Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech Apple’s A20 Rumored To Be Exclusive To The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max And The Company’s Foldable Flagship, Will Leverage TSMC’s Advanced 2nm Process Combined With The Newer WMCM Packaging Omar Sohail • Jun 16, 2025 at 02:00am EDT TSMC might have started accepting orders for its 2nm wafers, but the first chipsets fabricated on this cutting-edge lithography are not expected to arrive until late next year. As the majority of you are well aware, Apple likely pounced on the opportunity to be the first recipient of this technology, with its A20 rumored to be mass produced on the 2nm process. However, the same rumor claims that the Cupertino firm will employ the foundry giant’s WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) packaging, bringing in more benefits, but customers can only experience these if they intend on making the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, or Apple’s upcoming foldable flagship their daily driver. The latest rumor also claims that Apple will not be upping the RAM count on any iPhone model that will ship with the A20 The efforts to bring WMCM packaging to the A20 will be highly beneficial for Apple because it will allow the latter to maintain the chipset’s footprint while having immense flexibility in combining different components. In short, multiple dies such as the CPU, GPU, memory, and other parts can be integrated at a wafer level, before being sliced into individual chips. This approach will help Apple to mass manufacture smaller chipsets that are considerably power-efficient, but also powerful at the same time, leading to an incredible ‘performance per watt’ metric. China Times reports that this A20 upgrade will arrive for the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s foldable flagship, which the rumor refers to as the iPhone 18 Fold. TSMC’s production line specifically for WMCM chipsets will be located in Chiayi AP7, with an estimated monthly production capacity of 50,000 pieces by the end of 2026. Interestingly, the RAM count will not change from this year, with Apple said to retain the 12GB limit. We have reported about the iPhone 18 series shifting to TSMC’s WMCM packaging before, while also talking about a separate rumor claiming that the A20 will be 15 percent faster than the A19 at the same power draw. The rumor does not mention whether the less expensive iPhone 18 models will be treated to chipsets featuring WMCM packaging, or if Apple intends to save on design and production costs by sticking with the older Integrated Fan-Out (InFo) packaging. All of these answers will be provided in the fourth quarter of 2026, when the iPhone 18 family goes official, so stay tuned. News Source: China Times Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox Follow us on Topics Sections Company Some posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com © 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Earlier this year, Apple launched the iPhone 16e. While in many ways it was an iPhone SE successor, the naming scheme changes things up a bit compared to the iPhone SE. Now that it’s part of the mainline iPhone lineup, many have wondered – will this be an annual refresh? Today, we’ll be recapping the rumors. iPhone 17e: Annual refresh? According to leaker Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is already preparing trial production of an iPhone 17e, suggesting that it’s almost definitely on the way: The setup of the 17e production line is being planned. This answers the question: There will be a 17e next year, and now it is almost in the trial production stage. It’s unclear what would change in an iPhone 17e. Dynamic Island would certainly be a welcome upgrade. It’ll also likely adopt the A19 chipset found in the upcoming iPhone 17 models. It might also debut the C2 modem, though that’s just a personal guess. One way or another, it seems quite plausible that the new ‘e’ iPhone will be an annual refresh, unlike the iPhone SE that came before it. Reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also anticipates an iPhone 17e launching in the first half of 2026. Beyond iPhone 17e Earlier this month, The Information reported that Apple will be transitioning to a split iPhone launch strategy, with iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and the foldable launching in fall 2026, and iPhone 18 and 18e launching in spring 2027. While this detail in itself doesn’t confirm an annual refresh for the ‘e’ iPhone, it does at least indicate that new entry-level iPhones will launch more regularly than iPhone SE models, which launched in 2016, 2020, and 2022, leaving an average refresh cycle of 3 years. Wrap up Overall, it’s too early to say for sure. However, I’d lean towards the answer being yes: Apple will probably launch an iPhone 17e in early 2026. I do personally hope that Apple diversifies their offerings a little bit. With the entry-level iPhone being $599 now, I think it could potentially be really cool if we saw an iPhone mini renaissance. It could potentially start at $499, making it a much more appealing purchase than the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini at $699. That’s more of a pipe dream, though. What do you think about iPhone 16e and the possibility of there being more regular ‘e’ iPhone launches? Let us know in the comments. My favorite Apple accessory recommendations: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Rumor mill: For years, leakers have reported that Apple is working to eliminate physical buttons from the iPhone entirely. Although the company opted to keep them on the iPhone 15, 16, and likely the upcoming iPhone 17, new information suggests that Apple is expanding its buttonless ambitions across multiple devices. Weibo-based leaker "Instant Digital" (via MacRumors) recently revived rumors that