Home Assistant Yellow is coming to integrate all your devices

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Are you yearning for a hassle-free home assistant system that elegantly manages your smart home? Look no further than Home Assistant Yellow. This nifty gadget is the key to unlocking a world of convenience, complete with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support, integrated Zigbee and Thread radios. With PoE support, you can bid farewell to tangled cords and cumbersome installations. Home Assistant Yellow operates on a single Ethernet cable for both power and data transfer, ensuring a clean and clutter-free setup. It also stands out with its built-in Zigbee and Thread radios, which grant you full control over all your smart home devices.

  • Unravelling the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4
  • A few stumbling blocks for Home Assistant Yellow
  • Home Assistant Yellow vs. Home Assistant Blue: The Showdown
  • Home Assistant Yellow vs. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: The Smart Home Showdown
  • Home Assistant Yellow: A Beacon of Brilliance
  • Model
    Best choice

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 3+ Model B

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8gb)

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2019 Quad Core 64 Bit WiFi Bluetooth (4GB)

    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+)

    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Board

    RAM
    8 GB

    4 GB

    1 GB

    1 GB

    CPU
    4× Cortex-A72 1.5 GHz

    4× Cortex-A72 1.5 GHz

    4× Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz

    4× Cortex-A53 1.2 GHz

    GPU
    Broadcom VideoCore VI @ 500 MHz

    Broadcom VideoCore VI @ 500 MHz

    Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 250 MHz

    Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 250 MHz

    USB 2.0
    2 ports

    2 ports

    4 ports

    4 ports

    USB 3.0
    2 ports

    2 ports

    0 ports

    0 ports

    Price
    $109.97

    $61.78

    $47.99

    $48.79

    -

    Amazon Prime

    Amazon Prime

    Amazon Prime

    Best choice

    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8gb)

    RAM
    8 GB

    CPU
    4× Cortex-A72 1.5 GHz

    GPU
    Broadcom VideoCore VI @ 500 MHz

    USB 2.0
    2 ports

    USB 3.0
    2 ports

    Price
    $109.97

    -

    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2019 Quad Core 64 Bit WiFi Bluetooth (4GB)

    RAM
    4 GB

    CPU
    4× Cortex-A72 1.5 GHz

    GPU
    Broadcom VideoCore VI @ 500 MHz

    USB 2.0
    2 ports

    USB 3.0
    2 ports

    Price
    $61.78

    Amazon Prime

    Model
    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+)

    RAM
    1 GB

    CPU
    4× Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz

    GPU
    Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 250 MHz

    USB 2.0
    4 ports

    USB 3.0
    0 ports

    Price
    $47.99

    Amazon Prime

    Model
    Raspberry Pi 3+ Model B

    Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Board

    RAM
    1 GB

    CPU
    4× Cortex-A53 1.2 GHz

    GPU
    Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 250 MHz

    USB 2.0
    4 ports

    USB 3.0
    0 ports

    Price
    $48.79

    Amazon Prime

    Triumph without the fanfare

    Before anything else, let me express my sincere apologies for not shining a spotlight on the crowdfunding campaign for Home Assistant Yellow earlier. However, there's no need to fret, as the overwhelming enthusiasm of Home Assistant aficionados has already propelled the campaign past its target. To date, over US$175,000 has been pledged, surpassing the US$140,000 needed to launch the product on Crowd Supply.

    Now, allow me to unravel the magic behind Home Assistant Yellow. Nestled within this marvel is the robust Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, which packs the same punch as the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, but with the addition of a PCIe Gen 2 x1 interface. This crucial feature paves the way for an M.2 expansion slot, a significant step up from Home Assistant Blue. However, as I alluded to earlier, this upgrade comes with a price tag, which we'll delve into shortly.

    The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 takes centre stage on a tailor-made board, brimming with extraordinary features. Home Assistant Yellow presents a perfect fusion of the Raspberry Pi's prowess and the adaptability of a bespoke, purpose-built board, granting you the finest of both realms.

