Smart Home

Lenovo has revealed the Xiaoxin 100P smart projector, which is now on sale in China. The home theatre model is described as having an ultra-short throw ratio, though this appears to be contradicted by the accompanying measurements. Plus, the projector can tilt and pan up to 360°.

Ecobee's new Community Energy Savings program will detect energy emergencies and automatically adjust your thermostat to reduce the risk of power outages. Users can also upgrade their participation to their utility's demand response program for $125 in rewards.

MediaTek has announced that it is bringing its latest SoC for TVs to Computex 2024. The Pentonic 800 is backed to deliver up to 50% faster AI than its predecessor, which is necessary for its upgraded Super Resolution 3.0 and AI-Picture Quality features. It is also touted to support higher maximum refresh rates on a 4K screen, and could also be used to make the Wi-Fi 7 TV of the future.

Google has brought new Google Home-related features to its current Pixel smartphones and Pixel Watch smartwatches. Available across other Android smartphones too, the features should make it easier to control smart home devices without having to dive into the Google Home app.

Hisense’s new A7NQ, a 4K QLED smart TV, is now available to purchase or pre-order at some European retailers. The direct backlit model offers various features, including Game Mode Plus and built-in speakers. Plus, you can control the TV with voice assistants and wirelessly share content from your phone.

Acer has announced a new foray into the smart monitor market with a range of new 27- and 31.5-inch displays, some of which bear Nitro branding thanks to their 180Hz refresh rate spec. They are also Google TV screens for access to apps such as Netflix and YouTube, and support a productivity-friendly Multiview split-screen feature.

A new version of the iConnectHue for Philips Hue app is now available. The latest version of the software, a paid-for alternative to the Phillips Hue app, brings support for Home Widgets with improvements on the older style of widget. Plus, there are a range of improvements to Siri Shortcuts.

Households with August retrofit smart locks now have the convenient option of biometric access via the Yale Keypad Touch. The wireless keypad + fingerprint scanner helps the premium smart lock compete favourably with the latest offerings in the market.

Aqara has unveiled the Roller Shade Controller T1S, which is now on sale in the UK and is expected to roll out globally. The smart home gadget supports Matter-over-Bridge for a wide range of control options and platform integrations. You can set your blinds to be opened at a specific time or based on a trigger like a smart light.

The Aqara Wall Outlet H2 EU has been launched in Europe. The smart socket has Zigbee 3.0 and Matter compatibility for integrations with popular platforms like Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. Other features include app-based energy usage monitoring, trigger-based automation and power-off memory.

Philips Hue is rolling out a new update for its app, version 5.18.0. Available for iOS and Android devices, the latest release brings numerous bug fixes to the app. Plus, an issue with the new compact view, which arrived in the previous update, version 5.17.0, appears to have been resolved.

Details of the upcoming Eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights E22 have leaked. The smart string lights are said to have several upgrades compared to the E120, such as triple LEDs. Other features of the outdoor lights include adjustable brightness and AI-generated bespoke lighting effects.

At $149.99, the Aqara U50 is officially the least expensive Apple Home Key smart lock around, taking over the entry-level place of the U100. Not only can the U50 be operated via voice commands, passwords, key cards and the mere tap of an iPhone or smartwatch, it can also be re-keyed to work with your existing keys, unlike the U100. However the conspicuous lack of a fingerprint reader might create a dilemma for homeowners considering the U50.

Xiaomi has unveiled a new and smart surveillance camera that comes with internal memory and AI support at an affordable price.

The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E5 is now on sale in Spain and is expected to roll out to other European countries in the future. The model is relatively cheap, reflected in the more basic feature set. The robot can mop and vacuum, with various sensors to navigate your home with ease, app-based controls and voice commands.

Signify is now selling a Philips Hue Perifo smart track lighting accessory in the EU, though it was announced at the start of the year. The product will also go on sale in the US and the UK at a later date. The device has been designed to allow customers more flexibility in their lighting designs and broader room coverage.

