News

Homey expands beyond the app with the Portal touchscreen and rotary controller

Homey has introduced Portal, a new room-specific touchscreen controller featuring a stainless steel rotary ring that brings localized smart home device management, lighting control, and custom Flows off mobile apps and onto the wall or desk.

Ward Zhou 2 days ago

Industry News

Matter 1.7 drafts smarter sensing, electrical infrastructure, and post-quantum security

An early Matter 1.7 draft reveals provisional support for proximity ranging, predictive occupancy sensing, electrical infrastructure panels, and post-quantum device attestation.

Ward Zhou 2 days ago

News

IKEA’s new LILJEBAGGE brings Matter-over-Thread to smart heating on a budget

IKEA is stepping up its smart home ambitions by introducing LILJEBAGGE, a Matter-over-Thread radiator thermostat designed to control water-based heating systems for a budget-friendly 199 Swedish krona.

Ward Zhou 3 days ago

FAQ

Thread Border Routers: The complete list of what you can buy today

Although Thread doesn't need a "hub" in the traditional sense, you will still need another piece of hardware—a Border Router—to take advantage of its benefits. Here are all the Thread Border Routers on the market today.

Christopher Close 3 days ago

News

Homey adds Matter over-the-air firmware updates to free smart home devices from manufacturer apps

Homey has rolled out support for Matter over-the-air firmware updates, allowing users to patch compatible smart home devices directly through the platform using the official Distributed Compliance Ledger.

Ward Zhou 4 days ago

News

Home Assistant 2026.9 update makes Matter troubleshooting more accessible

Home Assistant’s latest monthly beta release introduces a built-in Matter network topology map directly to the main interface, alongside improved troubleshooting tools for serial hardware and security dashboards.

Ward Zhou Friday, August 28, 2026

Explainer

A year after installing Matter smart switches, do I have any regrets?

After spending a year replacing every wall switch in his home with Wi-Fi-enabled smart switches, one homeowner weighs the true costs, unexpected labor, and long-term benefits of the grand DIY smart home project.

Bertel King Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Review

Zemismart M1 Pro Hub review: Probably not what you're looking for

The Zemismart M1 Hub Pro tries to be a Matter bridge, Zigbee gateway, Thread controller, and IR blaster all at once, but falls short. Thread support is frustrating, IR devices aren’t bridged into Matter, and Tuya remains a weak point. Most users should look elsewhere.

James Bruce Wednesday, August 26, 2026

News

LIFX finally puts the Thread radio in its latest lights to work

LIFX has kicked off a public beta enabling its current-generation Matter-compatible smart lights to switch from Wi-Fi to Matter-over-Thread via a simple firmware update.

Ward Zhou Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Industry News

Why Apple’s latest Matter open-source contributions look a lot like network infrastructure

Apple’s recent open-source code contributions to Matter’s OpenWrt integration have sparked speculation that the tech giant could be quietly laying the groundwork to re-enter the home router market.

Ward Zhou Monday, August 24, 2026

News

Aqara expands H1 Matter lighting lineup with new downlights and spotlights

Aqara has expanded its H1 full-color lighting lineup in China with new downlights and spotlights, bringing dual Zigbee and Matter-over-Thread connectivity to built-in ceiling illumination.

Ward Zhou Thursday, August 20, 2026

Review

SwitchBot Keypad Lock Vision Pro review: an impressive Matter lock with nearly every way to unlock your door

SwitchBot's Lock Vision Pro brings multi-biometric entry and native Matter support to a secure deadbolt replacement.

Bertel King Wednesday, August 19, 2026

News

Aqara enables PTZ camera control through Matter on the G350

Aqara shows how Matter cameras should move forward.

Ward Zhou Tuesday, August 18, 2026

News

TCL D2 Pro Matter brings palm vein recognition and Thread to a $199.99 smart lock

TCL Home Security has launched the D2 Pro Matter, an upgraded smart lock that adds Matter-over-Thread and local control modes to its contactless palm vein recognition system for $199.99.

Christian Cawley Monday, August 17, 2026

Explainer

Five things you can do with Matter virtual devices

Virtual devices can fill some surprising gaps between Matter ecosystems.

Ward Zhou Saturday, August 15, 2026

News

You can now access official integrations for Ledvance Smart+ and Osram Smart+ in the Homey app

Athom has launched two dedicated apps for Homey, bringing official integration, control, and Flow automation to Zigbee and Matter-based LEDVANCE SMART+ and OSRAM SMART+ lighting and plugs.

Christian Cawley Friday, August 14, 2026