# esphome Published articles for esphome. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## ESPHome 2026.9.0: Faster builds and encrypted updates DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.9.0: Faster builds and encrypted updates]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [PlatformIO](), [ESP8266](), [Encryption](), [build performance](), [ChaCha](), [toolchain](), [Home Assistant]() Tags: [2026](), [benchmarks](), [builds](), [ci](), [encryption](), [esp32](), [esp8266](), [esphome](), [ota](), [parallel](), [releases](), [toolchain](), [updates]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.9.0 improves build performance by parallelizing PlatformIO setup, lays groundwork for a native ESP8266 toolchain, adds Noise-encrypted OTA updates, and reduces ESP8266 RAM usage. The release also includes component additions, platform updates, and fixes. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.9.0 parallelizes PlatformIO installs, lays the groundwork for a native ESP8266 toolchain, adds Noise-encrypted OTA updates, and frees ESP8266 RAM. ## Petoi Quaddle - A mini robot dog for physical AI experimentation (Crowdfunding) DevFeed: [Petoi Quaddle - A mini robot dog for physical AI experimentation (Crowdfunding)]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Published: 2026-09-04T08:03:49Z Content type: news Language: en Sources: [CNX Software - Embedded Systems News]() Topics: [Robotics](), [Physical AI](), [ESP32-S3](), [Arduino](), [Raspberry Pi](), [coding](), [Open Source]() Tags: [3d-printing](), [arduino](), [broadcom-bcmxxxx](), [c-c-plus-plus](), [crowdfunding](), [edge-ai](), [education](), [esp32](), [esp32-s3](), [esphome](), [espressif](), [hardware](), [micropython](), [open-source](), [physical-ai](), [raspberry-pi](), [robot-dog](), [robotics](), [ros](), [simulator](), [smart-home](), [smart-speaker](), [stem](), [video]() ### AI overview The Petoi Quaddle is a mini robot dog designed for learning robotics, coding, physical AI, and 3D printing. It uses an ESP32-S3 motion core, optional AI hardware, OpenCat firmware, and multiple programming environments. Petoi launched it on Kickstarter with three models and planned December 2026 shipping. ### Source excerpt If you are not into ducks, but still would like to play around with physical AI, the Petoi Quaddle is a mini robot dog equipped with 4 servos controlling its legs and is designed to help people learn robotics, coding, AI, and 3D printing. The robot is powered by an ESP32-S3 motion core for servo control and wireless connectivity, and an optional ESP32-S3 AI core to enable voice commands and Smart Home control. The robot can walk, strafe, spin, talk back, and react to the user's touch. Three models are available depending on the user's requirements: Builder, Buddy, and Scout. A Raspberry Pi Zero can also be mounted on the top in place of the ESP32-S3-based AI core. Petoi Quaddle runs OpenCat open-source firmware (Arduino) already used in the earlier Petoi Bittle robot dog, first introduced in 2020. The robot can be programmed in a visual programming IDE with drag-and-drop [...] The post Petoi Quaddle - A mini robot dog for physical AI experimentation (Crowdfunding) appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News. ## ESPHome 2026.8.0: Bluetooth on more chips than ever DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.8.0: Bluetooth on more chips than ever]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-08-19T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [Bluetooth](), [networking](), [Raspberry Pi](), [ESP32](), [Ethernet](), [Modbus](), [ESP8266](), [Lvgl]() Tags: [bluetooth](), [esp32](), [esp8266](), [esphome](), [ethernet](), [lvgl](), [modbus](), [networking](), [raspberry-pi](), [release](), [releases]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.8.0 expands Bluetooth support beyond ESP32 through a platform-neutral BLE layer, adds Bluetooth Proxy support for more chips and Raspberry Pi Pico W, and introduces faster builds, combined Ethernet and WiFi configuration, Modbus changes, OTA signature verification, and other device and builder improvements. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.8.0 brings Bluetooth to more chips, dramatically faster builds, Ethernet and WiFi together, a major Modbus overhaul, and more. ## Community Day 2026: Save the date! DevFeed: [Community Day 2026: Save the date!]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Missy Quarry Published: 2026-08-13T00:00:00Z Content type: news Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [Home Assistant](), [esphome](), [hosting](), [Website]() Tags: [2026](), [announcements](), [blog](), [community](), [discord](), [esphome](), [event](), [events](), [home-assistant](), [hosting](), [music]() ### AI overview Community Day 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 7. The event is expanding beyond Home Assistant to include communities from other Open Home Foundation projects, including ESPHome and Music Assistant, with earlier planning and updated support for meetup hosts. ### Source excerpt You've been asking all year, and the wait is over... Mark your calendars, because Community Day 2026 will be held on Saturday, November 7! 