Is this the Home Assistant Killer of the Future? - The LinknLink iSG Display

This might become the Home Assistant Killer of the Future. Watch this review of the LinknLink iSG Display. It's much more than a display. It's a full-fledged Smart Home Hub that even has Home Assistant on board. A perfect mix for beginners and advanced users!
Links referred to in this video:
* You can buy the iSG Display here: shop.linknlink.com/products/i...
* The latest firmware upgrades for the iSG display can be downloaded here:
kb.linknlink.com/kb/smart-hom...
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:15 Unboxing
00:02:47 Controlling the iSG Display
00:05:02 Home Assistant on the iSG Display
00:08:20 Downsides of the iSG Display
00:09:20 Conclusion
00:11:09 Bloopers
#linknlink #isgdisplay #homeassistant #review #smarthome #homeautomation

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

For everybody that states "This is just a tablet running Home Assistant". IT IS NOT. See the explanation of LinknLink: --- First and foremost, we guarantee it is 100% proprietary software with full patents from us. LinknLink has another business unit for commercial smart energy, which needed a touchscreen to control commercial HVAC systems (similar to those screens used in industrial control). This led to the creation of the iSG. Initially, HA wasn't considered for this device, as our native software handled HVAC control perfectly. In Q4 last year, one of our commercial customers asked if we had a gateway that could visually manage smart home devices. We quickly developed a prototype of the iSG Box (based on an Android streaming box), and the customer was very excited about it. We then added HA support. Having been in the smart home industry for a long time, we understand that it's impossible to support "everything" with just one company's effort. We love open platforms and believe our users do too. In the iSG architecture, there are iSG, HA Container, and HA Service Pack. The iSG software is fully independent and can work without HA (if you try to kill or uninstall the Termux app, which is the HA Container on iSG, the iSG will still work perfectly without HA) but will only support Zigbee, Tuya, LinknLink, BroadLink products, and RTSP cameras. --- I hope this clears things up for you, Ed

[@roberts.3712]

Thanks for turning all my lights on😢

[@PatrickBulteel]

@@SmartHomeJunkie I came to say this. I'm not at home, and my phone started saying how it had turned on all the lights... Oops!

[@MichalBrat]

Same here. This could have been easily avoided.

[@JoepW]

It feels like a new platfrom like homey, but then with a display available. And if you already have HA i do not see the added value.

[@darknessblades]

To me it feels more like a bridge between something like the TUYA app, and home-assistant. It allows for easy management of devices, yet allows you more advanced control with HA if you so desire

[@drumslapper]

Thanks Ed, ill keep an eye on this for the future. Nice summer hair cut😊

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Yeah, my hair dresser didn't understand what I meant with: "It should stay long". I was not amused.

[@nsnui0]

WOW. Linknlink has done it again. What a great company and great minds! Love their products and inovention!

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Thank you for your kind words! Linknlink truly is a remarkable company.

[@JOEJOETHEJOEY]

I didn't get the ethernet adaptor or the remote with my iSG. Is that extra add-on?

[@AnimeMangaBazinga]

Another issue I want to make known is the USB port on the display. I have my own iSG, and tested out a Zooz Z-wave stick on it. The USB port can only be used for the Zigbee dongle, even if you use a USB hub to add more USB ports. Also, because you do not have access to the ADD-ON store with this configuration of HA, you need a separate instance of HA to use Z-wave devices. Until they update this thing to add Z-wave support, there is currently no way to use Z-wave devices without a separate HA instance.

[@ton-thattai8952]

nice! this hub can connect with a Samsung SmartThings Hub?

[@daytona1212]

Would an usb hub work on this device, so you can use the network and Matter stick at the same time?

[@EsotericArctos]

I will only judge a product based on what it does now. It may have potential to do more in the future, but I don't trust "future firmware" as this may never come. Sure, it looks like it has potential, but there have been a few products in the past where reviews have said "Home Assistant killer" but Home Assistant has always prevailed :). It would be nice if the firmware does come and allow it to reach full potential, but I will believe it when it comes :). By the way. Can you mute the assistant trigger words? You triggered my Google Assistant during this video. :)

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Haha, it triggered my own devices as well, but I will mute them next time.

