Anker launches MindBase AI smart home hub with local processing and 48TB storage at IFA 2024

Anker's Eufy Strides Into IFA With a New AI Ecosystem and Devices to Match - CNET

Anker and its home brand Eufy came to Berlin's IFA event well prepared with major news, including an overhaul of how the company approaches home security, and the new capabilities it wants to give devices in the coming years. I'm no stranger to AI in home security, but Eufy's approach is unique and has the potential to be particularly advantageous for customers. Anker's flagship announcement is an excellent example of what I'm talking about. We saw the company's newest MindBase hub, a home AI enabler made to connect to many kinds of other Anker and Eufy products and process their data with AI algorithms, all entirely on-device. That means no connections to the cloud, few worries about how the company will use your private data for analysis and lower costs than most AI around the home. Using Anker's EasyOmni Link platform, the MindBase is supposed to connect to Anker's security, energy, cleaning and audio devices. It also has Matter support, so devices that work with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa and Google Home are also on the table. The base uses an in-house-developed LLM running on an AI chip to accomplish much of what most companies need cloud help to do. Eufy's shiny new security tech sports the latest advances While Anker didn't show off everything the MindBase is capable of, we did get some more advanced looks of its security capabilities thanks to Eufy's new security line, set for the months to come. The MindBase itself, which is still pending price and release date info, can tap into Eufy's new Smart Security Shield sensor with radar to detect strangers and encrypted facial data that can recognize familiar faces from up to 30 meters away. The on-device approach to facial data could help Eufy escape the privacy lawsuits similar to those facial data technologies are facing in the US. Eufy is also releasing a new wired video doorbell, notable for its 3K resolution and AI tracking technology (meaning it can keep delivery people in view for longer, etc.). It's set for sale at $300 later this month. For those who want a full security setup, Eufy is also launching an eight-channel NVR system with 2K security cameras. I'm not sure how many NVR features will need MindBase to function, but Anker says the wired, fully contained kit can handle auto framing, smart video searches, cross-camera tracking and 24/7 recording. Eufy's line is also expanding into two particularly interesting security devices. One is a presence-sensing wall sensor made to detect falls, especially for those aging in place. The detector can raise alerts and link loved ones using two-way audio, a feature combination I've never seen before. The brand is also releasing a new $70 window camera later this year, a small 2.5K device with a cup-like shield design to reduce glare so people can attach it to the inside of a window. I've tested cameras like these this year from brands like Wyze, and they're an interesting compromise fit for apartment windows (such as those looking over your carport) and similar situations where an outdoor camera isn't feasible. The big subscription question Anker's Eufy brand has been one of my favorite options for no-subscription home security that still offers important features like human detection and local video storage without relying on the cloud. I'm not totally sure how the MindBase and new AI features will work, but there are promising signs. For its new security cameras and sensors, Anker said, "The portfolio processes sensitive biometric data on-device ... with no monthly subscriptions attached," but added an important caveat that premium and optional features (not sure what those would be) may require a monthly fee, so there are a lot of questions for future details to answer. For features like the MindBase's MindSafe Memory, a local storage system that can perform AI searches through photos, videos and files, Anker didn't mention any fee information, and I'm not sure if it will require a subscription. The same is true of the facial recognition features in the Smart Security Shield, although Eufy indicated earlier this summer that those features wouldn't require a subscription, so I'm hopeful. Anker also said it's planning on adding new AI agents in addition to the security tricks, like an energy version to save power and a cleaning version to manage your robot vacuums, but I don't have any info on whether those capabilities will require subscriptions. A final important note about the Eufy brand Anker showed up at IFA with plenty to test out in the coming year, as well as news about its branding plans. In the future, Anker has plans to congregate its brand names primarily under Anker. That means I may not be using the years-old Eufy name for too much longer. Hints of this change were visible in Anker's IFA showcases. For example, while the MindBase bears the Eufy name on the physical hub, Anker solely refers to it as the Anker MindBase in promotional materials, possibly a sign of things to come. I'll keep you updated so the naming system doesn't get too confusing when you're looking for home security.

