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MarkWattTech

@markwatttech

Software Developer by day, Content Creator by Night. Father of 3 and totally Tech obsessed!

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18.11.2024
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Latest posts by MarkWattTech @markwatttech

5 New Features in 2026.3 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2026.3 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

The list of new integrations, upgraded integrations, and quality scale jumps in @home-assistant.io 2026.3 is seriously stacked πŸ‘

Loads of community-driven improvements in this one.

Here are the 5 features that I really likedπŸ‘‡
youtu.be/rCaPPzBjsZ0

01.03.2026 21:13 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
TTLock Smart Locks in Home Assistant | Cloud & Local Control with Matter
TTLock Smart Locks in Home Assistant | Cloud & Local Control with Matter YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

The TTlock HACs integration gives you pretty much full control and management over your TTLock devices in @home-assistant.io but did you know you can also cut the cloud and use a Matter Bridge?

youtu.be/-dCd3qOYYWY

28.02.2026 12:30 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2026.2 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2026.2 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

If you thought last month’s @home-assistant.io release was a bit on the small side… this one definitely makes up for it πŸ‘€πŸ”₯

2026.2 is currently in Beta with the full release landing Feb 4th. Here are the 5 New Features that I really liked:

youtu.be/dU-Yv12jEIU

30.01.2026 19:06 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Trying to create a Smart Home Cinema (Part 1)
Trying to create a Smart Home Cinema (Part 1) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

I tried (still trying ) to build a Smart Home Cinema Room. I'm using the awesome VisionMaster Pro 2 and automating it with @home-assistant.io

So far the room has leaked... twice...
If you have any DIY tips or cool smart home cinema ideas or automations then let me know!

youtu.be/Ft544CfRVQ8

29.01.2026 18:48 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Finally… a Proper UK Smart Wall Socket (Aqara H2 + Home Assistant)
Finally… a Proper UK Smart Wall Socket (Aqara H2 + Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Aqara released a UK Wall Outlet 🀯.

And of course it works great in @home-assistant.io (in multiple ways)

youtu.be/vuOzv-70lAM

25.01.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Turn Your Unlocked Echo Show Into a Local Voice Assistant (View Assist Full Setup Guide)
Turn Your Unlocked Echo Show Into a Local Voice Assistant (View Assist Full Setup Guide) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

How To Setup and Install View Assist on your Unlocked Echo Show!

youtu.be/jN0_geF1Ur8

If you have an old echo show lying around this is a great @home-assistant.io project to checkout!

#viewassist #homeassistant #voiceassistant

24.01.2026 10:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Your Smart Home Needs A Backup!
Your Smart Home Needs A Backup! YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Smart Home Backups and Media with the UGREEN NAS!

youtu.be/JPB4lmLqLXM

19.01.2026 18:57 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2026.1 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2026.1 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Happy New Year everyone πŸ₯³
And happy first @home-assistant.io release of the year.

This month was a smaller release but there's still a bunch of great new features and improvements.

Here are the features I really liked :
youtu.be/gHaGvTLIS1c

08.01.2026 19:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
This Frame Uses AI to Create Wall Art
This Frame Uses AI to Create Wall Art YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Smart wall art is officially a thing πŸ‘€

This frame uses AI to create artwork (or display your own photos), and it doesn’t look like a screen at all!

Full video here πŸ‘‰
youtu.be/YOm8_2wFFH8

20.12.2025 10:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
This Doorbell… Has a Screen?
This Doorbell… Has a Screen? YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Soo... Switchbot made a doorbell.. And it has a screen?
youtu.be/WvcKH2Mh0ds

01.12.2025 21:06 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.12 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.12 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

@home-assistant.io Update 2025.12 is dropping on Wednesday, 3rd December - the final release of the year! πŸ˜²β„οΈβ˜ƒοΈ

Seriously… where has the time gone?
Here are the 5 features I really liked: youtu.be/MXe9Zjtvdio

28.11.2025 22:05 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
3 Things You Can Do With Your Unlocked Echo Show
3 Things You Can Do With Your Unlocked Echo Show YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

The other week we looked at how to remove Alexa and the Fire OS in exchange for LineageOS.

Here are 3 things you can do with your newly unlocked echo show:

youtu.be/OMx4Ud7fBYI

#homeassistant #voiceassistant #viewassist #localvoice

23.11.2025 12:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Goodbye Alexa πŸ‘‹ Hello Android β€” Install LineageOS on the Echo Show 5
Goodbye Alexa πŸ‘‹ Hello Android β€” Install LineageOS on the Echo Show 5 YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Goodbye Alexa πŸ‘‹πŸ» Hello Android! and @home-assistant.io

The full video walkthrough is now live πŸ‘‡πŸ»πŸ‘€a

youtu.be/5CCRIzcgKuM

08.11.2025 10:06 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.11 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.11 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

@home-assistant.io update 2025.11 Drops tomorrow! Where has the time gone!

