News - Chris Smart

FRITZ! Service PLUS: If you want faster help, you have to pay!

July 23, 2026July 24, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

FRITZ! is expanding its customer service with three paid FRITZ! Service PLUS packages. Under the Service PLUS name, subscribers receive benefits including priority processing of their inquiries, remote maintenance, personal consultation, and express replacement of defective devices. Prices range from €5.99 to €29.99 per month. The offer is primarily aimed at the self-employed, freelancers, gamers, and users who […]

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Shelly Wall Display X1i: New touch panel with Home Assistant available

July 17, 2026July 17, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Shelly expands its wall display series with the new Shelly Wall Display X1i. This compact control panel features a square 4-inch touchscreen and is designed to enable centralized control of lighting, heating, air conditioning, scenes, and other smart home components. The square 4-inch display with touch operation has a capacitive touchscreen resolution of 720 x 720 pixels and supports input via […]

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OBI ENERGY TRACKER - Smart electricity meter reader

OBI ENERGY TRACKER: Affordable smart meter with Home Assistant

July 2, 2026July 9, 2026Chris1 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 desk fan: Probably the quietest smart fan of 2026

June 29, 2026August 3, 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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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 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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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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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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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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Home Assistant 2026.4: Infrared support, new automations and major UI improvements

April 3, 2026April 3, 2026ChrisLeave a Comment

Home Assistant version 2026.4 is a particularly comprehensive update, bringing both new features and fundamental improvements to existing Home Assistant systems. The focus is on better integration of older devices, significantly simplified automation creation, and a further improved user interface. With this update, Home Assistant continues its monthly release cycle […]

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