🎉 ## ESPHome launches a Starter Kit with four modules and an ESP32-C6 microcontroller DevFeed: [ESPHome launches a Starter Kit with four modules and an ESP32-C6 microcontroller]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Paulus Schoutsen Published: 2026-08-12T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog](), [Home Assistant]() Topics: [Home Assistant](), [ESP32](), [Microcontroller](), [Hardware](), [Automation]() Tags: [announcements](), [automation](), [electronics](), [esp32](), [esp32-c6](), [esphome](), [home-assistant](), [product](), [sensor](), [smart-home](), [usb]() ### AI overview ESPHome has launched its first official product, a Starter Kit produced by Apollo Automation. It includes four modules--motion, temperature and humidity, notification, and button--built around an ESP32-C6 microcontroller and designed to work with Home Assistant. ### Source excerpt Back in April during State of the Open Home 2026, we gave you a sneak peek of ESPHome's very first official product... And after months of hard work alongside the community, the ESPHome Starter Kit is here! 🎉 ## 2026.8: Approachable by design DevFeed: [2026.8: Approachable by design]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Ashley Abbott Published: 2026-08-05T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [Home Assistant]() Topics: [Home Assistant](), [releases](), [Operating system](), [YAML](), [Cloud](), [Template]() Tags: [2026](), [core](), [esphome](), [live-stream](), [os](), [release-notes](), [releases](), [smart-home](), [youtube]() ### AI overview Home Assistant 2026.8 is a release focused on making the platform more approachable for users without technical expertise. It introduces improvements to installation, configuration, device handling, cloud exploration, entity IDs, templates, triggers, conditions, media search, and integrations. ### Source excerpt Tip Don't forget to join our release party live stream on YouTube on August 5, 2026, at 20:00 GMT / 12:00 PT / 21:00 CET! Tip There's more to look forward to next week: the ESPHome Starter Kit is launching, and you're invited to the official launch party! 🚀 Join the ESPHome team and their partners at Apollo Automation on the ESPHome YouTube channel on August 12 at 21:00 CEST. Familiar faces are dropping by to celebrate lift-off, too: Reed from Smart Home Solver, Simon from Simon Says Home Assistant, and Gavin from HomeTech.fm. Home Assistant 2026.8! 🎉 Hi, I'm Ashley, the Technical Program Manager at the Open Home Foundation. With Frenck taking a well-deserved break, Bram and I are teaming up to handle things this time around. We have been working on a lot over the past few weeks, and I'm excited to share some of what we have done for this release! If there's one thread tying this release together, it's a direction we care about: making Home Assistant something you don't need to be technical to use. This release is another step along that path. Enjoy the release! - Ashley Making Home Assistant more approachable The same Home Assistant, minus the magic number Your current setup keeps working Want to change the port? We've got you covered What this means for YAML Less "advanced", more approachable Describing the feature, not the user Just Tools, no developer required Home Assistant Cloud, now easier to explore Your entity IDs, your choice A cleaner way to handle your devices We can't stop adding triggers and conditions Integrations New integrations Noteworthy improvements to existing integrations Integration quality scale achievements Now available to set up from the UI Farewell to the following Other noteworthy changes Tell us how setup went A roomier template editor Taps that land where you mean them A combined battery level you can trust Search your media Find your favorite cards faster Z-Wave lock credentials, properly managed And a few more Patch releases 2026.8.1 ## Simplify your ESPHome setup with the new desktop app DevFeed: [Simplify your ESPHome setup with the new desktop app]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-08-04T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [App](), [Linux](), [macOS](), [Windows](), [Raspberry Pi]() Tags: [announcements](), [app](), [desktop](), [devices](), [download](), [esphome](), [linux](), [macos](), [raspberry-pi](), [smart-home](), [windows]() ### AI overview ESPHome has released a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The app simplifies setup by handling technical installation tasks, opening the Device Builder in a browser, and providing system-tray access for reopening it, checking updates, or quitting. It runs locally without requiring a login or password. ### Source excerpt Download the new ESPHome Device Builder desktop app for macOS, Windows, or Linux, and start building your own custom smart home devices in minutes. ## ESPHome 2026.7.0: Native toolchains by default DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.7.0: Native toolchains by default]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-07-15T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [toolchains](), [ESP32](), [Modbus](), [Security](), [ESP-IDF](), [SDK]() Tags: [2026](), [esp-idf](), [esp32](), [esphome](), [modbus](), [native](), [release](), [releases](), [security](), [toolchains]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.7.0 makes native ESP32 and nRF52 toolchains the default, adds security infrastructure including NVS encryption and OTA downgrade protection, and introduces a transport-agnostic provisioning component. The release also overhauls Modbus and includes performance, memory, LVGL, Ethernet, ESP-NOW, Zigbee, and component updates. