Author: Chris

My name is Christian, and I founded this blog in 2024. I'm a trained communications electronics technician, a tech enthusiast, and a smart home aficionado with many years of experience in the field of networked household appliances. I passionately follow current developments and regularly test new products to provide clear insights and practical recommendations.

Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro – Segway announces new Pro model with LiDAR and all-wheel drive

ChrisLeave a Comment on Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro – Segway kündigt neues Pro-Modell mit LiDAR und Allradantrieb an

With the official announcement of the Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro, Segway expands its portfolio in the cordless robotic lawnmower segment with a more powerful version of the recently introduced i2 series. The new Pro version is specifically designed for properties with challenging topography – including slopes, uneven terrain, and complex garden layouts. The Navimow i2 LiDAR Pro features all-wheel drive for up to […]

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New Homematic IP wall switch – 6-gang, 230 V, the new light switch

New: Homematic IP 6-gang wall switch, 230 V, introduced

ChrisLeave a Comment on Neu: Homematic IP Wandtaster 6-fach 230 V vorgestellt

The recently introduced Homematic IP wall switch – 6-gang, 230 V – clearly focuses on simple and direct operation of the smart home system. Many smart home systems increasingly emphasize app control. Switching lights on or off, operating blinds, adjusting heating settings, or activating security functions – all of this is done […]

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IKEA KLIPBPOK water leak sensor firmware update 1.0.11 is now available in Home Assistant.

IKEA KLIPBPOK water leak sensor: Firmware update 1.0.11 now available in Home Assistant

Chris1 Comment on IKEA KLIPPBOK Wasserlecksensor: Firmware-Update 1.0.11 jetzt in Home Assistant verfügbar

IKEA has released a new firmware update for its smart KLIPBPOK water leak sensor: Version 1.0.11 is now available via Home Assistant and can be updated directly from the dashboard. The water leak sensor is based on the open Matter standard, is small, easy to install, and has already proven popular with many users for monitoring critical areas such as under […]

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Home Assistant 2026.2 – More clarity and convenience in the February update

Home Assistant 2026.2 – More clarity and convenience in the February update

ChrisLeave a Comment on Home Assistant 2026.2 – Mehr Übersicht und Komfort im Februar-Update

I'm a big fan of Home Assistant because hardly any other smart home system evolves so consistently and regularly. With each update, not only does the range of functions grow, but also its everyday usability. This was also the case in February: On February 4, 2026, Home Assistant 2026.2 was released – a release that focuses primarily on clarity, user-friendliness, and […]

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Small, smart, Matter-compatible – IKEA's new KLIPBPOK water leak sensor

Small, smart, Matter-compatible – IKEA's new KLIPBPOK water leak sensor

ChrisLeave a Comment on Klein, schlau, Matter-fähig – IKEAs neuer KLIPPBOK Wasserlecksensor

With the KLIPBPOK water leak sensor, IKEA expands its portfolio with a small but extremely useful safety device. The sensor detects leaking water early and uses the open Matter standard. This makes KLIPBPOK particularly suitable for users of open platforms like Home Assistant, but it is also compatible with common systems from Amazon, Apple, Google, Homey, and Samsung. […]

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Navimow i2 series launches in Europe with six new model variants

Navimow i2 series launches in Europe with six new model variants

ChrisLeave a Comment on Navimow i2-Serie startet in Europa mit sechs neuen Modellvarianten

With the Navimow i2 series, Segway is launching the official successor to the popular i1 series, the i105 and i108 models, on the European market. The new model range focuses on wireless navigation, advanced sensors, and easy setup via an app. The target group is primarily private garden owners who want to automate lawn care without laying a traditional boundary wire […]

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Home Assistant DIY remote control with ESP32, e-paper and touch display

Home Assistant: DIY remote control with ESP32, e-paper and touch display

ChrisLeave a Comment on Home Assistant: DIY-Fernbedienung mit ESP32, E-Paper und Touch-Display

