Latest news with #AppleHome
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Apple's next-gen TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 likely coming later this year
Apple is reportedly working to expand its smart home ecosystem with new devices expected to launch later this year. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the company is preparing refreshed versions of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini, both likely to feature key internal hardware upgrades — potentially to support Apple Intelligence. While Apple was also expected to unveil a dedicated hub for its Home devices in 2025, development delays may push that launch to a later Apple Home devices: What to expectApple TV 4K:The next-generation Apple TV 4K is likely to bring notable hardware improvements over the current model. The report suggests it may be powered by either the A18 or A17 Pro chip, offering a performance leap from the A15 Bionic found in the existing model. The new chip is expected to support Apple Intelligence features, although Apple has yet to outline how these will be implemented in tvOS READ: Apple iPad Pro 2025: M5 chip to dual front cameras, check expected upgradesAnother expected change is the inclusion of a built-in camera, which could enable FaceTime support natively on tvOS. Additionally, the new Apple TV 4K may include Apple's custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, this upgrade could allow the device to integrate more tightly with other Apple home devices and improve data mini 2:Apple is also anticipated to unveil the next-generation HomePod Mini by the end of 2025. The report notes that this model could be equipped with a newer S-series chip — possibly the S9 or S10 used in recent Apple Watch models — which may allow it to handle select Apple Intelligence READ: Google adds 'AI Mode' option upfront on Android Search widget: Details hereMoreover, the HomePod Mini 2 is expected to incorporate Apple's in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, potentially enabling support for newer wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, along with more seamless connectivity across Apple's ecosystem.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Avia Launches SolarPro, a Smart Solar Panel to Keep the Deadbolt+ Smart Lock Charged for Up to 5 Years
SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avia, the smart home security brand from Mighton Products, today announced the launch of the Avia Smart SolarPro, a compact, high-performance solar panel designed to keep the award-winning Avia Smart Deadbolt+ Smart Lock reliably charged for years. With optimal sunlight exposure, SolarPro enables continuous charging and can help maintain the lock's battery life for up to five years, significantly reducing the need for manual charging or battery replacement. Battery life has long been a common frustration with many smart locks. Leading technology publications, including The Verge, have identified battery limitations as a top concern in the category. The SolarPro addresses this challenge with high-performance solar charging, capable of supporting up to 100 lock and unlock operations per day in strong sunlight. 'Our goal with SolarPro is simple: we want Avia customers to set up their smart lock once and then forget about it,' said Mike Derham, Chairman at Mighton Products. 'No charging anxiety, no battery swapping, no interruptions in access. Just complete peace of mind.' This unique product meets the needs of consumers who value sustainable smart living powered by natural sunlight. The Avia Smart SolarPro offers smart solar charging that helps maintain battery performance for up to five years under optimal sunlight conditions. It features a compact, lightweight design for easy installation and a sleek black finish that blends discreetly with most exterior home settings. SolarPro is designed to complement the Avia Smart Deadbolt+, a smart lock built specifically for Apple Home users. The Deadbolt+ combines extended battery life, a physical backup key, AAA-rated security, and award-winning design, making it a top choice for reliability and convenience in smart home access control. The Avia Smart Deadbolt+ has received industry recognition including the IoT Breakthrough Award for Smart Lock of the Year 2024 and a Silver Muse Design Award. With the addition of SolarPro, Avia continues its mission to deliver dependable, secure, and feature-rich solutions for connected homes. Avia Smart SolarPro Product Details: Product Name: Avia Smart SolarPro Dimensions: 2.25 x 0.25 x 2.5 inches Weight: 1.12 oz Color: Black Included Components: SolarPro Panel and Connector Cable Model Number: AVIADB+SOLARPRO Availability: Now on Amazon and on Avia's US websiteThe Avia SolarPro is available now for purchase on Amazon and on Avia's U.S. website. To purchase now, please visit: About AviaAvia is the smart home security brand from Mighton Products, a UK-based window and door hardware manufacturer founded in 1983. Entering the U.S. market with the Avia Deadbolt+, the company brings a legacy of engineering excellence to the connected home space. Avia products are designed for Apple Home Hub households seeking reliable, secure, and thoughtfully engineered smart home access solutions. For more information, visit Media Contact:Kent Borden-HaFirecracker PR for Aviakent@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Yale Smart Lock with Matter review: Minimalistic and sleek, but maybe a little too basic
Dimensions: 5.38 x 0.88 x 2.56 inches (H x L x W)Connectivity: Bluetooth, ThreadPower: 4x AA batteriesWorks with: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and other Matter-compatible smart homes In some ways, smart home devices are getting a little more…boring. That's a good thing. The advent of Matter means that devices like basic smart locks can be less focused on cramming in connectivity tech, and more on actual good design. The new Yale Smart Lock with Matter is a good example of this. It's a simple, sleek smart lock with Matter over Thread support. Of course, there is a little more to it than that – but not much. How does the Yale Smart Lock with Matter compare with the best smart locks on the market today? The Yale Smart Lock with Matter is available now for $170 directly from Yale and through other major retailers. It comes in three finishes: Snow, Matte Black, and Ash. I'm reviewing the Ash model, which wasn't available for purchase at the time of writing. The colors are designed to match the Google Nest Doorbell. Apart from the wide compatibility, perhaps the best thing about the Yale Smart Lock with Matter is how sleek and stylish it looks. It's one of the better-looking smart locks I've tested, with a minimalist design that doesn't scream "smart home gadget" from across the street. The matte finish looks premium and modern, and both the interior and exterior components are refreshingly slim compared to the bulky designs of most smart locks. The exterior features a simple PIN pad and physical keyhole — that's it. The interior section has a basic thumb latch that's equally understated. It's the kind of design that fits seamlessly into contemporary home aesthetics without looking like a tech afterthought. That super-basic design, of course, could be considered a downside. There's no fingerprint sensor, no camera, and no other additional features -- features that some might want from their smart lock. I do wish the thumb latch matched the outer shell in color though – it's black, and not the Ash color of the rest of the lock. Also in the box is a door sensor that works with the lock to let you know if the door is open or closed, though how well it works depends on the smart home ecosystem you use. The sensor is small and white, but there are limits in how you can mount it; since it works with the lock itself, it needs to be positioned near the lock. Installation is straightforward, though it's worth noting that this isn't a retrofit solution like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. The Yale Smart Lock replaces all components of your existing lock and deadbolt, which means you'll need to be comfortable with a bit more hardware work. The process itself is simple enough though, and the included instructions are clear. The lock is powered by four AA batteries (that come included), so you don't need to worry about hardwiring anything. The door sensor is easy to set up too, with either screws or adhesive, both included in the box. You can even install it in your door frame, though I didn't do that. As a Matter accessory, setting the lock up in your preferred smart home app is extremely simple. After the physical installation, you'll hold down a button to put the lock into pairing mode, then you simply scan the Matter QR code in your preferred smart home app – whether that's Google Home, Apple Home, or another Matter-compatible platform. It connected quickly during my testing, in both Apple Home and Google Home. Note, however, you will need a Thread border router to use the device through Matter – I used a Google Nest Hub Max and an Apple TV 4K (separately – you can't connect a Thread device to two Thread border routers). Alternatively, you can technically connect the lock to your phone through Bluetooth using the Yale Access app, but I recommend against buying the lock without a Thread border router. That's a bit of a departure compared to the previous-gen collaboration between Yale and Google, the Nest x Yale Lock, which was Google Home only. While there is an official Yale Access app available, you don't actually need to use it — and most users probably won't want to. As a pure Matter device, the lock works entirely through your chosen smart home platform, whether that's Google Home, Apple Home, or another Matter-compatible system. The Yale Access app doesn't unlock (ha) any additional features or functionality