1Home Digest: April '26
April was quietly busy. No mega trade show, but the industry kept pushing, new devices, new industry secotrs and the smart home getting a little more connected. Here's what stood out...
Apple TV 4K Is Getting Its Biggest Upgrade in Years
Leaks are pointing to a significant overhaul of the Apple TV 4K - and it's shaping up to be more than just a streaming box. The new model is expected to pack a serious chipset upgrade (think A17 Pro or newer), AAA gaming support with ray tracing, Wi-Fi 7, and - most relevant for us, built-in Thread and Matter support. There's also talk of a FaceTime camera and a redesigned remote with the U2 chip for Find My. Two versions are expected: one budget-friendly, one premium. Launch window is somewhere between now and the fall.
Private Equity Thinks Garage Doors Are the Next Big Roll-Up Play
After HVAC, investors are setting their sights on an unlikely sector: garage door installation and repair. The logic holds up, fragmented market (90% independent businesses), recession-resistant demand, and customers who definitely won't fix it themselves. Oak Hill Capital's $800M acquisition of Guild Garage Group at a 16x EBITDA multiple set a new benchmark, and deal volume has been climbing fast. Worth keeping an eye on as more capital flows into residential services.
IKEA Launches Plug-In Solar Panels - No Roof Required
IKEA Belgium, in partnership with Svea Solar, has launched a line of plug-in solar panels designed for balconies, gardens, and terraces. A complete starter set begins at €349, with the full range running up to €1,500. No electrician needed, just plug in and start generating. Portable and foldable options are also available for camping use. Belgium is the second market after Germany, and the timing makes sense: balcony solar installations have been legal in Belgium since April 2025.
Samsung SmartThings Now Plays Nicely With IKEA's Matter Devices
Samsung has announced integration of 25 IKEA Matter-over-Thread devices into SmartThings, including smart bulbs, plugs, motion sensors, door sensors, air quality sensors, and more. The big change: no IKEA hub required anymore. Devices connect directly to the SmartThings hub. Samsung also claims to be the first platform to adopt Thread 1.4, enabling cross-brand Thread networks to operate as a single unified system. A practical step forward for anyone mixing IKEA hardware into a broader smart home setup.
That's April wrapped up!
Thanks for reading along, catch you next month!