Latest news with #AppleHome
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
The three things you need to look for when buying a smart lock
When it comes to buying one of the best smart locks, consumers are now spoiled for choice. There are now hundreds of different models on the market, starting at prices ranging from $100. But before you go off and buy the first model you see, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The majority of smart locks are designed to replace the deadbolt on your door. In most cases, this means completely removing the deadbolt and swapping it with the smart lock. However, if you want to continue to use the same keys as before, you should look for a smart lock that only swaps out the interior portion of the lock (August's smart lock is a prime example of this). While this means you won't get such things as a keypad or fingerprint reader — unless they're available as separate accessories — you can keep using the lock as you did before you made it "smart." This may seem a bit silly at first, but one of the advantages of smart locks is that they offer multiple ways for you to enter your home. It'll be up for you to decide which you method - or methods - you want. Here are a few of the more popular entry methods. A smart lock is one of the easiest upgrades you can get for your home. No more fretting about forgetting keys or accidentally locking someone out. You can unlock your door with your unique code or the free Hubspace app. Need to let your house sitter in while you're on vacation? Give them a temporary passcode or let them in with the app. It's simple but secure. Unless your entire smart home will consist of a smart lock, you'll also want to consider how that lock will work with your other smart home devices. For example, when connected via a smart home hub, you can program your smart lights to automatically turn on when you unlock your door, or have your smart thermostat adjust its temperature down when you lock your door to leave your house. If that's your aim, then you want to make sure your smart lock works with one of the major smart home platforms — Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, or Samsung SmartThings. Otherwise, you may have difficulty in getting all your smart home devices to talk to each other. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
The Verge
3 days ago
- The Verge
These teensy multi-protocol relays work with every platform.
All the smart home news, reviews, and gadgets you need to know about See all Stories Posted Jun 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM UTC These teensy multi-protocol relays work with every platform. Shelly's Gen4 relays start at $18 and can automate anything that's wired, from light switches and garage door openers to sprinkler systems and appliances. Designed to fit inside electrical boxes, relays are a super versatile solution for the smart home. Shelly's new line is now available in the U.S., and all the models offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter (over Wi-Fi), so they'll work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and more.
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
This New Smart Lock From Yale Pairs With Video Doorbells in Ways I Haven't Seen Before
Google Nest and Yale partnered before on the Nest x Yale smart lock, so I wasn't surprised to see the spring announcement of a new lock from Yale designed to work even more closely with Nest products, especially the Nest Doorbell, a personal favorite of mine. Called the Yale Smart Lock with Matter, it's now available for $190. The Matter standard gives the new lock compatibility with platforms like Apple Home and Alexa, but the real value lies in its connections to the Nest Doorbell. Not only does the new oval design look a bit like the doorbell itself, but users can operate the lock directly from the Doorbell video feed, like if they get an app alert and see a family member has stopped by. It reminds me a bit of the Yale/Nest compatibility with the ADT Plus app, but you don't need a security system or extra app this time, just Google Home. Yale's new smart lock is a great option for Nest users. Yale Even without the Nest Doorbell compatibility, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter gets plenty of expected smart lock features, including remote control, notifications about lock activity, autolocking, and the ability to set up literally hundreds of guest profiles and codes if necessary. The lock also has a vacation mode that turns off the keypad if the house won't be accessed for a while. Matter technology promises to give the Yale Lock a lengthy battery life of up to 12 months. Of course, I'll have to test it for an extended period of time to get a better idea of that part, but provide any noteworthy updates. For now, if you're a Google Nest fan, then you should consider picking this lock up -- or maybe wait for Amazon Prime Day(s) to see if it goes on sale.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Hans India
Apple Home Moves Toward Smarter Energy Management with New Developer Tools
While Apple didn't spotlight its smart home ecosystem during this year's WWDC keynote, the company has quietly rolled out promising updates to the Home app—specifically in the realm of energy management. In a recently released developer video, Apple introduced EnergyKit, a new framework launching with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Designed for integration with Apple Home, EnergyKit empowers developers to access and utilise energy data to help reduce or shift electricity consumption. The goal? Prioritise the use of cleaner or cheaper energy. For instance, developers can now build smart features that allow an EV charger to schedule charging based on predicted energy prices or let a thermostat dial back its usage during peak pricing hours. Apple refers to this functionality as EnergyKit Guidance, which taps into real-time data like electricity rates and clean energy availability—currently available through the Grid Forecast widget when connected to a utility provider (PG&E is the only one supported so far). This feature expansion means Apple Home could evolve into a Home