Here are the 5 Features that I really liked :
youtu.be/w2JIHU7OZ3s

04.11.2025 20:45 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
4 Home Assistant Robot Vacuum Automations (SwitchBot S20)
4 Home Assistant Robot Vacuum Automations (SwitchBot S20) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

4 Robot Vacuum Automations for @home-assistant.io using the Switchbot S20

youtu.be/G1cDuWaTvF4

02.11.2025 20:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
I Hacked an Echo Show 5 Into the Best Home Assistant Clock!
I Hacked an Echo Show 5 Into the Best Home Assistant Clock! YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

The Best @home-assistant.io bedside clock is a Hacked Echo Show 5? πŸŽ₯πŸ‘€

youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI

In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!

31.10.2025 22:33 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards)
5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Here's another 5 Custom Cards to spice up your @home-assistant.io Dashboard :

youtu.be/vqhvOhle1Tw

18.10.2025 09:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards)
5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

5 Frontend HACS to spice up your @home-assistant.io dashboard!

youtu.be/wvNfXmEyGg4

28.09.2025 17:17 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.10 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.10 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

@home-assistant.io
update 2025.10 is packed full of quality of life tweaks and new features.

Personally I love that we finally have undo and redo available in the automation editor UI.

Here are the 5 Features that I really like: youtu.be/Dw4Boj_etX8

28.09.2025 17:14 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.9 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.9 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

The @home-assistant.io 2025.9 drops tomorrow β€” and it’s packed with some awesome new features!

Here are the 5 features I’m most excited about in
πŸ‘‰ youtu.be/wjQr1dVjBfo

02.09.2025 17:28 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The Home Assistant Button Box (ESP32 + ESPHome)
The Home Assistant Button Box (ESP32 + ESPHome) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

If you're looking to get started with ESPHome then checkout the @homeassistant.bsky.social Button Box. It's a cool little project I found over at MakerWorld.

Here's a quick overview and some of the modifications I made to my Button Box.
youtu.be/0jHDhyW68ow

24.08.2025 17:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.8 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.8 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

It's that time again!

Later this week @home-assistant.io Update 2025.8 will be releasing. This time round it has a heavy focus on AI and some nice quality of life features.

Here are 5 of the features I really like : youtu.be/Jtdc5t-51ZI

04.08.2025 17:04 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Size Isn’t Everything (SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo)
Size Isn’t Everything (SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Size Isn't Everything?
youtu.be/sYaV8K-wgns

In this one we take a look at SwitchBots K10+ Pro Combo and some of the things I like and don't like.

09.07.2025 17:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Which Reolink Doorbell Should You Buy? Features & Home Assistant Tested!
Which Reolink Doorbell Should You Buy? Features & Home Assistant Tested! YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Which Reolink Doorbell should you get for @home-assistant.io

In this one I compare some of the key points and take a look at the integration for Reolink.

youtu.be/LYn2uQJ9GCo

06.07.2025 20:10 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
SwitchBot Works with Home Assistant – Full Integration Guide
SwitchBot Works with Home Assistant – Full Integration Guide YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

You may have seen recently that Switchbot have joined the Works With @home-assistant.io Program πŸŽ‰

In this video I run through what that means and also how to setup and use the integrations for Bluetooth, The Cloud and Matter.

youtu.be/If1lvrVJMSU

05.07.2025 12:31 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
5 Things I Love and Hate – SwitchBot Air Purifier Table
5 Things I Love and Hate – SwitchBot Air Purifier Table YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

5 Things I Love and Hate about the Switchbot Air Purifier Table
youtu.be/NxDRhKAeiN0

Switchbot have also now joined the Works with @home-assistant.io program! πŸ₯³πŸŽ‰

(Spoiler - This air purifier works great in HA)

01.07.2025 17:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
5 New Features in 2025.7 (Home Assistant)
5 New Features in 2025.7 (Home Assistant) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

@home-assistant.io 2025.7 will be releasing in a few days! Considering it's had a shorter development cycle it's still packed with features!

The new Ask Questions Action is awesome!

Here's the 5 Features I really like : youtu.be/NvWcdfKI-qE

29.06.2025 09:23 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

They are a manufacturer of lock hardware that are implemented into lots of Smart locks currently on the market πŸ‘πŸ»

23.06.2025 14:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Add TTLock Smart Locks to Home Assistant (QUICK GUIDE)
Add TTLock Smart Locks to Home Assistant (QUICK GUIDE) YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Oh and here's one I forgot to share the other day :

youtu.be/lvl-oacgPgQ

This one shows you how to setup the TTLock integration to allow you to control TTLock Smart Locks in @home-assistant.io

My video on the lock shown in the video (also recorded months ago) will be available soon.

22.06.2025 10:30 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
5 Must-Have Upgrades for Your Bambu Lab 3D Printers!
5 Must-Have Upgrades for Your Bambu Lab 3D Printers! YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Finally got round to editing some videos that have been sat on my harddrive for months. Here's 5 Upgrades for your @bambulabglobal.bsky.social Printers.
youtu.be/3RNYKQ8ZC9M

22.06.2025 10:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0