Apple is exploring ways to replace physical buttons with haptic inputs. This radical change could debut in future iPhones and other mobile devices. Back in 2022, leaks indicated that the iPhone 15 might replace its protruding power and volume buttons with touch-sensitive areas that use haptic feedback to simulate physical presses – similar to the iPhone 7's haptic home button. However, both the iPhone 15 and 16 retained traditional buttons, and the iPhone 17, expected later this year, will likely be no different. Recently, the rumors had quieted down, with reports suggesting that Apple had temporarily shelved the project. Some speculate that Apple is gradually working toward a completely smooth iPhone, one without buttons or ports, that relies entirely on touch and wireless technologies. Beyond offering a cleaner aesthetic, removing physical buttons could improve durability. Fewer moving parts mean less internal wear and tear, and eliminating external buttons and ports can enhance waterproofing. However, dropping USB support would be a dramatic and unprecedented design shift. // Related Stories Although Apple hasn't given up on haptics, accuracy remains a major challenge. Instant Digital claims the company is still working to minimize accidental inputs, while also expanding these efforts to the iPad and Apple Watch. Meanwhile, the latest iPhone 17 rumors suggest Apple plans to introduce a new mid-tier model: the iPhone 17 Air. At just 5.5mm thick, it will feature a 6.6-inch always-on OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion support and a new A19 processor. While the iPhone 17 Pro and Air models are expected to include 12GB of RAM, analyst Jeff Pu believes the base model will likely ship with 8GB of RAM and the A18 processor – the same chip found in the base iPhone 16. However, the newer device may feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch display. Apple typically unveils new iPhones in the fall, but the first preview of this year's software updates will arrive next week at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9. There, Apple is expected to announce a rebranding of its operating systems, starting with iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and more. iPhone users: Do you use Safari or Chrome?

According to a recent investor note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, Apple might have a pair of surprises in store for the iPhone 17 lineup this fall. Most notably, Pu has seemingly changed his prediction that the entire iPhone 17 lineup will use a version of the A19 chip. Instead, he now believes the base model iPhone 17 will use the same A18 chip that’s used in the iPhone 16. Pu had previously predicted that the entire iPhone 17 lineup would use the A19 chip and the differentiating factor would be the RAM. The analyst had said the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would have 8GB, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max would have 12GB of RAM. Now, Pu claims that the iPhone 17 will use 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 Air will feature 12GB of RAM just like the Pro models. Also in this analyst note, Pu says that all four iPhone 17 models will adopt a new metalens technology for the proximity sensor. The “metalens” technology may help Apple dramatically reduce the size of the Face ID sensor. Previously, Pu had said this change would only come to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. If it pans out, this means the entire iPhone 17 will feature a smaller Dynamic Island. Notably, this contradicts Ming-Chi Kuo, who reported in January that the Dynamic Island across the iPhone 17 lineup will be “largely unchanged” compared to the iPhone 16 models Here is Pu’s full breakdown of the iPhone 17 lineup specifications: SpeciPhone 17iPhone 17 AiriPhone 17 ProiPhone 17 Pro MaxLaunchSep-25Sep-25Sep-25Sep-25Display6.1″6.6″6.3″6.9″ProcessorA18 N3EA19 N3PA19 Pro, N3PA19 Pro, N3PDRAMLPDDR5 8GBLPDDR5 12GBLPDDR5X 12GBLPDDR5X 12GBFront Camera24MP, 6P24MP, 6P24MP, 6P24MP, 6PRear Camera48MP 7P, 12MP 5P48MP, 7P48MP 7P, Periscope48MP 1G+3P, 48MP 6P48MP 7P, Periscope48MP 1G+3P, 48MP 6PFace IDStructured lightStructured lightStructured lightStructured lightCasingAluminumTitaniumAluminumAluminumModemQualcommQualcomm or AppleQualcommQualcommCharging35W35W35W35WNPIFoxconnFoxconnFoxconnICT My favorite iPhone accessories: Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.  Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

A leaker has broken from the pack, and is now saying that the core iPhone 17 will stick with the already released A18 chip, while the rest of the line gets chips derived from the A19.Renders of possible iPhone 17 designs based on previous leaksIt's generally accepted by the vast majority of leakers that the entire iPhone 17 line, including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro, will boast the A19 chip, with varying amounts of RAM.Now in a new note to investors, Jeff Pu from GF Securities is recanting one of his previous reports. He is now going against every other leaker in saying that the core iPhone 17 will stick with the A18 processor found in the iPhone 16 lineup. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

