Latest news with #homeAutomation
Geeky Gadgets
30-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
The Apple Smart Home Hub: What We Know So Far
Apple is preparing to introduce its highly anticipated smart home hub, the Apple HomePod Hub, a device designed to compete directly with established players like Google and Amazon. Expected to launch by the end of the year, this hub promises to deliver a seamless experience for users already invested in the Apple ecosystem. Combining functionality with a sleek, modern design, the hub is set to enhance convenience and security in your home. While some advanced features have been delayed, Apple has focused on delivering essential capabilities that prioritize usability and integration. The video below from SaranByte gives us more details about the new Apple HomePod Hub. Watch this video on YouTube. Key Features and Design The Apple Smart Home Hub is designed with versatility and practicality in mind, featuring a 7-inch display that serves as both a stationary hub and a portable tablet. Its detachable design offers flexibility, allowing it to be mounted on a wall or carried around your home for added convenience. The hardware is packed with features aimed at improving your smart home experience, including: Built-in speakers for high-quality audio playback and real-time notifications. for high-quality audio playback and real-time notifications. A camera for FaceTime calls and enhanced home security monitoring. for FaceTime calls and enhanced home security monitoring. An advanced A18 chipset to ensure smooth performance and responsiveness. The hub will operate on a specialized 'Home OS' platform, offering a streamlined and intuitive interface. Customizable widgets will allow you to tailor the display to your specific needs, making it easier to control your smart home devices. Additionally, the hub will integrate seamlessly with Apple's HomeKit, making sure a unified and consistent experience for managing connected devices across your home. Connectivity and Ecosystem Integration Apple's smart home hub is equipped with advanced connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6C and Bluetooth 5.3, making sure faster and more reliable connections with your smart home devices. As part of the broader Apple ecosystem, the hub is designed to work effortlessly with other Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, and HomePods. This integration will allow you to: Adjust lighting and temperature settings with ease. Manage security cameras and smart door locks for enhanced safety. Stream music or control media playback across your devices. This seamless connectivity highlights Apple's strategy of using its ecosystem to provide a cohesive and user-friendly smart home experience. By integrating the hub with existing Apple devices, users can enjoy a more connected and efficient home environment. Delayed Features and Market Positioning While the Apple Smart Home Hub offers a range of useful features, some advanced capabilities—particularly related to Siri's intelligent functions—have been postponed. Apple appears to have prioritized an earlier release by focusing on delivering core functionalities first. Despite these delays, the hub is positioned as a more affordable alternative to an iPad for smart home control, with a projected price of approximately $199. Apple's ecosystem advantage gives the hub a competitive edge over rivals like Google Nest Hub and Amazon Echo Show. However, its higher price point may pose a challenge for budget-conscious consumers, especially in a market where affordability often influences purchasing decisions. By emphasizing its seamless integration and user-friendly design, Apple aims to attract users who value quality and compatibility over cost. HomePod Mini Updates In addition to the smart home hub, Apple is rumored to be updating its popular HomePod Mini. The new version is expected to feature the S11 chipset, which will enhance both performance and connectivity. Key upgrades include: Support for Wi-Fi 6C and Bluetooth 5.3 , making sure faster and more stable connections. and , making sure faster and more stable connections. Improved sound quality for a richer and more immersive audio experience. Despite these enhancements, Apple plans to maintain the HomePod Mini's $99 price point, making sure it remains an accessible option for a wide range of consumers. This update reflects Apple's commitment to refining its existing products while keeping them affordable and competitive. Consumer Expectations and Future Possibilities The success of Apple's smart home hub will largely depend on its ability to meet consumer expectations in terms of pricing, functionality, and overall value. While many users are likely to appreciate its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, others may question its necessity, given the availability of similar products from competitors. Consumer feedback has also highlighted interest in additional offerings, such as: New color options for the HomePod Mini to match diverse home aesthetics. A dedicated soundbar for enhanced home entertainment experiences. These suggestions reflect a growing demand for more diverse and innovative smart home solutions. By addressing these needs, Apple could further solidify its position in the smart home market and expand its appeal to a broader audience. Strategic Implications for Apple's Smart Home Vision Apple's new smart home hub represents a significant step in its broader strategy to establish a foothold in the competitive smart home market. By using its ecosystem and focusing on user-friendly integration, Apple aims to differentiate itself from competitors and provide a unique value proposition. However, its success will ultimately depend on how well it balances functionality, pricing, and consumer expectations. As the release date approaches, the tech community and consumers alike will be watching closely to see how this device shapes Apple's smart home strategy and its ability to compete in this rapidly evolving space. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on Apple smart home hub. Source & Image Credit: SaranByte Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple's smart home hub could reportedly make its debut later this year
