Latest news with #HomeKit
India Today
14-07-2025
- India Today
Apple smart home hub is apparently delayed, set to launch next year now with AI Siri
Apple's long-rumoured smart home hub is reportedly facing yet another delay. The much-anticipated device, envisioned as a central controller for HomeKit accessories with deep Siri integration, was initially expected to debut in 2025. However, fresh insights from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now suggest that the product is unlikely to arrive before his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests that the delay in the launch of the home hub is largely due to Apple's reliance on a new, more intelligent version of Siri. The upcoming hub is said to depend heavily on 'Apple Intelligence' features and an enhanced App Intents framework, which will allow Siri to understand context better, control apps more efficiently, and respond in more personalised ways using on-device data. advertisementNow these AI capabilities, including a smarter Siri, were initially scheduled to roll out with iOS 18.4, but have since been delayed. Thus, the delay has pushed the launch of Apple's smart hub further. Apple Home Hub rumoured specifications The anticipation for the Apple Home Hub has been long-standing. The device, which has been in development under the internal codename J490, is often described as a 'HomePod with a screen.' Reports suggest that the device might feature a 6- to 7-inch display—likely square-shaped—and be powered by Apple's A18 chip to enable advanced AI functions. The screen is also rumoured to be mountable on a wall or attachable to a speaker base, giving it flexibility in different home addition to controlling smart home devices, Gurman suggested the hub is expected to support FaceTime calls, display widgets, and potentially integrate with a new Apple-designed smart home camera for added security delayedGurman first flagged the delay earlier this year, noting that the launch was originally planned for March 2025. However, as Apple is working on refining AI-based Siri capabilities, both the software features and the hub hardware have been postponed indefinitely. Now, with further confirmation that critical Siri upgrades are still in the pipeline, a 2026 launch is becoming increasingly a previous report, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicted that a HomePod with a display would enter mass production by Q3 2025. However, in light of the current delays tied to software readiness, that timeline is now there are setbacks and delays, there are signs the project remains active within Apple. Earlier in March 2025, there were reports suggesting that select Apple employees were testing the smart hub in real-world conditions. More recently, references to a new display device were seen in the iOS 18.6 developer beta, hinting at continued progress behind the scenes. The code pointed to a screen resolution matching that of an iPad mini, reinforcing speculation about the form factor.- Ends
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Forbes
Belkin Kills Wemo Smart Home Support
A Belkin Wemo Insight Switch smart plug (Photo by Olly Curtis/T3 Magazine/Future via Getty Images) Belkin is officially pulling the plug on most of its Wemo smart home lineup, with support ending for the majority of devices at the end of January next year. After that date, anything still relying on the Wemo cloud will go dumb. So that means any devices paired to and using the Wemo app will no longer have smart features and the likes of remote access, and even Google Home or Alexa voice control, routines and automations will stop working. The workaround is to get your Wemo gear running locally via Apple HomeKit; but only 8 of the 27 non-Thread Wemo devices are HomeKit compatible, and it obviously means you'd need a Home hub like an Apple TV or HomePod in place, alongside an iOS device to configure the Wemo device. If you're not using HomeKit already, you won't be able to migrate it after the deadline. Devices must be configured with Apple Home before the 31 January 2026 to keep working. Belkin has stated that its Wemo Thread-based devices - WLS0503, WSC010, WSP100, WDC010 - will continue to work without any new configurations they can be locally synced with HomeKit… but the WDC010 is actually a video doorbell that uses dual-band Wi-Fi, not Thread - so the messaging isn't all that clear. The El Segundo, California-based brand quietly shared the news via a customer email and support page update at the end of last week, calling it a 'difficult decision' but one that allows it to 'focus resources' elsewhere within the Belkin business. For anyone left with non-HomeKit-compatible Wemo hardware, Belkin says it will offer partial refunds for devices still under warranty after support ends. Any refunds won't be available until after the cut-off date, so there's no process to initiate just yet. If your devices are out of warranty and can't be reconfigured to HomeKit then Belkin's advice is simple but not ideal… recycle them responsibly at an e-waste facility. In Belkin's defence, there's only one Wemo device that has been available in the last 3 years that isn't HomeKit-compatible - the F7C030 light switch - so most products will be safely out of their warranty period anyway. It's still a kick in the teeth though and yet another example of smart device effectively becoming paperweights once the smart functionality is switched off. This isn't a total surprise though as Belkin had already pressed pause on Wemo's future in 2023, announcing it was 'taking a big step back' from Matter development and smart home expansion in general.
