Phil Hawthorne
@philhawthorne.com
Web Application Developer, Home Automation Enthusiast. Co-host of the Home Assistant Podcast
New episode of the @home-assistant.io podcast is here!
I break down 2026.1 with my co-host Rohan: Home Dashboard upgrades, SendSpin, presence with labels, Music Assistant's new multi-room audio, plus some Zigbee quirks.
Watch: https://youtu.be/zYhtDsfBK7s
I break down 2026.1 with my co-host Rohan: Home Dashboard upgrades, SendSpin, presence with labels, Music Assistant's new multi-room audio, plus some Zigbee quirks.
Watch: https://youtu.be/zYhtDsfBK7s
January 6, 2026 at 5:10 PM
New episode of the @home-assistant.io podcast is here!
I break down 2026.1 with my co-host Rohan: Home Dashboard upgrades, SendSpin, presence with labels, Music Assistant's new multi-room audio, plus some Zigbee quirks.
Watch: https://youtu.be/zYhtDsfBK7s
I break down 2026.1 with my co-host Rohan: Home Dashboard upgrades, SendSpin, presence with labels, Music Assistant's new multi-room audio, plus some Zigbee quirks.
Watch: https://youtu.be/zYhtDsfBK7s
Happy new year!
In some new year miracle, I got back home from the Christmas break my FP1's working again.
I'm now thinking this was an issue on the Home Assistant side, and not the devices.
This is my frustration with ZigBee. For now my FP1's are back and I can revert my automation changes
In some new year miracle, I got back home from the Christmas break my FP1's working again.
I'm now thinking this was an issue on the Home Assistant side, and not the devices.
This is my frustration with ZigBee. For now my FP1's are back and I can revert my automation changes
oh well, looks like all the FP1's are cooked. Can't work out how to factory reset them to put them into pairing mode.
Looks like I now have an excuse/reason to put some of the @apolloautomation.bsky.social presence sensors around the house
Looks like I now have an excuse/reason to put some of the @apolloautomation.bsky.social presence sensors around the house
December 31, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Happy new year!
In some new year miracle, I got back home from the Christmas break my FP1's working again.
I'm now thinking this was an issue on the Home Assistant side, and not the devices.
This is my frustration with ZigBee. For now my FP1's are back and I can revert my automation changes
In some new year miracle, I got back home from the Christmas break my FP1's working again.
I'm now thinking this was an issue on the Home Assistant side, and not the devices.
This is my frustration with ZigBee. For now my FP1's are back and I can revert my automation changes
Final @home-assistant.io podcast episode for 2025!
Rohan and I talk with Josh (Josh’s Smart Home) about a 300-device HA Green setup, SmartThings migration, rock-solid Zigbee, and Powerwall energy tricks.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/DlVPBcOsaPg
Rohan and I talk with Josh (Josh’s Smart Home) about a 300-device HA Green setup, SmartThings migration, rock-solid Zigbee, and Powerwall energy tricks.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/DlVPBcOsaPg
December 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Final @home-assistant.io podcast episode for 2025!
Rohan and I talk with Josh (Josh’s Smart Home) about a 300-device HA Green setup, SmartThings migration, rock-solid Zigbee, and Powerwall energy tricks.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/DlVPBcOsaPg
Rohan and I talk with Josh (Josh’s Smart Home) about a 300-device HA Green setup, SmartThings migration, rock-solid Zigbee, and Powerwall energy tricks.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/DlVPBcOsaPg
Breaking from the usual #smarthome programming.
December is one of my favourite months: family time, festive spirit, and the latest #trance #yearmix by Armin van Buuren!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ygMcMFuzGbMOW3hMPfx71
If you're a fan, what's your favourite yearmix?
December is one of my favourite months: family time, festive spirit, and the latest #trance #yearmix by Armin van Buuren!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ygMcMFuzGbMOW3hMPfx71
If you're a fan, what's your favourite yearmix?
December 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Breaking from the usual #smarthome programming.
December is one of my favourite months: family time, festive spirit, and the latest #trance #yearmix by Armin van Buuren!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ygMcMFuzGbMOW3hMPfx71
If you're a fan, what's your favourite yearmix?
December is one of my favourite months: family time, festive spirit, and the latest #trance #yearmix by Armin van Buuren!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ygMcMFuzGbMOW3hMPfx71
If you're a fan, what's your favourite yearmix?
How resilient would you say your #smarthome is to unexpected events? Have you tried to test it?
