Paul Lamkin is a co-founder at Wareable. He specializes in technology and consumer tech, with a focus on the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and energy sustainability, exploring topics such as smart homes, IoT device management, and smart cities. Paul has been featured in prominent publications including Yahoo, WIRED, and Forbes.
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Paul Lamkin's articles heavily feature product promotions, reviews, press releases, and how-to guides within the smart home technology and consumer electronics space. Therefore, he is likely to be interested in pitches related to new product launches, innovative features of smart home devices or consumer electronics, exclusive interviews with industry insiders regarding upcoming trends or technologies in the smart home sector.
As his focus seems international due to lack of a specific geographic area mentioned, it would be beneficial for pitches to offer global perspectives on emerging tech trends.
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Google's smart home comeback looks set to continue, with evidence suggesting its long-rumored Home Display is going to land soon.
Samsung has unveiled new connected Slide-in Ranges and an Over-the-Range Microwave, integrating them into its SmartThings platform for remote control and automatic syncing. A headline feature is Air Fry Max, promising crispy results without preheating and up to 15% faster cooking through high temperatures and powerful convection. The ranges also boast True Convection and Air Sous Vide, with electric models featuring Express Boil and gas versions a powerful Dual Power Burner. The companion microwave includes Air Fry Max and convection cooking. Notably, these new appliances lack Matter support, relying exclusively on Samsung's ecosystem despite Matter's growing presence in smart home appliances. They are now rolling out in North America.
Brilliant video quality and ideal for wired homes, the Ring Wired Video Doorbell Elite (2nd-gen) is very expensive.
Brilliant NextGen has unveiled Brilliant Max, a new subscription service designed to simplify smart home management. After facing financial troubles and being acquired, the company is shifting its focus from just controlling devices to offering a hassle-free smart home experience. Brilliant Max introduces "Modes," pre-configured automations like Away and Vacation Mode, which automatically coordinate connected devices, eliminating the need for users to build complex routines. Subscribers also receive premium customer support, continuous system optimization, and a complimentary Shelly sensor. This move targets homeowners seeking a smart experience without constant tweaking, addressing past compatibility issues with Brilliant's otherwise impressive hardware. The success hinges on consumer willingness to adopt another subscription for a truly seamless smart home.
After being teased at CES 2026, Hisense's PX4 Pro UST laser projector is here. Featuring 3,500 lumens and Devialet audio, it brings a 200-inch cinema experience home.
Amazon has announced a significant AI update for Alexa Plus, designed to boost its capabilities across smart home devices and third-party services. The enhancements aim for more natural user requests and offer developers new tools for product integration. Currently in preview, these features include an AI-powered smart home developer toolkit, Model Context Protocol (MCP) support, and Amazon Wallet integration for voice purchases. Smart home users will benefit from Alexa Plus understanding conversational commands, automatically selecting device settings, and learning habits to suggest automations. Manufacturers can now expose more product functionality, with numerous brands already adopting the toolkit. Beyond the home, MCP will streamline integration with external services like Canva and Lyft, expanding Alexa Plus's versatility. Early data shows a 50% increase in smart home activity among Alexa Plus users.
Ring has expanded its home security lineup with two new cameras: the innovative Peephole Camera 2K and the upgraded Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen). The Peephole Camera 2K targets renters, offering a smart solution that replaces existing peepholes without drilling, featuring 2K resolution, 6x zoom, Live View, Two-Way Talk, and motion alerts via a removable battery. Meanwhile, the Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) boasts sharper 2K video, enhanced low-light performance with color night vision, and versatile power options including battery, plug-in, or solar. Both models integrate familiar Ring app features like Live View and motion alerts. The Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen) launches August 12 for $99.99, with the Peephole Camera 2K following on August 19 at the same price.
Walmart has expanded its Onn smart home lineup with two new outdoor cameras designed for the Google Home ecosystem. These budget-friendly options include the Onn Outdoor Camera Plug-In at $34.87 and the Onn Outdoor Floodlight Camera Hardwired for $77. Both cameras feature 1080p HDR video, full-color night vision, two-way audio, and IP65 weather resistance, with the floodlight model adding a powerful 2,500-lumen light. While setup is seamless via the Google Home app, advanced functionalities like cloud event history and AI descriptions necessitate a Google Home Premium subscription, priced at $10 monthly. These Onn devices offer a significantly more affordable entry into Google's smart home security compared to Nest cameras.
US-based YouTube Premium subscribers will soon gain Peacock Premium at no extra cost, significantly enhancing their streaming package. Starting early next year, this expanded NBCUniversal partnership adds Peacock's ad-supported plan to existing YouTube Premium benefits like ad-free viewing and YouTube Music. Members can access a diverse catalog of NBCUniversal content, including live sports like the NFL, Universal movies, and popular shows such as *Saturday Night Live* and *Law & Order: SVU*. This strategic move aims to boost YouTube Premium's value, especially after recent price hikes to $15.99 monthly for individual plans, amidst a competitive streaming market. While the included Peacock plan is ad-supported, users can upgrade to Peacock Premium Plus for an additional fee to remove ads. More flexible international bundles are also reportedly in development.
By: Paul Lamkin
Apple is reportedly gearing up for a significant smart home overhaul, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman detailing plans for a new smart display and refreshed connected devices. The much-anticipated smart display, internally known as J490, is now expected between October 2026 and early 2027. This device, delayed to ensure a superior software experience with an upgraded, context-aware Siri AI, will offer both tabletop and wall-mounted versions featuring FaceTime, music, and comprehensive smart home controls. Ahead of its launch, updated Apple TV and HomePod mini models are anticipated this fall, equipped with faster processors to support the advanced Siri. This trio aims to revitalize Apple's smart home strategy, with future innovations like a robotic display and a new security camera also in development.
