Chris - Chris Smart

Home Assistant 2026.7: The biggest automation update yet is here.

Home Assistant 2026.7: The biggest automation update yet is here.

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

With Home Assistant 2026.7, the Open Home Foundation has released one of the most significant updates in recent years. The focus is on a completely redesigned automation system intended to make getting started considerably easier. At the same time, the Matter integration receives a new technical foundation, Zigbee management has been modernized, and numerous detailed improvements are designed to make everyday life with Home Assistant more convenient.

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OBI ENERGY TRACKER - Smart electricity meter reader

OBI ENERGY TRACKER: Affordable smart meter with Home Assistant

July 2, 2026July 9, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Rising electricity prices and the desire for greater transparency in energy consumption are driving the increasing popularity of smart meters. With the OBI ENERGY TRACKER*, the DIY chain OBI offers an optical reader for digital electricity meters that directly reads current electricity consumption and visualizes it in an app. The device becomes particularly interesting, however, when used in conjunction with Home […]

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SwitchBot USB Table Fan Quiet Fan

SwitchBot USB desk fan: Probably the quietest smart fan of 2026

June 29, 2026June 30, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Quiet, energy-efficient, and smart – that's the perfect description of the new SwitchBot USB table fan. With a stated noise level of just 24 dB, an integrated battery, and the option to control it via app and smart home system, this compact fan is ideal for anyone who doesn't want to compromise on comfort, even on hot summer days. Whisper-quiet […]

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Amazon Prime Day 2026: The best Smart Home deals at a glance

Amazon Prime Day 2026: The best smart home deals at a glance

June 24, 2026June 24, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Amazon Prime Day 2026 has begun, offering numerous discounts on smart home devices. From Matter-enabled sensors and robotic vacuums to balcony power plants and robotic lawnmowers, many devices are available at reduced prices. However, not every offer is a bargain. Therefore, I've compiled the most interesting product categories that are worthwhile for your smart home. Matter and […]

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Relax on vacation with Homematic IP: How the smart home protects your home

Relax on vacation with Homematic IP: How the smart home protects your home

June 21, 2026June 21, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Before a vacation, the same questions often arise: Are all the windows really closed? Is the front door locked? And what happens if there's a break-in, water damage, or even a fire while we're away? A smart home system like Homematic IP can alleviate many of these worries. Through the combination of sensors, actuators […]

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Anker SOLIX Solar Bank 4 Pro

Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 Pro now available for pre-order: Up to €400 discount at launch

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026Chris1 Comment

The new Anker SOLIX Solar Bank 4 Pro* is now officially available for pre-order. Following its unveiling a few weeks ago, this also marks the start of sales for the new generation of energy storage systems. To celebrate the market launch, Anker is offering a limited-time pre-order promotion with discounts on the solar bank* and the compatible expansion battery*. Pre-order customers receive price advantages. Those interested in the new Solar Bank 4 Pro […]

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Segway Navimow deals start before Prime Day 2026

Segway Navimow deals start before Prime Day 2026

June 17, 2026June 19, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is just around the corner. Even before the shopping event kicks off on June 23rd, numerous manufacturers are launching their own discount campaigns. Segway Navimow is also lowering the prices of selected robotic lawnmowers and enticing customers with additional promotional offers for those interested in cordless robotic lawnmowers. Navimow is currently offering discounts on selected models of the new generation of robotic lawnmowers* […]

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Amazon Prime Day 2026 is approaching; smart home bargains are in sight.

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is approaching: Smart Home bargains in sight?

June 16, 2026June 16, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

The next Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner. Amazon has now officially confirmed that the 2026 shopping event will take place from June 23rd to 26th, starting significantly earlier than in previous years. Prime members will have access to millions of deals across almost every product category over four days. This could be especially interesting for smart home enthusiasts […]

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Zero feed-in implemented with FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 and Anker Solix in Home Assistant

Zero feed-in with FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 and Anker Solix in Home Assistant

June 13, 2026June 15, 2026Chris2 Comments

Many owners of balcony power plants with storage want to minimize their feed-in to the public grid. Ideally, only as much power is supplied as is actually needed in the household. Current systems often use special smart meters for this purpose, which record electricity consumption almost in real time and adjust the inverter's output accordingly. However, this requires the installation […]

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BILRESA dual button front view

IKEA BILRESA firmware update 1.9.15 brings Matter 1.4

June 9, 2026June 9, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

The new firmware version 1.9.15 is now available for the IKEA BILRESA dual-button remote control. This is the first officially released firmware update for IKEA's new remote control with Matter technology. Users are reporting that the update is already being rolled out across various systems and can be installed via Home Assistant, among others. BILRESA Update […]

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Setting up FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 in the Energy Dashboard

Setting up FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 in the Home Assistant Energy Dashboard

