Opensource

1460 readers

26 users here now

A community for discussion about open source software! Ask questions, share knowledge, share news, or post interesting stuff related to it!

Credits

Icon base by Lorc under CC BY 3.0 with modifications to add a gradient

⠀

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

pylapp

Matter 1.4 has some solid ideas for the future home—now let’s see the support - Ars Technica (arstechnica.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/opensource

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

all 12 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] FizzyOrange 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Ugh, I was working on a DIY smart lock. "I'll use Matter!" I naively thought.

Ok you need a border router for Thread support. No problem, I'll buy one. Should be cheap right since an ESP32 can handle it. Nope! You pretty much can't buy a standalone border router. All the articles are "don't worry, you might have one already if you have a Nest Hub or a Home Hub or...". Well I don't have one.

Pretty lame. I guarantee if they make a vendor neutral border router dongle you can just plug into your router's ethernet port and sell it at cost price (like £5) they'll see triple the uptake.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

There's a few cheap dongles about, but they're £20 rather than £5

[–] FizzyOrange 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Even that's ok. I couldn't find anything at all when I looked about a year ago. Only one model that the Thread people were still recommending despite it being discontinued.

I had another look and still couldn't find anything vendor neutral and cheap. Can you post some links?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Sure thing

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EzcuC77

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGRT1iz

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExHMS21

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQsBl0t (Requires a manual flashing)

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EJ8JNQ5

[–] FizzyOrange 3 points 3 weeks ago

Any from reputable manufacturers?

[–] FizzyOrange 3 points 3 weeks ago

Freeing home energy gear from vendor lock-in. Matter 1.4 adds some big, expensive gear to its list of device types and control powers, and not a moment too soon. Solar inverters and arrays, battery storage systems, heat pumps, and water heaters join the list.

Yeah I seriously doubt solar inverter providers will sign up to this. Here's what QCells said when I asked them about an API:

I’m sure it is possible and we’re in discussions with some providers over opening up to their requirements, but it’s not something we’d offer to individuals unfortunately.

They view control of their "virtual power plants" as a commercial asset and they don't want to give it away for free.

Don't buy a QCells solar inverter btw. I should have done more research! I believe GivEnergy are less stuck in the 80s but don't quote me on that.