Latest news with #Home Assistant
The Verge
4 days ago
- The Verge
This big stick solved my smart garden connectivity problems
I recently installed the biggest smart home antenna I've ever seen, and it helped open up new areas in my smart home, from the attic to the chicken coop. The towering 12-inch-tall Home Assistant Connect ZWA-2, which launched this week for $69, plugs into any Home Assistant system via USB and can connect to any Z-Wave device, including those using the new Long Range (LR) spec. I hooked the ZWA-2 up to my Home Assistant Yellow hub and, within minutes, it was controlling a plug all the way at the bottom of my garden. I've struggled with connectivity issues in my garden for years. An Eero Outdoor 7 has been a good fix for W-Fi devices such as cameras and robot lawnmowers. Now Z-Wave LR, which uses the same 900MHz band as Z-Wave to connect devices up to a mile and a half away (in ideal conditions), opens the door to using sensors, locks, and other low-powered devices in further-flung corners of my property. The antenna itself is almost comically large. To get the best performance, it needs to be out in the open, which means it's perched on a cupboard in my sitting room. The HA team says it is 'designed to blend into home decor. It not only resembles a candle, but it also lights up like one.' Credit to them for avoiding the 'black spider' look, but it still sticks out like a glowing blue sore thumb. That size, though, lets it pick up even the faintest Z-Wave signal and should help make your network more responsive and stable. Until now, Z-Wave antenna options in Home Assistant have been in third-party USB sticks about 3 inches long, and on other platforms, they're generally hidden inside hubs, which can limit their range. Setting up the ZWA-2 was easy. I screwed the stick into the base and plugged it into my Yellow using a provided USB A-to-C cable. Home Assistant instantly recognized it, creating a new network. If you already have a Z-Wave network on Home Assistant, a migration tool can move your devices over in a few minutes (I saw a demo that took under 5 minutes). For my first test, I used a Zooz Z-Wave LR smart plug ($35) to control two fans in my chicken coop. The coop is located at the bottom of my garden, about 50 yards (150 feet) from the antenna, through two brick walls. I scanned the plug's QR code, selected the Z-Wave LR option (you can also choose traditional mesh; the antenna can do either), and it onboarded quickly. I then plugged it into an outlet in my garden shed near the coop and ran an extension cord to the fans. Even at that distance, the plug responded instantly to turn the fans on and off. Next, I set up a Zooz Z-Wave LR water leak sensor ($39) in my attic, where my HVAC drip pan recently overflowed, leaving a nasty stain on my ceiling. The setup was similarly straightforward. Z-Wave LR is a good solution here because sub-GHz protocols draw less power than Wi-Fi, so the coin cell battery in the sensor should last longer. (There's no outlet near the unit for a plug-in sensor.) If you use Z-Wave devices, which many Home Assistant users do, and have had trouble with connections or want to automate more areas of your home — a mailbox sensor, a gate sensor, leak detectors in your basement, and so on — the ZWA-2 is an easy recommendation. I've only been using it for a short while, so I can't comment on reliability, but so far, the devices I've connected have done so smoothly in spots where I've struggled to find good options. And while, despite Home Assistant's admirable efforts, the ZWA-2 really isn't a décor piece, the range gains are worth the trade-off. Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Hands-on Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smart Home Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smart Home Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Geeky Gadgets
11-08-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Turn a Broken Phone into a Home Server for Automation and More
Have you ever looked at an old, broken phone and thought, 'This is just e-waste now'? What if that seemingly useless device could be transformed into something surprisingly powerful—a functional home server? It may sound like a stretch, but with a bit of technical ingenuity, that cracked-screen Android or forgotten drawer-dweller can take on a second life, running lightweight applications like Home Assistant or even hosting a VPN. In a world where electronic waste is piling up at alarming rates, this approach offers a sustainable and creative way to repurpose technology that might otherwise be discarded. If you have a broken smartphone Hardware Haven guide you through the process of turning your old phone into a compact, low-power home server. Along the way, you'll discover how tools like Postmarket OS and Docker can unlock new possibilities for your device, and how simple hardware tweaks can overcome challenges like battery degradation. Whether you're a tech enthusiast eager to experiment or someone looking for a cost-effective way to dip into home automation, this project offers a unique blend of practicality and innovation. By the end, you might just see your old phone not as obsolete junk, but as a gateway to smarter, greener tech solutions. Repurpose Old Phones as Servers The Benefits of Repurposing an Old Phone Turning an old phone into a home server offers several advantages that make it an appealing option for tech enthusiasts: Energy Efficiency: Old Android phones are compact and consume minimal power, often as low as 1 watt when idle. This makes them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional servers. Old Android phones are compact and consume minimal power, often as low as 1 watt when idle. This makes them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional servers. Cost Savings: Repurposing a device you already own