Energy Management System (HEMS)—a platform capable of monitoring, optimising, and controlling a home's energy consumption. While this vision is still developing, it's already taking root in other ecosystems. Platforms like Samsung SmartThings (with its AI Energy Mode) and Homey by LG are ahead of the curve. Though EnergyKit is designed to route energy data from Apple Home into individual manufacturers' apps, it sets a foundation for future central control directly through the Apple Home app—something that's notably absent today. Currently, Apple Home doesn't support energy monitoring for thermostats or integration with EV chargers. Still, there's reason to believe change is coming. Apple's active role in the Matter smart home standard opens the door for broader device compatibility. Matter has recently added support for key appliances and systems like electric water heaters, heat pumps, solar inverters, and energy storage systems. This greatly increases the chances of future Apple Home integration with energy-intensive devices. As Apple builds the blocks of a more connected and energy-aware smart home experience, EnergyKit represents an important first step. It's a quiet but strategic move that hints at a more sustainable—and more competitive—future for Apple in the smart home space.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- USA Today
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience
These smart gadgets can enhance your at-home experience Show Caption Hide Caption How to clean your phone, laptop safely Get the dirty fingerprints, crumbs and more off of your tech with these simple cleaning tips. Nearly 65 years ago, the popular animated sitcom "The Jetsons" burst onto the airwaves, giving us a glimpse into the future of smart homes and other high-tech gadgets. With visions of things such as flying cars and fully automated homes, these futuristic concepts seemed far-fetched at the time. A quarter-century into the new millennium, some of the devices seen in the series have found their way into our reality. As flying cars make their way to market and Waymo self-driving cars currently transport people in select U.S. cities, it's clear technology is rapidly evolving before our eyes. We've entered an era of readily available products and appliances that make home life a breeze, and often with a simple verbal command or touch on your smartphone. According to Parks Associates, a longstanding market research brand, 45 percent of households in the United States with internet have at least one smart home product and 18 percent of households have six or more. If you've been considering adding a few smart gadgets to your home, here's a curated list of some of the market's best products. From high-tech thermostats and AI-enabled refrigerators to colorful LED lights that work at your voice's command, these gadgets will certainly make your home feel more futuristic: Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Voted one of the best options on the market by "PCMag" and "The New York Times," this plug has the ability to take your regular gadgets from basic to smart with little to no effort. Plus, it's compatible with major home hubs like Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. Have you ever dreamed of being able to control the fan in your room while you're sleeping, without having to do so manually? With smart plugs such as this, you can not only put most of your gadgets on a timer, but you can operate them via your smartphone or by voice as well. $41.99 for a four-pack, Ring Battery Doorbell Cam Long gone are the days of having to get up every time your doorbell rings or missing a delivery when you're not home. With the introduction of doorbell cameras, such as Ring's, we've entered a new era of home security and monitoring. This brand is loved because you can not only see who's at the door from a compatible device, but you can reply or set auto replies, too. You can even pair it with the Ring-branded security system that offers 24/7 professional monitoring as an add-on, giving added peace of mind even while away on vacation. $59.99, Google Nest Learning Thermostat Now in its fourth generation, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat has been a go-to for homeowners since launching more than a decade ago. Controlled manually or via the Google Home app on your smartphone, the device picks up on your preferred temperature settings over time and automatically adjusts even when you aren't home. With the help of AI, the newest iteration of the Adaptive Eco feature is also able to determine the right settings for optimal energy saving, which often means lower energy bills for you as well. $239.99, ROKU Plus Series Smart TV Smart televisions have truly revolutionized the game. ROKU's Plus Series is not only equipped with a QLED screen and preloaded with popular streaming platforms, but the TV can be controlled by your voice using the accompanying remote. This means you can play your favorite show by simply speaking, or even find the remote if it gets lost. The Plus Series models are compatible with most major smart home hubs such as Alexa and Google Home and can be paired with other ROKU-branded products, too. Starting at $398 for a 55-inch model, Philips A19 LED Smart Color-Changing Light Bulb The Phillips A19 LED bulb is reasonably priced and has a range of colors perfect for any mood. The light can be controlled via voice through your smart home hub, or you can activate it through the WiZ app from your smartphone. $12.97 for a 60-watt bulb, LG 16H Prime Home Backup Battery Though not 'smart' in the sense of the other products mentioned, home backup batteries are among the things you didn't know you needed, until you actually do. Essentially a new-age generator, these high-powered energy sources provide the necessary output to keep your home running, especially in the event of a power outage. This particular model is touted as being designed with the average homeowner's needs in mind, meaning it's not overly complicated to use, has just the right amount of power for everyday needs like running an air conditioner while also being affordable in comparison to similar models on the market. $3,999,
