Home Assistant 2026.3: Vacuuming rooms, and the sky is dark again
Breaking down Home Assistant 2026.3: map vacuum rooms to Areas for voice control, set HA as your default Android assistant with wake word support, SendSpin multi-room updates, Python 3.14 performance gains, and new integrations for Ghost, Proxmox, SwitchBot AI Art Frame, Trane HVAC, and NYC MTA.Mailbag: NFC dash buttons, Aqara FP300 presence tips, bed sensors, and listener automations for pets and babies.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA224Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:40 - News: Partners, Event, Merch00:03:54 - Dark Sky Returns: Acme Weather00:08:02 - Mailbag: AI, Accessibility, Pets00:12:56 - Gear Talk: Aqara, NFC, Bed Sensors00:19:09 - 2026.3 Release Overview00:21:56 - Vacuum Room-to-Area Mapping00:27:42 - App & Voice: Python, Dashboards, Assist00:32:15 - SendSpin Sync & Visuals00:36:30 - Matter, Docker, AI, Energy00:41:30 - Devices & Integration Highlights00:44:24 - New Integrations Roundup00:51:48 - Breaking Changes To Note00:55:30 - Wrap-Up & What’s NextThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedHEIMAN smoke and CO alarms (Matter over Thread): https://amzn.to/4smRtrvOpen Home Foundation merch (hat, hoodie): https://store.openhomefoundation.org/Neakasa M1 automatic litter box: https://amzn.to/3NdtiNdPetlibro RFID pet feeders: https://amzn.to/4se0XFoOwlet Dream Sock: https://amzn.to/4b0kHFISamsung Frame TV: https://amzn.to/3N40VAWSwitchBot AI Art Frame (color e‑ink): https://amzn.to/4u0qLXrHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy