What's Next for Homey After LG's Shocking Athom Purchase?

[@Abe-from-Homey]

Thanks for the great video, Brian! Speaking from my perspective as an Athom employee, not much has changed for us over the last few months-we’re still focused on doing our thing, enjoying our boterhammen met hagelslag for lunch, and developing exciting new features and products. When it comes to our partnerships, though, things have only improved. The big players are now taking us more seriously and are more open to having meaningful conversations. The future is looking even more exciting, and together, we can keep making the smart home experience better for everyone! 🙌

[@AutomateYourLife]

A really exciting response Abe. It's great to hear that firsthand experience coming out and sounding so fun (and similar to what it was). Also, please send whatever boterhammen with hagelslag is! Thanks for taking the time to leave this message!

[@Slocko]

Doesn't bode well for Homey. The track record of big companies not ruining the smaller company they buy, isn't great.

[@gerryf7015]

Have to agree. Having been on both sides of corporate takeovers over 40 years, the acquires have always tended to cut costs and maximize profits as quickly as possible. And then there are also the cultural impact of large beurachies smothering small company agility. There are very few examples of the "benevolent " corporate acquisition.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hard to disagree with the history of takeovers. Been on both sides myself

[@AndyBerman]

Another reason to move to open source Home Assistant

[@AutomateYourLife]

Many will view it that way

[@speedracer9132]

This makes me so glad I never bought into this product and went homeass

[@nrusso131]

@@speedracer9132 but isn't the issue with home assistant is that you have pay 7 dollars a month essentially forever just to link it to google assisant or alex? This is my big hold up. If I am wrong, please let me know.

[@djbusters]

I almost bought the Homey, but then went to HA route. it can be some work at time but i am happy with it so far. @@nrusso131 well another perspective would be what you pay with. 7 $ or the data that Samsung and LG (more notorious) collect ( sometimes without your concent or option to opt out.)

[@StijnSillen]

​@@nrusso131 It's mainly to support their awesome development team. But you can also integrate with Google manually, it just takes some fiddling with developer account.

[@rogeroshea3490]

It’s a good indication of Home Automation heading into the mainstream which can only be a good thing!

[@AutomateYourLife]

I like your take on this Roger!

[@BadgerBob]

Agreed. I just hope they do a better job than Samsung did with smartthings.

[@801saurabh]

I think the market will be healthy only if appliance makers just concentrate on developing smart appliances, switch and lamp makers just concentrate on developing smart switches and smart lamps, and same for security systems. And there should be makers like Amazon, Google, Apple, Homey, Home Assistant which makes the hub that connects all smart devices with some common protocol like Matter. In the end, market will reach that equalibrium.

[@AutomateYourLife]

We can hope, but it seems like everyone wants to be everything

[@kevinjackson9202]

My main concern is about privacy and I switched back to Hubitat. I know Athom states they are still privacy focused, however they are not going to be running the show much longer.

[@AutomateYourLife]

And that will be a concern for many. We will have to watch this all very closely. Glad you're happy with Hubitat though!

[@rgrissom1]

I had homey but returned within 30 days due to not being able to do my google near cameras😂 and some other awards fp2 sensor. I did recently buy new lg tv and oven dishwasher, if I can use my new tv as dashboard would be game changer. Do you know if with matter will it integrate my google cameras and Samsung fridge?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't know that answer sorry! It could eventually, but that would be up to Google to make their cameras Matter ready, and Samsung to do that with the fridge. My guess is not with existing products out there today. Those companies haven't been doing a lot of back-Matter...ing.

[@richchapman5011]

Hi Brian, do you envisage that this may make the Homey pro a cheaper unit with LG absorbing some of the cost to promote sales? I’ve always been interested in Homey Pro but just found it too much of a bitter pill to swallow at the amount they ask with already having multiple other hub’s within my home setup.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think that's a real possibility!

[@AutomateYourLife]

But I bet that gets subsidized with some optional subscriptions

[@dvwebster]

@@richchapman5011 I think that the price of the Homey Pro hub is higher than the competitors because customers seem to prefer that to paying for a subscription. Ongoing support and product development have to be paid for somehow..

[@russebbing]

I’m an early ST adaptor and 5 months ago moved to Homey Pro. Homey Pro’s advanced is awesome. Sure, I can dream up merger nightmares. On the other hand LG brings solid backing that commands attention. I’ve already noticed several new devices in most apps. Years ago, I was also an early adaptor of Amiga, a computer had a moused years ahead of Microsoft and Apple. But Amiga dint have the backing to survive. Having the best vision alone isn’t enough. Hopefully LG and Anthom does this right.

[@AutomateYourLife]

We can dream together!

[@RobtPerk-xv2yh]

Did you change from Home Assistant to Homey or use both?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Never have used Home Assistant as a main. Just tinker and test

[@801saurabh]

If LG starts making hubs then they have to be open to all other manufacturers to connect with their hub. And that is less likely.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah I don't know what will happen there, but Homey gives them a path to most existing products

[@kkoz83]

Do you think it's worth becoming a new Homey Pro user, knowing the flows could change in the future?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't think flows will totally change, so sure. Years of good ahead

[@orjnie]

Love Homey, but already switching to Home assistant and a minipc. It was cheap compared to Homey 2023 (have 2019 pro) and I feel its more futureproof.

