CES 2026: GE's $300 Matter Smart Shades Work With Apple Home

[MacRumors]

GE Lighting this week unveiled Matter-compatible GE Smart Shades that are able to integrate with the Apple Home app. Priced starting at $300, the Smart Shades offer simple, screw-free installation, with white and gray fabric options. The shades can be purchased in a translucent fabric to let light through, or a blackout version. All options have aluminum trim and no visible hardware.

The motorized shades are designed to raise or lower via an included remote control, the Apple Home app, Siri voice commands, or time-based automations. There are options to integrate shade controls with other smart home products, or based on whether or not someone is home.

GE's Smart Shades support Matter over Thread, and can connect to HomeKit with a compatible Matter hub. In Apple's ecosystem, that includes the Apple TV, the HomePod, or the HomePod mini.

GE is offering multiple width options up to 38 inches, in lengths up to 76 inches. GE says that the motor that powers the shades is "whisper quiet." An included magnetic rechargeable battery will last for up to six months before it needs to be recharged.

The GE Smart Shades can be purchased from Amazon or the GE website as of today. Pricing starts at $299 and goes up to $370 for blackout versions and larger sizes.

Article Link: CES 2026: GE's $300 Matter Smart Shades Work With Apple Home

 

[Silverbird0000]

I was interested until I saw 38" is the widest. Don't most new houses have windows way larger than this? The smallest width window in my house is 46".

 

[allpar]

Ikea was selling similar shades, with a noisier motor, at under $100 each. Not Matter, but HomeKit compatible with the Ikea hub. Their new line is likely to continue to be less than one third the price. The Ikea shades do last six months on the battery, and it's easy enough to recharge.

Who is GE? Is it the same GE that's an American company which just split from a jet engine company? Or is it some company in China licensing the name?

 

[SammyG7]

These are made in USA, a pleasant surprise.

 

[JesterJJZ]

As much as I like smart devices, we need plug in options, at least until we get Tesla's wireless power working again! I really don't need any more devices that I need to charge. And in this case it'll be getting a ladder and fumbling behind curtains every few months.

 

[Jamie0003]

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

 

[allpar]

These are made in USA, a pleasant surprise.

That IS an improvement.

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

These are very expensive, yes. In my case, it's because it's really hard to reach back there, in the kitchen and behind a desk. I don't use them all around the house.

 

[OGdrknight]

Great until the motor or battery dies or the integration is broken with another smart device. Spent thousands to update to smart switches and shades. Worked great until the tech started failing. Spent $600 recently to go back to dumb switches and regular shades. I don’t miss the headaches. Don’t get me wrong it was great until wasn’t! I was in love with setup for 12 months then the honeymoon was over!

 

[k1121j]

So I have Apple home shades and they came in custom length. Wonder how these know when to stop closing

 

[allpar]

The same way Ikea ones do, I suspect. You calibrate it, once. Taking out the battery for a recharge doesn't affect that setting.

I've had the Ikea things for maybe four or five years.

 

[dannys1]

38" is a bit small.

 

[dannys1]

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

I hate curtains and i'm in the UK - I always use roller blinds where I can, it's much more minimal and clean, especially if you build them into a hidden recess when closed.

I think it's pretty common to have blinds now - at least in modern homes and apartments.

 

[lovehateapple]

I saw last year some company was making motorized solar powered window shades. If you had a window that got enough sunlight during the day the small solar panel could power the motor.

 

[dannyyankou]

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

Shades are just more minimalistic. Curtains look a little dated IMO.

 

[baconcat_8964]

Who is GE? Is it the same GE that's an American company which just split from a jet engine company? Or is it some company in China licensing the name?

GE Aerospace is the one who making jet engines. GE Appliances was sold to the Chinese company Haier in 2016. Haier got the license to use "GE" name until 2056.

 

[victorvictoria]

It's cool, but if you have a bunch of southern exposure windows, it could get pricey pretty fast!

 

[davwilliams]

GE Aerospace is the one who making jet engines. GE Appliances was sold to the Chinese company Haier in 2016. Haier got the license to use "GE" name until 2056.

GE Lighting is now owned by Savant.

 

[AdriftAtlas]

My bedroom window is about 58" wide by 46" tall; single horizontal slider.

Who has 38" x 76" windows, that's such an odd size? Also, this thing is bonkers expensive.

 

[code-m]

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

Curtains and blinds are outdated, window appliqué is even more minimal and no where near the collection of dust like curtains and blinds.

Want blackout, there is appliqué for that too. Privacy and Light, don’t want the heat, add reflectors or one designed to minimize it.

 

[code-m]

These are made in USA, a pleasant surprise.

At $300 🤣🤣🤣

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Tim Apple should acquire this revolutionary technology and call it iShades.

 

[vjl323]

The real question is, are these cat proof? My current [dumb] blinds have holes and tears from my cat; the blinds aren't as expensive as these, thankfully, but I would be curious how thick the material is and how it does vs. thin, pointy cat claws!

 

[svish]

Nice product. Price is high. Waiting to know more about its international availability.

 

[Admiral Fart]

Genuine question for Americans, as we don’t tend to use them as much in the UK:

Why do you use shades or blinds, instead of curtains?

Also good lord these are expensive

We do use curtains. I’ve lived in the UK and the US, and it doesn’t seem like the use of curtains in the US is any less common than in the UK.

 

[Jamie0003]

We do use curtains. I’ve lived in the UK and the US, and it doesn’t seem like the use of curtains in the US is any less common than in the UK.

There are very few companies making smart curtains though. I assumed that’s because not many countries use them