Smart Home

CES 2025 presented clever new ways to control lamps, appliances, and speakers. One of the most talked about solutions was the Flic Duo smart button. Now available for pre-order, the two-button switch supports motion gestures as an alternative to app and voice commands.

The Govee Ceiling Light Pro is expected to launch in 2025. The smart light was on show at CES 2025, and the company has revealed several features. These include a higher peak brightness level compared to the original model and a wide range of preset modes for colorful lighting effects.

Aqara is now selling the Light Switch H2 in Europe. It offers dual connectivity with Matter-over-Thread and Zigbee, allowing integration with a wide range of smart home ecosystems. There are two models to choose from, and both offer smart power consumption graphs.

The Home Assistant 2025.1.4 patch release is here. It follows the wider 2025.1 release, which arrived at the start of the month with an overhauled backup system and several new integrations. This latest update makes small changes relating to a smart irrigation system and other integrations.

Xiaomi has listed a new Smart LED Bulb (White and Color) on its global site. This E27 bulb is matter-compatible with a wide range of remote control options. Other features of the smart home product include several preset lighting effects in the accompanying app and a relatively low wattage.

Aqara has released the Display Switch V1 EU in various European countries. This smart home product offers four switches and a 2.08-inch display. Features include support for Zigbee and Matter over Bridge, energy usage monitoring and a built-in presence sensor.

Govee’s upcoming Uplighter Floor Lamp has been found in the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) certified product database. The Matter-compatible smart home device was on show at CES 2025, where it was seen to project colorful rippled lighting effects on the wall and ceiling.

Reolink offers various surveillance products and, with the Home Hub Pro, offers a local storage solution that saves subscription costs and also ensures personal control over sensitive data. Launched late last year, the device is now available with a 25% discount.

Aqara has released the Touchscreen Dial V1 in Europe. This new smart home product combines a rotary dial with a touchscreen, allowing you to control multiple connected devices individually or simultaneously. Also, the Touchscreen Dial V1 EU is equipped with a presence sensor and supports Matter.

Philips Hue is rolling out a new update for its iOS and Android apps. Version 5.34 makes the recently spotted Arming schedule Automation, linked to Hue Secure devices, official. Plus, there is a new view for foldable phones, though this is only available for some users.

An unannounced Govee product has been certified by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). The company has shared a few details about this new product, indicating RGB lighting, app-based controls and support for Matter. It will follow the original Gaming Light Bars, which were compatible with Razer Synapse 3 and had a music-syncing mode.

Roborock appears to have listed the new Saros 10R robot vacuum at several of its Amazon storefronts in Europe. This powerful model was unveiled at CES 2025, with features like StarSight navigation and the AdaptiLift chassis. While the US pricing was already confirmed, this leak indicates the EU pricing.

PC fan specialist Noctua has started advertising one of its multi-purpose fans for improving the efficiency of convection radiators. While the company claims an 'estimated 5-10%' heating cost saving, it has not provided any facts or figures to back up these claims.

Xiaomi has released the Smart Tower Fan 2 in another European country, and evidence suggests that it will arrive in other areas in the near future. The company says that the fan can intelligently adjust its speed based on detected temperature and can mimic a natural breeze. Plus, the smart home device is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Aqara has launched the Hub S1 Plus in various European countries. This new smart home hub is described as premium and supports Matter. It offers a 6.9-inch touchscreen with a wide range of functions, such as viewing live video streams and monitoring energy consumption from connected devices.

Anker's first robot lawn mower, the Eufy E18, has now been unveiled in all its glory. The lawn mower is based on a well-known and innovative model and does not need boundary wires at all.

Philips Hue lamps will soon be able to switch on and off automatically when someone enters or leaves the room without the need for a motion sensor. This is made possible by ambient sensing, a new technology that enables smart home devices to detect individuals in an unusual way.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Smart Ceiling Light D20 on its global website, suggesting it will be released in multiple countries in the coming weeks. A built-in radar sensor allows the light to be automatically switched on or off when you enter or exit a room. Other features include app-based controls and compatibility with third-party smart home ecosystems.

