IKEA will refresh its smart home products with Matter compatibility, so they can be used with Apple Home and other platforms without its hub.
IKEA’s smart home products will play nice with Apple thanks to full Matter support
Connected Home
tvOS 26 adds Thread 1.4 for better smart home support on your Apple TV
The new tvOS 26 operating system supports the Thread 1.4 protocol on the Apple TV and HomePod for unified mesh networking in your smart home.
Apple warns that the old HomeKit architecture will stop working this fall
You will need to upgrade to Apple's latest HomeKit architecture by this fall to continue using smart home appliances and automations without interruptions.
Apple’s rumored smart home hub has apparently been delayed until 2026
Apple rumored smart home hub that was supposed to launch by now has apparently been delayed into next year, when Siri's AI features are supposed to land.
iOS 18.4 could force the new architecture for the Home app
Apple’s upcoming iOS 18.4 software update will require you to update your smart home and installed accessories to a new architecture for the Home app.
The rumored Apple smart home doorbell said to use MagSafe and Face ID
Apple is allegedly developing a smart home doorbell and lock with Face ID, with a new rumor suggesting that the accessory might also feature MagSafe.
Apple’s most significant release of the year is ”months away” from shipping
Apple’s rumored smart home hub, which some folks call a HomePod with a display, is not ready yet and will allegedly take months to ship.
Apple’s rumored smart home hub could launch in 2025 featuring a 7-inch screen
Apple is expected to release a smart hub for the connected home later this year, likely in the fall, and the accessory should be equipped with a seven-inch display.
Apple’s rumored smart display could come later than originally planned
Apple is now thought to release its rumored inexpensive smart display for the connected home in the fall of 2025 instead of the spring.
Apple Home app will gain robot vacuum cleaner support in 2025 instead of 2024
Apple's Home app on iPhone, iPad and Mac will not add support for robot vacuum cleaner devices this year. Instead, this handy feature is coming in 2025.
Has iOS 17.6 re-enabled the Home Switching option after you’ve turned it off?
Apple's recent iOS 17.6 update apparently re-enables the Home Switching option in the Home app even if you've turned it off. Here's what to do if you're in that boat.
Evidence that Apple is developing a new home accessory powered by tvOS
Much like the HomePod speaker and the Apple TV streaming box, Apple’s mysterious home accessory will also be powered by a variant of tvOS.