It's hard to believe that the Matter standard was launched eight months ago at this point. Yes, there are still growing pains for Matter. But at least we're starting to see smart home devices with the Matteron in them. In 2023 we'll even see new labels on products, so I thought I'd share what they […]

The official Amazon store is now offering the all-new Matter Smart Plug (MSS115) for $13.99 after you clip the on-page coupon. Shipping is free for Prime members or also for orders over $25. Today's offer is only the second discount we've seen so far and matches our previous mention for all-time lows. It is also […]

Key points from Maria Diaz/ZDNETZDNET The Schlage Encode smart Wi-Fi lever lock is a smart door handle that works without a deadbolt. It can replace almost any door handle in households and businesses. But it's not compatible with Apple HomeKit, and the Schlage app has room for improvement. As a smart home reviewer, several smart […]

```html Today's Best Deals: 30% off a mophie 3-in-1 magnetic wireless charging pad AirPods Max for $480 47% off a Heat Storm Phoenix WiFi heater 45% off a myQ Smart video keypad for garage doors Save $150 on an M2 MacBook Air Top Deals for December 2: Various iPhone models from $113.99 at Woot AirPods […]

Smart Lighting Options for Your Smart Home Smart lighting is one of the fundamental aspects of a smart home. In fact, I'd say this is probably the most common aspect of almost any smart home. There is something magical about turning the lights on and off via your voice, according to a schedule or based […]

The official Govee Amazon store is now offering people another chance at its best price yet on the 2023 model M1 RGBIC LED Strip Lights with Matter for $39.99 shipped. Normally $60, the price drops to $40 after you clip the coupon on the page. Today's deal delivers a solid savings of $20 or 33%, […]

On this week's episode of the HomeKit Insider podcast, your hosts discuss a host of new product releases, discuss the Humelle humidifier, and discuss the rumors surrounding the AirTag 2 delay. This week it was rumored that Apple had decided to to delay the release of its second-generation AirTag until 2025, missing the forecast 2024 […]

Key points from Maria Diaz/ZDNET ZDNET: The Schlage Encode smart Wi-Fi handle is a smart door handle that works without a deadbolt. It can replace almost any door handle in households and businesses. But it's not compatible with Apple HomeKit, and the Schlage app has room for improvement. As a smart home reviewer, several smart […]

```html After months of inaction from Matter's regulator, its home automation specifications have been updated to 1.2, bringing compatibility with nine new types of accessories, including robot vacuums and appliances. Roborock vacuum cleaners could soon work with HomeKit. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), of which Apple is a member, today boasts of major improvements not […]

Ring Video Doorbells have become a global hit, with the ability to increase the security of your home at a relatively affordable price. Ring doorbells, along with other Ring devices, can connect to Alexa and Google Home, but where does Apple HomeKit fit? Can you connect Ring to Apple HomeKit, and if so, how do […]

``` Switchless, a new startup that will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign, is bringing its own take on smart switches to the market. There's a lot to unpack in the company announcement regarding the switch, but first and foremost is that they'll offer Matter over Thread connectivity, which means it should work with all four […]

Today only, as part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is now offering the Lockly Vision Elite Smart Lock Deadbolt for $399.99 shipped. Regularly $500, this is a solid price drop of $100 and the lowest price we can find. This model still fetches $500 directly from Lockly and at Amazon, where it […]

Having widely embraced HomeKit starting in 2022 and testing several motion sensors in the intervening months, my recommendation for the best HomeKit motion sensor is the Eve Motion. The Eve Motion sensor connects directly to the Home app on your iPhone, activates HomeKit automations quickly in response to motion events, and has a very reliable […]

A new colored light strip appeared on Ikea's Dutch website (as discovered by Redditor u/ManufacturerOk8154), offering Zigbee connectivity, full colour, in a four-metre length that can be cut to size, for just €29.99. Called ORMANÄS, this is pretty cheap for double the length you traditionally get from most companies' offerings, although as it uses Zigbee […]

Last year we moved into a house we built from the ground up. One of the things that was different from my previous house was the type of heating. Instead of a heat pump, we switched to natural gas. It's the second time I've used gas heating, and there's one thing I forgot: how dry […]

```html Apple announced RCS support for 2024, Apple Music Replay is strange this year, plus Personal Voice has arrived, and your hosts rank some of Apple's 2023 hardware on the Homekit.Blog Podcast. RCS comes to iMessages Perhaps even more surprising than Apple finally announcing support for RCS is that the company has done so in […]

