A "better late than never" review of the ioBroker news, adapters, and features. In the ever-evolving world of home automation, ioBroker remains present with a series of updates and additions from October 2023 to February 2024. Let's take a closer look at some of the advances introduced during this time, although this blog post is a little late.
Exciting News from Home Automation ESPHome (01.11.2023)
In a significant breakthrough for home automation enthusiasts, ESPHome documentation now officially acknowledges the integration of ioBroker with its native API. This development comes in the wake of a recent PR acceptance, positioning ioBroker alongside Home Assistant as one of the select home automation systems to leverage ESPHome's native API for direct client communication.
The native API, renowned for its highly optimized network protocol, presents a multitude of advantages over traditional MQTT methods, revolutionizing the way smart devices interact within the ecosystem. With this recognition, ESPHome underscores its dedication to providing efficient and robust communication channels for the smart home industry.
Introducing the new widget in ioBroker
vis-2-widgets-material (13.10.2023), developer: Bluefox
The new Vacuum Cleaner widget is now available in ioBroker.
While primarily designed for use with Xiaomi vacuum cleaners, this widget can also be utilized with other vacuum cleaner models.
The main distinction lies in Xiaomi's support for room cleaning functionality, which may not be available in other models.
Introducing the new adapters in ioBroker
awtrix-light (2.10.2023), developer: kleinOr Matthias Kleine
https://github.com/klein0r/ioBroker.awtrix-light
Integrate your Awtrix Light device, such as the Ulanzi TC001, seamlessly into your ioBroker setup via HTTP.
heizungssteuerung (4.10.2023), developer: jbeenenga
https://github.com/jbeenenga/ioBroker.heizungssteuerung
This adapter facilitates the management of heating systems within ioBroker.
Users have the flexibility to select between cooling and heating modes, as well as activate boost or pause functions for individual rooms.
Additionally, it enables the override of target temperatures for specific rooms, providing tailored control over heating settings.
welcome (17.10.2023), developer: bluefox
https://github.com/ioBroker/ioBroker.welcome
The welcome page for port 80.
This adapter consolidates all web and admin instances of ioBroker onto a single page, accessible via port 80 (configurable).
Normally, this adapter should be running on port 80 or 443, and it shows available adapters with web servers.
Optionally, you can provide the instance, to which it will be redirected automatically by opening of the welcome page. In this case, by opening of http://IP it will be immediately redirected to a specified web instance.
govee-local (20.10.2023), developer: boergegrunicke Børge Grunicke
https://github.com/boergegrunicke/ioBroker.govee-local
This adapter enables the control of Govee smart LED Lights devices through local access, eliminating the need for cloud connectivity.
To utilize local control, users must enable the feature within the settings of the Govee application, as outlined in their documentation.
Please note that the tests were only carried out with an H6051 lamp.
For Windows users, it's crucial to select the correct network interface in the settings to ensure proper communication with Govee devices; otherwise, the adapter may not receive any responses.
pylontech (23.10.2023), developer: PLCHome
https://github.com/PLCHome/ioBroker.pylontech
This adapter serves to assess the health status and functionalities of a Pylontech or Pytes array, comprising one to fifteen batteries.
It is important to note that this adapter does not control the batteries themselves; rather, it focuses on monitoring their condition and operations.
It is typically integrated as part of a charging and power unit or an inverter setup.
You can contact the developer in the ioBroker forum.
signifylights (26.10.2023), developer: disaster123 and nxtstep
https://github.com/disaster123/ioBroker.signifylights
This ioBroker adapter is designed to interface with a variety of Signify WLAN lights, including WIZ, Philips WLAN, and other compatible models.
For questions and further discussion, please visit the following forum thread: link
renacidc (17.11.2023) Developer: raschy
https://github.com/raschy/ioBroker.renacidc
This ioBroker adapter facilitates the retrieval of data from Renac solar inverters, allowing users to monitor and analyze their solar energy production seamlessly.
RENAC Power is a leading manufacturer of On Grid Inverters, Energy Storage Systems and a Smart Energy Solutions Developer. Only the login name and password used for the Renacpower online portal are required for commissioning.
weather-warnings (24.11.2023), developer: ticaki
https://github.com/ticaki/ioBroker.weather-warnings
This ioBroker adapter provides access to weather warnings from various weather services, including DWD, ZAMG (Austria), UWZ.
It delivers these warnings as text or voice messages and organizes them into states grouped by type.
Users can utilize these warnings to take appropriate actions in response to current weather conditions.
Additionally, the adapter supports multiple communication platforms for message delivery, including Telegram, WhatsApp, Pushover, Email, Alexa, and Sayit.
Announcing the new features in ioBroker
iobroker (11.10.2023)
Now, users can update their Node.js directly from the command line with the command:
iob nodejs-update
Visit the ioBroker forum for more details and discussion: https://forum.iobroker.net/topic/69067/neuer-befehl-iob-nodejs-update
To update to the suggested version (currently version 18), simply execute the command without additional parameters.
Alternatively, specify a specific version by using the command
iob nodejs-update 20
admin and mqtt (11.10.2023)
The Admin and MQTT adapters now include a functionality to verify their accessibility from the public internet, particularly when no authentication is enabled. If reachable, both adapters will issue warnings in the log and within the admin interface.
This feature is invaluable as it addresses the security concerns associated with leaving the MQTT or admin adapter open to the internet without authentication. It serves as a safeguard, especially for users who may not be well-versed in securing their adapters.
vis (06.11.2023)
The license for vis has undergone a significant change to MIT. This adjustment means that you are now able to utilize vis free of charge in commercial projects, and no additional licensing is necessary.
welcome (07.11.2023)
Now, users have the option to add custom links to the welcome page.
These links will be dynamically checked to ensure their availability, providing users with convenient access to their desired destinations directly from the welcome page.
echarts (08.11.2023)
A new feature has been added to echarts: the Vis-2 widget. In addition to presets, users can now utilize the object ID with historical data directly, enhancing the versatility and functionality of the widget.
