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 Smart Houses & Appliances


This Matter-compatible smart light switch is 2 for 20 now

PCWorld

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The TP-Link Tapo S505 smart light switch is on sale at Amazon. Grab this 2-pack for just $20 while the deal lasts. My smart home life became so much better once I swapped out my old light switches for Tapo ones. The benefits were many, including that I no longer had to get off the couch to turn off the lights--great in the winter when I was already cozy under the blankets!


Amazon's Echo Spot speaker gets its first discount this year: 38% off

PCWorld

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Amazon's Echo Spot speaker gets its first discount this year: 38% off You can get the Echo Spot for just $50 (was $80) right now, close to the best price it's ever been. We're days away from Amazon's Big Spring Sale event and we're already seeing some impressive discounts, especially for the company's own Echo line. For instance, the Echo Spot is down to $50 (was $80). That's the first time it's gone on sale this year and just a few bucks away from its best-ever price.


Amazon's Echo Dot Max just got its best discount yet (25% off)

PCWorld

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Amazon's Echo Dot Max just got its best discount yet (25% off) It's the newest model of the Echo Dot and it can be yours for just $75 (was $100) right now with this limited-time Amazon deal. Amazon's newest smart speaker, the Echo Dot Max, has just gone on sale for the best price it's had so far. The latest model of the Echo Dot, this one's a bit larger and a lot louder than previous iterations, plus it now features a new chip that's perfectly optimized for the Alexa Plus AI assistant. In this way, the speaker ensures an effortless experience across all major streaming platforms.


Aqara's Matter-compatible camera promises easier smart home integration

Engadget

Aqara's Matter-compatible camera promises easier smart home integration The company says it's the first Matter-certified camera. Smart home company Aqara has launched what it says is the first camera certified for Matter, the open source standard that enables interoperability across brands, like Google and Amazon. The Aqara G350 is an indoor security cam that also functions as a Zigbee and Matter hub in the Aqara Home app, which means the camera will enable you to control various devices across smart home protocols from different brands within one location. The camera itself comes with a 4K wide-angle and a 2.5K telephoto lens, providing both panoramic and closeup views. It also has 9x hybrid zoom and a pan-tilt mechanism that can give you 360-degree coverage of the room it's in.




DIY smart home platform Home Assistant gets a pretty makeover

PCWorld

PCWorld reports that Home Assistant has launched a major update to its default overview dashboard, replacing the old cluttered interface with a clean, organized design featuring three main sections. The redesigned dashboard includes Favorites for quick device access, Areas for room-specific control, and Summaries that aggregate devices by type with easy setup options.


Update Apple's Home app this week--or risk losing control of your smart home

PCWorld

Apple is mandating users upgrade to its new Home architecture by February 10, 2026, or risk losing control of HomeKit-connected smart devices and automations. PCWorld reports the updated system no longer supports iPads as home hubs, requiring an Apple TV 4K ($129+) or HomePod ($99) instead. Despite initial rollout problems in 2022, the re-released architecture since iOS 16.4 promises improved reliability and efficiency for smart home management. Well, this is it: After a series of delays, Apple is finally nixing support for its old Home architecture, meaning those still relying on the previous version of Apple's Home framework have some decisions to make--quickly. The moment of truth arrives February 10, 2026, less than a week away.


Google just filled a gaping home automation gap

PCWorld

Google Home now supports smart button triggers for routines, filling a significant automation gap that Alexa and HomeKit have long offered users. PCWorld reports the update includes additional triggers like humidity levels, robot vacuum status, and contact sensor alerts for enhanced home monitoring.


A new tool makes it easier to use AI in your browser

PCWorld

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. If you use AI tools all the time, one of the biggest frustrations is switching back and forth between tabs. If you don't want to interrupt your workflow, try switching to BrowserCopilot AI . This new AI Chrome plugin puts some of the most popular AI tools right into your browser, so you don't have to switch back and forth. BrowserCopilot is a Chrome-based AI assistant that lives directly inside your browser, so it can help on the exact page you are already using.