IFA 2024: The best smart home, Find My, and Qi2 devices to debut
Prior to Apple's "It's Glowtime" iPhone 16 event, Berlin hosted the annual IFA trade show. Here are our favorite Find My, smart home, and MagSafe-compatible devices to debut during the massive event.
IFA 2024 had plenty of new tech to showcase
IFA is billed as the world's largest consumer electronics and home appliances trade show. It is an annual affair where everything from robots to TVs are shown off.
While this hasn't always been the case, for Apple users, there's plenty of new tech to get excited about, including new TVs, smart speakers, and the ilk.
Here, we're focusing on the Apple-specific tech including several new products that integrate into Apple's Find My app, Apple Home-compatible smart devices, and MagSafe and Apple Watch-compatible chargers.
Twelve South PlugBug
The new PlugBug with Find My from Twelve South is the very first portable charger to integrate Apple's item-tracking technology. It shows up in the Find My app, similar to an AirTag.
The new PlugBug chargers work with Find My
It comes in both 50W and 120W variations with either two or four USB-C ports respectively. They're relatively small thanks to GaN technology, making them great for travel.
With Find My, you'll get alerts if you leave it behind in a hotel room and you can use the app to find it if you leave it somewhere before traveling.
It's up for preorder now from Twelve South's website, starting at $59.99.
Flic Matter kits
Smart home accessory maker Flic has announced it has several new starter kits available of its products that are Matter-certified and updated out of the box. No need to perform a firmware update after the fact.
Flic is now Matter-certified out of the box
Now available are:
- Flic Twist Starter Kit
- Flic Button Starter Kit
- Flic Button Expansion Kit
- Flic Twist Single Pack Kit
Flic says it has the only Matter-certified twist control so far on the market. You can learn more through Flic's website.
Satechi passport cover
Satechi has a new passport wallet available to purchase that has integration with the Find My app. Like the others, it can be tracked, put into lost mode, and alert you if left behind.
Track your passport with Satechi's new vegan leather wallet
It has a vegan leather exterior with four card slots, and RFID protection. Its five-month battery can be charged up with a MagSafe or Qi2 charger as needed.
It's available to order now from the company's storefront.
Aqara
Over the years Aqara has launched a litany of both Apple Home and Matter accessories. At IFA 2024, it had some new products to highlight, but none appear currently available stateside.
Aqara has several new products to announce that are coming soon
For Europe, it has several new Thread-enabled light switches including the Light Switch H2 EU, Dimmer Switch H2 EU, and Shutter Switch H2 EU, and a new LED Bulb T2 with Thread.
Otherwise, it highlights its new Camera Hub G5 Pro with TrueColor night vision, Garage Door Controller T2 Kit for up to two garage doors, Valve Controller T1, and a smoke detector.
No word exactly when or if these products will launch in the US but most of the brand's products have so far. Most of these will likely be Matter-enabled.
Belkin Qi2 chargers
Qi2 chargers have continued to be released at a breakneck pace. We saw several new ones launch at IFA, including a set from Apple standby, Belkin.
This is close to MagSafe Duo
Our favorite of them is its two-in-one offering. It's similar to Apple's discontinued MagSafe Duo Charger with a magnetic Qi2 charger on one side and an Apple Watch puck on the other.
You can use USB-C to power it and it has a soft-touch linen-like material on top. It isn't as small as MagSafe Duo, but it's a solid effort.
It, and the rest of the new Qi2 lineup, is on Belkin's website starting at XXX.
ESR
With its new Qi2 chargers, ESR is keeping things cool with its second-generation CryoBoost active cooling technology. This helps prevent overheating and charging speeds elevated.
ESR's new CryoBoost helps keep your gear cool while charging
You can find the new CryoBoost in the company's three-in-one charging tree with a Qi2 puck up top, a Qi charger for AirPods down below, and a removable Apple Watch puck on the back.
It's also in its updated car charger, which is ideal to prevent high heat from GPS use, the sun, or the heater during winer months.
Finally, it has a new 5,000mAh battery pack with an integrated kickstand. It doesn't have active cooling, but its internal sensors do optimize charging based on heat output.