Anker's new MindBase is an AI-powered brain for your smart home

Anker is launching the Eufy MindBase, a local AI hub for its security cameras that runs an on-device, Anker-developed LLM, which the company says can process your footage without it ever leaving your home. It's also announcing a handful of other smart home security products at the IFA tech show in Berlin this week, including the TrackLight Cam S1, the S4 video doorbell, and a window camera. Pitched as the "central brain for the home," the MindBase is not just for Eufy security cameras; Anker is positioning it as a whole-home connectivity solution with on-device compute and local storage. Security is the first use case, but the company plans to add an energy agent for your home's power, a clean agent for your robot vacuums, and more. Anker hasn't revealed the price or release date yet. Eufy got into trouble a few years back for claiming its cameras were end-to-end encrypted when they weren't always. It has since overhauled its systems, focusing on local storage and end-to-end encryption. Anker says the MindBase will be a Matter controller, running Matter 1.5, and will support over 40 Matter device categories, including lights, sensors, and HVAC systems. Eufy Security spokesperson Janet Jin told The Verge they plan to integrate Matter-compatible third-party cameras. The MindBase has dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Zigbee and will work with Apple's HomeKit Secure Video, meaning connected cameras can work with Apple's smart home system. It can also connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Home Assistant. It will support 16 wireless cameras and four wired cameras, along with 34 sensors. This includes a new Smart Security Shield sensor that uses 180-degree dual radar to detect movement. Anker says it will work with a digital credential stored on household members' phones to recognize friends and family and reduce unnecessary alerts. With up to 48TB of expandable storage and a dedicated AI chip, the MindBase can process events directly for advanced AI features, including natural-language search across recordings and event summaries, without a monthly fee. It also supports smart alerts for facial recognition, people, car, pet, and stranger detection. One of the first products designed to work with MindBase is the upcoming Anker Eufy TrackLight Cam S1, which will be part of an Anker MindBase Security Kit. Anker says this is an active-deterrence camera with an auto-tracking light, 180-degree dual-radar detection, and 4K resolution. Anker says Mindbase will also support a wide range of existing security cameras, such as eufyCam S4. Anker's new wired Eufy S4 video doorbell, launching this week, will be compatible with Mindbase. The S4's other party trick is an "immersive virtual reality (VR)-inspired mobile experience," according to the company. It shows panoramic footage in the Eufy app allowing you to look around the scene by moving your smartphone. The S4 will cost $299.99 and features a 180-by-180 panoramic field of view, AI-powered tracking and auto-zoom, and 3K-capable recording. It has 64GB of onboard storage, supports Wi-Fi 6, uses a combination of radar and PIR for motion detection. A $70 window camera arrives later this year. The E10 is designed for people who can't install security cameras outside and sticks to the inside of a window to record in full-color night vision. It has on-device person and sound detection. The company also has a new mmWave fall detection sensor. The Eufy Fall Detection Sensor (no price or release date) can be mounted on a wall or ceiling to detect falls and will automatically initiate a voice check after a detected fall or prolonged inactivity. It supports two-way communication and its self-monitoring features don't require a subscription.

Anker's MindBase is a smart home hub, NAS and security guard - Engadget

Anker has turned up to IFA with MindBase, an AI-powered local home hub built to sit at the heart of your autonomous home. Essentially, it's a NAS with a 64GB SSD and two bays to hold either 2.5 or 3.5-inch hard drives, with its own AI compute built on top. Anker is selling it as a way to both run your smart home and store your family's treasured memories, and as a digital security guard. If you want MindBase to watch your home, then you'll need to invest in Anker's lineup of home security cameras. That includes the new Eufy Video Doorbell S4, Window Camera E10, Fall Detection Sensor or just its range of plain ol' pan-tilt-zoom cameras. All of these can feed into the hub, where the AI is promised to "evaluate events in real-time," assessing risk and responding. If a threat is detected, it'll have multiple avenues to respond, including changing the lighting, issuing a verbal warning or something just described as "active deterrence." If it's capable of correctly identifying a problem, grabbing a cudgel and dealing with the problem itself, it might be worth the price. Sadly, we don't know what the price is, and Anker can't even tell us when we'll see this product available to buy. In the meantime, we'll just have to muse on what "active deterrence" means.

