iOS 27 Shortcuts, Philips Hue Play Gradient, and SwitchBot Lock Vision

This week is shaped by upcoming platform updates and new hardware. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple plans a sweeping AI overhaul of the Shortcuts app, expected to be shown at WWDC in June. Philips Hue rounds out the Play Gradient family with a more affordable floor and table lamp, and SwitchBot brings the Lock Vision smart lock with facial recognition to the US and Canada. In brief: Aqara opens public beta testing for the Outdoor Plug H2. Plus a new video from Eric Welander on the SwitchBot Kata and a tip for connecting Shortcuts with Apple Home reliably.

iOS 27 to Bring AI Overhaul for Shortcuts

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is planning a fundamental rework of the Shortcuts app for iOS 27. A new input field will let you describe in natural language what a shortcut should do. The AI then automatically generates actions, conditions, and app integrations. The goal is to make automation more accessible to newcomers. Details are expected at WWDC in June, with the final iOS 27 release scheduled for fall 2026.

Philips Hue Play Gradient as Floor and Table Lamp

Philips Hue rounds out the Play Gradient family at the lower end. The new Floor Lamp costs $163, the Table Lamp $87. Both adopt the gradient effect along the column from the Gradient Signe models, but at slightly reduced brightness. For comparison, the Signe Floor sells for $359 and the Signe Table for $239. The new models are not yet listed in the Hue Shop. A market launch is expected for June 2026.

Worth Watching: SwitchBot Kata Family Review

Eric Welander tested the SwitchBot Kata AI pet with his family. The video offers honest impressions of how kids and adults interact with the unusual companion and where the charm and the limits of the concept lie.

In Brief

Aqara Outdoor Plug H2 in Open Beta

Aqara opens the beta phase for the Outdoor Plug H2 EU. The weatherproof outdoor outlet is rated IP44, switches up to 16 A or 3,680 W, and offers power monitoring and overheating protection. Over Matter over Thread it works with Apple Home in a limited set of features, while the full feature set is available over Zigbee with the Aqara Hub M3. The device was originally shown at IFA.

SwitchBot Lock Vision Launches in the US

SwitchBot launches a new lock generation with facial recognition. Unlike the European variant with a separate Keypad Vision, the US model uses an integrated design. Matter is supported over Wi-Fi, with no hub required. The Lock Vision is available for $169.99, initially only in the US and Canada. In Europe you can combine the SwitchBot Lock Pro with the Keypad Vision to get a similar setup.

Tip of the Week: Connecting Shortcuts with Apple Home

If you want to access Apple Home from the Shortcuts app, your options are limited today. You can create an automation in the Home app and then convert it into a shortcut, but many features are missing. The execution time in particular is capped, which causes longer flows to fail. With Workflows on the Controller Hub your automations keep running reliably even when they take longer than two minutes.