Local Smart Home Guide: news briefs https://localsmarthomeguide.com/news/ What changed in local smart home gear, and whether it changes what to buy. en Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Local smart home this week: Everything Presence sensors join Works with Home Assistant, and HA OS 18.4 fixes the 18.3 regressions https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-30/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-30/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Local smart home news for October 24-30, 2026: Everything Presence joins Works with Home Assistant, HA OS 18.4, the Marketplace beta, and local Wallbox, Ecovacs X1, Sonoff S60 and Vaillant projects. roundup Local smart home news for October 24-30, 2026: Everything Presence joins Works with Home Assistant, HA OS 18.4, the Marketplace beta, and local Wallbox, Ecovacs X1, Sonoff S60 and Vaillant projects.

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]]> HACS is becoming the built-in Marketplace in Home Assistant 2026.11: what changes when you update https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hacs-becomes-home-assistant-marketplace-2026-11/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hacs-becomes-home-assistant-marketplace-2026-11/ Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT HACS is moving into Home Assistant as the built-in Marketplace, set for 2026.11. Your downloads migrate on their own; standalone HACS is blocked from 2026.11. other HACS is moving into Home Assistant as the built-in Marketplace, set for 2026.11. Your downloads migrate on their own; standalone HACS is blocked from 2026.11.

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]]> Local smart home this week: ESPHome 2026.10 and a local route for Nanoleaf Essentials over Bluetooth https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-23/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-23/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Local smart home news for October 17-23, 2026: ESPHome 2026.10.0, the Kasa authentication fix, local Nanoleaf Essentials and KEBA P40 integrations, and Oread voice ID. roundup Local smart home news for October 17-23, 2026: ESPHome 2026.10.0, the Kasa authentication fix, local Nanoleaf Essentials and KEBA P40 integrations, and Oread voice ID.

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]]> TP-Link patched a Kasa authentication flaw, and updating can cost you local control https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/tp-link-kasa-authentication-flaw-home-assistant-impact/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/tp-link-kasa-authentication-flaw-home-assistant-impact/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT TP-Link patched a high-severity Kasa authentication flaw, but the firmware fix can break Home Assistant local control until you flip Third-Party Compatibility. firmware TP-Link patched a high-severity Kasa authentication flaw, but the firmware fix can break Home Assistant local control until you flip Third-Party Compatibility.

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]]> Shelly's Presence Gen4 sensor comes to the US https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/shelly-presence-gen4-us-launch-what-changes-for-local-buyers/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/shelly-presence-gen4-us-launch-what-changes-for-local-buyers/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Shelly's Presence Gen4 is on sale in the US at $84.99. What the specs say, where Home Assistant support stands, and whether it beats the Aqara picks. launch Shelly's Presence Gen4 is on sale in the US at $84.99. What the specs say, where Home Assistant support stands, and whether it beats the Aqara picks.

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]]> Local smart home this week: Apple's HomeView, Jasco buys Zooz, LEDVANCE joins Works with Home Assistant https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-16/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-16/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Local smart home news for October 10-16, 2026: Apple's Home Collection, Jasco buying Zooz, 116 LEDVANCE Matter devices, and a local tado bridge. roundup Local smart home news for October 10-16, 2026: Apple's Home Collection, Jasco buying Zooz, 116 LEDVANCE Matter devices, and a local tado bridge.

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]]> Jasco acquires Zooz: what it means for Z-Wave buyers https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/jasco-acquires-zooz-what-it-means-for-zwave-buyers/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/jasco-acquires-zooz-what-it-means-for-zwave-buyers/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jasco announced it has acquired Zooz on October 13. Zooz says the hardware, factories and team aren't changing. What that means for the Zooz picks here. other Jasco announced it has acquired Zooz on October 13. Zooz says the hardware, factories and team aren't changing. What that means for the Zooz picks here.

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]]> Apple's Home Collection and HomeView: what stays local and what doesn't https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/apple-home-collection-homeview-what-stays-local/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/apple-home-collection-homeview-what-stays-local/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Apple's October 2026 launch: a $299 HomeView display, LG/Schneider cameras, a lock and thermostats. Which pieces are Matter, and which only work through Apple. launch Apple's October 2026 launch: a $299 HomeView display, LG/Schneider cameras, a lock and thermostats. Which pieces are Matter, and which only work through Apple.