Anker's MindBase is an AI hub for your entire smart home

Eufy's Video Doorbell S4 launches later this month, while the new Window Camera E10 arrives in Q4 for $69.99. It's September, and if you follow tech even loosely, you know what that means: IFA is here, and like every year, Berlin is expected to be packed with consumer tech that gives us a clear look at where the industry is headed next. Charging accessory giant Anker has been a staple at the trade show for the last few years, and that's not changing this time around. The accessory giant has given us an early look at what it's been cooking, and among a host of upcoming releases, a few have caught our attention. Anker is building a centralized brain to bring all of its smart tech together. The MindBase is an AI-powered hub, which, according to Anker, can unify whole-home connectivity, offer on-device computing, and even provide local storage. MindBase can connect to Anker's security, energy, cleaning, and audio ecosystem products, leveraging its on-device Large Language Model to handle most AI tasks locally. Think of it as a central home system that can understand and process information from connected devices without having to rely on cloud servers. That could be especially useful for devices that capture sensitive information, such as security cameras. Up to 48TB of local storage with no monthly subscription means all of that footage has a place to live locally, with no external involvement. MindBase also isn't limited to just Anker hardware. With what Anker calls EasyOmni Link, MindBase would be able to connect to compatible Matter, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant devices. Anker did not share a starting price for the MindBase, but it said more details will be revealed closer to the device's retail availability. The eufy NVR Security System E50 looks like a security workhorse. It combines a 2K fixed-lens bullet camera and a 4K PTZ camera in a single unit. Bullet cameras, for reference, are typically designed for focused, long-range outdoor surveillance. PTZ cameras, on the other hand, can Pan, Tilt, and Zoom -- hence the name. The eufy NVR Security System E50 combines the two types of cameras into a single unit, giving users the best of both worlds: a fixed view and a dynamic one. The two cameras work together to give you a comprehensive view of what's happening around your house. The bullet camera detects targets of interest, while the PTZ camera locks on and follows them. Anker says the system is capable of 'Cross-cam' tracking, which means multiple cameras placed around your house can track a single subject continuously, handing the subject off from one camera to another. The security system comes in four- or eight-camera kits. The eufy NVR Security System E50 starts at $999, and can cost up to $1,899 if you opt for the 8-camera kit with a 4TB accompanying hard drive. The security system is available for order now in the US, Canada, and Australia. Eufy previously showed off the Video Doorbell S4 at CES, and it's now finally giving us a release timeframe. The new doorbell will be available in late September to those in the US, the UK, Canada, Northern Europe, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The S4 will start at $299, with the Chime included. The Eufy Window Camera E10, on the other hand, is an all-new product. It is designed to attach to a window's glass using a no-trace mounting sticker. The design prevents the need to drill holes to attach a security camera. The device stays inside your home, while its camera peers outside through the glass. Its anti-reflection design and optimizations "to reduce indoor and nighttime reflections" help it avoid the pitfalls that make regular window-mounted cameras difficult to use. The device records at 2.5K resolution and offers night vision, AI detection, and 24/7 recording. It is expected to officially launch in Q4 for $69.99.