Today my power went out while I was at work. I found out because my NAS emailed me to say it wasn't shut down correctly.
My house hasn't fully recovered, 10 hours later 🧵
Today my power went out while I was at work. I found out because my NAS emailed me to say it wasn't shut down correctly.
My house hasn't fully recovered, 10 hours later 🧵
December 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
How resilient would you say your #smarthome is to unexpected events? Have you tried to test it?
Today my power went out while I was at work. I found out because my NAS emailed me to say it wasn't shut down correctly.
My house hasn't fully recovered, 10 hours later 🧵
Today my power went out while I was at work. I found out because my NAS emailed me to say it wasn't shut down correctly.
My house hasn't fully recovered, 10 hours later 🧵
New @home-assistant.io podcast episode: NetworkChuck joins me to go from Alexa to Assist voice with a Terry Crews clone, Frigate + Reolink, UniFi + AI for Wi‑Fi, Node‑RED vs n8n, Plex vs Jellyfin, Grocy and mmWave/ESP32 presence, plus local AI vs GPT/Claude.
https://youtu.be/C78rxdwcup4
https://youtu.be/C78rxdwcup4
December 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New @home-assistant.io podcast episode: NetworkChuck joins me to go from Alexa to Assist voice with a Terry Crews clone, Frigate + Reolink, UniFi + AI for Wi‑Fi, Node‑RED vs n8n, Plex vs Jellyfin, Grocy and mmWave/ESP32 presence, plus local AI vs GPT/Claude.
https://youtu.be/C78rxdwcup4
https://youtu.be/C78rxdwcup4
Ugh clearly they didn't learn last time
Chamberlain blocks smart home integrations with its garage door openers — again
Chamberlain blocks smart home integrations with its garage door openers — again
More cause for RATGDO
buff.ly
December 7, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Ugh clearly they didn't learn last time
The 2025.12 @home-assistant.io release has a preview of where the automations are heading towards in 2026
Its currently gated behind a labs feature gate, but this snippet from our latest episode with @frenck.social is worth a watch
https://youtu.be/1pHzT4C3l2Y
Its currently gated behind a labs feature gate, but this snippet from our latest episode with @frenck.social is worth a watch
https://youtu.be/1pHzT4C3l2Y
December 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
The 2025.12 @home-assistant.io release has a preview of where the automations are heading towards in 2026
Its currently gated behind a labs feature gate, but this snippet from our latest episode with @frenck.social is worth a watch
https://youtu.be/1pHzT4C3l2Y
Its currently gated behind a labs feature gate, but this snippet from our latest episode with @frenck.social is worth a watch
https://youtu.be/1pHzT4C3l2Y
New @home-assistant.io podcast!
I’m joined by Rohan and @frenck.social to discuss 2025.12: Labs, new triggers/conditions, smarter automation UI, real-time Energy flows, Android Auto/Widgets + ZBT2, Zigbee 4, and Matter.js.
This was a big one 🤯
Watch: https://youtu.be/VAY38B57I3k
I’m joined by Rohan and @frenck.social to discuss 2025.12: Labs, new triggers/conditions, smarter automation UI, real-time Energy flows, Android Auto/Widgets + ZBT2, Zigbee 4, and Matter.js.
This was a big one 🤯
Watch: https://youtu.be/VAY38B57I3k
December 2, 2025 at 4:11 PM
New @home-assistant.io podcast!
I’m joined by Rohan and @frenck.social to discuss 2025.12: Labs, new triggers/conditions, smarter automation UI, real-time Energy flows, Android Auto/Widgets + ZBT2, Zigbee 4, and Matter.js.
This was a big one 🤯
Watch: https://youtu.be/VAY38B57I3k
I’m joined by Rohan and @frenck.social to discuss 2025.12: Labs, new triggers/conditions, smarter automation UI, real-time Energy flows, Android Auto/Widgets + ZBT2, Zigbee 4, and Matter.js.
This was a big one 🤯
Watch: https://youtu.be/VAY38B57I3k
Listening to episode 552 of the hometech.fm #podcast and @gavincampbell.bsky.social thoughts on motion sensors detecting ghosts is real.
When those motion sensors detect presence when you KNOW someone isn't meant to be there can be creepy!
Is it a burglar? A ghost? A spider?
When those motion sensors detect presence when you KNOW someone isn't meant to be there can be creepy!
Is it a burglar? A ghost? A spider?
December 1, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Listening to episode 552 of the hometech.fm #podcast and @gavincampbell.bsky.social thoughts on motion sensors detecting ghosts is real.
