I replaced my smart speakers with cheaper open-source alternatives, and I’ll never go back
Smart speakers like the Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo are convenient, but they come with trade-offs: you sacrifice control, flexibility, and often privacy as well. As I've gone down the Home Assistant rabbit hole, I've begun to play with more open-source alternatives, starting with the Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition. Once I'd used that particular device, I realized that I didn't need to rely on commercial hardware anymore. Through the power of ESPHome and amazing hardware like those in the ReSpeaker line and a separate foray with an ESP32-powered display, I discovered how easy it was to build my own open source replacements without the compromises.
Smart speakers like the Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo are convenient, but they come with trade-offs: you sacrifice control, flexibility, and often privacy as well. As I’ve gone down the Home a**istant rabbit hole, I’ve begun to play with more open-source alternatives, starting with the Home a**istant Voice Preview Edition. Once I’d used that particular device, I realized that I didn’t need to rely on commercial hardware anymore. Through the power of ESPHome and amazing hardware like those in the ReSpeaker line and a separate foray with an ESP32-powered display, I discovered how easy it was to build my own open source replacements without the compromises.
Michael Johnson
Chicago
Chicago
Published by: aplhsindia.in