Anker's MindBase Wants to Be the Smart Hub for Your Life

At IFA 2026, Anker is showcasing a new smart home hub it's grandiosely dubbed the MindBase. But it's also more than a smart home controller; it has local, expandable NAS-style storage and on-device AI for processing video security footage. As the company rolls out this new device, it has another announcement to make: Anker's sub-brands Eufy and Soundcore will be no more -- soon, all will be Anker. The MindBase Is a Matter 1.5 controller, meaning it can fully function as the head of your Matter-compatible smart home devices all on its own -- so you could add to it stuff like smart bulbs, garage door openers, robot vacuums, or sensors, and then be able to control those things through the Anker app. At the same time, you can also integrate the MindBase with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Home Assistant. Besides its smart home controller capabilities, the MindBase is like a very beefed-up version of the HomeBase security camera hubs that Anker has made for years under its Eufy sub-brand. It supports up to 16 wireless security cameras and four more via power over Ethernet if you connect an external PoE network switch to the MindBase. Anker says those who already have a HomeBase S380 can transfer their footage to the MindBase. The on-device AI, which Anker is calling its "TrueSmart Agent," uses an in-house LLM powered by a 26 TOPS (a measure of its AI compute power; for context, Microsoft Copilot PCs have 40 TOPS at least) chip for processing video from connected cameras. Anker says its AI agent "evaluates events in real-time to assess risk and respond through observation, lighting, verbal warnings or active deterrence." The company plans to launch other AI agents for the MindBase, including one for managing home energy and another for things like smart cleaning devices and appliances. Lastly, there's the NAS storage aspect. The MindBase comes with 64GB of internal flash storage, but also supports up to 48TB of additional hard drive storage. The company says you'll be able to search documents you store on it -- photos, recordings, files, and so on -- using natural language, and that no personal data will be offloaded to the cloud. There's also no subscription required for the MindBase or its capabilities. Anker will be selling a MindBase Security Kit that includes the newly announced Eufy TrackLight Cam S1 and Video Doorbell S4, along with entry and motion sensors, and a Smart Security Shield, which is a sensor the company says can "detect strangers from up to 15 meters away, while its DSKey digital credential allows MindBase to recognize family members from up to 30 meters away." It's not entirely clear to me how it knows who they are, but I plan to ask Anker as soon as I'm able to during IFA. Anker hasn't yet said how much the MindBase will cost, nor when it will be available.

Anker MindBase aims to bring your entire home under control

Timi is the news and deals reporter for Android Police, who has been reporting on technology since 2008. He has worked in tech retail and also the IT space, providing hardware and software support, which gives him a unique perspective on the tech that he covers. This allows him to effectively break down complex subjects into easy-to-read pieces that even casual readers can enjoy. Before joining Android Police, he was a news writer for XDA, where he eventually transitioned to covering deals. He also worked as an editor and reporter for Neowin, where he covered news and attended major tech events like CES. He also reviewed phones, tablets, PC products, and other devices. In addition, he also created video content for the Neowin YouTube channel. The brand announced its new MindBase device at IFA 2026 in Berlin, offering a glimpse of the future. The brand shares that MindBase is an "AI-powered hub that unifies whole-home connectivity, on-device computing and local storage, connecting Anker's security, energy, cleaning, audio ecosystems into a single, locally run intelligence network." In other words, Anker is aiming to deliver a product that will act as your central hub for all your existing smart home devices. Naturally, it will connect with existing and future Anker products, but it will also connect with third-party products that support Matter, Apple's HomeKit, Google Home, Assistant, and Amazon's Alexa products. This is the future for Anker Anker is branching out in ways we never thought possible. While it started as an accessory manufacturer, it now has a broad product portfolio, with Eufy and Soundcore under its wing. MindBase will also offer storage right out of the box, coming with 64GB of eMMC storage. However, you can expand up to 48TB thanks to two storage bays that support 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives. This aims to eliminate the need for any monthly subscription plan for connected products. The device also has dual Ethernet ports and three USB ports. It supports up to 20 cameras and up to 34 sensors. Because this is a 2026 product release, it can use AI and run local LLMs. There's no doubt that connecting Eufy products will let MindBase reach its full potential. Eufy products are known for not relying on cloud storage and instead using local storage. Of course, the cloud is an option, but that can get expensive quickly. What most people will love about this product is that it works across all brands and doesn't force you into a cloud storage subscription. You also get a unified experience of all your connected products through one app. We know storage prices have been quite high over the past year or so, but in the long run, buying storage will cost less than any subscription plan over the product's lifetime. Anker didn't have a price available when this post went up, so we hope this product will be affordable. It's a huge step for Anker, but a necessary one if it wants to keep expanding its product portfolio. It's unclear whether it will be successful in this space, but we don't think that this is too big of a stretch outside what it has already been doing.

