8mo ago

Why is replacement for home device controls so complicated?

I recently learned about Home Assistant here on Lemmy. It looks like a replacement for Google Home, etc. However, it requires an entire hardware installation. Proprietary products just use a simple app to manage and control devices, so can someone explain why a pretty robust dedicated device is necessary as a replacement? The base model has a quad core processor, 4 gigs of ram, and a 32 gig hard drive. Admittedly it's no gaming PC, but it's no arduino either.

What actually happens when I turn on a smart switch in my home? Does that command have to be sent to a server somewhere to be processed? What really has to be processed, and why can't a smartphone app do it?

Edit: I am still getting new replies to this (which are appreciated!), but I wanted to share what I've learned from those who have posted already. I fundamentally misunderstood how smart switches work. I had very wrongly assumed that when my phone is connected to the WiFi, it sends a signal over the local network to toggle the switch, which is connected to the same network, and it turns on/off. While there are technologies that work like this (zigbee, kinda?), most smart home devices rely on a cloud server to communicate the signal. This enables features like using the switches from outside the home network, automation, voice controls, etc. The remote server is what's being replaced.

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65 comments

Okay — can anyone — and I mean anyone, please explain to me that allure of the so called home assistant. Our home was built in 1965. Its housed many families very comfortably. It houses our family very comfortably. Our kids are heading off to college. Tra la la. We have holidays, happiness, and we contribute to the community at a variety of events. We sleep well. Eat well. We host parties of up to fifty people sometimes… we have a yard.We have a dog, two cats, fish etc. All the things that happen in a home.
We are happy.
We have no so called smart products. We use a terrestrial radio in the kitchen on the daily. We stream from the rip-off services when we desire. We are up on the shows etc. So we have internet — each of us has a phone and a device for working. I just don’t get it.
What is the allure of the so called smart home etc?
- Can anyone, I mean anyone, please explain to me that allure of so called cats. We are happy and have no cats. I just don’t get it
  
  I’m sure they have an app to help you understand.
- It’s just a minor convenience, not sure why that’s confusing.
  I can set the temperature from anywhere, that’s nice.
  
  Imagine… setting it while at home.
- For many, just a hobby. If it doesn't strike you as something you need or want, then maybe it isn't
  
  That’s true. It doesn’t.
  I like the idea that some folks have entirely private systems run by raspberry-pi. That sounds fun.
  But what can it do more easily than an mid 20th century home can do?
  
  But what can it do more easily than an mid 20th century home can do?
  One word: Automations. Everything from lights to irrigation, HVAC to surveillance cameras, fishtanks to plant monitoring, managed by a single, extensible open source platform, hosted locally in your own home.
  Of course that is not trivial. If you don't see your smart home as a hobby you enjoy putting time and effort into then the smart home scene is not for you, especially not Home Assistant.
  Sounds like you are in a fine place with your home, so you are probably not the target audience here.
  
  Nope. Just like living. Not sure what all the hoo-haw’s about. Never felt so old in my life.
  Who doesn’t like hand feeding the fish? Why even have them?
  
  Also, notifications. I'm a fairly forgetful person, so I set up notifications to let me know if I left windows open or devices on before I go to bed or leave for work.
  
  Sounds convenient.

65 comments