• Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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    17 hours ago

    Having smart stuff isn’t bad.

    Having “smart” stuff that only works via a proprietary app over the internet is bad.

    I like being able to dim several lights via a single command. I don’t like it being even possible from outside my house

    • Grimy@lemmy.world
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      16 hours ago

      Even worse, they sometimes kill their apps or remove functionalities.

      It does take a lot of shopping to find the things that can work without a proprietary app though.

      • village604@adultswim.fan
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        13 hours ago

        Just take the extra step and buy a 3D printer and some ESP chips to make your own! I’m working on a full HAL9000 setup for my house.

        • Grimy@lemmy.world
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          12 hours ago

          They are meant to fit in the back of a light switch so are very tight on space. I opened one up, it’s not very complicated but the routing is probably a bitch.

          I actually know how to make PCBs and 3d print cases and stuff. I have 2 printer (I barely use them though). That being said, it is using main and if it fucks up and something catches fire, I think insurance companies wouldn’t pay out. I don’t think its worth it, but I did legit look into it and have like 2 half prototypes in kicad lol.

          But ya, I don’t know. I don’t really want to touch stuff that doesn’t just run on a small battery or off USB. Simple mistakes can snowball fast with higher voltages.

          • village604@adultswim.fan
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            11 hours ago

            I printed an enclosure for a few sensors that fit into a 1 gang slot (I basically copied the dimensions of a TP-Link switch), including the AC/DC converter. The thing is only drawing a watt or two, so I’m not super concerned about it shorting out. But, I probably need to use a UL certified power supply.

            But, that particular project is tabled until I can finish converting an old oven into a heated build chamber to print with fire resistant polycarbonate.

      • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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        15 hours ago

        Yeah, Zigbee stuff is theoretically nice, but it’s an expensive setup that isn’t exactly easy for, say, my mom. And nothing is keeping Philips from going “haha, no, buy out proprietary stuff now”.

        I’ve got Wiz on a standalone wifi, which works fine for me and it’s cheap, but it’s still a proprietary app (at least an open source project exists for it).

        • Grimy@lemmy.world
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          14 hours ago

          I haven’t implemented much but I’m planning on going with Shelly smart relays. I’m not a big fan of smart bulbs and stuff. I don’t know if that’s mostly what you mean by Wiz.

          I was checking home assistant out and it seems to have quite a lot of things integrated so at least we aren’t slaves to their apps, even though it’s always connected to their servers.

          • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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            12 hours ago

            Wiz is a brandname, they make mostly lamps and plugs and buttons and the like. I honestly don’t want my appliances connected to anything more advanced than a timer, and they all have that already.

            • Grimy@lemmy.world
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              12 hours ago

              Ya I went to check their website, it just seemed like it was mostly smart bulbs and light strips that you have to replace once they burn out. I just don’t trust those as much, seems like e-waste. Well actually, the strips last really long tbh.