The Sunday Scene - 8

IKEA photo of the Ytberg smart lights I’m using in an upcoming video

First

IKEA Smart Accent Lighting - For an upcoming video project I’ve been researching IKEA Home Smart. While Matter support is coming soon, you can add their lights straight into Apple Home today (IKEA bridge required). In typical IKEA fashion, they have a modular solution to accent lighting with LOTS of different options. This has a steep learning curve but leads to a seemingly infinite array of possible lighting options. Their smart transformers mean many of these can connect into the DIRIGERA hub and connected smart home platforms. Even if you don’t regularly shop at IKEA, it could be worth exploring these options. Here’s the transformer I’m using, but this is just scratching the surface. Each transformer appears as an individual smart light, but it can be powering multiple, compatible lights at once.

Second

Lutron Starter Kits on Sale - Lutron has their starter kits on sale again in the US at Amazon, The Home Depot, and other retailers. Their Diva Dimmer starter kit would be my choice, down to $99 from their regular $124 price. Lutron has more competition than ever in smart switches, but I still think they are the best all-around option.

Third

Made By Google - This week Google had a big launch of lots of new products for the fall including their new line of Pixel phones. On the smart home side they unveiled plans to add their AI chatbot, Gemini, to Google Home. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy over at The Verge has more on this update. Combining with my love of Formula 1 racing, a scene with McLaren driver Lando Norris during the Google event had what appeared to be an unreleased Google Home hub.

The schedule

Last week we had a live stream and I posted a video about some Ubiquiti settings you don’t want to miss.

This week we have another Thursday live stream with special guest Patrick Hunt from the Make Smart Matter YouTube channel to talk about his recent video on Philips Hue. I also have another video coming out that will include, among other things, that IKEA lighting setup I mentioned above.

Looking ahead to IFA, I plan to have some special content for my channel members taking you behind the scenes on my whole process covering IFA, where you will also get to know me better. Learn more about becoming a channel member.

I hope you have a great Sunday,

Eric

P.S. keep in mind due to many affiliate link rules and limitations, I do not share affiliate links in emails.