Testing Home Assistant's New Multi-Function Smart Home Hub

Nabu Casa, the commercial side of the Open Home Foundation, has introduced the Home Assistant Connect Aux-2. Priced at $69 and roughly the size of a deck of cards, the device is built to help users incorporate non-smart appliances and legacy gear into their smart home networks. It includes features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB ports, serial ports, and an audio jack. Early testing shows that the hardware simplifies tasks like bridging Bluetooth devices, connecting older audio equipment, and controlling appliances via serial connectors. Based on the open-source ESPHome platform, the device represents an ongoing effort by Home Assistant to improve user-friendliness and expand compatibility.