Get Home Assistant notifications with camera thumbnails delivered straight to your phone. Learn to configure alerts for motion.

Code you need: https://github.com/marktiddy/home-assistant-tutorials/blob/main/camera-thumbnail-notifications-in-home-assistant.md
ReoLink Camera: https://geni.us/eQ4upR

This tutorial explains how to set up camera notifications with thumbnails in Home Assistant. If you have a camera and a motion sensor integrated, you can create a custom automation that captures a snapshot whenever motion is detected. This guide covers the entire configuration process, including how to define specific triggers based on device state.

We will also look at setting conditions for your automation, specifically using a template condition to check the last triggered time. This ensures you do not get spammed with repeated alerts. By the end of this video, you will have a functional system that sends you a visual preview of camera events, making your home assistant notifications much more useful.

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The post New Video – Home Assistant Camera Notifications with Thumbnails on Apple? appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

The Aqara U600 smart lock has a convenient emergency key feature that allows you to access your home even if the battery is dead. This feature is especially useful if you forget to charge the lock or miss a notification when the battery is low. The emergency key can be used from the outside, providing a secure and easy way to regain access to your home. The Aqara U600 is also IP65 rated, making it perfect for outdoor use. In this video, I’ll be reviewing the Aqara U600 and its various features. Full video on my YouTube Channel @MarksTechVlogs

#aqara #smarthome #smartlock #homeautomation #tech #gadgets #review #tutorial #security #emergencykey #deadbatteries #ip65 #outdooruse #smartdevice #techreview #markstechvlogs #hometech #wifi #app #setup #unboxing #firstlook #techyoutube #smarthometech #homeautomation #technews

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The post New Video – Aqara U600 Emergency Key Feature for Dead Batteries appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

If you need a reliable physical trigger, this Zigbee smart button offers a massive five-year battery life for your setup.

This compact device features a large, tactile button that makes controlling your scenes simple and responsive. Inside, it houses a high-capacity CR2477 battery, which is rated to last for up to 100,000 clicks or five years of regular use. It is a low-maintenance solution for anyone looking to add more control points to their home automation without constant battery swaps.

To get this working, you will need a compatible hub, such as a Sonoff USB receiver or an instance of Home Assistant to bridge the connection. Once paired, you can create physical triggers for your lighting or complex scenes across your smart home setup. It is a straightforward way to expand your control options beyond voice commands and touchscreens.

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The post New Video – The Smart Home Button You Didn’t Know You Needed 🤫 #gadgets #smarthome appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

SONOFF SNZB-01P Review: The Short Version

It’s cheap, reliable, quick to respond and easy to set up. You do need a Zigbee hub to use it, and that’s the one thing that might change the maths for you. If you already run Home Assistant, it’s an easy recommendation.

• Price: around £15
• Battery: removable CR2477 battery, rated for 5 years or 100,000 presses
• Actions: single press, double press and long press
• Connectivity: Zigbee (hub required)
• Operating temperature: -10 to 60°C
• Works with: Home Assistant, SONOFF’s eWeLink app, Alexa and IFTTT (via eWeLink), and Apple Home via Matter with the SONOFF ZBBridge-U

Design and Build

The SONOFF SNZB-01P is fully rounded and pleasingly small, with a single clicky button in the middle. It’s the kind of thing you can stick almost anywhere without it looking out of place.

Power comes from a removable CR2477 battery. SONOFF reckons it’ll last 5 years or 100,000 presses, whichever comes first. Seven months in, I haven’t had to think about it once. There’s also a small pairing button on the side.

Is the SONOFF SNZB-01P OK in a bathroom?

In my experience, yes. The listing says it handles 0 to 100% humidity, which is why I put it in the bathroom in the first place. The slightly confusing bit is that the product manual says 5 to 95% non-condensing. I can’t tell you which figure is right. What I can tell you is that my bathroom gets properly steamy and the button has been absolutely fine.

What Hub Do You Need for the SONOFF SNZB-01P?

This is a Zigbee device, so you will need a Zigbee hub. There are a couple of routes.

Option 1: Home Assistant with a Zigbee dongle

This is what I use. I’ve got the SONOFF SNZB-01P paired to Home Assistant through a SONOFF Zigbee Dongle, which is just as cheap as the button. Everything runs locally, which I really like.