June 7, 2026June 13, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

With the FRITZ! Smart Energy 250*, AVM offers a simple way to read digital electricity meters and integrate the data into your smart home. The sensor becomes particularly interesting when used with Home Assistant, as the readings can be used directly in the energy dashboard. This gives you a detailed overview of electricity consumption, grid usage, and – in some cases – […]

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Matter smoke detector from Sensereo available for Home Assistant

Matter smoke detector from Sensereo available for Home Assistant

June 4, 2026June 4, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Several Matter smoke detectors are now officially available for Home Assistant through Sensereo. The manufacturer has been accepted into the "Works with Home Assistant" program. The Sensereo MS-1 smoke detector and the Sensereo MSC-1, which also detects carbon monoxide, have been certified. Both devices can be integrated locally into Home Assistant via Matter-over-Thread. This allows for the integration of additional smart smoke detectors into Home Assistant […]

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Home Assistant 2026.6 brings new dashboard tools and smart lock management.

Home Assistant 2026.6 brings new dashboard tools and smart lock management.

June 3, 2026June 4, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Home Assistant 2026.6 is available starting today, and the developers have implemented numerous improvements. The focus is on simplified dashboard creation, more powerful automations, and significantly expanded infrared support. Home Assistant dashboards are now easier to create. One of the biggest changes concerns the dashboard editor. Previously, when adding new cards, users first had to decide […]

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Homematic IP Video Doorbell

The new Homematic IP video doorbell is now available.

June 2, 2026June 2, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

eQ-3 is expanding its system with its own Homematic IP video doorbell. The new doorbell was presented at Light + Building 2026, among more than 20 new products. The device is now available and can be purchased for a suggested retail price of €199.95*. Part of the new security system: The video doorbell is part of a more comprehensive security concept that […]

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Amazon Echo Show 21 Large Smart Display for controlling your smart home

Amazon Echo Show 21: Large smart display for controlling your smart home

May 30, 2026June 3, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

With the Echo Show 21*, Amazon offers its largest smart display to date. The device combines a 21-inch Full HD display with Fire TV, Alexa, and an integrated smart home hub. Echo Show 21 as a Smart Home Hub: The Echo Show 21 is much more than a traditional voice assistant. Amazon integrates a smart home hub with support for […]

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IKEA MYGGBETT Firmware Update 1.1.4 – Improvements for the Matter door sensor?

IKEA MYGGBETT Firmware Update 1.1.4 – Improvements for the Matter door sensor?

May 18, 2026May 19, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

A new firmware version, 1.1.4, is currently being rolled out for IKEA's affordable MYGGBETT door and window sensor. Early users are reporting the update on Reddit and are primarily hoping for improvements in stability and connectivity issues. MYGGBETT has recently been struggling with connectivity problems. Since the launch of the budget-friendly Matter sensor, there have been recurring reports of issues with the […]

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M5Paper Color ESP32S3

M5Paper Color ESP32S3: Color E-Ink Display for Smart Home

May 16, 2026May 19, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

With the new M5Paper Color ESP32S3 Dev Kit, M5Stack has introduced a new development board particularly suitable for DIY displays in the smart home. The device combines a color E-Ink display with an ESP32-S3 controller, integrated battery, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity. The 4-inch Spectra 6 color display has a resolution of 600 × 400 pixels. As with classic E-Paper displays […]

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Blink Video Doorbell 2K+ (Battery Powered, Latest Gen.) | Head-to-Toe Recording

New Blink 2K+ video doorbell with high resolution, now available for pre-order at a lower price

May 13, 2026May 19, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Blink has introduced a new 2K+ video doorbell that offers higher video resolution and is designed to show visitors at the front door in a crystal-clear, head-to-toe image. The new Blink 2K+ video doorbell will be available in both hardwired and battery-powered versions and in white and black. Additionally, it supports […]

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Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro V4.1.0 Update with Home Assistant, Auto-Mapping and Apple "Where is"„

Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro V4.1.0 Update with Home Assistant, Auto-Mapping and Apple "Where is?"„

May 10, 2026May 19, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

With the new firmware and app version V4.1.0, Segway significantly expands the functionality of the Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro. The update not only brings improvements to navigation and mapping, but also integrates Home Assistant and Apple's "Find My" feature into the new Pro series for the first time. New firmware versions at a glance: To use all new features, both the […]

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IKEA KLIPBPOK firmware update 1.0.13 aims to improve connection problems.

IKEA KLIPBPOK firmware update 1.0.13 aims to improve connection problems.

May 10, 2026May 10, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

A new firmware update is available for IKEA's KLIPBPOK water leak sensor. Version 1.0.13 is currently being rolled out to users and is primarily intended to improve the stability of the new Matter-over-Thread devices. This update follows numerous community reports of connection and pairing problems with IKEA's new Matter devices. IKEA's Matter devices have recently been criticized […]

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