Certain Roborock models will be getting a firmware update between now and April 10 that upgrades the onboard Matter protocol for an even better user experience. The announcement advises users that “exact timing will depend on different timezones,” so just be patient until it rolls out. The latest lineup, including all models of the Roborock Saros and Roborock Qrevo, will see improved capabilities, alongside the Roborock S8 Max V Ultra.
In addition, Apple also announced Matter integration with the Home App on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod, and Mac today, which means you can control any compatible Roborock robot vacuum through one of these devices. That means you can now have your robot vacuum start cleaning as soon as you leave the house or set up specific cleaning areas through the Home app. Just make sure you have an iPhone that’s running iOS 18.4 or later; earlier versions won’t have access to these features.
You can also ask Siri to start and stop cleanings, too. Outside of Roborock, Apple’s integrations work with brands like Ecovacs and iRobot. As long as the device is compatible with Matter, you should be able to control it from your Apple device.
With that in mind, you should note that operations will differ not only by Roborock device, but also by the ecosystem you’re on. Not all smart home platforms have integrated Matter to the same degree; in particular, Google Home lags behind the competition in some areas.
As Matter integration continues to expand across platforms, more devices will be able to connect more seamlessly and work together without jumping through hoops. It’s a far cry from the early days of smart home technology when crossing walled gardens meant complicated IFTTT and Zapier automations (and a lot of luck.)
Few things ruin a quiet evening faster than a robot vacuum roaring through the living room. Most of us end up pausing the cleaning run, which defeats the whole purpose of owning one. Matic thinks it has the answer with its new Serene robot vacuum, and the big selling point is how little noise it makes.
The Matic Serene runs at 52 decibels even when cleaning at full power. To put that in perspective, Matic compares it to the hum of your refrigerator. It is available now for $1,695, which is $200 more than the original Matic’s current price.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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