[@jonascale]

This is great! any chance if they said if that usb network corrector supports POE? I would love to find a table for my HA that i can run a single wire to for POE. thanks for the great video!

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Thanks for the nice reply.

[@louisviciedo]

Great video Ed, your studio, lighting and and camera always look so preffesional. Would you consider doing a video that details your equipemnt, set up and lighting?

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

I'm not sure if my followers will want to see such a video.

[@raulruly]

This Smart Gateway/Display will make it is so much easier for the average person to begin their HomeAssistant journey. The fact that updates are handled by a single firmware update will make it so much easier for Joe rather than having monthly updates that sometimes break components and then add ons that requiring updates days later. It definitely needs more USBs and possibly a way for POE or just a simple network port. A wall mounting bracket that will make it flush with the wall would be ideal. I already have a HomeAssistant server deployed so this would be stepping backwards but it could be a more solid and stable dashboard overall.

I see it as it is. A hub in between. Or a screen for HA. I don't need a hub because I already have HA. And I don't need a screen because I already have one. As a stand alone device it has his limitations. You can add a Zigbee stick, but does it allow you to choose you're own stick? Does it support z-wave and matter?

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

It supports Matter as I say in the video. I paired a Master bulb to it myself. It does not support Zwave (yet)

[@sevagjb]

Nice Ed, ❤

[@major_west]

LinknLink is targeting less technical users, yet I found no forum support, no Discord site, no Reddit site, no phone support, no email support. In other words, give us your cash and don't bother us with your problems.

[@manfredzimmer1199]

Nice

[@videolan]

Can you add a USB Hub to allow more USB devices to be connected? The remote shown on the LinkNLink website looks like a receiver rather than the device you said was the remote. Also, it seems you cannot order the remote AND the Net/USB adaptor with the device. You can one or the other - Wierd! I'll wait while for updates.

[@ypark2877]

I understand you can hook up a usb hub for multiple dongles

[@wapphigh5250]

looks to slow to run a moderate to large HA project to me....what's the hardware specs? Be interesting if it could be quickly used and automatically switch on as a HA backup server. That posible?

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Not sure. Creating a backup server is a whole world in itself.

[@jaap7374]

It's very similar to a home assistant green. Their website states it runs HA OS (although there is some debate about it) which means it can benefit from all the optimizations provided by nabu casa. Performance will mainly depend on the integrations you use and how heavy their UI is (pretty light I'd guess since it can't do that much)

[@sergimaurimoreno3298]

Looks nice but it's not enough for me. Home assistant forever!!! If you have a tablet and a specific dashboard there's no limits. Anyway thank you for bring it to the channel, as you said could be good for some users.

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Yeah, it's definately not suited for users that are already familiar with Home Assistant.

[@christophzeeb7957]

I really appreciate your content, for instance the Jinja course. You seem to be a positive person with a lot of enthusiasm for tech, that shows. But this is not so good for product review…in essence whole video seemed like a raving advertisement for a product, almost influencer/salesman style…

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

@@christophzeeb7957 In actually very enthusiastic about this device ☺️

[@renedevrind1733]

USB-C is mandatory as of Dec. 28, 2024 in the EU, so I'll wait for the next version.

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

I think that's only for charging.

[@madisonshaw894]

Ok but what do I do with the server that I already have :o

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Keep it. It's probably better. This device is great for people that start with Smart Home. If you already found your way around Home Assistant, I don't think this device will bring new things to the table.

[@emilsecker7881]

Thanks for turning on all my lights 🤣 can you bleep out the okay Google command please?

[@remcoverhagen192]

it seems to react a little bit slow

[@Cambodurix]

Is life without home assistant still possible? 😳🤷🏻‍♂️

[@robertharrison3726]

Just got one and it is stuck in a boot loop, anyone else get this? If so how did you fix it?