Govee
For the longest time, we had disregarded a lot of Govee's releases because they did not support Apple Home. Now, they have been dutifully supporting Matter, which does bring support to Apple's platform.
During IFA, we saw quite a few new products get announced, some of which we saw earlier this year.
The upgraded Govee curtain lights are brighter than before
There was the new Curtain Lights 2 that are brighter than before. Users can choose a gif to animate on the dangled lights which come in a one pack, two pack, or three pack for $149, $259, or $399 respectively.
They also touted their new Christmas String Lights 2 that have a new smart mapping feature for effects. They're $99 for a 20-meter string or $399 if you opt for the 100 meter when they ship on September 25.
Ugreen
For a unique take on chargers, Ugreen has you covered. Its new lineup not only has 15W of Qi2 fast charging and GaN technology, but quirky emoji-like faces that react to the charging status.
Just by looking at the face displayed on the charger you can tell whether or not your device has finished powering up. They are displayed on a small display and give your charger a little personality.
Cute emoji faces are on Ugreen's new lineup
They're all part of the new Ugreen Uno series which encompasses a 10,000mAh magnetic power bank, 30W USB-C GaN charger, 65W GaN charger, and more coming soon with prices starting at $19.99.
Nanoleaf
While the attention was on Berlin, Nanoleaf hosted its own live event last week to update users on its products. Nanoleaf CEO Gimmy Chu will also be dropping by the next episode of HomeKit Insider to talk about its latest gear.
The most notable was its new Block line. This modular line of wall-mounted smart lines includes two different sized squares alongside pegboards and shelves to complete a colorful and useful wall setup.
The new Nanoleaf Blocks setup
The Squares Smarter Kit with 6 squares will retail for $199. The Combo XL Smart Kit includes squares, small squares, light pegboards, and shelves for $249.
Add-ons are also available for squares, textured squares, shelves, and pegboards for $49.99.
Other announcements from Nanoleaf included availability of its permanent outdoor lights shipping in October and its Sense+ wireless smart switch, both of which are Matter-enabled.
Philips Hue
Signify has finally updated the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box this week, now supporting 8K, 120Hz, and HDMI 2.1. It's shipping now for $349.
The Hue Ensis is a sleek looking pendant light
It also announced its new Ensis pendant light is shipping with both upward-facing accent lighting and downward-facing functional lighting. It is priced at a lofty $479.99 in white or black.
Switchbot
No company in our roundup has highlighted as many products at SwitchBot. Focusing on Matter and unique interoperability, SwitchBot has a lot to be excited about.
SwitchBot had a lot of new gear to highlight this year
Its new evaporative humidifier is able to use its companion S10+ robotic vacuum cleaner to refill the water tank automatically when it goes low. The robot heads to its own water refill station that is connected to your water line to minimize user interaction.
It also has a new pair of air purifiers. One version has a built-in smart light and table on top that can also wirelessly charger your phone. The other version has a cat bowl, offering a cozy place for your furry friend to nap.
The lights support 10 different colors that you can change, or they will change automatically based on the air quality in the room. Plus, it can act as an oil diffuser to keep your room smelling great.
There's a new SwitchBot Find My card that you can easily add to your wallet. This has all the Find My functionality you'd expect, but it can also act as an NFC chip to unlock your door with compatible smart locks.
Finally, it has new Matter-enabled set of roller shades.
Anker
Renown for their charging accessories, Anker took the opportunity to update several of its lineups, including a new compact 100W GaN charger.
Most intriguing though was its new line of Qi2 MagGo accessories. They've made their magnetic battery pack even smaller and introduced a portable battery pack with an integrated Apple Watch puck.
A solid choice when looking for a travel charger is Anker's new MagGo three-in-one
There is also a handy three-in-one portable charger. It folds up into a compact little package to make it easy to travel with.
Find more about their new lineup on their website.
Metabo
Tracking accessory maker Chipolo has partnered with a few company at IFA 2024, including Metabo. Metabo is a power tools manufacturer along with corresponding gear.
Track your tools and cases with Find My
They've introduced a new Find My-compatible tracker that is able to connect to its line of tools as well as its portable storage. It will be great to let you know if you've left anything behind on a job site.
More information on the tracker is on their site.
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