Homebridge 2.0, Aqara FP400, and new Govee Floor Lamps

This week is all about how established brands are repositioning themselves in the Matter era. Homebridge 2.0 adds Matter support for the first time and can export devices to other ecosystems. Nanoleaf surprises with a 2026 roadmap in which smart home noticeably takes a back seat. In brief: Aqara's Spatial Multi-Sensor FP400 has surfaced in the EU shop, and Govee is launching three new floor lamps with Matter over Wi-Fi. Plus an Apple Home tour from Alex Teo and a workflow tip for reliable motion detection in large or oddly shaped rooms.

Homebridge 2.0 brings Matter support

Homebridge is an open-source bridge that uses plugins to bring devices without native HomeKit support into Apple Home. Version 2.0 now adds Matter for the first time, allowing devices to be exported to other ecosystems as well. Extended device categories such as robot vacuums also gain proper mode and room selection instead of just start and stop. With Matter's growing reach, Homebridge becomes less critical for mainstream devices, but it remains relevant for niche products, older hardware, and specialized plugins. If you already use Homebridge, check whether your installed plugins support the new version before updating.

Nanoleaf shifts its focus away from smart home

Nanoleaf has unveiled its 2026 roadmap and surprised long-time customers. Instead of new light panels, the manufacturer best known for its HomeKit lighting elements is announcing nine products from completely different categories. Four of them are wellness devices featuring red-light therapy, massage, and lymphatic drainage. Others address AI and robotics around creativity, learning, and early childhood development. Smart home is not being abandoned entirely, but it visibly moves into the background. Apple Home and Matter are not mentioned in the announcement. Anyone hoping for new HomeKit lighting elements should temper their expectations for now.

Worth Watching: Apple Home Setup Tour by Alex Teo

We always enjoy a look inside other smart homes. In his video, Alex Teo walks through his complete Apple Home setup, room by room and device by device. A nice source of inspiration if you are currently rethinking the layout or device selection in your own home.

In Brief

Aqara FP400 leaks in the EU shop

The Spatial Multi-Sensor FP400, already shown at CES, briefly appeared in the European Aqara shop. The mmWave sensor detects up to ten people simultaneously, divides rooms into up to 30 zones, and adds fall detection along with an ambient light sensor. Thanks to a dual protocol, it connects either via Zigbee through the Aqara Hub or directly via Matter over Thread into Apple Home. Price and launch date are still open.

Govee launches three new floor lamps with Matter over Wi-Fi

Govee expands its lighting line with the Lantern Floor Lamp, the Floor Lamp 3, and the Floor Lamp 3 Lite. All three models support Matter over Wi-Fi and can be used in Apple Home without any hub in between. They are available in several European shops.

Tip of the Week: Combine multiple motion sensors

Large or oddly shaped rooms often have blind spots where a single motion sensor doesn't pick you up reliably, and the light then switches off too soon. With the Controller Hub and Workflows, you can combine several motion sensors so the light only turns off once none of them report any motion. This works particularly well in L-shaped living rooms or open-plan kitchens and can be set up with a single workflow.