What You Will Learn

• Smart lighting enhances home functionality by providing remote access, scheduling, and voice control.
• Energy efficiency is a core benefit, with smart lights consuming less power compared to traditional bulbs.
• Integration with other smart home devices creates a unified control system for greater automation.
• Investing in smart lighting can lead to long-term savings through reduced energy bills.
• Choosing Matter-compatible devices ensures your lighting systems remain relevant and secure as technology evolves.
• LED technology offers a sustainable option with a long lifespan and instant brightness, enhancing overall home ambiance.

We Want to Hear From You!

Have you already invested in smart lighting solutions? If so, what features do you find most beneficial? Share your thoughts below:

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Recap of Key Points

Here is a quick recap of the important points discussed in the article:

• Smart Lighting Definition: Smart lighting allows remote control of lights via apps or voice assistants, enhancing convenience and energy efficiency.
• Key Features: Consider features like remote access, scheduling, integration with other devices, and voice control when choosing a smart lighting system.
• Investment Considerations: Evaluate the cost vs. value by looking at initial investment, installation costs, energy savings, and long-term benefits.
• Future-Proofing: Opt for Matter-compatible devices to ensure interoperability and longevity as technology evolves.
• LED Technology Benefits: LEDs offer energy efficiency, long lifespan, instant brightness, and customizable colors, making them ideal for smart lighting systems.

Jonathan Feist / Android Authority

Narwal Freo Z Ultra

Narwal Freo Z Ultra

Powerful suction and nearly-total automation

Continuing to innovate, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra adds a large vacuum bag to the self-cleaning base station, heated electrolyzed water, AI smarts, and quieter than ever operation. It sweep, it vacuums, it mops, and it does it all automatically for weeks on end. Now with a baseboard cleaning brush.

Jonathan Feist / Android Authority

Extra deal: The Narwal Freo X Ultra is cheaper and nearly as good!

Narwal Freo X Ultra

Narwal Freo X Ultra

Our floors have never looked cleaner

Powerful suction, anti-clog dirt channels and brushes, LiDAR and laser sensors, and a convenient self-cleaning base station make the Narwal Freo X Ultra one of the best robot vacuums we’ve seen for home users. Safe and efficient operation for wood, tile, carpet, and nearly every floor surface in between.

Jonathan Feist / Android Authority

Frigate, one of the most popular open-source options for home IP camera management, just released a massive update. Frigate 0.16 now has better object detection, license plate recognition, view-only users, and much more.

For those unaware, Frigate is a network video recorder (or NVR, for short) with the ability to detect objects and integrate with Home Assistant. If you set up a home server or NAS running Frigate with some compatible IP cameras, you can get functionality close to a Google Nest, Ring, or TP-Link camera system. No mandatory cloud services or subscriptions.

First, Frigate 0.16 adds support for face recognition in camera footage. Once the feature is enabled in the settings, you can upload a face from the Face Library section of the Frigate interface. Detected matches will also appear in the Train tab, which you can mark as correct or incorrect to improve Frigate’s detection model. The changelog explains, “Recognized faces can be included in built-in notifications and integrated into third-party notifications. The accuracy of face recognition heavily depends on the quality of the images used for training.”

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is another new feature, allowing you to assign detected license plates to custom labels. If a license plate is detected on a moving vehicle, it’s added to the Review Item Details and Tracked Object Details panels, and it can be a trigger for notifications or other automations.

Face and license plate detection use their own lightweight machine learning models, so if you have both of those features enabled (alongside other detection options), Frigate will eat up more system resources. You can fix that by supplying your own AI model that can handle all those modes simultaneously, such as the Frigate+ model that costs $50/year. This update also includes support for more third-party detectors, like YOLOv3, YOLOv4, YOLOv9 and YOLOx models.

Frigate

The last major new feature is a Viewer role, allowing you to set certain accounts for read-only access. With the viewer role, you can give someone access to the Live view, Review, and Explore, but not system features, the configuration editor, or the API.

Frigate 0.16 has a few smaller changes, too. Cameras can now be enabled or disabled dynamically, either with its own interface or through Home Assistant, which stops all decoding and processing tasks. Camera groups also now include per-camera settings, Frigate+ has its own Settings pane for selecting models, and internationalization and localization is now fully supported.

There are many under-the-hood changes in this release, some of which will break GPU integration or object detection on certain configurations. For example, the TensorRT detector has been removed for NVIDIA cards. The changelog said, “The decision has been made to remove the TensorRT detector which will allow us to focus on supporting more models and bringing more features to the Nvidia platform through ONNX runtime. Users who were running the TensorRT detector will need to update their configuration to use the ONNX detector, and download a new model.” Frigate’s base image also now now uses Debian Bookworm.

