Smart home – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

Smart Home

The smart home was once a far-flung pipe dream, but it is now a reality. Wherever you live, your home is ground zero for some of the most interesting tech available right now, and tech that’s yet to come. Best of all, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get your home up and running with smart hardware and services.

Home security and monitoring solutions can alert you to a burglary, smoke, fire, or just simple motion activity. There are plenty of options with a range of capabilities, from smart doorbells and smart locks to indoor and outdoor cameras that can see in the dark.

Smart speakers, like the Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod each play a big role in helping you out, too. In the kitchen, they can read out recipes, or if you’re cleaning, you can call out to them to change the song on the fly. If you buy smart light bulbs, for instance, you can turn them on and off by using your voice.

Will a new CEO help realize Apple’s smart home potential?

John Ternus inherits a smart home platform that’s been waiting a decade to matter. His first act could be making it happen.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
All the smart home news, reviews, and gadgets you need to know about

Navigating the maze of platforms, ecosystems, protocols, and gadgets on your way to a smarter home is a full-time job. (I should know; it’s mine.)

Verge Staff

Latest In Smart Home

First vacuums — then the world

Dreame plans to build everything from hypercars and hair dryers to China’s Elon Musk. It’ll either win big or go down in flames.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Govee’s new rechargeable table lamp is less than half the price of Hue’sGovee’s new rechargeable table lamp is less than half the price of Hue’s
Dyson’s newest floor scrubber is already on sale for 20 percent offDyson’s newest floor scrubber is already on sale for 20 percent off
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
You can now talk to Google Home again without saying “Hey Google” every time.

When Google launched Gemini for Home, it put one key feature behind a paywall. Continued Conversation became available only on Gemini Live, which required Google Home Premium.

Starting today, users in Early Access can once again ask follow-up questions to Google’s voice assistant on their Google Home devices without saying “Hey Google” every time, and without paying. Another bonus is that the feature now works with all supported languages and in all regions.

Talk Naturally, Get Things Done Faster: Continued Conversation arrives on Gemini for Home

[Google Nest Community Blog]

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
There’s finally an easy way to see your Thread network.

The Thread Group has released a new Thread Network Diagnostic app that lets you “explore, monitor, and visualize your Thread network.” It displays network topology, connection status, and device roles to help troubleshoot issues. It’s Android only for now, but an iOS version is in the works.

Thread connectivity problems have been one of Matter’s biggest pain points — most recently with Ikea’s Matter-over-Thread rollout. There are some apps that let you see your network, but a dedicated tool like this could be very useful. I’ll report back after testing it out.

Thread Network Diagnostics

[Google Play Store]

Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Bird is the word.

High tech bird feeder manufacturer Birdfy is doubling down on its AI-powered subscription model, which feels inevitable.

Huxley:

Of course techbros are turning feeding the birds into an AI-powered recurring revenue generation scheme

Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.

Ikea and Samsung promise glitch-free Matter integrationIkea and Samsung promise glitch-free Matter integration
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Did Home Assistant take down this robot lawnmower’s cloud?

European Mammotion owners took to Reddit to complain that their expensive machines have been offline for three days. Mammotion says a fix is in the works, but hasn’t said what happened. One Redditor claims the outage stems from a bug in the Mammotion Home Assistant integration he had built. We’ve reached out to the company for the full story.

Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frameGovee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame
Ikea’s smart donut lamp is a sweet treat

8

Verge Score

The new Varmblixt adds color-changing, dimming, and Matter-over-Thread support, and brings a touch of inexpensive style to my smart home.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Walmart is updating its 4K streaming box with Gemini and Matter supportWalmart is updating its 4K streaming box with Gemini and Matter support
Ecovacs’ new robovac spots and pretreats dried stains using powerful jetsEcovacs’ new robovac spots and pretreats dried stains using powerful jets
SwitchBot’s button-pressing robot is now available with a rechargeable batterySwitchBot’s button-pressing robot is now available with a rechargeable battery
Google’s latest Nest Doorbells just hit their lowest prices of the yearGoogle’s latest Nest Doorbells just hit their lowest prices of the year
Amazon’s Smart Thermostat can help lower your energy bills, and it’s down to $62Amazon’s Smart Thermostat can help lower your energy bills, and it’s down to $62
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
The first thermostat with Apple’s Adaptive Temperature feature is now available.

Aqara announced its Thermostat Hub W200 at CES 2026 with support for Apple’s Adaptive Temperature and Clean Energy Guidance features in iOS 26 and Matter controller functionality. The W200 is now available through Aqara’s online store, Amazon, and other retailers for $159.99, while an optional C-wire power adapter is $29.99.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

The Aqara Thermostat Hub W200 on a wall next to a painting.
The W200 thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on its activity status in the Apple Home app and prioritize heating and cooling when power rates are lower.
Image: Aqara
Google Home’s latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commandsGoogle Home’s latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commands
I tested a living room full of cheap Ikea speakers against Sonos and Bose0

It’s just a simple Bluetooth speaker, but for 10 bucks it’s a cheap, colorful addition to a desk, shelf, or kid’s room.