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.7.0 makes native toolchains the default on ESP32 and nRF52, adds EN18031 security groundwork, and overhauls Modbus. ## ESPHome introduces a visual Device Builder in its latest release DevFeed: [ESPHome introduces a visual Device Builder in its latest release]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-07-02T00:00:00Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [dashboards](), [Microcontrollers]() Tags: [announcements](), [beginners](), [esphome](), [features](), [release](), [smart-home]() ### AI overview The latest ESPHome release introduces a visual Device Builder that replaces the old text-heavy dashboard with an interactive component catalog and layout workspace. The update is intended to make custom smart home device projects more approachable while retaining control for experienced users. ### Source excerpt Discover a more approachable way to bring your smart home ideas to life: the new visual Device Builder in the latest ESPHome release. ## ESPHome 2026.6.0: Meet the new Device Builder DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.6.0: Meet the new Device Builder]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-06-17T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [dashboards](), [ESP8266](), [ui]() Tags: [2026](), [audio](), [esp8266](), [esphome](), [home-assistant](), [lvgl](), [release](), [releases](), [risc-v](), [security](), [ui](), [wifi]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.6.0 retires the legacy in-tree dashboard and replaces it with ESPHome Device Builder 1.0.0. The release also raises default ESP8266 WiFi security to WPA2, improves SRAM reclamation and LVGL validation performance, modernizes the audio stack, and adds new IMU and USB-serial capabilities. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.6.0 retires the legacy dashboard for ESPHome Device Builder 1.0.0, raises ESP8266 WiFi security to WPA2, and modernizes the audio stack. ## ESPHome 2026.5.0: Device Builder enters public beta DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.5.0: Device Builder enters public beta]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-05-20T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [Web app](), [configuration](), [toolchain](), [ESP32](), [Streaming](), [zigbee]() Tags: [configuration](), [esp-idf](), [esp32](), [esphome](), [feature](), [release](), [releases](), [streaming](), [toolchain](), [web-app](), [zigbee]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.5.0 launches the public beta of the ESPHome Device Builder, a web application that replaces the legacy dashboard with configuration editing, firmware job management, bulk actions, search, distributed builds, and settings. The release also reworks the main loop and watchdog, adds measured optimizations, introduces native ESP-IDF toolchain support alongside PlatformIO, modernizes audio decoding, expands OTA capabilities, and adds ESP32-based Zigbee and multi-room audio components. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.5.0 launches the public beta of the new ESPHome Device Builder, reworks the main loop and watchdog, and modernizes the audio decoder pipeline. ## Shipping logs to Loki DevFeed: [Shipping logs to Loki]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Marc Plano-Lesay Published: 2026-04-03T10:10:02Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Marc Plano-Lesay]() Topics: [Logging](), [Monitoring](), [Prometheus]() Tags: [esphome](), [iot](), [logs](), [loki](), [monitoring](), [observability](), [prometheus](), [server-sent-events](), [terminal]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how to ship ESPHome device logs to Loki. It contrasts logs with Prometheus metrics, describes the ephemeral nature of device logs, and introduces Server-Sent Events and syslog as ways to extract logs for aggregation. ### Source excerpt When metrics aren't the whole story In the previous post, we set up metrics collection with Prometheus. We can now see what is happening on our devices -- a sensor is failing, the WiFi signal is degrading, or the main loop is running slow. But metrics alone don't tell us why. When a device reboots, the uptime metric resets -- but what caused the reboot? When an entity fails, the _failed metric goes to 1 -- but what error occurred? ## Scraping ESPHome metrics with Prometheus DevFeed: [Scraping ESPHome metrics with Prometheus]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Marc Plano-Lesay Published: 2026-03-29T03:18:27Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Marc Plano-Lesay]() Topics: [esphome](), [Prometheus](), [observability](), [Monitoring](), [Grafana]() Tags: [devices](), [esphome](), [grafana](), [iot](), [monitoring](), [observability](), [prometheus]() ### AI overview A tutorial on exposing ESPHome device metrics in the OpenMetrics format and scraping them with Prometheus. It explains how observability helps monitor device state, connectivity, and diagnostic information, with Grafana mentioned for dashboards and alerting. ### Source excerpt What is observability and why does it matter? ESPHome is an amazing tool. Devices