Podcasts · Smart Home Insider

U.S. Bans Foreign Robovacs & How Z-Wave is Staying Relevant in 2026 with Guest Avi Rosenthal

3 Aug 2026 · 1 h 27 min · Episode 322

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Avi Rosenthal, chair of the Z-Wave Alliance, to explore the future of smart home technology, the role of open standards, and why Z-Wave still matters in a world of Matter, Thread, and Wi‑Fi. They also dig into recent government restrictions on smart devices, the rise of Z-Wave Long Range, and what true interoperability looks like in the connected home.

Topics covered:

• The new ban on foreign robotics to the U.S. • New rumors on Apple's smart home timeline • A new circulator fan from SwitchBot • Homey's new Matter 1.5 certification • Why Z-Wave is still worth considering in new and existing smart homes

Send me your smart home questions and recommendations with the hashtag #SmartHomeInsider. Tweet and follow your host at:

• @andrew_osu on Twitter • @andrewohara941 on Threads • Email me here

Smart Home Insider YouTube Channel

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Links from the show

• Apple's smart home rollout timeline • Homey's Matter 1.5 certification • SwitchBot Circular Fan 2 Pro

Those interested in sponsoring the show can reach out to us at: andrew@appleinsider.com

Links in the notes 6

• https://twitter.com/andrew_osu
• https://www.threads.net/@andrewohara941
• https://youtube.com/channel/UCwND80K7_YZ9BHfzpqL1Qog
• https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/07/28/apples-smart-home-hardware-refresh-draws-closer-with-siri-ai-smarts
• https://homey.app/en-us/news/homey-matter-1-5-certified/
• https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-battery-circulator-fan-2-pro

The episode on the publisher’s site ↗ (opens in a new tab)