HomeKit Secure Video AI, Busy Bar, and ThirdReality TL2

This week HomeKit Secure Video learns new AI tricks in iOS 27: recordings are summarized automatically and can be searched in natural language. The Busy Bar with Matter also goes on sale. In brief: the ThirdReality Smart Timer Light TL2 and a regional version of the Aqara S100. Plus a video on the iOS 27 beta and a tip for your cameras.

HomeKit Secure Video: AI Summaries and Search in iOS 27

HomeKit Secure Video is getting smarter in iOS 27. Recordings are summarized automatically and can be searched using natural language, for example for a delivery driver or a dog in the yard. The feature does require the largest iCloud+ plan with 2 TB, even if you only have a single camera connected. The familiar camera limits stay the same: 50 GB for one camera, 200 GB for up to five, and 2 TB for unlimited cameras.

Busy Bar: Status Display with Matter

Flipper Devices starts selling the Busy Bar on July 14, a status display with an LED pixel screen, a rotary knob, and a speaker. It signals states like “Busy” or “On Air” and helps fight distractions with a Pomodoro timer and freely configurable focus intervals. Thanks to Matter over WiFi it needs no bridge and works as a trigger for scenes and automations in Apple Home. It ships to Europe too.

Worth Watching: iOS 27 Beta 3 for Apple Home

Apple Home Authority takes a look at the third iOS 27 beta and walks through the changes for Apple Home, HomeKit Secure Video, and the 4K cameras in detail.

In Brief

ThirdReality Smart Timer Light TL2: Clock, Timer, and Night Light

ThirdReality's Smart Timer Light TL2 plugs directly into an outlet and combines four functions in one: a digital clock, a timer, a dimmable RGB night light, and an mmWave sensor for presence detection. It connects to Apple Home via Matter over WiFi, no bridge required. In the US it is available to pre-order on Amazon for around 49.99 dollars.

Aqara S100 Gets a Regional Version for Taiwan

Aqara is releasing a regional version of the S100 touchscreen switch for horizontally mounted switch boxes, as commonly used in Taiwan. The 3.95-inch display and the two physical buttons are reoriented for that layout. Technically nothing changes: Matter over WiFi with a built-in Thread border router and a required neutral wire. The variant is not intended for the European market.

Tip of the Week: Configure Cameras for Home and Away

With HomeKit Secure Video you can configure each camera separately for when you are home and when you are away: stream and record, stream only, or turn it off entirely. That way the living room camera only records when nobody is home, for example. You will find the option in the Home app in the settings of each camera.