Yaber has now released its K300s projector globally. Not only does the projector offer automatic focus and keystone correction, but it can be purchased with a sizeable launch discount until later this week.

Xiaomi has now released the Soundbar 2.0ch after unveiling the soundbar last year. Based around a pair of 80 mm racetrack drivers, the Xiaomi Soundbar 2.0ch offers a handful of physical audio inputs and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for streaming audio from a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The TCL K7G Plus Bronze Brown smart door lock is now available in China. This smart home device offers facial recognition and fingerprint scanning alongside other unlocking methods. Plus, there is a larger built-in display on the internal part of the lock, which can show images from the integrated camera.

Two new smart bulbs are on the way from Aqara. The company recently teased the products on social media, indicating that they would both offer dual connectivity. One device is already listed on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website, revealing more information ahead of the upcoming launch.

The Philips Hue app has gained a new Automation. The feature, which has yet to be officially announced by the brand, was spotted after a recent app update but was initially locked. The tool is now available for users, allowing them to set a schedule to automatically arm and disarm their smart home.

The Xiaomi Mijia Central Air Conditioning Duct Machine 3 HP has arrived in China. The sleeker model is designed for spaces between 30 to 40 m² (323 to 431 ft²) in size. The smart home product comes with a wired control panel or can be remotely controlled via an app or with voice commands.

TCL has revealed a new Mini LED TV from its Ffalcon sub-brand in China: the Thunderbird Crane 6 25. Available in four sizes, this model offers some of the company’s latest technology, including a 288 Hz VRR game accelerator. Other features include built-in 2.1 channel speakers and support for Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos.

The 65-inch TCL QM7 4K Mini LED TV with a 144 Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync/AMD FreeSync VRR support, and up to 2,400 nits of brightness can now be yours for less than $700. The TV enjoys a high consumer rating of 4.7 stars at Best Buy and an equally impressive 8.1 "Mixed Usage" rating from RTINGS.

After snapping up Homey for $61 million, LG is now expanding the reach of its ThinQ smart devices by opening its APIs. Users can now download the LG ThinQ companion app from the Homey appstore and control all connected LG ThinQ appliances directly or through Homey automations.

The death knell is finally ringing for Google's Nest app. With Google Home now supporting the Nest Protect smoke alarm, no more devices are exclusive to the Nest app. The app still works, but now has no tangible reason to exist.

Wyze cameras are affordable and compact ways to enhance home security. Still, it's AI-powered software that unlocks their full capabilities. Wyze's clever Descriptive Text may convince more buyers to commit to a pricey subscription plan.

TCL has launched its latest flagship 115-inch X955 TV in India. The premium TV has a 4K QD Mini LED display with a 144 Hz refresh and a peak brightness of 5000 nits. Other features include AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility, Dolby Vision support, and an Onkyo 6.2.2 channel speaker with support for Dolby Atmos. It is now available for purchase in India via Amazon. 

The Samsung HW-QS700F has been officially announced as a flagship 2025 model. The product was on show at CES 2025, though details of more features have surfaced after the event. Like other soundbars from Samsung, it comes with a wireless subwoofer and will offer the brand’s latest surround sound technology, Eclipsa Audio.

MorningBlues has introduced its latest Gallery T2 frame wireless speaker. The artsy frame speaker functions as both a picture frame and a smart wireless speaker. The speaker supports music streaming from all major music apps, such as Apple Music, Spotify, YT Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, and has Hi-Fi audio support. It’s available now via MorningBlues' official website.

The Philips Hue Datura Ceiling Light range is coming to the US. These smart lights, designed for various spaces like a kitchen, living room or bedroom, were launched in Europe last year. Customers can choose between four shapes and sizes, each offering white and colored lighting from two LED light sources.