beyond what you get through your smart home platform of choice, and in fact, when I went to set the lock up in the Yale app, I was told that doing so would prevent me from being able to add it as a Matter accessory to another platform. In other words, the only time you would want to use the Yale app is if you bought the lock specifically to use it through Bluetooth.I don't recommend using it solely through Bluetooth, as you'll lose remote access and smart home integration when you're outside Bluetooth range — if you don't have a Thread border router, you're better off buying a Wi-Fi model. Yes, the lock works mostly the same in Apple Home and Google Home – despite what Yale's marketing might have you believe. The lock is marketed as being 'designed for Google Home,' and while that may be true when it comes to color-matching the lock with other Google accessories, don't be fooled into thinking that you'll actually get faster or somehow better operation without Google Home. That's with some caveats though. Different companies are better at implementing different features in their smart home apps. For example, Alexa doesn't let you set up and manage guest codes yet, something that all the other platforms allow for. And, DoorSense, the door sensor that comes with the lock, currently only works in Google Home. That largely seems to be a limitation of the apps rather than Matter itself – and to be clear, you won't be able to use other smart lock-connected door sensors in other platforms through Matter. In other words, the lock works great on any Matter-compatible platform, as long as you have a Thread border router. It's just that Google seems to have done a better job at implementing features like automatic locking and unlocking – features that will hopefully come to the other platforms soon, and when they do, will be fully compatible with this lock. Through Matter, you'll get all the other basic features. You can remotely lock and unlock the device, monitor its status, use it with automations, and even set up guest codes that you can enable or disable as needed. Your features, of course, will vary depending on the platform you use — for example, in Google Home you can auto-lock and auto-unlock smart locks, something that you can't do in Apple Home. The Yale Smart Lock with Matter succeeds at providing reliable smart lock functionality in an attractive, minimalist package. If you value clean design and wide smart home compatibility over feature density, this lock delivers exactly what you're looking for. However, at $190, it's asking a premium price for basic functionality. The lack of biometric authentication feels like a missed opportunity, especially when competitors pack more features in at a similar or lower price point. That said, those extra features don't work natively through Matter, which somewhat defeats the purpose of this lock. For those prioritizing aesthetics and simplicity over bells and whistles, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter hits the mark — you'll just pay a bit extra for that minimalist approach.
New York Times
08-07-2025
- New York Times
The Best Prime Day Deals Available in Canada
Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender MQ7035 — Top pick Amazon deal price: $100; street price: $120 What we like: Our top immersion blender pick. Offers better control over blending soup and smoothies. Powerful motor and a unique blade. Easy to adjust speed with a firm press of the control button. Comfortable to use one-handed. Outperformed more expensive Braun models in our tests. Other things to know: Comes with whisk and chopping attachments, but they require some finesse. Read more: Small-But-Mighty Appliances Fit for a Tiny Kitchen Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor — Runner-up Amazon deal price: $22; street price: $27 What we like: Our runner-up temperature sensor from our guide to the best smart sensors. Offers best-in-class temperature responsiveness (nearly real-time) in an especially compact design. Has native Apple Home support. Other things to know: Compatibility is limited, and it requires a branded hub (which is not included). Read more: The Best Smart Sensors for Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 — Top pick Amazon deal price: $200; street price: $250 What we like: The top outdoor floodlight security camera pick. The only floodlight camera we tested that has two cameras, one with a 2K telephoto lens and one with a 3K wide-angle camera. Both cameras pan and tilt 360 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically. Two integrated LED panels are bright and dimmable. Other things to know: Stores video internally on a removable microSD card (up to 128 GB), to the HomeBase S380 hub (sold separately), or in the cloud (Subscriptions start at $3 per month and cloud recordings are downgraded to 1080p/2K). Hardwired. Amazon Alexa and Google Home (light only) compatibility. Read more: The Best Security