Home Assistant Podcast

We're joined by psychologist Josh Burg, who shares his unique journey from Google Home to a fully local Home Assistant setup. We get to see how he’s using some of the new Philips Hue zone capabilities to make his home smarter Watch this episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha205 Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon Share your story We wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:09 Introducing Josh 00:01:15 Josh's Location and Weather 00:02:41 Journey into Home Automation 00:03:40 Networking Challenges 00:06:14 Switching to Unify Networking Gear 00:09:10 Home Assistant Setup 00:13:16 Smart Home Integrations and Projects 00:17:25 Lighting Automation 00:27:20 Introduction and New Gadget Excitement 00:27:30 Home Assistant Update 00:27:52 Motion Aware Technology 00:28:38 Setup Challenges 00:29:39 Community Involvement 00:30:37 Sensitivity and Testing 00:31:36 Performance Comparisons 00:31:55 Hardware and Ecosystem 00:38:05 Hue Light Scenes 00:47:22 Randomized Notifications 00:51:45 AI Integration 00:53:49 Google Home Issues 00:54:26 Apple Ecosystem 00:54:35 Home Integration and Nest 00:56:22 Network Concerns 00:57:10 Privacy and Data Traffic 00:58:06 Local vs. Cloud Hosting 01:01:55 Community Support 01:06:17 Open Source Development 01:07:10 Supportive Communities 01:09:11 Conclusion and Farewell This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rohan and Phil are breaking down the 2025.10 release, which includes bilingual support for assistants. Meanwhile Sonos finds a new partner, and we answer some listener questions Watch this episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha204 Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon Share your story We wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:59 Discussion on 2025.10 Release 00:01:25 Automation Editor Updates 00:03:51 AI Image Generation Service 00:06:05 Dashboard Entity Suggestions 00:11:39 Voice Assistant Updates 00:12:05 AccuWeather and Reolink Features 00:22:51 Media Player Panel Update 00:24:31 Matter and Logbook Updates 00:25:28 Philips Hue Motion Updates 00:27:14 LG ThinQ and Litter Robot Enhancements 00:29:39 Lutron Caseta Multi-tap Actions 00:33:24 Shelly and SwitchBot Updates 00:57:20 Notification Customization 00:57:42 Using Emojis for Alerts 00:58:35 Testing LLM Vision for Driveway Gates 00:59:22 Memory Feature in LLM Vision 01:00:10 Discussion on Breaking Changes 01:00:38 Shoutout to Home Assistant Cards 01:01:11 Philips Hue and Sonos Partnership 01:02:33 Conclusion This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan talk to Gimmy Chu, CEO of Nanoleaf, about the Nanoleaf smart lighting ecosystem, their open API vision, and how Nanoleaf got its start in the world of innovative lighting technology. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha203 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:27 Home Assistant and IoT 00:06:43 AI and IoT Integration 00:11:31 Challenges in IoT Development 00:17:54 Open Source and Future of Nanoleaf 00:22:42 Nanoleaf Origin Story 00:27:35 Introduction of Nanoleaf Product 00:27:48 Development of Energy Efficient Light Bulb 00:28:33 Launch and Success on Kickstarter 00:28:44 Rebranding to Nanoleaf 00:29:33 Impact of COVID on Home Décor 00:32:41 Home Automation and Product Testing 00:42:32 Challenges in Commercial Lighting 00:45:13 Development of Lighting Effects and Orchestrator App 00:51:39 Future Products and Expansion 00:56:02 Challenges with Matter Over Thread 00:56:37 Current Solutions with Nanoleaf 00:57:39 Issues with Matter Adoption 00:58:45 Future of Matter and Thread 01:01:12 Personal Experiences with Matter Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan chat with Thomas about his journey building an accessible smart home with Home Assistant. From experimenting with bulbs and voice assistants to creating cutting-edge automations like occupancy sensors and even a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror, Thomas shares how he tailors his setup to support his lifestyle and family. