7 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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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.

Here’s what ads on your $2,000 Samsung smart fridge will look like 

And here’s how to opt out.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Eufy’s X10 Pro Omni robovac is matching its Prime Day low for a limited timeEufy’s X10 Pro Omni robovac is matching its Prime Day low for a limited time
Neato’s cloud is shutting down, leaving its robovacs stuck in manual modeNeato’s cloud is shutting down, leaving its robovacs stuck in manual mode
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
SwitchBot introduces a lighting collection.

The company is expanding its already diverse smart home catalog with a new line of Matter-enabled lighting products. The collection includes standing floor lamps, RGB rope and strip lights, and a candle-warming lamp. They can all be integrated into smart home routines, but each light can also function independently without Wi-Fi.

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

<em>You can adjust the brightness and warming temperature of the $49.99 <a rel="sponsored" href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=1025X1701640&#038;xs=1&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fus.switch-bot.com%2Fproducts%2Fswitchbot-candle-warmer-lamp">Candle Warmer Lamp</a> that can accommodate candles up to 9.5cm wide and 14cm tall.</em>
<em>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP2K6HWB">$49.99 SwitchBot RGBIC Neon Wire Rope Light</a> comes in two meter lengths and features a <a href="https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-rgbic-neon-wire-rope-light">built-in wire frame</a> so it can be bent and shaped.</em>
<em>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGD8B6HH?th=1">$89.99 SwitchBot RGBICWW Floor Lamp</a> <a href="https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-rgbicww-floor-lamp">stands 1.35 meters tall</a> and glows with RGB, cold white, and warm white tones across a 100-degree illumination spread.</em>
<em>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FGD7CZB1?th=1">$49.99 SwitchBot RGBICWW Strip Light</a> offers RGB, warm white, and cold white illumination and <a href="https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-rgbicww-strip-light">comes in five meter lengths</a> that can be trimmed and shortened every 12.5cm.</em>
<em>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZNVXQ94?th=1">$84.99 SwitchBot Floor Lamp</a> is nearly identical to the $89.99 model, but while you can adjust its colors including warm white and cold white options, it can <a href="https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-floor-lamp">only display a single color</a> at a time.</em>
<em>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZNRH74G?th=1">$44.99 SwitchBot LED Strip Light 3</a> offers similar specs as the $49.99 RGBICWW version but it’s limited to <a href="https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-led-strip-light-3">displaying just a single color</a> across its length.</em>
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You can adjust the brightness and warming temperature of the $49.99 Candle Warmer Lamp that can accommodate candles up to 9.5cm wide and 14cm tall.
Image: SwitchBot
Wyze’s budget-friendly video doorbell gets a six-month batteryWyze’s budget-friendly video doorbell gets a six-month battery
My face is my key with ADT’s Google Home-focused security system

6

Verge Score

Smart security, no hands required.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Ring’s CEO says his cameras can almost ‘zero out crime’ within the next 12 months

Jamie Siminoff’s new book, Ding Dong, charts how his video doorbell startup turned into a home security behemoth.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Eight Sleep adds ‘outage mode’ to smart beds after AWS problems left them frozenEight Sleep adds ‘outage mode’ to smart beds after AWS problems left them frozen
Ring’s Battery Doorbell Plus has returned to its October Prime Day priceRing’s Battery Doorbell Plus has returned to its October Prime Day price
Whisker’s latest Litter-Robot uses AI to recognize your cat’s face and poopWhisker’s latest Litter-Robot uses AI to recognize your cat’s face and poop
Ugreen’s 8-port Thunderbolt 4 hub is $80 offUgreen’s 8-port Thunderbolt 4 hub is $80 off
Honda wants you to teach its new robot lawnmowerHonda wants you to teach its new robot lawnmower
The iPad just got the chip it needs to be a smart home controller — againThe iPad just got the chip it needs to be a smart home controller — again
Apple’s rumored smart home display hub might start at $350Apple’s rumored smart home display hub might start at $350
Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Google Nests get a retro facelift.

Four new Farsight face options have landed for the latest Nest Learning Thermostat, the best of which might be a recreation of the original, colorful Nest face from way back when. There’s also a minimalist face, a temperature controller, and a seasonal number with 12 monthly floral designs by artist Mathilde Loubes.

<em>The four new Farsight faces are available now.</em>
<em>This classic face is a throwback to the original Nest design.</em>
<em>Mathilde Loubes’ seasonal face shows off a new design every month.</em>
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The four new Farsight faces are available now.
Image: Google
EcoFlow’s Delta Pro Ultra X can power a home for weeksEcoFlow’s Delta Pro Ultra X can power a home for weeks
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Apple’s reportedly close to acquiring talent from ‘ambient AI’ startup Prompt AI.

