Starting in January 2026, the Swedish furniture giant will release more than 20 new Matter-over-Thread smart lights, sensors, and remotes. The products will work directly with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings through native Matter compatibility. Pricing will remain comparable to current products, which start under $10.

To recap, Thread is a low-power wireless mesh protocol that runs on the 2.4GHz band and is designed for devices such as sensors, bulbs, plugs, and shades. It’s IP-based, so devices can talk directly to each other over the internet, and on other networks via a Thread Border Router (such as a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K).

Meanwhile, Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices that was co-developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and others. It works over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thread.

IKEA also recently rolled out a beta update for its Dirigera smart home hub that activates its built-in Thread radio and adds support for Matter. With this update, Dirigera now works as both a Matter Controller and a Thread Border Router, so it can connect to and control any compatible Matter device – including those from other brands – as well as IKEA’s upcoming Matter-based product line, which is set to replace its current Zigbee offerings.

“We want to remove barriers to complexity, we want it to be simple to use, and we just want it to work,” David Granath of IKEA of Sweden told The Verge. “If you’re an Apple user, take our bulb and onboard it to your Apple Home.”

The news should be a welcome development for HomeKit users, who previously faced limited affordable options. IKEA’s existing smart home products required workarounds or lengthy waits for HomeKit support. With Matter, any compatible device automatically works with Apple Home without additional certification.

This article, "IKEA Goes All-In on Matter for Apple HomeKit Compatibility" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Thread 1.4 addresses a particular issue in the form of competing Thread networks. Previously, border routers from different manufacturers would create separate networks, which fragments your smart home setup. The new standard ensures all Thread 1.4 devices join a single mesh network instead.

The protocol update also gives Thread devices direct internet access, enabling features like smart shades that adjust based on weather conditions or lights that change color with sports scores.

Since HomePod uses a fork of tvOS, the upcoming HomePod Software 26 will likely include Thread 1.4 support as well. Both Apple TV 4K and HomePod models work as home hubs in Apple’s smart home ecosystem, and they also serve as Thread border routers.

Thread 1.4 was officially released in September 2024 and includes improved testing tools for manufacturers plus better network visibility for troubleshooting. The Thread Group reports major device and platform vendors are gradually adopting the standard, though Google and Amazon’s adoption of Thread 1.4 is expected to come next year at the earliest.

Apple users will gain access to the new Thread 1.4 capabilities when tvOS 26 is released in September.

This article, "Apple TV Thread 1.4 Update Coming in tvOS 26 This Fall" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Key Highlights of tvOS 16

Multiview: This groundbreaking feature allows users to watch up to four different streams simultaneously, ideal for sports fans or those who want to multitask while enjoying their favorite shows.

Enhanced Accessibility: tvOS 16 introduced several new accessibility features, including improved audio descriptions, closed captioning customization, and VoiceOver language switching.

Personalized Recommendations: The updated For You tab now offers more tailored suggestions based on individual viewing habits and preferences, making it easier to discover new content.

Siri Remote Improvements: The Siri Remote received a software update that enhances its usability, including improved gesture support and the ability to control HomeKit devices directly from the remote.

Thread 1.3 Support: Apple TV now supports Thread 1.3, a low-power mesh networking protocol that enables seamless connectivity between compatible devices, improving responsiveness and efficiency.

Impact on the Apple TV Ecosystem

tvOS 16’s enhancements have significantly impacted the Apple TV ecosystem in several ways:

1. Increased Entertainment Options: Multiview and personalized recommendations have broadened the entertainment options available to Apple TV users, making the device more appealing for those seeking a dynamic and engaging home theater experience.
2. Enhanced Accessibility: The improved accessibility features have made the Apple TV more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of users, including those with visual or auditory impairments.
3. Seamless HomeKit Integration: Thread 1.3 support has strengthened the integration between Apple TV and HomeKit, making it easier to control smart home devices and enhance the overall smart home experience.
4. Strengthened User Experience: The overall user experience has been enhanced through improvements in gesture support, Siri Remote interactions, and personalization features, making the Apple TV more intuitive and enjoyable to use.

Conclusion

tvOS 16 has marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the Apple TV ecosystem, introducing groundbreaking features that have enhanced its entertainment capabilities, accessibility, and integration with the wider Apple ecosystem. These enhancements have solidified the Apple TV’s position as a leading streaming device, offering a more personalized, convenient, and immersive home theater experience. With continued innovation and development, tvOS is poised to further shape the future of the Apple TV ecosystem, providing even more compelling ways to enjoy entertainment and connect with loved ones.

Announced back in December, the Eve Energy Outlet is able to replace any existing outlet in a single or multi-gang installation. It connects to a smart home setup using Thread, and has Matter integration.

There are two receptacles that can be controlled individually, and it offers advanced energy monitoring functionality so users can see how much energy devices are consuming. Energy monitoring is supported in the Eve app.

The Eve Energy Outlet is able to integrate with other HomeKit products thanks to Matter, so it can be used with automations and can be controlled through the Home app and through Siri.

The Eve Energy Outlet is priced at $50.

This article, "Eve's Matter-Enabled Energy Outlet Now Available for Purchase" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup is expected to be announced in around two months. A growing pool of rumors about the devices present an increasingly clear picture of what to expect: The ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus are set to gain the Dynamic Island, the A16 Bionic chip, a USB-C port in place of Lightning, and support for 15W wireless charging with third-party chargers. The iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max are expected to offer even further upgrades with features like a new titanium frame, thinner bezels, the A17 Bionic chip, a new periscope telephoto camera with 6x optical zoom on the Pro Max, and a mute button in place of the existing switch. The Pro models could also see a price increase compared to their predecessors.

We also discuss the launch of Threads, Meta’s new Twitter competitor, our current perspective on iPhone cases, and the state of foldables following the debut of the Google Pixel Fold. Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

If you haven’t already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, where we ponder some of the devices and apps we wish Apple would make.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Mark Gurman, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, and Rene Ritchie. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

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We’re heading into the weekend with all of today’s best deals courtesy of 9to5Toys. Ahead of Prime Day, the savings now kick off with an all-time low on Apple’s latest 10.9-inch iPad at $399. It’s joined by some of the best prices ever on Apple’s latest Magic Keyboards with Touch ID in tow from $127. Then go check out the first price cut on the just-released Aqara Door and Window Sensor with Matter and Thread at $25. Hit the jump for all that and more in the latest 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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Aqara sensor for doors and windows

The company has unveiled its latest offering, the Door and Window Sensor P2, which uses the latest Thread protocol. Serving as an upgraded version of Aqara’s renowned contact sensor, the Door and Window Sensor P2 encompasses all the advanced automation and security capabilities that made the original Aqara Door and Window Sensor popular.

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Meta’s attempt to replace Twitter officially kicks off tomorrow, with the Threads iPhone app launch scheduled for Thursday – but Mark Zuckerberg has opened a welcome thread, which you can already view on the web.

Initially billed as a text-based offshoot of Instagram, the world might not have paid too much attention had it not been for a sudden and urgent need for a viable Twitter replacement …

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