Mon Dec 08 2025, 10:53 AM EST · 1 minute read

HomeKit Insider Podcast

On this week’s episode of the HomeKit Insider podcast, your host breaks down the week’s news and reviews a pair of smart home devices from Anker and SwitchBot.

Nuki, after recently bringing its smart lock to the U.S., has made some adjustments to its pricing model. Instead of a lower upfront cost with an optional monthly subscription, it is ending the subscription and increasing the initial cost.

Honeywell has introduced its first new premium thermostat in years with the X8S. It has a 5-inch touchscreen, optional room sensors, Matter support, and indoor air quality monitoring.

Aqara is prepping its first Matter-enabled camera, possibly to be announced at CES. A leaker has revealed a possible model number and that it will be a dual-lens camera with zoom support.

The brand also just rolled out a major new integration with its S1 Plus smart display. This in-wall controller now works with Siri.

This is only the second device ever to build in Siri, with the other being Ecobee. Now you can talk to it just like you would a HomePod.

Finally, Chamberlain introduced yet another new update to its garage door platform. With massive market share, it has blocked many aftermarket accessories from connecting to different ecosystems.

Many, such as those from Meross, would enable Apple Home support until this update. It comes on the heels of Chamberlain pulling out of the CSA, the organization that develops Matter.

After the news, we get into a pair of reviews. We take a look at the Anker Prime Wireless Charger with 25W of power and the SwitchBot candle warmer.

Links from the HomeKit Insider podcast

• Chamberlain Update
• Matter Water Valve
• SwitchBot Candle Warmer
• Anker Prime Prime 25W Wireless Charger
• Aqara Matter Camera Leak

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