March's smart-home wave
March saw a cluster of smart-home launches that lean into Matter 1.2 compatibility — notable vendors include Alexa+, IKEA and Govee in a T3 round-up of this month's best devices. The emphasis is on easier integration: new lighting and sensor releases promise simpler cross-platform control and lower friction for renovations and automation projects. (t3.com)
Amazon opened Alexa+ Early Access in the UK on March 19, 2026, making the generative-AI upgrade available to hundreds of thousands of invitees as its first European rollout. (aboutamazon.co.uk) Amazon’s Alexa+ is limited to a curated list of Echo devices — the company’s support pages and device-compatibility guides list newer Echo Show and 2023–2025 Echo models as supported while excluding many first- and second-generation Echo products. (amazon.com) IKEA added a new low-cost ambient lamp, the SKAFTSÄRVLED, to its March lineup at about £4 / $6.99 while continuing to roll out the broader set of 21 Matter‑compatible lighting, sensor and control products the retailer announced for early 2026. (t3.com) (ikea.com) IKEA’s Dirigera hub has already been updated into a full Matter controller and Thread border router via firmware updates (notably v2.805.6 and subsequent releases), enabling the company’s app to onboard third‑party Matter devices directly. (pcworld.com) (homekit.blog) Govee shipped two notable March launches: the Outdoor Chromatic String Lights — unveiled March 23, 2026 — whose bulbs contain multiple RGB LEDs so each bulb can show multicolor effects and which start at about $169.99 for US lengths, and a new Edison‑style E26/E27 Matter‑compatible smart bulb aimed at retail in the US and Europe. (prnewswire.com) (t3.com) (macrumors.com) The wider industry move this month tracks the Matter 1.2-era expansion of supported device types and interoperability improvements — the Connectivity Standards Alliance and multiple tech outlets have highlighted the 1.2 upgrade’s nine added device categories and richer cross‑platform controls. (csa-iot.org) (androidcentral.com)
