As the sands of time shift, so do the fates of popular Android apps WallPanel and MQTT Alarm Panel. With the original creator and developer facing an increasing workload and a dearth of contributors, the hunt for new caretakers has begun. While WallPanel has found safe harbour, MQTT Alarm Panel's destiny remains shrouded in uncertainty.
WallPanel's new lease on life
Among the two apps, WallPanel has secured a new guardian to guide its journey. The project has migrated to a new GitHub repository, although its app store listing seems to have vanished into the ether. Meanwhile, MQTT Alarm Panel has disappeared from the Google Play Store and is still seeking a new champion.
The evolving role of third-party Home Assistant apps
In days gone by, using Home Assistant on my smartphone demanded a plethora of apps. However, as the official companion app evolved, it gradually superseded its counterparts. Separate apps for reading NFC tags or sending BLE advertisements became relics of the past. Home Assistant Cloud took care of notifications, and my once-burgeoning list of Tasker automations dwindled.
While I appreciate the rich tapestry of apps and services compatible with Home Assistant, the optimal path for WallPanel and MQTT Alarm Panel may be to fade into the annals of history. This is not to cast aspersions, but as the Home Assistant community flourishes, staying current becomes crucial. Perhaps the wisest course of action is to merge the best features of WallPanel and MQTT Alarm Panel with the official companion app, creating a harmonious union of open source projects.
