IoT device management from single app Hi, I have several different smart devices such as power plugs, extension lead, camera, thermostat, smoke detector to name some but they are mostly all by different companies. I therefore...

[kev2021]

Hi,

I have several different smart devices such as power plugs, extension lead, camera, thermostat, smoke detector to name some but they are mostly all by different companies.  I therefore end up having to go into each app and perform the required action i.e. turn on, turn off etc.

I started to look at home assistant but whilst seems fairly good, its not overly easy to setup, some stuff is but other stuff requires writing some code or using YAML etc which I’m not up to date with.

So I was wondering what other people are using? I’m trying not to use something like for instance apple homekit as it required a deice to be a hub and always on plus it will tie me to apple.  I thought about google but seeing as they are dropping smart thermostats, only keeping I think 2 version supported at the moment but will mostly end support for them in a few years time as they are no longer producing new models for UK, I don’t want to tie myself into that and they they stop it later on.

I’ve seen something called homey pro which it seems quiet a few people are dropping home assistant for surprisingly and seem to rate it quiet well and it supports matter which is a bonus, downside is the initial upfront cost and possibility not everything is supported yet but there is ongoing work and new stuff is being added.  For example the Tuya wasn’t supported or reolink but now they are I believe.  It also seems a lot easier to use and configure from watching a few videos so quiet a few people seem to recommend it.  One downside apart from the cost is having to buy an USB-c to ethernet adapter as the unit doesn’t have a built in NIC, would of thought a bit of a oversight given its side, thought they could of incorporated it.

I’m tempted to maybe give it a try later in the year or next year if I’m able to get the funds together, there is a 2026 model released.

Just wondering what others use or if you simply control it all via the separate apps?

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

A bit of a dilemma, alas I think Homey Pro cost £349 and does not require yearly subscription which is a benefit and is a full automation system unlike others.

There is the Aeotec Smart Home Hub which is £100 up front and no annual subscription. I think but not sure remote access is extra, but need to check that if needed, ‘cheaper option and less refined’.

The Homey Pro does sound a good option ‘at least on paper’

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Thanks, think homey pro is the way to go, might have a look later in the year as got few expensive bills due soon.  When you buying the Homey Pro :) I know you want to :)

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

I would love to, but I try to keep my life as simple as possible especially when tech is concerned

 

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Homey pro 2026 is £399, previous version is £349 I believe and you can access remotely, I believe it sets all that up out the box but then I’ve also seen might need port forwarding enabled so not 100% sure yet. Considering later in the year when might be some discounts fingers crossed.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

. kev2021 Said:

Homey pro 2026 is £399, previous version is £349 I believe and you can access remotely, I believe it sets all that up out the box but then I’ve also seen might need port forwarding enabled so not 100% sure yet. Considering later in the year when might be some discounts fingers crossed.

Kev

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Looks like I’ll need to get 2 so can control myself and parents place easily through 1 screen.  It seems there is homeylink that will like 2nd one to main one and show devices etc.

Bit annoying having to pay for 2 and they only advising this model be supported to 2031 so means another expense every few years to keep it current etc…

Another possible option is if I connect vpn to at my place from parents then it might see my devices but unsure if I turn vpn off, it might not work as I suspect no ports opened up at my place so would need vpn perm connected. Not sure that’s a good idea.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Yes I believe the HomeyLink lets you link multiple Homey Pros so you can see and control both homes from one interface. That part works well and is rather cool.

Each Homey Pro could be tied to a single Homey account so you could share the Homey account between both devices and the Homey app will allow access to both devices ‘in theory’.

But you do have to pay for 2x Homey Pros which is rather expensive,  using the app does keep it simple and relatively secure

 

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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[kev2021]

Yes agreed, the other option is to get a Homeypro mini but it all depends how your devices communicate.  The Pro has more communication channels i.e. thread, matter, zigbee etc whereas the mini has less and would then mean buying the homeybridge to give the additional communication channels that’s not in the mini but that means 2 devices, 2 power supplies etc albeit is cheaper to buy the mini & the bridge than the pro but I quiet like the idea of it all in 1 device.

Only annoying thing is having to buy the USB-C to ethernet adapter as the pro doesn’t have built in ethernet port, seems a bit of a oversight, considering the mini has built in Ethernet port… maybe the next homeypro will be have built in.  However considering they say will support till June 2031 the homeypro 2026, effectively gives it 5 years support so in 5 years time, I’m guessing I’d have to then by 2 x homeypro2031’s which is somewhat of a downside considering the cost. They also don’t say whether the existing homeypro2026 will continue to work after this date or if features/abilities will be cut off and no longer work.  For instance like Google, the older thermostats no longer work remotely but I believe will work within the property but they have stopped remote access part, which was the big selling point of the system.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Hard to say with so many unknowns. Five years of support is already pushing it these days, and many manufacturers don’t reliably offer that length of support across all their products.

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

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