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German startup Orbital Matter says its Replicator-2 satellite used an onboard 3D printer to extrude and UV-cure a half-meter rigid plastic beam while in orbit, a process the company likens to mixing cement and water. The satellite, launched on a SpaceX rideshare this summer, carried four such printers, though one of two units meant to deploy a flexible solar array failed due to an anomaly.
The Gemini-powered Google Home Speaker, which launched in June as Google's first new smart speaker in years, is now discounted by about $20 to roughly $79 in all four colors across Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. The sale marks the lowest price yet for the device, which supports Matter, includes a Thread border router, and can serve as audio output for the Google TV Streamer 4K.
SwitchBot has released the K11+ Pro, a compact robot vacuum measuring under 10 inches across and 3.62 inches tall, paired with a small self-emptying dock roughly 9.4 by 7.1 inches. The device uses LiDAR mapping with a close-range sensor for furniture detection, stores up to five floor maps, and supports Matter, allowing it to integrate with Apple Home alongside the SwitchBot app.
The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat is discounted by $60 to $219.99 across Amazon, Best Buy and The Home Depot in all three colors, matching its best price this year and nearing its all-time low. The device includes a bundled remote temperature sensor, an adaptive display, and broader HVAC compatibility than its predecessor.
Google published a changelog detailing a wave of fixes to its Home app and Gemini assistant, addressing issues like Gemini falsely claiming it misunderstood unspoken commands, incorrect alarm volume settings, and confusion between timers and sleep timers. The update also includes improvements for YouTube TV voice commands on smart displays and better handling of Matter-connected smart plugs.
Ikea has cut $20 off its donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp, bringing it to $79.99 until November 11th. The 180-lumen lamp offers 12 preset colors and can be controlled via an included wireless remote without needing an app or hub, while also supporting Matter for integration with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.
A new scientific analysis finds that even extremely massive primordial black holes cannot account for the universe's dark matter. Researchers examined the theory that dark matter could consist of black holes formed shortly after the Big Bang and concluded the evidence does not support it as an explanation.
Govee's color-changing Christmas String Lights 2 are discounted across all four sizes at Amazon and Govee's own store, with the 66-foot strand at $74.99, up to the 328-foot set at $259.99. The lights support customizable colors, over 130 preset effects, music syncing, and Matter-based voice control, and are weatherproofed for outdoor use.
Amazon is selling the 4th-gen Google Nest Learning Thermostat bundled with a 2nd-gen Nest Temperature Sensor for $219.99, down from its $279.99 list price. The $60 discount marks the lowest price the bundle has reached. The thermostat supports most 24V HVAC systems plus heat pumps, humidifiers and ventilation, and is Matter-certified for use with other smart home platforms.
SwitchBot has released its RGBICWW Light Bars, a two-bar lighting set combining dedicated cool- and warm-white LEDs with 12 total RGBIC color zones across the pair. The bars connect directly to Apple Home via Matter over Wi-Fi, requiring no separate hub, and include 26 preset effects, six music-reactive modes with a built-in microphone, and a wired physical controller.
Amazon has cut the price of Govee's LED Smart Light Bulbs to $33.99, down from a $49.99 list price, a 32% reduction. The bulbs use a standard E26 base and come in common shapes like A19, A21, BR30, and Edison-style, with app controls, dimming, scheduling, and voice assistant compatibility, and some newer models add Matter support. The listing carries a 4.6-star rating on Amazon.
A smart-home explainer describes why Wi-Fi-connected accessories often stop functioning when the internet or router fails, since they typically rely on cloud servers for instructions and scheduling. It recommends using local hubs instead, such as HomePods, Apple TVs, or Zigbee- and Thread-based bridges like the Philips Hue Bridge, which can store and run automations without an active internet connection.