Amazon is now offering one last chance to score Black Friday prices on the Nanoleaf Essentials Smart Matter Light Bulb. Each of the new releases drops to $14.99 with free shipping for Prime members or on orders over $25. This is 25% off the usual $20 price tag and marks a new low. It's $1 […]

As summer begins to fall, I can already see stores slowly bringing out some Christmas items, and there's one thing you should have ready in advance: an outdoor smart plug. For outdoor Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, etc., smart plugs that can withstand moisture and cold weather are a must-have. Leviton recently delivered a new Matter-compatible […]

Some of our favorite security cameras are also equipped with spotlights. The Arlo Floodlight Outdoor Security Camera ($215) goes up to 3,000 lumens, enough to illuminate a driveway or garden, and requires no electrical wiring, making it easy to install. The Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro ($150) is a more affordable option that also offers 3,000 […]

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus is designed to provide easy, hands-free access for Apple HomeKit users. With Apple Home Key support, you can unlock the door with just a tap of your compatible Apple Watch or iPhone, making it a perfect choice for Apple fans. You can choose from three different color options to […]

Apple has announced that RCS support is coming to iMessages in 2024. Additionally, Apple Music Replay for this year seems unusual, and Personal Voice has been introduced. The hosts of the Homekit.Blog Podcast also discuss the ranking of some of Apple's 2023 hardware. Even with the announcement of RCS support, iMessage will still retain its […]

On this week's episode of the HomeKit Insider podcast, we talk about more newly released products, some fun upcoming software updates, and get started with a new Find My-enabled wallet. Now that iOS 17.1 is out the door, we're in the next beta phase of Apple's software. With the new updates, we have a few […]

Upgrading your HomeKit lifestyle with a smart garage door Upgrading your HomeKit lifestyle with a smart garage door is one of the best changes you can make. For a long time, MyQ was an easy recommendation for people who wanted to easily turn their existing garage door into a HomeKit garage door. Chamberlin, the company […]

If you're looking for indoor or outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, or a combination of all three to cover your property, finding a system you can rely on is trickier than it should be. Between security scandals, bad software, expensive subscriptions, and slow feeds, you'll struggle to find a bulletproof security camera brand. Trust me, […]

In September my wife and I traveled through Scotland and London for a few weeks. It was a great time and I highly recommend both places. Since our house was vacant for a long time, other than visiting family to check on the house (I'm always paranoid about a random leak, etc.), there was no […]

```html Update: Amazon has launched a new TP-Link Kasa outdoor smart plug sale and the HomeKit model featured below is now down even lower to $19.99 with free shipping for Prime members or for orders over $25. If you're still looking for a way to gain smart control over your outdoor lighting and electronics, Amazon […]

HomeKit-enabled routers are a great way to improve the security of your smart devices, but managing them can be tricky. We'll show you how to set restriction levels and more for your HomeKit router in the Apple Home app. While our complete HomeKit Secure Router guide covers the ins and outs of Apple's network security […]

The Tado Smart Thermostat system is one of the few options available to UK homeowners looking to upgrade their heating to smart home control. I have been using it for almost a year and am generally very satisfied with it. The Tado system consists of a central controller, an internet bridge, and optional radiator valves. […]

SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher Review While not all devices can be controlled from your devices, the SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher allows you to do so. Adding Matter support allows you to control them via HomeKit. Installed Smart Switch Button Pusher Smart home ecosystems are not compatible with many home appliances, especially HomeKit. However, […]

Arlo has supported Apple HomeKit since 2019, allowing you to sync it with popular devices like HomePod and HomePod mini. The process is fairly standard, but if you're new to the world of smart home platforms, there are a few steps that might cause you trouble. Here's how to connect Arlo cameras to Apple HomeKit, […]

It's been reported that Apple is working to make iOS 18 its biggest update in years, and I've argued that this is necessary, with artificial intelligence at the heart. I'd especially like to see Apple bring AI smarts to HomeKit. That is, make Apple's smart home ecosystem really smart. The term AI has been used […]

Aqara has released its latest smart home security camera, the Camera E1, which is the company's most affordable camera with high-end features. Priced at $60, the indoor camera was unveiled at the IFA 2023 technology conference and is now available in the US and Europe. Despite its low cost, it boasts impressive specs including 2K […]

Signify Releases New Philips Hue Contact Sensor Firmware Adding Support for Apple HomeKit According to Hueblog.com, Signify has released new firmware for the Philips Hue Contact Sensor that adds support for Apple HomeKit. Previously, the indoor sensors could only be controlled via the Security Center of the Philips Hue app. Now, after updating to the […]