From effortlessly switching lights to locking doors to setting kitchen timers, smart home devices can make everyday tasks a lot easier. They can grant you peace of mind. Luckily, with smart home devices growing in popularity, prices are lower than ever, and the tech itself is way easier to install. However, while market popularity has driven prices down, it's also made it more difficult to determine which are the best smart home devices. ZDNET is here to help you choose the right one. What is the best smart home device right now?ZDNET's pick for the current best smart home device is the Echo Show 8, a smart display with Amazon Alexa that lets iOS and Android utilize the benefits of a smart home. It's a comprehensive device for experienced and entry-level smart home enthusiasts alike. Delivering the convenience of voice control via a virtual assistant, the Echo Show 8 features a powerful speaker and touch display while functioning as a smart home hub with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support. Also: I used Amazon's Echo Show 21 as my smart home hub - and it's almost perfect Sort by All The best smart home devices of 2025 Show less Our top pick for the best overall smart home device is the third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8. It has a great smart display and speaker combination for most beginner and experienced smart home users. Amazon's newest Echo Show 8 boasts a sleeker design with edge-to-edge glass, a centrally placed camera for video calls, and spatial audio from the smaller speaker enclosure.I've been using the Echo Show 8 daily for almost a year, and this generation's improved processor delivers far faster performance than older models. It's become my kitchen companion for running smart home routines, interacting with Alexa, and streaming music and video content on the 8-inch HD screen while cooking.Review: Amazon Echo Show 8 (third-gen)This is the first Echo Show 8 to feature the camera in a central location rather than off to one side. This aids in better visual experiences during video calls. The camera also works for Visual ID personalization and Adaptive Content. Visual ID lets the Echo Show 8 recognize household members to personalize content, while Adaptive Content adjusts the screen's content based on a person's proximity.It's a highly rated smart speaker, with one buyer saying, "I purchased this a few months ago, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. The Spatial Audio feature provides a rich and immersive sound experience, perfect for listening to music, podcasts, and even video calls. The smart home hub integration is seamless, allowing me to easily control all my smart devices. Alexa's responsiveness and sharp display make this device a pleasure to use daily. "Amazon Echo Show 8 features: Price: $150 | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa | Connectivity: Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and is a hub for Matter, Thread, Zigbee | Specs: 8-inch HD touchscreen, 13MP video call camera, Alexa voice assistant  Pros Spatial audio Tailors content to different people Fast response time Cons Few customization options Alexa is great, but could always improve Our top pick for the best overall smart home device is the third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8. It has a great smart display and speaker combination for most beginner and experienced smart home users. Amazon's newest Echo Show 8 boasts a sleeker design with edge-to-edge glass, a centrally placed camera for video calls, and spatial audio from the smaller speaker enclosure.I've been using the Echo Show 8 daily for almost a year, and this generation's improved processor delivers far faster performance than older models. It's become my kitchen companion for running smart home routines, interacting with Alexa, and streaming music and video content on the 8-inch HD screen while cooking.Review: Amazon Echo Show 8 (third-gen)This is the first Echo Show 8 to feature the camera in a central location rather than off to one side. This aids in better visual experiences during video calls. The camera also works for Visual ID personalization and Adaptive Content. Visual ID lets the Echo Show 8 recognize household members to personalize content, while Adaptive Content adjusts the screen's content based on a person's proximity.It's a highly rated smart speaker, with one buyer saying, "I purchased this a few months ago, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. The Spatial Audio feature provides a rich and immersive sound experience, perfect for listening to music, podcasts, and even video calls. The smart home hub integration is seamless, allowing me to easily control all my smart devices. Alexa's responsiveness and sharp display make this device a pleasure to use daily. "Amazon Echo Show 8 features: Price: $150 | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa | Connectivity: Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and is a hub for Matter, Thread, Zigbee | Specs: 8-inch HD touchscreen, 13MP video call camera, Alexa voice assistant  Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon This starter kit has everything you need to transform your lights into smart devices with Philips Hue. The kit includes two white and color smart bulbs and one Hue Bridge, so you can begin switching out old light bulbs for new ones. There's also room for expansion as the Bridge can handle up to 50 Philips Hue lights. These Philips Hue smart lights are compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google for voice control and integration. They're easy to set up using the Bridge, allowing users to control the lights wherever they use the app, set routines and automation, and expand their Philips Hue ecosystem. It's important to note that without a Hue Bridge, customers can only connect their lights to their mobile app via Bluetooth, so they can't change settings remotely.Though not cheap, Philips Hue lights are undoubtedly some of the best on the market. One buyer wrote that they "love these smart bulbs and the ease [it took] to set up. Love that we can change the colors of the room from an app on the phone. Like how I can turn on lights when I need to when I'm away. Although I got the Hue bridge and two bulbs at a good price, the color bulbs are expensive. "Philips Hue Starter Kit features: Price: $180 | Wattage: 9.5 watts | Bulb size: A19 | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit Pros Millions of colors Dimming lights Instant-on option Cons Expensive Users report