Shelly Plus 1 Review: Better Than the Original?
I’ve been using the extremely versatile original Shelly 1 for years. It is by far my favorite smart home device. I use it to automate my light switches, my garage doors, and …
home assistant
Alexa Guard Overview & Integration w/Home Assistant
Alexa Guard is a feature of Amazon Echo devices that protects your home while you’re away. It can listen for sounds that indicate danger, either from an intruder or something else going …
The Current State of My Smart Home (2022)
Technology is always moving. As new smart home and home network devices come to market I re-evaluate the technology in my home. Knowing when it is time to retire and upgrade technologies …
The Best Choices For Home Assistant Hardware
I’m a big fan of Home Assistant. There are many reasons it is the perfect smart home hub for me, among many smart home hub choices. If you are reading this article, …
MQTT With Home Assistant Using Docker & Mosquitto
MQTT is a great protocol to have in your automation arsenal. I previously wrote a similar article about using the Toke Mosquitto container with Home Assistant and Docker. I have since switched …
My Smart Home by Home Assistant: 3 Years Later
Three years ago I was frustrated with my home automation controller, the veralite. In search of a replacement, I stumbled upon Home Assistant. Two hours into trying Home Assistant I was sold. …
2020 HomeTechHacker Year In Review
2020 isn’t a year people remember fondly throughout the world. There was a lot of civil unrest throughout the world and here in the US. COVID-19 has changed the way we interact …