Best SBC Alternatives to Raspberry Pi For Home Media Servers & Home Assistant
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Best SBC Alternatives to Raspberry Pi For Home Media Servers & Home Assistant

The Raspberry Pi has long been a favourite among hobbyists, developers, and tech enthusiasts for its versatility and affordability. However, as technology advances and user needs evolve, many are seeking alternatives that offer enhanced performance, specialised features, or better value for specific applications. This article explores some of the best alternatives to Raspberry Pi, particularly…

Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Review
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Nanoleaf Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons Review

Nanoleaf is a well-known brand in the smart lighting industry, and their Shapes Ultra Black Hexagons are one of their latest offerings. These light panels are designed to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any room while providing customisable lighting options. Popular among gamers, I don’t think there is a product that can…

AENO Seasonal Premium Eco Smart Panel LED Heater Review – AGH0003S
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AENO Seasonal Premium Eco Smart Panel LED Heater Review – AGH0003S

I am a big fan of smart heating, and with the cost of gas and electricity, it has become more important than ever to have greater control over your heating. My home has gas-powered central heating, so I don’t particularly need an electric heater, but this Aeno Premium Eco Smart LED Heater is superb, albeit…

Meross Outdoor Smart Plug Review – MSS620HK
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Meross Outdoor Smart Plug Review – MSS620HK

I have previously reviewed the superb Meross MSP843P smart fast charging power strip, which is the only smart extension lead I am aware of that has a 65W power delivery USB-C plug. The Meross MSS620HK is advertised as being an outdoor smart plug thanks to its durable design and IP44 rating. I think the overall…

Meross MSP843P Smart Fast Charging Power Strip Review – Smart Extension Lead with 65W Power Delivery USB-C & HomeKit / Home Assistant
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Meross MSP843P Smart Fast Charging Power Strip Review – Smart Extension Lead with 65W Power Delivery USB-C & HomeKit / Home Assistant

While many brands out there have smart plug sockets, there are only a handful of options for smart power strips. TP-Link Kasa is the best-known brand that has a smart power strip, with the KP303, which is a three-plug strip and two USB-A ports. Many other brands are random companies that produce strips which use…

Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 Valve Review – A Zigbee smart TRV with Home Assistant compatibility
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Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 Valve Review – A Zigbee smart TRV with Home Assistant compatibility

I somehow missed the launch of the Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 a few months ago. I am a massive fan of smart radiator valves. I live in a large, relatively old house that doesn’t have the best insulation and is a bit draughty. Our rooms are very large, too, and I work from home….

Insteon Guide: Windows 11/10 Home Hyper V installation for Home Assistant Windows Portable (HassWP)
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Insteon Guide: Windows 11/10 Home Hyper V installation for Home Assistant Windows Portable (HassWP)

Following on from my previous Insteon posts about setting up Home Assistant Windows Portable (HassWP) and cheap PCs to run as a server for Docker/Insteon. This post is a guide for anyone wanting to get Home Assistant Windows Portable working on a PC running Windows Home. In my HassWP original post, I installed Home Assistant…

Set up Home Assistant for Insteon – Cheap Hardware for a Linux Docker Server
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Set up Home Assistant for Insteon – Cheap Hardware for a Linux Docker Server

This is my second Home Assistant for Insteon post, and I will be writing a couple more to help anyone that is trying to get their Insteon smart home back up and running. Earlier this month, Insteon unexpectedly ceased trading and disabled all its cloud server functionality, effectively making the Insteon hub useless. Not all…

How to use Insteon devices without a cloud connection – Set up Home Assistant on Windows
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How to use Insteon devices without a cloud connection – Set up Home Assistant on Windows

Yesterday, I reported that Insteon has gone out of business and shut down all their cloud services with no notice. The Insteon app uses the Insteon servers to process the requests from the app, effectively making it useless. Things like schedules are stored on the hub, so these will continue to be processed. However, not…

Aqara G2h Pro Review – Homekit compatible Zigbee hub and camera
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Aqara G2h Pro Review – Homekit compatible Zigbee hub and camera

I have previously reviewed several of the Aqara Zigbee hubs, including the Aqara G2h. Aqara currently lists six different hubs on their product page, this would make the 7th. It seems very excessive, but I guess it gives buyers as many options to fit their budget and needs as possible. Therefore the review of the…

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