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha202 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:08 Introduction of Thomas 00:01:22 Thomas' Journey into Smart Homes 00:02:51 Experiments with Smart Devices 00:07:17 Setting Up a Smart Home 00:14:07 Challenges of Automation 00:18:02 Focus on Accessibility 00:19:53 Innovative Projects for Visual Impairment 00:26:23 Smart Home Challenges and Solutions 00:30:47 Guest's Technical Background 00:31:09 Managing Home Assistant 00:32:30 Voice Assistants at Home 00:34:32 Voice Assistant Preferences 00:35:26 Accessibility Interface 00:36:20 Apple Products Integration 00:39:01 Automation Challenges and Planning 00:41:40 Security and Smart Locks 00:49:05 Pets and Automation 00:52:21 Language and Voice Recognition 00:54:18 OpenAI Integration 00:57:44 Favorite Automations 01:02:19 Closing Remarks Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Tsvi Mostovicz, the visionary behind Home Assistant's Jewish calendar component, which he developed to enable crucial Sabbath-compliant automations. Discover his pragmatic approach to smart home harmony, seamlessly integrating Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices for everything from privacy-focused voice control to automated synagogue lighting. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha201 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:03 Tsvi's Journey into Home Automation 00:02:32 Challenges and Evolution of Home Automation Systems 00:10:00 Building Home Assistant Integrations 00:16:27 Home Automation for Religious Practices 00:18:43 Maintenance and Future of Integrations 00:26:14 Favorite Home Automations and Troubleshooting 00:32:53 Forward Simulation Concept 00:35:20 Automation Interfaces and Challenges 00:36:03 Dashboard Management 00:38:10 Hot Water System Integration 00:40:40 Smart Home Cameras and AI 00:44:18 Future Plans for Smart Home 00:50:39 Community and Impact Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Home Assistant has launched their own Z-wave radio. 2025.9 lands with a new experimental home screen. Meanwhile Rohan and Phil discuss LLM Vision and some of its use cases Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha200 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:14 Home Assistant Connect ZWA2 00:03:01 Z-Wave Network Challenges and Migration 00:16:45 Rainbird Integration and Irrigation Setup 00:23:25 New Features in Home Assistant 2025.9 00:30:13 Introduction to Smart Home Automation 00:33:17 Husqvarna Automower Features 00:35:54 Reolink Doorbell Updates 00:38:00 PlayStation and Unify Integrations 00:39:11 Tesla and Other Cars Integration 00:41:21 Weather and Bayesian Sensors 00:44:10 AI Vision and Home Automation 00:51:40 New Integrations: Seco, Sleep as Android 00:53:56 Breaking and Backward Incompatible Changes 00:55:26 Hacs Components: Person Location Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Curious about Shelly? COO Doug Roberson explains their local control philosophy, versatile products, and commitment to empowering your Home Assistant experience Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha199 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:54 Intro to Doug from Shelly 00:03:04 Shelly's Product Offerings 00:03:41 Privacy and Local Control 00:08:56 Shelly's Certification and Community 00:14:32 Automation and Use Cases 00:25:46 Applications in Professional Spaces 00:27:25 Introduction to Network Failover with Devices 00:28:48 Exploring Shelly's Core Features and Automation 00:32:14 Real-Life Home Automation Experiences 00:33:35 Advanced Energy Management Strategies 00:39:03 Innovative Use Cases for Shelly Products 00:40:50 Getting into Smart Home Technology 00:42:36 New Irrigation Solutions and ShelleyX 00:50:50 Business and Education Initiatives 00:54:25 Classroom Training on Shelly Products 00:55:50 Introduction to North American Wiring 00:56:38 Training and Meetups 00:58:52 Product Wishlist 01:05:47 Irrigation and Automation 01:07:14 Community Feedback Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as we talk with Scott, a licensed Electrician with a deep IT background who's been bouncing between code and conduit for years. Discover how this empty-nester crafts ingenious automations, from power monitoring with custom solutions to integrating nine pinball machines Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha198 