The Govee Outdoor Ground Lights 2 are now available in various countries globally. Compared to the older model, the latest version offers improvements such as broader lighting halos and more secure fixtures. There are two product variants, with features including lighting synced to music and voice controls.

Govee has launched the Outdoor Triad Flood Light, which can now be purchased in various countries globally. The RGBICWW smart light combines three lamps for a wide lighting area. Features include a range of preset effects as well as DIY options and support for the Matter protocol.

Thieves in Los Angeles and Orange County, California are using hidden cameras to target unoccupied homes for theft. Wireless home security cameras can be knocked out with Wi-Fi jammers, but as homeowners smarten up and switch to wired security systems, thieves are now using hidden surveillance cameras to hit homes when the occupants are out.

Xiaomi has listed the new Outdoor Camera Solar Panel (BW Series) on its global website. The product is designed to prolong the runtime of smart home security cameras like the upcoming Outdoor Camera BW500. The solar panel’s connection point is weatherproof, and it comes with a range of accessories.

Philips Hue has launched the 2024 Bright Days sale globally. Customers are offered a 30% discount when they mix and match two or more products from the range, which includes bulbs, lamps and accessories. Plus, customers in the US and Canada can get deals on top-selling smart lights like the Play gradient lightstrip.

The Acer Vero HL6810 and Acer Vero HL6810ATV projectors have been announced ahead of their launch in the coming months. The models have a hybrid light source and a 4K UHD resolution. Other features include a football mode, a built-in speaker and an optional Android TV dongle.

Xiaomi has just launched the Xiaomi Mesh System AX3000 NE, a new global WiFi mesh system that is suitable for larger home and work environments up to 600 square meters and provides fast and comprehensive coverage with WiFi 6.

The Philips Hue apps for iOS and Android have been updated to version 5.17.0. The release allows users to create a compact view, giving them more control options on one screen. However, some users have reported that the installation of the new app did not go as expected.

Roborock has launched a new robot vacuum and mop, the Qrevo S. The model has more suction power than the original Qrevo but arrives at a lower price. Other features of the new robot vacuum include a self-cleaning docking station, automatic mop lifting and obstacle avoidance technology.

METZ blue has launched the MQE7001, a cheaper QLED Roku TV, in Germany. The latest 4K model is available in four sizes up to 65 inches, supporting Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Other features include integrations with various smart home platforms, Apple AirPlay 2 and built-in Dolby Atmos speakers.

The Hisense Vidda NEW S100 Pro TV has arrived in China. The 100-inch model is similar to the brand's U76N model, which launched in the US earlier this year. The LED-backlit LCD TV's features include a 144Hz refresh rate, automatic brightness adjustment and built-in 2.1 channel speakers.

XGIMI has launched a new triple laser 4K projector in China, the RS 10. The model is suited to a home theater set-up, casting images up to 150 inches (~380 cm) wide. Other features include built-in speakers and an HDMI eARC port. The RS 10 arrives alongside the more advanced RS 10 Pro.

The XGIMI RS 10 Pro smart home projector has been launched in China. The new model has a triple laser light source and is said to be brighter than the RS 10, which arrived at the same time. Intelligent features include automatic panning and tilting to optimize the image’s position in your room.

Govee has launched the Outdoor Wall Light worldwide. The Matter-compatible smart light offers white and colored lighting with various hues and effects. Other features include a colorful striped lighting option, lighting effects synced to music and the ability to link a motion sensor.

Xiaomi has a new and smart body scale on offer, which is said to be able to measure small masses and so can be used as more than just a body scale. Additional functions are also advertised.

Xiaomi now has a new sensor for the smart home on offer, which features modern technology and is designed with particularly long battery life in mind, as it does not require a cable connection. It can also even detect individuals when they are not moving.

Epson has launched a new smart home projector in China, the CH-TW5750. The 3LCD model provides up to 2,700 ISO lumens brightness and a maximum image size of 200 inches (~510 cm). While the projector offers optical zoom and voice command, it lacks one key feature.

