SwitchBot Adds 3D Recognition to New Smart Lock
SwitchBot’s new Lock Vision smart lock adds advanced 3D facial recognition, using infrared mapping to unlock doors in under a second while resisting spoofing. It supports Matter over Wi‑Fi, so Apple Home users don’t need a hub. A dual battery system ensures reliability, and mmWave radar conserves power. The Pro model adds fingerprint and palm scanning. Both products support NFC, passcodes, and physical keys, though Apple Home Key is missing.
The Circana Take:
- The addition of facial recognition introduces easier, safer, and more practical use cases.
- Biometric unlocking reduces friction, local processing improves privacy, and Matter support simplifies setup without extra hubs.
- Lock Vision adds backup power and multiple entry options adding increased convenience and reliability—key barriers to broader smart home adoption.
Homey Turns the TV Into a Smart Home Dashboard
The LG-owned Homey platform has launched dedicated apps for Android TV and WebOS, turning TVs into full smart home dashboards. The apps are optimized for remote use, offer quick access to favorite devices and automations, and support QR code login. A new browser-based Homey.tv destination extends access to TVs and even vehicle browsers.
The Circana Take:
- Homey represents the latest attempt to integrate TVs into the smart home — an idea others have struggled to mainstream.
- By making the TV a control hub, it tests whether better design and timing – or the Android/WebOS ecosystem – can finally turn the living room screen into a natural center for everyday smart home interaction.