IKEA is best known for their low-cost DIY furniture, but the company is expanding into the smart home gadget market, with their first products being connected lights and outlets. However, they recently launched two smart window blind systems: the Kadrilj gray blinds that start at 99 euros and Fyrtur blackout shades that start at 119 euros, a vast discount compared to its competitors which range from $300 to $500. Best of all, you won’t have to wire them to your house, thanks to a removable, rechargeable battery pack. Use the included remote, Alexa, HomeKit, or Google Assistant to raise and lower the shades. The new shades are also compatible with IKEA’s Tradfri smart lights and smart plugs, which can be controlled all with the same app. Read more for a video and additional information.
These new blinds are set to be released on February 2nd in Germany, but unfortunately no date has been set for a worldwide release. “Ikea is also leveraging the fact that it’s been making curtains for years and that plenty of people already own them, so the new smart blinds will work with Ikea’s existing Vidga series of curtain rails, meaning you should be able to swap them in for your current boring curtains without too much trouble,” according to The Verge.
