Episodios

  • Google Photos Integration and Energy Usage Monitoring in Home Assistant 2024.10

    Google Photos Integration and Energy Usage Monitoring in Home Assistant 2024.10
    Oct 2 2024
    In this episode 2024.10 of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne discuss many exciting updates which extend from YAML updates to Tesla Fleet and EV integration. From new Matter integration surprises to advanced dashboard customization features, this episode breaks down the key improvements you’ll want to implement in your home setup. Phil shares his hands-on experience with a Matter presence sensor, while Rohan discusses the latest support for button and valve entities, smart devices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned automation enthusiast or just getting started, this episode offers plenty of insights to help you optimize your smart home.Key Takeaways:Home Assistant 2024.10 Release Overview: A comprehensive breakdown of the latest updates, including the new heading style card, Matter integration updates, and the introduction of button and valve entities.Matter Integration Experiences: Phil's firsthand experience with a Matter-enabled presence sensor, from setup surprises to the challenges of managing devices through Amazon Echo.Dashboard Improvements: The new heading style for Home Assistant dashboards allows for better organization and customization, with support for subheadings and sensor data integration.YAML Updates: Changes to YAML formatting now allow for easier readability and section collapsibility, making automation scripting more intuitive.Long-Term Statistics Repair: Home Assistant now offers better visibility and repair options for long-term statistics, helping users maintain accurate data tracking.Tesla Fleet and EV Integration: Expanded support for Tesla vehicles, offering more control over climate, media players, and other essential features within the Home Assistant ecosystem.Timestamps:00:15 - Introduction00:55 - Overview of Home Assistant 2024.10 Release01:47 - New Dashboard Features - Heading Style04:34 - Limitations of the New Heading Card07:01 - Long-term Statistics Repairs07:25 - Using SQLite vs MySQL for Data Storage10:53 - YAML Updates - Pluralized Top-Level Items14:37 - Automation UI vs YAML for Creating Automation18:44 - Wish for Auto-Tagging YAML Automation22:10 - Phil’s Experience with Matter Devices24:00 - Phil’s Matter Integration with Amazon Echo31:04 - Ring Device Updates - Motion Detection35:59 - Assist Satellite for Upcoming Hardware38:34 - YAML Editor Enhancements45:46 - Limiting Template Render OutputWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha165/Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily 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.HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    48 m
  • From Slopes to Smart Homes: Using Home Assistant for Ski Conditions and Traffic Tracking w/ Nick Dawson

    From Slopes to Smart Homes: Using Home Assistant for Ski Conditions and Traffic Tracking w/ Nick Dawson
    Sep 18 2024
    In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne are joined by Nick Dawson, a ski instructor, mountain guide, and passionate home automation enthusiast. The conversation takes a deep dive into Nick's unique approach to home automation, particularly how he integrates smart technology into his life both on and off the ski slopes. From automating his morning routine to ensuring his dog's safety while he's away, Nick's insights provide a wealth of practical advice for those looking to enhance their home automation setups.Nick Dawson shares his journey of balancing a dual life as a ski instructor in the winter and a designer in the summer. His home automation setup reflects this balance, focusing on reducing cognitive load and ensuring safety, especially when he's an hour away on a ski mountain. Nick discusses how he began with simple smart devices and eventually embraced Home Assistant, despite initially finding it overwhelming. The episode explores a wide range of automation projects, including heating the garage on cold Montana mornings, scraping ski condition data to plan his day, and even using Frigate to detect his dog's barking. Nick also delves into the challenges and successes of room-level presence detection and his continuous quest to design a seamless, automated home experience.Key Takeaways:Reducing Cognitive Load: Nick's primary goal with home automation is to reduce cognitive load by automating tasks like adjusting thermostats and managing morning routines, allowing him to focus on more important aspects of his day.Advanced Ski Automation: Nick discusses how he automates his ski-related tasks, including scraping data from weather stations and managing his drive to the ski resort, ensuring he has all the necessary information for a safe and efficient day on the slopes.Innovative Dog Safety Measures: Nick uses various technologies, including Frigate and a whistle tracker, to ensure his dog's safety while he's away, showcasing how automation can provide peace of mind.Home Automation as a Design Challenge: As a designer by trade, Nick approaches home automation as a design problem, aiming to create solutions that are not only functional but also intuitive and user-friendly.The Struggles with Room-Level Presence Detection: Despite his best efforts, Nick has found room-level presence detection to be unreliable in his setup, highlighting the challenges many face with this advanced automation feature.Chapters:[00:00:00] - Introduction of Nick Dawson[00:02:56] - How Nick Got Into Home Automation[00:04:48] - Automating Tasks for Convenience[00:14:47] - Automation and Reducing Cognitive Load[00:21:59] - Home Assistant Dashboard[00:32:23] - Home Automation Focused on Safety[00:42:18] - Designing Home Automation Systems[00:50:57] - Dashboard Design and User Experience[01:08:09] - Room-Level Presence Detection Challenges[01:12:18] - Future Projects and Home Automation Exploration[01:14:17] - ConclusionFor complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes athttps://hasspodcast.io/ha164/Watch this episode on YouTube Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily 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.HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    1 h y 15 m
  • HACS 2.0 and New Integration Features in Home Assistant 2024.9