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]]> Black Friday smart home deals for Home Assistant: the prices to beat https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/black-friday-smart-home-deals/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/black-friday-smart-home-deals/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Black Friday 2026 smart home deals for Home Assistant and local-control homes: the lowest price I've recorded for 100+ Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter and Wi-Fi devices. price Local smart home this week: new Hue bulbs can run Zigbee and Matter at once; Ring's first lock skips Matter https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-09/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-09/ Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Hue firmware 1.164.2 lets newer bulbs speak Zigbee and Matter together, Ring's first smart lock runs on Sidewalk with no Matter, and ESPHome over Zigbee. roundup Hue firmware 1.164.2 lets newer bulbs speak Zigbee and Matter together, Ring's first smart lock runs on Sidewalk with no Matter, and ESPHome over Zigbee.

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]]> Ring's first smart lock: a hand-crank battery backup, Sidewalk instead of Wi-Fi, and no local hook announced https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/ring-smart-lock-sidewalk-what-it-means-for-local-buyers/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/ring-smart-lock-sidewalk-what-it-means-for-local-buyers/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Amazon's Ring Smart Lock: fingerprint, keypad, a dial that recharges a dead battery, and Amazon Sidewalk. $249.99, early 2027, not yet FCC authorized. launch Amazon's Ring Smart Lock: fingerprint, keypad, a dial that recharges a dead battery, and Amazon Sidewalk. $249.99, early 2027, not yet FCC authorized.

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]]> Home Assistant 2026.10: trigger IDs get a real UI, and Cloud is becoming Link https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/home-assistant-2026-10-trigger-ids-ui-and-cloud-becomes-link/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/home-assistant-2026-10-trigger-ids-ui-and-cloud-becomes-link/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Home Assistant 2026.10: trigger IDs get a point-and-click UI, SolarEdge gets a local Modbus integration, and Home Assistant Cloud becomes Link in December. firmware Home Assistant 2026.10: trigger IDs get a point-and-click UI, SolarEdge gets a local Modbus integration, and Home Assistant Cloud becomes Link in December.

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]]> Local smart home this week: Roborock vacuums run without Roborock's cloud, and the 2016 Echo Dot goes local https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-02/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-10-02/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A stable local server for Roborock vacuums, a new OS that turns the 2016 Echo Dot into an Assist satellite, and a battery Zigbee CO2 sensor. roundup A stable local server for Roborock vacuums, a new OS that turns the 2016 Echo Dot into an Assist satellite, and a battery Zigbee CO2 sensor.

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]]> Zigbee's sub-GHz sibling opens for certification: what Suzi means for coordinators https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/zigbee-suzi-sub-ghz-certification-opens/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/zigbee-suzi-sub-ghz-certification-opens/ Sat, 26 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The CSA opened certification for Suzi, sub-GHz Zigbee, on September 2, 2026. What it is, why no Zigbee stick I recommend can run it, and whether to wait. standard The CSA opened certification for Suzi, sub-GHz Zigbee, on September 2, 2026. What it is, why no Zigbee stick I recommend can run it, and whether to wait.

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]]> Aqara's IFA lighting range: two radios, 18 zones, no retail prices yet https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/aqara-ifa-2026-lighting-thread-zigbee-and-no-prices/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/aqara-ifa-2026-lighting-thread-zigbee-and-no-prices/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Aqara announced five Thread-and-Zigbee lights at IFA 2026: a floor lamp, a downlight, a strip and two outdoor sets. No retail prices and no launch dates. launch Aqara announced five Thread-and-Zigbee lights at IFA 2026: a floor lamp, a downlight, a strip and two outdoor sets. No retail prices and no launch dates.

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]]> Local smart home this week: Schneider buys Shelly, and an Echo Dot and a Lenovo clock go local https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-09-25/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/week-in-local-smart-home-2026-09-25/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The week of September 19-25, 2026: Schneider Electric is buying Shelly, and an Echo Dot and a Lenovo Smart Clock become local Assist devices. roundup The week of September 19-25, 2026: Schneider Electric is buying Shelly, and an Echo Dot and a Lenovo Smart Clock become local Assist devices.

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]]> Schneider Electric is buying Shelly: what it means for local control https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/schneider-electric-buying-shelly-what-it-means-for-local-control/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/schneider-electric-buying-shelly-what-it-means-for-local-control/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Schneider Electric agreed on September 24, 2026 to bid EUR 70 a share for Shelly. What the deal promises, and whether to keep buying Shelly gear. other Schneider Electric agreed on September 24, 2026 to bid EUR 70 a share for Shelly. What the deal promises, and whether to keep buying Shelly gear.