Option 2: A SONOFF hub and the eWeLink app

If you don’t run Home Assistant, you can pair it to one of SONOFF’s own hubs and use the eWeLink app. That gets you Alexa and IFTTT support. The newer SONOFF ZBBridge-U adds Matter support, which means you can bring the button into Apple Home too.

I haven’t tested the SONOFF hubs myself, but the single, double and long press actions should work the same whichever route you pick.

Setup

Setup takes a couple of minutes:

1. Pull out the battery tab.
2. Hold the pairing button on the side to put it into pairing mode.
3. Add it in your Zigbee app of choice. For me, that’s Home Assistant.

You could then share it on to something like Apple Home, but I’d only bother if you want Apple Home to run the automations. Otherwise it only needs to live in whichever app is reacting to the presses.

Mounting options

There’s a metal plate in the box that you can screw or stick to the wall, or you can stick the button straight on. SONOFF also includes a few stickers so you can label what the button does, which is handy if other people in the house are going to use it.

My SONOFF SNZB-01P Home Assistant Automations

In Home Assistant you can trigger an automation when the button is pressed, then choose whether that’s a single press, double press or long press. Here are the three I’ve been running for seven months:

• Single press: toggles the bathroom light. That light is also on a presence sensor.
• Double press: toggles the bathroom extractor fan, which is wired up to a SONOFF Matter Relay Switch.
• Long press: sets the light to 100% brightness.

The toggle action in Home Assistant is what makes this work so well. If the device is off, a press turns it on. If it’s on, a press turns it off. So one button handles both jobs without any extra logic.

The long press is there because my presence sensor brings the light on dimmer at night than during the day. Most of the time that’s what I want. Occasionally it isn’t, and one long press fixes it.

What It’s Like to Live With

I use it far more than I thought I would

Funnily enough, I rarely use the single press because the presence sensor already handles the light. The double press for the extractor fan and the long press for full brightness, though? I use those all the time.

I love having a smart home, but sometimes a physical button is just the easiest option. That goes double for guests and family members who aren’t into tech. Nobody needs an app or a voice command to turn the fan on.

Reliability and range

It’s been really reliable. My SONOFF Zigbee Dongle has lived upstairs in my office and, after a reshuffle, downstairs at the opposite end of the house. In both spots I’ve had no signal problems at all. If you’ve got a bigger house, a Zigbee repeater should sort out any dead spots.

Response time is quick too, at around a second from press to action. And because it’s all running through Home Assistant, none of it relies on the cloud.

Any Downsides?

Honestly, not really. The only thing to weigh up is the hub. If you don’t already have one, SONOFF’s hubs vary in price depending on features, and the SONOFF ZBBridge-U is the priciest at £85. That’s a lot to spend for a £15 button unless you’re planning to buy more Zigbee devices to share it with.

The conflicting humidity specs are a little odd as well, although it hasn’t caused me any problems.

Verdict: Is the SONOFF SNZB-01P Worth It?

At £15, the SONOFF SNZB-01P is a genuinely useful addition to a smart home, and it’s at its best with Home Assistant. It’s reliable, fast, local and flexible thanks to the three press types.

If you’d need to buy a standalone hub just for this button, I’d hold off unless you’ve got more Zigbee kit planned. If you’ve got Home Assistant, or you’re happy to pick up a SONOFF Zigbee Dongle, it’s an easy buy.

SONOFF SNZB-01P FAQs

Does the SONOFF SNZB-01P need a hub?

Yes. It’s a Zigbee device, so it needs a Zigbee hub or coordinator. That could be Home Assistant with a SONOFF Zigbee Dongle, or one of SONOFF’s own hubs such as the SONOFF ZBBridge-U.

Does the SONOFF SNZB-01P work with Apple Home?

It can, through Matter, if you pair it to the SONOFF ZBBridge-U. I haven’t tested this setup myself.

Does it work with Alexa?

Yes, via SONOFF’s eWeLink app, but you’ll need a SONOFF hub to get it into eWeLink in the first place.

What battery does the SONOFF SNZB-01P use?

It uses a removable CR2477 battery, which SONOFF says should last 5 years or 100,000 presses.

How many actions does it support?

Three: single press, double press and long press. Each one can trigger a different automation.

Is it fast?

In my setup it responds in around a second, and it all runs locally through Home Assistant.

