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MarkWattTech

@markwatttech.bsky.social

258 followers 20 following 51 posts

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

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MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Anyone else eyeing up those AliExpress smart home wall panels? 👀 POE , dual relays, LED Ring, fits a standard wall backbox and displays @home-assistant.io dashboards. At £240 it's not cheap but it's surprisingly capable. If you can trust it on your network 👇 youtu.be/G29HGZ5FwHA

Should You Buy This £240 Wall Panel From AliExpress?

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

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MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

@home-assistant.io 2026.6 is releasing later this week (Wednesday, June 3rd). Here are the 5 features that I really liked in the release: youtu.be/6cY7zSTrEIM Have you spotted any other features in 2026.6 that you're excited about?

5 New Features in 2026.6 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Reolink finally did it… a mains powered floodlight camera 👀 No batteries. No plugs. Just swap out your existing outside light and you’re good to go. So… super wide or PTZ? 🤔 youtu.be/bnsR-tAIqHM

Reolink TrackFlex vs Elite Floodlight – Which One Should You Buy?

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The list of new integrations, upgraded integrations, and quality scale jumps in @home-assistant.io 2026.3 is seriously stacked 👏 Loads of community-driven improvements in this one. Here are the 5 features that I really liked👇 youtu.be/rCaPPzBjsZ0

5 New Features in 2026.3 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

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MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

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

TTLock Smart Locks in Home Assistant | Cloud & Local Control with Matter

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

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

5 New Features in 2026.2 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

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

Trying to create a Smart Home Cinema (Part 1)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Aqara released a UK Wall Outlet 🤯. And of course it works great in @home-assistant.io (in multiple ways) youtu.be/vuOzv-70lAM

Finally… a Proper UK Smart Wall Socket (Aqara H2 + Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

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

Turn Your Unlocked Echo Show Into a Local Voice Assistant (View Assist Full Setup Guide)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Smart Home Backups and Media with the UGREEN NAS! youtu.be/JPB4lmLqLXM

Your Smart Home Needs A Backup!

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

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MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone 🥳 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

5 New Features in 2026.1 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Smart wall art is officially a thing 👀 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 👉 youtu.be/YOm8_2wFFH8

This Frame Uses AI to Create Wall Art

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

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

This Doorbell… Has a Screen?

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

@home-assistant.io Update 2025.12 is dropping on Wednesday, 3rd December - the final release of the year! 😲❄️☃️ Seriously… where has the time gone? Here are the 5 features I really liked: youtu.be/MXe9Zjtvdio

5 New Features in 2025.12 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

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

3 Things You Can Do With Your Unlocked Echo Show

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Goodbye Alexa 👋🏻 Hello Android! and @home-assistant.io The full video walkthrough is now live 👇🏻👀a youtu.be/5CCRIzcgKuM

Goodbye Alexa 👋 Hello Android — Install LineageOS on the Echo Show 5

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

@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

5 New Features in 2025.11 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

4 Robot Vacuum Automations for @home-assistant.io using the Switchbot S20 youtu.be/G1cDuWaTvF4

4 Home Assistant Robot Vacuum Automations (SwitchBot S20)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

The Best @home-assistant.io bedside clock is a Hacked Echo Show 5? 🎥👀 youtu.be/bRlWNrB2dDI In this video I overview keeping or removing FireOS!

I Hacked an Echo Show 5 Into the Best Home Assistant Clock!

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Here's another 5 Custom Cards to spice up your @home-assistant.io Dashboard : youtu.be/vqhvOhle1Tw

5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

5 Frontend HACS to spice up your @home-assistant.io dashboard! youtu.be/wvNfXmEyGg4

5 Frontend HACS for Home Assistant (Custom Cards)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

@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

5 New Features in 2025.10 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

The @home-assistant.io 2025.9 drops tomorrow — and it’s packed with some awesome new features! Here are the 5 features I’m most excited about in 👉 youtu.be/wjQr1dVjBfo

5 New Features in 2025.9 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

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

The Home Assistant Button Box (ESP32 + ESPHome)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

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

5 New Features in 2025.8 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

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.

Size Isn’t Everything (SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

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MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

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

Which Reolink Doorbell Should You Buy? Features & Home Assistant Tested!

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

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

SwitchBot Works with Home Assistant – Full Integration Guide

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

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! 🥳🎉 (Spoiler - This air purifier works great in HA)

5 Things I Love and Hate – SwitchBot Air Purifier Table

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

@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

5 New Features in 2025.7 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

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.