Apple's long-awaited smart home hub could be available as soon as the end of this year, according to the latest report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Rumors surrounding Apple's smart home hub began circulating as early as 2022, when the product was first reportedly greenlit. However, the road to its release has been rocky since the product was expected to heavily rely on Apple Intelligence. Gurman previously reported in March that Apple had delayed the announcement of its smart home hub thanks to issues with upgrading Siri. Gurman has since updated his expected timeline for Apple's upcoming product, claiming that a lower-end version will release "by the end of this year at the earliest." Gurman also revealed that a more advanced version that can "move around a person's desk on the end of a robotic arm" should release a year or two after the basic model's launch and is a "major priority at Apple." To meet this release window, Apple will reportedly abandon some of the "bolder features" with the robotic arm model. Gurman added that those features could be pushed back to later models instead. Apple has said very little about its smart home hub, but rumors detail a design that draws from both the HomePod and iPad. It's rumored to have a seven-inch display, a new operating system called homeOS, and a dashboard that resembles the iPhone's StandBy mode. Apple will have to compete with existing smart home hubs like Amazon's Echo lineup and Google's Nest Hub, but it's rumored that the starting price for the robotic arm version could start at $1,000.
Geeky Gadgets
18-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Affordable Smart Home Gadgets That Will Change Your Life
Imagine walking into a home where the lights adjust to your mood, the thermostat learns your preferences, and your security system keeps watch—all without you lifting a finger. Now, imagine achieving this level of convenience and control without spending a fortune. It might sound like a futuristic luxury, but thanks to an ever-growing selection of affordable smart home devices, this reality is within reach for almost anyone. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a newcomer to home automation, these budget-friendly gadgets prove that creating a smarter, more connected home doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. In this guide, Smart Home Solver explore some of the best cost-effective smart devices that can transform your living space. From smart lighting solutions that enhance ambiance and save energy to video doorbells and motion sensors that upgrade your home's security, these products combine practicality with value. You'll discover tools that simplify daily routines, improve safety, and even help you monitor your energy consumption—all while staying compatible with modern ecosystems like Matter, Zigbee, and HomeKit. By the end, you'll see how small investments in the right devices can make a big difference in the way you live, offering both convenience and peace of mind. Affordable Smart Home Upgrades Smart Lighting Solutions Smart lighting is often the first step into home automation, offering convenience and energy efficiency. Affordable options like the Casa smart bulb provide vibrant colors and compatibility with most smart home systems, though they lack Matter certification, which limits future-proofing. For a slightly higher investment, the Lincoln bulb offers Matter compatibility, a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI) for more accurate lighting, and various size options, making it a versatile choice for different rooms and purposes. For those interested in light strips, the Whiz model is a budget-friendly option that delivers warm and cool white tones, though its RGB colors are less vivid. If you prefer brighter colors and advanced effects, the Accara T1 light strip is a solid choice. However, it requires a Zigbee hub for full functionality, which may add to the initial cost. Video Doorbells and Smart Door Locks Video doorbells are essential for enhancing home security. The Real Link Wi-Fi Doorbell stands out with features like 24/7 recording, HDR video quality, and no subscription fees, making it a cost-effective option for continuous monitoring. Alternatively, the UI E340 offers a more affordable solution, though it comes with fewer standout features and a slightly higher price point. Smart door locks provide both security and convenience. The Yuthi E31 is a lightweight model equipped with a fingerprint reader and a rechargeable battery, though its integration with smart home systems is limited. For a more robust option, the Accara U lock is HomeKit-compatible, features a reliable fingerprint sensor, and supports Matter when paired with a hub, making sure seamless integration with modern ecosystems. Best Affordable Smart Home Devices Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on home automation. Smart Switches and Cameras Smart switches are a simple yet effective way to control lighting and schedules. The Casa dimmer and on/off models are affordable, reliable, and Matter-compatible, making sure smooth integration with various systems and future-proofing your setup. For indoor security, the Topo C120 camera offers 24/7 recording, multiple alert types, and