1Home Digest: January '26
With so much going on lately, December’s digest slipped by us. To make up for it, this month’s edition is packed with even more updates, combining the highlights from both December and January. Enjoy the read!
Let's tackle December first:
Torben Ledermann covers the launch of 1Home Touch
In the latest edition of KNX News, a YouTube series from Torben Ledermann, he discussed insights into the new 1Home Touch, followed by more KNX news. The coverage wraps up with highlights from the KNX community and other notable news in home automation.
Sweden’s Super-Small Hi-Res Streamer: Bring Sonos-like Power to Any Speaker
The Atonemo Streamplayer, a new compact device from Sweden, is about to revolutionize how you experience your music at home. Announced in early 2025 and set to launch in December, this tiny Hi-Res streamer adds wireless streaming and multi-room audio features to nearly any powered speaker or Hi-Fi system.
“The local-first rebellion”: How Home Assistant became the most important project in your house
Home Assistant’s journey is the story of a modern rebellion: fed up with smart home devices tied to unreliable clouds, privacy concerns, and forced obsolescence, an open-source project set out to put control back in the hands of users. Rather than relying on external servers, Home Assistant runs locally, meaning your smart home keeps working even when the internet doesn’t.
Having said that, Home Assistant doesn't come perfect...
4 Uncomfortable Truths About Home Assistant
Platform for smart home enthusiasts who love tinkering, but the journey isn’t without its bumps. This article highlights four hard truths that every Home Assistant fan faces. Devices may misbehave for no apparent reason, with once-working automations breaking overnight. Hours can vanish troubleshooting cryptic integration failures, obscure firmware bugs, or “ghost” sensor problems.
Samsung SmartThings Gets Matter 1.5 Update - Great News for Security Cameras
Samsung SmartThings has rolled out the latest Matter 1.5 update, bringing an exciting upgrade for smart home security. With this update, SmartThings now supports a wider range of security cameras, making it easier to connect different brands and models via the universal Matter standard. Homeowners can benefit from improved compatibility, streamlined automations, and a more secure smart home experience.
January was also full of releases!
Aqara Unveils Five New Products at CES 2026
Aqara made a splash at CES 2026 by introducing five innovative new smart home products. Among the highlights are upgraded sensors, advanced controllers, and fresh solutions for home automation enthusiasts. The lineup includes devices designed to work across popular ecosystems, offering improved integration with platforms like Apple HomeKit and Matter.
What stood out the most to us was the release of of the FP400 mmWave sensor
This device not only tracks motion but also keeps tabs on air quality, humidity, and temperature. It’s built to work seamlessly with popular smart home ecosystems, helping you automate routines and receive alerts when something’s amiss.
At CES 2026, Govee Rethinks What Smart Lighting Should Actually Do
At CES 2026, Govee unveiled a bold new vision for smart lighting, moving beyond simple color changes and automations. The latest products emphasize interaction, adapting dynamically to activities, moods, and the environment. Govee’s new lineup includes lighting solutions that react to music, shift with weather changes, and even integrate with fitness routines or home security setups.
SwitchBot Launches Its AI-Centric Matter Home Hub
SwitchBot has just announced its latest smart home innovation: an AI-powered Matter Home Hub. Designed to streamline device management and automations, this hub leverages artificial intelligence to learn your habits and optimize your smart home experience. With support for the Matter standard, it works seamlessly with a wide variety of devices across different ecosystems.
Marshall’s New Heddon Hub Adds Multi-Room Audio with Auracast
Marshall has introduced the Heddon Hub, a powerful new device designed to bring multi-room audio to its speakers using the Auracast standard. With this hub, Marshall owners can easily stream music throughout their home - syncing sound across different rooms and managing playback through one central system.
That’s a wrap for this edition.
Thanks for joining us. Check back soon for more smart home highlights.