Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

The fiercely open-source smart home platform had its first-ever booth at IFA this week and, true to form, didn’t pull any punches. [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_9498.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_9494.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_9488.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all]

Along with the chargers and cables, Belkin showed off matching power banks for its colorful laptop at IFA this week. The UltraCharge Pro 20K Power Bank ($99.95) and BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank 5K ($59.95) in matching Neo colors are Apple Store exclusives. The entire collection could really cheer up my desk on a dreary Monday morning. [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/LR6B5804.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/LR6B5802.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] [Image: https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_9455.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]

And they won’t be making more, meaning there won’t be a way to add Z-Wave devices to a SmartThings smart home. Aeotec, which makes both hubs for Samsung, told me they have about 10,000 left, which may last through the end of the year. Samsung discontinued the V3 last year and replaced it with the Smart Home Hub 2, which has twice the performance, but doesn’t support Z-Wave. [Image: The Smart Home Hub (aka SmartThings V3 hub), right, is on the outs. It’s been replaced by the Smart Home Hub 2 (left). https://platform.theverge/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_9287.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]

The Kata Mini is one of those weird AI companions that have little purpose other than to be cute and creepy — speaker and microphone on your keychain plushie, anyone?

The Roomba Duo is a new concept from iRobot. Two vacuums in one: the larger robot is a vacuum and steam mop (I watched it suck up pasta from carpet) and the smaller one sits on top. When the Duo finds areas it can’t reach, it uses a mechanical arm to lower the second bot to the floor. It’s a somewhat complex solution to the traditional limitations of robot vacuums, but it’s nice to see some ambition from iRobot. [Media: https://youtube/shorts/CZs289RpiPY?si=RcYaohQbWl_t640Z]

The buzz at IFA was all around robotics — humanoids, quadrupeds, and wheeled bots designed to be household helpers and companions. I was on a panel (watch it here) where roboticists and entrepreneurs insisted that in five years everyone will know someone with a humanoid at home. I don’t buy it. Yes, I saw some impressive-looking robots. But behind almost every one was a human with a PlayStation controller. [Media: https://youtube/shorts/nsfAOuVAZbE?si=X3po52c5u60LI4r1]

Water is apparently getting into the battery compartment of the CameraJet, Dyson's first smart toothbrush.

11 pts The CameraJet is an AI-powered toothbrush with a camera that detects gaps between your teeth and shoots mouthwash into them. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Early users of Dyson's CameraJet are reporting that water is getting into the battery compartment of the newly launched $499.99 electric…

Bring it home, Apple.

17 pts An Apple Home computer could combine a Wi-Fi router, an AI-powered smart home hub, and local storage into a single device. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge John Ternus didn't mention Apple Home once during his first keynote as Apple CEO. But he did open by describing an "intelligent personal hub"…