eliminates the need to purchase new hardware, reducing costs significantly. Repurposing a device you already own eliminates the need to purchase new hardware, reducing costs significantly. Versatility: These devices can handle a variety of tasks, such as managing smart home devices, hosting a VPN for secure remote access, or running lightweight web servers. By giving new purpose to an old device, you not only reduce electronic waste but also explore creative and sustainable tech solutions. Challenges to Anticipate While the concept of transforming a phone into a server is exciting, it comes with several challenges that require attention: Technical Knowledge: Setting up a phone as a server demands familiarity with Linux systems, Android partitioning, and flashing tools. Without this expertise, the process can be daunting. Setting up a phone as a server demands familiarity with Linux systems, Android partitioning, and flashing tools. Without this expertise, the process can be daunting. Software Compatibility: ARM-based devices, like most Android phones, have limited software support compared to x86 systems, which can restrict the range of applications you can run. ARM-based devices, like most Android phones, have limited software support compared to x86 systems, which can restrict the range of applications you can run. Hardware Limitations: Older phones may struggle with performance issues, especially when running multiple services simultaneously. Older phones may struggle with performance issues, especially when running multiple services simultaneously. Power Supply Challenges: Phone batteries are not designed for continuous operation. Over time, battery degradation can lead to safety risks, necessitating modifications to the power supply. Phone batteries are not designed for continuous operation. Over time, battery degradation can lead to safety risks, necessitating modifications to the power supply. Networking Complexity: Configuring Docker containers, setting up firewalls, and managing network protocols can be complex, particularly for those unfamiliar with networking concepts. These obstacles require patience, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to experiment to achieve a successful outcome. Transform a Broken Phone into A Home Server Watch this video on YouTube. Enhance your knowledge on home servers by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Tools and Software You'll Need To repurpose your phone into a home server, you'll need specific tools and software to replace its original operating system and configure it for server tasks. Key resources include: Postmarket OS: A lightweight Linux-based operating system designed for older devices, offering flexibility and customization for server use. A lightweight Linux-based operating system designed for older devices, offering flexibility and customization for server use. Docker: A containerization platform that allows you to efficiently run multiple services, such as Home Assistant, on limited hardware. A containerization platform that allows you to efficiently run multiple services, such as Home Assistant, on limited hardware. Fastboot and PM Bootstrap: Essential utilities for flashing custom images and building the software environment required for server functionality. These tools are critical for preparing your phone to handle the demands of a home server, making sure it operates efficiently and reliably. Hardware Modifications for Enhanced Performance To ensure your phone operates continuously and safely as a server, you'll need to address its hardware limitations. Key modifications include: Custom Power Supply: Removing the phone's battery and replacing it with a stable power source prevents battery degradation and reduces the risk of overheating during prolonged use. Removing the phone's battery and replacing it with a stable power source prevents battery degradation and reduces the risk of overheating during prolonged use. Improved Network Connectivity: Using an Ethernet adapter instead of relying on Wi-Fi can enhance reliability and speed, though compatibility with older devices may vary. These adjustments improve the phone's stability and make it better suited for the demands of server tasks. Networking and Configuration Essentials Proper networking and configuration are crucial for turning your phone into a functional server. Key steps include: Setting Up Docker: Configure Docker containers to run applications like Home Assistant. This involves managing container communication, resource allocation, and making sure efficient operation. Configure Docker containers to run applications like Home Assistant. This involves managing container communication, resource allocation, and making sure efficient operation. Firewall Configuration: Implement firewall rules to secure your server, protecting it from unauthorized access and potential vulnerabilities. A well-configured network ensures your server operates securely and efficiently, even in a home environment. Practical Applications and Limitations Once set up, your repurposed phone can serve as a reliable home server for various lightweight applications. Examples include: Home Automation: Use Home Assistant to control and monitor smart devices seamlessly. Use Home Assistant to control and monitor smart devices seamlessly. Secure Remote Access: Host a VPN server to enhance your network's security and enable remote access to your home systems. However, it's important to recognize the limitations of ARM-based devices. They lack the expandability, processing power, and I/O options of x86 systems, which may restrict their use for more demanding applications. Despite these constraints, they remain a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for lightweight server tasks. Media Credit: Hardware Haven Filed Under: Guides, Hardware Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
