Product Launches Special: CES 2026
7 articlesCES 2026: I Saw a Robot Vacuum With Legs Climb a Flight of Stairs3 min
At CES 2026, Roborock unveiled the Saros Rover, a robot vacuum with fold-out legs that climb stairs while cleaning—a unique feature compared to Dreame's stair-climbing dock, which lacks cleaning capability. The Saros Rover can also perform programmable routines like dancing. Pricing and release date are pending, but Roborock plans to launch it this year. Dreame's dock remains a concept without a confirmed release.
Aqara at CES 2026: A Smarter, Human-Centric Smart Home4 min
At CES 2026, Aqara unveiled its human-centric smart home ecosystem, emphasizing spatial intelligence for enhanced comfort and efficiency. Key products include the Thermostat Hub W200, which integrates climate control with security features, and the Camera Hub G350, a Matter-certified camera offering advanced AI capabilities. Aqara also introduced innovative sensors like the FP400 for real-time tracking and the versatile P100 for enhanced security, all supporting Matter for broad compatibility.
Mammotion Debuts Luba 3 AWD Robotic Mower at CES 2026 with LiDAR and AI8 min
Mammotion's Luba 3 AWD robotic mower, unveiled at CES 2026, uses LiDAR for precise mapping and AI-powered cameras for obstacle avoidance, eliminating the need for boundary wires. Designed for yards up to 2.5 acres, it features an all-wheel-drive system for tackling slopes and integrates with smart home systems for enhanced automation. This mower aims to simplify yard maintenance, appealing to tech-savvy homeowners by offering a user-friendly setup and eco-friendly operation.
Best smart locks of CES5 min
CES 2026 introduces innovative smart locks with enhanced features. Lockin's V7 Max uses AuraCharge for light-based charging and offers vein and 3D facial recognition, compatible with major smart home platforms. The Ultraloq Bolt Sense provides dual-method authentication and a long-lasting battery. SwitchBot's Vision Pro features advanced facial recognition and dual batteries for reliability. All models support the Matter standard, ensuring broad compatibility.
CES 2026: Clear Drop Unveils Smart Trash Can Turning Plastic Bags into Bricks8 min
Clear Drop's new smart trash can, unveiled at CES 2026, transforms plastic bags into recyclable bricks, addressing plastic waste challenges. The device uses heat and pressure to compact plastics into stackable, odor-free bricks, reducing landfill impact. Priced at $200-$300, it integrates with home assistants like Alexa and Google Home, offering a sustainable solution for households with smart features such as app connectivity and voice commands.
5 new robot vacuums from CES that show where home cleaning is headed in 20265 min
CES 2026 highlights innovative robot vacuums, showcasing future trends in home cleaning. The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete stands out with its AI-powered OmniSight system and dual robotic legs for enhanced navigation. Eufy Omni S2 introduces a built-in aromatherapy system and advanced cleaning technologies. Roborock's Saros Rover impresses with its wheel-leg design for climbing stairs and difficult terrain, setting a new standard for robot mobility.
All the Pet Tech That Stood Out at CES 20265 min
CES 2026 showcased innovative pet tech focusing on health, safety, and care. Satellai's AI wearable for dogs won Best of CES for its health monitoring capabilities, analyzing movement and behavior to detect issues early. Petkit's smart feeders and water fountains use AI to track habits, offering insights into pet health. Pawport's updated smart pet door simplifies installation, enhancing security and convenience. These advancements highlight a shift towards data-driven, preventive pet care.
Reviews & Spotlights
3 articlesTapo P304M Smart Strip Review – Matter-enabled smart power strip with power monitoring16 min
The Tapo P304M smart power strip offers four sockets with accurate energy monitoring and Matter support, ensuring compatibility with major ecosystems like Home Assistant, Apple Home, and Alexa. Priced at £30, it delivers excellent value per socket and integrates seamlessly with smart home setups. Despite lacking USB ports and having a short cable, it remains a top choice for those seeking reliable smart control and detailed monitoring in the UK.
I'm keeping this solar-powered outdoor pan/tilt camera in my yard7 min
The Wyze Solar Cam Pan offers a solar-powered, wire-free security solution with 2K resolution and AI person tracking without a subscription. It features a pan-tilt motor for 360-degree coverage and a motion-activated spotlight for enhanced security. The built-in solar panel requires minimal sunlight, making it low-maintenance. Priced under $100, it's an affordable choice for outdoor surveillance, though continuous recording needs an optional AC adapter.