CNBC reports Seemour maker Prompt AI is in late-stage talks over an acquihire by Apple, “likely” joining the Apple Home division.

Seemour’s ambient intelligence (more on that topic here) promised alerts and summaries of action caught on camera feeds, which could be useful for Apple’s rumored security camera and HomeScreenPod.

Screenshot of the seemor.ai website, with a modern-style home in the background with the words “Make your home as intelligent as you. The first Amient AI built for your home.”
Seemour.ai
Screenshot: Seemour.ai
Samsung SmartThings finally adds support for joining existing Thread networksSamsung SmartThings finally adds support for joining existing Thread networks
You can still get the latest AirPods Max at their Prime Day priceYou can still get the latest AirPods Max at their Prime Day price
Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Ring puts a fun twist on the surveillance state with security camera Halloween costumes.

Amazon now sells its new $200 4K Outdoor Cam Pro with your choice of one of five free Halloween camera costumes, or you can 3D print your own. Sticking a camouflaged camera behind your bowl could be a deterrent to candy thieves, but it’s also a creepy way to avoid trick-or-treaters.

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

Five Nest Outdoor Cam Pro cameras covered with Halloween costume accessories.
Doorbell cameras are now prevalent, but are you comfortable sticking a security camera in the face of trick-or-treaters?
Image: Amazon
Amazon’s giant ads have ruined the Echo ShowAmazon’s giant ads have ruined the Echo Show
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
The best robovac deals you can still shop before Prime day endsThe best robovac deals you can still shop before Prime day ends
Some of my favorite smart kitchen gadgets are on sale for Prime DaySome of my favorite smart kitchen gadgets are on sale for Prime Day
Eufy’s squircle hybrid mopping vac is under $500 for the first timeEufy’s squircle hybrid mopping vac is under $500 for the first time
The problems with AI in the smart home

After years of false starts, the promise of ambient intelligence has arrived, but will it be worth the price?

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Philips Hue customizable string lights are up to $125 off for October Prime DayPhilips Hue customizable string lights are up to $125 off for October Prime Day
Google hints at a new Nest HubGoogle hints at a new Nest Hub
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
SwitchBot’s new safety tracker can discreetly trigger a fake phone callSwitchBot’s new safety tracker can discreetly trigger a fake phone call
Terrence O'Brien
Terrence O'Brien
Ecobee quietly cut off Smart Security’s Homekit integration.

About a week ago Ecobee users started noticing their security systems disappearing from the Apple Home app. Now the company shared that the integration was rolled back due to “unexpected challenges” only a month after it launched. We reached out to ask what those challenges are and if the change is temporary, but haven’t heard back yet.

Controlling your Smart Security System: HomeKit Update

[Ecobee]

Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 and X9 Pro Omni robovacs have hit a new low priceEcovacs’ Deebot X8 and X9 Pro Omni robovacs have hit a new low price
A bundle with Amazon’s biggest smart display and a stand just got its biggest discountA bundle with Amazon’s biggest smart display and a stand just got its biggest discount
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
I’m hosting a smart home AMA on the site today.

Amazon and Google just launched a bunch of new smart home hardware and software features this week, and I know you have questions. I haven’t tested any of them yet, but I got some hands-on time with the new gadgets and spoke with folks at both companies about the new features, so come ask me anything! I’ll go live at 1 PM ET.

I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets this week, ask me anything!

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets, ask me anything!I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets, ask me anything!
Ring’s new Search Party feature is on by default; should you opt out?Ring’s new Search Party feature is on by default; should you opt out?
Eight Sleep’s first water-chilled pillow cover costs a cool $1,049Eight Sleep’s first water-chilled pillow cover costs a cool $1,049
Google’s new Nest cams are designed for GeminiGoogle’s new Nest cams are designed for Gemini
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Hey Google, meet Gemini: the new voice of your smart homeHey Google, meet Gemini: the new voice of your smart home
Google’s Home Speaker looks and sounds better — but you can’t get it yet

First look at Google’s new $99 Home Speaker, launching in 2026 with a vastly improved Gemini assistant

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Walmart’s Onn cameras were developed with Google and start at just $23Walmart’s Onn cameras were developed with Google and start at just $23
Amazon’s 2025 hardware event: the 8 biggest announcementsAmazon’s 2025 hardware event: the 8 biggest announcements

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