    Unravelling the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4

    Allow me to shed some light on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, the formidable core of the forthcoming Home Assistant Yellow. There appears to be a bit of a misunderstanding surrounding this board, so allow me to clarify. Simply put, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 is akin to a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B board, stripped of any ports. That's correct – it comes without USB, HDMI, Ethernet, or even a power adapter. This absence of ports eliminates the need for certain controllers, making the board impressively compact at just 55 mm x 40 mm. Designed for embedded applications, the Compute Module 4 isn't intended as a standalone device; instead, it is sold to industry partners like Nabu Casa, who is crafting Home Assistant Yellow.

    Don't be deceived by its diminutive size – the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 packs a wallop. It boasts the same quad-core Cortex-A72 CPU at 1.5 GHz and Broadcom VideoCore VI graphics processor as the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. Nabu Casa isn't the only manufacturer embracing this board – Sharp NEC Display Solutions also offers it as an accessory for some of their monitors.

    The Raspberry Pi Compute Model 4 that powers Home Assistant Amber
    The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4

    The Raspberry Pi Foundation caters to industry partners by offering the Compute Module 4 in a staggering 32 variants. The differences lie in three main aspects: wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth/BLE), RAM (spanning from 1 GB to 8 GB), and onboard storage (ranging from Lite to 32 GB).

    Home Assistant Yellow will accommodate all available variants. While it's tempting to opt for a more economical option and upgrade later, I wholeheartedly endorse starting with 8 GB RAM and 32 GB storage from the outset. Once you delve into the world of home automation, you'll be astounded by the myriad of projects within reach, and the extra power and storage will undoubtedly come in handy.

    A few stumbling blocks for Home Assistant Yellow

    If you're eyeing Home Assistant Yellow, the all-in-one smart home wonder, you should be aware of a few caveats before taking the plunge. Fear not, I'm here to provide you with the unvarnished truth! First off, the M.2 expansion slot, though brimming with customization potential, does have a price. The absence of USB 3.0 ports could become problematic if you need to store footage from an NVR like Frigate or motionEye. However, there's no need to despair! You can circumvent this constraint by opting for a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 with additional onboard storage. This choice liberates the M.2 slot for other purposes and expands your USB possibilities.

    The primary drawback of Home Assistant Yellow, though, lies in the waiting game. Regrettably, shipping won't commence until June of next year. Rest assured, the wait will be worthwhile! The hardware will still be cutting-edge upon arrival, and the likelihood of a Raspberry Pi 5 release by then is slim. Furthermore, the prospective upgrades accompanying the Raspberry Pi 5 are tantalizing, such as over 8 GB of RAM, swifter USB connectivity, and enhanced Wi-Fi and Ethernet capabilities.

    Let me also share a fantastic way to champion the Home Assistant project without acquiring official hardware. If you're an ardent supporter of this endeavour (and who isn't?), consider signing up for Home Assistant Cloud! This subscription not only displays your commitment, but also unlocks a treasure trove of features for your intelligent abode.

    In conclusion, despite a few hiccups, Home Assistant Yellow remains a compelling option for smart home enthusiasts. With its state-of-the-art features and exhilarating potential, this device is undeniably a worthy contender for your smart home setup.

    Home Assistant Yellow vs. Home Assistant Blue: The Showdown

    Pondering the differences between Home Assistant Blue and Home Assistant Yellow? Allow me to guide you through the maze! Home Assistant Blue marked the first official hardware offering for Home Assistant. It utilized an off-the-shelf ODROID-N2+ board, with the only embellishment being a sleek case. Boasting 128 GB of eMMC memory, Home Assistant Blue was easily replicable and offered no modifications.

    Enter Home Assistant Yellow, a trailblazer in its fully customized design for Home Assistant. The secret sauce lies in the board within: the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. This board holds a significant edge over the ODROID-N2+ in terms of support, courtesy of the vast Raspberry Pi fan base. Consequently, a more significant number of developers are optimizing their code for Raspberry Pis, including the Home Assistant team.

