Does anyone know a USB camera which has focus (provides sharp images) starting at 2cm maximum 5cm distance from the front of the lense?

Not a webcam, more for tinkering, like https://www.ebay.de/itm/176974679649?_skw=usb+camera&itmmeta=01K1D7BGFWMTMNKNDFNAE23R6D&hash=item2934834e61:g:55oAAOSw-1xn7Oi9

The data in the usual webshops hardly mentions this technical data.

Background: I want to try some OCR on a Ferraris power meter. (I have the led based method detecting the pass of the red bar. Want to try OCR now.)

#homeautomation #usbcamera #electronics #ocr #ferraris

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Drehstromzaehler_offen.jpg

I wonder how many signatures we could get for an EU initiative that would require manufacturers to sell same quality "dumb" counterparts to their regular "smart" offerings of appliances and electronics, at the same or lower price.

Dumb TVs, washing machines, coffee makers, toothbrushes, etc. that would not require apps, wifi, bluetooth, phoning home, ads, etc.

Remove anything extra that is not required for the core use case of the product.

#ConsumerRights#SmartHome#HomeAutomation#SmartTV

I wonder how many signatures we could get for an EU initiative that would require manufacturers to sell same quality "dumb" counterparts to their regular "smart" offerings of appliances and electronics, at the same or lower price.

Dumb TVs, washing machines, coffee makers, toothbrushes, etc. that would not require apps, wifi, bluetooth, phoning home, ads, etc.

Remove anything extra that is not required for the core use case of the product.

#ConsumerRights#SmartHome#HomeAutomation#SmartTV

In 2025.7, we made improvements to the Areas dashboard. 👏🏻

The dashboards the community has shared helped shape this design 🤩 and we would love to see how it works for you. Even if you already have the perfect dashboard, try it out!

Share your thoughts here ➡️ https://forms.clickup.com/2533032/f/2d9n8-32191/NK2MUOVKXQVH2L0NHI

#HomeAssistant#SmartHome#HomeAutomation

The #homeautomation protocol is named #Thread, perhaps that is a typo as #Threat is more apt and accurate. If you roll your own device you might very well experience the full force of their blood thirsty lawyers.

What the actual F.

In 2025.7, we made improvements to the Areas dashboard. 👏🏻

The dashboards the community has shared helped shape this design 🤩 and we would love to see how it works for you. Even if you already have the perfect dashboard, try it out!

Share your thoughts here ➡️ https://forms.clickup.com/2533032/f/2d9n8-32191/NK2MUOVKXQVH2L0NHI

#HomeAssistant#SmartHome#HomeAutomation

📢 Android Companion App version 2025.6.6 is now available! 🎉 This release includes:

🔹 Invitation flow - send a link from app to your server
🔹 Faster loading from redirect links
🔹 Using the app as a launcher

...along with bug fixing! Download the latest version today 👇🏼

#HomeAssistant#Release#HomeAutomation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.homeassistant.companion.android

📢 Android Companion App version 2025.6.6 is now available! 🎉 This release includes:

🔹 Invitation flow - send a link from app to your server
🔹 Faster loading from redirect links
🔹 Using the app as a launcher

...along with bug fixing! Download the latest version today 👇🏼

#HomeAssistant#Release#HomeAutomation
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.homeassistant.companion.android

Update on the bed thermostat:

It mostly works really well, but today I've redesigned the sensor housing and placement so it can be away from wild swings in temperature (It could probably use a fabric sleeve to protect the wires.)

I might also need to finally learn how to print TPU, so I can extend the airflow further into the bed.

Most of the project is here: https://github.com/b73tt/bedcooler

#projects#3dprinting#arduino#homeautomation

Update on the bed thermostat:

It mostly works really well, but today I've redesigned the sensor housing and placement so it can be away from wild swings in temperature (It could probably use a fabric sleeve to protect the wires.)

I might also need to finally learn how to print TPU, so I can extend the airflow further into the bed.

Most of the project is here: https://github.com/b73tt/bedcooler

#projects#3dprinting#arduino#homeautomation

How the Eufy dual-camera doorbell solves the package problem, our last CSUN’s Assistive Technology Conference interview, and the demise of the Arc browser and its would-be replacement with Adam Engst.

https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2025/06/nc-1051/

#HomeAutomation