Add TTLock Smart Locks to Home Assistant (QUICK GUIDE)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

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

5 Must-Have Upgrades for Your Bambu Lab 3D Printers!

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

ac@home-assistant.io Update 2025.6 is doubling down on quality of life improvements and more uniform UI! Here are the 5 Features that I really like: youtu.be/-Imqxl-Hjb0 You can sneak peak the current release notes here: rc.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/05...

5 New Features in 2025.6 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

A Matter Hub that works great with @home-assistant.io youtu.be/tWCb1vlvzEo

Finally, a Matter Hub That Just Works with Home Assistant (SwitchBot Hub 3)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

The @home-assistant.io VPE has a Grove Port on the back! If you're wondering what it is and what it does then here's a quick video showcasing adding a couple of sensors. youtu.be/bxOYuOmHW1A

Enhance Your Home Assistant VPE with this Tiny Port! (Grove Sensors)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

The @home-assistant.io 2025.5 update will be releasing in a couple of days. It has some great quality of life features and I personally love the new Entity Picker! Here's the 5 Features I really like: youtu.be/5w8ZSR9RsCA

5 New Features in 2025.5 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I was working on a video showing how to design and create your own ESP @home-assistant.io dashboards but I felt like the tutorial was really complicated and long. So I started writing a tool to let you create the interfaces. Anyone interested? 🙂

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

I built a touchscreen desk controller with esphome and @home-assistant.io to replace my boring desk controller! Check it out here! 👇🏻👀 youtu.be/jZzNDveuDVY Enclosure needs some work 😂 but it’s a fun weekend project! #ESPHome #ESP32 #SmartHome #Nextion #HomeAssistant

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

@home-assistant.io 2025.4 has some amazing new features! The new voice features like continued conversation where not having to repeat the wake word is going to be a game changer for sure. Here's the 5 Features I really like! youtu.be/H0ZqV7Bb12o

5 New Features in 2025.4 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

A Little Update :) www.patreon.com/posts/little...

A Little Update | MarkWattTech

Get more from MarkWattTech on Patreon

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

How to Install HACS in @home-assistant.io in 2025! All of my original guides for HACS are now pretty dated so here's a new fresh one featuring the new HACS UI. youtu.be/a4lSlN6EI04 Who remembers the old HACS UI? 🙋🏻‍♂️

HOW TO - Install HACS 2025 (Complete Guide)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The @xtool-official.bsky.social P2 has lots of manual processes. So lets fix this and automate them with @home-assistant.io This is vey much a niche one but hopefully its helpful to someone :) youtu.be/WCrjo9hjzSo

How To - Automate xTool Devices with Home Assistant

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Reposted by MarkWattTech

Home Assistant @home-assistant.io · 05/03/2025

🎶 Music Assistant released its latest hit - version 2.4! Catch up on its chart-topping new features like Spotify Connect, Assist optimization, an equalizer, and podcast & audiobook support. Don't miss a beat, read the blog for more 👇🏼

home-assistant.io

Music Assistant's next big hit

Spotify Connect, Assist streaming, podcasts, audiobooks, Apple Music, a full EQ, and more!

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

@home-assistant.io Update 2025.3 will be releasing on Wednesday. There's plenty of quality of life improvements and features in this one! You can find the Beta release here: rc.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/02... Here are 5 Features that I really like: youtu.be/Ik4po3d3pro

rc.home-assistant.io

2025.3 Beta: View those headers!

Beta release notes for Home Assistant 2025.3

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Bit of a late one but it is still February 😂. The @home-assistant.io 2025.3 Beta is available now with the full release taking place next week. Before then here are 5 of the features I liked in 2025.2 : youtu.be/DrUwdTWJntU

5 New Features in 2025.2 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

I didn't want to release two on the same day! So here's 5 New Features that I like in the latest release of Home Assistant! youtu.be/Kop5DokcVTg

5 New Features in 2025.1 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

Reposted by MarkWattTech

Home Assistant @home-assistant.io · 19/12/2024

‼️ WE'RE LIVE IN 15 MINUTES! Join us 👇🏼 to see what's new in Voice. 🤩 #HomeAssistant #SmartHome #HomeAutomation

Product Launch 🗣️ Voice: Chapter 8

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

A little late to the party! @home-assistant.io youtu.be/CMwwpvW7atw It's been a struggle to fit in filming and editing around printing 🖨️🖨️🖨️ Who uses scenes then? 👀

5 New Features in 2024.12 (Home Assistant)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech

MarkWattTech @markwatttech.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I'm back! (Again) youtu.be/47Vr_HT_U5Y

Why I’ve Been Gone (And What’s Next!)

YouTube video by Mark Watt Tech