John Higgins
You can grab a four-pack of Govee’s color-changing smart bulbs for just $27You can grab a four-pack of Govee’s color-changing smart bulbs for just $27
The latest Matter update improves camera streamingThe latest Matter update improves camera streaming
The first Apple Home Key-ready smart lock with UWB is cheaper during Amazon’s Big Spring SaleThe first Apple Home Key-ready smart lock with UWB is cheaper during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Dyson’s ultra-thin PencilVac Fluffycones is tougher to resist at $150 offDyson’s ultra-thin PencilVac Fluffycones is tougher to resist at $150 off
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is a great time to get a fancy, AI-powered bird feederAmazon’s Big Spring Sale is a great time to get a fancy, AI-powered bird feeder
Nuki’s one-touch retrofit smart lock got its first-ever discountNuki’s one-touch retrofit smart lock got its first-ever discount
Robot vacuums from Eufy and Roborock are over 50 percent for Amazon’s spring saleRobot vacuums from Eufy and Roborock are over 50 percent for Amazon’s spring sale
Govee’s color-changing smart lamps are on sale for up to 30 percent offGovee’s color-changing smart lamps are on sale for up to 30 percent off
You can install these wireless security cameras over half a mile awayYou can install these wireless security cameras over half a mile away
Ring finally brings 4K video to its battery-powered doorbell cameraRing finally brings 4K video to its battery-powered doorbell camera
Reolink’s first solar-powered floodlight camera offers wire-free home securityReolink’s first solar-powered floodlight camera offers wire-free home security
Nuki adds Apple Home Key to its smart lockNuki adds Apple Home Key to its smart lock
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Kwikset’s smart lock app now works with Apple CarPlay.

The update — which also adds Android Auto support — allows owners to lock or unlock Kwikset smart locks directly from their vehicle’s dashboard. It’s not the first door lock to be accessible in CarPlay, but there aren’t many around. You can find out more about supported devices and setup here.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

A photograph of a person unlocking a door from their vehicle dashboard in Apple CarPlay.
Once a phone is connected to the vehicle, the Kwikset app will now appear on dashboards alongside other supported apps.
Image: Kwikset
Every bulb on Govee’s new outdoor string lights can display multicolor effectsEvery bulb on Govee’s new outdoor string lights can display multicolor effects
Dreame’s self-cleaning L10s Pro Ultra is nearly $1,000 off its original list priceDreame’s self-cleaning L10s Pro Ultra is nearly $1,000 off its original list price
Google’s battery-powered Nest Doorbell is $40 off right nowGoogle’s battery-powered Nest Doorbell is $40 off right now
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Ikea’s Matter-compatible glowing donut is now available in the US.

First announced at CES 2026, the Ikea Varmblixt donut lamp is now available from the company’s online store and retail locations across the US. It’s still priced at $99.99 and comes with one of Ikea’s Bilresa remotes for cycling through 12 preset colors. To connect it to your smart home and unlock new colors you’ll need a Matter hub.

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Ikea’s Varmblixt donut table lamp being adjusted by someone pressing a wireless remote.
Image: Ikea
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Another smart oven shuts down.

The company behind the Brava Oven, the innovative smart kitchen gadget that cooks with light, has announced it ceased operations on March 6, 2026. It will no longer sell its $1,300 countertop ovens or provide software updates.

If you own a Brava, the good news is that the Brava Cloud is currently working. The bad news is that “may change, be limited, or be discontinued at any time.”

Brava, Maker of the ‘Cook With Light’ Smart Oven, Is Shutting Down

[The Spoon]

Kasa’s Matter-compatible smart plugs are on sale for $11 a popKasa’s Matter-compatible smart plugs are on sale for $11 a pop
My favorite robot vacuum now supports MatterMy favorite robot vacuum now supports Matter
Ikea tried to build a smart home for everyone — here’s why it’s not working yet

The company’s new line of affordable gadgets was supposed to prove Matter’s promise. Instead, it exposed just how far interoperability still has to go.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Leaving civilization is now easier with this ‘off-grid utility core’Leaving civilization is now easier with this ‘off-grid utility core’

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. Anthropic’s most dangerous AI model just fell into the wrong hands
  2. Sony’s PlayStation 5 is $200 off for the first time since December
  3. The unraveling of Dan Crenshaw
  4. Framework is building a better couch keyboard because everyone hates the Logitech one
  5. Elon Musk admits that millions of Tesla vehicles won’t get unsupervised FSD