What’s new in the smart home industry
The new year has kicked off with a wave of announcements that make it clear the connected home of 2026 will be faster, smarter and much more interoperable. January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas delivered a slew of products built on open standards like Matter and the forthcoming Aliro smart‑lock protocol, while major platforms such as Home Assistant, Google, and Amazon showed how their software is evolving. Below is a roundup of the most important news for homeowners in the Southern Highlands and beyond.
Aliro smart‑lock standard arrives in early 2026
One of the most consequential announcements this month is the launch of the Aliro standard for smart locks. The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) told The Verge that Aliro has passed its final verification milestone and its first specification will arrive in Q1 2026. Aliro standardises tap‑to‑unlock using NFC and hands‑free unlocking via ultrawideband (UWB). Devices implementing Aliro will work offline because credentials live on your phone or watch, and communications between the lock and your device use asymmetric encryption, eliminating the need for a cloud connection. Aliro is a collaborative effort from Apple, Google and Samsung with support from lock makers like Schlage, Kwikset and Nuki. This unified approach should mean that residents will soon be able to use the same smartphone or smartwatch to unlock different brands of smart locks.
Aqara Smart Lock U400
While Aliro is still on the horizon, Aqara’s new Smart Lock U400, shown at CES, hints at what’s possible. The lock is Matter‑certified, Aliro‑ready, and works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant. A built‑in gyroscope provides an auto‑lock feature, and it connects directly via Thread, no hub required. The unit is weather‑resistant (IP65) and runs for around six months on a rechargeable battery. Reviewers noted that it uses UWB for hands‑free unlocking, simply walk up to the door and it unlocks.
CES 2026 smart‑home highlights
CES once again set the stage for the year’s innovations. This year, the focus wasn’t on entirely new categories but on improving staples such as lighting, locks, cameras and televisions and doing so with Matter‑over‑Thread connectivity and more affordable prices.
Lifx Smart Mirror
The Lifx Smart Mirror combines a makeup mirror with rich coloured lighting. It features front and rear LEDs for flattering illumination and ambience. Four buttons on the mirror not only control a built‑in defogging function and colour cycling but can be programmed to control other Lifx or Matter‑compatible devices, for instance, turning on a bathroom fan or unlocking the front door. Lifx plans a firmware update to switch its products from Matter‑over‑Wi‑Fi to Thread, and the mirror should ship in Q2 2026 for under $200.
Aqara W200 Thermostat Hub
Aqara’s W200 Thermostat Hub doubles as a Matter hub with Wi‑Fi, Thread and Zigbee radios. The touchscreen can display snapshots from a connected Aqara doorbell, and when paired with the upcoming U400 lock, can unlock the door right from the thermostat. Built‑in mmWave presence sensing wakes the screen as you approach and feeds occupancy data back to the thermostat. It’s among the first thermostats to support Apple’s Adaptive Temperature and Clean Energy Guidance, and it should launch soon at a mid‑range price.
Lockin V7 Max smart lock
The Lockin V7 Max pushes the smart‑lock envelope with wireless optical charging; a small puck beams power to the lock via a technology Lockin calls AuraCharge. Unlimited power enables features such as finger vein, palm vein and 3D facial recognition, dual cameras with a video doorbell, and interior/exterior touchscreens. An AI‑powered system called LockinAI can display avatars to greet visitors and analyse who comes and goes. The V7 supports Matter and is expected to ship later this year.
LG’s CLOiD home robot
LG’s CLOiD robot drew attention for bringing a “real Rosie the Robot” concept closer to reality. Demonstrations showed the robot folding laundry, loading a washer, putting food in the oven and retrieving drinks. It has an LG ThinQ smart‑home hub in its head, allowing it to orchestrate appliances without physically touching anything. LG is a member of the Home Connectivity Alliance, so if CLOiD ever ships, it should work with Matter or HCA‑compatible devices from brands like Samsung, GE and Electrolux.
GE Lighting smart shades
GE Lighting’s new Matter‑over‑Thread smart roller blinds make window treatments easier. The shades are designed to be stylish and screw‑free to install, use Thread for long battery life and stable connectivity, and are available in two colours with light‑filtering or blackout options. The product shows how Matter allows companies to repurpose premium products for a lower price; GE retooled the high‑end J Geiger shades to work without proprietary hubs. Pricing starts around US $300 for a 24‑inch‑wide shade.
