Matter officially arrived last fall to improve the smart home device experience across platforms. Now the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) – which includes Apple – has launched the first Matter update. The release comes with changes and improvements to make it easier for developers to get started with Matter and complete certification while end-users should have a better experience with battery-powered devices. more… The post Matter gets its first update with minor user and dev improvements appeared first on 9to5Mac.

Alongside the iOS 16.5, iPadOS 16.5, tvOS 16.5, and macOS Ventura 13.4 updates, Apple has released new 16.5 software created for the HomePod and HomePod mini. According to Apple's release notes, the update adds stability and performance improvements to the ‌HomePod‌. ‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod‌‌ update how to.Related Roundups: HomePod mini, HomePodBuyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral), HomePod (Buy Now)Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "Apple Releases HomePod 16.5 Software" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Porsche today announced that Taycan models in the United States are adopting Apple Maps EV routing in CarPlay, a feature that will direct Taycan owners to nearby electric vehicle charging facilities. The Apple Maps EV Routing option will allow Taycan users to plan travel routes that include stops for charging. Prior to now, Taycan owners had to exit out of ‌CarPlay‌ in order to create a route that included charging stops. Taycan vehicles include the Porsche Charging Planner, designed to optimize stops based on the anticipated state of charge upon arrival to a destination, traffic conditions, and average speed, but ‌Apple Maps‌ EV Routing is now available as an alternative for those who use ‌CarPlay‌. ‌Apple Maps‌ EV Routing uses…

The Mujoy floor lamp is a smart RGB lamp that casts a gorgeous glow of diffused ambient lighting, but a lack of HomeKit support is a problem.Review: Mujoy floor lampThe Mujoy floor lamp can help you to brighten up a dark corner, set the mood for a cozy night, or create a colorful atmosphere for a party. You can control it remotely with your iPhone and customize lighting scenes to suit your preferences. Read more...

Eve Systems rolled out its upgraded Eve Flare portable smart LED lamp Tuesday, adding Thread networking support. (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)

Researchers found a security flaw in an older version of the Wemo Mini Smart Plug that involved changing its name — and Belkin isn't going to fix it.Wemo Smart Plugs have a flawThe Wemo Mini Smart Plug is designed to offer convenient remote control over lights and basic appliances, such as fan lamps, through a mobile app. The application utilizes Wi-Fi for communication and seamlessly integrates with HomeKit and other smart home ecosystems. Read more...