Ikea
Ikea’s not a tech company, but it sure knows the home. That’s probably why the flat-pack company, founded in 1943, calls its smart home initiative “Home smart,” giving the home priority over the technology. What started as a trickle of smart devices — including tables with integrated Qi chargers and low-priced lights, switches, plugs, and blinds built upon the Zigbee standard — has ballooned into a full-blown business. The Ikea Home smart business unit now sits alongside the company’s more traditional businesses, like Bedroom & Bathroom, Kitchen & Dining, and Ikea Food (aka, meatballs) with investment to match. Ikea’s partnership with Sonos marks the first time the company has ever sold a co-branded product in one of its stores. With 433 stores servicing over 1 billion customers in 2019, let’s just say that Ikea’s impact on the smart home could be significant.
Ikea overhauls its smart home with new Matter-ready hub and app
Dirigera makes Home Smart easier to use and more robust
Ikea’s latest Sonos lamp speaker is still an acquired taste
Better looks, easier bulbs, still niche
Ikea and Sonos picture frame speaker review: wall of sound
The latest Symfonisk collaboration is another attempt to camouflage tech in the home
Ikea’s huge new gamer gear lineup includes this weird wooden desk hand
Part of a gaming collaboration with Asus ROG
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