Smart home devices and connected technology, from security systems and smart appliances to everyday gadgets that make homes more convenient and efficient.
Cameras and sensors can flag intruders, leaks or fire risks, but owners living far away need clear procedures for who responds and how access is managed. A holiday home can appear calm from the road while a small problem escalates…
Home Assistant’s Assist feature lets users control lights, thermostats and automations from their wrist, with voice options that can be tuned for privacy or convenience. It complements rather than replaces Siri, and requires a compatible watch and Home Assistant setup.…
Voice-controlled cooling depends on compatible wiring, careful setup and a working HVAC system. Check privacy settings and keep manual controls available if commands fail. Voice control can make home cooling more convenient, but it is only as useful as the…
Owners of four Echo models can still use the AUX port, but must switch inputs through the Alexa app or use Bluetooth. Amazon has quietly removed Alexa voice commands for controlling the AUX input on a small group of older…
A rooted 2018 Echo Dot can serve as a local Home Assistant voice satellite, but the hardware modification is risky and speech recognition can be slow. A 2018 third-generation Amazon Echo Dot has been turned into a local Home Assistant…
Community integrations and dashboard tools extend Home Assistant beyond device control, linking servers, storage, self-hosted AI, lighting and power use, with some features relying on third-party maintenance or estimated data. Home Assistant is already strong at linking disparate smart devices…
The iPad-first smart-home app now connects directly to Home Assistant, letting users control devices from both platforms on a single customisable screen. HomeView 3.0 broadens an iPad-first smart-home dashboard app by adding direct support for Home Assistant, moving beyond its…
Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant can bring devices from different brands under one roof. But Matter support varies by product, so checking compatibility remains essential. Building a smart home across multiple brands does not have to…
Giving Claude access to a Home Assistant instance helped build dashboards and automations, but also exposed how easily an AI assistant can gain influence over physical devices. Giving Claude Code access to a Home Assistant instance can be useful, but…
The open-source planner’s new integration links projects and due dates to Home Assistant, with voice entry, automation events and two-way updates. OpenTodo, the open-source task manager built for self-hosting, is extending its reach into Home Assistant. According to the project’s…
Google’s September refresh improves voice commands, device setup and camera playback, but users still report delays and failures with everyday smart home tasks. Google is rolling out a fresh set of Google Home and Gemini for Home updates that target…
Leak sensors can protect against more than burst pipes: placed where water is likely to collect and paired with precise alerts, spare devices can help catch seepage and rain ingress before damage spreads. Water leak sensors are easy to overlook…