Got a question about the SONOFF SNZB-01P or how I’ve set it up? Drop it in the comments and I’ll do my best to help.

The post SONOFF SNZB-01P Review: 7 Months With a £15 Zigbee Button appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Is the Sonoff SNZB 01P the perfect smart home button for your setup? See how this affordable wireless switch controls your devices.

Purchase Links:
Sonoff SNZB-01P Single Pack: https://geni.us/0nl9xuC
Sonoff SNZB-01P Double Pack: https://geni.us/gjUj
Sonoff Zigbee Dongle: https://geni.us/hKwENw
Sonoff Matter Hub: https://geni.us/qzEtJ (Not required for Home Assistant use)

The Sonoff SNZB 01P is an incredibly compact Zigbee wireless switch designed to make control easier across your network. In this review, I cover the physical build and show you exactly how to program the button for different actions.

I demonstrate how to set up the device to trigger specific routines with a continuous press, giving you more flexibility for your smart home automation. Whether you need a simple way to toggle lights or trigger complex scenes, this breakdown helps you decide if it is the right hardware for your needs.

Subscribe for weekly smart home tech breakdowns, and comment below what other devices you want me to test next.

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The post New Video – Get the Most Out of Your Smart Home with the Sonoff SNZB-01P appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Here’s how to create schedules using home assistant.

Full video on the ultimate smart home heating setup on my channel

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The post New Video – Smart Heating Schedules in Home Assistant appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

The Aqara U600 smart lock features a battery cover and lock button on the inside, and a keypad and fingerprint scanner on the outside. It also has an emergency key slot and a USB C port. The device supports Matter over Thread and is compatible with Apple Home Key, Samsung Wallet, and other smart home systems. You can unlock the lock using fingerprints, passcodes, car NFC cards, or Apple Home Key. Full video on my YouTube Channel @MarksTechVlogs

#aqara #smarthome #smartlock #matteroverthread #applehomekey #samsungwallet #homedecor #tech #gadgets #homeautomation #iot #smartdevice #review #tutorial #setup #unboxing #firstlook #techyoutube #hometech #wifi #app #security #locksystem
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The post New Video – Never get locked out again with this device 🔒 #homesecurity #gadgets appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Smart locks for UK doors aren’t new. The Yale Conexis has been around for years (with some very mixed reviews), and I tested the Simpled Smart Lock a while back. What’s different now is that Aqara has two locks that work on UK multipoint doors and support Apple Home Key: the Aqara U600 and the Aqara U200. That’s still a pretty short list.

The Aqara U600 launched at around £230, which is roughly £30 more than the Aqara U200.

Disclosure: Aqara sent me a review unit, so I didn’t pay for this lock. They didn’t see this review before it went live and had no input on what I’ve said. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

It’s a solid, reliable smart lock that’s easy for the whole family to use, and it’s one of the few UK multipoint options with Apple Home Key. The main thing to get your head around is that it always reports as locked, even when the door is open.

What I like

• The fingerprint scanner is fast and still works in the rain
• Matter over Thread, Apple Home Key and Aliro support, so it works with most smart home platforms
• The outside handle is locked by default, even if you forget to lift the handle
• Locking and unlocking is quick and quiet
• In most cases you won’t need to drill any new holes
• Emergency key and USB-C power if the batteries die

What I don’t like as much

• It shows as locked even when the door is standing open
• I had to widen my existing holes slightly to fit it
• Remote features in the Aqara app need a separate hub
• No independent security certifications yet

Design and build quality

This lock replaces both your inside and outside handles, and it looks good. It’s black, fairly minimal and feels modern without being flashy.

On the inside you get a battery cover and a lock button. On the outside there’s a keypad and a fingerprint scanner, plus a slot at the bottom for the emergency key.

The body is mostly metal and it feels properly well made. After a month of daily use on a back door that gets opened a lot, it’s holding up well with no signs of wear so far.

Features and smart home compatibility

Apple Home Key, Matter and Aliro

The U600 uses Matter over Thread and is Aliro ready. In plain English, that means it works with Apple Home Key and with whichever Matter platform you already use, including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant. Aliro digital keys also work with Samsung Wallet, so Android users aren’t left out.