When those motion sensors detect presence when you KNOW someone isn't meant to be there can be creepy!
Is it a burglar? A ghost? A spider?
When those motion sensors detect presence when you KNOW someone isn't meant to be there can be creepy!
Is it a burglar? A ghost? A spider?
The final release of @home-assistant.io is almost here! Rohan and I are live-streaming a recording for the Home Assistant Podcast tomorrow joined by @frenck.social on our Patreon and YouTube channels!
Join us if you're around to see the year out
https://youtube.com/live/99zWGqlBI1g
Join us if you're around to see the year out
https://youtube.com/live/99zWGqlBI1g
November 28, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The final release of @home-assistant.io is almost here! Rohan and I are live-streaming a recording for the Home Assistant Podcast tomorrow joined by @frenck.social on our Patreon and YouTube channels!
Join us if you're around to see the year out
https://youtube.com/live/99zWGqlBI1g
Join us if you're around to see the year out
https://youtube.com/live/99zWGqlBI1g
Damn the new @home-assistant.io current power reporting in 2025.12 is making me want to stick energy monitors on even more stuff now!
Seeing how energy is being used in realtime is going to be useful to a lot of homes, especially those that want to shift their energy habits
Seeing how energy is being used in realtime is going to be useful to a lot of homes, especially those that want to shift their energy habits
November 28, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Damn the new @home-assistant.io current power reporting in 2025.12 is making me want to stick energy monitors on even more stuff now!
Seeing how energy is being used in realtime is going to be useful to a lot of homes, especially those that want to shift their energy habits
Seeing how energy is being used in realtime is going to be useful to a lot of homes, especially those that want to shift their energy habits
🚀 New @home-assistant.io Podcast episode!
We revisit Courtenay Watson 6 years after her last appearance
She's gone from Pi to Blue, conquered MQTT on the Energy Dashboard, survived Tuya cloud outages & mastered backups!
Watch now: https://youtu.be/eIluyQLBiSA @http://home-assistant.io
We revisit Courtenay Watson 6 years after her last appearance
She's gone from Pi to Blue, conquered MQTT on the Energy Dashboard, survived Tuya cloud outages & mastered backups!
Watch now: https://youtu.be/eIluyQLBiSA @http://home-assistant.io
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🚀 New @home-assistant.io Podcast episode!
We revisit Courtenay Watson 6 years after her last appearance
She's gone from Pi to Blue, conquered MQTT on the Energy Dashboard, survived Tuya cloud outages & mastered backups!
Watch now: https://youtu.be/eIluyQLBiSA @http://home-assistant.io
We revisit Courtenay Watson 6 years after her last appearance
She's gone from Pi to Blue, conquered MQTT on the Energy Dashboard, survived Tuya cloud outages & mastered backups!
Watch now: https://youtu.be/eIluyQLBiSA @http://home-assistant.io
Inside the Open Home: @rohank9 and I chat with @http://mrdarrengriffin.com, the web dev behind the @home-assistant.io websites!
He talks automation, easter eggs & supporting the Open Home Foundation.
Watch now 👉 https://youtu.be/GcCGxWKKaOk
He talks automation, easter eggs & supporting the Open Home Foundation.
Watch now 👉 https://youtu.be/GcCGxWKKaOk
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Inside the Open Home: @rohank9 and I chat with @http://mrdarrengriffin.com, the web dev behind the @home-assistant.io websites!
He talks automation, easter eggs & supporting the Open Home Foundation.
Watch now 👉 https://youtu.be/GcCGxWKKaOk
He talks automation, easter eggs & supporting the Open Home Foundation.
Watch now 👉 https://youtu.be/GcCGxWKKaOk
Greg (@http://uslackr.bsky.social) joins Rohan and I to share how he built a full brewery control system using ESPHome + @home-assistant.io: Modbus PID control, temp probes, Bluetooth gravity readings & more.
A must-listen for HA nerds & brewers! 🍺 ▶️ https://youtu.be/jSkGPtO5H7g
A must-listen for HA nerds & brewers! 🍺 ▶️ https://youtu.be/jSkGPtO5H7g
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Greg (@http://uslackr.bsky.social) joins Rohan and I to share how he built a full brewery control system using ESPHome + @home-assistant.io: Modbus PID control, temp probes, Bluetooth gravity readings & more.
