IoT News Roundup: Philips Hue Enters Home Security, Microsoft Kills Cortana, and the Rise of Insurtech Surveillance

The landscape of the Internet of Things is shifting rapidly, marked by hardware evolution, the sunsetting of early voice assistants, and growing concerns over how connected technology intersects with consumer privacy and insurance. From smart lighting giants pivoting toward security to groundbreaking developments in kinetic energy harvesting, this week’s developments underscore a maturing smart home and industrial ecosystem.

Philips Hue Expands Its Vision into Home Security

The iconic Philips Hue brand, a pioneer in the smart lighting market, is preparing to take a definitive step into home security. During a recent earnings call, the president of Signify—the parent company of Philips Hue—hinted at ongoing development surrounding a dedicated security camera. Industry reports have since expanded on these plans, indicating that up to four cameras and a series of contact sensors are currently in the pipeline.

Having established a dominant presence in smart lighting for over a decade, this strategic pivot makes considerable sense. The consumer lighting sector has increasingly faced commoditization, with numerous competitors offering lower-cost alternatives. Furthermore, because high-quality LED bulbs can last for many years, organic growth driven solely by bulb replacements faces inherent limits. Entering the security market allows Hue to leverage its strong brand recognition while tapping into recurring subscription revenue streams for video storage and advanced monitoring, which have become the primary monetization models for the modern smart home.

TP-Link Expands Matter Offerings Under the Kasa Brand

Interoperability continues to advance as TP-Link broadens its portfolio of Matter-compatible devices. Having spent the previous months rolling out Matter-supported smart plugs and switches under its budget-friendly Tapo brand, the company is now introducing two new Matter-enabled switches under its more established Kasa line.

The newly announced Kasa KS205 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch and the Kasa KS225 Smart Wi-Fi Light Dimmer Switch are positioned at accessible price points, retailing at $27.99 and $29.99, respectively. Both devices require a neutral wire for installation and bring robust automation features to consumers, including customizable scheduling and an away mode designed to simulate occupancy while homeowners are away. These additions further solidify the industry-wide transition toward the universal Matter standard, helping consumers integrate disparate smart home ecosystems with greater ease.

Microsoft Officially Retires Cortana Across Windows Platforms

An era in consumer voice technology has officially come to an end as Microsoft completes the phase-out of Cortana. Launched in 2014 as Redmond’s direct competitor to Apple’s Siri, Cortana was recognized for its capable voice assistant performance. However, it ultimately struggled to capture a dominant market share due to the lack of a native mobile platform of sufficient scale.

Microsoft previously scaled back Cortana’s presence in consumer products, gradually phasing it out while keeping the application functional on Windows operating systems. With a recent update to Windows 11, the Cortana app has now been officially disabled on that platform, and support for Windows 10 is scheduled to end in the near future. This move clears the path for newer artificial intelligence integrations across Microsoft’s operating systems.

Tractian Secures $45 Million to Scale Industrial AI Monitoring

In the industrial sector, predictive maintenance continues to command strong financial backing from both enterprise buyers and investors. Atlanta-based industrial monitoring firm Tractian has successfully raised $45 million in a new funding round, bringing its total capital raised to over $60 million since its founding in 2019.

Tractian develops proprietary software and specialized hardware sensors designed to track the mechanical health of heavy industrial machinery in real-time. By leveraging advanced analytics—often marketed under the banner of artificial intelligence rather than traditional anomaly detection—the company helps industrial facilities prevent costly equipment failures. With a growing base of more than 500 enterprise customers, the fresh capital will be deployed to accelerate sales expansion and deepen research and development efforts.

The Growing Risks of Insurtech and Connected Surveillance

While connected technology offers numerous conveniences for homeowners, its integration into insurance underwriting is raising significant consumer protection concerns. Insurance companies across the United States are facing immense financial pressure due to rising home replacement costs, high inflation, and an increase in climate-related disasters. In response, many firms are attempting to reduce their exposure by limiting underwriting in high-risk regions and dropping existing policyholders who fail to meet strict risk profiles.

In states like California, insurance providers are increasingly deploying drones to autonomously scan policyholders’ roofs and yards for perceived vulnerabilities. This practice has led to instances where homeowners receive sudden non-renewal notices based on aerial footage indicating potential property maintenance issues, such as a roof requiring repairs or an empty swimming pool. Although insurers are legally permitted to evaluate claims and properties using drone technology, consumer advocates warn that the proliferation of connected home devices and aerial surveillance could be weaponized by insurance firms to systematically drop policyholders as climate and economic risks mount.

Researchers Develop Graphene Foam for Kinetic Energy Harvesting

Innovations in sustainable power generation continue to emerge from academic laboratories, with recent demonstrations showcasing a novel graphene foam designed for energy-harvesting flooring. Developed by researchers in Scotland, the material can be integrated into floor sensors to capture kinetic energy.

When a person steps onto the graphene foam sensor, it generates approximately 10 watts of electricity, which is sufficient to power the onboard sensor itself. This generated energy enables the sensor to execute software capable of determining foot traffic patterns, including identifying who is in a room and tracking their direction of movement based on gait analysis. While various industries have long explored ways to harness human kinetic energy to power low-consumption IoT devices, practical deployments that combine power generation with spatial analytics remain a promising frontier for smart buildings.

SaaviHome Prepares to Franchise Its Smart Home Integration Model

As the professional smart home integration market continues to mature, established service providers are looking toward new growth models. Ahead of the upcoming CEDIA professional installers trade show, SaaviHome has announced a national franchise initiative for its smart home setup and integration services.

Founded in 2004, the company developed proprietary operational software and service frameworks in 2020 specifically designed for franchising, utilizing Control4 as its core software platform. SaaviHome is initially targeting prospective franchise owners across the Mountain West region, focusing particularly on growth markets in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona as it seeks to scale its professional installation model nationwide.