    HACS 2.0 and New Integration Features in Home Assistant 2024.9
    Sep 4 2024

    In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Phil Hawthorne and Rohan Karamandi, discuss the recent appointment of Paulus on the Z-Wave Alliance board, and dive into the improvements with HACS 2.0 and energy management discrepancies.

    The hosts also highlight innovative use cases for technologies like LoRa and the integration of Claude LLM into Home Assistant. This episode is packed with insights, technical discussions, and a few fun anecdotes about their personal experiences with home automation setups.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Z-Wave Alliance Board Appointment: Paulus joins the Z-Wave Alliance board, bringing a voice for open-source and home automation users.
    • HACS 2.0 Release: A major update to HACS has been released, providing a more integrated experience with Home Assistant and reducing API requests to GitHub.
    • Energy Management Improvements: New features in Home Assistant’s energy dashboard help users identify discrepancies in energy usage, providing a more accurate understanding of household energy consumption.
    • Yale Smart Lock Integration: Updates to the Yale Smart Lock integration for European users now include a WebSocket for real-time updates, reducing server strain and improving response times.
    • New Integrations: Introduction of Claude LLM, a new LLM model, and other new integrations such as Nice Geo and Fujitsu HVAC control, expanding Home Assistant's capabilities.
    • LoRa Technology in Home Automation: Discussion on the potential of LoRa technology for low-power, long-range communication in home automation, including experimental use cases like creating mesh networks for offline messaging.


    Chapters:

    • Introduction to the Episode - (00:00:12)
    • Z-Wave Alliance Board Appointment (00:02:44)
    • Discussion on HACS 2.0 Update (00:06:34)
    • New iOS Widgets (00:11:15)
    • The headline feature for 2024.9 - The Dashboards (00:12:28)
    • Energy Management and Discrepancies (00:15:40)
    • Yale Smart Lock Integration Update (00:24:07)
    • KNX Integration Updates (00:30:56)
    • New Integrations and Features (00:31:13)
    • LoRa Technology Exploration (00:43:03)
    • Technical Discussion on LoRa Implementations (00:47:44)
    • Exploring Further Uses of LoRa Technology (00:53:30)
    • Potential Home Automation Applications for LoRa (00:57:32)
    • Conclusion (01:02:36)


    For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at:

    https://hasspodcast.io/ha163/

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    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.


    Hosts

    Phil Hawthorne

    Website

    Smart Home Products

    Twitter: @philhawthorne

    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
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    1 h y 4 m
  • Integrating and Advancing Smart Home Technologies with Nir Lavi

