The deck-of-cards-sized device runs on the ESPHome open platform and features extensive connectivity, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB ports, Grove sensor inputs, and dual RS-232 serial interfaces. It can function as a Bluetooth proxy to relay signals from distant sensors back to a main smart home hub. Users can also power the hardware using standard USB-C or Power over Ethernet while managing all firmware updates directly in a standard web browser. Audio routing is supported through digital and analog jacks compatible with projects like Music Assistant.
Key points
The multi-tool functions as a Bluetooth proxy to improve connectivity for remote sensors…: The multi-tool functions as a Bluetooth proxy to improve connectivity for remote sensors across the home.
Serial and USB ports allow direct management of legacy devices like solar inverters, AV r…: Serial and USB ports allow direct management of legacy devices like solar inverters, AV receivers, and external radio antennas.
Device firmware can be maintained and updated directly through a standard web browser int…: Device firmware can be maintained and updated directly through a standard web browser interface.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Nabu Casa — the commercial side of the Open Home Foundation, which runs Home Assistant — just launched the Home Assistant Connect Aux-2, a multi-function box designed to help you bring more devices into your smart home. It’s part of Home Assistant’s ongoing efforts to become more user-friendly. And it’s working.
Hands on with Home Assistant’s new ‘smart home multi-tool’
The Home Assistant Connect Aux-2 helped me track my fridge temperature and finally set up my in-wall speakers.
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I’ve been testing the Aux-2 for a couple days and I’ve found it unsurprisingly useful and surprisingly easy to set up. The Aux-2 is a $69 box about the size of a deck of cards. It has 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB-A, USB-C, a digital/analog audio jack, a Grove port for interfacing with peripherals like sensors, buttons, and LEDs, and a pair of RS-232 serial ports.
It can bridge Bluetooth devices into your Home Assistant setup. Its USB port lets you plug in a Nabu…
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