DJI has announced another super fast charger for its DJI Power 1000 portable station. Unlike the 1kW Super Fast Car Charger announced recently, this supports car and solar simultaneous charging at up to 1800W.

Philips Hue will shortly launch four Impress smart outdoor lights in the US and Canada. The company describes these products as modern, and they are already on sale in other markets like Europe. There are floor and wall lighting solutions, each offering white and colored lighting as well as app-based controls.

New features have been announced for the Philips Hue app. The tools that will roll out to users this year include an AI assistant for lighting effects tailored to an occasion or mood. There will also be a range of updates for the brand’s Secure products, including enhanced integrations with third-party devices.

Samsung's new QD-OLED Smart TVs should get upwards of 47% brighter than last year's models. While other advantages like an improved anti-glare coating are also on offer, they will not be headed to this year's 83-inch option.

The Alarmo is one of the more unusual accessories developed by the Japanese gaming giant. Even so, the adorable interactive alarm clock regularly sells out. After constant supply issues, the Alarmo will be available at more stores starting in March.

A $99 camera from Kami Vision can detect falls with 99.5% accuracy, even when the subject is partially obscured. The Fall Detect Camera also includes two-way audio and can send alerts to relatives or an authorized caregiver.

Ecobee has replaced the Ecobee3 Lite with an even cheaper option that still supports Alexa, HomeKit and Google Assistant. At $129.99, Ecobee claims the Smart Thermostat Essential can pay for itself in annual heating and cooling costs within six months.

The 55-inch LG B3 OLED TV has now recorded a big price drop and is now back on sale at the historic-low price. The TV is a cost-effective 4K OLED machine with a 120 Hz refresh rate that boasts a high rating from both media and users alike.

Polono has launched its latest thermal wireless printer, the Polono D810. The affordable wireless printer has a 203 dpi resolution and offers around 50 minutes of battery life on a single charge. The inkless printer is compatible with everything from Android and iOS to Windows and Mac devices. It is now available for purchase via Amazon.

Philips Hue appears to be about to launch a new Automation in its app. The upcoming feature was spotted after the latest update for iOS and Android, version 5.33. This tool, which has yet to be officially announced by the company, is designed for the brand’s smart home security products.

Yale has equipped the Linus L2 with Matter compatibility through an update, massively enhancing the smart lock’s interoperability with various systems, including Apple Home and Samsung SmartThings.

2025 will be an important year for Apple and is likely to lay the foundation for many new products in the coming years, such as foldable devices, smart home innovations or more affordable mixed reality headsets. According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, virtually all products will at least get a partial redesign this year, with two prominent exceptions.

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus is a solid choice for anyone on the prowl for a well-equipped power station. With a 3,600-watt maximum surge output, 1,024 Wh capacity, and now, an all-time-low price on Amazon, the Delta 3 Plus offers great value with little downside.

Amazon's limited-time deal on the DJI Power 1000 makes it a no-brainer for anyone who wants to buy a portable power station. At its discounted price, the Power 1000 is even cheaper than the Power 500 which has a smaller battery.

The Ecovacs 2025 range of Goat robot lawn mowers has been revealed. The line-up includes five new models across two product families. The A series devices are designed for larger gardens, while the O mowers suit smaller spaces. The models are the Goat A3000 LiDAR, the Goat A1600 RTK, the Goat O1200 RTK, the Goat O800 RTK and the Goat O500 Panorama.

The Xiaomi LED Desk Lamp 2 is now available in more European countries. The light source is said to mimic natural lighting, with adjustable brightness and color temperatures. Other features include dedicated modes for reading and focus time, as well as voice controls via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

At CES 2025, Valerion introduced the VisionMaster Max, which is touted to feature the first-ever patented interchangeable lens solution. With this new tech, the 4K projector aims to offer an enhanced level of flexibility over competitors.