TCL has launched the QM8 as part of its 2024 line-up, which also includes the QM7 and the 115-inch QM89. The model has a Mini LED panel and is said to be significantly brighter than its predecessor. Other features include built-in 2.1.2 channel speakers and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

A recent firmware update appears to have added newer smart lighting effects to more Philips Hue smart lights. The Opal and Glisten features launched with the latest version of the Philips Hue Festavia string lights. Now, some users have reported being able to use these smart lighting effects on other products.

Apple is rolling out software version 17.5 for the HomePod and the HomePod mini. The release notes provide few details about what is new, though users have already begun to report possible changes. While many units will receive the update automatically, some users must manually trigger the installation process.

The TCL QM7 is a new 4K QD-Mini LED TV, now on sale in the US. The premium model sits between the Q6 and QM8 devices, and is said to be 20% brighter than its predecessor. Other features include built-in Onkyo speakers, support for Dolby Vision IQ and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatibility.

TCL will shortly launch the 115-inch QM89 4K QD-Mini LED Smart TV in the US. Like the European X955 Max, the model offers full array local dimming with over 20,000 dimming zones. Other features include a built-in 6.2.2 speaker system, Game Accelerator, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support.

TCL has launched its 2024 TV line-up in the US, including the entry-level S5. The 4K model, available in sizes from 43-inch to 98-inch, has a direct LED backlight, making it 25% brighter than its predecessor. Other upgrades of the new TV include the AiPQ processor and Game Accelerator 120.

Two new TVs have arrived from TCL: the Q651G and the Q681G. Now on sale in the US, the TVs are offered in sizes ranging from 43-inch to 98-inch, with features varying between versions. While both the Q65 and Q68 are 4K QLED models, the Q68 has QLED Pro technology, allowing it to deliver a higher brightness level.

Two years after its predecessor, the Dangbei Mars Pro 2 laser projector is now ready to hit the market. Offering 4K visuals, Dolby and DTS:X surround sound, as well as Google TV integration with Netflix support, this gadget will officially launch on May 28th. The MSRP is $1,899, but early adopters can get it for less than $1,400.

The Samsung S85D OLED 4K Smart TV is now on sale globally. Available in three sizes, the model is a cheaper alternative to the flagship S95D, which launched earlier this year. Features include 4K AI upscaling, Pantone-validated color and Motion Xcelerator 120 for an enhanced gaming experience.

As the Matter 1.3 announces new energy management functionality into the smart home standard, IKEA launches a new Energy Insights feature to its Home Smart app – but only for smart households in Sweden. In other news, the furniture company will release its first energy-monitoring smart plug in October.

A new 4K triple laser TV is on the way from GigaBlue: the Home Cinema 3. The new model will go on sale in Germany in May, with the company shipping its products worldwide. According to the product listing, features include up to 3,000 ANSI lumens brightness, built-in speakers with Dolby Atmos and an ALLM mode.

Xiaomi has launched its first 8 MP indoor security camera, the Smart Camera C700. Among other things, it offers 4K HDR, local AI and storage as well as night vision and HyperOS at a reasonable price.

Xiaomi has launched a new smart home gadget, the Smart Door Lock 2 Finger Vein Version. The product builds on the original model, with finger vein imaging offered as a more accurate biometric unlocking tool. Other features include NFC recognition and HyperOS smart home integration.

Toshiba has launched a new Mini LED 4K TV in China: the Z700NF. The model is available in sizes ranging from 65-inch to 100-inch, with each display said to have a 144Hz refresh rate. Other features include built-in speakers, a gaming mode, Dolby Vision IQ and IMAX Enhanced support.

Xiaomi has revealed a new Wi-Fi 7 router in China: the BE5000. The model features five antennas, with the company claiming it has a particularly high data transfer rate. Support for mesh systems, a game accelerator, and HyperOS Connect for smart home integration are also included.

The BW300 is a new surveillance camera from Xiaomi now available for international buyers. The camera is suitable for outdoor use and comes with a rechargeable battery, allowing for the set up of a completely wireless system.