    Integrating and Advancing Smart Home Technologies with Nir Lavi
    Aug 21 2024
    In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne have a fascinating discussion with Nir Lavi, an enthusiast and active contributor to the home automation community. The conversation delves deep into Nir’s journey with home automation, focusing on the practical aspects and challenges of integrating advanced smart technologies into everyday life.Nir shares his experiences, from early experimentation with home automation to the sophisticated systems he uses today. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including lighting, security, energy management, and redundancy in smart home setups. Nir’s insights provide valuable lessons for both beginners and seasoned home automation enthusiasts, making this episode a treasure trove of practical advice and innovative ideas.Nir’s innovative projects include setting up a ring keypad, using millimeter wave sensors for presence detection, integrating a fingerprint scanner for secure home entry, and developing a OneDrive backup add-on for Home Assistant. His approach to automating routine tasks and enhancing the smart home experience highlights the importance of balancing technology with convenience and reliability.Key Takeaways:Predictive Maintenance: Utilizing energy consumption data to identify anomalies and predict potential failures in home appliances.Touchless Automation: Implementing presence-based automation with millimeter wave sensors for a more intuitive and convenient smart home experience.Voice Assistant Integration: The importance of local, cloud-independent voice assistants for enhanced privacy and reliability in smart home control.Sensor Utilization: Maximizing the use of various sensors, such as air quality, CO2 levels, and water leak detectors, for a healthier and safer living environment.Redundancy and Reliability: Ensuring the smart home remains functional even if the primary systems go down, highlighting the importance of failover mechanisms and backup plans.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction & Sponsorship00:01:12 - Nir’s Background in Technology00:02:01 - Early Smart Home Experiments00:05:21 - Challenges with Smart Lighting00:09:24- Smart Home Projects00:10:51 - Smart Speakers00:18:54- Automating the Roborock S700:24:10- Security Setup00:26:37- Challenges with Redundancy & System Reliability on Home Security00:35:23- Contributing to the Home Assistant Community00:39:26- Presence Detection & Sensor Utilization00:43:50- Challenges with Smart Home Dashboards00:45:48- Redundancy in Smart Home Systems00:54:28- Favorite Automation & Lighting Projects00:56:38- Frigate and Camera Integration01:01:16- ConclusionFor complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes athttps://hasspodcast.io/ha162/Watch this episode on YouTubeSupport Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily 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.HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Local LLM Integration and UI Updates in 2024.8

    Local LLM Integration and UI Updates in 2024.8
    Aug 7 2024

    In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Phil Hawthorne and Rohan Karamandi provide the latest updates and features of Home Assistant version 2024.8 and more! They discuss various topics, including the discontinuation of Telstra TV and Nike's self-lacing shoes, environmental concerns related to e-waste, and notable updates in the Home Assistant ecosystem, including new local LLM integrations, updates to the Home Assistant Yellow and Green devices, and enhancements to the user interface.


    Key Highlights:

    • Background Discussion: Phil and Rohan go over the key features of the Home Assistant 2024.8 release, including updates to the dashboard, service calls, and new integrations.


    • Cloud Strikes Again: A lighthearted segment where Phil shares his experiences with tech products that have been rendered obsolete due to cloud service shutdowns, including the Telstra TV box and Nike's self-lacing shoes.


    • Home Assistant Yellow Update: Rohan provides insights into the latest updates for Home Assistant Yellow and Green, discussing their functionalities and the ease of use for beginners and advanced users. Home Assistant Blog Link: https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/08/01/streamlining-the-home-assistant-yellow-lineup/


    • New Integrations: A detailed discussion on the new integrations added in this release, including Otarco, Bright Evolution, Iron OS, and Tesla Fleet API.


    • Breaking Changes: An overview of the breaking changes introduced in this update, focusing on the impact on users and how to navigate them.


    Chapters

    00:00:15 Introduction and Sponsor Mention

    00:01:30 Telstra TV Discussion Begins

    00:03:35 Telstra TV Discontinuation

    00:04:24 Environmental Concerns with E-Waste

    00:07:00 Nike Self-Lacing Shoes

    00:07:58 Frustration Over Discontinued Products

    00:11:30 Home Assistant Yellow and Green

    00:17:27 Wave JS and Home Assistant Green Performance

    00:20:07 2024.8 Home Assistant Update

    00:22:30 Transition from Services to Actions

    00:26:30 Introduction of Local LLaMA AI

    00:37:30 New UI for KNX Integration

    00:42:00 YAML-Based Integrations Now Visible in UI

    00:52:00 Wake Word Collective Announcement

    00:55:55 Episode Conclusion and Closing Remarks


    For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

    https://hasspodcast.io/ha161/

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    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.


