All articles tagged with #smarthome
Apple's September event reveals five new devices: the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with notable design and camera upgrades, a foldable iPhone Ultra, upgraded Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 3, a new Apple TV powered by the A17 Pro chip, and a compact Apple Home Hub, all highlighted by AI features and premium pricing, with iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,300, Pro Max at $1,400, and Ultra at $2,500.
The latest edition of Installer, a newsletter by The Verge's David Pierce, offers a variety of tech and entertainment recommendations, including a new Peloton app, a comic book series, and tech-culture documentaries. It highlights the shift from new gadgets to entertainment for cold evenings and features a gift guide with suggestions like the Raspberry Pi 5, Hoto tools, and the new Mac Mini. The newsletter also shares community recommendations and insights into Kristen Radtke's favorite apps and current interests.
Meross has launched its first Matter-certified smart thermostat for North American HVAC systems, priced at $99.99. This thermostat, compatible with 95% of heating and cooling systems, integrates with major smart home platforms like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home without needing a cloud connection. It features a touch screen, smart scheduling, and system usage tracking via the Meross app. While it lacks some advanced features of competitors like the Nest Thermostat, it is the most affordable Matter-compatible option available, supporting room sensors and the latest Matter 1.4 spec for enhanced functionality.
Engadget has curated a list of top tech gifts for 2024, perfect for gadget enthusiasts. Highlights include Govee's M1 RGBIC smart light strip for customizable home lighting, the reMarkable Paper Pro for distraction-free writing, and the Canon Ivy 2 portable printer for instant photo printing. Other notable mentions are the Anker Prime power bank with a recharging base, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air gaming headset, and the Sonos Era 300 speaker with spatial audio support. These gadgets cater to various interests, from smart home setups to audio and gaming experiences.
Raspberry Pi has launched the Pico 2 W, a $7 microcontroller board with wireless capabilities, designed for hobbyists and industrial use. It features Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 802.11n connectivity, built around the RP2350 microcontroller, offering enhanced speed, memory, and security. The board supports programming in C, C++, and MicroPython, and is suitable for applications like smart home devices and robotics.
This week's edition of Installer highlights two must-watch tech documentaries: one on global surveillance inspired by Ronan Farrow's article on government hacking, and another on consumer manipulation tactics akin to 'The Great Hack.' Additionally, the newsletter covers a new powerful synthesizer from Teenage Engineering, a massive Amazon Echo device, and a minimalist podcast app. It also features tech insights from Rich DeMuro, a tech reporter, and shares community recommendations on various tech and entertainment topics.
Apple is reportedly developing a smart display, dubbed the HomePad, to enhance its smart home ecosystem. This device aims to simplify home automation by integrating Apple's HomeKit and leveraging the new Matter standard for connectivity. The HomePad will feature a user-friendly interface combining voice and touch controls, potentially overcoming the limitations of current smart displays. However, Apple's success hinges on improving Siri's capabilities to provide a seamless user experience. The HomePad is expected to run on a new homeOS, enhancing Apple's smart home offerings.
Apple plans to launch a new smart home device in 2025, resembling a wall-mountable iPad, designed to control smart home functions. The device will feature a 6-inch display, run a homeOS operating system, and support Apple Intelligence and Siri. It will include apps like Safari and Calendar, and offer smart home controls through a customizable interface. The device aims to be more advanced than Amazon and Google counterparts, with features like FaceTime, speakers, and a built-in battery. Pricing details are yet to be announced.
Apple is considering launching its own branded TV set as part of its expansion into the smart home industry, contingent on the success of its upcoming wall-mounted smart home hub. The company has previously explored this idea but is now revisiting it with a more integrated ecosystem of devices. Analyst Mark Gurman reports that while the TV set could feature home-related functionalities, it would not serve as the central hub, a role reserved for the new 6-inch smart home device.
Apple is reportedly developing a new smart home device called 'HomePad,' which could either replace or complement the existing HomePod. The HomePad is expected to support advanced Siri capabilities and offer versatility with attachments like wall mounts and speaker bases. While it may not match the HomePod's audio quality, it could enhance the smart home experience by working alongside HomePods, potentially routing Siri requests for better processing. The future of HomePod depends on the HomePad's design and capabilities.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new smart home hub device, which could boost its stock value, according to analysts. The device, resembling a 6-inch square iPad, will control home appliances and support video conferencing and Siri voice prompts. Analysts believe this product could enhance Apple's AI ecosystem and compete with Amazon Echo and Meta's Portal. Apple stock is currently rated as a buy, with a target price of $265.
Apple is reportedly developing a wall-mounted AI device, code-named J490, that can control smart home appliances, handle video conferencing, and navigate apps using artificial intelligence. Expected to be announced as early as March, the device resembles a square iPad with a 6-inch screen and will be available in silver and black. It aims to compete with Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Show, with a potential price of up to $1,000 for higher-end models. The device will function independently but will require an iPhone for certain tasks.
Apple is reportedly planning to release a smart home camera and updated AirPods with enhanced health features in the coming years, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The smart home camera, expected to integrate with Apple Intelligence and Siri, is set for mass production in 2026. Future AirPods models may include health management features similar to the Apple Watch, with Goertek as the primary supplier. These developments align with Apple's ongoing focus on health technology.
Matter 1.4 aims to address previous shortcomings in the smart home standard by enhancing multi-admin interoperability, improving Thread border router compatibility, and expanding energy management support to include devices like heat pumps and solar panels. While the update promises better integration across platforms like Apple, Amazon, and Google, adoption may be slow as device makers and platforms integrate the new features. The update also introduces Matter-certified routers to streamline smart home infrastructure, potentially accelerating Matter's adoption.
Xgimi has introduced its brightest 4K smart projector, the Horizon Max, and a unique 3-in-1 Aladdin ceiling light projector with Bluetooth speaker capabilities in the US. The Horizon Max boasts 3,100 ISO Lumens, IMAX Enhanced certification, and Intelligent Screen Adaptation technology, while the Aladdin offers 1080P projection and 360-degree Harman Kardon sound. Both devices run Google TV, allowing for easier Netflix integration compared to Android TV. Pricing and release details are pending, with the Horizon Max expected to be under $3,000 and ship in late 2024, and the Aladdin's details to be announced later.