The Home Assistant community regularly generates new ideas for controlling a smart home efficiently and elegantly. Besides classic dashboards on tablets or wall displays, an alternative approach is increasingly coming into focus: a dedicated display with an E-Ink screen. A project recently presented in the subreddit demonstrates how an e-paper display can serve as a stylish control element […]

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Echo Show 8 as a smart home hub Zigbee, Matter and Thread Border Router at a glance

Echo Show 8 as a smart home hub: Zigbee, Matter and Thread Border Router at a glance

ChrisLeave a Comment on Echo Show 8 als Smart-Home-Hub: Zigbee, Matter und Thread Border Router im Überblick

With the latest generation Echo Show 8, Amazon is focusing its smart speakers more on smart home use. The device no longer functions solely as an Alexa voice assistant with a screen, but instead integrates several key wireless standards into a single system. These include Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, which acts as a border router. This allows the Echo […]

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FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 review – measuring power consumption and using it in Home Assistant

FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 review – measuring power consumption and using it in Home Assistant

ChrisLeave a Comment on FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 im Test – Stromverbrauch messen und in Home Assistant nutzen

The FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 from AVM is a power sensor for digital electricity meters that reads consumption data directly and makes it available in the smart home. We are testing the integration of the sensor with Home Assistant to analyze the energy data and incorporate it into automations. What is the FRITZ! Smart Energy 250? The FRITZ! Smart Energy 250 is a battery-powered sensor, […]

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Homematic IP Home Control Unit – powerful central unit with a local focus

Homematic IP Home Control Unit – powerful central unit with a local focus

ChrisLeave a Comment on Homematic IP Home Control Unit – leistungsstarke Zentrale mit lokalem Fokus

The Homematic IP Home Control Unit is the most powerful control unit in the Homematic IP portfolio and is designed for users who want to operate their smart home reliably, locally, and with data privacy in mind. It combines classic smart home functions with modern system architecture and creates the foundation for stable, long-term installations – from single-family homes to more complex systems. A brief introduction to the Homematic IP Home Control Unit […]

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Integrate the IKEA MYGGSPRAY motion sensor with Matter into Home Assistant

Integrate the IKEA MYGGSPRAY motion sensor with Matter into Home Assistant

Chris3 Comments on IKEA MYGGSPRAY Bewegungsmelder mit Matter in Home Assistant integrieren

With the MYGGSPRAY motion sensor, IKEA is launching a compact, Matter-compatible motion sensor that can be used not only within the IKEA ecosystem but also in open systems like Home Assistant. This article explains how the sensor works, what requirements it needs, and how to integrate it with Home Assistant. Brief product overview: IKEA MYGGSPRAY The […]

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Navimow i2 series launches in Europe with six new model variants

Navimow CES 2026: New i2 models and a preview of the X4 Series

ChrisLeave a Comment on Navimow CES 2026: Neue i2-Modelle und Ausblick auf die X4 Series

Navimow is presenting new versions of its highly successful Navimow i105 at CES 2026. With these newly introduced robotic lawnmowers, Navimow is specifically targeting demanding gardens and focusing on all-wheel drive, precise navigation, and AI-supported obstacle detection – all without a boundary wire. The new Navimow i2 AWD and the further developed Navimow i2 LiDAR are the main attractions. In addition, Navimow […]

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Home Assistant 2026.1 New dashboard, smarter automations and a better overview

Home Assistant 2026.1: New dashboard, smarter automations and better overview

ChrisLeave a Comment on Home Assistant 2026.1: Neues Dashboard, smartere Automatisierungen und bessere Übersicht

Home Assistant 2026.1 kicks off the new year with an update, delivering a compact yet targeted minor release. The focus is clearly on an optimized user experience, more intuitive automations, and improved settings organization. While the update is somewhat smaller due to the holidays, it includes several features designed to simplify everyday life in the smart home.

