Apple reportedly picked the companies to supply the display for a screen-equipped HomePod now in development. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Schlage today unveiled a new Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt that's able to connect to smart home platforms like HomeKit using Matter-over-Thread. The device has no key hole as it is exclusively designed to be unlocked with a smartphone. The Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt supports hands-free unlocking over NFC and it integrates Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. The lock is able to unlock right when a user reaches their door by measuring distance, speed, and trajectory with UWB. Schlage's lock will be one of the first to support hands-free unlocking using the Ultra Wideband chip in the iPhone. Apple added an "Express Mode" hands-free unlocking feature to iOS 18, but it requires smart locks to have a UWB chip and there are…

Aqara has announced a new lineup of smart home devices at CES 2025, emphasizing tighter integration with Apple HomeKit and the Matter protocol. The flagship Panel Hub S1 Plus features a 6.9-inch touchscreen and dual-band Wi-Fi, enabling centralized management of up to two wired light fixtures. As a Zigbee hub and Matter bridge, the device simplifies the integration of Aqara's Zigbee accessories with ‌HomeKit‌ and third-party Matter-compatible devices. The panel also supports real-time camera streaming, including footage from Aqara's doorbells. The new Touchscreen Dial V1 builds upon the Panel Hub S1 Plus's capabilities by introducing a rotary dial and a smaller 1.32-inch round display. It allows for granular control of both wired lights and connected smart devices while maintaining compatibility…

Lutron today announced the launch of new Caséta Smart Shades that are able to integrate with HomeKit and other smart home platforms. Priced at $399, the Caséta shades can be controlled using schedules, in-wall controls, remotes, the Lutron app, the Home app, or Siri voice commands. These are the first smart shades that are available under the Caséta brand, and they are more affordable than Lutron's prior smart shade options. Lutron says that the Caséta shades have been designed to move quietly in near-perfect unison and have been tested to perform for more than 10 years. Caséta Smart Shades can be used with Caséta lights and smart switches to control natural light alongside light from lamps and overhead fixtures. The…

Updates to Eufy Indoor Cam E30 include high resolution, advanced pan-and-tilt mobility and color night vision through lighting. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

TP-Link has launched a new Smart In-Wall Outlet under its Tapo brand, bundling Matter support and a feature that lets users monitor the energy usage of connected devices. The Tapo P210M includes overcharge protection, meaning when connected devices are fully charged, the outlet switches off. The 15A/1800W outlet also features Power Protection, which automatically turns off devices when the power exceeds a user-specified threshold. The aforementioned energy monitoring is accessed via the Tapo app, providing tracking of the outlet's energy use through stats and charts. Users can save money on their bills by scheduling devices to turn off during periods of inactivity. Note that this dual-socket model also has manual on/off buttons for each outlet. The all-important Matter support over…