Controller 8.2, Aqara Presence Soft Sensor, and Govee Lightwall
This week in smart home: Calendar logic for workflows, more precise presence detection, and a Matter Lightwall from the US
Some weeks are all about new devices. This one is more about what your smart home will understand better and decide more reliably. Controller for HomeKit 8.2 expands workflows with calendar and reminder logic. Aqara introduces a software-based presence detection with the Presence Soft Sensor. On top of that: a Matter Lightwall from Govee, new data for Tado X in Apple Home, and a practical workflow tip for your waste collection calendar.
Controller for HomeKit 8.2: More Logic for Complex Workflows
With Controller for HomeKit 8.2 we're primarily expanding the workflow engine, and for many users that should be more exciting than any new gadget. New additions include calendar and reminder integration, Try/Catch blocks, branching based on the trigger event, sun angle as a condition, and comparisons between device properties. This lets you model automations much more robustly, for example when a workflow should react differently depending on its trigger, or when it should not fail entirely just because a single device is unreachable. On top of that there is a redesigned editor, a state history with detailed view, and widgets that run workflows on the Hub in the background and can toggle states directly.
Aqara Presence Soft Sensor: Presence Detection From Multiple Sources
The new Presence Soft Sensor adds a software layer to Aqara's presence detection. Instead of relying on a single sensor, the system combines cameras, presence sensors, door and window sensors, motion detectors, vibration sensors, and other Aqara devices via AI to detect occupied and empty rooms more reliably. The real value shows up in exactly those edge cases where classic automations tend to frustrate: when the light turns off too early, a room is considered empty despite an open door, or motion alone is not enough to decide.
Worth Watching: A Look Back at the Early HomeKit Years
Apple Home Authority looks back at the early HomeKit years in their latest video. It is not just nostalgic, it also helps explain why Apple Home today behaves the way it does in certain places.
In Brief
Govee Launches the Lightwall With Matter in North America
The Govee Lightwall costs $449.99, measures 2.4 x 1.6 meters, and uses 1,536 LEDs in a 32 x 48 grid. Thanks to Matter over Wi-Fi it can be added to Apple Home. The real wow factor with animations and motifs, however, remains exclusive to the Govee app. For Apple Home users this is more of a spectacular canvas than a deeply integrated Matter product. A European launch has not been announced yet.
Tado X Sends More Data to Apple Home
Tado is currently rolling out firmware 298.1 for the Smart Radiator Thermostat X. Alongside temperature, humidity values are now passed on to Matter systems, so you can see them in Apple Home and use them in automations. The rollout is happening in stages.
Tip of the Week: Automate Your Waste Calendar
With the new calendar integration in Controller for HomeKit workflows, you can get an automatic reminder the night before about which bin to put out, via push notification, colored light, or a spoken announcement. These small everyday problems are often the most rewarding automations because they deliver a real benefit immediately, not just technical novelty.
