Hardware

The latest in hardware of all kinds, including computers, networking, smart home, audio, and home theater.

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BailaBox open-source ESP32 music player for Spotfy
Home Assistant just got the kids' music player it deserves, and you can build it yourself

The BailaBox saves you from using your phone all the time.

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NVIDIA Shield TV remote
This is the streaming box that finally convinced me to give up on the NVIDIA Shield TV

A Shield 2 isn't coming, so an Apple TV 4K is filling its place.

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A hand opening a black mailbox.
I added Wi-Fi to my mailbox, and it's more useful than you'd think

A tiny contact sensor tucked inside my mailbox turns mundane deliveries into instant alerts for nearby devices.

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The History screen in the Home Assistant app on an iPhone showing the history of the Study Light.
Home Assistant’s best feature took down my entire smart home

My entire hard drive was history.

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A Kindle 4 displaying a Home Assistant dashboard.
5 ways I use my $25 jailbroken Kindle with Home Assistant

Who knew an eReader could be so useful?

A Home Assistant sticker sitting on top of a large analog clock.
Home Assistant's big improvements mean it's time to give the smart home platform a second chance

Home is where the smart is.

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An Amazon Echo Gen 2 with the light ring indicator lit up.
Your Amazon Echo doesn't stop listening when Wi-Fi dies—here's what's actually happening

Wi-Fi failures, internet outages, and microphone muting affect your Echo in very different ways.

The Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum cleaning spilled flour on a tile kitchen floor.
3 unnecessary but awesome Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (Aug 7 - 9)

Some projects just need to be done.

A Kindle 4 displaying a dashboard showing information about bathroom humidity and the soil moisture of a plant.
This E-Ink Home Assistant display cut my phone notifications in half

Same information, fewer pings.

1
The Home Assistant and Google Calendar icons on an Android phone.
I connected Home Assistant to my calendar—now house prepares for overnight guests automatically

Be my guest.

2
Hand holding an IKEA KLIPPBOK water leak sensor in front of a washer and dryer.
I built a whole-home leak detection system with $10 sensors

Water leak detection just got a lot less complicated

Harry Potter Magic Caster Wand handle closeup showing the crystal orb end.
5 of the weirdest ways I control my smart home

Dashboards are so last year.

IKEA Vindstyrka air quality monitor on a table.
5 smart home heating and cooling ideas you've never thought of

No pricey smart thermostat necessary.

An Apple AirTag on an open male palm.
Google is about to launch its version of the Apple AirTag

The Pixel Tag might become Android's default item tracker.

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Whoop 4.0 tracker next to a blue elastic band
3 health-focused Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (31 Jul - 2 Aug)

Turn Home Assistant into a health assistant.

VR home control interface wide view showing Study Light toggle Study Light Dimmer at 100 percent weather readings and the Music Assistant panel with Panasonic offline.
I built a virtual reality dashboard to control my smart home—and it actually works

I have the conn.

Harry Potter Magic Caster Wand box open showing the wand inside.
I turned a magic wand into a smart home remote for my kids

You're a wizard, Adam.

ESP32-S31 chip and board
ESP32's biggest upgrade yet brings Wi-Fi 6 and Matter to DIY smart home projects

The ESP32-S31 is ready for your more advanced DIY projects.

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ESP32-WROOM microcontroller ESP development board.
5 expensive smart home devices you can build with an NFC-enabled ESP32 instead

Add NFC to your ESP.

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YAML code for a Home Assistant automation created in the C.A.F.E. editor.
One question every Home Assistant user should ask before installing a custom add-ons

Are you putting your smart home at risk?

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