Smart Home

Qualcomm touts its new Dragonwing Gen 4 Elite Platform as the first solution for AI-powered fixed wireless access (FWA) to broadband over an ultra-long-range mmWave connection. It is rated for downlink speeds of up to 12.5 gigabits per second (Gb/s), and can also confer tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and NTN Satellite connectivity on a next-gen 5G router.

Tado may block the use of its own products behind a paywall in future, at least via its own app. In doing so, the company appears to be risking the ire of its users. The company has only made a vague statement to date.

Govee has launched the Smart Thermo-Hygrometer 2s Lite in the US. It is said to provide precise temperature and humidity measurements, with data refreshed every two seconds. You can remotely track the data collected in the accompanying app, which also offers a data export feature.

Three of Apollo Automation's smart home devices are now Works with Home Assistant certified. These products include two multisensors with mmWave presence detection and an air quality sensor. The certification is a marker of product quality, with devices undergoing testing by a partner company.

The Xiaomi Smart Speaker Pro has been revealed in China. This new model features various upgrades over the original, including the new Super Xiao AI voice assistant, which can handle more complex commands. Other features include dynamic lighting effects and an IR transmitter to control regular home appliances.

The Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum is launching in Europe in the near future alongside the Saros 10R. The company has recently confirmed the European pricing of the Saros 10, following the earlier leaked pricing of the Saros 10R. Plus, Roborock has announced that early customers will be eligible for a discount on their purchases.

Mixx Audio purports to offer the perfect way of celebrating National Retro Day today (February 27, 2025) with its new, appropriately-named record player. The Retro 65 is backed to deliver the traditional warm sound of vinyl with its full-sized turntable, belt-driven to support both 33 and 45 rpm modes. The player can also work with wireless external speakers and devices such as smartphones via Bluetooth.

A version of the Philips Hue Sync TV app for LG TVs has been released. The app allows you to sync Philips Hue smart lights with your LG TV for dynamic lighting effects that match what you are watching or playing. It is compatible with various TV models, formats and smart lighting products.

Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, an upgraded version of its voice assistant. It promises more natural conversations and the ability to handle certain tasks autonomously.

Govee is expected to launch a new Square Ceiling Light in the near future. This model would follow the original round Ceiling Light and is said to share similarities with another product from the brand. Plus, one product listing indicates that it will support Razer Chroma RGB for an immersive gaming experience.

The Nanoleaf app version 11.3.3 is now available for some users. This latest update resolves an issue for one of the brand’s smart lighting products. Other updates in the 11.3.x series bring a new option in the Control View and bug fixes for connectivity and configuration problems.

Aqara has released an update for its smart home app for some users. The release notes for  Aqara Home version 5.1.6 state that there are new features and improvements relating to its smart security cameras, including the new Camera Hub G5 Pro. Plus, there is an enhancement for HomeGuardian subscribers.

The pricing of the new LG CineBeam M (PF600U) and CineBeam S (PU615U) projectors has been announced for one European country. The company has also indicated when customers could expect these two products to launch. The CineBeam M is a 3-in-1 device combining a projector, a lamp and a speaker, while the CineBeam S is a compact UST model.

Xming has revealed the New V1 projector, which will be launched in China shortly. This is a refreshed version of an earlier model, which launched in 2023, with upgrades including a higher peak brightness level. Other features include a native 1080p resolution and two built-in speakers with Dolby Audio.

Meross has released a new Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (MOP320) globally. The device offers two outlets that can be controlled simultaneously or individually and it can also track power consumption. Plus, with support for the Matter protocol, the product works with a wide range of smart home ecosystems and voice assistants.

AI camera apps remove the clutter of constant notifications. Seemour is a new platform that targets already running security cameras. Some planned features could make competing software seem ordinary in comparison.

The LG Signature OLED T will shortly launch in a European country, the second market for this premium TV. The transparent 4K OLED model was released in the US last year when the company announced plans for a global rollout. It comes with the Zero Connect Box for wireless 4K video and audio transmission.

The Zensure SolarFlow 800 Microinverter is now available to pre-order in Europe. Designed to work with home energy storage systems, it is said to be more efficient than other solutions. Features include bidirectional AC charging, intelligent discharge protection and remote controls via the Zendure app.

Roborock is now accepting pre-orders for the Zeo Lite and Zeo Mini smart washer-dryers in Europe. Both offer the brand's Zeo-Cycle low-temperature drying technology and remote controls via the app. Other features include a wide range of cycles, intelligent dosing and various self-cleaning tools.

Yeedi has introduced its latest S14 Plus vacuum robot at CES 2025, and it is now available for purchase on Amazon in the US market. The device comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which the company suggests can provide 90 days of hands-free cleaning. It has a massive 18,000 Pa suction power and can be controlled using Google Assistant or Alexa voice commands.

New Govee BR30 E26 Smart LED Colored Light Bulbs are now available in the US. The latest version of this product has many similar features and supports the Matter protocol. However, the overall feature set results in a lower retail price than the original version of the smart bulb.

A new Govee smart lighting product has appeared online: the String Lights 2S. Currently available to purchase in one European country, this product shares many similarities with the original String Lights 2. Features include RGBWIC LEDs, an AI Lighting Bot and support for Matter.

Google no longer sells the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and its cheaper HD variant. Both devices have now been discontinued following the launch of the Google TV Streamer last year. However, there are plenty of alternatives and one of them has received a heavy discount.

The Morento HY4866 with multi-layer filtration is currently available for less than $82 on Amazon after a large 37% discount on the list price. The price cut makes the HY4866 a great option for budget air purifier hunters. The gadget has intelligent voice control support and provides fresh air up to 1076 ft² (100 m²).