Cameras for Your Home Garsum Fruit Fly Sticky Traps — Staff pick Amazon deal price: $8; street price: $10 What we like: An insect trap we recommend to capture insects that land or crawl onto the surface. Yellow traps with super-sticky adhesive. Long-lasting. Durable. UV-resistant, and waterproof, so they're ideal for indoor or outdoor use. Other things to know: Come in various designs with simple cutout silhouettes of butterflies, birds, and succulents. Typically, size of an index card. Bottom portion of the trap has a pointed triangular shape, which makes it easier to stake it into the ground or a potted plant. Read more: I Went to War With Fungus Gnats. This Is the Secret Weapon That Helped Me Win. Fixsmith Microfiber Cleaning Cloth — Other Amazon deal price: $9; street price: $10 What we like: Our top pick for the best microfiber cleaning cloth. Also recommended in other Wirecutter cleaning guides. The most absorbent, durable, and affordable microfiber cloths we tested. Holds up well through multiple washes. Other things to know: Made of essentially the same materials as all microfiber clothes. Held 31 tablespoons of water during our test before leaking. 24-pack. Read more: The Best Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Philips Hue Dimmer Switch — Top pick Amazon deal price: $26; street price: $30 What we like: The top pick for the best smart wireless light switch in our guide to smart lighting to make your kitchen great. Nice-looking smart wireless switch offers tons of smart control options. Other things to know: Excellent for those in the Hue ecosystem, but you can't incorporate the Hue Dimmer Switch into a bank of existing switches, as it's too large for traditional Decora-style switch covers. Read more: The Secret to Making Your Kitchen Great for Cooking and Entertaining: Smart Lighting Neakasa M1 — Best for... Amazon deal price: $560; street price: $625 What we like: The best open-top automatic cat litter box. Easier to deep-clean and less expensive than most of our other picks. The waste bin, which sits underneath the box, was easy to access and check on regularly. Some cats may be more comfortable in an open-top box. Other things to know: Smaller than recommended, and it operates inconsistently. Dirty litter sometimes stuck to the inner walls. We are investigating a potential safety issue. The app could be better. Read more: The Best Automatic Cat Litter Box Inaba Churu Variety Pack Cat Treats — Best for... Amazon deal price: $16; street price: $19 What we like: Churu is a pick that's best for cats (and cat owners) who like a dispensible liquid puree. Yum. Many cats find it irresistable. Other things to know: Comes in squeezable tubes and a variety of flavors. Has fewer calories than many crunchy cat treats. Read more: Tricks and Treats: How to Give Pills to Your Pet
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Nuki Debuts in the U.S., Launching Its Innovative Smart Lock to the American Market
GRAZ, Austria--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuki, Europe's category leader in smart access solutions, today announced the official entry into the United States with its newest version of its flagship product, the Nuki Smart Lock. Combining seamless integration options, an intuitive app developed to optimize user experience and a customer-centric design, Nuki sets a new standard as the smarter lock choice for American consumers seeking advanced, reliable smart home security. Named a 2025 CES Innovation Awards® Honoree, the Nuki Smart Lock is now available to American consumers seeking to upgrade their home with a keyless access solution that offers superior hardware quality, integration capabilities and stylish aesthetics without compromise. Founded with a mission to provide best-in-class technology, elegant design and unparalleled privacy, this milestone opens the door for American homeowners and renters to access Nuki's revolutionary smart access solutions, arriving stateside with a track record of established, trusted dependability amongst more than 800,000 satisfied customers in Europe. Developed in Austria and manufactured in Europe, the latest Nuki Smart Lock allows users to unlock their door conveniently and automatically in under one second. This remarkable performance is enabled by cutting-edge brushless motor technology – used in a Nuki Smart Lock for the first time – offering the efficiency, durability and performance commonly found in electric vehicles. The Nuki Smart Lock enhances convenience by effortlessly retrofitting onto existing U.S. single-cylinder deadbolt, installing in under 15 minutes without any drilling or modifications required. Nuki played a pioneering role with the launch of the world's first electronic door lock with native Matter support in 2023. The newest generation naturally provides full support for Matter as well, and features expanded compatibility with other smart home platforms