HomeKit

Level has long been known for its unique “invisible” design philosophy, creating smart home locks that blend seamlessly into your home while delivering robust security with deep Apple integration on the software side. Today, Level announced the new Level Lock+ with Matter. This updated model introduces support for Apple Home Key, Bluetooth compatibility, and Matter support in a single product, making it compatible with HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. If you’re an existing Level Lock+ customer, read on for details on how to get the limited-time free Matter firmware upgrade.

Earlier this week Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that we’ll see an Apple smart home camera in 2026, with the company confident it will prove to be a popular accessory, selling in the tens of millions per year.

Given Apple’s habit of minimizing the number of products it makes, if the report is accurate the company must feel there’s good reason to enter a crowded product category, and I think an Apple camera will likely differentiate itself in two ways: privacy, and Apple Intelligence …

Apple has a new home device launching early next year, as detailed in an extensive Mark Gurman report. And this as-yet-unnamed ‘HomePad’ sounds like exactly what I want in a smart home product.

A Bloomberg report yesterday suggested that Apple is working on a wall-mounted smart display panel to act as “a command center for the home” – and that it could launch as early as March of next year.

I effectively trialled this concept back in 2019, wall-mounting an old iPad Air to serve as a dedicated smart home control panel, and reactions to that were enough to convince me that the upcoming new product is likely to be a winner …

Apple is aiming to release its first Apple Intelligence-powered smart home device as early as March, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The product will take the form of “a wall-mounted display” that resembles a traditional home security panel.

Apple’s hope is that it will serve as a “command center for the home” with a combination of Apple apps, Apple Intelligence, and integration with HomeKit.

If you’re deep into HomeKit like me, you know how convenient it can be for home automation. One of the most exciting smart home security additions for me in the past few years is Home Key from Apple, which lets you unlock your door using just your iPhone or Apple Watch. There is no need for apps or Bluetooth connection—tap your device, and you’re in.

In this blog, I will break down the top HomeKit-compatible locks with Home Key support, highlighting what makes them stand out and why they should be at the top of your smart home wishlist for Christmas.

One of my favorite HomeKit features is HomeKit Secure Video, which lets me view and manage security camera recordings right in the Home app. There are a number of different cameras on the market that support this feature, and here are my favorites as someone who’s tested a lot of HomeKit accessories over the years.

A report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that Apple’s upcoming smart home display might bear more than a passing resemblance to one of the most iconic Macintosh models, the iMac G4.

This is something I suggested might happen back in the summer, though personally I was hoping for a magnetic attachment for an iPad …

Upgrading your HomeKit lifestyle with a smart garage door is one of the best changes you can make. For a long time, MyQ was an easy recommendation for people looking to easily turn their existing garage door into a HomeKit garage door. Chamberlin, the company behind the MyQ platform, discontinued its HomeKit accessory last year and recently even further cracked down on access to the MyQ platform.

Thankfully, there are other ways to bring HomeKit capability to your garage door without too much work. Here are some of my favorites…

After years of treating smart home products like a hobby, Apple is reportedly ready to kickstart an aggressive market push. There are new home devices and a fresh strategy on the way, with Apple Intelligence at the center. Here’s what’s coming in 2025 and beyond.

Of all the smart home products I’ve tried over the years, one stands out as making the biggest impact in my life day to day while also giving me the type of automation that was only available in the movies previously. I am talking about Matter-enabled window shades, and I just installed a new set in my bathroom, and it’s been incredible. This week, I am looking at the Canisteo Motorized Woven Woods window shades.

Aqara has officially announced the release of its latest innovation in home security: the Smart Lock U300. This new smart lever lock is the third in Aqara’s lineup to support Apple Home Key. It also includes support for Thread and Matter, so it works perfectly across all smart home ecosystems. Read on to learn more about the Aqara U300 and how to save 20% off.

Anker has launched its latest premium outdoor security device with the eufyCam S3 Pro. The new camera features a crisp 4K resolution, HomeKit and HomeKit Secure Video support, “nighttime that’s bright as day,” an integrated solar power system, and more.

With the release of iOS 18, HomeKit now supports Matter 1.2, which brings new opportunities for HomeKit vendors. A perfect example of this is the WELOV Matter P200 Pro. It will now be fully available within HomeKit.

As reported back in June, iOS 18 and tvOS 18 add an option that finally lets users choose an Apple TV or HomePod as their preferred Home Hub to control HomeKit and Matter accessories remotely. These updates are now available to the public, but choosing a preferred Home Hub can be a bit tricky.

Sometimes, a package of products provides a simple way to accomplish a goal. The Eytueo Smart Table Lamp is great for Apple fans as it includes a USB-A and USB-C port on the back and a HomeKit-compatible bulb—making it a great gift idea for an Apple fanatic in your life.

Back in June, Apple announced that iOS 18 would introduce a great new Home app feature: support for hands-free unlocking with an ultra wideband lock. Today, the first UWB smart lock has finally been announced. But unfortunately, it won’t support the new Apple feature.

It was May 2022 when Ikea proudly announced its Diregera hub, bringing Matter support to the company’s smart home line-up. Some two years later, and rather later than scheduled, that upgrade is finally available.

But better late than never, as Matter support means that you can now control any compatible Ikea smart home product via Apple’s Home app …

HomeKit has become a powerful platform, with Apple consistently enhancing its features while staying true to its privacy-first approach. They’ve even contributed to the Matter standard, expanding what the Home app can do. But there’s a big problem we need to address: HomeKit Secure Video. Vendors are largely ignoring it, and while this isn’t entirely Apple’s fault, it’s a problem they need to solve.