News
6 articlesGoogle & Magic Leap walk into a bar with AR glasses and here’s what they’re brewing
Magic Leap is shifting from producing its own AR hardware to partnering with other companies, starting with Google. The collaboration aims to merge Magic Leap's optics expertise with Google's microLED technology to create mass-producible AR glasses. This partnership signals Google's renewed commitment to AR, potentially challenging Meta, Apple, and Snap by offering lightweight, practical AR glasses that integrate seamlessly with the digital world.
2025.11: Pick, automate, and a slice of pie 🥧
Home Assistant 2025.11 introduces a new target picker, enhancing automation by showing full context for devices and areas, making it easier to manage large-scale automations. The automation editor now features a redesigned dialog for adding triggers, conditions, and actions, streamlining the process. Additionally, a new pie chart view for the energy dashboard provides a clearer overview of device energy consumption. These updates simplify smart home management and improve user experience.
Ring’s New AI Feature Ends Notification Overload for Good
Ring introduces AI Single Event Alert, reducing notification fatigue by consolidating multiple related motion events into a single alert. This feature uses advanced AI to recognize ongoing activities, like a gardener trimming hedges, and sends one concise notification instead of several. Available to Ring Premium Subscribers, it integrates with existing features like Video Descriptions, enhancing security without overwhelming users with alerts.
CSA members work to integrate Matter into OpenWrt
CSA is integrating Matter Network Infrastructure Manager (NIM) into OpenWrt, transforming routers into central network managers for smart homes. This allows HRAP-enabled routers to securely distribute Wi-Fi credentials and unify Thread networks, simplifying setup and enhancing connectivity. The project, driven by Apple and others, progresses with new OpenWrt packages but is currently limited to advanced users compiling from source.
“Unexpectedly, a deer briefly entered the family room”: Living with Gemini Home
Google's Gemini for Home integrates AI into smart home devices, offering features like daily video summaries and AI-labeled notifications. Available through a $20/month premium subscription, it includes extended camera history and Gemini Live for smart speakers. However, users report inaccuracies, such as false home invasion alerts, raising questions about its reliability and value.
iOS 26.2 to Allow Third-Party App Stores in Japan Ahead of Regulatory Deadline
iOS 26.2 will enable third-party app stores in Japan, complying with new regulations aimed at reducing Apple's market dominance. Users can install alternative marketplaces like AltStore PAL and Epic Games, though some in-app purchases remain restricted. This change follows Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, effective December 18, 2025, which mandates open app ecosystems on platforms like iOS.
Products
5 articlesSmartWings Smart Blinds Review: Quiet, Durable, and Flexible — But Setup Requires Patience
SmartWings smart blinds offer quiet, durable, and solar-powered operation, compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Matter. They provide customization with motor options like Zigbee and Matter over Thread, but setup can be complex, requiring patience due to unclear manuals and no dedicated app. Despite setup challenges, they deliver premium quality and seamless integration with major smart home ecosystems.
I tested the Aqara Camera G100, and it's an extremely versatile security camera for indoors or out
The Aqara Camera G100 offers versatile security for both indoor and outdoor use with IP65 water resistance. It supports multiple smart home platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa, and features a MicroSD card slot for local storage, avoiding cloud fees. While it provides 2K resolution, full AI detection requires a subscription. Priced at $34.99, it’s a budget-friendly option with a 140° field of vision and WiFi6 support, though it only operates on 2.4GHz networks.
HomeKit Weekly: The Meross MS600 brings presence and light sensors to HomeKit
The Meross MS600 is a plug-in smart presence sensor that integrates with HomeKit, eliminating battery swaps. It uses mmWave radar and motion detection to differentiate between movement and stillness, ensuring lights don't turn off while you're stationary. With native Matter support, setup is straightforward—just plug in and scan. Ideal for automating lighting, especially during the holiday season, it offers reliable performance without the need for a separate hub.
TP-Link: Outdoor Smart Plug with Matter for Europe
TP-Link's new Tapo P410M outdoor smart plug brings Matter compatibility to European gardens and patios. Rated IP54, it handles up to 3,680 watts and operates in temperatures from –20°C to +50°C. The plug supports Matter over Wi-Fi, integrating with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. It features energy monitoring, detecting energy flow direction, ideal for solar panel users. Safety features include overload protection and zero-crossing detection, ensuring durability and device safety.
