Apple News 8 Hours

Last updated: May 15, 2026, 2:34 AM ET

Smart‑Home Ecosystem

Ikea’s new Matter‑over‑Thread line unveils seamless Apple Home integration, delivering 1‑to‑1 device control while eliminating legacy Wi‑Fi bottlenecks. The rollout includes smart plugs, bulbs and a hub that promises 99.9% uptime, a marked improvement over previous Thread deployments that lagged behind proprietary Zigbee solutions. Apple’s own Home Kit framework now supports these devices natively, allowing users to script scenes without a bridge. The move signals Ikea’s intent to capture the growing home‑automation market, where consumers increasingly favor single‑vendor ecosystems over fragmented solutions.