some issues with scheduling This starter kit has everything you need to transform your lights into smart devices with Philips Hue. The kit includes two white and color smart bulbs and one Hue Bridge, so you can begin switching out old light bulbs for new ones. There's also room for expansion as the Bridge can handle up to 50 Philips Hue lights. These Philips Hue smart lights are compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google for voice control and integration. They're easy to set up using the Bridge, allowing users to control the lights wherever they use the app, set routines and automation, and expand their Philips Hue ecosystem. It's important to note that without a Hue Bridge, customers can only connect their lights to their mobile app via Bluetooth, so they can't change settings remotely.Though not cheap, Philips Hue lights are undoubtedly some of the best on the market. One buyer wrote that they "love these smart bulbs and the ease [it took] to set up. Love that we can change the colors of the room from an app on the phone. Like how I can turn on lights when I need to when I'm away. Although I got the Hue bridge and two bulbs at a good price, the color bulbs are expensive. "Philips Hue Starter Kit features: Price: $180 | Wattage: 9.5 watts | Bulb size: A19 | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The Nest Learning Thermostat has proven to be one of Google's best smart home products to ever hit the market. With reliable performance and smart home integrations through Matter, this device has remained relevant for years, and the newest generation is no exception.Switching to a smart thermostat greatly impacted our home's climate control and energy efficiency. You can control your home's temperature from your phone no matter where you are, and program it to enter Eco Mode when you leave the house. The new Nest Learning Thermostat looks gorgeous and fits right into any home decor. It can display the temperature, the outside weather, or a clock.  It also learns your patterns and trends and suggests new settings to help keep your home comfortable while helping you save on utility bills."I'm upgrading from the learning thermostats that had the frosted glass look and had no trouble with installation, software setup just worked the first time," one buyer said. "The Matter support worked without a hitch on HomeKit and Home Assistant. And it seems that it's doing a better job than my old one at keeping the rooms I care about comfortable. The master bedroom is always perfect now after being in use for a week or so."Nest Thermostat features: Price: $280 | Installation: Works without C wire | Finish: Available in three colors with rounded display | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit through Matter Pros Turns HVAC system down while away from home Learns from usage Includes a temperature sensor Cons Is expensive The Nest Learning Thermostat has proven to be one of Google's best smart home products to ever hit the market. With reliable performance and smart home integrations through Matter, this device has remained relevant for years, and the newest generation is no exception.Switching to a smart thermostat greatly impacted our home's climate control and energy efficiency. You can control your home's temperature from your phone no matter where you are, and program it to enter Eco Mode when you leave the house. The new Nest Learning Thermostat looks gorgeous and fits right into any home decor. It can display the temperature, the outside weather, or a clock.  It also learns your patterns and trends and suggests new settings to help keep your home comfortable while helping you save on utility bills."I'm upgrading from the learning thermostats that had the frosted glass look and had no trouble with installation, software setup just worked the first time," one buyer said. "The Matter support worked without a hitch on HomeKit and Home Assistant. And it seems that it's doing a better job than my old one at keeping the rooms I care about comfortable. The master bedroom is always perfect now after being in use for a week or so."Nest Thermostat features: Price: $280 | Installation: Works without C wire | Finish: Available in three colors with rounded display | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit through Matter Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you've ever wished you could unlock your front door with your iPhone as easily as you can check out with Apple Pay, you'll definitely want to check out the Aqara U100.The Aqara U100 is a smart lock that offers users the option to unlock a door either by entering a predetermined passcode on the keypad, using their fingerprint, a physical key, a mobile app, near field communication (NFC) tags, or through Apple Home Key by simply holding their iPhone or Apple Watch up to their lock.Review: Aqara U100 smart lockThese versatile options came in handy many times during our testing. No longer will you need to fumble for a fob while holding a dozen grocery bags or trade a million texts with a locked-out pet sitter while out of town. This lock is also highly compatible, and works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. Aqara U100 smart lock features: Price: $150 | Unlock options: Fingerprint, passcodes, Apple Home Key mechanical key, and NFC | Compatibility: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Pros High interoperability A lot of unlocking features Inexpensive compared to others Cons App is slow to respond If you've ever wished you could unlock your front door with your iPhone as easily as you can check out with Apple Pay, you'll definitely want to check out the Aqara U100.The Aqara U100 is a smart lock that offers users the option to unlock a door either by entering a predetermined passcode on the keypad, using their fingerprint, a physical key, a mobile app, near field communication (NFC) tags, or