Skip to main content

Need to find your wall’s paint color? SwatchMate Cube can do that and more

Whether you work with colors daily or you’re looking for a way to capture the hues around your home, there’s finally a device for that. The SwatchMate Cube is designed to pick up the surface color of anything it captures, and it can store it in its memory or an iOS or Android device.

The SwatchMate Cube works with an internal spherical light source. The device can pick up the surface color of everything from green grass to pink cotton candy to that off-white color of your walls. Its light source picks up the hue in a controlled sequence, then sends the reflected light to a color sensor inside of the Cube. When the color-capturing process is complete, a little, green light flashes to let you know it’s finished.

SwatchMate Color Capturing Cube

You can store up to 20 colors on the Cube, but you can also send captured hues to your device via Bluetooth. Star your favorite colors, gauge the intensity of ambient light, and match paint to the hues in your database. The Cube comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and it weighs about one-tenth of a pound, meaning you can bring it just about anywhere. We can imagine this being really handy if you’re redecorating your house.

Recommended Videos

SwatchMate Cube GreenDesigners will also appreciate the ability to link the Cube to Adobe Photoshop. When Cube Link is activated, you’ll be able to access a wide range of digital profiles, including Pantone and TruMatch. However, CubeLink is currently only available with Windows 7 or 8 (Mac is coming).

If you want one of your own, you can purchase the SwatchMate Cube for $180 on the product’s official website. Using one of these little guys might just help you see the world in a new light.

Krystle Vermes
Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, blogger and podcaster with a background in both online and print journalism. Her…
Ultraloq showcases the first-ever ultra-wideband smart lock at CES 2025
Bolt Mission UWB + NFC installed on a white door.

Ultraloq showed off two smart locks at CES 2025 -- one of which is the first smart lock to ever offer ultra-wideband (UWB) support. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB + NFC uses UWB technology to unlock automatically as you approach your front door. Similar functionality already exists on other smart locks, but UWB should allow the Ultraloq Bolt Mission to be more accurate than the competition.

The Bolt Mission uses technology similar to digital car keys, and Ultraloq says it can track the keyholder’s phone location with “centimeter-level” accuracy. As your phone gets closer to the front door, the Bolt Mission can be programmed to automatically unlock, giving you a hands-free way to get inside. Better yet, because the smart lock can detect both your distance and direction from the front door, it should prevent you from accidentally unlocking the smart lock while inside your home.

Read more
Ulticam shows off three AI-powered security cameras at CES 2025
The Ulticam IQ installed outside a home.

Ulticam, the new security camera brand of Xthings, revealed a lineup of three AI-powered cameras at CES 2025. The Ulticam IQ, Ulticam IQ Floodlight, and Ulticam Dot offer not just cool AI capabilities, but also free seven-day cloud storage -- which could make them a solid choice for value-minded shoppers leery about signing up for monthly storage plans.

The Ulticam IQ and IQ Floodlight are the main attractions, as they're packed with features that should pose solid competition for the best smart security cameras from Arlo, Nest, and Ring. The duo uses edge AI to quickly identify people, vehicles, and packages without needing to upload the video for server-side processing. This onboard processing should result in faster performance -- it’s also great for privacy and security, as your footage doesn’t have to leave your device.

Read more
Home Depot expands Hubspace smart home lineup at CES 2025
The Home Depot Hubspace logo on a white background.

Hubspace, Home Depot’s smart home platform, has seen impressive growth over the past few years, and that growth continued at CES 2025. Three new gadgets were revealed at the event, including a wireless power switch to control Hubspace products, a portable air conditioner, and a window-mounted air conditioner. All three are unique additions to the catalog -- and since there’s not much like them on the market, they should quickly become popular options in their respective niches.

The Hubspace Remote Switch is arguably the most useful of the three gadgets. Designed to look like a light switch, but with a removable remote controller, it works with select Hubspace light bulbs, fixtures, plugs, power sockets, surge protectors, and more. You’ll get standard on and off functions, plus access to brightness controls. Its sleek looks and versatility should make it a great choice for shoppers seeking an entry-level smart switch.

Read more