Dyson Spot + Scrub Ai robot vacuum review: decent but it could be better9 min
The Dyson Spot + Scrub Ai robot vacuum offers smart scrubbing and object recognition but falls short in suction compared to the Dyson 360 Vis Nav. Its bagless design and warm water cleaning are highlights, yet the app lacks intuitive features. Priced at £1,050, it competes with cheaper rivals offering similar capabilities. While it handles basic tasks well, its AI features don't fully justify the premium cost.
Platforms & Ecosystem
3 articlesA Broad New Lineup of Affordable Matter-over-Thread Devices from IKEA Unlocks Easier Whole-Home Automation for SmartThings Users - SmartThings Blog5 min
IKEA launches 21 new Matter-over-Thread devices compatible with SmartThings, enhancing whole-home automation for beginners and enthusiasts. These affordable products, including bulbs, plugs, and sensors, integrate seamlessly with Samsung devices, enabling intuitive routines and energy-saving automations. Existing IKEA users can expand their setups with SmartThings through Matter Bridging and Thread Credential Sharing, creating a unified smart home experience.
2026.1: Home is where the dashboard is 🥂15 min
Home Assistant 2026.1 enhances the mobile dashboard with summary cards for quick access to key devices like lights and climate controls. It introduces more "human-friendly" automation triggers, allowing users to build automations with simple language. The update also highlights protocol dashboards for easier navigation of Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter connections. Eight new integrations, including pet tracking and energy monitoring, expand device compatibility.
What Is the Aliro Standard?3 min
Aliro, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, is a new open standard for digital key interoperability, akin to "Matter for digital door keys." It uses NFC, BLE, and UWB for secure, versatile access control without proprietary constraints. Supported by major brands like Apple, Google, and Samsung, Aliro aims to unify digital key systems. The first Aliro-compatible locks are expected in 2026, promising broad compatibility across devices.
Projects & How-To
4 articlesHow to measure air quality with a Raspberry Pi6 min
Build your own air quality meter using a Raspberry Pi and a Winsen Electronics MH-Z19C CO2 sensor for under $40. This DIY project involves setting up the sensor with jumper wires and configuring the Raspberry Pi to read CO2 levels via a Python script. Data can be monitored online, providing real-time air quality updates. Expand functionality with a red LED alert for high CO2 levels, enhancing home or office air monitoring.
Vibe Coding: My ESPHome Bluetooth IRK Capture Tool6 min
This project details the creation of an ESPHome Bluetooth IRK capture tool for reliable home presence detection using Apple and Android devices. By capturing Identity Resolving Keys, Home Assistant can track devices despite their changing MAC addresses, enhancing room-level presence accuracy. The tool uses ESP-IDF for compatibility with ESP32 devices and integrates AI tools like ChatGPT for code development and linting. Full instructions are available on GitHub.
AI automatically preps a bottle when the baby cries | Arduino Blog2 min
An innovative AI-powered system uses an Arduino Portenta H7 to automatically start a Tommee Tippee bottle prepping machine when a baby cries. The setup employs a DFRobot Gravity relay module to activate the machine, requiring only a simple hardware modification. The AI model, trained with Edge Impulse, runs locally on the Arduino, ensuring privacy by not needing an internet connection. This allows parents to focus on soothing their baby while the formula is prepared automatically.
ESPectre | Wi-Fi Motion Detection for Home Assistant2 min
ESPectre Sensor is an open-source motion detection system for ESP32, using Wi-Fi spectrum analysis to detect motion through walls and furniture. It integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant via ESPHome, offering privacy-friendly presence detection without images or audio. The system supports multiple ESP32 variants and features a plug-and-play setup, making it ideal for smart home enthusiasts and researchers alike.
Perspectives
2 articles4 smart home devices you should isolate from your network5 min
Isolating smart home devices from your main network enhances security by limiting potential vulnerabilities. Smart TVs, cameras, speakers, and smart plugs often run outdated software and can be exploited if compromised. Using VLANs or separate networks can contain risks and prevent these devices from accessing sensitive data. This approach ensures that even if a device is compromised, it won't impact your entire network.
Your smart TV is watching you and nobody's stopping it5 min
Smart TVs from companies like Hisense and TCL are under scrutiny for potentially sharing user data with the Chinese government. These TVs use Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to collect detailed viewing data, often without user consent. Despite past fines and regulations like GDPR, data collection practices persist, highlighting the need for stronger consumer protections and awareness.