    Beyond the support advantage, Home Assistant Yellow outshines its predecessor with an integrated Zigbee and Matter radio, minimizing accessory requirements. Furthermore, it champions Power-over-Ethernet, sparing you the need for an extra cable as with Home Assistant Blue.

    In a nutshell, Home Assistant Yellow eclipses Home Assistant Blue in terms of customization and functionality. Armed with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and built-in radios, it's a formidable contender for anyone venturing into the realm of smart homes. Don't let the opportunity to elevate your home with the latest in Home Assistant innovation slip through your fingers!

    Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 vs. ODROID-N2+: A Battle of Brawn and Brains

    Brace yourself for a deep dive into the realms of processing power and graphics processors as we pit the ODROID-N2+ against the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4! Statistically speaking, the ODROID-N2+ takes the lead in processing prowess. Its CPU features four modern, compact Cortex-A73 cores, surpassing the Raspberry Pi's four Cortex-A72 cores. Additionally, the ODROID-N2+ boasts two energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores in a big.LITTLE configuration, rendering it more power-savvy than the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 or Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.

    Switching gears to graphics processors, the ODROID-N2+ wields a Mali-G52 GPU with six Execution Engines and an 800 MHz clock, while the Raspberry Pi Compute Module sports a Broadcom VideoCore VI GPU clocked at 500 MHz. You may wonder why Raspberry Pi opts for Broadcom's GPU over Mali's. The answer lies in Broadcom's VideoCore GPUs having outperformed Mali GPUs during the Raspberry Pi's developmental phase, offering an integrated ISP, LCD drivers, and more – features absent in the Mali GPU.

    In conclusion, while the ODROID-N2+ may triumph on paper, the Raspberry Pi is far from a pushover. Both boards possess their own formidable strengths, and your choice ultimately depends on your project's requirements. Rest assured that whether you select the ODROID-N2+ or the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, both options are worthy contenders.

    Home Assistant Yellow vs. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: The Smart Home Showdown

    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Extreme Kit - Aluminum Edition (8GB RAM)
    GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit - 128GB Edition, Raspberry Pi 4 Case with PWM Fan, Raspberry Pi 18W 5V 3.6A Power Supply with ON/Off Switch, HDMI Cables for Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB RAM)
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter PRO Kit - 4GB RAM
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Basic Kit with PiSwitch (4GB RAM)
    Product
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Extreme Kit - Aluminum Edition
    GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter PRO Kit
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit
    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    PSU
    Power supply with noise filter
    USB-C power supply (5V/3.6A)
    Power supply with noise filter
    Power supply with noise filter
    Accessories
    Premium Aluminum Case with Built-In Passive Heat Sink Cooling
    Case; cooling fan wit four aluminium heatsinks, 64 GB microSD card, two HDMI cables
    Premium High-Gloss Case with Integrated Fan Mount, Low Noise Bearing System Fan
    Set of 3 aluminium heat sinks
    Price
    $174.99
    $149.99
    $119.99
    Price not available
    Amazon Prime
    Amazon Prime
    Amazon Prime
    -
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Extreme Kit - Aluminum Edition (8GB RAM)
    Product
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Extreme Kit - Aluminum Edition
    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    PSU
    Power supply with noise filter
    Accessories
    Premium Aluminum Case with Built-In Passive Heat Sink Cooling
    Price
    $174.99
    Amazon Prime
    GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit - 128GB Edition, Raspberry Pi 4 Case with PWM Fan, Raspberry Pi 18W 5V 3.6A Power Supply with ON/Off Switch, HDMI Cables for Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB RAM)
    Product
    GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit
    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    PSU
    USB-C power supply (5V/3.6A)
    Accessories
    Case; cooling fan wit four aluminium heatsinks, 64 GB microSD card, two HDMI cables
    Price
    $149.99
    Amazon Prime
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter PRO Kit - 4GB RAM
    Product
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter PRO Kit
    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)
    PSU
    Power supply with noise filter
    Accessories
    Premium High-Gloss Case with Integrated Fan Mount, Low Noise Bearing System Fan
    Price
    $119.99
    Amazon Prime
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Basic Kit with PiSwitch (4GB RAM)
    Product
    CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit
    Model
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8 GB)
    PSU
    Power supply with noise filter
    Accessories
    Set of 3 aluminium heat sinks
    Price
    Price not available
    -

    Contemplating a Home Assistant Yellow purchase but wondering if a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B encased in a stylish shell could suffice? Let's dissect the advantages and drawbacks of each.