You can learn more about Frigate from the project’s official website, and the full changelog for version 0.16 can be found at the below source link.

Source: Frigate (GitHub)

Do you have a Raspberry Pi lying around that you don’t know what to do with? With so many projects out there to do, it can be overwhelming to choose one. That’s what I’m here for.

I’ve found seven projects you can try out this weekend, ranging from running a private cloud or blog to hosting a Minecraft server. Most of these projects can be up and running in a few hours, leaving you the rest of the weekend to enjoy your new Raspberry Pi project.

Brand

Raspberry Pi

Storage

8GB

It’s only recommended for tech-savvy users, but the Raspberry Pi 5 is a tinkerer’s dream. Cheap, highly customizable, and with great onboard specs, it’s a solid base for your next mini PC.

7

Create a Private Cloud With NextcloudPi

Nextcloud is a self-hosted private cloud that can be run on your own hardware. Its aim is to replace services like Google Drive or Dropbox, keeping your data and privacy in your control.

NextcloudPi is a Raspberry Pi OS image that’s pre-configured and ready to go out of the box. Simply deploy the image to your Pi, and your Nextcloud instance will be up and running in no time.

With NextcloudPi, you can choose to run Nextcloud 100% locally (with no outside access), or behind a reverse proxy so you can access your files outside your local network. This gives you the ability to keep things completely secure and even air-gapped from the internet, or use Nextcloud as a drop-in replacement for Google Drive or Dropbox.

Related

7 Raspberry Pi Projects That You Can Do In 1 Hour

Fun projects can be fast too.

6

Host Your Own Blog or Portfolio with Ghost

I’ve written about Ghost several times, and that’s because I truly think it’s the best self-hosted blogging and website software around. Ghost is easy to use, has many themes to choose from, and lets you write in Markdown natively (without a clunky and slow editor like WordPress has).

Deploying Ghost is actually pretty easy with a Raspberry Pi, as Ghost can be spun up with a simple Docker Compose file. It also doesn’t need a ton of resources to run. I ran a Ghost blog on my aging Raspberry Pi 3B, and it worked great.

So, whether you’re looking to run a full-on blog, or just showcase a few of your favorite projects, Ghost on your Pi is definitely something to look at.

Related

How I Set Up a Website on My Raspberry Pi in One Weekend

All you need is a slice of Pi and a bit of time to get your website up and running.

5

Build a Local Weather Display with an e-Ink or LCD Screen

I’ve always wanted a little weather station on my desk, and a Raspberry Pi is actually a fantastic way to achieve something like this. While I’ve not done this project yet, I really want to do it at some point in the future.

Converting a Raspberry Pi into a local weather station is actually pretty straightforward. All you need is a Pi (even a Pi Zero will work), an e-Ink display or some other type of screen, and a little programming know-how.

There’s a handy GitHub repo for this project that you can use, but there are also many other ways to accomplish this task. Simply speaking, you just need a way to view the weather, which can even be accomplished by pulling up a weather website and programming a cron job to refresh the page every few minutes.

Related

6 Awesome Ways to Upcycle an Old Raspberry Pi

This Pi will never go bad.

4

Create a Retro Gaming Console with RetroPie

There’s something nostalgic about playing retro arcade games. My wife and I recently re-watched Wreck It Ralph, and I definitely felt some nostalgia for wanting to go back to an old-fashioned arcade.

With a Raspberry Pi, it’s entirely possible to build a retro gaming system in your own home. Because of the power that modern Pi models offer, you can run a full-on gaming station from the mini computer.

RetroPie is the best base for this. The operating system is easy to flash, then you just have to source the games yourself. You can keep your retro gaming system as simple as using a modern controller on a couch with the Pi plugged into your TV, or go as far as building an arcade cabinet with traditional arcade sticks.

Related

Batocera vs. RetroPie vs. Lakka: Which Retro Gaming OS Should You Use?

We look at three of the most popular retro gaming OS options available and what makes them different.

3

Build a Smart Home Dashboard with Home Assistant

Home Assistant is honestly one of my favorite self-hosted pieces of software, and it runs great on a Raspberry Pi. If you’ve never used Home Assistant before, it’s a smart home controller that runs within your own network to issue local commands.

However, that’s not all Home Assistant is capable of. If you plug a touchscreen into your Raspberry Pi, then you can build a dedicated smart home dashboard that’s powered by Home Assistant. Simply design a custom dashboard within Home Assistant that has controls for the devices you want to display, then open that page on your Pi.

This also works if you use a Pi to run a lightweight operating system and remotely access it from an older device that won’t work natively with the Home Assistant website, like an aging iPad 2 that still has some life in it.

