"Automating your home"

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 1:11 am

Just wondering if any of you have "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" and if so, which and how do you get on with it?

For those that don't know, if you have for example a philips hue light and a google mini (You can ask the google mini to turn the light on/off and it will) but if the internet goes down you can't.

But if you have either of the above, once set up, basic things will still work.

It seems more than a "few" home automation companies have gone under, so if you have their kit, it will not work, also if either become a subscription service, you will have to pay money for something that was free, so I am looking at changing before I HAVE to change.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 11:06 am

Problem is, if you change what would you change too.

I have just replaced RF switches and receivers in a house - there are no conventional switches and hence jumping from the frying pan to the fire could happen.

I never agree to fit RF technology where the above issues are real

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 11:41 am

But rf switches are a clever invention, but they are not in the league of "Smart"

Both "Home assistant" and "Hubitat" can "Talk" to loads of different brands of devices, but I am asking about experiences with them, not questions about RF switches.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 5:56 pm

As long as all the equipment is, (for instance), Zigbee compatible theoretically you won't lose functionality if the vendor goes under.

Trouble is constant upgrades mean that all smart devices have a relatively short usable life...

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 6:35 pm

Razor wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 5:56 pmZigbee compatible theoretically you won't lose functionality if the vendor goes under

I am not sure that is 100% correct. Phillips hue uses zigbee, if I unplug my zigbee hub's network connection, Alexa tells me the hub is not responding (Understandable) likewise if I use my phone, the hue app does not work either. BUT if i have either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" they have what is known as "Local control" so anything zigbee talks to the afore mentioned, and you don't need a hue bridge. The latest hue lamps can use bluetooth, but that is not what my question is.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 6:43 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 6:35 pm
Razor wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 5:56 pmZigbee compatible theoretically you won't lose functionality if the vendor goes under
I am not sure that is 100% correct. Phillips hue uses zigbee, if I unplug my zigbee hub's network connection, Alexa tells me the hub is not responding (Understandable) likewise if I use my phone, the hue app does not work either. BUT if i have either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" they have what is known as "Local control" so anything zigbee talks to the afore mentioned, and you don't need a hue bridge. The latest hue lamps can use bluetooth, but that is not what my question is.

But as you say the lamps work without the hue bridge. That's the point

It won't be long before new builds have their own mesh network with smart devices being added for local control. Along with the complete demise of home PC's

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:52 am

Razor wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 6:43 pmBut as you say the lamps work without the hue bridge. That's the point

But I do have a hue bridge, my lamps will not work without it. That is the point.

I am trying to find anyone on this forum who has either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" I am not concerned with speculation, I would just like to hear from anyone on this forum who currently have either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" but I guess the answer is no one has either at this time, but I thought I would ask.

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Tue Sep 13, 2022 5:34 am

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Tue Sep 13, 2022 12:52 am
Razor wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 6:43 pmBut as you say the lamps work without the hue bridge. That's the point
But I do have a hue bridge, my lamps will not work without it. That is the point.

I am trying to find anyone on this forum who has either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" I am not concerned with speculation, I would just like to hear from anyone on this forum who currently have either "Home assistant" or "Hubitat" but I guess the answer is no one has either at this time, but I thought I would ask.

Actually I have home assistant and have set up several Hubitat installs for clients who wanted the internet of everything.

As you're so bloody rude I will keep my 'speculations' to myself...