Platforms & Ecosystem
4 articlesApple picks Google Gemini as the foundation for its smarter next generation Siri2 min
Next-gen Siri will use Google Gemini models (running on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute) to deliver more context-aware voice control, especially for Apple Home. Apple says data stays isolated from Google while Apple Intelligence continues on-device + in its private cloud. Gemini is positioned as a multi-year bridge while Apple transitions to fully in-house models.
Ring founder details the camera company's 'intelligent assistant' era | TechCrunch6 min
Ring is repositioning from video doorbells to an AI “intelligent assistant” for home and commercial security. New launches include Fire Watch (opt-in footage shared with Watch Duty; AI spots smoke/embers) and pet-finding Search Party, plus “Familiar Faces” recognition—expanding capability while reigniting privacy and law-enforcement access concerns.
Partner update: Heltun removed from Works with Home Assistant2 min
Heltun is removed from the Works with Home Assistant program after its contract lapsed and Home Assistant couldn’t reach the company to renew. Existing Heltun devices should keep working as Z-Wave devices, but there’s no longer a formal support commitment (e.g., firmware updates via Z-Wave JS). Heltun must stop using the badge.
Apple is once again reminding users that support for the legacy HomeKit architecture is coming to an end3 min
Apple is ending support for the legacy HomeKit architecture on February 10, 2026, urging users to upgrade to the new Apple Home architecture for enhanced performance and future feature compatibility. The transition is simple, requiring users to update via the Home app, but all connected devices must run modern software versions. This move aligns with Apple's broader smart home expansion, signaling a shift from the HomeKit name to Apple Home.
Product (Launches)
3 articlesTapo's affordable H110 Smart IR & IoT Hub combo is now available in the US3 min
TP-Link’s Tapo H110 hub brings IR-controlled gear into Matter—turn TVs, ACs, fans, and more into automatable “smart” devices via a Matter bridge. It supports 18 device types across 8,000+ brands, with an updated IR code database every 3 months and guided remote-learning in the Tapo app. US price: $29.99 on Amazon.
Tewke Tap smart light switch review: so much more than just a wall switch13 min
Tewke Tap replaces a standard wall switch with a fast 3.9" OLED touchscreen that controls up to 3 lighting circuits and adds motion/radar + air‑quality sensors. It supports Matter/Thread and aims to become an energy/tariff-aware automation hub, but many headline features (tariff control, Gemini voice) are still pending, and it’s ~£300+ with some functions behind a subscription.
A Grocery Barcode Scanner Is the Best New Fridge Feature in Years. Here's Why3 min
GE Profile's new smart fridge features a built-in grocery barcode scanner, making it easy to track and order groceries directly from the fridge or via a mobile app. The scanner can recognize over 4 million products and integrates with Instacart for seamless online shopping. Additional features include a top-down camera for inventory checks and a recipe generator that suggests meals based on available ingredients. Available April 2026, starting at $4,899.
Reviews & Spotlight
3 articlesThe Lockin V7 Max smart lock is powered by light waves—not batteries3 min
The Lockin V7 Max smart lock, unveiled at CES 2026, uses AuraCharge technology to power itself via light waves, eliminating battery dependency. This innovation allows continuous wireless power from an optical transmitter, solving common battery issues. The lock features advanced security with triple biometric authentication and integrates with major smart home platforms via Matter. Preorders start in January with shipping in March 2026.
Best Home Pet Cameras of 2026: Watch From Anywhere13 min
The Furbo 360-Degree Cam tops the list of 2026's best pet cameras, offering smart alerts, treat tossing, and 360-degree panning with a subscription. Petcube's budget-friendly models provide pan/tilt tracking and customizable alerts, while Google's Nest Cam excels in animal detection and security features. These cameras enhance pet monitoring with features like two-way audio, night vision, and AI-driven alerts, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners.
AirVersa AP2 Air Purifier review: Compact Apple Home air purifier6 min
The AirVersa AP2 Air Purifier integrates seamlessly with Apple Home and Thread, offering robust connectivity and control via the Home app. Despite its utilitarian design, it efficiently cleans air in rooms up to 1,000 square feet, making it ideal for bedrooms and offices. The purifier features affordable replacement filters and a visual air quality monitor, though the LED ring can be distracting. Priced at $110, it's a solid choice for Apple Home users prioritizing function over form.
Projects & How-To
4 articlesWhat video doorbells see (and what they don't): Here's what you can expect8 min
Video doorbells offer limited views, focusing primarily on what's directly in front of them. They often miss areas like the ground where packages are placed due to narrow vertical fields of view. Newer models improve with taller aspect ratios and video-based motion detection, reducing false alerts. However, understanding the limitations of resolution, night vision, and field of view is crucial for effective security. Optimal use involves integrating multiple cameras to cover blind spots.
5 tricks that help me keep my Home Assistant automations in check5 min
Managing Home Assistant automations can be challenging, but using the right techniques can help. Ensure you're using the correct automation mode to prevent multiple triggers. Implement debouncing and hysteresis to handle sensor fluctuations effectively. Adding cooldown timers and edge triggering can further refine automation behavior, ensuring they only fire when truly intended. These strategies help maintain efficient and reliable smart home setups.
A complete beginner guide to setting up Apple Home in iOS 26 in 202616 min
Build a clean Apple Home setup in iOS 26 using a HomePod mini as the hub: add a smart plug to make a “dumb” lamp controllable, then create a sunset automation. Add a motion sensor + smart light for hands-free bathroom lighting with auto-off, and finish with a Goodnight scene. Explains rooms/zones, naming, and Matter vs Thread basics.
How to turn your Roku TV into a Frame-like TV today - for free7 min
Turn any Roku TV (or TV with a Roku player) into a Frame-style art display for free using Roku Backdrops. Enable Backdrops via Roku OS update, then pick a single artwork or rotating gallery from Roku’s collections or link your own photos (including Google Photos). Tweak picture settings and Backdrops schedules for a more “framed” look.
Perspectives
3 articlesVorwerk explains Neato cloud shutdown: why your smart vacuum just got dumb13 min
Vorwerk's shutdown of the Neato cloud has rendered smart vacuums like the D8, D9, and D10 models largely non-functional, stripping them of app control and smart features. Despite technical similarities with Vorwerk's Kobold line, no official migration path exists, frustrating users. Community efforts to flash Kobold firmware onto Neato devices offer limited success, highlighting the challenges of cloud-dependent smart devices and sparking calls for more open ecosystems.
4 movies that predicted the smart home (and why Back to the Future was wrong)7 min
Sci‑fi largely nailed the idea of an always-listening, voice-controlled home, but missed how fragmented and cloud-dependent today’s smart homes are. The piece contrasts HAL’s fully local “one brain” with today’s many assistants (arguing offline control is ideal, with Home Assistant closest). It also notes robots are real—humanoid housekeepers aren’t (yet).
I thought my Wi-Fi problems were interference, but it turns out it was airtime5 min
The author's Wi-Fi issues were caused by airtime congestion on the 2.4GHz band, not interference. With numerous IoT devices competing for airtime, smart home gadgets like switches and doorbells struggled. Solutions include using alternative connectivity like Zigbee or Wi-Fi 6E, or segmenting the network with more SSIDs. The author plans to replace devices with Zigbee and a PoE doorbell for better reliability.