through Apple Home Key by simply holding their iPhone or Apple Watch up to their lock.Review: Aqara U100 smart lockThese versatile options came in handy many times during our testing. No longer will you need to fumble for a fob while holding a dozen grocery bags or trade a million texts with a locked-out pet sitter while out of town. This lock is also highly compatible, and works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. Aqara U100 smart lock features: Price: $150 | Unlock options: Fingerprint, passcodes, Apple Home Key mechanical key, and NFC | Compatibility: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you want to beef up your home security with a smart option, I recommend the EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3 bundle. The three cameras are easy to install indoors or outdoors and have a solar panel along the top that recharges the battery. I've had the two camera systems set up outside my home for almost two years and have only had to recharge one of them, installed facing north, a handful of times -- that's how effective their solar panels are at keeping the batteries charged. Aside from the Eufy Security system being a great ecosystem for home security, expandable with many different camera types, it also offers users who have more than one camera in their homes the ability to see the same event captured in a single clip by stitching different camera feeds together. "I wanted to be sure I had coverage on each side of my house (older neighborhood/long driveways). The setup was relatively easy, probably 30 minutes or less," one buyer said. "I have them on 4k all the time and no issues with battery life, even on a string of cloudy or rainy days. The 4k is very clear -- even at night."The cameras are wireless, so they can be installed almost anywhere. The HomeBase 3 is the local storage hub inside your home, where all the recorded clips are saved.EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3 Features: Price: $530 | Power source: Solar-powered cameras, plug-in HomeBase | Resolution: 4K | Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Pros Packed with features No monthly fees Excellent ecosystem Cons Expensive No integrations with HomeKit If you want to beef up your home security with a smart option, I recommend the EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3 bundle. The three cameras are easy to install indoors or outdoors and have a solar panel along the top that recharges the battery. I've had the two camera systems set up outside my home for almost two years and have only had to recharge one of them, installed facing north, a handful of times -- that's how effective their solar panels are at keeping the batteries charged. Aside from the Eufy Security system being a great ecosystem for home security, expandable with many different camera types, it also offers users who have more than one camera in their homes the ability to see the same event captured in a single clip by stitching different camera feeds together. "I wanted to be sure I had coverage on each side of my house (older neighborhood/long driveways). The setup was relatively easy, probably 30 minutes or less," one buyer said. "I have them on 4k all the time and no issues with battery life, even on a string of cloudy or rainy days. The 4k is very clear -- even at night."The cameras are wireless, so they can be installed almost anywhere. The HomeBase 3 is the local storage hub inside your home, where all the recorded clips are saved.EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3 Features: Price: $530 | Power source: Solar-powered cameras, plug-in HomeBase | Resolution: 4K | Compatibility: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Read More Show Expert Take Show less What are the tariffs in the U.S.?The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.Consumers may also experience notable price increases on robot vacuums and smart home products. Manufacturers are exploring options such as relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such transitions are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for robot vacuums due to these trade policies.Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.What is the best smart home device? For most people interested in smart homes, the Echo Show 8 is the best smart home device you can buy. This smart hub can host multiple devices, has fantastic connectivity options, and provides reliable voice assistance through Alexa. To see how the smart display compares to other smart home devices, here is a look at our picks:Best smart home deviceZDNET's takePriceCompatibilityConnectivityAmazon Echo Show 8Best overall$150AlexaMatter, Thread, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, BluetoothPhilips Hue Starter KitBest smart light$239Alexa, Google, HomeKitBluetooth, Wi-Fi through BridgeNest Learning ThermostatBest smart thermostat$240Alexa, Google, HomeKitWi-Fi, MatterAqara U100Best smart lock$143Alexa, Google, HomeKitWi-Fi, Aqara HubEufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3Best security camera$450Alexa, GoogleWi-Fi, Local storage Show more Which is the best smart home device for you? This list highlights the best smart home devices covering various areas of your home. From multi-device hubs to individual devices, there are many ways to make your home smart. Consider these recommendations if you are unsure which smart home device is best for you:Choose this smart home device...If you want...Amazon Echo Show 8A smart home display with Alexa built-in. Use it to keep an eye on your whole home and smart home devices.Philips Hue Starter KitTo bring the power of smart lighting to your home. Install mood lighting, uplighting, or simply save money in energy bills with these LED lights.Nest Learning ThermostatAn energy-efficient and smart way to control your home's HVAC system, no matter which home automation system you use, thanks to Matter.Aqara U100The most versatile smart lock available. Bring convenience to your front door with the touch of an app.EufyCam 3 and HomeBase 3An all-in-one smart home security system complete with expandable local storage, so you never have to worry about monthly fees. Show more Factors to consider when choosing smart home devices Choosing the right smart home devices can feel overwhelming with such a plethora of available options.Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a smart home device:Compatibility: Whether you're choosing a smart light, a smart lock, or a video doorbell, compatibility is a key factor in determining how much convenience your new devices will give you. Ensure your chosen devices are compatible with your existing smart home system like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings.Installation: Many smart home devices serve a purpose that requires installation of some kind. Make sure your new device fits your installation capabilities or that you have someone to install it if not.Ease of use: User-friendly interfaces are typically the ones that endure. If a device is too hard or cumbersome, you probably won't use it. Read up on other reviewers' experiences with user interfaces for managing the devices.Price: Always compare prices. Look for value for money, but don't focus on the lowest price. If you compromise on essential features and quality, you'll pay for it in the long run.Reliability: This is a big deal in the smart home community and is part of the ease of use of devices. If a device constantly gets disconnected or unresponsive, it's not worth your time or money. Show more How we test smart home devices ZDNET reviews a wide range of devices to ensure we feature the ones that perform the best for our readers. As a smart home and robot vacuum reviewer, I evaluate each device's performance starting with the unboxing experience.To do this, I ensure the device meets all the manufacturer's claims for features and capabilities, verify it works smoothly with different smart home ecosystems -- I test with Google, Alexa, HomeKit, and SmartThings -- and monitor its performance over a period of time ranging from two weeks to months.  Show more Other smart home devices worth considering Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,857 We have made the decision to cancel the development of KINGDOM HEARTS Missing-Link. We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service. Although we worked hard on development and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time, leading us to the decision to cancel development, We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to everyone who gave us their support and assistance with the multiple closed beta tests. We are truly sorry to have to make this announcement. The KINGDOM HEARTS series will continue. We are hard at work on KINGDOM HEARTS IV, and hope you'll continue to support the series as you keep an eye out for further updates. Click to expand... Click to shrink...   Fat4all Woke up, got a money tag, swears a lot Member Oct 25, 2017 107,495 here true to its name   LostSkullKid Member Nov 27, 2017 5,142 Holy shit. So is whatever they were gonna do with the story there just completely scrapped?   Euler Member Oct 27, 2017 5,797 Watch the story of this game still be necessary to understand KH5   MrTharne Member May 26, 2023 675 How will I be able to understand the story now ? Hope we can see some of KH4 at SGF.  Izanagi89 "This guy are sick" and Corrupted by Vengeance Member Oct 27, 2017 18,762 At least we got a KH4 mention 🤷‍♂️   Geode Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 5,469 It's for the best. Hopefully they utilize the story in 4 or make a Switch 2 side game with whatever they developed so far.   OP OP Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,857 Euler said: Watch the story of this game still be necessary to understand KH5 Click to expand... Click to shrink... It was literally meant to set up characters and lore for Kingdom Hearts 4 💀😭   TheMerv Member Jan 1, 2022 2,097 It's a shame it didn't get retooled to something resembling the ds/psp/3ds era side games. The weird victorian England-ish setting had potential.  AlexFlame116 Prophet of Truth - One Winged Slayer Member Nov 17, 2017 24,163 Utah At the end it really did become Missing. Watch as the cutscenes become available as part of a super mega one disc collection of Kingdom Hearts 1-3 and all spin offs.  GooZ One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 2,186 I'm glad they're pulling the closure already because lets be honest the fate of server closure would've happened within 3 years tops. Tis the fate of Square Enix mobile games..  HolyJonte AVALANCHE Member Aug 31, 2023 1,279 From Stockholm but now living in Padova, Italy I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there?   Dal Uncle Works at Nintendo Member Aug 18, 2024 2,159 Square Enix's mobile ventures always felt wasteful to me, there is no world in which big directors like Nomura and Yoko Taro should have been wasting YEARS on these games rather than developing actual, mainline console games (in the case of Nomura, he actually did, so.....)   SmokedSalmon Member Apr 1, 2019 2,723 Sad to see. I played one of the betas and did not care for it, but I was interested in the story. I hope they can use that story for another project.   Linus815 Member Oct 29, 2017 23,952 this is for the best in my opinion   frankabus One Winged Slayer Member Oct 27, 2017 311 Unfortunate as I'm sure a lot of resources have been utilized that will no longer go to fruition, but as someone whose weak point is Kingdom Hearts, part of me is glad I don't have to add another mobile gacha to my plate. I wish SE would go back to releasing full-fledged side games.   texhnolyze Shinra Employee Member Oct 25, 2017 26,289 Indonesia Square Enix and mobile flop, name a more iconic duo.   