Tag: SwitchBot Hub 3

  • SwitchBot Hub 3 Now Supports Apple Home and New Features

    SwitchBot Hub 3 Now Supports Apple Home and New Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. SwitchBot Hub 3 is now recognized as a “Works with Apple Home” device, marking a first for the brand.
    2. The Hub 3 introduces a new Smart Schedule feature with five temperature modes: Home, Away, Sleep, Comfort, and Custom.
    3. The Away mode can be activated using the SwitchBot Motion Sensor to control air conditioning efficiently.
    4. A Manual Hold option allows users to temporarily bypass the Smart Schedule settings.
    5. The Smart Schedule feature is currently in beta testing with the SwitchBot app update version 9.13, available for iOS and Android.

    SwitchBot has revealed two major updates for the Hub 3. First off, this smart home hub, which debuted earlier this year, has now been recognized as a “Works with Apple Home” device. This marks the first time a product from SwitchBot has received this distinction, and the integration with Apple Home is said to be ‘smooth.’

    New Smart Schedule Feature

    In addition, the SwitchBot Hub 3 (currently priced at $119.99 on Amazon) now includes a new Smart Schedule feature. This feature offers a clever method for controlling your home’s climate system. There are five tailored temperature modes available: Home, Away, Sleep, Comfort, and Custom. For instance, the Away mode can be activated using the SwitchBot Motion Sensor, which can ensure your air conditioning is turned off or set to low power until you come back home.

    Temporary Manual Control

    Another feature is the Manual Hold option, which allows users to temporarily bypass the Smart Schedule. Moreover, after a period of 14 days, users will receive a suggested Smart Schedule that is customized to their preferences based on data collected during that two-week timeframe.

    At the moment, support for the Smart Schedule feature on the Hub 3 is in beta testing, introduced with the SwitchBot app update version 9.13. This update is available for both iOS and Android users. Additionally, it contains enhancements for those utilizing the brand’s Pan Tilt Cam Plus 2K and 3K with a Cloud Storage subscription, as the home page camera view now allows for live photos of events. You can download the SwitchBot app version 9.13 from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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    SwitchBot Hub 3 Now Supports Apple Home and New Features

     

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  • SwitchBot Launches Vision Keypad with Face ID for Lock Ultra

    SwitchBot Launches Vision Keypad with Face ID for Lock Ultra

    Key Takeaways

    1. SwitchBot introduced the Lock Ultra at CES 2025, featuring 3D facial recognition technology, making it the first retrofit smart lock with this capability.
    2. The Lock Ultra offers multiple access methods, including remote app control, auto-unlock, voice commands, passcodes, NFC keycards, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition, priced at $139.99.
    3. A package deal including the Lock Ultra and vision keypad with a SwitchBot Hub mini is available for $249.99, expanding connectivity beyond Bluetooth.
    4. The SwitchBot Hub 3, priced at $119.99, supports over 30 Matter-compatible devices and features a programmable dial for managing lighting and temperature.
    5. While the Lock Ultra and vision keypad are compatible with Matter, the Hub 3 does not support Thread and is designed to enhance existing smart home setups.

    SwitchBot recently introduced the Lock Ultra at CES 2025 in January, presenting it as a successor to the SwitchBot Lock Pro. Now, they have revealed a new keypad accessory that features 3D facial recognition technology. While face ID is not a new concept in smart locks, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra stands out as the first retrofit smart lock in the industry to offer this capability.

    Keypad Features and Functions

    Similar to other smart lock keypads, the SwitchBot Keypad Vision is installed outside the door, while the Lock Ultra manages the locking mechanism from the inside. The two components communicate via Bluetooth, providing various access methods, such as remote app control, auto-unlock through geofencing, voice commands, passcodes, NFC keycards, fingerprint scanning, and facial recognition. The price of the Lock Ultra is $139.99, featuring a lithium-ion battery that can last up to nine months, an aluminum exterior, and a slightly more compact design compared to its predecessor. Since the lock is designed to be retrofitted, traditional keys can still be used for unlocking the door without needing to purchase the $99 keypad.

    Pricing and Combo Offers

    SwitchBot has also created a package deal that includes the Lock Ultra Vision set (Lock Ultra + vision keypad) paired with a SwitchBot Hub mini, priced at $249.99. This hub expands access options beyond Bluetooth’s limitations, allowing other SwitchBot devices and third-party IR gadgets to connect to your home WiFi network.

    While Matter support is absent, both the SwitchBot Lock Ultra and the vision keypad are compatible with Matter. Users might prefer to invest in a SwitchBot Hub 3 instead of the mini to fully utilize this feature. The third-generation smart home hub has a notably larger design than the SwitchBot Hub 2 and includes a programmable dial located beneath its display.

