Home Automation News #7 – August 12 – September 10

Back-to-school season brought some heavyweight announcements from the smart home world. From Samsung's AI-powered vision to Google's long-awaited Gemini integration coming next month, the industry is clearly gearing up for a major AI transformation.

Plus, our Connected Living Tips & Tricks section returns with practical insights to help you navigate the smart home upgrade season. 

1. Samsung Unveils "AI Home: Future Living, Now"

Samsung presented its comprehensive "AI Home: Future Living, Now" vision, showcasing how AI will transform everyday living.

The company revealed that 66% of consumers find the idea of an AI-enabled home appealing. Samsung's latest Bespoke AI appliances now feature enhanced capabilities including improved AI Object Recognition for the Jet Bot Steam Ultra, AI Wash+ for energy-efficient laundry, and AI Wash optimization for dishwashers.

The Vision AI Companion transforms TV interaction with natural, conversational responses, while Samsung aims to bring Galaxy AI to over 400 million devices by end of 2025.

2. Home Assistant 2025.9 Revolutionizes Smart Home Management

Home Assistant released its September 2025.9 update with game-changing improvements for DIY smart home enthusiasts. The automation editor has been redesigned with a new sidebar layout, visual enhancements, and a mobile-friendly pop-up interface, making automation creation and management more intuitive and accessible.

The update introduces an experimental "Home Dashboard" with device categorization and favorite marking, upgraded tile cards with history graphs and expanded controls, plus improved voice control with fuzzy matching for better command recognition.

3. Google Confirms Gemini for Home Launch Date

Google officially announced that Gemini for Home early access will launch on October 1, 2025, marking the end of Google Assistant's reign over smart home devices.

Gemini for Home is 'an all-new, more powerful assistant', and will have the ability to provide the answers to your more complex voice commands. Users will be able to ask more sophisticated questions, like playing songs from specific decades or setting multiple device parameters simultaneously.

4. Philips Hue Strengthens Matter Integration with App Update 5.50

   
   

Philips Hue launched app version 5.50 alongside new product announcements, bringing significant Matter and Apple Home improvements. The update introduces automatic room and device name synchronization with Apple Home via Matter, eliminating the need for manual updates across platforms.

Notably, the new Hue Bridge Pro connects exclusively via Matter rather than direct HomeKit, signaling Philips' commitment to the universal smart home standard. This move simplifies setup and ensures better cross-platform compatibility while maintaining the premium Hue experience users expect.

5. Aqara Expands HomeKit Ecosystem with New Camera and Matter Hub

Aqara unveiled several HomeKit and Matter-compatible product headlined by the Doorbell Camera G400 with 2K resolution and head-to-toe coverage. The camera supports HomeKit Secure Video for encrypted iCloud storage and facial recognition.

Equally impressive is the Hub M200, a multi-function device serving as Matter Controller, Thread Border Router, 360-degree IR blaster, and Matter bridge for Zigbee devices. The hub can integrate over 50 types of Matter devices, positioning Aqara as a key player in the unified smart home ecosystem.

Wrapping up

Fewer launches don’t mean less impact. This edition spotlights two very different visions for AI in smart homes: one built on open innovation, the other on monetization. Both could shape how we talk to our devices, and how those devices work for (or with) us. 

Thanks for reading stay tuned for more updates shaping the future of connected living! 

Connected Living Tips & Tricks 

🏠 AI-Ready Home: 4 Ways to Prepare for the Gemini & AI Wave 

With Google's Gemini and Samsung's AI Home arriving soon, here's how to future-proof your setup:

1. Audit your current ecosystem - Take inventory of which platforms your devices support (Google Home, SmartThings, Alexa) to understand compatibility.

2. Prioritize voice-forward devices - Focus on smart speakers, displays, and voice-enabled appliances that will benefit most from AI upgrades.

3. Update existing devices - Many current Google and Samsung devices will receive AI updates automatically but check for pending firmware updates now.

4. Ensure strong Wi-Fi coverage - AI features require reliable internet. Consider Wi-Fi 6E routers or mesh systems for demanding AI processing 

Sources: The stories featured in Home Automation News are curated from verified industry publications, official product announcements, and trusted media outlets such as The Verge, 9to5Google, and company newsrooms.

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