Incorporating the SwitchBot S20 with HomeKit via Matter: A Weeklong Insight

### The SwitchBot S20: An In-Depth Assessment

In the past, I covered the [SwitchBot K11+](https://amzn.to/4nCx8fq), a more compact robotic vacuum that was ideal for tighter spaces. This week, my focus is on the newly released [SwitchBot S20](https://amzn.to/46V66cH), which caters to much larger residences. After several months of usage, I’m convinced it might be the finest robot vacuum available today, featuring some impressive solutions for rooms within Apple’s Home app.

#### Notable Attributes of the SwitchBot S20

The SwitchBot S20 is crafted to manage spacious homes and more intricate cleaning tasks than its smaller counterparts. It merges strong suction power, sophisticated mopping capabilities, and complete smart home compatibility into one device.

– **10,000Pa Suction Strength:** Sufficient power to lift dirt, pet fur, and debris from both carpets and hard surfaces.
– **Automated MultiClean Station:** Empties dust, refills clean water, releases dirty water, and dries the mop pads. The dust bag can last for up to 90 days before requiring a change.
– **LiDAR and AI Navigation:** Scans your living space, navigates around obstacles, and can ascend thresholds of up to 20mm. It identifies furniture, cords, and over 100 distinct types of hurdles.
– **Smart Home Compatibility:** Integrates with SwitchBot devices in the app and supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and more through Matter. For those in the Apple ecosystem, this translates to direct control within the Home app without needing an additional hub other than a HomeKit Hub.

#### My Usage Experience

I primarily employ the SwitchBot S20 to clean our main level living zones, which tend to be the most soiled areas of the house. I organized the rooms within the SwitchBot app, and their titles appeared in HomeKit. While they aren’t genuine HomeKit rooms, I suspect this is due to a Matter limitation. Nonetheless, I appreciate SwitchBot’s workaround as it allows me to initiate room-specific cleanings directly from the Home app.

Each evening after dinner, I initiate a cleanup cycle in the dining room and kitchen. It’s a quick and effortless process from the Home app. As I’ve indicated previously, I only use a specific product for mopping our hardwood floors, so I don’t utilize the built-in mopping features, but the vacuum itself has saved me a significant amount of time. Honestly, since integrating this unit, I haven’t used a traditional vacuum at all. I’m amazed by the amount of debris and dust it collects daily.

#### Integrating with HomeKit

Similar to the SwitchBot K11+, the Matter component of the SwitchBot S20 is configured in the SwitchBot app. Once linked, navigate to the vacuum settings and locate the Matter setup option. The app will guide you through the process and produce a Matter code. Afterward, open the Home app, tap to add a new accessory, and use the “More option” link. You should find the vacuum icon on the subsequent screen. Tap it, paste the Matter code, and the S20 will appear in HomeKit.

Once added, you can assign it to a room and customize its name. At this stage, you’re set to begin automating cleanings and incorporating it into scenes just like any other HomeKit accessory. If you label your rooms in the SwitchBot app based on the mapping, they’ll be accessible for use within HomeKit, though again, not as true HomeKit rooms.

#### Conclusion on the SwitchBot S20

The SwitchBot S20 has emerged as my top recommendation for overall value in a Matter and HomeKit-compatible robotic vacuum. Incorporating the SwitchBot room names into the Home app is a clever solution, and the suction power is remarkable. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the LIDAR mapping. It initially became stuck in a few areas during the first couple of uses, but over time, it adjusted and now completes a full cycle without my intervention. It’s powerful, intelligent, and dependable, making it an effortless endorsement for anyone seeking a robot vacuum that performs excellently with HomeKit.

You can purchase it from [Amazon](https://amzn.to/46V66cH) or directly from

WhatsApp Enforces Restriction on Messaging Without Responses

To address the escalating spam issue on WhatsApp, Meta will initiate trials for a monthly limit on the number of messages users can send to recipients who have not responded. Here are the specifics.

Meta has confirmed to TechCrunch that it will soon commence testing a monthly cap on how many messages both users and businesses can send to individuals who haven’t replied.

As per the report, “Every message sent by users and businesses to others will count toward this new monthly cap unless a response is received. For example, if you connect with someone at an event and send three messages, that will count against the cap.”

The company did not reveal what the limit will be, indicating that the change is not expected to affect regular users, but rather “individuals and businesses that send out mass messages and spam people.” Meta also did not specify where the testing will occur, only stating that it “will be active in several countries in the upcoming weeks.”

This is not the first instance of Meta attempting to tackle the increasing spam dilemma affecting over 3 billion WhatsApp users. In recent times, the company has introduced a range of features and protections, primarily aimed at political and commercial spam, measures that have been somewhat effective, as spammers tend to quickly devise workarounds.

Meta’s latest endeavor to handle spam arrives as WhatsApp gets ready to launch username support, allowing users to connect without disclosing their phone numbers, which could potentially heighten the chances for spam.

While a release date has not been announced, the company is already developing a handle reservation interface on Android, and similar code was recently identified in the iOS beta.

AirPods Pro 3 Evaluation: A Month On – Examining the Intricate Enhancements

# AirPods Pro 3: An In-Depth Evaluation After a Month of Usage

Last month, Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3, which garnered significant praise from critics. Nonetheless, my individual experience with the latest version has been more varied since I made the switch on launch day.

## Exceptional Sound Quality and ANC Are Key Features

At first glance, the AirPods Pro 3 seemed like a simple upgrade, particularly after the unveiling of new iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods models. Numerous reviews, including one from my colleague Chance, conveyed the idea that “the best just got better.”

While I have enjoyed my AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 claimed to offer enhanced features on paper, and this has held true in certain respects. The enhanced audio quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) are notable improvements. These elements play a vital role in my listening pleasure, and I certainly value the progress compared to the earlier model.

However, my transition to AirPods Pro 3 has not been as smooth as I expected, largely due to two main concerns: fit and comfort, as well as battery longevity.

## AirPods Pro 3: A Simultaneous Upgrade and Downgrade

The revamped design of the AirPods Pro 3, which Apple asserts improves fit, has not been beneficial for me. Despite testing all available ear tip sizes, I find the fit to be less comfortable than that of the AirPods Pro 2. At present, I am using the medium ear tips, which offer the best acoustic seal without discomfort. The large tips achieve the acoustic seal requirement but are painful, while the smaller ones, although comfier, fail to provide an adequate seal for optimal noise cancellation.

This creates a conundrum: I can opt for a more comfortable fit but sacrifice noise cancellation, or tolerate slight discomfort for enhanced audio quality. Up to now, I have chosen the latter.

Moreover, even though the AirPods Pro 3 advertises an extended battery life of 8 hours per charge compared to 6 hours for the AirPods Pro 2, the total battery life with the charging case has dropped from 30 hours to 24 hours. This implies that, despite the increased duration per single charge, I find myself recharging the case every night to prevent frequent low battery notifications, which represents a decline in convenience.

## AirPods Pro 3 After One Month: Summary

In summary, my opinions regarding the AirPods Pro 3 are mixed. The AirPods Pro 2 set a high benchmark, making it difficult for the new variant to fulfill my expectations. I value the enhanced audio quality and impressive ANC, and while features like the heart rate sensor are nice to have, they haven’t substantially influenced my overall experience.

I would still recommend the AirPods Pro 3 to others. They may not be as universally outstanding as the AirPods Pro 2, but they continue to be a great option, particularly for users not facing fit challenges. For me, however, the fit issues have hindered the upgrade from being as satisfying as I had anticipated.

Have you made the switch to the AirPods Pro 3? Share your thoughts in the comments.