including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and more – making home entry part of a seamless connected home experience. Some of the Nuki Smart Lock's features and benefits include: Privacy is a core value, unlike with other smart lock providers, personal and security-relevant data are not stored on Nuki servers to protect user privacy choices. The Nuki Smart Lock can be used without the need to create an account, with all data stored locally. Designed with end-to-end encryption commonly used by online banks, Nuki's software meets rigorous security standards to ensure users data protection. Fitting into any home aesthetic, the compact design is only 2.2 inches in diameter and comes with a sleek stainless steel body and a black base ring. Providing users with multi-access options for convenience, the lock is controlled via the Nuki App, offering complete control from anywhere. It can also be unlocked via smartphones, smartwatches, PIN-code, fingerprint and even the physical key – with users always having access to lock activity through the app. Hands-free unlocking, Nuki's Auto Unlock feature opens a door automatically when you come home. The Nuki App detects when you leave your home. When you return, your Smart Lock automatically opens the door. High-speed locking mode offers quieter entry and exit, and up to 12 months battery life.* The centerpiece of innovation is the newly developed brushless motor. Previously known mainly from electric vehicles, this technology now brings its proven efficiency and durability to a Nuki Smart Lock for the first time. 'We founded Nuki a decade ago with one clear mission: to make everyday life more convenient through keyless access solutions while maintaining the highest possible standards of home security,' said Martin Pansy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. 'At Nuki, we believe the safest data is the data you never have to share. That's why from day one, Nuki Smart Locks have been designed to work without requiring a mandatory user account. Your data stays with you and it is never stored on Nuki servers by default,' adds Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Jürgen Pansy. "Our Nuki Smart Lock sets itself apart as 'The Smarter Lock' by providing U.S. customers with a smart access solution that can offer far more than pure functionality – it's about the interplay of technology, security, convenience, and design. We are thrilled to introduce our product to the American market," concludes Martin Pansy. Perfect for both homeowners and renters, the Nuki Smart Lock brings European precision and award-winning design to the American market – setting a new standard for smart home security. The Nuki Smart Lock is now available for purchase on Amazon: The Nuki Smart Lock and Keypad 2, which comes with access code and fingerprint options, is priced at $229. If you opt for just the lock ($159) to begin with, you can add various accessories like Nuki Keypad with code option ($89), Keypad 2 with code and fingerprint ($149) or the Door Sensor ($59), at any time. All prices MSRP. Products will be available in Nuki's own online shop later this fall. Nuki also launches their Nuki Premium subscription ($5.90 per month) that includes full remote access via the Nuki app including real-time activity alerts, a two-year immediate product replacement, special VIP perks including discounts and deals for product releases, and many more. Early birds who sign up until September 30th will receive free access to Nuki Premium for the entire product lifetime of their Nuki Smart Lock. Nuki Premium is of special interest for hosts who want to use the Nuki Smart Lock for renting their property as it offers and includes seamless hosting integrations with all major platforms like Airbnb, Smoobu or Lodgify. Nuki Premium can be activated optionally through the Nuki app to enjoy full control of the Smart Lock from anywhere in the world. To learn more about Nuki and the Smart Lock, as well as to sign up for all U.S. related updates, please visit About Nuki In 2015, the successful Kickstarter campaign laid the foundation for Nuki's success story. Since then, the company – founded by brothers Martin Pansy (CEO) and Jürgen Pansy (Chief Innovation Officer) in Graz – has grown steadily: Today, Nuki is Europe's leading provider of smart, retrofit access solutions. The company currently employs 150 people from 18 different nationalities at its headquarters in Graz. Nuki holds dual ISO certifications – ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 – attesting to its high international standards in quality and environmental management systems. In addition to its Europe-produced Smart Lock and a wide range of accessories and services, the Austrian company is committed to continuously developing smart access solutions for a completely keyless future. *The Nuki Smart Lock battery lasts up to 12 months when connected via Thread or Bluetooth; up to 6 months when using built-in Wi-Fi.
