Apple is anticipated to unveil a series of new Home products later this year, following the arrival of iOS 27 which brings a long-awaited upgrade to Siri. However, there are three ways in which Apple Home has improved during the iOS 26 cycle as well. Here’s what’s changed.
## #1: Adaptive Temperature functionality for smart thermostats
iOS 26 rolled out a novel Adaptive Temperature functionality in Apple’s Home app designed to enhance the ‘intelligence’ of smart thermostats.
Program your thermostat to automatically modify itself when you’re heading home, going to bed, or when you’re away for an extended time. Your iPhone utilizes on-device intelligence to forecast when you’re en route home, adjusting the temperature accordingly by the time of your arrival, and tweaks the thermostat to conserve energy when you’re away from home. It also adapts to the sleep schedule programmed on your iPhone, modifying the temperature for when you fall asleep and wake up.
Although Apple technically unveiled Adaptive Temperature in iOS 26.0, the first supported smart thermostat was just launched earlier this month.
The **Aqara Smart Thermostat W200** arrived with full compatibility for Adaptive Temperature, ensuring your home remains comfortable and energy-efficient without any effort on your part. All you need is an Apple home hub.
Aqara’s W200 additionally functions as a Matter 1.4 hub with Thread and Zigbee integrated, and it pairs conveniently with Aqara smart locks and video doorbells as well, allowing you to manage and view live video feeds directly on the 4” touchscreen.
## #2: The inaugural smart lock featuring Apple Home Key and Ultra Wideband
Apple Home also gained from the recent introduction of the first smart lock that incorporates Apple Home Key and Ultra Wideband (UWB).
This product is the **Aqara Smart Lock U400**—clearly, Aqara is fully committing to Apple integrations.
Apple Home Key is configured in the Home app for your smart lock, facilitating the locking and unlocking of your door while allowing you to share access with guests.
The particularly impressive aspect of Aqara’s U400 is its Ultra Wideband feature. UWB enables your door to automatically secure and unlock based solely on your presence. Moreover, it’s significantly more precise, secure, and dependable than other options.
## #3: Quicker accessory setup for multipacks
If you’ve ever purchased a multipack of home accessories, you’ll understand the hassle of setting them up one at a time.
However, in iOS 26.2, Apple enhanced the Home app with a practical update in this area.
Multipack accessory pairing in the Home app allows you to use the same setup code to seamlessly enroll multiple accessories sold together.
That’s correct: with a single setup code, you can swiftly and effortlessly add a multipack of smart plugs, light bulbs, motion sensors, and more to the Home app.
What new Apple Home features are you eager to see introduced in iOS 27? Share your thoughts in the comments.
### Best Apple Home accessories