Tags: Home Automation

Amazon announced a revamped Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 at an invite‑only Devices and Services event in New York City. The new smart displays feature custom silicon, advanced sensors, improved microphones, and 13‑megapixel cameras, and are built around the AI‑enhanced Alexa+ service. Alexa+ offers more conversational interactions and memory of prior chats, and is available free to Prime members or for a monthly fee for non‑Prime users. The redesign aims to blend the devices into home environments while delivering higher‑quality audio and visual experiences. Lire la suite

Amazon's Alexa Plus, the generative‑AI‑enhanced voice assistant, offers a smoother conversational experience and broader smart‑home control, but users report slower response times, inconsistent routine handling, and hardware limitations. While the new Echo Show devices demonstrate improved UI and natural‑language commands, the underlying LLM architecture still struggles with reliability, leading to mixed impressions of the service's readiness for everyday use. Lire la suite

Amazon has broadened the range of voice commands available for its Alexa assistant, covering smart‑home control, media playback, scheduling, communication, shopping, and more. Users can now manage lighting, temperature, security devices, and appliances, while also issuing multi‑room music requests, controlling Fire TV, checking calendars, setting timers, and placing orders. The expanded command set includes natural‑language prompts such as implied requests and contextual actions, enhancing Alexa’s conversational abilities and making it a more versatile hub for daily routines. Lire la suite

Smart lighting is emerging as one of the most practical upgrades for modern homes. Falling costs for smart bulbs, fixtures, and accessories, combined with broader compatibility across platforms—thanks in part to the Matter standard—make it easier than ever to add intelligent illumination. Features such as adaptive lighting that adjusts color temperature throughout the day, voice‑controlled operation, and seamless integration with Apple Home and other ecosystems enhance convenience and wellbeing. A growing range of brands, from Lifx and Philips Hue to Ikea’s Dirigera hub, now support these capabilities, while outdoor solutions from Govee and Ring extend smart lighting to patios and gardens. Lire la suite

The Verge’s senior smart home reviewer, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, opened her yard to a detailed walkthrough of a fully connected outdoor space. She highlighted devices such as weather‑aware smart sprinklers, an AI‑driven grill, mosquito‑repelling units that operate without scent, and a sensor‑equipped chicken coop. The experience underscored the complexity of bringing smart‑home concepts outdoors, noting the need for trial‑and‑error, environmental awareness, and a personal passion for nature. Tuohy’s insights paint a vivid picture of what a modern, tech‑enhanced backyard looks like today. Lire la suite

Starling has announced it can no longer produce its Starling Home Hub, citing rapidly rising business costs and U.S. tariffs on essential components. The hub, launched in 2019 as a $99 bridge that enabled Google Nest devices to operate within Apple Home and with Siri, has been praised for its reliability and ease of use. Existing owners will continue to receive support and updates, but the product’s removal leaves a gap for users seeking a simple solution to integrate Nest thermostats and cameras into Apple’s ecosystem. Alternatives now rely on Matter‑enabled Nest thermostats, while camera support remains pending. Lire la suite

Ecovacs introduced its flagship robot vacuum, the Deebot X11 OmniCyclone, featuring a new agentic AI voice assistant called Agent Yiko. The system learns users' habits, offers proactive cleaning recommendations, and provides real‑time troubleshooting guidance. Highlights include automatic setup, AI‑driven setting suggestions based on floor type and mess level, and a top‑up charging feature. Ecovacs notes that 80% of users repeat the same voice commands daily and often under‑utilize voice controls. The Deebot X11 OmniCyclone launched in the U.S. and Canada with a list price of $1,499.99. Lire la suite

Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant now supports a sprawling set of commands that let users control smart home devices, manage media, handle daily tasks, and interact with a wide range of Amazon services. The expanded command library works across Echo speakers, Echo Show displays, Fire TV devices, and even in‑car Echo Auto, giving users more natural conversational ways to adjust lighting, set reminders, shop, order rides, and access entertainment. By integrating with third‑party skills and popular platforms such as SmartThings, Philips Hue, and Ring, Alexa continues to deepen its role as a central hub for connected living. Lire la suite