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]]> SONOFF TRV Gen2: what changes for a Zigbee heating setup https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/sonoff-trv-gen2-what-changes-for-zigbee-heating/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/sonoff-trv-gen2-what-changes-for-zigbee-heating/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT SONOFF's second-generation Zigbee radiator valve is smaller, costs more, and is supported in Zigbee2MQTT. A stopgap ZHA quirk shipped in zha-quirks 2.4.0. launch SONOFF's second-generation Zigbee radiator valve is smaller, costs more, and is supported in Zigbee2MQTT. A stopgap ZHA quirk shipped in zha-quirks 2.4.0.

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]]> Hue's bridge prices went up: which bridge a local house needs https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hue-bridge-price-increase-which-bridge-you-need/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hue-bridge-price-increase-which-bridge-you-need/ Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Hue's Bridge Pro is $149.99 and the Bridge $79.99 on Hue's US store, after two rises this year. What the premium buys a Home Assistant or Apple Home house. price Hue's Bridge Pro is $149.99 and the Bridge $79.99 on Hue's US store, after two rises this year. What the premium buys a Home Assistant or Apple Home house.

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]]> Google Home opens to AI agents: what Home MCP changes for a local house https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/google-home-mcp-agent-access-what-it-changes/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/google-home-mcp-agent-access-what-it-changes/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Google's Home MCP lets AI agents read and control your Google Home devices. What it needs, what it costs, and whether a local-first house should care. launch Google's Home MCP lets AI agents read and control your Google Home devices. What it needs, what it costs, and whether a local-first house should care.

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]]> Aqara's FP400 is out: eight zones, Thread, and what Home Assistant sees https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/aqara-fp400-what-home-assistant-sees/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/aqara-fp400-what-home-assistant-sees/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Aqara's FP400 spatial sensor is out at $79.99 with Thread, Zigbee and 10-person tracking. What Home Assistant sees over Matter, and what needs the Aqara app. launch Aqara's FP400 spatial sensor is out at $79.99 with Thread, Zigbee and 10-person tracking. What Home Assistant sees over Matter, and what needs the Aqara app.

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]]> Apple's Home camera AI: one camera on the $9.99 plan, five on the $59.99 plan https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/apple-home-camera-ai-icloud-tiers/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/apple-home-camera-ai-icloud-tiers/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT iOS 27 adds AI video descriptions and natural-language clip search to the Home app, capped by iCloud+ tier: one camera on 2TB, five on 12TB. price iOS 27 adds AI video descriptions and natural-language clip search to the Home app, capped by iCloud+ tier: one camera on 2TB, five on 12TB.

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]]> Frigate 0.18: what changes if you run or are building a local NVR https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/frigate-0-18-what-changes-for-a-local-nvr/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/frigate-0-18-what-changes-for-a-local-nvr/ Sun, 13 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Frigate 0.18.0 shipped September 12 and 0.18.1 followed October 13 with three security fixes: UI configuration, camera profiles, and breaking config changes. firmware Frigate 0.18.0 shipped September 12 and 0.18.1 followed October 13 with three security fixes: UI configuration, camera profiles, and breaking config changes.

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]]> Hue's IFA 2026 launch: what's new, what stays local, and whether to wait https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hue-ifa-2026-launch-what-changes-for-local-buyers/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/hue-ifa-2026-launch-what-changes-for-local-buyers/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Hue's September 2026 launch: Screen Sync, a cheaper gradient strip, a Nanoleaf module, Bridge Pro AI. What stays local and what needs the cloud. launch Hue's September 2026 launch: Screen Sync, a cheaper gradient strip, a Nanoleaf module, Bridge Pro AI. What stays local and what needs the cloud.

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]]> Shelly at IFA 2026: ThreadLink, a Matter wall panel, and a EUR 39.90 camera https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/shelly-ifa-2026-threadlink-wall-display-matter-and-a-camera/ https://localsmarthomeguide.com/articles/shelly-ifa-2026-threadlink-wall-display-matter-and-a-camera/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Shelly's IFA 2026 news: ThreadLink turns the Gen4 Thread radio into a full IP network, and firmware 2.8.0 makes the Wall Display a Matter controller. launch Shelly's IFA 2026 news: ThreadLink turns the Gen4 Thread radio into a full IP network, and firmware 2.8.0 makes the Wall Display a Matter controller.

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