Anker's MindBase: Your Smart Home's Secret Brain!

You might just have an easier way to manage your smart home without leaning on custom automations or becoming an expert. Anker has unveiled the MindBase, an AI hub that serves as a decision-making "brain" for security cameras and other smart home devices. The new hardware has on-device agents proactively taking action on security, cleaning, energy, and audio in your household. If your security camera detects an event, for instance, the MindBase will assess the risk and determine the appropriate response on its own. It might turn on lights or issue verbal warnings, not just flag the activity for you to make a choice later. Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Kit Buy on Amazon Expand Collapse The approach could be particularly helpful for overnight security incidents where you won't always be present to take action. It should also be useful for those vacations where you don't want to keep checking your app for every notification. Those are common problems with smart home systems that aren't usually addressed. An agent for network-attached storage (NAS), meanwhile, will oversee the growing data from your connected devices on products like Anker's own EverSafe Memory. All tasks run on an AI Core compute card with enough performance to complete tasks locally. You aren't dependent on the cloud just to handle your smart home, and that should help minimize privacy concerns. Other agents, such as those for cleaning and energy, are poised to come later. Anker hasn't shared a timeline for when those agents will arrive, but it won't be surprising if at least some are contingent on new hardware. If you don't already have a robot vacuum or energy monitor, it might be worth holding off if you plan to get a MindBase. Anker MindBase release date and device support New Eufy smart home devices are the first wave Close The first product based on the platform will be an Anker MindBase Security Kit that combines the hub with a Eufy TrackLight Cam S1, the new Eufy Video Doorbell S4, a Smart Security Shield, and a collection of entry and motion sensors. Anker has yet to reveal the price or release date, but promises that the combination of the 4K-capable TrackLight Cam's 180-degree dual radar and the doorbell's 3K panoramic view will help "actively deter intruders." The MindBase can also tap into almost 100 existing Anker products as well as "hundreds" of Matter devices, although the full list isn't available. That brings Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google, and Home Assistant into the fold. You won't get the full MindBase functionality, but this integrates your existing infrastructure into the same network. The hope, of course, is that you'll rely on the MindBase's more advanced features and stick to the Eufy ecosystem to be sure everything runs smoothly. While that effectively locks you into the company's product line, it might be worthwhile if you find your smart home overwhelming and are comfortable delegating some of the work to AI agents.