This will let you see various information about your smart home at a glance. It can be used for toggling switches, monitoring your energy pricing, seeing the temperature, triggering scenes, and much more.

Related

How I Put My Antiquated iPad to Use as a Home Assistant Dashboard

Your Raspberry Pi and iPad can work together to deliver a smarter smart home.

2

Use the Pi as a Dedicated Discord or TeamSpeak Bot

If you’ve ever tried to run a Discord bot, then you’ve likely run into paywalls for certain features. Did you know that you can actually host your own TeamSpeak or Discord bot and sidestep these paywalls?

Red is a fully-modular, completely self-hosted Discord bot that has quite a few features. It might not be directly comparable to something like Mee6, but it’s free and runs on your own hardware.

Like with all self-hosted services, though, do remember that this bot will only be functional when your Raspberry Pi is powered on and connected to the internet. If you turn it off for any reason, or your network goes down, then the bot will stop working.

Related

How to Make Your Own Discord Bot

Discord has an excellent API for writing custom bots, and a very active bot community.

1

Run a Minecraft Server for Friends or Family

Minecraft is a game that just won’t die. Each generation seems to fall back in love with the brick-breaking game, and I think that’s absolutely awesome.

Minecraft servers are extremely useful for a number of reasons, but one of the main ones is playing with friends or family. A Raspberry Pi is the perfect playground to run a Minecraft server on, as it has a low power draw but provides enough power to easily run the server on.

With a Minecraft server, you, your friends, and your family can all log on to play in the same Minecraft world, even if the host player isn’t on at that time. The server runs 24/7 and is always accessible, meaning someone can jump on in the middle of the night to build while others get on midday to see what progress was made.

Related

Want to Run Your Own Minecraft Server? Here’s How to Get Started

Minecraft is better with friends.

Are you looking for something else to do with your Raspberry Pi? Here are seven more projects to do using your Pi, ranging from blocking content to building a fun Pi-powered smart mirror.

Setting up a smart home doesn’t mean turning your living room into a tech showroom or draining your savings. Honestly, it can be as simple as plugging in a few key devices that make your day-to-day a little easier.

If you’ve been curious about smart home tech but weren’t sure where to start, this is for you. We’ve pulled together an affordable smart home setup for beginners – six tried-and-true devices that are easy to install, family-friendly, and don’t require a monthly subscription or a computer science degree.

Start with one, or try them all together. Either way, this is a great way to dip your toe into the world of smart home living without overdoing it.

This post includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you shop through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our small business while you shop smarter!

$34.99 on Amazon

This is where it all starts. The Echo Dot lets you control smart lights, plugs, thermostats, air purifiers—you name it—with just your voice. You can also use it to set timers, stream music, check the weather, or tell Alexa to remind the kids (again) to brush their teeth. The newest model even includes a temperature sensor and better sound, making it one of the most useful smart gadgets you can get for under $40.

$12.99 on Amazon

This bulb is proof that you don’t need a whole smart lighting system to get started. Just screw it in, connect it through the Alexa app, and you can change colors, set timers, and dim the lights—all without leaving the couch. It’s great for bedrooms, reading nooks, or those nights when the vibe needs to shift from “wild chaos” to “calm bedtime.”

$24.99 on Amazon

Want your regular lamp or coffee maker to feel a little more 2025? Plug it into this, and suddenly you’ve got voice control, automated schedules, and the ability to shut it off from anywhere. One of the simplest, most satisfying smart home upgrades.

$54.99 on Amazon

This updated Ring model gives you live video, motion alerts, and two-way talk, all managed through your phone. It installs in minutes (no hardwiring!), and the head-to-toe video gives you a better view of everything from visitors to porch packages. It’s a quick, affordable way to feel more in control of your front door—especially when you’re not home.

Quick tip: Your smart home is only as smart as your phone plan

If you’re going to control your devices from your phone—like turning off the lights while you’re at work or checking your video doorbell from the carpool line—you need a solid data connection. A lot of people forget this part, but it matters.

Get $120 Off Mint Mobile’s Unlimited Plan
For a limited time, new customers can grab Mint Mobile’s 12-month Unlimited plan for just $20/month. That’s $120 in savings and a full year of unlimited talk, text, and data to stay connected to your smart devices—without overpaying for service.

Try the savings calculator here to see how much you’d save.

Heads-up: Upfront payment required. Speeds may reduce after 35GB. Hotspot use capped at 10GB/month. See mintmobile.com for details.