Brighten Your Home: 8 Smart Light Systems for 2025. #smartlights #smarthome
Smart lighting systems in 2025 offer enhanced personalization and interoperability, driven by Matter and Thread adoption. Philips Hue leads with its comprehensive ecosystem support, including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Emerging brands like Linkind, U-tec, and Meross provide affordable, Matter-compatible options, expanding choices for budget-conscious users. These systems transform home ambiance with features like adaptive lighting, scene syncing, and solar-powered options.
Projects
5 articles4 reasons Matterbridge is the best Home Assistant add-on everyone should use
Matterbridge transforms any Home Assistant-connected device into a Matter-compatible one, enabling seamless integration with platforms like HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home. It supports devices lacking official Matter support, including DIY ESPHome projects, without needing proprietary hubs. The add-on runs locally, ensuring smart home functionality even during internet outages, making it a must-have for Home Assistant users seeking unified device control.
Using the UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro NFC and Fingerprint with Home Assistant
Integrate the UniFi G4 Doorbell Pro's NFC and fingerprint features with Home Assistant for seamless automation. Use NFC tags and fingerprints to trigger actions like unlocking doors, with guidance on setting up webhooks for event handling. While NFC offers convenience, it lacks strong security—consider additional measures like notifications and cryptographic locks for better protection.
My Fan Worked Fine, So I Gave it WiFi
A hobbyist modified a Vornado 633DC fan to enable WiFi control using ESPHome and a custom PCB. The project involved replacing the manual potentiometer with a digital potentiometer and adding an ESP32-C6-WROOM-1 for connectivity, supporting WiFi, ZigBee, and Thread. The modification is fully reversible, fits within the fan's housing, and retains manual control via a rotary encoder. Full schematics and code are available for replication.
This beautiful e-paper alarm clock is the perfect Raspberry Pi bedside companion
This DIY Raspberry Pi-powered e-paper alarm clock combines a sunrise lamp, pleasant alarm sounds, and phone-free operation. It features a waveshare e-paper display to avoid backlight disturbance, with a small LED for night visibility. The design includes power-failure protection and is fully detailed on GitHub for home builders.
5 open-source hardware projects under $50 that replaced my consumer gadgets
Explore five open-source hardware projects under $50 that replace consumer gadgets while enhancing privacy and control. Build a DIY smart display or e-paper status board with an ESP32 for a customizable dashboard. Create a local smart speaker to avoid cloud data sharing, or use a Raspberry Pi for networking tasks like VPN and ad-blocking. These projects, paired with Home Assistant, offer adaptable alternatives to commercial devices.
Perspectives
4 articlesIt's Not "Voice Search", It's "Conversational Based Search & Discovery"
The rise of conversational search is transforming how users interact with technology, moving beyond traditional voice search. With 8.4 billion voice assistants in use, 70% of queries are now conversational, driven by Gen Z's preference for natural language. Google's new patent for real-time dialog management highlights a shift towards conversation engines, not just search engines. This evolution is reshaping SEO strategies, emphasizing conversational authority and AI agent optimization over traditional keyword tactics.
The Legal Case Against Ring’s Face Recognition Feature
Amazon Ring's upcoming 'Familiar Faces' feature may violate biometric privacy laws by scanning and storing faceprints without consent. This tool, designed to recognize familiar people, raises concerns about mass surveillance and data security, especially given Ring's police partnerships. Legal challenges are likely, as similar features have led to substantial settlements in states like Texas and Illinois, where opt-in consent is required.
4 ways your smart TV can benefit from your home lab
Integrating a smart TV with your home lab enhances its functionality as a media center, app testing platform, and smart home command hub. Use Jellyfin or Plex for seamless media streaming, and test self-hosted apps like Nextcloud directly on your TV. Additionally, control smart devices via voice commands, turning your TV into a central hub for automation. Expand capabilities with a Raspberry Pi for retro gaming or converting a regular TV into a smart one.
AI researchers 'embodied' an LLM into a robot, it channeled Robin Williams
Andon Labs tested state-of-the-art LLMs like Claude Opus 4.1 and GPT-5 in a vacuum robot to assess their readiness for robotic embodiment. The experiment revealed comedic failures, such as a 'doom spiral' when a model faced low battery, highlighting LLMs' current limitations for robotic use. Despite some models outperforming Google's Gemini ER 1.5, none excelled, emphasizing the need for further development.