Ways to unlock

• Fingerprint
• Keypad passcode
• Apple Home Key (tap your iPhone or Apple Watch)
• Aliro digital key via Samsung Wallet
• Aqara NFC Card
• The Aqara app
• The emergency physical key

You can add passcodes remotely through Apple Home too, but for that you’ll need an Apple home hub such as an Apple HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K.

If you want scene automations and remote locking and unlocking inside the Aqara app itself, you’ll need an Aqara hub. The Aqara Hub M3 is the more capable option, and the Aqara Hub M100 is the cheaper one.

Batteries and weatherproofing

It runs on four AA batteries, which Aqara says should last up to 10 months. You’ll get an alert when the battery drops below 20%, and if you do get caught out, you can use the emergency key or plug a USB-C power source into the outside to give it enough power to open.

It’s also IP65 rated, which is what you want for something that lives on the outside of your house through a British winter.

Will it fit my door?

The U600 is compatible with most UK lift-to-lock multipoint doors that fall within these measurements:

• Backset: 35 to 70mm
• Centre distance: 72 to 92mm
• Door thickness: 40 to 80mm

The handle direction can be switched, so it works on both left and right hung doors.

One important point: the lock can secure the outside handle without your multipoints being engaged, but you should still lift the handle to throw the multipoints for proper security. No smart lock on the market can do that bit for you yet.

Installing the Aqara U600

This lock replaces your existing cylinder, and the inside and outside handles are mechanically separate. The upshot is that you should be able to fit it without making any new holes in your door.

Here’s roughly how it went for me:

1. Check the installation guide in the box to make sure your door is compatible.
2. Remove your existing cylinder and both door handles.
3. Follow the instructions to test that the new handle can open your door.
4. Set the spindle holder so it faces the opposite way to your handle.
5. Fit the outside part. It has a couple of wires that go through the old cylinder hole, plus two adjustable posts with screws that line up with your existing handle holes.
6. From the inside, connect the screws, pop the cap on and put the batteries in.
7. Pair it in the Aqara app.

The only snag I hit was that the rounded parts on the handle were a little wider than my existing holes, so I had to open them up slightly. It’s not a big job, and it wouldn’t stop me putting a normal handle back on if I moved house.

Pairing was really easy. There’s no calibration step, and it went straight into Apple Home without any fuss, with Home Key set up right away. Fingerprints and passcodes are added in the Aqara app, and you can add passcodes in Apple Home as well.

Overall it’s a simple install. It’s not quite as easy as the Aqara U200, which is a retrofit lock that keeps your existing cylinder, but it was a lot easier than the Simpled Smart Lock.

What it’s like to live with

Day to day, it’s very easy to use. I’ve had it on my back door (the Aqara U200 is on my front door) and I’ve tried every entry method. Even in the rain, the fingerprint scanner reads quickly. For me, fingerprint and Home Key are the easiest ways to use a smart lock, and this one backs that up.

Getting out is simple. You just push the inside handle down. There’s no unlocking step, because the two handles aren’t connected.

That design choice has a few knock-on effects, and most of them are good:

• The door is effectively locked from the outside by default, even if the multipoints aren’t engaged.
• If you forget to lift the handle, the door is still locked.
• You don’t get the jam errors retrofit locks can throw when they try to lock and something’s out of line.
• It’s quick and quiet, because there’s no motor turning a key in a cylinder.

The one thing that takes getting used to

Because “locked” here really means “the outside handle doesn’t work”, the lock will report as locked unless you’ve unlocked it from the outside or the app. Open the door from the inside and walk out, and it still says locked.

From a security point of view, that’s fine. But if you’re the sort of person who occasionally leaves the back door ajar, it’s worth adding a contact sensor such as the Aqara Door and Window Sensor P2 so you actually know when the door’s open. Coming from other smart locks, it’s mostly a change of mindset.

You can also set it to auto lock a set time after it’s been unlocked, which I found really handy.

Is the U600 secure?

This is the question that matters, because it’s the thing protecting your house.

It meets all the requirements for Apple Home Key and communication is encrypted. It’s also been tested against Tesla coil attacks and electromagnetic interference, so it can’t be forced open that way. That’s reassuring, especially as this is a lock that makes it pretty obvious from the street that you’ve got a smart lock.

Passcodes are optional. If you use them, longer is better.

What about the letterbox?