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:53 Guest Introduction: Scott the Sparky 00:01:08 Scott's Home Automation Journey 00:04:25 Challenges with DIY and PLCs 00:07:35 Home Automation Concerns and Sustainability 00:22:35 Scott's Water Management and Fire Protection Plans 00:29:48 Introduction to LoRa and Challenges 00:30:42 Powering Devices & Solar Solutions 00:31:26 Communication Projects: MeshTastic 00:31:41 Bushfire Resilience and Backup Solutions 00:32:16 Exploring LoRa Applications 00:32:41 Solar Solutions for ESP32 00:35:15 Z-Wave and Zigbee Discussion 00:37:16 Advantages of Z-Wave Over ZigBee 00:45:43 Power Monitoring Solutions 00:46:43 Smart Home Automation with Shelly 00:48:14 Challenges with Exporting Solar 00:53:30 Animal Automation & Security 00:57:44 Introduction to AI in Home Automation 00:58:07 Automating Fox Detection 00:59:37 The Role of Cameras and Reolink Integration 01:01:09 Exploring Advanced Automation Scenarios 01:07:32 AI in Home Automation: Prospects and Concerns 01:11:35 Challenges and Opportunities in AI and Automation 01:15:17 Simplifying Home Automation for Life 01:18:47 Community and Innovation in Home Automation 01:20:17 Fun with Pinball Machines and Automation Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan sit down with Jürgen, co-founder of Nuki - a smart lock provider from Europe who has just joined the Works with Home Assistant program. Jürgen shares insights into Nuki's vision, emphasizing their commitment to user-friendly solutions that integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha197 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:04 Professional vs. DIY Automation 00:03:19 Home Automation Tools 00:04:42 Automation in TJ's Home 00:06:52 Role of Home Assistant 00:17:10 Podcasting Experience 00:24:16 E-Waste and Gadgets 00:24:52 Innovative Devices 00:26:15 Enthusiast Discussion 00:27:42 Smart Locks & Security 00:28:25 Zigbee vs. Z-Wave 00:32:48 Smart Home Tech Future 00:42:28 Managing Automation 00:46:41 Automation Introduction 00:47:10 Sonos Integration 00:49:30 Video & HDMI Setup 00:52:52 Media Consumption 00:53:59 Smart Home Automations 00:54:10 Gardening Automation 01:04:24 Garden Lighting 01:10:05 Smart Home Tech Introduction 01:10:15 Implementing Home Tech 01:10:29 Design & User Experience 01:10:45 Flexibility & Control Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Home Assistant AI Tasks can now help you name and tag your automations, meanwhile the cloud strikes again thanks to Belkin and FutureHome Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha196 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:38 Episode Overview and Topics 00:01:21 Belkin Wemo Disruption 00:06:00 FutureHome Bankruptcy 00:07:59 Home Assistant Isometric Animated Picture Card 00:10:54 Viewer Feedback and Streaming Issues 00:21:37 AI Integration in Home Assistant 00:29:10 Introduction to LLM Vision 00:29:22 LLM Vision Features 00:31:38 Voice Processing Improvements 00:32:53 UI Changes in 2025.8 00:33:29 Matter Support Updates 00:34:22 PiHole API and Data Breach 00:37:53 Home Assistant Integrations 00:43:04 WiFi Presence Detection Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan sit down with Jürgen, co-founder of Nuki - a smart lock provider from Europe who has just joined the Works with Home Assistant program. Jürgen shares insights into Nuki's vision, emphasizing their commitment to user-friendly solutions that integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha195 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:00 Jürgen's Background and Nuki’s Vision 00:02:06 The Inception of Nuki and Product Development 00:04:31 Kickstarter Success and Market Entry 00:05:11 Product Differences between Europe and US 00:06:40 Product Evolution and New Features 00:12:29 Software and Firmware Updates 00:16:29 Integration with Home Assistant 00:20:30 Matter and Thread Implementation 00:23:43 Parallel API Use and Customer Choice 00:27:48 Entering the US Market 00:28:19 Product Design Considerations 00:29:10 Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges 00:30:20 Security and Privacy Concerns 00:36:21 First Steps in Smart Home Development 00:37:44 Design and