First revealed at IFA 2024, the SwitchBot Roller Shade is now available for purchase. The smart gadget is designed to be highly adjustable and support DIY installation, allowing you to bring a bit of smarts to your windows without needing to contact a professional. Pricing starts at $200, scaling upwards for larger sizes and maxing out at $310 for the biggest option.
The SwitchBot Roller Shade uses interchangeable fabrics, allowing you to install blackout, full UV protection, or thermal insulating curtains. They’re also fully trimmable and expandable so you can quickly get them sized to most windows without any hassle. Windows with a width between 22.8 inches and 72.8 inches are supported, thanks to the availability of four different models that expand to various lengths.
Beyond relatively simple DIY installation and adjustable sizing, SwitchBot made sure the new Roller Shade was packed with useful features for daily life. This includes Matter support, a 2,600 mAH battery that lasts up to eight months on a single charge, and no need for cables or adapters to power the unit. You can, however, pair it with an optional solar panel to extend its battery life.
Operating the shade can be handled via a built-in wired controller, the SwitchBot Universal Remote and Hub 2, voice commands, or directly through the mobile app. It should be quiet while in motion too, thanks to a smooth motor that hits noise levels as low as 30dB when in Silent Mode. That makes it a great companion for bedrooms, as it won’t make loud mechanical sounds when opening or closing.
The SwitchBot Roller Shade is now on sale at the SwitchBot website. Pricing ranges from $200 to $310 depending on the size. We’re expecting to go hands-on with the unique DIY shades in the coming weeks — until then, be sure to check out our roundup of the best smart blinds for alternatives.
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.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.