The NEO Gamma is a humanoid robot designed to assist owners with house chores, provide assistance to the physically-challenged, and even operate as a mobile sound system.

The Ring Outdoor Camera Plus is a new outdoor security gadget with a supposedly high image quality, even in poor lighting conditions. The camera can also be powered by a small solar panel.

TCL has now listed the X11K QD-Mini LED TVs on its European website. The model shares some similarities with its predecessor, the X11H. However, there are upgrades like the CrystGlow HVA panel and the brand’s new Halo Control Technology. Other features include Google TV, Bang & Olufsen speakers, support for Dolby Vision IQ and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Even as manufacturing costs rise, Nanoleaf is proving that cutting prices is possible. A more efficient production process has made the company's smart lights considerably cheaper. Some of the most tempting discounts are on its popular Shapes and Blocks light panels.

A new version of the Philips Hue app has been released. Version 5.36.0 brings a new organization tool, providing more ways for you to control devices in your smart home. However, at the time of writing, this enhancement is only available for some Philips Hue customers.

First launched back in 2023, the LG C3 OLED TV is ready to grace your living room after a cool 20% discount on Amazon. The TV comes highly rated, as it packs a mid-range WOLED panel with a 4K resolution and a 120 Hz native refresh rate.

Home Assistant Voice chapter 9 is now available for users of the open-source smart home software. It brings a new Speech-to-Phrase tool, which should enable faster transcription for users of the Home Assistant Green or Raspberry Pi devices. There are also new features to broadcast, call an analog phone and adjust the temperature of your home.

Xiaomi has a new sensor for the smart home in the pipeline, which is expected to launch at a particularly low price and aims to impress with a long battery life and compact dimensions.

The Home Assistant 2025.2.4 patch release is now available. As its name suggests, this is the fourth update since the wider February release. Changes since the original 2025.2 release include bug fixes and improvements for various smart thermostatic radiator valves, as well as further enhancements for the refreshed backup system.

The Bluetti AC180 is now discounted at its lowest-ever price at Amazon US, offering up to 54% off the MSRP. The portable power station has a massive 1,152 Wh LiFePO4 battery and various ports such as 15 W USB-A ports, a 100 W USB-C port, AC outlets, and a 15 W wireless charging pad. The AC180 is a great choice for people who want the power on the go.

The 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV with a 4K resolution and 144 Hz native refresh rate is available for less than $1,200 on eBay after a mammoth 53% discount on the list price. The price cut makes the LG C4, an already stellar TV, a bargain for budget TV hunters.

SwitchBot has released version 9.7 of its iOS app. The update brings a range of new features to users of its smart home products, including a new iPhone widget and Apple Watch function for some robot vacuums. Plus, there are improvements for charts, and additional temperature information is now viewable in the app.

The latest version of the IKEA Home Smart app for iOS appears to bring a new Apple Watch app. These wearable controls have not been officially announced by IKEA. However, user reports and App Store images reveal that users of some IKEA smart home products can now remotely control these devices directly from the wearable.

LG has released its newest PuriCare AeroHit Air Purifier in the global market. The compact air purifier uses a 360° filtration system to deliver clean air. It is equipped with a PM 1.0 sensor, providing real-time air quality updates that can be monitored via the accompanying app. The device can clean rooms up to 365 ft² (~34 m²) with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 250 cfm (~424.7 m³/h).

Home Assistant has announced the 2025.2 software release. It builds on the backup system refresh, which launched in January, with further improvements for users, including new integrations with Google Drive and OneDrive. On top of this, there are enhancements for Voice, the private voice assistant.

The Samsung S90D with a massive 83-inch screen diagonal is now on sale at an incredible price on Woot. The offer drops the Samsung S90D price to less than $2,600, making the OLED TV a bargain for folks who are in the market for a large TV.

Herman Miller is especially known for its premium, high-priced office chairs. The company has now unveiled a height-adjustable desk featuring four motors instead of two, a lift capacity of 180 kg (400 lb), and built-in USB-C ports capable of 100-watt charging via Power Delivery.

Husqvarna has introduced three new robot lawn mowers, none of which need boundary wires. In addition to the Automower 305E NERA and 405XE NERA models that are designed for smaller yards, there's also an improved version of the all-wheel-drive robot mower for difficult terrain, the Automower 435X AWD NERA.

The Philips Hue Bridge is receiving a software update, version 1969060020. Arriving almost two months after the last release, it brings an enhancement for smart lights triggered by motion sensors. Plus, there are said to be enhancements for a more recent product from the brand.

Ecovacs has released the Deebot X8 Pro Omni robot vacuum and mop, which is now available via Amazon in countries including the US, France and Germany. The model was unveiled at IFA 2024 and is the first to feature the OZMO roller mop. Other features include up to 18,000 Pa suction power and the new YIKO-GPT Intelligent Assistant.

The Dreame A1 Pro smart robotic lawn mower is now available to pre-order in Europe. This is an upgraded version of the original Dreame A1, with all-terrain wheels enabling it to tackle tougher terrain. Like its predecessor, LiDAR navigation removes the need for a boundary wire, and there are remote controls available via the app.

Pebble has readied the Pebble Flow for a spring 2025 launch as the world's first RV that can reverse charge the EVs towing it, be driven remotely like an RC toy, and deploy itself at camp sites.

Dreame recently launched the new X50 Ultra Complete robot vacuum. While it offers impressive features, including the ability to climb over obstacles, early users have reported poor battery performance. Multiple users have indicated that, compared to older robot vacuums, this new model uses double the battery life to clean the same area.

Espressif's new RISC-V chip delivers support for 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, making it a significant upgrade for IoT and embedded applications.