Justin and Trevor from Apollo Automation stop by to share their journey of turning a hobby project into a thriving customer-focussed home automation manufacturerWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha191Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:02 Apollo Automation's Origin00:02:02 Company Growth and Operations00:02:23 In-house Manufacturing and Distribution00:02:55 Community-driven Development00:03:11 Unique Product Insights and Development00:04:03 Branding and Logo Evolution00:05:51 Interactive Community Engagement00:10:21 Working with Home Assistant Program00:12:35 Product Line and Hardware Design00:20:13 Current and Upcoming Products00:23:20 Favorite Products and Future Plans00:26:21 Introduction to Integration Protocols00:26:48 ESP Chip and Compatibility00:27:41 Challenges with Matter and Future Plans00:30:42 Open Source Sustainability and Modularity00:35:10 Home Automation Personal Experiences00:38:51 Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges00:44:00 3D Printing and Product Evolution00:52:59 Ozone Sensor Features00:53:12 3D Printing Options and Accessibility00:53:30 Meeting at CES00:54:00 Passion and Dedication of Founders00:54:40 Home Assistant's Growth and Significance00:55:32 Self-Hosting and Privacy Advocacy00:55:48 Open Source Contributions01:01:34 Future Product DevelopmentSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comExpressVPNExpressVPN Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet - so that 12 year old with Raspberry Pi can’t steal your sensitive data. Get four months extra FREE when you use our codeexpressvpn.com/hasspodcastHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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1:03:28
Andrej’s smart home journey and designing PokyPow
Rohan and Phil chat with Andrej, a passionate Home Assistant user with some truly creative automations—from a relationship point system to a cat doorbell! He’s also developing PokyPow, an ESP-based device that lets you control your PC with Home Assistant.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha190Chapters00:00:35 Guest Introduction: Andrej 00:00:47 Andrej's Journey with Home Assistant 00:01:34 Introducing PokyPow 00:02:27 Building and Challenges of PokyPow 00:03:18 Prototype to Production 00:04:30 Launching on Crowd Supply 00:21:30 Smart Home Experiences 00:26:10 Voice Control and Automations 00:31:22 Home Assistant Automation 00:36:20 CO2 Monitoring and Air Quality 00:43:20 Automation with Scale 00:47:40 Home Automation Future PlansSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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56:01
Trying to convince Pete the DIY Smart Home Guy to embrace Home Assistant
Pete Borchers is one-third of the Technical Difficulties Podcast, host of the DIY Smart Home Guy YouTube channel, and he doesn’t think Home Assistant is the bees-knees. Rohan and Phil try to see Pete’s point-of-view and to point him towards to right pathWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha189Chapters00:01:02 Guest Introduction: Pete 00:02:10 Discussion on Smart Home Devices 00:04:12 Content Creation and YouTube Journey 00:07:25 Smart Locks Discussion 00:16:19 Home Assistant Experience 00:24:59 Video Concepts Introduction 00:26:01 Automation with Node-RED 00:27:08 Comparing Hubitat, Homey Pro, and Home Assistant 00:27:48 Homey Pro Preferences 00:28:33 Community in Home Automation 00:29:38 Z-Wave and Wi-Fi Devices 00:33:12 Proprietary Systems and Acquisitions 00:34:27 LG's Investment and Integration 00:38:45 Matter Protocol and Interoperability 00:39:15 Future of Streaming Services 00:42:44 AI in Home Automation 00:45:33 Smart Home Stories 00:49:44 Project Introduction 00:49:46 Water Valve Project 00:50:08 Automated Door Opener 00:50:40 Pico Remote and Automation 00:51:34 Govi Lights and Sync 00:52:18 Motion and Vibration Sensors 00:54:35 Smart Homes and AI00:56:21 Technical Difficulties 00:57:30 ConclusionSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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58:59
2025.6 delayed, IKEA and Sonos respectfully breakup
While the Home Assistant core team are off to Dublin for the Open Home Foundation summit, Rohan and Phil are breaking down the 2025.6 release that will ship a week later. Meanwhile we discuss some self-hosted apps we love, and the IKEA and Sonos breakup.Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha188Chapters00:00:04 Introduction00:01:00 Open Home Summit 202500:01:56 Community Day Recap00:03:07 Mailbag00:05:07 Podcast Feedback00:06:15 Sonos and IKEA Collaboration Ends00:10:11 Home Assistant Installation Updates00:14:18 Bluetooth and ZigBee Updates00:17:44 Ikea Desk and Automation Discussion00:22:25 Home Assistant 2025.6 Updates00:23:53 Customization and Sidebar Features00:25:59 Sonos Multizone Playback00:26:29 ESPHome00:28:49 Improved Shelly Devices00:29:13 Smart Things & Integration Updates00:32:42 Amazon Device Integration00:36:23 Image App Integration00:45:21 Breaking Changes Changes00:46:38 2025.6 Release RecapSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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46:53
The evolution of Zooz with Agnes Lorenz
We’re back with another vendors episode, this time talking with Agnes from Zooz about the evolution of Zooz, and the challenges being a smart home companyWatch the full episode on YouTubehttps://hasspodcast.io/ha187Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:01:15 Background and Evolution of Zooz00:03:49 Certifications and Challenges in Manufacturing00:06:43 Z-Wave Standards and Certification00:13:11 International Support and Market Strategy00:18:23 Impact of Tariffs and Supply Chain Considerations00:22:45 Upcoming Products and Innovations00:26:56 Integration with Home Assistant00:30:03 Partnerships and Works With Program00:31:05 Integration Challenges and Improvements00:35:43 Smart Home Technology and Personal Insights00:42:24 AI and Smart Home Automation00:48:21 Design Process and Matter Discussion00:57:41 Introduction to Quality Integration00:57:46 Ring Alarm App Features00:58:14 Importance of Z-Wave Standardization00:58:39 Alarm.com Integration00:58:59 Focus on User Experience00:59:53 Home Assistant's Reach01:00:36 Benefits of Z-Wave Long Range01:02:02 Tips for Z-Wave Beginners01:04:03 Understanding Z-Wave Security01:06:10 Firmware Updates in Z-WaveSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.Support Rohan and Phil on PatreonThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.So for the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Join hosts Phil Hawthorne and Rohan Karamandi as they explore the newest Home Assistant releases and the latest Home Automation news. Featuring guests who use or contribute to Home Assistant, the podcast aims to inspire new ways to make your home smarter.
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