People always ask whether someone could open a smart lock through the letterbox. With this one, probably yes, because the inside handle opens the door with a single push. Unless your letterbox has a secure design or a Letterbox Cage on the inside, I wouldn’t fit this to a door with a letterbox.

And smashing the glass?

Also probably yes. But this question always baffles me a bit with smart locks, because the same is true of any door with a thumb turn. By the time someone’s smashed your door glass, they’re getting in regardless of the lock, and that’s forced entry. The same goes for someone applying a lot of force to the outside handle. These are things to think about with every lock, not just smart ones.

I would like to see Aqara go after some independent security certifications for this lock. It would give more security-conscious buyers extra reassurance, and it may well happen.

Verdict: should you buy the Aqara U600?

After a month of use, I think the Aqara U600 is a solid, reliable smart lock. The fingerprint reader and keypad make it easy for less techy family members and guests, and Apple Home Key works just as well for everyone else.

I like the design a lot, and I like that the outside handle is locked before you’ve even lifted the handle to engage the multipoints. Auto lock is a nice extra too.

If you’re not keen on a lock without a cylinder, take a look at the Aqara U200 instead. It’s been on my front door for a long time now and I rate it highly.

Aqara U600 FAQs

Does the Aqara U600 work with UK multipoint doors?

Yes. It’s designed for UK lift-to-lock multipoint doors with a backset of 35 to 70mm, a centre distance of 72 to 92mm and a door thickness of 40 to 80mm.

Does the Aqara U600 support Apple Home Key?

Yes. It supports Apple Home Key and is Aliro ready, so digital keys also work with Samsung Wallet.

Do I need a hub?

Not for basic use. For remote passcodes in Apple Home you’ll need a home hub like an Apple HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K. For automations and remote control in the Aqara app, you’ll need an Aqara hub such as the Aqara Hub M3 or Aqara Hub M100.

How long do the batteries last?

Aqara says up to 10 months from four AA batteries. You’ll get a warning at 20%, and you can use the emergency key or USB-C power if they run flat.

Does it lock the multipoints for me?

No. You still need to lift the handle to engage the multipoints. No smart lock can do that automatically yet, although the U600 does keep the outside handle locked even if you forget.

Will I need to drill new holes?

Usually not, as it uses your existing cylinder and handle holes. I did need to widen mine slightly for the handle’s rounded fittings.

The post Aqara U600 Review: A Smart Lock for UK Multipoint Doors with Apple Home Key appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Is the Aqara U600 the right smart lock for your home? I have been testing this new model on UK doors to see if it delivers.

Purchase Links:
Aqara U600: https://geni.us/tIAwA5f
Aqara M100 Hub: https://geni.us/Mi36
Aqara M3 Hub: https://geni.us/dY4D7
Aqara U200: https://geni.us/Mxgu6tp
Aqara Video Doorbell: https://geni.us/GEfgSnH

Aqara U200 Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyK-EZOL7Vk&t=8s

Testing new tech for a UK smart home setup can be tricky, especially when it comes to finding hardware that fits standard doors. In this smart lock review, I cover the installation process and share my honest thoughts after using the Aqara U600 for a month. We look at the smartphone interface and how it handles activity logs to give you a clear picture of the daily experience.

I highlight the positive aspects alongside a few drawbacks I encountered during my time with the device. Whether you are looking to improve your door security or just want keyless entry, this breakdown should help you decide if it is a worthy addition to your setup.

Subscribe for weekly smart home tech breakdowns, and let me know in the comments if there are other locks you want me to test next.

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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
01:22 Design
01:52 Specification and Features
04:33 Installation
06:54 Using the U600 for a month – What I do and don’t like
08:42 Security
10:47 My Verdict

The post New Video – Is the Aqara U600 the ultimate UK smart lock? My 1-month review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

The Aqara P1 motion sensor has a great range and is responsive, but it’s limited in its use with the Aqara app if you don’t want to utilize the built-in light sensor. It’s still a decent option for automating devices or monitoring your home, especially considering its affordability. Full video on my YouTube Channel @MarksTechVlogs

#aqara #smarthome #motion sensor #homeautomation #techreview #tutorial #gadgets #smartdevice #review #hometech #wifi #app #setup #unboxing #firstlook #techyoutube #smarthometech #technews #newtech #gadgetreview

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The post New Video – Aqara P1 Motion Sensor Limited by Built-in Light Sensor appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.