Smart Home

The Hisense U7 Series ULED MiniLED 4K Fire TV, or the U7SF, has been revealed in the US. This model shares many similarities with another recently released TV, with one key difference.

Sonos has updated its plug-in speaker line-up with the Era 100 SL. A cheaper alternative to the Era 100, the Era 100 SL is officially billed as the 'most cost-effective way to build your home cinema setup'. The Sonos Era 100 SL is orderable from March 10 and will begin shipping before the end of the month.

The Mova S70 robot vacuum cleaner from Dreame has been launched in Europe. This is a cheaper model which offers strong suction and a roller mopping system for a deeper clean.

The Xiaomi Mi Home Central Air Conditioner (6HP, Super Level 1 Energy Efficiency) has been revealed in China. This new smart home product comes with a range of optional accessories, including a mmWave radar presence detecting fan panel, a health filter and a smart control panel.

Shelly has revealed a new smart home sensor: the Flood S Gen4. This is an updated version of the brand’s original water leak sensor, with a new slimmer body. Features include several alarm modes and support for the Matter protocol for a wider range of smart home integrations.

Apple's smart home hub is to be given an unusual design that allows the touchscreen to be magnetically attached to a wall. The latest rumors reveal new details about the functionality of the Apple "HomePad" with a small, square touchscreen.

Shark has launched the PowerDetect UV Reveal, a 2‑in‑1 robotic vacuum and mop that uses AI mapping, UV detection, and enhanced mopping power to tackle stubborn floor messes. Its hygiene-focused dock and smart home voice controls enable a hands-off experience between scheduled maintenance.

The 2026 Xiaomi Mi Home Air Conditioner Ultra Energy-Saving Pro 1.5 HP has been launched in China. This model has been upgraded in several ways, compared to its predecessor, with a higher air flow rate. Plus, it has a self-cleaning function and can be remotely controlled via the brand’s app.

IKEA has released a range of Kajplats smart bulbs in the US. Already available in Europe, these smart LED bulbs support Matter, meaning they can be connected to many other smart home devices. The line-up includes white and white/colored lighting options with various bulb shapes and some starter kits.

If you want to replace your Vodafone router with your own OpenWRT or x86-based router, the first step is enabling bridge mode. Only then does the Vodafone Station act as a pure modem, passing the internet connection directly to your new router without interference. In part 4 of my “Unbloated Network” series, I walk through how to enable bridge mode in the Vodafone account portal—and why the Homespot feature often prevents it.

The IKEA Dirigera hub is receiving a new update: software version 2.934.0. This release is said to improve the stability of the Matter onboarding process. It arrives in the wake of a series of customer complaints about connectivity issues with the brand’s recently released Matter compatible smart home products.

The Epson Projection Studio app has been officially announced. It is designed for use with the brand’s Lifestudio home theater projectors, bringing an interactive experience to guests at a wedding or birthday party. While it is already available for Android, an iOS version will be released in the coming months.

The 2026 Hisense UX RGB MiniLED TV is expected to be released in China in the near future. It will be the brand’s first model to use its RGB MiniLED evo technology, as seen on the 116UXS at CES 2026. The TV series will also be sold in other countries worldwide, though global release details have yet to be confirmed.

Google’s March 2 Google Home release notes add “Live Search” for camera streams for Google Home Premium Advanced subscribers, plus updates to device targeting and automations.

The Govee Outdoor Pathway Lights 2 Lite are now available in countries worldwide. These relatively affordable smart lights are said to deliver S-shaped lighting effects, with a range of preset scenes to choose from. Plus, support for Matter allows them to integrate with many smart home ecosystems.

IKEA has started to roll out its new Tofsmygga Plug, black/outdoor smart, in countries across Europe. This smart plug is designed for outdoor use and could be used to remotely control lights or other devices. Plus, it is Matter compatible, meaning it can work with many other smart home products.

The JMGO N3 Ultimate triple-laser 4K projector has launched in Japan with Dolby Vision/Audio, DTS:X, and HDR10 certifications, a maximum brightness of 5,800 ISO lumens, Google TV 5.0, and a pixel-response rate of 1 ms when gaming at 240 Hz in 1080p mode.

Aiper's new version of its smart irrigation system, IrriSense 2, has been launched. The successor to IrriSense boasts a number of improvements, including the ability to control up to ten zones.

Xiaomi has confirmed that it will soon be launching a new WiFi 7 router globally. Equipped with a Qualcomm Dragonwing processor, the Router BE19000 Pro also boasts 10 Gigabit Ethernet, ultra-fast transfers and built-in NAS functionality via an M.2 2280 slot.

TCL has revealed the new P7L Premium QLED TV, which is set for release in markets worldwide. This 4K model is expected to be a more affordable option from the brand and will be offered in six sizes from 43-inch to 85-inch. Features include support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, with integrated speakers and Google TV.

The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 series has been released in various European countries. Offered in five sizes from 55-inch to 98-inch, this QD-Mini LED model builds on its predecessor. Features include Google TV, dual integrated speakers and an up to 144 Hz native refresh rate for the larger sizes.

At MWC 2026, Anker revealed the new eufy C15 robotic lawn mower. The entry-level model joins the two existing E-Series products. While the latest addition has the same boundary wire-free navigation set-up, for easy installation, it is designed for smaller yards.

