It’s 2026 and A LOT has changed in the world of smart homes. We’ll walk you through all of it. From the latest updates to the Matter and ALIRO smart lock standards to what’s changed across major smart home platforms like Google Home, Amazon, Apple Home, Home Assistant, Homey and more! Plus, we’ll take you through the smart home devices we actually use and recommend, including thermostats, cameras, appliances, smart blinds, smart lighting, and more.
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π°οΈTimestamps:
0:00 – Matter Standard
5:22 – ALIRO Smart Lock Standard
9:32 – Google Home Updates
10:05 – Amazon/Alexa Updates
10:47 – Apple Home Updates
11:31 – Samsung SmartThings Updates
11:50 – Homey Updates
12:41 – Home Assistant Updates
13:02 – Hubitat
13:32 – Why Use Smart Home Hubs vs. Platforms
17:43 – Smart Home Device Recommendations
18:49 – Smart Thermostats
19:35 – Security Cameras and Doorbells
20:45 – Smart Appliances
23:02 – Smart Blinds
24:12 – Smart Lighting
26:06 – Smart Plugs and Light Switches
π Disclosures π – Learn more at
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6 Months Later received a media discount from Lutron on the smart blinds seen in this video. We also received the Home Pro Mini shown at no cost. This video has no sponsor.
Any Amazon links we provide in our descriptions are in conjunction with our Amazon partnership. The channel receives a small percentage of revenue from any sales generated by viewers clicking the links.
#SmartHome
#Matter
#ALIRO
#SmartLock
#HomeAssistant
#GoogleHome
#AppleHome
#PhilipsHue
#Lutron
#NestThermostat
πBlog Post: https://6monthslater.net/2026/03/smart-home-guide-2026-what-to-buy-platform-updates-more/
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π± this is really interesting, though we wonder why you dont mention WiZ (from Philips ?)
Kesser and Steen have just received this light bulb WiZ Connected from Philips, but the Home Pod / iPad cant find it (2,4 GHz WiFI)
Then we see this βbrand new bulbβ is from year 2021 and marked βSiri Shortcutβ, but not Matter like the newer you see on YT today
There is no QR Matter-code and the iPad dont scan the one on the box. After blinking some times with the light, it shows up on the WiFi list, but still – no connection, not super easy, not really smart π‘ now we learned that other WiZ bulbs are even lower cost, and smarter, some with the Matter logo on the box – but how on Earth could the boys know that before ..
Maybe this is why you dont talk about WiZ bulbs π€
All the best π²
Great video
NoοΌ Thread it’s competitor is zigbee but not wifi.
Every Matter devices required an ip address from wifi router.
While Thread and zigbee devices do not required an ip address which using a unique address from thread board router and zigbee hib respec.
bro- structure your data and provide an overview of what you’re going to cover in your introduction. you’ll get more views this way–if you want them, of course. You have great content, but i’m hesitant to finish cuz i don’ tknow what i’m signing up for
look up how to organize a 5 paragraph essay for. middle schoolers and apply the concept to your videos