Home Assistant Podcast 41 – 0.85, Logitech and becoming Data Scientists with Robin 00:00 / 1X

Logitech Removes Local API – What Happened

Mid December 2018, Logitech released a firmware update (version 4.15.206) to its Harmony Hubs.

The new firmware was to address a security issue identified by security firm Tenebal (https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2018-47)

The security issue identified that the XMPP API exposed two default accounts, which have the same permissions as an authenticated user.

Logitech’s answer was to completely remove the XMPP API, which Home Assistant and many other home automation controllers use to control Harmony Remotes.

On December 19th, Logitech responded to customers, by saying they had no intention of restoring the local API.

Additionally, around the same time, a Logitech staff member posted that their Cloud API (which is used for integrations such as the Amazon Echo. IFTTT, SmartThings and Yonomi) is closed to new applications

December 20th The story was picked by Ars Technia and The Verge

December 20th Home Assistant version 0.84.4 was released, with a new Harmony implementation which uses local websockets. Websockets are used by the Harmony Hub to communicate with the Harmony iOS app.

December 21st, Logitech announced a “beta” firmware, which can be installed which will restore the local XMPP API. However, installing this “beta” firmware will void your warranty.

https://community.logitech.com/s/question/0D55A00008D4bZ4SAJ/harmony-hub-firmware-update-fixes-vulnerabilities

Home Assistant Data Science Portal

https://data.home-assistant.io/

https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2018/12/27/data-science-portal/

On December 27th Home Assistant released their new “data science portal”. The portal which is available at data.home-assistant.io holds the documentation of all the information Home Assistant collects about your smart home.

Along with the release of this Portal, Robin Cole has made a new HASS Data Detective Python Package, which is designed to integrate with JupyterLab.

JupyterLab is a web-based interface for Project Jupyter, with uses including: data cleaning and transformation, numerical simulation, statistical modeling, data visualization, machine learning, and much more.

Just as if you want to run InfluxDB or Grafana, you’ll need to install Project Jupyter and the data detective python package yourself. If you’re using Ubuntu 18.10, @cgtobi has a Gist available with commands to install all the necessary requirements to get up and running.

Alternatively Frank has also released a HASS.IO add-on, allowing you to get up and running with a few clicks if you’re running HASS.IO.

https://gist.github.com/cgtobi/5597887d7ded60bd96e55c817659ad21

https://github.com/robmarkcole/HASS-data-detective

Stephen (@blackgold9) hanging-up the iPhone

Stephen, aka @blackgold9 who came on episode 35 to discuss the new iOS app with Robbie, will be stepping down from developing the Home Assistant iOS app.

Stephen has made some great contributions to the iOS app, so thank you for all your hard work!

0.85

New Features

New Air Pollutants Component

This new component aims to standardize the way air pollutants are reported in Home Assistant, similar to how the weather component standarizes the weather reporting from several providers.The first service to report data to this platform is https://opensensemap.org/

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18707

This new component aims to standardize the way air pollutants are reported in Home Assistant, similar to how the weather component standarizes the weather reporting from several providers.The first service to report data to this platform is https://opensensemap.org/ https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18707 Lutron Homeworks component

Lutron made the Homeworks series 4 & 8 systems about 15 years ago. These components interface with Homeworks. (lights and binary sensors)

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18311

Lutron made the Homeworks series 4 & 8 systems about 15 years ago. These components interface with Homeworks. (lights and binary sensors) https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18311 Switches and Scenes now added to Lutron RadioRA2 support

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18330

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18330 Ness alarm control panel

Connectivity between Home Assistant and the alarm is accomplished through a IP232 module that must be connected to the alarm.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7630

Connectivity between Home Assistant and the alarm is accomplished through a IP232 module that must be connected to the alarm. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7630 IDTECK proximity card component

IDTECK makes ID systems used to control access and identify users. This component works with Proximity Readers (RFID card readers). The device is connected to Home Assistant through a serial to ethernet converter (NPort).An `idteck_prox_keycard` event is fired whenever a card or key sequence has been entered. The event contains ‘card’ – the card/key sequence, and the ‘name’ of the card reader.

http://www.idteck.com

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7421

IDTECK makes ID systems used to control access and identify users. This component works with Proximity Readers (RFID card readers). The device is connected to Home Assistant through a serial to ethernet converter (NPort).An `idteck_prox_keycard` event is fired whenever a card or key sequence has been entered. The event contains ‘card’ – the card/key sequence, and the ‘name’ of the card reader. http://www.idteck.com https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7421 Pencom Relay Control Boards

This interface to Pencom’s Relay Control Boards is designed to work over an ethernet to serial adapter (NPort). Each switch (relay) can be turned on/off, and the state of the relay can be read.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19369