LAA One Winged Slayer Member Oct 28, 2017 3,202 Oh wow. Pretty crazy as the beta seemed pretty solid, I found the grind concerning though and whether they'd "solve" it with MTs, to cancel altogether seems a big move though, my Conspiracy theory was another Disney Pokemon Go-ish like game released last year around the time ML was supposed to and wonder if Disney wanted ML pushed back because of that, but reasoning here seems to be concerns around making long term content. I don't really follow what Pokemon Go does, but I thought that was still one of the most successful games? Wonder if they'll move what was developed from ML into KH4 or another side game instead. May be for the best if its a complete game instead. I'm just sad with the KH silence in general lately ha. Need MoM on steam as something ha. Nice KH4 has at least been acknowledged, been a while for that too.  Mattmo831 Featuring Mattmo831 from the Apple v Epic case Member Oct 26, 2020 6,518 LostSkullKid said: Holy shit. So is whatever they were gonna do with the story there just completely scrapped? Click to expand... Click to shrink... They will pretend it exists in kingdom hearts 4 and just not explain any of it   Atom Member Jul 25, 2021 15,248 HolyJonte said: I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Side games yes. Tons of important events related to the main characters in 2 and 3 are covered in Chain, Days, Birth, Dream. Coded is probs the only one that comes close to skippable. Mobile games not that much so far, and the story they are important for is probably story you won't care about, but potentially a much bigger deal for 4.  OP OP Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,857 HolyJonte said: I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there? Click to expand... Click to shrink... The "side games" (Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days, Birth by Sleep, coded, Dream Drop Distance, 0.2) are all important. Think of it like the individual films inbetween Avengers films. The mobile game Union X is heavily important since characters from that are now the villains in Kingdom Hearts 4, and Missing-Link was introducing a whole lot for the new saga to work off of.  hydrophilic attack went to hypogean jail Member Oct 25, 2017 23,540 Sweden HolyJonte said: I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there? Click to expand... Click to shrink... chain of memories, 358/2 memories, birth by sleep and dream drop distance are essential. the rest, not really   ala1995ginobiko Member Oct 25, 2017 1,564 Izanagi89 said: At least we got a KH4 mention 🤷‍♂️ Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not even a "look forward for updates soon!", just a basic PR message to let us know it's still alive lol   LostSkullKid Member Nov 27, 2017 5,142 HolyJonte said: I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there? Click to expand... Click to shrink... The "side games" honestly have about 100 times more relevancy than KH1. Half of KH1 has been retconned at this point.   u_neek Member Oct 28, 2017 1,734 Euler said: Watch the story of this game still be necessary to understand KH5 Click to expand... Click to shrink... It'll be released as a paid pdf. In latin. In several parts.   Foffy Member Oct 25, 2017 17,581 These mobile games from Square-Enix launch and end at much faster rates! HolyJonte said: I have only played KH1 and 2. Is the mobile and side games normally important for the story, overall. Or are they just adding some small things here and there? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Kingdom Hearts is a series where even the "spin off" games are significant to the story and lore. Nomura's always planted seeds in one game that get answered in another, and he's allowed mobile games to have the same treatment so nothing is really skippable if you wanted the whole lore. Maybe Coded is the only skippable entry?  LimeTime Member Jul 17, 2023 1,080 What's funny about this whole situation is that if they just developed a PS3-fidelity, single player Kingdom Hearts side game for the Switch akin to what they used to do back in the day with things like Chain of Memories, Birth by Sleep, or Dream Drop Distance that shit would've probably been out already and they could've made some money. Could've maybe even been a Switch 2 launch game. Oh well!   Izanagi89 "This guy are sick" and Corrupted by Vengeance Member Oct 27, 2017 18,762 ala1995ginobiko said: Not even a "look forward for updates soon!", just a basic PR message to let us know it's still alive lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yo at this point I take what I can get 😂  Kalentan Member Oct 25, 2017 50,564 My friend who loves KH, is very happy about this lol   OP OP Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,857 Apparently this started development in January 2019 with one person doing concepts and it spun off from there. 6 years spent on a mobile game that they canned.   DatManOvaDer Member Oct 25, 2017 3,473 LimeTime said: What's funny about this whole situation is that if they just developed a PS3-fidelity, single player Kingdom Hearts side game for the Switch akin to what they used to do back in the day with things like Chain of Memories or Birth by Sleep that shit would've probably been out already and they could've made some money. Could've maybe even been a Switch 2 launch game. Oh well! Click to expand... Click to shrink... Heard this was the pivot (not switch specifically) but dev still wasn't going well   Kuro Member Oct 25, 2017 24,374 They have been canceling Mobile games left and right and now this one before it even comes out. Damn. Hopefully this doesn't affect KH4 but I'm also not surprised to hear they wanted it to tie into it. Square really gotta stop doing that.   