Tag: Smart Home Hub

  • Home Assistant 2024.12 Released: New Features and Improvements

    Home Assistant 2024.12 Released: New Features and Improvements

    Home Assistant has rolled out update 2024.12, marking its latest monthly version for the open-source smart home automation platform. This update introduces a variety of new functionalities and enhancements for its users.

    Scene Editor Enhancements

    The change log reveals that the scene editor has seen significant improvements with the addition of two new modes: review mode and edit mode. In review mode, users can inspect and modify settings without triggering the scene. On the other hand, edit mode functions like the previous version, automatically activating the scene so users can view their modifications instantly. New integrations have also been added for Acaia coffee scales, Music Assistant, and Sky Remote. Furthermore, there’s now a download snapshot button, durations are shown in a timer format, and several new units of measurement have been introduced.

    Upcoming Features and Patch Releases

    Moreover, Home Assistant hinted at exciting new voice control features, set to be revealed during a live stream on YouTube scheduled for December 19th. The complete change log can be accessed on the Home Assistant website. There have been three follow-up patch releases, with the latest being version 2024.12.3, which includes various bug fixes.

    Source: Link

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  • Orvibo Mixpad M5: New Matter-Compatible Smart Home Hub

    Orvibo Mixpad M5: New Matter-Compatible Smart Home Hub

    Orvibo has introduced the Mixpad M5, a fresh smart home hub designed for Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This innovative device boasts a four-channel switch control, enabling it to connect with numerous products at the same time.

    All-in-One Smart Hub

    The Mixpad M5 serves as an all-encompassing smart hub that includes a built-in speaker and supports a variety of music streaming services. It features a touchscreen that allows users to manage connected devices such as smart lights, curtains, and air conditioning units. Additionally, the display provides useful information like weather updates and alarm settings. It can be synced with Orvibo, Apple Home, or Google Home apps, and also comes with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant for hands-free commands. Notably, the hub is compatible with Zigbee 3.0 gateways and supports Matter, making it versatile for different smart home setups.

    Compact Design and Pricing

    This square-shaped hub has dimensions of 3.39 inches (~86 mm) on all sides, offering flexible mounting options whether on a wall or a flat surface. The exact price of the Orvibo Mixpad M5 remains unknown. It has been announced for several Asian and Middle Eastern countries, yet it was spotted at a third-party retailer in Mexico retailing for $349. There is still uncertainty about its release in other markets, such as the US. Orvibo already provides products in this region, including the Smart Dimmer Switch with Touchscreen, currently listed at $79 on Amazon.

    Orvibo via PR Newswire

    Source: Link

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  • Homey Energy Dongle: Smart Energy Monitoring for Better Efficiency

    Homey Energy Dongle: Smart Energy Monitoring for Better Efficiency

    Homey has launched a new item. The brand known for its smart home hub, also called Homey, has now expanded its offerings with the Homey Energy Dongle. This compact device is designed to help track electricity consumption in homes, aiming to reduce energy usage and lower costs.

    Pricing and Availability

    Customers can preorder the Homey Energy Dongle directly from the company for €39 (approximately US$41). At this moment, Homey is only taking orders from specific countries, including the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, and Hungary. For those interested, it’s best to visit the official website to see if it’s available in your area.

    Installation and Compatibility

    The Homey Energy Dongle is meant to be connected to the P1 port of a smart meter. Homey states that this port is found only on smart meters in the mentioned countries. On their website, Homey provides a compatibility test. Even if your smart meter’s P1 port is already in use by another device (like a dongle from your energy supplier), you can still utilize the Homey Energy Dongle, thanks to its integrated splitter.

    Once it’s set up, the Homey Energy Dongle transmits data regarding your home’s energy use directly to the Smart Home system. One thing to note is that you will need a Homey Pro (from early 2023 or later, priced around US$350 on Amazon). This smart hub processes the incoming data, allowing users to see an analysis and summary of their electricity consumption. Moreover, there are plans to support dynamic electricity tariffs starting in early 2025.

    Smart Automation Features

    Using the data collected, various smart automations can be triggered. For example, homeowners with solar panels on their rooftops or balconies can automate the powering of devices, such as charging electric cars and bikes, whenever energy is being sent back to the grid. Additionally, Homey claims that the Energy Dongle can work alongside smart gas and water meters to monitor their usage effectively.

    Source: Link

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  • Apple Developing New Wall-Mounted Display for Home Use

    Apple Developing New Wall-Mounted Display for Home Use

    Apple is set to unveil a new wall-mounted display designed to manage smart home devices. According to a report from Bloomberg, this innovative product will act as a central hub for all smart home activities, with a planned launch in March next year.

    Project J490 Details

    The device, known internally as J490, will highlight Apple’s advancements in artificial intelligence. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, is eager to have this product released quickly, emphasizing its importance to both the engineering and design teams.