Anker has launched the new eufy Wired Cam C31 in the US and the EU. This smart home security model can be used indoors or outdoors, with pan and tilt functionality for AI movement tracking. Plus, it is said to offer a wider surveillance range and improved Wi-Fi coverage thanks to dual antennas.

Xgimi has launched a new portable projector, the Z6X 5th Generation, in China. This budget model has tools like MEMC motion smoothing and automatic focus. It also comes with an integrated gimal stand, built-in speakers and ports including HDMI 2.1 (eARC) and USB.

The Epson Lifestudio Flex Special Lux Edition EF-73 has launched. Set for release in Europe in the coming weeks and already available in Asia, this is a premium version of the EF-72 portable projector. Features of the new 4K smart home model include a wireless charger, an integrated speaker and Google TV.

Many ISP-provided routers are closed black boxes with limited functionality. In part 3 of my “Unbloated Network” project, I show how to install OpenWRT on an x86 PC to replace the Vodafone router with your own hardware. Step by step, we’ll set up the latest stable release, including image selection, Linux-based installation, and partition expansion.

Xiaomi has launched the Mi Home Water Purifier 2 1200G in China. This new smart home device is designed for the kitchen, filtering and dispensing water on demand. Features include a smart touch faucet with integrated display and app-based monitoring of water consumption and water quality.

The Govee Cone Tree Lights 2 are on the way. This smart lighting product, designed for outdoor use, appears to be a successor to the original model. So far, we know that it will offer colored lighting effects, with support for Matter enabling integrations with many popular smart home ecosystems.

Govee is set to release a new smart outdoor lighting product: the Spherical Net Lights. The model was recently spotted in the database of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), revealing some of its features. These include Matter compatibility for broad smart home integration.

The Sonoff AirGuard PM2.5/PM10 and the Sonoff AirGuard CO2 Air Quality Monitors are now available in countries worldwide. Both models feature a 3.73-inch display with alarm sounds and an indicator light to alert you to changes in air quality. Plus, they support Matter for a wider range of smart home integrations.

Roborock has launched the Saros 20 robot vacuum and mop in Europe. Now available to pre-order with an introductory discount, this is one of the brand’s most powerful models to date. Its features include 36,000 Pa suction power, an adjustable suction head and the ability to clear dual thresholds.

Roborock has released the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop in Europe. Unveiled in 2025 and already available in the US, this is the brand’s first model to feature a roller mopping system. Other features include anti-tangle brushes, intelligent cleaning at the docking station and support for Matter.

The Philips Hue Essential Strip light and Essential Flex Strip light products are now officially available in various European countries. These cheaper smart light strips have a slightly reduced feature set compared to other models from the brand. Plus, one has a flexible backing for a wider range of placement options.

The Dreame Life SP09 Pro Smart Trash Can has been launched in the brand’s home market of China. This smart home product has features including automatic opening and automatic bag dispensing. It is unclear whether this battery-powered trash can could roll out to other markets like the US.

The Anker eufy Wi-Fi Module for eufy NVR PoE System has been released in the US and Europe. This accessory is designed to expand the home or business security system, which was released in 2025. It allows you to connect a wider range of smart security cameras and sensors, though there are some limitations.

The Honor Magic V6 is set to be unveiled shortly. The foldable is said to be equipped with the largest battery on a smartphone yet and will feature a flat display with symmetrical bezels. Widespread global availability could take a while, however.

Roborock has launched a new robot vacuum, the P20 Max, in China. Compared to its predecessor, the model has significantly higher suction power, a new climbing chassis and a slightly slimmer body. A global version of this model could be released internationally, joining other Qrevo Curv 2 products. 

The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow robot vacuum and mop appears to be about to launch in Europe. Unveiled in late 2025, this new model is now listed at the brand’s online store in Germany. It is the first model from the brand to feature a roller mopping system, and it also supports the Matter smart home protocol.

Roborock has listed the Saros 20 robot vacuum and mop at its online store in Germany. The product page indicates when this new model could be released in Europe. Its features include up to 36,000 Pa suction power, intelligently detaching mops and a two-stage climbing function.

The new display also supports touch input and can be used as a control panel for a smart home. Users can benefit from very extensive configuration options. In addition, smart home devices can integrated with this system.

Epson has released its new Lifestudio Grand EH-LS970B projector in Australia and New Zealand. This home theater model is said to offer a ‘real 4K’ resolution and an ultra short throw ratio. Other features include a laser light source, integrated speakers and the Google TV interface for various streaming services.

A new display with an integrated circuit board can be used to build a relatively affordable smart home display. The Waveshare ESP32-S3 sports two microphones and the ubiquitous touchscreen.

The Mecool MEon1 is a new 4K Google TV box from the company, and it comes packed with features. With the launch price being around $100, the device has expandable storage and is powered by Amlogic S905X4 and Android 14.

The Xiaomi Mijia Front Load Washer Dryer Pro 9kg is now available in the UK. This is the latest European country to get the smart home appliance, which offers features like intelligent detergent dispensing, automatic self-rinsing and remote controls via the Xiaomi Home app.