A viral r/homeautomation post about automating a bedroom star projector with a simple logic block has reignited interest in effortless smart home routines. We break down exactly how it works, what hardware makes it reliable, and which smart plugs are worth buying in 2026.
Choosing a smart plug with energy monitoring for safety-critical applications like a range hood exhaust fan requires fast boot times, configurable power-on state, and reliable local control. This beginner guide covers the top 5 Zigbee and Z-Wave options for 2026, with a full comparison table and step-by-step Home Assistant setup walkthrough.
Ticker v1.5.0 smart notifications is a Home Assistant integration that routes alerts intelligently based on who is home, what time it is, and per-person subscriptions — all from a single automation call. Version 1.5.0 adds a unified admin tab, re-usable action sets, and improved tap-to-navigate routing. Here is what the community is saying and whether it belongs in your home lab stack.
A viral r/homeautomation post showing a lobotomized smart switch with a custom cap has reignited the community conversation about local-only control. We break down what the mod means, why it matters for home lab users, and which five smart switches give you full local control in 2026.
