SmartHomeShopUK

Welcome to the SmartHomeShopUK content hub – your go-to resource for learning, building, and fixing smart home setups.

Whether you’re just getting stated or you’ve already automtaed half your house, we’re here to hehlp you make it smarter, smoother and easier to control.

Use this page to find what you need, from simple setup guides to mind-boggling projects – you can always request help if you’re stuck.

Start Here

Some great articles to help get you started learning about smart homes.

  • ESPHome Device Builder 1.0: What’s New

    ESPHome’s new Device Builder introduces a redesigned interface for creating, organising and updating ESPHome devices. This guide explores the biggest changes, including visual configuration tools, improved device management, firmware job queues and easier hardware setup.

  • Turning an Android Panel into a Home Assistant Display

    This guide walks you through converting an Android panel into a reliable, single-purpose smart home display.

  • Spotify Integration in Home Assistant

    This guide explains how to set up the official Spotify integration in Home Assistant so you can control playback and browse your Spotify library from the Home Assistant UI and automations. 

  • Zigbee vs Bluetooth: Which is Better for Your Smart Home?

    Zigbee or Bluetooth? Choosing the right protocol can make a big difference to your smart home. Here’s a simple breakdown of how they compare.

  • How I use smart alarms with Home Assistant?

    Zigbee smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas alarms should always be treated as standalone safety devices first. They need to be loud, local, and reliable on their own. Home Assistant doesn’t replace that, but it gives you much quicker notice that something is happening.

  • How to Sideload Apps (Including Kodi) on the D-Color Google TV

    This guide explains how to sideload applications (APK files) onto the D-Color Google TV running Android TV OS.

Recommended Posts

Hand-picked guides that our readers find the most useful.

  • ESPHome Device Builder 1.0: What’s New

    ESPHome’s new Device Builder introduces a redesigned interface for creating, organising and updating ESPHome devices. This guide explores the biggest changes, including visual configuration tools, improved device management, firmware job queues and easier hardware setup.

  • Turning an Android Panel into a Home Assistant Display

    This guide walks you through converting an Android panel into a reliable, single-purpose smart home display.

  • Spotify Integration in Home Assistant

    This guide explains how to set up the official Spotify integration in Home Assistant so you can control playback and browse your Spotify library from the Home Assistant UI and automations. 

  • Zigbee vs Bluetooth: Which is Better for Your Smart Home?

    Zigbee or Bluetooth? Choosing the right protocol can make a big difference to your smart home. Here’s a simple breakdown of how they compare.

  • How I use smart alarms with Home Assistant?

    Zigbee smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas alarms should always be treated as standalone safety devices first. They need to be loud, local, and reliable on their own. Home Assistant doesn’t replace that, but it gives you much quicker notice that something is happening.

  • How to Sideload Apps (Including Kodi) on the D-Color Google TV

    This guide explains how to sideload applications (APK files) onto the D-Color Google TV running Android TV OS.

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