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Baby monitor and dozens more household items stop working as major tech brand shuts down devices – how to claim a refund
See which products will be affected SWITCH OFF Baby monitor and dozens more household items stop working as major tech brand shuts down devices – how to claim a refund Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR tech brand is pulling the plug on its devices, with baby monitors and dozens of other household items to stop working. Any products and features that rely on cloud connectivity will be affected, as the brand's app and customer support will cease operation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 They are known for a number of smart home products which enable remote control of devices Credit: Getty Wemo products from Belkin are expected to shut down as early as 2026. This follows an announcement made in an email from Belkin which was sent to customers, where they said: "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to end technical support for older Wemo products, effective January 31, 2026. "After this date, several Wemo products will no longer be controllable through the Wemo app." Remote access and voice assistant integrations in their smart home products are included in the shutdown. As a result, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which rely on cloud services to manage smart home devices, will no longer be able to be used with Wi-Fi based Wemo products. It involves products that were still for sale as recently as 2023. However there are a number of devices that will continue to function as normal through HomeKit over Thread. This includes devices like the Smart Light Swith 3-Way, Stage Smart Scene Controller, Smart Plug with Thread and the Smart Video Doorbell Camera. Wemo products configured for use with Apple HomeKit will also continue to function via HomeKit, but with the absence of the Wemo cloud services and app. Devices still supported under warranty will be able to claim a "partial refund" from January 31 next year, according to Belkin. Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks This includes the Mini Smart Plug, Outdoor Plug, Mini Plugin Switch, Smart Light Swtich, Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch w/ Dimmer and Mini Smart Plug. There are a number of products that will not be able to be available for a refund. It is recommended by Belkin to dispose of any Wemo products that are out of warranty, at an authorised e-waste recycling centre. Here is the full list of products affected by the shutdown:
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Baby monitor and dozens more household items stop working as major tech brand shuts down devices – how to claim a refund
A MAJOR tech brand is pulling the plug on its devices, with baby monitors and dozens of other household items to stop working. Any products and features that rely on cloud connectivity will be affected, as the brand's app and customer support will cease operation. Advertisement 1 They are known for a number of smart home products which enable remote control of devices Credit: Getty Wemo products from This follows an announcement made in an email from Belkin which was sent to customers, where they said: "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to end technical support for older Wemo products, effective January 31, 2026. "After this date, several Wemo products will no longer be controllable through the Wemo app." Remote access and voice assistant integrations in their smart home products are included in the shutdown. Advertisement Read More Tech News As a result, It involves products that were still for sale as recently as 2023. However there are a number of devices that will continue to function as normal through HomeKit over Thread. This includes devices like the Smart Light Swith 3-Way, Stage Smart Scene Controller, Smart Plug with Thread and the Smart Video Doorbell Camera. Advertisement Most read in Tech Wemo products configured for use with Apple HomeKit will also continue to function via HomeKit, but with the absence of the Wemo cloud services and app. Devices still supported under warranty will be able to claim a "partial refund" from January 31 next year, according to Belkin. Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks This includes the Mini Smart Plug, Outdoor Plug, Mini Plugin Switch, Smart Light Swtich, Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch w/ Dimmer and Mini Smart Plug. There are a number of products that will not be able to be available for a refund. Advertisement It is recommended by Belkin to dispose of any Wemo products that are out of warranty, at an authorised e-waste recycling centre. Here is the full list of products affected by the shutdown: Wemo Link (last sold August 2015, 2-year warranty) Wemo Humidifier (last sold December 2015, 3-Year warranty) Wemo CrockPot (last sold April 2016, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Heater B (last sold June 2016, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Air Purifier (last sold July 2016, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Heater A (last sold September 2016, 1-Year warranty) Wemo Coffee Maker (Mr. Coffee) (last sold December 2016, 1-Year warranty) Wi-Fi Baby Monitor (last sold June 2017, 1-Year warranty) Wemo LED Lighting Bundle (last sold September 2017, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Motion Sensor (last sold September 2017, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Switch + Motion Sensor (last sold October 2017, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Maker Module (last sold November 2017, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Zigbee Bulb, E27 (last sold March 2018, 2-year warranty) Wemo Insight v2 (last sold July 2018, 1-Year warranty) Wemo Switch (last sold January 2019, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Light Switch v2 (last sold November 2019, 1-Year warranty) Wemo Insight (last sold June 2020, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Smart Light Switch 3-Way (last sold September 2021, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Mini Smart Plug (last sold July 2022, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Light Switch w/ Dimmer (last sold September 2022, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Smart Light Switch (last sold September 2022, 3-Year warranty) Wemo HomeKit (last sold September 2022, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Dimmer Light Switch (last sold November 2022, 1-Year warranty) Wemi Mini Plugin Switch (last sold December 2022, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Light Switch (last sold December 2022, 2-Year warranty) Wemo Outdoor Plug (last sold May 2023, 3-Year warranty) Wemo Mini Smart Plug (last sold November 2023, 3-Year warranty)
The Verge
11-07-2025
- The Verge
Belkin is ending support for nearly all its Wemo smart home devices
Belkin has announced that it's made the 'difficult decision' to end support for almost its entire line of Wemo smart home devices from January 31st, 2026. The only models that will continue to work after that date are those that have been configured through Apple HomeKit. The news was shared in an email to customers and on Belkin's website, and confirms that from next February onwards, 'Any features that rely on cloud connectivity, including remote access and voice assistant integrations, will no longer work.' The company will also stop providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance after that date, and the Wemo app will no longer receive updates. Some Wemo devices will continue to work. Four Wemo products (SKUs WLS0503, WSC010, WSP100, WDC010) based on the Thread protocol will work as normal through HomeKit. Other Wemo products that are compatible with HomeKit will also carry on working through the Apple network so long as they're configured before January 31st. Belkin says that if your Wemo product is still under warranty when support ends, you may be eligible for a 'partial refund,' though it won't begin processing those refunds before that date. This doesn't come as a total surprise. Belkin backed away from its support of the Matter smart home standard in 2023, announcing it would 'take a big step back, regroup, and rethink' its approach to smart home hardware. It hasn't released any new Wemo products since then.
