Internet of Things (IoT)

The RoboUP Raccoon 2 SE Robot Mower will shortly begin crowdfunding on Kickstarter. A Super Early Bird Pledge for this device will start at $299/€299, and its RRP still makes it the brand’s most affordable model by some way. Features include boundary-wire free navigation, remote app-based controls and a fast recharging mode.

Apollo Turfstorm has launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for its new all-wheel drive yard robot. This is a modular device which can act as a mower, a snow blower or a leaf collector. The company is planning to ship the product worldwide, with backers offered around 50% off the RRP.

The Xiaomi Smart Control Screen will shortly be crowdfunded in China. This smart home hub offers a touchscreen which can be used to control a wide range of devices, though it also supports app controls and voice commands. On top of this, it can act as a Xiaomi Mesh 2.0 gateway and it supports Xiaomi HyperOS.

Philips Hue has released the Festavia globe outdoor string lights in new 14m/45ft and 28m/91ft lengths. These join the shorter 7m/22ft version of this smart light, with identical features. Each bulb on the string is said to offer up to 50 lumens brightness, and is described as a full spectrum light source.

A new Philips Hue smart light, the Neon Outdoor Strip Light, has been released in Europe. Available in three sizes, this product can produce a range of white and colored lighting effects for your space. Features include ChromaSync technology, a wide operating temperature range, and Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity.

Xiaomi has released the Mijia Smart Gas Water Heater 2 Silent Zero Cold Water 16L Edition in China. This new model is said to operate relatively quietly and has a compact design. Features include instant hot water, consistent water temperatures and support for HyperOS Connect for smart home linkage and app-based controls.

The Anker eufyCam S4 is the company’s new outdoor security camera, now available in Europe via Amazon and the eufy website. The eufyCam S4 features up to 4K resolution, 360° tracking, intelligent auto-framing, a detachable solar panel, a 130° field of view and color night vision with 4 LED spotlights.

The Shelly BLU Distance sensor is now available in the US. Expected to be released in Europe in the near future, this device can measure the distance between two solid or liquid surfaces. It has a range of smart home applications, such as monitoring a car in a parking space or checking the remaining level of a water tank.

IKEA’s Dirigera Hub for smart products is now a Matter 1.4 certified device. This upgrade was confirmed by a recent listing in the database of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. However, it is unclear when IKEA will push the new version of the smart home protocol to the hub, given another recent update.

Xiaomi has revealed the Smart Door Lock 4 Pro Dual Camera Edition in China. It offers several upgrades compared to the original model, released earlier this year. These include a second camera and a larger battery, with the same twelve unlocking methods, including facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner.

The Philips Hue app version 5.54 has arrived for some users. This release brings an improvement for the Hue AI Assistant, which launched earlier in 2025. Plus, there are new tools linked to the Hue Bridge Pro’s MotionAware functionality, and a change for Hue Secure camera users.

An AWS outage left smart homes and even smart beds offline, showing just how dependent everyday devices have become on remote servers. With Amazon confirming the root cause in its US-East-1 region, engineers are calling for smarter local backups to prevent future chaos.

The CrowPanel Advance is a new display with many features and wireless network connectivity. This gadget could allow users to quickly create their own smart display, and tinkerers should be able to benefit from a simple or at least familiar setup.

The Philips Hue app is now offering a range of Halloween-themed scenes for users of its smart lights. Appearing in the Hue Scene gallery are eight dynamic lighting effects, with a range of different color schemes. They have been automatically added to the brand’s smartphone app, without users needing to download an update.

The Philips Hue Bridge Pro is receiving a new update: software version 2071112020. This is the second release for the product, tackling an issue which could prevent the device from starting as expected. At the time of writing, it seems that this problem has not affected the standard Hue Bridge.

Shelly is expected to launch the BLU Distance, a Bluetooth ultrasonic sensor, in the near future. This smart home device can measure the distance between two surfaces; for example, you could check the level of a water tank or monitor your parking space. Features include preset range profiles and an adjustable data sharing frequency.

Wyze has launched a new solar-powered security camera with pan-and-tilt features. Priced lower than its competitors, the Solar Cam Pan is said to deliver continuous power with just one hour of sunlight and comes with features like subject tracking, a motion-activated spotlight, and night vision.

