Researchers have uncovered a new class of AI‑driven attacks called prompt injections, or “promptware,” that can manipulate large language models to issue unauthorized commands to connected home devices. Demonstrations showed that hidden prompts embedded in everyday messages could cause a virtual assistant to unlock doors, adjust heating or reveal user location. While major tech firms have begun implementing safeguards, the threat highlights a gap in traditional security tools. Experts recommend regular software updates, cautious handling of unknown messages, limiting AI access to personal data, and employing human‑in‑the‑loop controls to reduce exposure. Read more →

A maker has turned a Raspberry Pi into a screenless device called the Thought Catcher that sits by the bedside. Press a button, speak your idea, and the AI‑driven Whisper service transcribes the audio and uploads it to Notion. The system adds a beep to confirm completion, letting users capture thoughts without reaching for a phone and risking sleep disruption. The device requires a Raspberry Pi, a button, a microphone, a buzzer and custom Python code. Future versions may be refined, and the creator plans to share build instructions if interest grows. Read more →

California‑based 1X introduced Neo, a humanoid robot priced at $20,000 and marketed as a personal assistant for home chores. Neo stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs as much as a golden retriever, and can lift up to 154 pounds while carrying 55 pounds. It operates via speech, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and 5G, and features a built‑in large language model for conversation. While the company promises autonomous capabilities by 2026, current demonstrations show the robot is largely remote‑operated. Privacy safeguards include voice activation, camera blurring and user‑defined no‑enter zones. Read more →

California‑based 1X has unveiled Neo, a humanoid robot priced at $20,000 that aims to handle chores like laundry, vacuuming and door opening. Neo moves with a soft, tendon‑driven gait, can lift up to 154 pounds, and runs for about four hours on a charge. While it features built‑in AI similar to ChatGPT and Gemini, most of its actions are currently teleoperated by a human using a VR headset. The company says full autonomy is planned for 2026, and it emphasizes privacy controls such as voice‑activation and camera blurring. Read more →

Google has integrated its Gemini large‑language model into the Google Home ecosystem, allowing AI‑generated alerts from Nest cameras and other devices. While the feature improves package detection and offers richer descriptions of activity, users have reported that Gemini repeatedly labels a household dog as a cat. Despite user feedback through the Ask Home interface, the misidentifications persist. Google acknowledges the issue, cites ongoing investment in pet‑recognition accuracy, and notes that the Familiar Faces system currently supports only people. The experience highlights both the promise and current limitations of AI‑driven smart‑home automation. Read more →

Google Home head Anish Kattukaran confirmed the company remains committed to smart displays and hinted at a forthcoming Nest Hub that will integrate the Gemini AI model. The new device would build on Google’s smart‑display lineage that began in 2018, with the last refresh occurring in 2021. As Google prepares its announcement, Amazon has recently unveiled updated Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 models featuring enhanced 360‑degree speakers. The emerging competition highlights the importance of design, audio quality, and AI integration for the next generation of home smart displays. Read more →

Amazon and Google have introduced new AI‑driven versions of their smart home voice assistants—Alexa Plus and Gemini for Home—built on generative AI and large language models. Both companies say the upgrades will make the assistants more conversational, better at understanding context, and capable of proactive actions. Early access programs are already testing the technology, but the firms acknowledge hurdles such as reliability, response speed, cloud dependence, and convincing users to pay for advanced features. The rollout marks a major shift in the smart‑home market, with both firms betting on AI to revive growth. Read more →

Google has released a detailed FAQ to clarify the rollout of Gemini for Home, its replacement of Google Assistant, and the new subscription tiers that succeed Nest Aware. The free update enables basic voice commands on supported devices, while paid tiers—Google Home Premium Standard and Advanced—add AI‑driven features like Gemini Live, automated routines, AI video search, and extended video history. Gemini for Home is currently in early‑access in several regions for cameras and doorbells, with smart speaker support slated for later in the United States. Compatibility spans most Google speakers and displays made since 2015, with limited third‑party support at launch. Read more →

Amazon announced a revamped Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 at an invite‑only Devices and Services event in New York City. The new smart displays feature custom silicon, advanced sensors, improved microphones, and 13‑megapixel cameras, and are built around the AI‑enhanced Alexa+ service. Alexa+ offers more conversational interactions and memory of prior chats, and is available free to Prime members or for a monthly fee for non‑Prime users. The redesign aims to blend the devices into home environments while delivering higher‑quality audio and visual experiences. Read more →

Google revealed that its Gemini artificial‑intelligence, the next‑generation AI behind the Gemini for Home brand, will roll out to its Nest smart‑home lineup on October 1. The company teased the move on X, showing an updated Nest camera that hints at a broader refresh that could include a speaker and a doorbell with 2K video. Gemini will eventually replace Google Assistant in these devices, keeping the “Hey Google” wake word while offering more nuanced conversational abilities for tasks such as cooking suggestions, thermostat control, and lighting management. The smart‑home market is projected to grow markedly in the coming years. Read more →

Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch a suite of smart‑home products at its upcoming fall event. Rumors point to a new security camera, a HomePod‑style smart display, and a video doorbell, all built around an upgraded, conversational Siri. A more ambitious tabletop robot with a swiveling 7‑inch screen has also been discussed, though it may not appear at the event. The company’s focus appears to be on tighter integration of its devices, facial‑recognition and motion‑detection, and advanced Siri capabilities that could leverage new AI technology. Read more →

Eufy introduced the MarsWalker at the IFA conference in Germany, a device that lifts compatible robot vacuums and transports them up and down stairs. The system automatically identifies straight, L-shaped and U-shaped stair configurations, using the robot’s base station as a drop‑off point. Designed with four adaptive control arms and a track‑drive that grips each step, the MarsWalker aims to deliver truly hands‑free whole‑home cleaning. The company noted that pricing remains undisclosed, the accessory works only with select Eufy models, and it is slated for release in the first half of 2026. Eufy also announced the Omni S2 robot vacuum, featuring aromatherapy and adaptive wheels, priced at $1,600 and arriving in January. Read more →

Smart LED bulbs offer a mix of color‑changing and white‑only options, connecting via Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi, or Zigbee hubs. Major brands such as Philips Hue, LIFX, TP‑Link Kasa, Sengled, and Govee provide app‑driven control, voice‑assistant integration, and scheduling features. Consumers can choose hub‑based systems for expandability or Wi‑Fi models for simpler setups. Pricing varies widely, from budget‑friendly packs to premium lamps over $200. The ecosystem supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and, for many devices, Apple HomeKit, making smart lighting a versatile addition to modern homes. Read more →

Roborock introduced three robot lawn mowers—RockMow Z1, S1, and RockNeo Q1—featuring advanced navigation, steep‑slope capability, and edge‑cutting technology. The company also expanded its vacuum portfolio with the H60 Hub stick vacuums, the steam‑powered F25 Ultra wet‑dry vacuum, and the ultra‑thin Qrevo Curv 2 Pro robot vacuum, all equipped with AI mapping, auto‑emptying docks, and high suction power. Pricing ranges from the low $300s for stick vacuums to $799 for the F25 Ultra, signaling Roborock’s aggressive push into both outdoor and indoor cleaning solutions. Read more →

Eufy introduced the Marswalker, a tracked platform that can autonomously carry compatible robot vacuums up and down stairs without human help. The shell works with Eufy's Omni S2 vacuum, which features an aromatherapy system and advanced navigation. While the Marswalker does not clean staircases itself, it provides a solution for multilevel homes by transporting the vacuum between floors, recognizing various stair configurations and returning to its dock for charging and emptying. The innovation could reshape the robot‑vacuum market, offering a first‑of‑its‑kind stair‑climbing capability. Read more →

Lepro has launched its AI Lighting Pro series, embedding microphones and a proprietary voice assistant called LightGPM directly into its smart lights. The lineup includes a light strip, rope light, product descriptions mention RGB, a warm‑white mode, and Wi‑Fi connectivity that works with Alexa and Google Assistant. By eliminating the need for a separate controller, the lights can respond to commands such as turning on, changing colors, and generating mood‑based lighting patterns. The move adds another always‑listening device to homes, raising questions about privacy and convenience. Read more →

Dreame showcased its Cyber10 Ultra robot vacuum, featuring a mechanical arm that can switch between a pincer, a corner‑cleaning brush, and a baseboard duster. The arm includes a suction channel that allows the bot to vacuum while the tool is attached. While the tool changes appear slow and the attachment seems tentative, the concept promises new levels of automation for clutter removal and detailed cleaning. The Cyber10‑word description highlights the potential for future market release, positioning Dreame as a contender in the emerging niche of arm‑equipped robot vacuums. Read more →

Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant now supports a sprawling set of commands that let users control smart home devices, manage media, handle daily tasks, and interact with a wide range of Amazon services. The expanded command library works across Echo speakers, Echo Show displays, Fire TV devices, and even in‑car Echo Auto, giving users more natural conversational ways to adjust lighting, set reminders, shop, order rides, and access entertainment. By integrating with third‑party skills and popular platforms such as SmartThings, Philips Hue, and Ring, Alexa continues to deepen its role as a central hub for connected living. Read more →

Ecovacs introduced its flagship robot vacuum, the Deebot X11 OmniCyclone, featuring a new agentic AI voice assistant called Agent Yiko. The system learns users' habits, offers proactive cleaning recommendations, and provides real‑time troubleshooting guidance. Highlights include automatic setup, AI‑driven setting suggestions based on floor type and mess level, and a top‑up charging feature. Ecovacs notes that 80% of users repeat the same voice commands daily and often under‑utilize voice controls. The Deebot X11 OmniCyclone launched in the U.S. and Canada with a list price of $1,499.99. Read more →

Starling has announced it can no longer produce its Starling Home Hub, citing rapidly rising business costs and U.S. tariffs on essential components. The hub, launched in 2019 as a $99 bridge that enabled Google Nest devices to operate within Apple Home and with Siri, has been praised for its reliability and ease of use. Existing owners will continue to receive support and updates, but the product’s removal leaves a gap for users seeking a simple solution to integrate Nest thermostats and cameras into Apple’s ecosystem. Alternatives now rely on Matter‑enabled Nest thermostats, while camera support remains pending. Read more →