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IKEA KAJPLATS LED E27 review – Integrating the Matter lamp into Home Assistant

IKEA KAJPLATS LED E27 review – Integrating the Matter lamp into Home Assistant

ChrisLeave a Comment on IKEA KAJPLATS LED E27 im Test – Matter-Lampe in Home Assistant integrieren

With the KAJPLATS LED bulb (E27), IKEA expands its portfolio with a decorative light source for the smart home. The bulb is ideal for users who want to flexibly automate their lighting and seamlessly integrate it into modern systems such as Home Assistant, Aqara, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Brief introduction: IKEA KAJPLATS LED bulb […]

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IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE: Firmware update 1.0.21 now available in Home Assistant via OTA

IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE: Firmware update 1.0.21 now available in Home Assistant via OTA

Chris5 Comments on IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE: Firmware-Update 1.0.21 per OTA jetzt in Home Assistant verfügbar

IKEA recently introduced the TIMMERFLOTTE temperature and humidity sensor. An over-the-air (OTA) firmware update is now available. The update from firmware version 1.0.18 to version 1.0.21 can be performed directly via Home Assistant. Update notification directly in Home Assistant: After integrating the IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE into Home Assistant, a notification about an available update will appear in the device settings.

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IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE integrated into Home Assistant Matter sensor in practical use

Integrate IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE into Home Assistant: Matter sensor in practical use

ChrisLeave a Comment on IKEA TIMMERFLOTTE in Home Assistant integrieren: Matter-Sensor im Praxiseinsatz

With the TIMMERFLOTTE, IKEA expands its smart home portfolio with a compact solution for measuring temperature and humidity. The sensor is primarily aimed at rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, or basements, where the indoor climate plays a crucial role. In combination with Home Assistant, the TIMMERFLOTTE can not only be read but also used specifically for automations […]

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Set up IKEA MYGGBETT in Home Assistant

Setting up the IKEA MYGGBETT Home Assistant

Chris7 Comments on IKEA MYGGBETT Home Assistant einrichten

Thanks to the open Matter standard, the MYGGBETT door/window sensor from IKEA can be directly integrated into Home Assistant. This eliminates the need for a traditional hub from IKEA or similar companies. Instead, the sensor communicates via Thread and is integrated into Home Assistant. This makes the MYGGBETT particularly appealing for users who want to manage their smart home locally, independently of manufacturers, and without […]

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BILRESA dual button front view

IKEA BILRESA in the test: How the Matter remote control performs in Home Assistant

ChrisLeave a Comment on IKEA BILRESA im Test: So schlägt sich die Matter-Fernbedienung in Home Assistant

With the BILRESA, IKEA expands its smart home range with a compact, Matter-compatible remote control. The device is aimed at users who want to control their smart home functions easily and without a smartphone or voice assistant. Matter Standard and Smart Home Compatibility: The IKEA BILRESA remote control supports the open Matter standard, allowing for flexible integration into modern smart home systems. In conjunction with the IKEA […]

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IKEA significantly reduces prices for new Matter smart home devices

IKEA significantly reduces prices for new Matter smart home devices

ChrisLeave a Comment on IKEA senkt Preise für neue Matter Smart Home Geräte deutlich

IKEA's new Matter-enabled smart home devices have only recently become available – yet the furniture giant has already implemented a significant price reduction. Even at launch, the products were considered relatively inexpensive. 💡Chrissmart is giving away a Timmerflotte to one lucky winner who leaves a comment under this linked article by January 31, 2026, and briefly […]

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IKEA MYGGBETT in the test: New Matter door and window sensor in everyday life

IKEA MYGGBETT in the test: New Matter door and window sensor in everyday life

Chris9 Comments on IKEA MYGGBETT im Test: Neuer Matter Tür- und Fenstersensor im Alltag

With the MYGGBETT door/window sensor, IKEA is responding to a key trend in the smart home sector. This represents a step towards cross-manufacturer standards and easy integration. The sensor is based on the open Matter standard and is aimed at users who want to make their homes smarter, more comfortable, and more secure – without complex technology or a fixed connection to […]

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