The Tapo C615F Solar-Powered Floodlight Pan/Tilt Security Camera from TP-Link is now available in the US. Also on the way to Europe, this smart camera can automatically pan to track a subject, with local and cloud storage options for captured footage. Other features include an integrated floodlight with customizable brightness, alongside a solar panel and a battery for a wireless setup.

Xiaomi has listed the Self-Install Smart Lock on its global website, pointing to an upcoming release in markets worldwide. Designed to fit over an existing door lock, the smart home device allows you to unlock your door in many ways, including using a fingerprint scanner. Plus, it is Matter compatible, meaning it will integrate with many smart home ecosystems.

Xiaomi is currently crowdfunding for the Mijia Smart Electric Blanket Single Model in China. This device is designed to help users get a good night’s sleep. While it comes with a physical remote with an integrated screen, it can also be remotely controlled through the brand’s app or with voice commands.

A new update for the Philips Hue app, version 5.53, is now available for iOS and Android. This release officially brings two optimizations to users, one of which is linked to the recently released MotionAware functionality. However, two additional improvements have also been spotted by users.

SEGA and Waze launched a global Sonic the Hedgehog voice assistant on October 15, 2025, allowing users to replace standard navigation prompts with Roger Craig Smith’s localized quips, add Sonic-themed icons and a Speedster Lightning vehicle avatar from Sonic Racing: Crossworlds.

Philips Hue is rolling out software updates to the Hue Bridge and Hue Bridge Pro devices. The two versions, 1973146020 and 2071112000, each bring support for an upcoming feature for users of the brand's smart home devices. The tool is expected to be released in a future Philips Hue app update.

WebScreen is a $99, open-source, monitor-top AMOLED display powered by ESP32-S3 for cross-platform notifications and dashboards. It runs JavaScript apps from microSD, offers a marketplace, and is now crowdfunding on Crowd Supply.

The Home Assistant 2025.10 release is here. With this update, users of the open-source smart home automation software get more improvements linked to the automations editor. Plus, the AI Task feature can now be used to generate images, and voice assistants support more than one wake word.

Roborock has released the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro and Qrevo Curv 2 ProX robot vacuum and mops in Europe. This new model is the most powerful in the brand’s Curv range, and also offers hot water mopping. There is only one difference between these two versions, linked to their accessories.

The Philips Hue app version 5.52.0 has started to roll out. This release brings a new Matter-related feature for users of Apple Home. Plus, the change log also notes the addition of two new products and the Sonos integration.

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is now available in North America and Europe. This model is particularly powerful and has a brush designed to reduce tangled hair. Plus, it comes with a unique docking station, enhancing the robot’s mopping capabilities.

Philips Hue has released the Hue Secure Wired video doorbell in various markets worldwide. It is currently available as part of a bundle with the new Hue Secure smart chime. Features include a 2K camera with color night vision, support for two-way voice communication and a range of app-based controls.

The Govee TV Backlight 3 Pro is now available in North America and Europe. This new smart lighting product is designed to create lighting effects that match the content you are watching for a more immersive experience. The Matter-compatible product combines an HDR triple-camera accessory and dense LED strip light, available in two sizes.

The Govee Star Light Projector (Ocean Wave) is now available in North America and Europe. This smart lighting product can throw colorful water inspired effects onto the walls or ceiling of a room. There is a wide range of presets to choose from, and the device also has an integrated Bluetooth speaker to play music or white noise.

Govee has released another smart light: the Outdoor Decoration Projector Light. This model offers two types of lighting, themed laser patterns and ripple effect backgrounds. It has a large projection area of up to 1,679 ft² (~156 m²), with 20 projection discs to choose from and a wide range of presets in the brand’s app.

A new Philips smart light, the Hue OmniGlow strip light 10 ft (3 m), has arrived in the US earlier than expected. This range-topping model features micro LED technology for smoother and brighter white and colored lighting effects. It is scheduled to be released in other markets later in 2025.