    Advanced Hub Capabilities

    The programmable dial on the SwitchBot Hub 3 can be set up to adjust lighting and temperature, provided the appropriate devices are integrated. According to the product listing, the hub can manage over 30 Matter-compatible devices across major smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant.

    SwitchBot Hub 3 also accommodates Homey automations and customizable scenes. However, there is no indication of Thread support, so it won’t serve as a replacement for your Thread border router. Pre-orders for the Hub 3 are priced at $119.99 and are anticipated to ship by mid-June.

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    SwitchBot Launches Vision Keypad with Face ID for Lock Ultra

     

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  • SwitchBot Hub 3 Launches: Smart Home Hub with Matter & IR Blaster

    SwitchBot Hub 3 Launches: Smart Home Hub with Matter & IR Blaster

    Key Takeaways

    1. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is priced at $119 and connects multiple devices for smart home integration.
    2. It features internal sensors for temperature, humidity, motion, and light, allowing for automated scene activation.
    3. The compact design (4.9 x 3.7 x 1.5 inches) includes a display and a rotary knob for easy control of devices.
    4. It supports connections through 2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth LE, and infrared, with a range of up to 650 feet in open spaces.
    5. The hub is compatible with SwitchBot devices and the Matter standard, allowing mapping of up to 30 Matter buttons.

    The SwitchBot Hub 3 is now offered at a price of $119, allowing users to connect numerous devices into their smart home system. In addition to its integration capabilities, it functions as a sensor and includes a display along with various control methods. This hub is equipped with internal sensors that measure temperature and humidity, helping users figure out their comfort levels. It also has built-in motion and light sensors that can activate scenes based on detected movement or specific lighting conditions. For instance, you can set up a hallway light to turn on when someone walks by. There’s a USB-C port included for connecting external sensors, and another USB-C port provides power up to 10 watts.

    Compact Design

    Measuring approximately 4.9 x 3.7 x 1.5 inches, this smart home hub is quite small but still comes with a display and several input options, such as a rotary knob. This knob can be handy for dimming lights, setting the desired temperature for an air conditioner, or adjusting media device volumes. Moreover, you can activate scenes with just a single button press. The Hub 3 supports both 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE, primarily serving to unify various devices into a network.

    Versatile Control Options

    Older air conditioning units and other gadgets can be managed through infrared, and it is compatible with SwitchBot devices along with the Matter standard. You can map up to 30 Matter buttons. In open spaces, it claims to have a range of up to 650 feet, and the Hub 3 can act as a gateway to enhance the signal range. Finally, the infrared feature mentioned earlier has a reach of up to 98 feet.

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  • SwitchBot Hub 3: New Smart Home Hub with Smart Knob Feature

    SwitchBot Hub 3: New Smart Home Hub with Smart Knob Feature

    Key Takeaways

    1. The SwitchBot Hub 3 is a certified Matter device, enhancing the features of the Hub 2.
    2. It connects with BLE devices for remote control and supports infrared appliances.
    3. The hub features a display for temperature, humidity, weather updates, and real-time door lock status.
    4. It includes customizable buttons for quick scene activation and supports voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant.
    5. Matter compatibility ensures seamless integration with various smart home ecosystems like Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings.

    A new smart home hub from SwitchBot is set to launch soon. The Hub 3 has just shown up in the Connectivity Standards Alliance database as a certified Matter device. It will expand on the features of the Hub 2, which came out in 2023.

    Features and Capabilities

    According to the listing, the Hub 3 can connect with devices that support BLE, enabling remote control capabilities. It seems to offer controls for appliances that use infrared. Similar to the Hub 2, it includes a display that shows important information, such as the temperature and humidity levels in your house, along with a local weather update. You can also see the status of door locks in real time. A new addition is the intelligent knob and nearby buttons, which lets users control a connected smart air conditioner from afar, allowing temperature adjustments in increments of 1°C. Moreover, the dial can also manage music or podcast volume, and it works with platforms like Apple TV, Spotify, and others.

    User Interaction

    From the hub’s main page, users can find four customizable buttons that allow for quick scene activation, such as enabling sleep mode. The display is motion-activated, waking up immediately when it senses a hand gesture. Additionally, it supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. With Matter compatibility, it promises to work seamlessly with various smart home ecosystems, including Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings. Specifics about the size of the SwitchBot Hub 3 are still not known. It’s also uncertain when this smart device will be available for purchase or its price. For reference, the SwitchBot Hub 2 is available at £79.99/€79.99 (Amazon DE).

    Conclusion

    The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) continues to monitor the development of smart home technologies, and the Hub 3 is an exciting addition to the lineup. As more details emerge, users can look forward to enhanced connectivity and control in their smart home setups.

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    SwitchBot Hub 3: New Smart Home Hub with Smart Knob Feature
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