This interface to Pencom’s Relay Control Boards is designed to work over an ethernet to serial adapter (NPort). Each switch (relay) can be turned on/off, and the state of the relay can be read. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19369 Plum Lightpad Light switches

Configurable/Dimmable Wifi Lightswitches

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/16576

https://plumlife.com/

Configurable/Dimmable Wifi Lightswitches https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/16576 https://plumlife.com/ LCN component and light platform

Implementation of the LCN (Local Control Network). LCN is a well known and popular home automation system from Germany with a broad range of devices.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18621

Implementation of the LCN (Local Control Network). LCN is a well known and popular home automation system from Germany with a broad range of devices. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18621 RaspyRFM switch platform

support for 433MHz rc devices via ConnAir/ITGW-433/RaspyRFM gateways.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19130

support for 433MHz rc devices via ConnAir/ITGW-433/RaspyRFM gateways. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19130 Ambient Weather Personal Weather Station Component

If you have your own personal weather station reporting via Ambient Weather, you can now access that data in Home Assistant.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18551

If you have your own personal weather station reporting via Ambient Weather, you can now access that data in Home Assistant. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18551 Mythic Beasts DNS Component

adds a dns component to automatically update your domain at mythic beasts on IP changes.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18333

adds a dns component to automatically update your domain at mythic beasts on IP changes. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18333 Various updates for ESPHomelib

Looks like there will soon be native support for ESPHomelib devices in Home Assistant, which will be configured by the user interface.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19334

Looks like there will soon be native support for ESPHomelib devices in Home Assistant, which will be configured by the user interface. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19334 Aftership Package Sensor

Allows tracking of packages in Home Assistant from aftership.com.Aftership supports 490 couriers worldwide.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18034

Allows tracking of packages in Home Assistant from aftership.com.Aftership supports 490 couriers worldwide. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18034 Brottsplatskartan sensor

Brottsplatskartan is a Swedish site for tracking crimes happening all around Sweden. This sensor can be used to track a certain area, e.g where you live.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7731

Brottsplatskartan is a Swedish site for tracking crimes happening all around Sweden. This sensor can be used to track a certain area, e.g where you live. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/7731 Prezzibenzina (Italian Fuel Price) Sensor

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19297

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19297 GTT Sensor (Italy Bus Service)

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18449

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18449 Belgian railway sensor (NMBS)

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18610

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18610 Islamic Prayer TImes Sensor

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19444

Breaking Changes

Freebox Routers have been moved to their own component

If you’re already using Freebox as a device tracker, you’ll need to remove it from your configuration YAML file, and add it as its own component.With this change comes new sensors for the monitoring traffic usage.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18472

If you’re already using Freebox as a device tracker, you’ll need to remove it from your configuration YAML file, and add it as its own component.With this change comes new sensors for the monitoring traffic usage. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/18472 Auto target all entities has been deprecated

If you call a service, such as light.turn_off or automation.turn_on, and don’t specify an entity ID, Home Assistant will turn all applicable entities on/off. This behaviour can get a bit dangerous.Moving forward, you will need to specify “all” as the entity ID, if you do indeed wish to target everything. For the moment a warning message will be printed if you omit the entity_id.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19006

If you call a service, such as light.turn_off or automation.turn_on, and don’t specify an entity ID, Home Assistant will turn applicable entities on/off. This behaviour can get a bit dangerous.Moving forward, you will need to specify “all” as the entity ID, if you do indeed wish to target everything. For the moment a warning message will be printed if you omit the entity_id. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19006 Scan Interval updated for the weather component

The default “scan interval” on the weather component has been changed from 15 seconds to 30 seconds, to align with the sensor platforms.

The default “scan interval” on the weather component has been changed from 15 seconds to 30 seconds, to align with the sensor platforms. 17track.net entity IDs are changing

There may be some slight updates to the entity IDs for the package tracking service 17track.net.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19213

There may be some slight updates to the entity IDs for the package tracking service 17track.net. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19213 EQ3 and KNX Climate Platforms

EQ3 and KNX Climate platforms have changes to their operation modes. This will allow support for Amazon Echo and Google Home.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19242

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19546

EQ3 and KNX Climate platforms have changes to their operation modes. This will allow support for Amazon Echo and Google Home. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19242 https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19546 Daikin

Daikin Platform has been moved to the config flow in Home Assistant. The settings for monitored_conditions have also been removed.

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19182

Daikin Platform has been moved to the config flow in Home Assistant. The settings for monitored_conditions have also been removed. https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19182 WeMo

Entity_id is now required for the wemo_set_humidity service

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19419

Other Noteworthy Updates

General

New events added to the Timer component

There are now events fired when a timer is started, paused, or restarted (started after a pause)

https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant/pull/19516

Follow @nabucasa Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML. Website

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