Home Assistant Core 2022.7: Performance Boost and Essential Updates

Performance Enhancements in YAML and JSON Tooling

If you rely heavily on YAML for your configurations, you'll notice a substantial improvement in speed with Home Assistant Core 2022.7. This release optimizes the handling of templates, scripts, automations, and integrations that are not yet part of the Dashboard, resulting in quicker restarts and faster reloading of YAML from the Developer Tools (#73649, #73424, and #73337).

Additionally, JSON handling has also been improved. Since Home Assistant uses JSON extensively for internal processes and communication with the frontend and APIs, these enhancements contribute to a noticeably snappier performance overall.

How Home Assistant Utilizes JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. Home Assistant leverages JSON in several critical areas. It is used for storing configuration files, which define various aspects of the Home Assistant setup, such as entity states, automation rules, and integration parameters.

Additionally, JSON is the primary format for data exchange between the Home Assistant backend and its frontend, enabling seamless interaction with the user interface. APIs that allow external applications and services to interact with Home Assistant also rely on JSON to transmit requests and responses efficiently. By optimizing JSON processing, Home Assistant Core 2022.7 ensures faster data handling, leading to an overall more responsive system.

Automatic Device Recovery in Home Assistant

Do you experience long delays with certain integrations after restarting Home Assistant Core? The new version addresses this issue by enabling devices to self-recover in case of startup errors. This means that integrations like MQTT, which previously took a long time to become usable, will now automatically recover and be ready for use more quickly, providing a more seamless user experience.

Preparation for iOS 16

Apple's upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 introduce several new features, including Matter support, enhanced multitasking, and a revamped Home app. In preparation for these updates, Home Assistant Core 2022.7 adopts a more efficient encryption method for the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP).

This change ensures that Home Assistant apps and integrations continue to function smoothly when Apple releases its updates. Moreover, it improves the performance of the HomeKit, HomeKit Controller, and Apple TV integrations.

Understanding the HomeKit Accessory Protocol

The HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) is Apple's proprietary protocol designed for communication between smart home devices and Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and HomePods. HAP ensures that accessories can be controlled securely and efficiently through Apple's Home app or via Siri voice commands.

HAP facilitates the discovery, configuration, and control of HomeKit-compatible devices. It uses a combination of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi to maintain a reliable connection with minimal power consumption. One of the key aspects of HAP is its focus on security. It employs end-to-end encryption to protect data exchanged between devices, ensuring that only authorized devices can control or receive information from HomeKit accessories.

In Home Assistant, the integration of HAP allows users to manage their HomeKit-compatible devices within the Home Assistant ecosystem. This means that Home Assistant can act as both a HomeKit accessory and a HomeKit bridge, enabling non-HomeKit devices to be controlled through the Home app and Siri.

The update in Home Assistant Core 2022.7 to a better and faster encryption method for HAP not only ensures compatibility with the upcoming iOS and iPadOS updates but also enhances the performance and security of HomeKit, HomeKit Controller, and Apple TV integrations. This means users can expect a more seamless and responsive experience when interacting with their smart home devices via Home Assistant once the Apple updates are released.

Python 3.10 Integration

Home Assistant Core 2022.7 now supports Python 3.10, which brings several benefits. If you use the Home Assistant Operating System on a Raspberry Pi or other compatible hardware, the update process will be straightforward.

However, if you run Home Assistant Core in a Python virtual environment, you may need to perform additional steps. Users who have manually installed Home Assistant Core should be familiar with these requirements.

Impact on Custom Components

The transition to Python 3.10 promises performance improvements, but may also cause issues with custom components that do not support the new version. Unsupported custom components will cease to function, requiring users to find alternatives or update the components themselves.

While this may be inconvenient, it also provides an opportunity to phase out outdated and potentially insecure components. It might also encourage developers to update and maintain essential custom components.

Bluetooth Integration Challenges

The update to Python 3.10 affects several Bluetooth integrations due to the incompatibility of the bluepy library. The following integrations are currently broken:

• BeeWi SmartClim BLE sensor
• Elgato Avea
• EQ3 Bluetooth Smart Thermostats
• Leviton Decora
• Mi Flora
• Zengge

These integrations may eventually be migrated to the Bleak library. In the meantime, users of the Mi Flora sensor can use ESPHome and an ESP32 as an alternative integration method.

Summary

Home Assistant Core 2022.7 focuses on enhancing performance and preparing for future updates. With improvements to YAML and JSON handling, automatic device recovery, and support for iOS 16, this release ensures a smoother and more efficient Home Assistant experience. However, the transition to Python 3.10 may require users to update or replace custom components and certain Bluetooth integrations.

Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to enjoy a faster, more reliable Home Assistant Core.