Anker's New MindBase Home Hub Runs AI Locally, Doubles as NAS

Anker today announced the launch of Anker MindBase, an AI home hub meant to work with almost 100 Anker devices and Matter-enabled smart home devices from other companies. It works alongside HomeKit, and is equipped with an AI Core compute card and the on-device Anker TrueSmart AI Agent. In addition to working as a smart home hub, the MindBase supports up to 48TB of local storage, and it functions as a NAS. It can be used for storing files, photos, and videos locally. MindBase integrates with Anker security cameras, and Anker plans to sell a MindBase Security Kit that includes a new TrackLight Cam S1, S4 Video Doorbell, and Smart Security Shield sensor. Anker says on-device AI evaluates events in real time to assess risk and respond through observation, lighting, verbal warnings, or active deterrence. The sensor can be placed at the edge of a property, using radar to detect strangers from up to 15 meters away. Anker is also debuting several new home security products. * Eufy Video Doorbell S4 - The Video Doorbell S4 is a wired doorbell and security camera combo. It has a 9-megapixel lens with 3K resolution and a 180-degree field of view. * Eufy Window Camera E10 - The E10 is a camera that mounts on the inside of a window for use in rentals. It has a 25-degree adjustable tilt with anti-glare optics, and it records in 2.5K resolution. * Eufy Fall Detection Sensor - The Fall Detection Sensor is a non-wearable sensor that uses mmWave radar sensing to detect falls without using a camera. It can be mounted on the wall and supports two-way communication. * Eufy NVR Security System E50 - The E50 pairs an 8-channel network video recorder with four hybrid bullet pan-tilt-zoom dual-lens camera. There's a 2K resolution wide-angle bullet lens and a motorized 4K resolution PTZ lens. The E50 system is available on the Eufy website starting at $999. The Video Doorbell S4 is priced at $300 and will be available in late September. The Window Camera E10 will be available later this year for $70. Availability and pricing have not yet been announced for the MindBase and Fall Detection Sensor.

Anker just launched a ton of new products at IFA 2026 -- including an AI-powered home hub

IFA 2026 is in full swing and Anker has made some pretty big announcements beyond just revealing a new MagSafe charger or two. Not only has the company revealed a swathe of new products, including its own AI-powered home hub (we'll get to that shortly), but it's also revealed it will be unifying all of its brands under one name from here on out. That means its five sub-brands, including well-known names like Eufy and Soundcore, will now all be recognized as Anker. Founder and CEO of Anker Innovations, Steven Yang, said: "Category brands made sense when categories were separate. They no longer are. One brand, one promise - Ultimate Innovation, now unified across everything we make." Instead, Anker will now present its products in two groups: Anker for You and Anker for Home. And there are new additions to both. And, as mentioned, this new era for Anker has been accompanied by some big product reveals that are worth talking about. What new products have been announced During its IFA 2026 appearance, Anker revealed a whopping 22 new products including headphones, earbuds, power banks, chargers and more. But, there's definitely some that stand out to us here at Tom's Guide. Take the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35, which joins the brand's existing lineup of robot vacs. Equipped with a HydroJet 2.0 Self-Cleaning Roller Mop and 35,000Pa of suction power, it looks set to take on the dirt and dust throughout your home. Or, the new Soundcore earbuds, the AeroClip 2 and AeroClip 2 Pro, bringing Anker's THUS AI chip to an on-ear clip form to add AI voice recording, capturing meetings, phone calls and personal interactions, as well as transcribing and summarizing them. And then there's the Anker MagGo Power Bank Pro 2 that claims it's "the world's fastest and coolest wireless power bank", as well as "the first magnetic power bank with a built-in cooling fan." According to Anker, it'll take your iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in just 25 minutes. Not forgetting the Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max, which is Anker's first time developing a robot lawn mower entirely in-house. What's different about it? Well, Anker says it is fully autonomous with no boundary wires or RTK, plus an automatic extendable cutting arm. When it comes to Anker's full IFA 2026 product announcement, though, the full range includes: * Anker MindBase * Anker MindBase Security Kit * Anker Soundcore AeroClip 2 Pro * Anker Soundcore AeroClip 2 * Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro * Anker Soundcore Liberty Buds 2 * Anker Sleep 4 * Anker Sleep 4 Pro * Anker SleepLab * Anker SleepLab Pro * Anker MagGo Power Bank Pro 2 * Anker Laptop Charger Pro * Anker MagStand Charging Station * Anker Eufy TrackLight Cam S1 * Anker Eufy Video Doorbell S4 * Anker Eufy Smart Security Shield * Anker Eufy NVR Security System E50 * Anker Eufy Window Camera E10 * Anker Eufy Fall Detection Sensor * Anker Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 * Anker Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max * Anker SOLIX Solarbank Max Introducing Anker MindBase Of the 22 products announced during IFA 2026, there was one that particularly caught our eye -- the Anker MindBase. This is Anker's first AI hub that it hopes will bring "the truly autonomous home to life." It'll connect your Anker and Matter-compatible devices across your home into one system, working alongside the likes of Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. But it's also competing with these brands. The smart home hub space is busy with the likes of Google Nest and Amazon Echo, but for anyone who already owns a large number of Anker products, from Eufy vacuums to SOLIX power stations, this could be a tempting upgrade. Anker uses what it calls a TrueSmart Agent to bring local intelligence across different areas of your home through dedicated AI agents. And with 48TB of expandable local storage, you can keep recordings, household data and even family photos inside your home safe. While Anker has got a lot of new arrivals, it's not the only brand making waves at IFA 2026. You can follow all of our extensive coverage from Berlin's big tech show right here. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