    Firstly, with identical SoCs, both the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and Home Assistant Yellow share equivalent processing capabilities. However, Home Assistant Yellow flaunts a few bonus features absent in the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. For instance, Home Assistant Yellow integrates a Zigbee radio chip supporting OpenThread and Matter, sparing you the need for extra accessories. Moreover, purchasing Home Assistant Yellow financially backs the Home Assistant project, potentially fuelling future revisions and enhancements.

    But fear not if you're already a proud Raspberry Pi 4 Model B owner! You can invest in a case like the Argon ONE, which accommodates an M.2 SATA drive and boasts impressive cooling options. Although an SATA drive may not rival an NVMe drive in Home Assistant Yellow for speed, it should still run Home Assistant smoothly.

    As Matter emerges, compatible adapters for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B will likely surface, allowing you to create your own Home Assistant Yellow-inspired system. And don't overlook the Google Coral USB accelerator, which can be hooked up to your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B to handle a substantial number of video streams (availability permitting).

    Sale
    Coral USB Accelerator
    • A USB accessory that brings machine learning inferencing to existing systems.
    • The on-board edge TPU Coprocessor is capable of performing 4 trillion operations (tera-operations) per second (tops), using 0.5 watts for each tops (2 tops per watt).
    • USB-C (3.0) connector for data and power.

    In conclusion, while Home Assistant Yellow offers unique perks, a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B paired with an elegant case can still deliver a robust home assistant experience. The choice ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and household needs. However, if you're a Home Assistant aficionado, supporting the project by opting for a Home Assistant Yellow is a fantastic way to demonstrate your commitment and contribute to its ongoing progress.

    Home Assistant Yellow: A Beacon of Brilliance

    Why should you be thrilled about Home Assistant Yellow? Allow me to illuminate its game-changing features! First and foremost, Home Assistant Yellow arrives pre-assembled with Home Assistant pre-installed, sparing you the hassle of flashing an SD card or piecing together a case. It's akin to receiving a limited edition Xbox or Game Boy, with everything you need neatly packaged in one compact box.

    If you had one of these, you were cool.
    The transparent Game Boy
    If you had one of these, you were cool.
    Home Assistant Amber in its transparent case.
    If you have one of these, you are cool.

    But wait, there's more! Home Assistant Yellow supports PoE, enabling power and data delivery to the board via a single cable. This feature is a godsend for those who prefer a clutter-free environment without tangled cables.

    And let's not overlook the integrated Zigbee radio on the board. The Silicon Labs MGM210P Mighty-Gecko-Modul currently supports Zigbee and is poised to facilitate communication with Matter devices in the future. Additionally, despite concerns regarding Home Assistant Yellow's lack of external antenna support, its ceramic antenna actually outperforms external Zigbee dongles. Rest assured, you'll enjoy a stable and dependable connection.

    A portrait photo oif Liam Alexander Colman, the author, creator, and owner of Home Assistant Guide wearing a suit.

    About Liam Alexander Colman

    is an experienced Home Assistant user who has been utilizing the platform for a variety of projects over an extended period. His journey began with a Raspberry Pi, which quickly grew to three Raspberry Pis and eventually a full-fledged server. Liam's current operating system of choice is Unraid, with Home Assistant comfortably running in a Docker container.
    With a deep understanding of the intricacies of Home Assistant, Liam has an impressive setup, consisting of various Zigbee devices, and seamless integrations with existing products such as his Android TV box. For those interested in learning more about Liam's experience with Home Assistant, he shares his insights on how he first started using the platform and his subsequent journey.

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