SwitchBot has announced the Curtain 3, a wise curtain controller it says will likely be quieter than the Curtain 2, and twice as robust. The corporate additionally claims a brand new, improved (and individually out there) photo voltaic panel will supply “true limitless battery energy,” one thing the earlier panel didn’t fairly obtain. The Curtain 3 and the SwitchBot Photo voltaic Panel 3 will retail for $89.99 (£89.99 / €89.99) and $25.99 (£25.99 / €25.99), respectively, once they launch on August twenty fifth.
The Curtain 3 is, because the identify suggests, the third iteration of the corporate’s good curtain controller. It could actually now pull as much as 36 kilos (16kg), in accordance with the corporate, which is greater than double the Curtain 2’s 17lb weight restrict. Just like the Curtain 2, the brand new curtain controller makes use of Bluetooth Low Power, giving it a spread of as much as 80m (262ft), assuming a direct line of sight.
SwitchBot’s specs say its new controller hums at about 45dB from 1m away (roughly as loud as a suburban neighborhood at evening), whereas its new 5mm-per-second QuietDrift Mode will drop it to 25dB, which is about as loud as a human whisper. Outwardly, the brand new design is just like earlier fashions, however it’s longer (by 30mm) and skinnier now than the Curtain 2. The corporate says it’s suitable with 99 p.c “of curtain tracks discovered all over the world.” Just like the Curtain 2, it may be purchased in rod rail, U rail, and I rail configurations.
SwitchBot says its new $25.99 SwitchBot Photo voltaic Panel 3 has “over twice the charging effectivity,” and can solely want three hours in direct solar, “the place clear shadows could be shaped,” to successfully remove the necessity to cost the Curtain 3. Battery life by itself hasn’t improved although — SwitchBot nonetheless expects the Curtain 3, just like the earlier mannequin, to final for as much as 8 months on a full cost.
Earlier this 12 months, SwitchBot introduced its new $70 SwitchBot Hub 2, which serves as a Matter bridge and subsequently provides Apple Dwelling compatibility to the Curtain 3 (and its different Bluetooth gadgets, just like the Curtain 2). With out the up to date hub, you’re caught with Samsung SmartThings, Google Dwelling, and Amazon Alexa — although the corporate additionally helps Apple Shortcuts, which you’ll set off with Siri.
When you haven’t heard of SwitchBot, it’s identified for its intelligent, easy-to-install good residence retrofits, like its $99 smart lock that isn’t a wise door lock in any respect, however a Bluetooth-connected motor that attaches to your door with a plastic piece that over the thumb flip of your deadbolt. It additionally makes a button-pressing robot that may toggle paddle switches (amusingly, the corporate reveals a Hue good swap as one it’s suitable with) or press different buttons, say to begin your espresso maker.