Hardware Integration 00:41:38 Sounds of Nuki 00:45:24 Collaboration with Home Assistant 00:52:20 Future Prospects for Smart Locks 00:55:46 Introduction of NFC and Ultra-Wideband Lockdown 00:56:18 Exploration of Biometric Technology 00:58:04 Challenges with Current Access Technologies 00:58:44 User Experience and Feature Preferences 00:59:53 Discussion on Simplifying Smart Locks 01:01:39 Nuki Product Overview and Availability 01:03:27 Home Assistant and Collaboration Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com ExpressVPN ExpressVPN Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet - so that 12 year old with Raspberry Pi can’t steal your sensitive data. Get four months extra FREE when you use our code expressvpn.com/hasspodcast Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us as Paul Riley, an engineer with a background in rocket fuel systems, shares his journey into smart home automation. Discover how he leverages Home Assistant to tackle practical "little things" like a demisting mirror and even automate his boat. Paul also discusses his passion for ESPHome, exploring local AI applications, and fostering the next generation of tinkerers in electronics. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha194 Chapters 00:00:14 Guest Introduction: Paul 00:01:39 Paul's Background in Electronics 00:06:05 Career Highlights 00:08:41 Home Automation and Rockets 00:13:57 Current Work and Tech Advancements 00:18:35 Paul's Personal Home Automation Projects 00:27:21 Introduction to Smart Gadgets 00:28:32 Home Automation Innovations 00:31:00 Gadget Enthusiast's Collection 00:39:00 AI in Daily Life 00:41:33 AI and Automation 00:47:36 Smart Home Automations 00:52:05 Challenges of Automation on a Boat 00:53:15 Voltage Converter Setup 00:53:46 Pros and Cons of Thermostats 00:55:41 Voice Control Devices 00:57:05 Cloud Systems and Security 00:59:06 Getting Started: Electronics & Home Assistant Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We sit down with Mark Watt from Mark Watt Tech — the high-fiving hero of Home Assistant tutorials — to chat all things smart home, AI, and turning 3D printing into a side hustle. We dive into how AI is reshaping home automation, the evolution of the Home Assistant project, and Mark’s creative journey from software tinkerer to YouTuber… to running a 3D printing business with his wife! Whether you're deep into ESPHome or just wondering why your Tuya plug still needs the internet, there's something here for every smart home enthusiast. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha193 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:13 Meet our Guest - Mark Watt Tech 00:01:43 Creator Calls 00:02:41 Getting Started with YouTube 00:06:02 Home Automation Journey 00:08:18 Home Assistant and Technology 00:11:02 Opinions on Matter 00:17:24 Favorite Home Automation Setups 00:26:50 Piracy and Services 00:28:18 Voice Models and Annoyance 00:29:20 Self-hosting AI 00:30:32 Voice Automation Challenges 00:35:52 YouTube Channel and Personal Projects 00:40:22 Home Automation Advice 00:43:15 Innovative Home Automation Hacks 00:45:21 Creating Content on YouTube 00:47:00 Music Assistant and Voice Assistants 00:51:50 Upcoming Plans and Projects 00:53:38 Introduction and Jealousy 00:53:52 Smart Home Creation 00:54:09 YouTube Break and 3D Printing 00:54:17 3D Printing Business 00:54:44 New YouTube Channel Plans 00:55:11 Waiting for New Printer 00:55:34 Video Content Ideation 00:57:01 Security and AI in Video Feeds 00:58:02 OpenAI Image Processing 00:58:53 YAML Integration Plans 00:59:31 Conclusion and Thanks Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Home Assistant 2025.7 is here, with a much-requested feature, the ability for Voice PE to ask you questions. Rohan and Phil discuss the possibilities and break down some other new features that have been packed into this release Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha192 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:08 Home Assistant Voice Chapter 10 00:04:25 Community Feedback 00:05:56 Smoke Detector Options 00:11:21 Home Assistant 2025.7 Updates 00:21:29 Integration Subentities 00:25:35 UI Improvements and Features 00:29:01 Home Assistant Configuration 