A must-listen for HA nerds & brewers! 🍺 ▶️ https://youtu.be/jSkGPtO5H7g
A must-listen for HA nerds & brewers! 🍺 ▶️ https://youtu.be/jSkGPtO5H7g
New @http://home-assistant.io podcast ep is live! 🏡
We talk through everything in 2025.11: the new Automation target picker, dashboard naming, an updated Home view, Energy pie chart & update progress.
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/La3G6prwQx0
We talk through everything in 2025.11: the new Automation target picker, dashboard naming, an updated Home view, Energy pie chart & update progress.
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/La3G6prwQx0
November 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
New @http://home-assistant.io podcast ep is live! 🏡
We talk through everything in 2025.11: the new Automation target picker, dashboard naming, an updated Home view, Energy pie chart & update progress.
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/La3G6prwQx0
We talk through everything in 2025.11: the new Automation target picker, dashboard naming, an updated Home view, Energy pie chart & update progress.
🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/La3G6prwQx0
I've done something I haven't done in over six years 🤯
A new blog post is up: https://philhawthorne.com/testing-the-linknlink-emotion-max-and-pro-with-home-assistant/
I had never heard of these eMotion mmWave sensors before, so decided to test them with @home-assistant.io
A new blog post is up: https://philhawthorne.com/testing-the-linknlink-emotion-max-and-pro-with-home-assistant/
I had never heard of these eMotion mmWave sensors before, so decided to test them with @home-assistant.io
November 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I've done something I haven't done in over six years 🤯
A new blog post is up: https://philhawthorne.com/testing-the-linknlink-emotion-max-and-pro-with-home-assistant/
I had never heard of these eMotion mmWave sensors before, so decided to test them with @home-assistant.io
A new blog post is up: https://philhawthorne.com/testing-the-linknlink-emotion-max-and-pro-with-home-assistant/
I had never heard of these eMotion mmWave sensors before, so decided to test them with @home-assistant.io
Reposted by Phil Hawthorne
The Best @home-assistant.io bedside clock is a Hacked Echo Show 5? 🎥👀
youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI
In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!
youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI
In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!
I Hacked an Echo Show 5 Into the Best Home Assistant Clock!
YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The Best @home-assistant.io bedside clock is a Hacked Echo Show 5? 🎥👀
youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI
In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!
youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI
In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!
🎙️ New @home-assistant.io #SmartHome Podcast episode!
Joined by @geniodiabolico.social.ellijaymakerspace.org.ap.brid.gy , we talk reliable mesh networks, Z-Wave LR for a 100m mailbox sensor, replacing MyQ with RATGDO + ESPHome, and customising a slick e‑ink dashboard.
Watch: youtu.be/usNdToFKqac
Joined by @geniodiabolico.social.ellijaymakerspace.org.ap.brid.gy , we talk reliable mesh networks, Z-Wave LR for a 100m mailbox sensor, replacing MyQ with RATGDO + ESPHome, and customising a slick e‑ink dashboard.
Watch: youtu.be/usNdToFKqac
October 31, 2025 at 12:35 AM
🎙️ New @home-assistant.io #SmartHome Podcast episode!
Joined by @geniodiabolico.social.ellijaymakerspace.org.ap.brid.gy , we talk reliable mesh networks, Z-Wave LR for a 100m mailbox sensor, replacing MyQ with RATGDO + ESPHome, and customising a slick e‑ink dashboard.
Watch: youtu.be/usNdToFKqac
Joined by @geniodiabolico.social.ellijaymakerspace.org.ap.brid.gy , we talk reliable mesh networks, Z-Wave LR for a 100m mailbox sensor, replacing MyQ with RATGDO + ESPHome, and customising a slick e‑ink dashboard.
Watch: youtu.be/usNdToFKqac
Chris aka the Reluctant Home Assistant Guy joins Rohan and I to talk Hue chaos, MyQ failings, and finding actual savings with @http://home-assistant.io.
A refreshingly honest look at smart homes from a non-tinkerer’s POV.
🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/ZqmVNNI9J2U #smarthome #homeassistant
A refreshingly honest look at smart homes from a non-tinkerer’s POV.
🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/ZqmVNNI9J2U #smarthome #homeassistant
October 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Chris aka the Reluctant Home Assistant Guy joins Rohan and I to talk Hue chaos, MyQ failings, and finding actual savings with @http://home-assistant.io.
A refreshingly honest look at smart homes from a non-tinkerer’s POV.
🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/ZqmVNNI9J2U #smarthome #homeassistant
A refreshingly honest look at smart homes from a non-tinkerer’s POV.
🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/ZqmVNNI9J2U #smarthome #homeassistant
This week on the @home-assistant.io podcast, I sat down with Achim Haug of AirGradient to explore how a personal mission during Thailand’s burning season turned into a global open-source air quality solution 🌍🛠️
Full episode: https://youtu.be/q1skkqMJcX0
Full episode: https://youtu.be/q1skkqMJcX0
October 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This week on the @home-assistant.io podcast, I sat down with Achim Haug of AirGradient to explore how a personal mission during Thailand’s burning season turned into a global open-source air quality solution 🌍🛠️
Full episode: https://youtu.be/q1skkqMJcX0
Full episode: https://youtu.be/q1skkqMJcX0
🎙️New Home Assistant Podcast!
Joined by Josh Burg, a psychologist & smart home tinkerer, we explore his journey from Google Home to going fully local with @http://home-assistant.io.
Plus, Philips Hue's new zones & a clever cat problem 🐱
Watch: https://youtu.be/8JgR0tZEVcs #homeautomation
Joined by Josh Burg, a psychologist & smart home tinkerer, we explore his journey from Google Home to going fully local with @http://home-assistant.io.
Plus, Philips Hue's new zones & a clever cat problem 🐱
Watch: https://youtu.be/8JgR0tZEVcs #homeautomation
October 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
🎙️New Home Assistant Podcast!
Joined by Josh Burg, a psychologist & smart home tinkerer, we explore his journey from Google Home to going fully local with @http://home-assistant.io.
Plus, Philips Hue's new zones & a clever cat problem 🐱
Watch: https://youtu.be/8JgR0tZEVcs #homeautomation
Joined by Josh Burg, a psychologist & smart home tinkerer, we explore his journey from Google Home to going fully local with @http://home-assistant.io.
Plus, Philips Hue's new zones & a clever cat problem 🐱
Watch: https://youtu.be/8JgR0tZEVcs #homeautomation
🎧 Just dropped a new episode!
We cover @http://home-assistant.io 2025.10 with bilingual voice assistant support, Sonos’ latest partnership, and listener Q&A.
Catch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-_ZfVewIXHo
We cover @http://home-assistant.io 2025.10 with bilingual voice assistant support, Sonos’ latest partnership, and listener Q&A.
Catch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-_ZfVewIXHo
September 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
🎧 Just dropped a new episode!
We cover @http://home-assistant.io 2025.10 with bilingual voice assistant support, Sonos’ latest partnership, and listener Q&A.
Catch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-_ZfVewIXHo
We cover @http://home-assistant.io 2025.10 with bilingual voice assistant support, Sonos’ latest partnership, and listener Q&A.
Catch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-_ZfVewIXHo
💡 New episode! Rohan and I chat with Nanoleaf CEO Gimmy Chu about Nanoleaf's smart lighting and their open API vision.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/JO5MWKLC4zM
@homeassistant.io #smarthome
Watch now: https://youtu.be/JO5MWKLC4zM
@homeassistant.io #smarthome
September 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
💡 New episode! Rohan and I chat with Nanoleaf CEO Gimmy Chu about Nanoleaf's smart lighting and their open API vision.
Watch now: https://youtu.be/JO5MWKLC4zM
@homeassistant.io #smarthome
Watch now: https://youtu.be/JO5MWKLC4zM
@homeassistant.io #smarthome
New @homeassistant.io podcast episode! 🎧
Rohan and I chat with Thomas about building an accessible smart home — from voice assistants to a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror! 💡🤖
Don’t miss this inspiring journey 👉 https://youtu.be/x_aN3eV9alQ
#Accessibility #SmartHome
Rohan and I chat with Thomas about building an accessible smart home — from voice assistants to a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror! 💡🤖
Don’t miss this inspiring journey 👉 https://youtu.be/x_aN3eV9alQ
#Accessibility #SmartHome
September 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
New @homeassistant.io podcast episode! 🎧
Rohan and I chat with Thomas about building an accessible smart home — from voice assistants to a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror! 💡🤖
Don’t miss this inspiring journey 👉 https://youtu.be/x_aN3eV9alQ
#Accessibility #SmartHome
Rohan and I chat with Thomas about building an accessible smart home — from voice assistants to a ChatGPT-powered smart mirror! 💡🤖
Don’t miss this inspiring journey 👉 https://youtu.be/x_aN3eV9alQ
#Accessibility #SmartHome