The Govee Galaxy Light Projector 2 Pro has been released in markets including the US and the EU. The new flagship model is said to be twice as bright as its predecessor, offering over 3,200 dynamic lighting and sound effect combinations. Plus, the smart light supports voice assistants and is Matter compatible.

Govee has released the Star Light Projector (Nebula) in various markets worldwide. This device can throw dynamic lighting effects, inspired by night skies, onto the walls and ceiling of your room. An integrated Bluetooth speaker and a range of white noise effects make the experience even more relaxing. Plus, there is a range of launch discounts at one retailer.

The Govee Christmas Sparkle String Lights have been released in North America and Europe. They feature bullet-head LEDs, which are said to generate starlight effects. Features include over 140 scene modes, an AI lighting bot and Matter compatibility for wider smart home integration.

Xiaomi has announced that the Mijia Front Load Washer Dryer Pro 9kg is rolling out across Europe. This is the first smart laundry device to be officially launched by the brand in this market. Features include intelligent detergent dispensing and app-based remote controls.

The Xiaomi Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco 2.6 kW and Mijia Air Conditioner Pro Eco 3.5 kW have been launched in Europe. Appearing earlier in 2025, the company has now announced the pricing and availability of these two smart home devices. Features include an AI mode for enhanced energy efficiency, app controls and support for Google Assistant

Xiaomi has announced the new Mijia Smart Electric Water Heater 2 Dual Tank 60L in China. This model is just 700 mm (~27.6 inches) wide, making it suitable for many homes. Features include an integrated digital display, support for HyperOS Connect and app-based controls.

Samsung has launched its 2025 The Movingstyle Smart TV in the Republic of Korea. This device combines a 27-inch touchscreen with a rolling floor stand, making it easy to move around your home. Plus, the detachable screen is portable, with a built-in battery, integrated speakers and a kickstand.

A new Philips Hue smart home integration is rolling out to users of Sonos devices. You can now use the audio brand’s voice assistant to control Hue smart lights and smart plugs. Plus, there are also bug fixes for Philips Hue app users, arriving in version 5.51.0 of the company’s smartphone app.

Govee has released the Permanent Outdoor Lights Prism in the US. This new smart lighting product creates unusual triple colored lighting effects, though it also offers white light. Features include 100 preset scenes through the brand’s app, adjustable brightness and support for the Matter smart home protocol.

A new Google smart speaker, the Google Home Speaker, has been named in the code behind a recent version of the brand’s app. This device appears to be a successor to the brand’s older Nest Mini and Nest Audio products. Plus, the APK reveals some of the speaker’s features, including a big upgrade.

A new leak has now revealed pricing details for a slew of Xiaomi devices scheduled to launch globally on September 24. The Redmi Pad 2 Pro, Xiaomi 15T duo, Watch S4 41mm, and a handful of other smart devices will be unveiled on that date.

One of Philips Hue’s new smart lighting products has been released earlier than expected in Europe. The Flux strip light is offered in five lengths, though only four of these are currently available. Features of the dimmable smart light include white and colored lighting effects, and the ability to cut and connect various units to create your desired design.

LattePanda is synonymous with bringing x86 CPUs to compact and hacker friendly designs. The latest Iota single board computer packs a broad range of features and IO into a footprint similar to a Raspberry Pi.

The Xiaomi Mijia Dual Zone Washing Machine Drum 10kg has arrived in China. This new model has a large central drum, with a separate smaller drum which works independently. Smart features include intelligent detergent dispensing, and it also supports the brand's app with OTA updates expected.

The Govee Pendant Light has been released in the US and Europe. Designed for use in a dining room or kitchen, it has three independently controllable light sources, offering a range of colored lighting effects. Plus, this Matter-compatible device is currently available with a discount at one retailer.

The recently released Philips Hue Bridge Pro is back in stock in the US. This upgraded model sold out in this market shortly after its launch. Features of the new smart light hub include support for over 150 smart lights, MotionAware, Wi-Fi connectivity and Matter compatibility.

Govee is currently accepting pre-orders for its new Outdoor Tree Lights at its Amazon storefront. This pack of three smart lights are designed to throw light along a tree trunk, with a wide range of colors and dynamic lighting effects. Remote controls are available through the brand’s app, and it also supports Matter and some voice assistants.