Tag: Home Assistant

  • Home Assistant 2025 Roadmap: Focus on Collective Intelligence

    Home Assistant 2025 Roadmap: Focus on Collective Intelligence

    Key Takeaways

    1. Home Assistant’s 2025 Roadmap focuses on enhancing the software based on user feedback, without detailing specific new features.
    2. The roadmap is organized into themes like ‘Devices’, ‘Automation’, and ‘Dashboard’, with color codes indicating the status of initiatives.
    3. A major change will allow the grouping of device entities for better management and tailored automation suggestions.
    4. Home Assistant is developing a Device Database in collaboration with the Open Home Foundation to provide community-validated product information.
    5. Planned enhancements include improved automation triggers, better navigation, user-friendly dashboard design, and upgraded privacy controls.

    Home Assistant has shared its plans for 2025. This roadmap doesn’t list out new features but rather shows how the software will be enhanced in the next months. The company explains that this strategic plan is based on user feedback and requests for new features.

    Themes of Improvement

    The 2025 Roadmap for Home Assistant is organized into various themes like ‘Devices’, ‘Automation’, and ‘Dashboard’, with color-coded boxes indicating the status of each initiative: green for ‘Now’, yellow for ‘Next’, and orange for ‘Later’. In a blog post, the company stated its goal to make Home Assistant ‘truly smart’ by 2025. This means it will be able to give smart suggestions for improving your home by using information from the community. Thus, the focus is on enhancing device context and building the Device Database.

    Changes in Device Management

    At present, devices in Home Assistant are displayed as individual, ungrouped entities. For instance, a smart fridge may contain a temperature sensor, a door sensor, and a light. In 2025, the plan is to change this by allowing these entities to be grouped together. This change could lead to more tailored dashboards, device cards, and automation suggestions for different devices, making them simpler to manage. Additionally, for Assist voice commands, this improvement should yield more precise answers; asking for the kitchen temperature will refer to your thermostat instead of the fridge’s temperature sensor.

    To support this new feature, Home Assistant is collaborating with the Open Home Foundation to create a Device Database. This will serve as a community-validated source with metadata, set-up guides, and user automation examples, among other details, for a variety of products.

    Enhancements and New Features

    In conjunction with this initiative for shared knowledge, Home Assistant aims to refresh its automation triggers and conditions, enhance navigation, and revamp the design system to make features easier to locate and dashboards more user-friendly right from the start. Additionally, privacy controls will be improved, the Music Assistant setup will be simplified, and the Assist voice assistant may become more conversational. The Home Assistant 2025 Roadmap comes out just days after the 2025.5 update for the open-source smart home automation software.

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    Home Assistant 2025 Roadmap: Focus on Collective Intelligence

     

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  • Home Assistant Launches Major App Update with Custom Widgets

    Home Assistant Launches Major App Update with Custom Widgets

    Key Takeaways

    1. Home Assistant app version 2025.3 introduces Custom Widgets for personalized smart home control.
    2. Users can opt-in for beta testing to view device status directly within the custom widgets.
    3. The update includes new streaming features for Assist LLM, providing real-time response generation.
    4. The Assist voice assistant can now continue recording if additional input is needed after the initial response.
    5. There is no confirmed timeline for when these features will be available for Android users.

    Home Assistant has just rolled out a fresh update for its application designed for Apple devices. This app works alongside the open-source smart home automation software. The latest version, 2025.3, brings several notable enhancements, echoing some features from Home Assistant 2025.3. It comes after the 2025.2 update released in February, which introduced options for opening a page in an external browser and a quick switch between servers.

    Custom Widgets for Enhanced Control

    To start with, the Home Assistant app version 2025.3 gives users the ability to create Custom Widgets. You can choose which smart home controls you wish to show and their related options. Additionally, if you opt-in for beta testing, you can experiment with viewing the status of your smart home device directly within the widget. Users can find instructions for setting up a custom widget in the documentation available on the relevant configuration screen.

    New Streaming Features

    Another exciting addition is the support for Assist LLM streamed responses. This feature allows users to see the answer generation happening in real-time, instead of having to wait for the complete response. Furthermore, the Assist voice assistant will now continue recording if the generated response needs more input from the user. It remains uncertain when or if this update will reach Android smartphone users; the last update for this app happened in early January 2025.

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    Home Assistant Launches Major App Update with Custom Widgets
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  • Home Assistant 2025.4 Launches with Smart New Dashboard Features

    Home Assistant 2025.4 Launches with Smart New Dashboard Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. Home Assistant 2025.4 is the fourth update of the year, continuing its monthly release schedule.
    2. A new Areas Dashboard is introduced, automatically created based on different home areas, simplifying setup for new users.
    3. The voice assistant can now initiate conversations, making it a unique feature among voice assistants.
    4. New template functions and YAML style support for light and switch templates have been added.
    5. New integrations include Remote calendar, Pterodactyl game server management, and Bosch home security products.