you build with it are very useful. But how do you notice when they don't work? You would eventually notice if a temperature sensor stopped working and your climate control automations aren't working as intended. While that's not ideal, it gets worse: what about a sensor part of an alarm system, detecting that a window is open? ## ESPHome 2026.1.0: Automatic WiFi roaming and ESP-IDF by default DevFeed: [ESPHome 2026.1.0: Automatic WiFi roaming and ESP-IDF by default]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2026-01-21T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [ESP-IDF](), [ESP32](), [Encryption]() Tags: [encryption](), [esp](), [esp-idf](), [esp32](), [esphome](), [optimization](), [ota](), [performance](), [releases](), [security](), [sha256](), [wifi]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2026.1.0 adds automatic WiFi roaming, makes ESP-IDF the default framework for supported ESP32 targets, requires API encryption and SHA256 authentication for OTA updates, and introduces performance, platform, hardware, and parsing improvements. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2026.1.0 adds automatic WiFi roaming, makes ESP-IDF the default on ESP32, requires API encryption and SHA256 OTA, and lands broad performance work. ## ESPHome 2025.11.0: WiFi overhaul and ultra-low latency events DevFeed: [ESPHome 2025.11.0: WiFi overhaul and ultra-low latency events]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2025-11-19T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [Latency](), [Low Latency](), [Network](), [Bluetooth](), [ESP32](), [ESP-NOW](), [Hardware](), [MQTT](), [USB]() Tags: [bluetooth](), [esp-now](), [esp32](), [esphome](), [hardware](), [improvements](), [latency](), [low-latency](), [mqtt](), [release](), [releases](), [usb](), [wifi]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2025.11.0 is a performance and reliability-focused release that overhauls WiFi connection handling, reduces event-processing latency across several integrations, optimizes memory use, and adds seven hardware components. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2025.11.0 overhauls WiFi connection handling, cuts event processing latency across BLE, USB, MQTT and ESP-NOW, frees several KB of RAM and flash, and adds seven new components. ## ESPHome 2025.8.0: nRF52 support and ESP-NOW mesh communication DevFeed: [ESPHome 2025.8.0: nRF52 support and ESP-NOW mesh communication]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2025-08-20T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [ESP-NOW](), [Microcontrollers](), [Zephyr RTOS](), [ESP32](), [ESP32-P4](), [Bluetooth]() Tags: [2025](), [bluetooth](), [esp-now](), [esp32](), [esp32-p4](), [esphome](), [introduction](), [latency](), [low-latency](), [memory-optimization](), [microcontrollers](), [mipi](), [optimization](), [release](), [releases](), [zephyr]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2025.8.0 adds basic Nordic nRF52 support built on Zephyr, ESP-NOW device-to-device communication for ESP32 platforms, and MIPI DSI display support for ESP32-P4. It also introduces memory optimizations and requires Python 3.11 or newer. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2025.8.0 introduces the Nordic nRF52 platform built on Zephyr, ESP-NOW device-to-device communication, and MIPI DSI display support, and now requires Python 3.11 or newer. ## ESPHome 2025.7.0: Web server OTA, LoRa, and sub-devices DevFeed: [ESPHome 2025.7.0: Web server OTA, LoRa, and sub-devices]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2025-07-16T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [esphome](), [ESP-IDF](), [lora](), [Home Assistant](), [configuration]() Tags: [component](), [configuration](), [esp-idf](), [esphome](), [home-assistant](), [improvements](), [lora](), [memory](), [new-features](), [ota](), [performance](), [release](), [releases]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2025.7.0 is a major release that moves web server OTA into a dedicated platform, removes ESP-IDF 4.x support in favor of ESP-IDF 5.3.2 or newer, and adds sub-device support, Jinja2 template expressions, LoRa communication, and new hardware and sensor support. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2025.7.0 moves web server OTA to its own platform, removes ESP-IDF 4.x support, adds sub-device support and Jinja2 template expressions, and introduces LoRa hardware support. ## ESPHome 2025.6.0: ESP-IDF 5.3.2, OpenThread, and new ESP32 variants DevFeed: [ESPHome 2025.6.0: ESP-IDF 5.3.2, OpenThread, and new ESP32 variants]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Jesse Hills Published: 2025-06-18T00:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple - Blog]() Topics: [ESP32](), [releases](), [ESP-IDF](), [ESP32-C6](), [ESP32-H2](), [ESP32-P4](), [Python 3.10]() Tags: [esp-idf](), [esp32-c6](), [esp32-h2](), [esp32-p4](), [esphome](), [python-3-10](), [releases]() ### AI overview ESPHome 2025.6.0 updates ESP-IDF to 5.3.2, adds official support for ESP32-C6, ESP32-H2, and ESP32-P4, introduces basic OpenThread support, and requires Python 3.10 or newer. ### Source excerpt ESPHome 2025.6.0 updates ESP-IDF to 5.3.2, adds official support for the ESP32-C6, ESP32-H2 and ESP32-P4, introduces basic OpenThread support, and now requires Python 3.10 or newer.