Home Assistant celebrated its eighth anniversary this week, marking a significant journey since its inception in September 2013 by Paulus Schoutsen, known as “balloob.” Despite the absence of a website or a presence on GitHub back then, the progress made since those early days is remarkable. To honour this occasion, the developers are preparing a special surprise for users, giving us a sneak peek of an exciting announcement set to be revealed on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021, during the release party stream.
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What Could the Special Announcement Be?
Speculation is rife regarding the upcoming announcement. The last significant reveal during a live stream was the release of ESP Web Tools.
Given the teaser image, featuring the number 8 constructed from ESP32 and ESP8266 boards, along with DIY tools like pliers, a screwdriver, and soldering tin, it's reasonable to guess that the announcement may be related to ESPHome. Here are some educated guesses:
- Partnerships with Manufacturers: This could involve creating devices with ESPHome preinstalled, offering a certification program, and enabling manufacturers to deliver OTA updates through the ESPHome dashboard or ESP Web Tools.
- Support for ESP32-H2: This new version of the ESP32, which includes Zigbee capability, might be integrated into Home Assistant.
- Room-level Tracking Solution: A new feature using BLE for seamless integration and automatic calibration in Home Assistant, eliminating the need for users to set RSSI values manually.
- Support for Matter: This would likely coincide with the support for the ESP32-H2, aligning with the growing adoption of the Matter standard.
If the ESP boards are merely a distraction, other potential announcements related to Home Assistant could include:
- Native Windows and Linux Companion Apps: An official app for Windows with the same functionality as the macOS app, and possibly a new Linux companion app.
- Works with Home Assistant Programme: Establishing a certification programme for vendors to ensure devices meet specific standards, such as local access requirements.
How to Support Home Assistant for the Next Eight Years
Supporting Home Assistant's development is crucial for its continued success. The easiest way to contribute is by subscribing to Nabu Casa's Home Assistant Cloud. Even if you don't need remote access, subscribing helps fund further development. Alternatively, you can sponsor the project on GitHub.