Dreame showcased its Cyber10 Ultra robot vacuum, featuring a mechanical arm that can switch between a pincer, a corner‑cleaning brush, and a baseboard duster. The arm includes a suction channel that allows the bot to vacuum while the tool is attached. While the tool changes appear slow and the attachment seems tentative, the concept promises new levels of automation for clutter removal and detailed cleaning. The Cyber10‑word description highlights the potential for future market release, positioning Dreame as a contender in the emerging niche of arm‑equipped robot vacuums. Lire la suite

Lepro has launched its AI Lighting Pro series, embedding microphones and a proprietary voice assistant called LightGPM directly into its smart lights. The lineup includes a light strip, rope light, product descriptions mention RGB, a warm‑white mode, and Wi‑Fi connectivity that works with Alexa and Google Assistant. By eliminating the need for a separate controller, the lights can respond to commands such as turning on, changing colors, and generating mood‑based lighting patterns. The move adds another always‑listening device to homes, raising questions about privacy and convenience. Lire la suite

Roborock introduced three robot lawn mowers—RockMow Z1, S1, and RockNeo Q1—featuring advanced navigation, steep‑slope capability, and edge‑cutting technology. The company also expanded its vacuum portfolio with the H60 Hub stick vacuums, the steam‑powered F25 Ultra wet‑dry vacuum, and the ultra‑thin Qrevo Curv 2 Pro robot vacuum, all equipped with AI mapping, auto‑emptying docks, and high suction power. Pricing ranges from the low $300s for stick vacuums to $799 for the F25 Ultra, signaling Roborock’s aggressive push into both outdoor and indoor cleaning solutions. Lire la suite

Eufy introduced the Marswalker, a tracked platform that can autonomously carry compatible robot vacuums up and down stairs without human help. The shell works with Eufy's Omni S2 vacuum, which features an aromatherapy system and advanced navigation. While the Marswalker does not clean staircases itself, it provides a solution for multilevel homes by transporting the vacuum between floors, recognizing various stair configurations and returning to its dock for charging and emptying. The innovation could reshape the robot‑vacuum market, offering a first‑of‑its‑kind stair‑climbing capability. Lire la suite

Smart LED bulbs offer a mix of color‑changing and white‑only options, connecting via Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or Zigbee hubs. Major brands such as Philips Hue, LIFX, TP‑Link Kasa, Sengled, and Govee provide app‑driven control, voice‑assistant integration, and scheduling features. Consumers can choose hub‑based systems for expandability or Wi‑Fi models for simpler setups. Pricing varies widely, from budget‑friendly packs to premium lamps over $200. The ecosystem supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and, for many devices, Apple HomeKit, making smart lighting a versatile addition to modern homes. Lire la suite

Eufy introduced the MarsWalker at the IFA conference in Germany, a device that lifts compatible robot vacuums and transports them up and down stairs. The system automatically identifies straight, L-shaped and U-shaped stair configurations, using the robot’s base station as a drop‑off point. Designed with four adaptive control arms and a track‑drive that grips each step, the MarsWalker aims to deliver truly hands‑free whole‑home cleaning. The company noted that pricing remains undisclosed, the accessory works only with select Eufy models, and it is slated for release in the first half of 2026. Eufy also announced the Omni S2 robot vacuum, featuring aromatherapy and adaptive wheels, priced at $1,600 and arriving in January. Lire la suite

Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a suite of smart‑home products at its upcoming fall event. Rumors point to a new security camera, a HomePod‑style smart display, and a video doorbell, all built around an upgraded, conversational Siri. A more ambitious tabletop robot with a swiveling 7‑inch screen has also been discussed, though it may not appear at the event. The company’s focus appears to be on tighter integration of its devices, facial‑recognition and motion‑detection, and advanced Siri capabilities that could leverage new AI technology. Lire la suite

Google revealed that its Gemini artificial‑intelligence, the next‑generation AI behind the Gemini for Home brand, will roll out to its Nest smart‑home lineup on October 1. The company teased the move on X, showing an updated Nest camera that hints at a broader refresh that could include a speaker and a doorbell with 2K video. Gemini will eventually replace Google Assistant in these devices, keeping the “Hey Google” wake word while offering more nuanced conversational abilities for tasks such as cooking suggestions, thermostat control, and lighting management. The smart‑home market is projected to grow markedly in the coming years. Lire la suite