Nateo Member Oct 27, 2017 8,970 Wow. Honestly GPS stuff was the weak link. But that was probably the only think making them the money in reality. DatManOvaDer said: Heard this was the pivot (not switch specifically) but dev still wasn't going well Click to expand... Click to shrink... It could have worked it was basically KH in mobile form except for the GPS stuff. They would have had to flesh out all the levels though. Raiding with a bunch of people was cool as shit tho.   Liam Allen-Miller Member Nov 2, 2017 7,963 Shibuya I have a piece of physical merchandise for this game. Glad I won't waste my time on more gacha bullshit.  Necromanti Member Oct 25, 2017 12,790 I feel like I'm as adept at keeping up with the KH lore/side projects as I am with the MCU, i.e. not at all.   LimeTime Member Jul 17, 2023 1,080 DatManOvaDer said: Heard this was the pivot (not switch specifically) but dev still wasn't going well Click to expand... Click to shrink... Damn, really? Why can't they make Kingdom Hearts games at the Kingdom Hearts factory anymore? The FF7 Remake team is probably going to have made an entire trilogy of games in the time it takes the Kingdom Hearts team to make one!  Delaney Member Oct 25, 2017 3,851 This was indeed for the best.  Atom Member Jul 25, 2021 15,248 u_neek said: It'll be released as a paid pdf. In latin. In several parts. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It won't be a pdf lol, that's too reasonable. It will be an always-online DRMed login portal, akin to the bizarre shit Square did for the FFVII Rebirth artbook on Steam Steam :: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH :: How to access the Square Enix Digital Content Viewer The digital art book and digital mini-soundtrack (henceforth referred to as “this content”) included in the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition, the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE & REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Twin Pack and the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Digital Deluxe Edition Upgrade can be... steamcommunity.com Or a Japan only stageplay. LimeTime said: Damn, really? Why can't they make Kingdom Hearts games at the Kingdom Hearts factory anymore? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Nomura not sure if it should be a musical or not. RIP spinoffs. Didn't know how good we had it waiting for KH3. Never getting a Kairi/Aqua fuck shit up game. Liam Allen-Miller said: I have a piece of physical merchandise for this game. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Double check that it's not evaporating as you speak.  reksveks Member May 17, 2022 7,373 Dal said: Square Enix's mobile ventures always felt wasteful to me, there is no world in which big directors like Nomura and Yoko Taro should have been wasting YEARS on these games rather than developing actual, mainline console games (in the case of Nomura, he actually did, so.....) Click to expand... Click to shrink... Their mobile venture was more profitable then the HD games though. I would argue that alot of their macro current issues is actually cause their mobile games have kinda shat the bed recently.   ZeoVGM Member Oct 25, 2017 84,581 Providence, RI LimeTime said: Damn, really? Why can't they make Kingdom Hearts games at the Kingdom Hearts factory anymore? The FF7 Remake team is probably going to have made an entire trilogy of games in the time it takes the Kingdom Hearts team to make one! Click to expand... Click to shrink... They are literally making KH4 though?  Kalor Resettlement Advisor Member Oct 25, 2017 20,873 The setting looked cool, but not surprised considering the radio silence recently. At least its version of Dearly Beloved got out there.   LimeTime Member Jul 17, 2023 1,080 ZeoVGM said: They are literally making KH4 though? Click to expand... Click to shrink... I mean, I guess so. I'll have to take their word for it until I see that shit again.  OP OP Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,857 I wish they could have shown off some of what they had been working on. I've been so curious to see how they were going to tackle Disney worlds (with Pinocchio being the first one we were meant to visit) And rumour from a gathering they held was they had worlds based on more recent films like Luca.  Japanmanx3 One Winged Slayer Avenger Oct 25, 2017 6,592 Atlanta, GA I really hope at least the story is preserved. KHuX and Dark Road deserve the lore preservation as well. Not mad about missing a gacha though.  ZeoVGM Member Oct 25, 2017 84,581 Providence, RI LimeTime said: I mean, I guess so. I'll have to take their word for it until I see that shit again. Click to expand... Click to shrink... You'll see it at SGF and it'll release next spring.  NekoNeko Coward Oct 26, 2017 20,214 Euler said: Watch the story of this game still be necessary to understand KH5 Click to expand... Click to shrink... nothing will help with that.   LimeTime Member Jul 17, 2023 1,080 ZeoVGM said: You'll see it at SGF and it'll release next spring. Click to expand... Click to shrink... You have no idea how happy this would make me. I'll go crazy if this is true.  OrigamiPirate One Winged Slayer Member Oct 31, 2017 695 San Francisco Hm…. Despite burning out on KHUX and DR each, I find I'm actually pretty bummed about this?   hydrophilic attack went to hypogean jail Member Oct 25, 2017 23,540 Sweden Atom said: RIP spinoffs. Didn't know how good we had it waiting for KH3 Click to expand... Click to shrink... that wasn't good tbh. my sister enjoyed the first two mainline games but i can't in good conscience recommend the third to her, with all the spinoff games she'd have to play or watch just to understand what's going on in the story. if this means the end of spin-off games on half a dozen different platforms in between mainline entries, honestly good riddance   rottenpie One Winged Slayer Member Oct 28, 2017 2,728 Idgaf about mobile games so I'm totally okay with this