    Hosts

    Phil Hawthorne

    Website

    Smart Home Products

    Twitter: @philhawthorne

    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
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    59 m
  • Customize Your Home with Advanced Automation with Jason Shearer

    Customize Your Home with Advanced Automation with Jason Shearer
    Jul 19 2024
    In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne have an engaging conversation with Jason Shearer, a long-time listener and an engineering leader in the technology industry.Jason shares his fascinating journey from experimenting with home automation in his first condo to integrating advanced technologies into his current home. His expertise spans various domains, including lighting, irrigation, security, and energy management.Jason's story is filled with intriguing projects, such as transitioning from SmartThings to Home Assistant, automating a sit-stand desk, and creating elaborate holiday light displays using individually addressable LEDs.He delves into the importance of understanding energy consumption, leveraging predictive maintenance, and the integration of various protocols for a seamless smart home experience. Jason's innovative approaches and practical solutions provide valuable insights for both novice and experienced home automation enthusiasts.Key Takeaways:Predictive Maintenance: Using energy consumption data to identify anomalies and predict potential failures in home appliances.Touchless Automation: Implementing presence-based automation with millimeter wave sensors for a more intuitive and convenient smart home experience.Holiday Lighting Automation: Combining physical and software skills to create impressive holiday light displays, controlled via Home Assistant and MQTT.Voice Assistant Integration: The importance of local, cloud-independent voice assistants for enhanced privacy and reliability in smart home control.Sensor Utilization: Maximizing the use of various sensors, such as air quality, CO2 levels, and water leak detectors, for a healthier and safer living environment.Chapters00:16 Introduction00:47 Guest Introduction01:24 Consumer vs. Commercial Automation03:03 Jason's Home Automation Journey05:59 Lighting Automation and Christmas Decorations09:58 Physical Setup and Cable Management12:50 Weather Automation15:20 LED Longevity and Replacement17:36 Sequence Programming for Lights22:06 Lighting Effects and Home Assistant Integration28:01 Future Plans for Lighting Automation31:56 ESP Home Projects35:26 Leak Detection and Mitigation49:55 Energy Monitoring57:39 Daily Use of Automation01:12:16 Closing RemarksTo learn more about Jason and his home automation projects, connect with him through the Home Assistant community.For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes athttps://hasspodcast.io/ha160/Watch this episode on YouTubeSupport Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily 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.HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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    1 h y 13 m
  • Taking control of Blueprints, Voice gets smarter in 2024.7

    Taking control of Blueprints, Voice gets smarter in 2024.7
    Jul 3 2024

    2024.7, Year of the voice chapter 7, and an amazing ESPHome update are just some of the goodies released Rohan and Phil break down.


    Chapters

    00:44 ESPHome Update Entities

    05:16 Year of the voice chapter 7

    18:49 2204.7

    20:11 Home Assistant Roadmap

    29:05 20247 Continued


    For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

    https://hasspodcast.io/ha159

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    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.


    Hosts

    Phil Hawthorne

    Website

    Smart Home Products

    Twitter: @philhawthorne

    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
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Florian’s 100+ device ZigBee Network

    Florian’s 100+ device ZigBee Network
    Jun 20 2024

    Florian from The Netherlands joins Rohan and Phil to break down his smart home journey, and some of the decisions made when designing his families smart home.


    Chapters

    00:56 Getting started with Home Assistant

    12:23 Design Considerations for a smart home

    17:00 Protocols in the smart home

    19:17 100 Devices on Zigbee

    27:40 Home Assistant Hardware

    29:27 Favourite Automations

    34:03 Outdoor Irrigation

    40:24 Other Life Automations

    44:51 Room Presence

    48:47 Future plans for automations

    50:51 Automating Solar Consumption Output

    58:40 Dashboards and UI

    01:00:06 Zigbee Smoke Detectors


    For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

    https://hasspodcast.io/ha158

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    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.


    Hosts

    Phil Hawthorne

    Website

    Smart Home Products

    Twitter: @philhawthorne

    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
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    1 h y 1 m