Anker's new local-first home hub finally solves the ecosystem problem everyone's been stuck with

A lifelong musician, Hamed plays multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, and oud. He is equally fascinated by smart-home technology and can happily spend hours geeking out over connected lights, speakers, sensors, and automations that make everyday life a little more interesting. When he isn't covering the latest tech news, he explores more creative topics on his Medium blog, works on his music, or clears his head by riding his motorcycle. * Anker MindBase locally processes AI tasks and stores up to 48TB of smart-home data, files, photos, and security footage. * The Matter 1.5 hub supports Anker devices alongside HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, Home Assistant, and compatible third-party products. * MindBase will launch with security and NAS agents, but Anker has not announced its price or release date. Anker unveiled MindBase at IFA 2026, a local-first home hub that connects Anker's security, energy, cleaning, and audio products with compatible third-party devices in one system without handing control to Apple, Google, or Amazon. Its core storage and AI processing happen inside your home. That doesn't mean shutting the big platforms out entirely. MindBase works alongside Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Home Assistant. You'd still need to check the logos on smart-home devices before buying them to ensure they work together, but Anker wants its hub to sit alongside those ecosystems without forcing you to build everything around one of them. MindBase puts the smart home's brain inside your home It combines a Matter controller, local AI computing, and expandable NAS in one hub MindBase uses Anker EasyOmni Link to connect close to 100 Anker devices and hundreds of Matter-compatible products. It is a Matter 1.5 controller supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Zigbee. Matter has made it possible to stop caring which brand made each smart device, and that freedom is one of the main appeals that MindBase comes with. A capable hub is often what a smart home needs more than another random gadget. MindBase goes further with an AI Core compute card offering 26 TOPS of processing power. Anker says its in-house language model lets AI agents recognize what is happening and respond locally. Meanwhile, Anker EverSafe Memory handles the storage side. MindBase functions as a network-attached storage (NAS) device with support for up to 48TB of expandable storage, which can keep your photos, recordings, files, and device data together in one place. Also, its AI lets you search footage using natural language, organize files, and produce security highlights without sending personal data to the cloud. As we found after moving a smart home away from the cloud, local operation can also reduce its dependence on outside servers. Security is only MindBase's first assignment The first product built around it is the MindBase Security Kit, which combines the hub with Anker's upcoming TrackLight Cam S1, Video Doorbell S4, Smart Security Shield, and entry and motion sensors. Its security agent can assess events in real time and respond using lights, verbal warnings, or other active deterrence. Anker plans to launch NAS and Security agents first, with energy-management and cleaning agents coming later. However, MindBase has no announced price or release date. Anker advertises no monthly fee, although its press materials leave room for optional premium and cloud-based features. Matter was supposed to free smart homes from closed ecosystems. MindBase takes the more interesting next step by trying to ensure that connecting everything does not require surrendering all your data to Big Tech. If Anker delivers, its main selling point will be a smart home whose intelligence actually remains at home.