compatibility with platforms like Home Assistant, making it a versatile choice for monitoring your home. For outdoor surveillance, the Real Link RLC 810A provides 4K resolution and reliable performance, making sure your property remains secure and well-monitored. Motion and Presence Detection Sensors Motion sensors are critical for automating lighting and enhancing security. The compact Accara sensor operates on coin cell batteries and includes a stand for easy placement. The Third Reality motion sensor, while larger and powered by AAA batteries, delivers consistent and reliable performance. For advanced presence detection, millimeter wave sensors like the Treatife model integrate seamlessly with Amazon and Google systems, offering precise detection capabilities. The Accara FP1E, a Zigbee-compatible option, provides accurate motion distance detection and straightforward setup, making it ideal for smart home enthusiasts. Another compact choice is the Apollo MSR2, which features wall-mount capabilities and ESP Home integration, catering to those who prefer customizable setups. Contact and Water Leak Sensors Contact sensors are essential for monitoring doors and windows. The Accara sensor is compact and battery-powered, though it may occasionally experience connectivity issues. For a more robust alternative, the Third Reality sensor offers a stronger signal and a reliable magnet, making sure consistent performance. Water leak sensors help prevent costly damage by detecting leaks early. The IKEA model combines affordability with functionality, featuring a sleek design, AAA battery, and an onboard siren for immediate alerts. The Third Reality sensor, while slightly more expensive, includes a louder siren and additional water contact points for enhanced detection, making it a reliable choice for critical areas like basements or kitchens. Customizable Smart Buttons and Vibration Sensors Smart buttons add flexibility to your home automation system. The Third Reality button is Zigbee-compatible, customizable, and available in colorful designs, making it a practical and visually appealing addition. For lighting control, the Philips Hue Switch offers versatile button functions and a magnetic mount for easy placement on walls or appliances. Vibration sensors are useful for detecting movement or tampering. The Accara model is an affordable option that provides basic functionality, while the Third Reality sensor, with adjustable sensitivity and AAA battery power, offers a more responsive and customizable solution for monitoring vibrations. Smart Outlets and Garage Door Controllers Smart outlets simplify power management and enhance energy efficiency. The Casa model supports Wi-Fi and Matter compatibility, though its energy monitoring capabilities are limited when using Matter. Zigbee-compatible outlets from IKEA or Third Reality include energy monitoring features and can extend your Zigbee network range, making them a versatile choice for larger smart home setups. Garage door controllers, such as the Maros model, are reliable and affordable. With a battery-free sensor and compatibility with major smart home systems, these devices streamline garage automation while maintaining security and convenience. Smart Thermostats and Air Quality Monitors Smart thermostats help maintain a comfortable home environment while reducing energy consumption. The Honeywell X2S is a budget-friendly option that is Matter-certified, making sure compatibility with modern ecosystems. For more advanced features, the EcoB Essential thermostat offers customization options and compatibility with EcoB sensors, allowing for more precise temperature control. Air quality monitors are essential for maintaining a healthy living space. The Apollo MSR2 includes CO2 sensors, making it ideal for enclosed areas like bedrooms or offices. The IKEA air quality monitor tracks particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it particularly useful in spaces like kitchens or workshops where air quality can fluctuate. Enhancing Your Home with Affordable Smart Devices Building a smart home doesn't have to break the bank. From lighting and security to energy monitoring and air quality, these affordable devices offer practical solutions to improve your living space. By selecting products that align with your needs and existing systems, you can create a connected home that balances functionality, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Media Credit: Smart Home Solver Filed Under: Gadgets News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Verge
16-05-2025
- The Verge
I let lasers power my smart home — and I don't want to go back
One morning last month, I walked into my kitchen to get a glass of water, but my smart faucet was out of battery. I went to sit down in my front room, and the shade was still shut — it was out of battery. I walked down the hall and found a beached robot vacuum — out of battery. I headed outside to feed the chickens, unlocking the back door on the way out. The battery-powered smart lock had done what it was supposed to and automatically locked at 8PM. At least something was working. The game changer here is wireless charging. Not wireless like putting your phone on a charging pad, wireless like across the room. For the past year, a Wi-Charge transmitter in my ceiling has been shooting infrared lasers at a photovoltaic panel on the specially modified Alfred DB2S smart lock on my back door, keeping its battery hovering at 100 percent. So I never have to deal with a dead lock when going to feed my chickens. I want this for everything in my smart home. To get this souped-up setup cost around $1,250, required cutting a hole in my ceiling, and is only available through an early access program (the Wi-Charge-compatible Alfred