00:30:20 AI and OpenAI Discussions 00:32:08 API Integrations and Experiments 00:34:08 Samsung and Smart Home Integrations 00:38:24 New Integrations and Features 00:41:03 Breaking Changes 00:42:03 Plex Media Server Discussion 00:46:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Justin and Trevor from Apollo Automation stop by to share their journey of turning a hobby project into a thriving customer-focussed home automation manufacturer Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha191 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:02 Apollo Automation's Origin 00:02:02 Company Growth and Operations 00:02:23 In-house Manufacturing and Distribution 00:02:55 Community-driven Development 00:03:11 Unique Product Insights and Development 00:04:03 Branding and Logo Evolution 00:05:51 Interactive Community Engagement 00:10:21 Working with Home Assistant Program 00:12:35 Product Line and Hardware Design 00:20:13 Current and Upcoming Products 00:23:20 Favorite Products and Future Plans 00:26:21 Introduction to Integration Protocols 00:26:48 ESP Chip and Compatibility 00:27:41 Challenges with Matter and Future Plans 00:30:42 Open Source Sustainability and Modularity 00:35:10 Home Automation Personal Experiences 00:38:51 Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges 00:44:00 3D Printing and Product Evolution 00:52:59 Ozone Sensor Features 00:53:12 3D Printing Options and Accessibility 00:53:30 Meeting at CES 00:54:00 Passion and Dedication of Founders 00:54:40 Home Assistant's Growth and Significance 00:55:32 Self-Hosting and Privacy Advocacy 00:55:48 Open Source Contributions 01:01:34 Future Product Development Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com ExpressVPN ExpressVPN Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet - so that 12 year old with Raspberry Pi can’t steal your sensitive data. Get four months extra FREE when you use our code expressvpn.com/hasspodcast Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Our Sponsors: * Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rohan and Phil chat with Andrej, a passionate Home Assistant user with some truly creative automations—from a relationship point system to a cat doorbell! He’s also developing PokyPow, an ESP-based device that lets you control your PC with Home Assistant. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha190 Chapters 00:00:35 Guest Introduction: Andrej 00:00:47 Andrej's Journey with Home Assistant 00:01:34 Introducing PokyPow 00:02:27 Building and Challenges of PokyPow 00:03:18 Prototype to Production 00:04:30 Launching on Crowd Supply 00:21:30 Smart Home Experiences 00:26:10 Voice Control and Automations 00:31:22 Home Assistant Automation 00:36:20 CO2 Monitoring and Air Quality 00:43:20 Automation with Scale 00:47:40 Home Automation Future Plans Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Our Sponsors: * Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pete Borchers is one-third of the Technical Difficulties Podcast, host of the DIY Smart Home Guy YouTube channel, and he doesn’t think Home Assistant is the bees-knees. Rohan and Phil try to see Pete’s point-of-view and to point him towards to right path Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha189 Chapters 00:01:02 Guest Introduction: Pete 00:02:10 Discussion on Smart Home Devices 00:04:12 Content Creation and YouTube Journey 00:07:25 Smart Locks Discussion 00:16:19 Home Assistant Experience 00:24:59 Video Concepts Introduction 00:26:01 Automation with Node-RED 00:27:08 Comparing Hubitat, Homey Pro, and Home Assistant 00:27:48 Homey Pro Preferences 00:28:33 Community in Home Automation 00:29:38 Z-Wave and Wi-Fi Devices 00:33:12 Proprietary Systems and Acquisitions 00:34:27 LG's Investment and Integration 00:38:45 Matter Protocol and Interoperability 00:39:15 Future of Streaming Services 00:42:44 AI in Home Automation 00:45:33 Smart Home Stories 00:49:44 Project Introduction 00:49:46 Water Valve Project 00:50:08 Automated Door Opener 00:50:40 Pico Remote and Automation 00:51:34 Govi Lights and Sync 00:52:18 Motion and Vibration Sensors 00:54:35 Smart Homes and AI 00:56:21 Technical Difficulties 00:57:30 Conclusion Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Our Sponsors: * Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While the Home Assistant core team are off to Dublin for the Open Home Foundation summit, Rohan and Phil are breaking down the 2025.6 release that will ship a week later. Meanwhile we discuss some self-hosted apps we love, and the IKEA and Sonos breakup. Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha188 Chapters 00:00:04 Introduction 00:01:00 Open Home Summit 2025 00:01:56 Community Day Recap 00:03:07 Mailbag 00:05:07 Podcast Feedback 00:06:15 Sonos and IKEA Collaboration Ends 00:10:11 Home Assistant Installation Updates 00:14:18 Bluetooth and ZigBee Updates 00:17:44 Ikea Desk and Automation Discussion 00:22:25 Home Assistant 2025.6 Updates 00:23:53 Customization and Sidebar Features 00:25:59 Sonos Multizone Playback 00:26:29 ESPHome 00:28:49 Improved Shelly Devices 00:29:13 Smart Things & Integration Updates 00:32:42 Amazon Device Integration 00:36:23 Image App Integration 00:45:21 Breaking Changes Changes 00:46:38 2025.6 Release Recap Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Our Sponsors: * Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re back with another vendors episode, this time talking with Agnes from Zooz about the evolution of Zooz, and the challenges being a smart home company Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha187 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:15 Background and Evolution of Zooz 00:03:49 Certifications and Challenges in Manufacturing 00:06:43 Z-Wave Standards and Certification 00:13:11 International Support and Market Strategy 00:18:23 Impact of Tariffs and Supply Chain Considerations 00:22:45 Upcoming Products and Innovations 00:26:56 Integration with Home Assistant 00:30:03 Partnerships and Works With Program 00:31:05 Integration Challenges and Improvements 00:35:43 Smart Home Technology and Personal Insights 00:42:24 AI and Smart Home Automation 00:48:21 Design Process and Matter Discussion 00:57:41 Introduction to Quality Integration 00:57:46 Ring Alarm App Features 00:58:14 Importance of Z-Wave Standardization 00:58:39 Alarm.com Integration 00:58:59 Focus on User Experience 00:59:53 Home Assistant's Reach 01:00:36 Benefits of Z-Wave Long Range 01:02:02 Tips for Z-Wave Beginners 01:04:03 Understanding Z-Wave Security 01:06:10 Firmware Updates in Z-Wave Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Our Sponsors: * Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Alfredo shares his journey into home automation, explaining how his exploration aligned with his personal values of privacy, choice, and sustainability, which he found mirrored in Home Assistant's philosophy Watch the full episode on YouTube https://hasspodcast.io/ha186 Chapters 00:00:51 Alfredo's Journey into Home Automation 00:01:59 Building the Ultimate Smart Home 00:02:10 Challenges in Home Automation with Electricians 00:06:27 Teaching and Sharing Home Assistant 00:13:15 Building a Home Lab and Home Assistant Philosophy 00:17:27 Importance of Privacy and Data Control 00:20:09 Home Automation Hardware and Setup 00:26:46 AI and the Future of Home Automation 00:26:59 Automation with Google Meet and Home Assistant 00:32:24 Challenges of Interoperability 00:33:04 VLAN Setup for Network Security 00:41:30 Resilience in Smart Home Automations 00:50:22 Technology Challenges: Zigbee vs Wi-Fi 00:55:37 Designing User-Friendly Dashboards 00:56:04 Adapting Dashboards for Family Needs 00:59:32 Default Dashboard Blueprints 01:01:03 Automation Philosophy 01:03:45 Accessibility in Smart Homes 01:05:50 Future of Home Automation with AI 01:11:59 Educating the Community About Home Assistant Support the Podcast Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon. Support Rohan and Phil on Patreon This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML. Zooz If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers. So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.com Hosts Phil Hawthorne Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @philhawthorne Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com Buy Phil a Coffee Rohan Karamandi Website Smart Home Products Twitter: @rohank9 Buy Rohan a Coffee Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy