Ward Zhou has been immersed in the smart home and industrial tech space throughout his career. Based in Shenzhen, the industrial hub of smart home, he began his journey with local media outlets and a prominent smart home solution provider, eWeLink, cultivating his expertise in smart home devices and industrial dynamics. Ward has contributed hundreds of review and news pieces to respected publications such as TechNode, PingWest, and Caixin Global. When he’s not covering the latest in tech, Ward enjoys coding, design, street photography, and video games.
SwitchBot files for IPO on HKEX, eyeing R&D, market expansion, and AI/robotics, including a VLA household robot by late 2025, buoyed by 3.1M users.
Aqara launches the Smart Lock U200 Lite (£127.99) in Europe, a Matter-over-Thread retrofit lock with multiple unlocking options and future Aliro support.
Aqara introduces App Localized Control for hubs, enabling local management of Matter and Zigbee devices even during server outages, boosting reliability... eventually.
Google Home expands Matter support with new door lock functionalities like access control and guest profiles. Favorites, Home summary widget, and web console also enhanced.
Apple TV's tvOS 26 upgrades to Thread 1.4, promising enhanced performance, improved credential sharing, and a new Fluid Glass design for smart homes.
Major home appliance maker Midea issueing a recall on its Matter-compatible Midea U and Midea U+ window air conditioners.
Leedarson launches the OREiN OL05S, a Matter 1.3-certified smart bathroom exhaust fan ($265.99) with integrated fan, tunable light, Bluetooth speaker, and sensors.
Yeelight is entering the Thread market with a new IoT radio module, signaling future Matter-over-Thread lighting products and expanding options in the smart home.
Amazon Matter Casting apps for Android/iOS to update to Matter 1.4, enhancing stability and streaming to Fire TV devices.
A new batch of Matter 1.4 updates is coming to the SmartSetup range of switches and outlets, thanks to the Fast Track Certification.
Govee's Matter-certified Galaxy Light Projector 2 Pro is coming soon, offering Wi-Fi/Bluetooth control and aurora/star projections for indoor ambiance.
Matter 1.5 will expand smart home capabilities with new outdoor, climate, energy, camera, and HRAP devices, plus expanded closure controls.
Nanoleaf launches Matter Smart Multicolor Rope Light ($69.99, Walmart): 5-meter customizable RGB strip with 70 zones, ideal for creative indoor lighting.
Sonoff has introduced an upgraded dongle to boost your open-source smart home setup, compatible with Thread and Zigbee.
Another tech giant starts to explore the Matter market, as Xiaomi announces the release of a new white and RGB smart bulb.
Aqara has partnered with A-OK to bring Matter-enabled motorized shades, including curtains and blinds, to global users, expanding smart home options.
Govee is bringing more color to your kitchen and other rooms with an incredible Matter-compatible pendant light with various settings for RGB mixing and brightness.
Four more Matter-enabled lights from Govee are coming to elevate your home ambiance, from light bars to string lights and even a lamp post.
SwitchBot has announced two new additions to its smart home lineup – the SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo and SwitchBot Hub 3
Home appliance maker LG adds a Thread-based plug with power meter to its Matter certification list, complete with energy consumption monitoring.