[@AutomateYourLife]

If you're happy, I'm happy :)

[@orjnie]

@AutomateYourLife Still have a Homey Pro 2023 set up in our family vacation home, and it will stay that way, probably until it becomes obsolete 😅 It is easier to manage and set up than HA, more family friendly towards my parents usecase, and I use it in my line of work as an electrician aswell, installing smart home solutions for private customers.

[@dvwebster]

I am transitioning from using SmartThings to using Homey Pro, and I really like the power and flexibility of Homey Flows to create advanced automations that suit my needs better. However, the mass market is not interested or capable of doing these things for themselves, so the future for smarthomes is undoubtably going to need AI to turn user ideas of how they want their home to work into reality. I suspect that implementing such AI abilities will require deep pockets, which LG are are more likely to posses than Athom. So, the acquisition is eventually going to produce something more useful and appealing to typical consumers than hubs and DIY configuring. The smarthome industry is still in its infancy and every few years it evolves and expands, with new technologies that inevitably disrupt the market. And so it will eventually happen to LG+Homey, but we wont mind because the next development will be so much more compelling!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Can't argue with the mass market not being able to do things like Flows. Not even basic automations, to be honest.

[@andrewcbartlett]

Well done to Homey's founders for getting their exit!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhhh that's gotta feel good hey?

[@robertwoznak7783]

I know off topic but nice shirt, is that from the tour?

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@robertwoznak7783 you know it!😃

[@robertwoznak7783]

@AutomateYourLife saw them both nights here in Detroit. Great shows.

[@InfamousElGuapo]

Still happy with my decision to go with and stick with Hubitat.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Glad you're happy!

[@andyhenderson]

I wouldn't underestimate the ability of LG (or any company) to destroy a purchased company through ineptness. I don't, however, see that as a good reason to abandon Homey. I'm hoping for the best. There would be no point in making Homey proprietary since its open-ness is a key feature. In any case, there is no way to do that without withdrawing current features that are the backbone of the product. My biggest fear is that it is now more likely we'll see a new Homey hub that leaves current hub users behind. That was a potential issue before, but a capital injection makes it more likely.

[@AutomateYourLife]

lol, this isn't to say it can't happen. It's just to say we're in a bit of a different time and I think it can go better. You're right on the hub thing though. Big opportunity there for some things to be left behind. That will need to be managed

[@philipperostin]

LG has a lower tendency to abandon projects, so it could be a better future. For the time being, Homey is still too expensive for my liking, but hopefully LG industrial power could help lower the hub price.

[@AutomateYourLife]

That might just be the case. Investment the way they do it allows them to potentially drop prices to get the platform out there further!

[@tldr365]

LG Mobile division comes to mind.

[@retsuin]

@@tldr365 They closed their mobile division because they were fed up with producing class leading phones (and innovative in some cases) and getting little market share because people couldn't see past their 'same phone every year with a different number' Samsung and Apple phones.

[@inb4tehlulz]

As much as home assistant drives me crazy, at least I don't have to worry about putting a huge investment into something that then goes into a hands of a company that may not have the same interest aligned. I think it's a perfect comparison of Samsung and LG here, and I don't have the same Rose tinted glasses when I look at it. Lg has shareholders they have to answer to shareholders are not going to be interested in things that don't make them money directly.

[@AutomateYourLife]

There's a lot about open source that's nice. We've seen a few open source smart homeprojects disappear or be bought up, so there's still a little risk with H.A. But generally, I agree that shareholders drive a lot of decisions and it could be a problem in the future for LG/Homey.

[@chrgeorgeson]

I think the people who love Homey but can't afford it.... The good news is that LG can help them reduce the price of those stupid high cost hubs. LG won't just let them keep doing what they do. They obviously will have expectations to grow and one way to do that is reduce the cost of entry to that product. The other thing they will have to do is force Homey to integrate all LG products into their platform. I also suspect that when sales stall after X quarters they will come in and kill most staff with RIFs and LG will make terrible decisions.

[@AutomateYourLife]

100%

[@JoshsSmartHome]

Home Assistant!! Gotta giv’r!

[@AutomateYourLife]

lol!

[@tankthebear]

Well Brian - that's a glass half full approach - glad I didn't buy into the homey ecosystem. Don't get your hopes up. I am Happy with my Hubitat / Home Assistant combo setup. I think appliance mfgs should just make their appliances z-wave or matter compliant and skip owning a hub platform.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I'm a glass half full kinda guy! ;)

[@effrem123]

I hope the fuse and integrate Web Os on The Athom hub

[@AutomateYourLife]

Bring the two big platforms together. That would make sense, especially on a dashboard/TV type device!

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

Sofar Atom has always delivered what they promised. They sold their technology to LG. So what? I use the Homey for the last five years, and I'am still happy with Atom.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think things are just fine for the most part! I'm enjoying the platform too

[@jaap7374]

They did over-promise during their start up phase. Voice never came out of beta. They explained why they needed to let it go and I don't disagree with it. I have less confidence in LG though.