Aqara G350 Matter camera
The Aqara G350 indoor camera is one of the first products to support the Matter 1.5 specification. It doubles as a Matter controller, Thread border router and Zigbee hub. The pan/tilt camera provides 360‑degree 4K coverage with 9× zoom, and footage can be stored locally via microSD card, in Aqara’s cloud or via whichever Matter platform you choose. Samsung SmartThings has announced support for the camera, but storage details are still being worked out.
Aqara multi‑state sensor P100 and FP400 presence sensor
CES also saw Aqara unveil smaller devices that bring more intelligence to the home. The P100 multi‑state sensor is a precision nine‑axis sensor designed to detect a wide range of events, such as glass breaking, windows or doors opening, appliances turning on or off, knocks and tilts. It includes both Thread and Zigbee radios, allowing it to connect directly to Matter ecosystems or via an Aqara hub. Aqara also teased the FP400 presence sensor, which uses mmWave radar to detect multiple people in different positions around a room, and it can be mounted on a wall rather than on the ceiling. The sensor provides fall detection and posture monitoring and could be used for safety applications. Pricing and availability for these sensors are expected later this year.
GE Profile smart fridge
GE Appliances’ Profile Smart 4‑Door French‑Door refrigerator thoughtfully integrates a compact Android tablet into the water dispenser. It can manage shopping lists, recipes and meal planning, and even features a built‑in barcode scanner and voice assistant so any family member can add items. A camera inside the fridge sends snapshots of the produce drawers to your phone, and GE notes that the tablet can be swapped out by removing two screws, so the fridge isn’t stuck with outdated tech.
Amazon Ember Artline TV
Amazon’s Ember Artline TV is a 4K QLED television with swappable frames that functions as both an art display and a smart‑home interface. It includes a built‑in mmWave sensor that can detect when you get up from the couch and trigger routines such as turning off the TV and turning on lights. A far‑field microphone array beneath the screen acts as an Alexa speaker so you can issue voice commands without a remote. A redesigned Fire TV interface puts smart‑home controls in a dedicated tab and will be available across all Fire TV models. The Ember Artline is due this spring, starting at US $899.
AI‑powered smart‑home innovations
While many CES announcements focused on hardware specs and standards, a parallel trend this year was the integration of artificial intelligence directly into household fixtures. A roundup from the National Association of Realtors highlighted several devices that use AI to make homes more intuitive. LG’s AI Home Robot connects to the company’s ThinQ platform and can fold laundry, organise the fridge and even load the dishwasher, all while navigating the home autonomously and learning your daily routines. Samsung’s EdgeAware AI Home system analyses sounds and activity throughout the home, detecting up to 12 distinct sounds such as breaking glass, running water and prolonged coughing; it sends alerts and wellness insights without sending private data to the cloud.
Other innovations include Ceragem’s AI Rejuvenation Shower System, which uses sensors and an integrated smart mirror to analyse skin hydration, oil and pigmentation and then automatically adjust water chemistry to dispense personalised skincare treatments. Deepscent AI creates custom fragrances by blending scents based on mood, music and environmental context and integrates with your smart home. Eoneoms’ HEYMIRROR is a smart dressing mirror that offers outfit recommendations using real‑time data about weather, calendar events and the user’s preferences.
AI is also improving safety. Hansunst’s AI Smart Fire Detector uses machine learning and multi‑sensor technology to distinguish real fires from smoke caused by cooking or candles. The SPINO S1 Pro robotic pool cleaner maps and cleans complex pool layouts and returns to shore automatically to recharge. ALLIE by Arqaios embeds sensors and AI into light switches, outlets and vents to provide intrusion detection, energy optimisation, and fall detection using mmWave radar. Finally, Sonic Fire Tech’s waterless wildfire defence system uses low‑frequency acoustic waves to neutralise airborne embers and protect homes.
These examples demonstrate how AI is moving beyond voice assistants to quietly enhance comfort, safety and personalisation.