    The Home Assistant version 2025.4 has been released. This marks the fourth update from the open-source smart home automation platform this year, keeping with its usual monthly release schedule. The previous update, 2025.3, which came out in March, emphasized enhancements to dashboards, such as new headers and better tile card optimization.

    Upgrades for Dashboards

    With the new 2025.4 update, users of Home Assistant will enjoy several improvements for Dashboards. One notable addition is the new Areas Dashboard, which is still under testing. This dashboard is automatically created based on the different areas in your home and can be modified later. It acts as a substitute for the original default dashboard, allowing newcomers to avoid starting from zero.

    Voice Assistant Enhancements

    A significant update also pertains to the voice assistant, which is now capable of initiating conversations. The company states that this function makes it the first voice assistant available with this feature. For instance, the assistant might say, “Hey, I see you left the garage door open, should I close it for you?” or “Welcome back, Frenck! I hope your day was good. Would you like to hear the news or listen to some music?”.

    New Template Functions and Integrations

    In addition to these features, there are new and enhanced template functions like combine, difference, and flattens, along with support for YAML style in light and switch templates. New integrations that have been added include the Remote calendar, the Pterodactyl game server management panel, and Bosch home security products such as the B3512 Control Panel (current price $210.69 at Amazon). You can view the complete release notes for Home Assistant 2025.4 on the company’s official website.

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  • Home Assistant Now Matter Certified for Smart Home Automation

    Home Assistant Now Matter Certified for Smart Home Automation

    Key Takeaways

    1. Home Assistant is now officially certified for Matter by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA).
    2. Two certifications were achieved: one for the Home Assistant user interface and one for the Open Home Foundation Matter Server.
    3. The Open Home Foundation Matter Server is the first open-source project to receive CSA certification.
    4. Existing users of Home Assistant will see no immediate changes due to the Matter certification.
    5. The certification aims to build trust with new users and encourage more brands to join the Works With Home Assistant program.

    Home Assistant is now officially certified for Matter. This open-source software for smart home automation has long been compatible with Matter as well as other protocols like Zigbee and Z-Wave. Recently, it received certification from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), which oversees the Matter standard.

    Two Certifications Achieved

    Home Assistant has actually achieved two different certifications. The software itself is recognized as a certified user interface component, while the Open Home Foundation Matter Server is acknowledged as a certified software component. The latter is the very first open-source project to receive CSA certification. The company mentioned that having these two distinct certifications means there’s no need for recertification whenever Home Assistant is updated. Therefore, the Open Home Foundation Matter Server will continue to function as an add-on, instead of being directly incorporated into the Home Assistant Core.

    No Immediate Changes for Users

    Currently, this Matter certification does not affect existing users of Home Assistant. The company has promised to keep updating the Matter Server and its integration in the same way as before. What Home Assistant aims to achieve with this certification is to build trust with potential new users and to motivate more brands to participate in the Works With Home Assistant program. This program already features several Matter devices, including the Aqara Smart Lock U200, priced at $229.49 on Amazon.

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    Home Assistant Now Matter Certified for Smart Home Automation

     

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  • Apollo Automation Devices Now Compatible with Home Assistant

    Apollo Automation Devices Now Compatible with Home Assistant

    Key Takeaways

    1. Three Apollo Automation devices have received certification to work with Home Assistant, indicating they meet integration standards.
    2. The Apollo Automation MTR-1 Multisensor detects motion, UV, LUX, and optionally monitors CO2 levels, priced at $36.99.
    3. The MSR-2 Multisensor offers similar features as the MTR-1 but includes humidity measurement and is priced at $34.99.
    4. The AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor detects dust, pollen, and air particles, with an optional CO2 sensor, retailing at $92.99.
    5. These are the first devices based on ESPHome to achieve Home Assistant certification, with potential for more Apollo Automation devices in the future.

    Home Assistant has shared exciting news: three devices from Apollo Automation are now certified to work with its open-source smart home automation platform. This certification indicates that these products have fulfilled specific integration standards and have undergone testing by the partner organization, Nabu Casa.

    Apollo Automation MTR-1 Multisensor

    The Apollo Automation MTR-1 Multi-Target Radar Multisensor For Home Assistant (LD2450) has received the Works with Home Assistant certification. This mmWave sensor is capable of detecting motion or presence, as well as measuring UV and LUX levels. Additionally, there’s an option to monitor CO2 levels. It comes with an RGB LED and a piezo buzzer, and is priced at $36.99.

    MSR-2 Multisensor Details

    Another certified device is the MSR-2 mmWave Multisensor For Home Assistant (LD2410B). It’s very much alike the MTR-1, but it includes a few enhancements, such as humidity measurement. It’s also priced a bit lower at $34.99, making it a nice alternative for those looking for essential features.

    AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor

    The third device that has gained Home Assistant certification is the AIR-1 Air Quality Sensor. This sensor can identify dust, pollen, and various other air particles in your home, and it also includes an optional CO2 sensor. It can be utilized to activate an HVAC fan or to open a smart window. The retail price for this product is $92.99.

    Home Assistant points out that these are the inaugural devices based on ESPHome to achieve this certification. There’s anticipation that additional Apollo Automation devices will soon be included in the Works with Home Assistant program, although it remains uncertain when this will occur.

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    Apollo Automation Devices Now Compatible with Home AssistantApollo Automation Devices Now Compatible with Home Assistant

     

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  • Home Assistant Voice Chapter 9 Introduces Speech-to-Phrase Tool

    Home Assistant Voice Chapter 9 Introduces Speech-to-Phrase Tool

    Key Takeaways

    1. Increased Accessibility: Voice chapter 9 aims to make a fully local voice assistant more accessible, now recommending Speech-to-Phrase for better performance.

    2. Faster Speech Recognition: Speech-to-Phrase can transcribe speech in under a second on Raspberry Pi 4 and as quickly as 150 ms on Raspberry Pi 5.

    3. Limited Voice Commands: The initial version of Speech-to-Phrase supports a limited set of commands, including controlling smart lights, media players, setting timers, and checking the weather.

    4. New Features: Voice chapter 9 introduces broadcasts for sharing messages across devices and voice commands for adjusting smart thermostats.

    5. Analog Phone Integration: Users can make calls to analog phones and leave voicemails, enhancing functionality with notifications like washing machine cycle completions.

    Home Assistant has unveiled Voice chapter 9. This new version comes after the introduction of the Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition hardware back in December. Additionally, it follows the broader release of Home Assistant 2025.2 from early February.

    Enhanced Voice Assistant Accessibility

    Voice chapter 9 aims to make a fully local voice assistant more available to a wider audience. In the past, the company advised users to utilize the Whisper Speech-to-Text tool. This tool, when utilized on a Raspberry Pi 4, took about five seconds to transcribe speech, yielding mixed outcomes. Due to this, the company suggested using at least an Intel N100. Now, Home Assistant points users toward Speech-to-Phrase, which will be available in English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, and Italian at launch.

    Improved Performance on Raspberry Pi

    Speech-to-Phrase can turn speech into text in under a second on a Raspberry Pi 4 or Home Assistant Green (currently $120 at Amazon). For those using a Raspberry Pi 5, speeds can be as quick as 150 ms. However, it’s important to note that Speech-to-Phrase has its limitations, supporting a reduced number of voice commands right out of the box. These commands include controlling smart lights and media players, as well as setting timers and checking the weather.

    New Features in Voice Chapter 9

    According to the release notes for 2025.2, Voice chapter 9 introduces support for broadcasts, allowing users to share messages across all connected devices, and the capacity to adjust a smart thermostat’s temperature using voice commands. Additionally, users can now make calls to their analog phones and leave voicemails, such as notifications that the washing machine has completed its cycle. For more detailed information, you can check the full release notes for Voice chapter 9 on the Home Assistant blog.

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  • Four Home Assistant 2025.2 Patch Releases Now Available

    Four Home Assistant 2025.2 Patch Releases Now Available

    Key Takeaways

    1. Home Assistant has released four patch updates since version 2025.2 launched earlier this month.
    2. The latest patch, 2025.2.4, fixes a frontend issue and addresses a problem with the Tuya Smart Thermostat Radiator Valve.
    3. The backup system now includes resumable uploads for Google Drive and individual metadata files for OneDrive.
    4. New features include the “EMERGENCY_HEAT” state for the EcoNet Smart Thermostat and bug fixes for LG webOS TV and Govee products.
    5. Home Assistant plans to continue releasing updates weekly, exceeding initial expectations.

    Home Assistant has rolled out four patch updates since the introduction of version 2025.2 earlier this month. This update enhances the backup system that was refreshed in January, including better integrations with Google Drive and OneDrive.

    Latest Patch Release Details

    The most recent patch, 2025.2.4, was released on February 14th, featuring a small update for the frontend and addressing a problem related to the Tuya Smart Thermostat Radiator Valve (TRV). The prior patch, 2025.2.3, introduced a new state called “EMERGENCY_HEAT” for the EcoNet Smart Thermostat. Earlier updates have also ensured that the current temperature isn’t used for the External Temperature in the Shelly BLU TRV. Furthermore, they have fixed issues that could lead to crashes if a Telegram message fails to generate an ID.

    Backup System Enhancements

    In connection with the broader improvements to the backup system, users can now take advantage of resumable uploads for Google Drive and utilize individual metadata files for OneDrive. Additionally, there are a few fixes for bugs affecting LG webOS TV and updates related to Govee and Google Nest smart home gadgets.

    Update Frequency

    Up to now, the number of patch updates for Home Assistant 2025.2 has exceeded expectations; the company plans to release one per week. You can find the complete release notes for each of these updates on the Home Assistant blog.

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