    As per the information available, the display will feature a 6-inch screen and resemble a square iPad, complete with thick bezels. It will be equipped with a front-facing camera and built-in speakers. The report indicates that consumers will have two color options to choose from: silver and black.

    User Interface and Functionality

    The operating system for this device will echo watchOS, with an interface reminiscent of the iPhone’s standby mode. Users will primarily operate it using voice commands via Siri. It will also be compatible with Apple’s App Intents framework, enabling AI to manage apps and execute commands.

    The report further mentions that Apple envisions this device as a smart home hub capable of controlling linked appliances and facilitating video communication through FaceTime. The high-end version could carry a price tag of up to $1,000 (€943.20 or £785.12). Additionally, there will be various accessories, including a mount that secures it to the wall like a security system. The device will also include sensors to detect a person’s proximity.

    Customization and Setup

    Users can expect a customizable home screen supporting widgets, controls for home management, and a dock for favorite applications. This device will function independently but will require an iPhone for the initial setup. It will also support the Handoff feature from Apple. This project represents a partnership between Apple’s hardware and software engineering teams, with Matt Costello and Arun Mathias leading the initiative.

    Bloomberg’s report suggests that Apple is making significant strides in enhancing smart home technology, and this new device is set to be a game-changer.

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  • Xiaomi Launches New Smart Home Control Hub with HyperOS

    Xiaomi Launches New Smart Home Control Hub with HyperOS

    Xiaomi has unveiled a new gadget named the Smart Home Screen Mini in China. This small hub is made for managing smart home devices. With its built-in speaker and Bluetooth capability, it’s ideal for folks who already use Xiaomi products. Let’s take a deeper dive into its features.

    Specs of the Smart Home Screen Mini

    True to its name, this device is quite small, measuring only 113 x 78 x 54 mm (or 4.4 x 3.1 x 2.1 inches). It presents a customizable home screen that allows users to arrange their most-used smart home appliances for easy access. The Smart Home Screen Mini works smoothly with Xiaomi’s ecosystem, enabling control over various devices from lights to thermostats.

    Advanced Features for Security and Control

    In addition to basic functionalities, the Smart Home Screen Mini connects with Xiaomi’s security cameras and video doorbells. When these devices are activated, the hub can show live video feeds directly on its screen. While it doesn’t have a camera itself, the Mini utilizes Xiaomi’s voice assistant, Xiao AI, for hands-free usage. Users can manage their smart devices using voice commands, making daily tasks easier.

    Personalization and Connectivity

    For those who like to customize their devices, the Mini provides over 40 wallpaper options and a photo gallery feature. Users can adjust the hub’s look to fit their style. Internally, the Smart Home Screen Mini operates on Xiaomi HyperOS and includes Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity along with dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi. A USB-C port powers this compact device.

    Cost and Where to Find It

    Right now, the Smart Home Screen Mini can only be bought in China for a promotional price of CNY 249 (around $35 USD). The standard retail price is CNY 269 (about $38 USD). At this moment, there are no updates on whether it will be available internationally, including in regions like the EU, where older Xiaomi smart home devices such as the Smart Home Hub 2 can be found.

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  • Google TV Streamer 4K Unveiled: Replaces Chromecast Officially

    Google TV Streamer 4K Unveiled: Replaces Chromecast Officially

    Google has revealed its new Google TV Streamer 4K, which will serve as the official replacement for the Chromecast. While the Chromecast has reached its end, the Google TV Streamer 4K will carry its legacy forward with enhanced capabilities and integrated AI features.

    Google TV Streamer 4K

    The latest offering from the tech giant features a compact set-top box design, making it suitable to place in front of your TV instead of plugging it in at the back, as was the case with the Chromecast. In addition to performance enhancements, what distinguishes the Google TV Streamer from the Chromecast is the inclusion of Gemini AI. This generative AI developed by Google can assist users in various tasks, such as finding answers and providing comprehensive summaries, reviews, and more about the content they are about to watch.

    Google TV Streamer 4K in Hazel

    This new model comes with an upgraded processor that boasts a 22 percent increase in speed over its predecessor, along with 4GB of RAM (double the previous generation) and 32GB of internal storage. Google claims that the TV Streamer offers faster app load times and overall performance upgrades. As indicated by its name, it supports 4K HDR, and it also includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Audio for a more immersive viewing experience. Connectivity features include a USB Type-C port, an HDMI 2.1 port, an Ethernet port, Bluetooth 5.1, and dual-band WiFi. Additionally, it can function as a smart home hub, supporting Google Home Panel, which allows users to control their smart home devices.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Google TV Streamer 4K is available in two matte color options: Hazel and Porcelain. It has been launched in the US with a price tag of 99.99 US Dollars. Pre-orders are currently open, with the first sale scheduled to begin on 24th September 2024. The device can be purchased through the Google Store or offline retailers.

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