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Tech News
Xiaomi officially unveiled the Xiaomi 18 Fold at IFA 2026, giving the public its first real look at the wide-screen foldable in a cherry red finish after weeks of leaked images. The device features a triple-camera setup with a focal range suggesting roughly 3.3x telephoto zoom, and it debuts alongside more than 380 other products at Xiaomi's booth, including its smart home and connected ecosystem lineup.
Anker introduced MindBase, an AI-powered smart home hub that centralizes control of its security, energy, cleaning, and audio devices while running a large language model on-device for local processing. The hub offers up to 48TB of local storage with no subscription fees and connects to third-party ecosystems like Matter, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant via a feature called EasyOmni Link. Alongside MindBase, Anker's Eufy brand also revealed new security hardware including the E50 NVR system, a video doorbell, and a window camera.
Anker plans to phase out its Soundcore, Eufy, and other sub-brand names worldwide, consolidating everything under the unified Anker identity. The rollout will vary by country—Japan, for instance, is set to complete the switch by the end of 2026 under a 'One Anker' initiative—meaning products currently sold as Soundcore earbuds or Eufy cameras will eventually be rebranded as Anker devices.
At IFA, Anker introduced MindBase, a local smart-home hub that doubles as a network storage device with a 64GB SSD and two bays for 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. Paired with Eufy cameras and sensors like the Video Doorbell S4 and Fall Detection Sensor, its onboard AI can analyze events in real time and respond to threats through lighting changes, verbal warnings, or vague 'active deterrence' measures. Anker has not disclosed pricing or a release date.
Philips Hue is partnering with rival Nanoleaf to bring Hexagon, Triangle, and Mini Triangle wall panels into its smart lighting system via a new $39.99 Wall Light Module, available starting September 3rd. The module contains Hue's full connectivity stack—Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Thread—letting users control the panels through the Hue app or Matter-compatible apps like Apple Home, while also unlocking Hue scenes, automations, and entertainment features.
Anker introduced the Eufy MindBase at IFA Berlin, a local AI hub that runs an on-device LLM to process camera footage without sending it to the cloud. The device acts as a Matter controller supporting over 40 device categories, works with Apple HomeKit Secure Video, Alexa, Google Home, and Home Assistant, and can handle up to 16 wireless cameras, four wired cameras, and 34 sensors. Anker also announced companion products including the TrackLight Cam S1, S4 video doorbell, and a window camera, though pricing and release dates remain unannounced.
Google has rolled out a Google Home app update that lets Gemini for Home handle voice requests that mix media playback and smart device controls in a single command, such as turning off lights while stopping music. The update also fixes previously reported bugs with setting alarms and adding items to Google Keep, and it now alphabetizes automation options while enforcing privacy settings on third-party routines.
Tado has unveiled its Smart Thermostat X, a 17.8mm-thick device priced at £159.99-£199.99 depending on wired or battery-powered versions. The company says Google's decision to shut down servers for older Nest thermostats has already driven a surge in sales, and it's betting more Nest owners will switch as support for older generations lapses.
Anthom, maker of the Homey smart home platform, has unveiled the Homey Portal, a €249 wall- or desk-mounted controller featuring a 2.8-inch round touchscreen and a stainless-steel rotary dial. Each unit is tied to a specific room and lets anyone present adjust lights, music, temperature and existing Homey Flows without opening an app. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping expected before year-end.
Athom-owned Homey has unveiled the Homey Portal, a 2.8-inch round touchscreen device with a stainless steel dial that lets users tap and twist to control lights, speakers, thermostats, and shades. Preorders start today at $249/€249, with shipping planned for December, and the device supports over 70,000 products from 2,000+ brands via Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Thread.
IFA, Europe's largest tech trade show, returns to Berlin from September 4th to 8th, drawing more than 200,000 attendees. Major manufacturers will present new products spanning appliances, smartphones, and smart home devices, with most significant announcements expected to surface in the days leading up to the official opening.
Homey has introduced a new Device Updates feature that lets users install over-the-air firmware updates for smart home devices across Matter, Zigbee, and Z-Wave protocols directly within its app. Zigbee and Z-Wave updates come through their respective sub-apps, while Matter updates are pulled from the Connectivity Standards Alliance's Distributed Compliance Ledger. The feature is rolling out with Homey app version 9.10.0 and later across Homey Cloud, Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini, and Homey Self-Hosted Server.