Smart home devices and connected technology, from security systems and smart appliances to everyday gadgets that make homes more convenient and efficient.
Innovations showcased at CES 2026 reveal robotic vacuums that can climb stairs, handle clutter, monitor pets, and navigate low furniture, marking a significant leap in domestic automation. Robot vacuums are moving well beyond basic floor cleaning. Manufacturers are now building…
OpenAI collaborates with Jony Ive on a disruptive, screenless smart speaker featuring advanced sensors and facial recognition, signalling a shift towards more integrated and context-aware AI devices for domestic use. OpenAI appears to be moving beyond software into a dedicated…
A Russian hobbyist has expertly repurposed a used Android tablet into a custom smart-home wall panel, leveraging motion-based wake features and open-source tools for a cost-effective automation solution. A Russian hobbyist has built a practical Home Assistant wall panel from…
Google unveils a redesigned Home Speaker centred around the Gemini AI, offering faster local processing, richer conversational capabilities, and seamless integration into its smart-home ecosystem, aimed at users already invested in Google’s suite of devices. Google’s new Home Speaker marks…
Many households overlook the potential security benefits of their guest Wi-Fi networks. By segmenting smart devices from main systems, homeowners can create a safer, more controllable home network environment with minimal effort, leveraging existing router features. A guest Wi‑Fi network…
Placing smart home gadgets on a separate guest Wi-Fi network can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks spreading to main devices, offering a practical layer of protection amidst increasing connected device adoption. Configuring a visitor Wi-Fi network and then ignoring…
Matic Robots launches a firmware update for its high-end vacuum, enabling users to speak or point to commands for a more intuitive and private smart cleaning experience, amidst market shifts and rising prices. Matic Robots has started pushing a firmware…
Security researchers uncover a complex campaign exploiting low-cost Android TV boxes to facilitate ad fraud, covert spying, and proxy networks, raising concerns over consumer security and privacy. Cheap Android TV boxes can offer a bargain, but security researchers say some…
Lutron has expanded its Caséta smart home range by adding voice control via Sonos Voice Control, enabling users to manage lighting and shades through spoken commands, marking a significant step in seamless smart home integration. Lutron has added voice control…
The US Federal Communications Commission is expanding its restrictions on foreign-made drones, raising concerns about market access, safety features, and the future of domestic drone manufacturing amid a broader crackdown on foreign technology. The Federal Communications Commission’s latest move against…
A new app called ‘Dashboard for your home’ transforms an iPad into a central control panel, combining live camera feeds, weather updates, and calendar functionalities in one customisable interface for Apple Home users. An old iPad mounted in a central…
Google’s transition from Assistant to Gemini for Home has sparked criticism over slower performance and unreliable routines, prompting some users to seek local alternatives amid ongoing rollout challenges. Google’s move from Assistant to Gemini for Home is landing badly with…