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

I didn't experience this, but you might try to flash it with the latest (beta) firmware?

[@joncentel4932]

👍

[@shadowopal]

Great looking product. Unfortunately I couldn't watch the whole video as you don't mute your smart assistant wake ups.

[@MrZiemwit]

$199 - it will be future for 50$ :)

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Hahaha

[@nmraidernation.6092]

For all it does, you are DREAMING!!!

[@yrmuq]

@@nmraidernation.6092 it does not so much. You are DREAMING!!!

[@jhopmann2000]

I am not really attracted by having a SERVER on a CLIENT (which may be shutdown, driving with me in my car somewhere, simply be UNAVAILABLE).

[@NatesRandomVideo]

Wanted to play with it. Ordered months ago. Still waiting on delivery. Nice to see they can send you a demo one before my actual order… Company communications keeps coming across as scammy. Various weird stories of customs problems and production problems and and and… And then a new round of “influencer” videos starts showing up. Hmm.

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Ah okay. I must say the communication with them was a really good experience for me. The product was a kickstarter product and I know they had a a stock issue but that should be fixed by now.

[@NatesRandomVideo]

@@SmartHomeJunkie clearly not if they haven't delivered mine -- or even shipped it yet.... Buyer beware... be VERY careful with these folk...

[@koladioable]

@@NatesRandomVideo I totally agree with you that buyers should be careful. I ordered the iSG display + RJ45 adapter with @SmartHomeJunkie's discount code, unfortunately iSG display was received without RJ45 adapter. I sent a message to their business e-mail, which was used for communicating my order number me and also copied their support team but no response. But they have been sending me product advertisements almost daily. How they expect me to buy anything from them again, I am not sure.

[@gjaltzwaagstra]

voor 50 Euro is dit idd een toppertje

[@settlece]

hate to say it but for the price looks dated how can you compare it to home assistant dont seam fair to make the comparison

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Either I did not explain clearly enough that this product can be used without HA to control your house or people don't get what it does exactly. It runs perfectly fine using its own firmware without having to use Home Assistant. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I think it's pretty clever to create a Hub that runs it's own firmware and give more advanced users the possibility to use Home Assistant AS WELL.

[@war4peace1979]

No. It piggybacks on Home Assistant, like some sort of parasite.

[@jaap7374]

This is as much a home assistant killer as raspberry pi. It's a platform to run home assistant on, but unlike raspberry pi, it has no other use cases other than running home assistant.

[@ypark2877]

It has its own platform and home asst. Home assistant is open to many computers, so are they all parasites. The title? .?Not a home assistant killer.

[@videolan]

The music is irrittatng! Luckily your narration stops me pressing stop!

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

Sorry 😎

[@dominicdechangy8365]

True: change it Ed !

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

@@dominicdechangy8365 It's not possible to edit a published video. Next video will have another audio track.

[@ech0ech071]

I gotta be honest. I don't know who this product is for. So it is a tablet. But it runs HA. But a super stripped down version with very limited functions? Why not just a tablet at that point running your HA dashboard? Also what is with the title? I understand clickbait is the new KZbin. Don't hate the player, hate the game and all that but I don't liked being misled or tricked. @SMJ I don't believe for one sec you think this is "The Home Assistant Killer of the Future". If you do, then honestly I should just unsubscribe. It's a device that runs HA. A device that rusn HA is not a "Home Asistant Killer". Again it RUNS HOME ASSISTANT! Also again I understand you gotta take Sponsors and make money, but again we don't like being misled in the title. Also I don't pick up devices based on "promised features". I buy it on what it can do today (Including latest Firmware). I just subscribed last night and unfortunately this video has put a sour taste in my mouth. Edit: It appears you have a hard time taking valid criticism and for that reason I am unsubscribing and I will not be back.

[@SmartHomeJunkie]

I think you missed the fact that it runs also native without HA and that you can control your home WITHOUT HA. Beginners can start using the iSG without having to use HA. And they can use extra functionalities using HA as long as the iSG does not support it yet.