All articles tagged with #homekit
9to5Mac reports Apple is planning more than 15 product launches this fall, spanning an iPhone 18 lineup with an Ultra model, refreshed Macs (including a new MacBook Ultra), new iPad mini with OLED and a base iPad, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series 12, and a broad slate of HomeKit devices (HomePod, Apple TV 4K, cameras) with rumored sensor upgrades and color options.
Apple’s iOS 27 updates the Home app with Apple Intelligence to generate written motion and activity summaries for HomeKit cameras, group footage across cameras watching the same event, and supports natural-language search in the app and Spotlight. It also adds notification summaries, video previews, 4K recording for compatible HomeKit Secure Video cameras, and energy monitoring. Other improvements include remote Apple TV updates, faster Thread 1.4 connectivity, and a streamlined setup flow for Matter devices. Requirements include an iPhone 15 Pro or later, tvOS 27 or HomePod 27, and an iCloud+ plan for HomeKit Secure Video (50GB for one camera, 200GB for up to five, or 2TB+ for unlimited).
iOS 27 adds Apple Intelligence-powered AI summaries, natural-language search, and energy monitoring to HomeKit Secure Video, plus a faster, redesigned Home app interface and energy reporting in Matter-enabled devices; some features are in developer beta and 4K video support is planned for later, positioning HKSV closer to Ring and Google Nest, though automations remain limited.
After WWDC 2026, Apple announced tvOS 27 for Apple TV, a mainly performance-focused update featuring an updated Podcasts app, a new Smart Downloads feature, faster app launches and Control Center loading, plus larger text for accessibility. Release notes hint at HomeKit AI features powered by on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute to describe video and enable natural-language search, though it’s unclear if these AI capabilities will run on Apple TV itself. Apple previously highlighted on-device speech for captions across its platforms, and tvOS 27 is slated for this fall with developer betas out now and public betas later this month.
Homebridge 2.0 officially launches with initial groundwork for Matter support, enabling it to act as a Matter bridge in addition to a HomeKit bridge. This lets Matter devices appear in Apple Home and be bridged to other Matter platforms like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant, broadening support for devices (including robot vacuums) and plugins. Not all plug-ins will be updated at launch, but the goal is a single platform that covers both HomeKit and Matter.
Aqara today released the Thermostat Hub W200, its first North American thermostat, a Matter-enabled device that also acts as a presence sensor and hub for Thread/Zigbee devices. It supports Apple’s Adaptive Temperature and Clean Energy Guidance via HomeKit (with a Matter hub like a HomePod or Apple TV), and offers flexible control through the Aqara app and HomeKit. The W200 works with heat pumps, furnaces, and other systems and includes mmWave occupancy sensing, but it has a 20°F minimum compressor setting that can limit cold-climate use and some confusing HVAC wording in the app. Priced at $160 (with a $30 C-wire adapter sold separately), it’s a strong HomeKit alternative to Ecobee for Apple-centric energy-saving automation, though setup nuances and base-plate fit are considerations for DIY installs.
Apple will drop support for the original HomeKit architecture on February 10, 2026, meaning many smart-home devices may stop working in the Home app unless users upgrade to the rebuilt Home architecture. In the new setup, iPads no longer serve as Home Hubs and a HomePod or Apple TV is required as the hub, with iPhones/iPads/Macs and connected devices needing iOS 16.2+ (or macOS 13.1/watchOS 9.2+). Update the Home app now to avoid losing control of smart-home devices.
Belkin will shut down cloud support for most Wemo smart devices on January 31, 2026, leaving only Thread-based models and devices already set up in Apple HomeKit functional. Remote access, voice assistant integrations, and future app updates will end for affected devices, though HomeKit-configured units set up before the cutoff will continue to work; some devices may still operate manually, and warranty holders may qualify for partial refunds.
Belkin will shut down cloud services for most Wemo devices this weekend, ending remote access and integrations with Google Home and Alexa; the Wemo app will stop receiving updates on Jan 31, and many devices will only work manually after the shutdown. A subset of Thread-based devices and those configured with HomeKit may continue to function, while warranty-covered units could qualify for partial refunds.
The article discusses the importance of physical buttons in smart home setups, highlighting the Flic Hub LR and Flic Duo as effective accessories for controlling Apple HomeKit devices, with the Hub LR supporting extensive range and legacy device control, and the Duo offering versatile gesture controls and a built-in speaker, though with some limitations within the Home app.
IKEA announced 21 new Matter-compatible smart home products, including smart bulbs, sensors, and controls that work with HomeKit, set to launch in January 2026. The lineup features various bulbs in multiple sizes and colors, sensors for motion, air quality, humidity, and water leaks, as well as smart plugs and remote controls, all utilizing Matter-over-Thread for improved connectivity.
Apple is preparing to expand its smart home product line with new devices like a HomePod with a screen, security camera, and smart doorbell, offering a potentially higher-quality alternative to competitors like Samsung, which has recently started including ads in its smart refrigerator screens. The new Apple products are highly anticipated and could improve user experience in the smart home space.
IKEA will support Matter in over 20 new smart home products starting January 2026, enabling seamless compatibility with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, simplifying smart home integration and removing previous barriers for HomeKit users.
Ikea is expanding its smart home product line with over 20 new affordable Matter-compatible devices, supporting both Matter and Threads standards, which will be directly controllable via Apple's Home app without needing the Ikea hub, making smart home tech more accessible and budget-friendly.
Apple is reportedly developing a smart display for home control, featuring a 6-inch screen with sensors for presence detection and a FaceTime camera. The device will run on a new operating system called homeOS, supporting video calls, smart home controls, and core apps like Notes and Safari. It will integrate with Apple's HomeKit ecosystem and focus on music playback and intercom functionality. The device, codenamed J490, is expected to launch in 2025, with pricing similar to Google's Nest Hub Max and Amazon's Echo Hub.