lock can't be purchased off the shelf). However, despite this extra effort, after a year of living with a wirelessly-powered smart lock, whose battery I never have to mess with, I want this for everything in my smart home. I want the convenience of battery-powered gadgets: no cords cluttering up my house, no pricey electrician bills, the freedom to put things where I want, unrestricted by power outlets. I want the benefits that come with battery-powered connected gadgets like smart faucets and shades: voice control, schedules, hands-free operation — without having to spend a day every month recharging or replacing batteries. In short, I want wireless power everywhere. Long-range wireless power has been a dream for over a century. Wi-Charge (pronounced WHY like wire) has been working on its solution for the better part of a decade, debuting it at CES in 2018. Based on my experience, the technology works. But I'm less bullish on whether the infrastructure will ever exist in the home to make this more than just a curiosity or niche luxury. Wi-Charge's AirCord technology uses infrared lasers to beam power from its R1 wireless power transmitters to a receiver within line of sight. The standard transmitter, which I tested with the door lock, can deliver 100mW to devices within 10 meters; there's a higher-powered one that can send 300mW at up to 5 meters. One transmitter can juice up multiple devices, powering one at a time. Should I be worried about having infrared lasers bouncing around my home? Wi-Charge says no. The company has Class 1 FDA approval for a laser product, which means it should be as safe to use as a DVD player. Still, I rarely look directly into a DVD player. The transmitters are also FCC-certified (because they use Wi-Fi to connect to the Wi-Charge cloud) and UL-approved. (It doesn't directly connect to 110V, so doesn't need to be UL-listed). The transmitters use a low-powered laser to locate the receiver and switch to high power for charging once the connection is established. When I walk under one, it cuts off the transmission, resuming it once I've passed through (indicated by a small LED status light). '100 percent of what is sent reaches the receiver, there is zero emission outside the beam, and people are not exposed to any infrared,' Ori Mor, founder and chief business officer of Wi-Charge, assures me. While we weren't able to independently verify the safety claims, I still have my sight and have had two Wi-Charge transmitters in my house for a year now — one for the Alfred lock on my back door and the higher-power R1HP model in the ceiling of my bathroom, powering an electric toothbrush charger. The toothbrush charger is a prototype and not for sale, which is a shame, because it's excellent. Bathrooms are precisely the type of place you don't want to be dealing with wires. Alfred's DB2S is the Canadian manufacturer's second smart lock to work with Wi-Charge (the first was the ML2, a US mortise-style lock for commercial buildings). A deadbolt lock with a sleek, modern look and a high-quality build, DB2S has most of the features you'd expect in a smart lock, including a touchscreen keypad, a keyway for unlocking, and the option of two RFID keyfobs. It works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (with a separate $60 bridge) to connect to Alfred's app for managing keycodes and controlling the lock, as well as connections to Amazon Alexa and Google Home. There's also the option of a Z-Wave module for compatibility with platforms such as Samsung SmartThings and Ring Alarm. While the lock cost $299 when I reviewed it, and can still be found for that price, Alfred recently raised the MSRP to $320, due to the impact of tariffs. Alfred DB2S smart lock $299 Outside of its ability to be powered wirelessly with a Wi-Charge conversion kit (sold separately), the DB2S is a standard deadbolt smart lock. It's sleek and modern-looking, featuring a digital keypad, GPS-based auto-unlock, compatibility with Google Home and Alexa (via a separate Wi-Fi bridge), and an optional Z-Wave module for connecting to Ring Alarm and other Z-Wave platforms. As a smart lock, it worked reliably. The keypad is easy to use, the lock responds promptly, and I liked its GPS auto-unlocking feature. Overall, it's a solid, albeit expensive, smart lock, but it's the Wi-Charge integration that makes it noteworthy. Out of the box, the DB2S is not set up for wireless power — you need to request a Wi-Charge/Alfred conversion kit by filling out a form on Alfred's website. Alfred's Brad Cook tells me that pricing for the conversion kit and transmitter ranges from $499 to $799, depending on your setup — that's in addition to buying the lock. 1/4 The kit I tested consisted of a Wi-Charge transmitter with a ceiling mount and a new backplate for the lock that included a modified replacement 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery. The backplate is significantly larger than the one the lock came with, incorporating an infrared-optimized photovoltaic panel built into the top. It looks a bit like the chonky remote for your old TV. I had the transmitter installed in the ceiling three feet from my back door. It's small and unobtrusive, measuring approximately 4 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep. It has a wide glass panel that transmits the infrared laser to the receiver, and it's powered by a 12-volt barrel connector connected to my mains power via a modified ceiling light fixture supplied by Wi-Charge. In theory, I could have just installed the transmitter where there was an existing can light, but the Wi-Charge team was concerned that the angle of the lights in my hallway wouldn't be optimal, so recommended installing a new can in a more central area. This cost $450 for an electrician