreame Robotic Lawn Mower A2 is launching this March. The model was on show at IFA 2024 and is said to feature various upgrades compared to its predecessor, the A1. Improvements include OmniSense 2.0 navigation with an HDR camera, the EdgeMaster tool and a larger maximum recommended mowing area.

Xiaomi has revealed the Mijia Smart Crystal Dual Tank Electric Water Heater 60L P10, which will be launched in China shortly. While the model has a 60L capacity, it is said to be able to deliver hot water continuously for almost three hours. Other features include HyperOS with app-based controls and smart home device linkage.

An update for the Philips Hue Bridge, firmware version 1969152010, is on the way to users of the brand’s smart home device. This is the second release for the Hue Bridge this year, though it is a relatively minor update. Philips indicates that this is a phased rollout, with the update installed automatically for many customers.

The 50-inch Sony Bravia 3 LED 4K HDR smart TV remains a popular choice in the sub-$600 area of the market. Listed for $599.99 on Amazon, the 2024 model K-50S30 currently goes for $528 thanks to a 12% discount. The deal also includes Amazon's free return and free delivery services.

Matter isn't the only standard for smart home appliances that's widely successful. KNX was conceived in Belgium over 30 years ago and the fact is, every one of us has at some point come in contact with it.