As every week, we summarize the topics of the last seven days once again. Among other things, IKEA’s air quality monitor now supports HomeKit, Apple has released iOS 16.4, Eve Systems and Nanoleaf are releasing new Matter devices, and Bosch is also releasing a new device but also discontinuing its “Home Connect Plus” app at the same time.
IKEA Vindstyrka now with HomeKit support
IKEA Vindstyrka, IKEA’s smart air quality monitor, finally got HomeKit support this week thanks to a new update. So far, the sensor has only worked within the IKEA ecosystem. The multiple sensor measures temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds and PM2.5 level and shows this information on a display.
The update cannot be triggered manually and the Dirigera hub will install the new firmware automatically. The sensor is currently only available in stores, while the hub can also be purchased in the online store.
Update for Home+ App
The latest version of the HomeKit app Home+ can now automatically update scenes and automations when replacing devices. You can find the new function in the device settings.
In addition, there is a new function to copy actions of a scene into a new scene, as well as improvements for the use of the weather station Eve Weather. Home+ is available for €17.99 in the App Store.
Apple releases iOS 16.4
Apple released iOS 16.4 this week, which includes important updates to HomeKit and Matter, as well as improvements to thermostat temperature readings.
iOS 16.4 also includes manual and automatic firmware updates for Matter devices, as well as a fix for a bug that caused Matter thermostats to stop responding after pairing with Apple Home.
Eve Systems launches Matter devices
Eve Systems this week released a new version of its Eve Energy adapter plug, which inherently supports the new Matter smarthome standard. In addition, the manufacturer announced that starting April 17, the Eve Motion and Eve Door & Window will be available with Matter Firmware pre-installed.
Existing customers already using devices with Thread and HomeKit can migrate via a firmware update. The Eve Energy will remain unchanged in price, while the prices for the Eve Motion and Eve Door & Window will increase from €39.99 to €49.99. It is therefore worthwhile to buy the HomeKit models of the contact sensor and motion detector.
IKEA offers new affordable filament lamp for HomeKit
Since this week, IKEA has a new, larger filament lamp with E27 socket for 9,99€. The lamp has a diameter of 95mm and a brightness of 470lm in a warm white.
For integration into HomeKit and networking with other devices, a hub from IKEA is required. Compared to its Philips Hue counterpart, IKEA’s new model is significantly cheaper.
Desk lamp with professional LED technology and sensors from Yeelight
Yeelight Desk Lamp V1 Pro is a high-quality desk lamp with professional LED technology and sensors that detect ambient light and automatically adjust brightness. The lamp has an attractive design and is equipped with a timer function that reminds work breaks.
The emitted light is flicker-free and contains less blue light, which is supposed to relieve the eyes. The Yeelight V1 can be used with either a stand or clamp mount and is controllable via the Yeelight app or the Xiaomi Home app. It also integrates with Apple HomeKit, but Adaptive Lighting is not supported. The Yeelight LED Desk Lamp V1 Pro is available for 119.95 EUR. You can find our experiences in this post.
Nanoleaf Essentials lamps now also available in Germany
Nanoleaf is now bringing the new Essentials lamps with Matter and Thread Germany. The lamps are available as bulbs with E27, B22 and GU10 sockets, as well as recessed spotlights and lightstrips. Thanks to Matter ‘s integration, the lamps can be used with all major smarthome platforms, including Apple HomeKit.
Although the manufacturer’s own Circadian Lighting feature is supported, Apple’s Adaptive Lighting is missing. Those who rely exclusively on HomeKit can continue to use the previous models, some of which are also available at a lower price on Amazon. The new lamps are scheduled to begin shipping in mid-April.
Bosch discontinues “Home Connect Plus
Bosch is discontinuing its“Home Connect Plus” smart home app, which allowed users to connect incompatible smart home systems and use a wide range of smart devices. The app will be discontinued on June 30, 2023 due to the difficult economic situation.
By June 1, 2023, a new version of the app will be made available that will allow users to download data provided while using the Home Connect Plus service. Incidentally, the“Home Connect” app is not affected and will continue to be available in full.
Bosch Room Thermostat II 230 V starts without HomeKit
Bosch has released this week the room thermostat II 230V. The device enables the control of wired floor heating and other heat sources. The thermostat displays the current room temperature, heating status and relative humidity on an LED display.
It can be controlled directly on the device via rotary and push button, fully automated, in the app or by voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. HomeKit is not supported at the beginning. The Room Thermostat II 230V is available from the Bosch online store or Amazon.
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