[@c849243]

Sorry I'm a bit late. I've been busy watching " rent-a-goalie".

[@AutomateYourLife]

No such thing as late!

[@grantos8276]

Let’s hope it doesn’t go the way smarthings did.

[@AutomateYourLife]

🙏🙏

[@kevinpoinsett]

I'll be in the market for a whole new appliance makeover in a couple years of not sooner, so if LG can convince me to buy their fridge, oven, dishwasher, laundry washer and dryer then it will be a great maneuver on their part...love my C2 OLED, we're out here LG, come get us!

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@kevinpoinsett they got me on a fridge. I'm waiting too!

[@mdavidf]

Hopefully, since another big name is joining smart home, that it means not only more solid products but new products.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It looks like they're gearing up! I think we will see lots of new

[@Nosjamesmenzer]

I will say this i would like to see homey and smart things be able to be used with home assistant i think having a smart home that doesnt rely on the cloud is the best way to go and i would love to see the more kitchen appliances and washers and dryers be able to be used with home assistant. I personaly see home assistant being the main smart home eco system in the house that everything connects to and then you can take Amazon echo or google home or apple home kit /siri and point it right at home assistant and have a more reliable connection and rely less on the cloud and more on you network to run the smart home. Plua with home aasistant you get to custoimize and create dashboards that you want to put on a tablet or your phone or computer and everyone can see and use and it shows all of your cameras without he hassle of having to use voice commands and the voice assistants getting it wrong so they need to be able to work with home assistant or else i dont see the point of having it

[@AutomateYourLife]

Homey and ST are both local first now. So neither are reliant on the cloud for the most part!

[@MAMDAVEM]

Athom make my goto energy monitoring smart plug.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think that's a different company, no?

[@bradysmail1969]

Now I'm so happy I didn't get a Homey!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

As long as you're happy :)

[@parrottm76262]

Well, I've done it again. Just as soon as I narrow my list down for a new smart home hub, one of them goes to crap. While I understand why Athom has joined up to LG, I feel this is a very bad thing for users. I used to be a huge LG user and championed that brand for years, but when LG changed their privacy policy to actually be user hostile, they lost me. I will not buy anything LG, or LG related going forward. While Samsung isn't as bad, privacy wise as LG, I suspect they will go that way. Finally, if you do buy an LG device and don't want the hardware to spy on you and sell your info to everyone, make sure that device isn't connected to the internet. Only purchase devices that work offline. I know many don't care about this, and that is fine. More power to you. Just not for me and many others.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Pretty much every big company asks for that kinda data use. We need our regulatory bodies to deal with that for us as consumers.

[@LebDusty]

LG should do Matter devices instead of making costumers buys new useless hubs

[@jaap7374]

Only a person who doesn't know how to use Homey would say that.

[@LebDusty]

@@jaap7374 it is not how to use it. it is just making people buy tooo many hubs while home assisstance still the best of the rest

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@LebDusty I believe the new hub is matter ready, so they're paying attention at some level 😃

[@LebDusty]

@@AutomateYourLife good to know. but fed up having too many hubs lol

[@7744bros]

This is the company that bought web os and didn't do anything great with the it.

[@RIP212]

They didn't ruined it either. So, I guess, it's OK.

[@7744bros]

@@RIP212 they didn't make it better either.

[@AutomateYourLife]

What should they have done with it ya think?

[@RIP212]

@@AutomateYourLife by the way. Since you're using Homey, do you have any WLED device in it? I cannot find any video about WLED with Homey. I'm software engineer, and sure, I love tinkering, but sometimes it's too much and Homey just feels like it will be much easier for me + I love JS and meh with Python :) So while I'm very familiar with HA, I'm leaning towards Homey a lot :) Only thing that is missing is possibly weak WLED integration and possibly weak Mitsubishi Electronic AC MELCloud integration. If you can check or even make a video about WLED with Homey that would be awesome.

[@7744bros]

@@AutomateYourLife There was a good community boarding WebOS doing some good things. They could collaborated with them and made something wonderful who knows they could have came out with another phone or even have a better operating system on the LG's TVs

[@Mr.G-di6uq]

Smartthings was at its peak until Samsung took over. The customer support and community was amazing. I was with Smartthings from their start on the east coast. Just waiting to ditch them.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Sad story that ST

[@PAL.Studios]

If this lowers the barrier of entry, I may give serious consideration to trying out the platform.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Stayed tuned on that 😃

[@garethjones5068]

I think it is good for the smart home industry that 2 home appliance giants are now in the game, Samsung had it too easy so stopped innovating

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@garethjones5068 agreed!

[@garethjones5068]

@@AutomateYourLife Always wondered why Sony hasn’t stepped into the smart home world

[@CPHTT]

Seen in the light of how you previously screwed up Samsung smartthings because of the challenges you ran into when the entire industry moved to Matter. So I think it seems a bit unreasonable to just say that Homey probably won't run into similar challenges.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I previously screwed up SmartThings?

[@JimDut]

It’s all your fault Brian 😂

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@JimDut sonofa!