Matter and Thread update for 2026
January 1 marked an important deadline for the Thread protocol. According to the independent Matter site Matter‑SmartHome, new Thread border routers must now be certified on Thread 1.4, meaning that devices using the older Thread 1.3 specification are no longer accepted. Thread 1.4 improves battery life and standardises Thread Credentials so that newly installed border routers can join an existing network rather than creating a separate mesh. The site notes that a growing number of brands, including Ikea, Aqara, Bosch, Level, Meross, Philips Hue and Yale, have released Thread products, while platforms like SmartThings and Ikea Dirigera have begun implementing Thread 1.4. However, some ecosystems remain on Matter 1.2 or 1.3, leading to differences in supported functions across platforms.
For homeowners, the key takeaway is that Thread 1.4 devices will deliver better battery life and more reliable networks. If you’re buying new gear in 2026, look for products certified under Matter 1.4 or higher.
BroadLink RM MAX IR/RF hub brings older appliances into the smart home
Not everyone can replace every appliance when a new standard arrives. Recognising this, Chinese manufacturer BroadLink introduced the RM MAX “Matter SuperBridge” at CES. The hub converts infrared (IR) and radio‑frequency (RF) commands into IP‑based control, allowing legacy appliances like air‑conditioners, heaters and fans to be managed through Apple Home or other Matter ecosystems. BroadLink says the RM MAX supports more than 98 percent of IR and RF appliance brands and can operate entirely locally without an internet connection. A mesh networking feature lets the system support up to 4,096 devices with a range of about 80 metres per node, making it suitable for large homes or light commercial properties. The device stores all data locally on the hub to reduce privacy risks and is scheduled for commercial release in February 2026.
Home Assistant 2026.1
The open‑source Home Assistant platform released version 2026.1 on January 7, 2026. The update brings a refreshed mobile dashboard with summary cards for lights, climate, security, media and energy at the top of the view. It also introduces a new Devices page so you can quickly find and manage devices that aren’t assigned to a specific area. A big focus of this release is purpose‑specific triggers and conditions: instead of configuring automations using technical state changes, you can now select triggers like “When a light turns on” or “If the climate is heating”. New trigger types include buttons, climate modes, device tracking, humidifiers, lights, locks, scenes, sirens and update availability. There are also eight new integrations, including pet tracking via Fressnapf, energy monitoring with eGauge and smart heating control with Watts Vision+.
AI voice assistant updates
Gemini for Home by Google
Google began rolling out its Gemini for Home voice assistant in late 2025. Early access started on October 28, 2025, in the United States and on December 18, 2025, in Canada, with more regions to come. Once you switch to Gemini for Hom,e it applies to all compatible speakers and displays in your household, and you can’t revert back to Google Assistant. Basic features such as smart‑home control, media search, alarms, timers, calendars, notes and reminders are free, while premium features like Gemini Live require a subscription.
Alexa+ expansions from Amazon
Amazon used CES 2026 to showcase the continued evolution of its Alexa+ AI assistant. The company announced Alexa.com, bringing the full power of Alexa+ to the web so you can access voice‑driven features from any browser. Early Access customers have been using Alexa+ for nine months, and Amazon says users are engaging twice as much in conversations, making three times more purchases and requesting five times more recipes. Alexa.com blends information with real‑world actions, from managing calendars and controlling smart devices to planning meals and making reservations.
Amazon also announced new Alexa+ integrations, bringing the assistant to BMW cars, Samsung smart TVs, Bosch coffee makers, and health wearables like Oura rings. Alexa+ will thus be available across more of the devices Australians use daily.
Final thoughts
This month’s news shows that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the smart home. Open standards are finally taking centre stage, with Matter and Thread quickly becoming requirements, and Aliro promising to unify smart‑lock authentication. Thread 1.4 devices will deliver better battery life and more reliable networks, so check the specifications before buying. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is moving beyond voice assistants to support robots that fold laundry, mirrors that dress us and sensors that can detect falls or wildfires. You don’t have to discard older appliances to join the modern home; hubs like BroadLink’s RM MAX can translate IR/RF controls into Matter so that even decades‑old heaters and fans can be automated. For residents of the Highlands looking to upgrade, choose products that support the latest Matter and Thread specifications and plan for Aliro‑compatible locks later this year. And if you’re a Home Assistant user, now is a great time to explore the new dashboard and automation features.