$79.99 on Amazon

If you’ve ever left the house with the heat still blasting or wanted the AC on before you walked in the door—this is for you. This thermostat works with Alexa to adjust temps automatically based on your routine. It’s Energy Star-certified and might even qualify for rebates through your local energy company.

$74.99 on Amazon

We love this one for bedrooms or shared spaces. It filters dust, smoke, and allergens quietly (as low as 24dB!), and you can control everything through the app or Alexa. It’s a great way to round out your setup, especially if you have pets, seasonal allergies, or just want cleaner air indoors.

Want to start a smart home setup without overcomplicating things?

This is the place to start. Each one of these devices is easy to install, budget-friendly, and works well on its own—but they’re even better together. Whether you’re trying to stay on top of security, save energy, or just make mornings smoother, this affordable smart home setup for beginners has you covered.

And with a better phone plan in the mix? You’ll actually be able to stay connected to your home, even when you’re not in it.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to home security. Some of us want something simple to keep tabs on the kids coming in after school. Others want a slightly more sophisticated smart home with the ability to string multiple devices together and create automations that make every day life a little easier.

The Abode Security Kit is definitely built for the latter group — families who like having options and aren’t afraid to dig into settings to make it all work just right. Abode’s growing list of compatible devices and integrations have made it a fan favorite for users looking for a way to combine the safety of home security with the convenience of smart home.

And if that’s you? Then this might be the perfect time to give it a try, since Abode is offering their starter kit for just $49.99 with the purchase of a yearly monitoring plan.

This is a sponsored message on behalf of Abode

It’s built for smart home families — or at least the smart home–inclined

Abode’s biggest draw is how well it plays with others. It integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit (with certain hubs — more on that below), Z-Wave, Zigbee, and even IFTTT. If you’ve already dipped your toe in smart home gear, or want to start connecting things like lights, locks, and sensors, this system will meet you where you are.

Just a heads up: Apple HomeKit only works with the Smart Security Kit or Iota Hub — not the $49.99 kit. So if that’s a deal-breaker, you’ll want to look at one of their upgraded bundles.

What’s in the starter kit

With this promo, you’re getting:

• A Security Hub that connects via Wi-Fi or ethernet
• One mini door/window sensor
• One keyfob to arm or disarm your system with a quick button press

It’s a minimal setup, but a solid foundation. You can expand it easily by adding more sensors or smart devices as your needs change. Everything comes pre-connected, which helps simplify setup — and if it’s your first time using a smart home security system, Abode has an expansive library of support articles.

Who it’s best for

This system in particular is for anyone who has been curious about DIY smart home security and are looking for an easy place to start.

• If you’ve got a few smart plugs already in rotation or have strong feelings about your home automation routines, this will be a great fit.
• If you want a system you can grow over time — and one that doesn’t require a contract or a full set of tools to install — Abode checks those boxes.
• If one of you is the “I’ll figure it out after bedtime” type, you’ll probably enjoy the flexibility this system offers.

And yes, even if it takes a little extra setup, there’s something satisfying about building a system that does exactly what you want it to do.

What the plans actually do

Here’s where the flexibility really shines. You can use the Abode system on its free plan, but if you want access to AI detection, activity history, or professional monitoring, you’ll want to sign up for one of the paid plans — which also unlocks that $49.99 starter kit price.

• Standard Plan ($6.99/month)
  Includes:
  • 10-day event history
  • Rich push notifications
  • AI-powered detection for people, pets, and packages
• Pro Plan ($24.99/month)
  Includes everything above, plus:
  • 24/7 professional monitoring
  • Automatic emergency response
  • Cellular backup in case your Wi-Fi goes out

Plans are managed right in the app, and you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel without jumping through hoops.

What to know before you buy

No system is perfect — and Abode has a few quirks worth noting before you jump in:

• The camera quality is just okay. It works, but the resolution and lag won’t win any awards. The upside? You can integrate third-party cameras if you want something stronger.
• The app is more practical than polished. It’s functional and gets the job done, but it’s not exactly sleek or intuitive.
• Returns are limited. You have 30 days to decide if it’s right for you, but you’ll be responsible for return shipping if you send it back.

That said, if you’re looking for a system that grows with your needs and doesn’t require a pro installer or a long-term contract, these may be easy trade-offs to make.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a home security system that’s more build-your-own than plug-and-play, Abode could be a great fit. It gives you the flexibility to expand as your needs grow, works with the smart home gear you may already have, and doesn’t force you into a rigid subscription model.

And if you’ve been putting off adding security because it always seemed too expensive or too complicated? This might be the right time to try it — especially while the starter kit is just $49.99 with an annual plan.

We’d still love to see some user experience upgrades in the future. But for now, Abode offers a ton of value for families who like a little tech with their peace of mind.