to cut a hole in the drywall and extend a circuit from the existing lights. All in, the price for the privilege of never having to mess with the battery on a single smart lock was around $1,250. Is it worth it? No. Could it be in a future where the tech costs less and can do more? Totally. Once installed and up and running, I evaluated the Wi-Charge device by putting a fully charged battery into the lock and using it regularly for nine months, locking and unlocking it using the keypad and via a schedule that locked the door automatically every night. The battery never fell below 100 percent. I then unplugged the transmitter and taped over the infrared receiver on the lock, continuing to use it normally. After about three months of intensive use, the battery was down to 58 percent. I uncovered the infrared receiver panel for a week to see if the lock would recharge at all using ambient light; it didn't. I then plugged the Wi-Charge unit back in, and the battery started charging again. It went up to 68 percent in a day, 78 percent in three days, and was at 90 percent after a week. It was impressive. I test a lot of smart locks, and the number of times I've tried to unlock my back door only to be faced with a dead lock is surprisingly high. Most can only go three to six months before needing new batteries, and that can get tiresome. The Alfred uses Bluetooth LE, rather than power-hungry built-in Wi-Fi, so it can go a bit longer — Alfred claims nine to 11 months — but it's still a pain to fiddle with batteries. Alfred's Cook explains that Wi-Charge's power management algorithms optimize the charging cycles, so it's not constantly pulsing electricity; instead, it sends power only when needed. All of which make Wi-Charge an excellent, if expensive, solution to a particular smart lock problem. However, Mor says the Wi-Charge system can power anything with a rechargeable battery. That includes smart locks, smart shades, smart faucets, security cameras, and even smart speakers and smart displays if they have a battery. If the puck in the ceiling of my hallway was also powering the smart shades and security cameras nearby, it would be a much better value proposition. Extending beyond smart home devices, imagine never having to plug in your game controller or swap the batteries in your TV remote, or being able to wirelessly power your VR headset. But in order to be powered by Wi-Charge, a device needs a receiver, and for most products, that means a complete redesign. Mor says they are developing a receiver that can plug into any device with a charging port, but I don't want dongles in my wireless future. And, as the receiver needs line of sight, I'd need several transmitters around my house to power all my gadgets. The dream of whole-home wireless power may be stymied by infrastructure The good news is that the transmitters are flexible, installation-wise. Along with the ceiling light option, you can also wall-mount it, install one in track lighting, and there's a model that can be placed on a shelf — so no need to mess with drywall. While I can confirm that wireless power over a distance actually works, it still feels like the dream of whole-home wireless power may be stymied by infrastructure. Companies just aren't going to invest in putting receivers in their products unless people demand them, and people aren't going to install wireless power transmitters unless they have something to power with them. Where wireless power likely has the most potential — and where Wi-Charge has had the most success so far — is in commercial applications where there are lots of devices to charge. For example, digital posters, electronic signage in stores, or other digital displays where hardwiring is difficult and changing or recharging batteries would be expensive and time-consuming. A Wi-Charge unit can power many electronic price signs, and the lack of wires means it's easier to move them around. 1/3 Of course, there's also the question of efficiency. Wireless charging is significantly less efficient than using wires or batteries, or even magnetic induction. You're converting electricity to infrared light, shooting it through the air at a photovoltaic panel, and turning it back into electricity to charge a battery. When actively charging — which Mor says is about 1 percent of the time — the transmitter uses about 5W of power to get a steady 100mW output from the receiver. Wi-Charge's wireless power transfer efficiency is about 15 percent compared to a direct wired connection Mor says Wi-Charge's wireless power transfer efficiency is about 15 percent compared to a direct wired connection. That's not counting the energy used to power the transmitter's Wi-Fi connection, status LEDs, and so forth. He claims it's more efficient than any other line-of-sight charging, but about four and a half times less efficient than magnetic induction (Qi) charging. However, devices like locks, shades, and so on use very little power overall, meaning the total increase in electricity use should be minimal. Based on a $0.20/kWh electricity cost, Mor says that over a year, the Alfred lock would cost less than $0.10 to power wirelessly, compared to less than a cent to recharge with a USB cable. If I could power all the other battery-powered devices in my home at the expense of a few pucks in my ceiling and a dollar or so more a year in electricity, I would do it. Ditching wires, charging docks, cables, and disposable batteries to power door locks, electric toothbrushes, smart faucets, shades, remote controls — maybe even more power-hungry gadgets like battery-powered security cameras — could be a game changer in the smart home. Sadly, I'm not sure if it's a game anyone else is ready to play. Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
