The Android Auto feature nobody talks about that I use on every drive
…That weight of ‘don’t forget, don’t forget’ is annoying, and it actually drains the energy I need for the rest of the day. Here is where Google Tasks’ brilliant integration…
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Home Assistant on bare metal works great — until it becomes your entire home's infrastructure
…The mini PC ran the software well, allowed automation to run, and integrated into the wider smart home ecosystem I had installed. Why use anything else? Bare metal sounds like the best…
I tried Python in Excel with no coding experience and here's what I learned
…In her spare time she plays video games and geeks out about the latest tech. Sign in to your XDA account Python's integration in Excel can unlock powerful reports and automation…
I revived my old Android phone by turning it into a better voice assistant than any smart speaker I've owned
…automation workflows are simple enough for beginners, while packing enough depth to keep tinkerers like yours truly hooked for a long time. Then there’s community blueprints, official (and third-party) integrations…
The X2D proves Bambu Lab understands what desktop 3D printing still gets wrong
…Instead of expecting users to dial everything in themselves, the X2D attempts to handle those adjustments automatically, lowering the barrier to consistent, high-quality results. Thermal control and ecosystem integration round out…
I replaced my smart home hub with a $120 mini PC, and my smart home finally feels responsive
…It utilizes simple YAML configuration files, integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant, and supports multiple interfaces, including web, API, and MQTT. With built-in support for on-device automations and wireless over-the…
I gave Claude control of my calendar for a week, and it scheduled my life better than I do
…I've already written about this in the context of Cowork and keeping it out of my browser and email, and my thinking hasn't changed. A calendar integration with an agentic…
The new Maintenance dashboard is the Home Assistant feature I did not know I needed
…Related Local LLMs changed how I use Home Assistant, and now my smart devices actually listen Local LLMs made my Home Assistant setup far more responsive than any app or integration Devices…
Home Assistant freed me from the smart home brand wars, and now I buy whatever works
…Every brand wanted me inside its own app, account system, automation builder, and ecosystem logic. That sounds fine until the house starts filling up with bulbs, sensors, switches, plugs, purifiers, and random…
Python in Excel is more powerful than I initially estimated
…And while it certainly excels (no pun intended) at those fundamental tasks, the recent integration of Python has boosted its capabilities. I was skeptical when Microsoft first announced Python integration in Excel…