Software update: Home Assistant 0.68

Home Assistant is an open source home automation platform that runs under Python 3. It runs via Hassbian on a Raspberry Pi 3 or a Linux, macOS or Windows computer. It supports detecting devices such as Nest thermostats, Philips Hue, Belkin WeMo switches, Mr. Coffee makers and the mqtt protocol. In addition, where possible, it can control these devices and apply automation. For more information, please refer to this page and our forum. The developers, who recently received financial support from Ubiquiti Networks have released version 0.68. The main improvements made to it can be found below.

0.68: HomeKit control, Eufy, FritzBox, SigFox sensors

Weekend is around the corner and that means that it’s time for the next release of Home Assistant. 0.68 brings a ton of great goodies and bug fixes.

One of the coolest features this release is by @mjg59: you are now able to control HomeKit devices. Previously, it was possible to control Home Assistant from iOS devices using the HomeKit protocol. With this release, Home Assistant is able to become the controller and use HomeKit to control lights and switches directly. Since HomeKit is vendor agnostic, it means that any HomeKit light or switch will now be compatible with Home Assistant. very cool.

Another cool new platform, also by @mjg59, is support for Eufy devices. Eufy is the Home Automation brand of Anker and they have been producing reasonably priced devices which can now be controlled by Home Assistant too. Thanks for all your contributions @mjg59 ??.

New Platforms

• Add support for Eufy bulbs and switches (@mjg59 – #13773) (eufy docs) (light.eufy docs) (switch.eufy docs) (new platform)
• Add support for controlling homekit lights and switches (@mjg59 – #13346) (homekit_controller docs) (light.homekit_controller docs) (new platform)
• Adding USCIS component (@meauxt – #13764) (sensor.uscis docs) (new platform)
• Add support for new platform: climate.modbus (@Kirchoff – #12224) (climate.modbus docs) (new platform)
• Add AVM fritzbox smart home component (@hthiery – #10688) (fritzbox docs) (climate.fritzbox docs) (switch.fritzbox docs) (new platform)
• Adds SigFox sensor (@robmarkcole – #13731) (sensor.sigfox docs) (new platform)
• Add blackbird media player component (@koolsb – #13549) (media_player.blackbird docs) (new platform)
• Add support for Sensirion SHT31 temperature/humidity sensor (@violels – #12952) (sensor.sht31 docs) (new platform)
• Qwikswitch binary sensors (@kellerza – #14008) (qwikswitch docs) (binary_sensor.qwikswitch docs) (sensor.qwikswitch docs) (beta fix) (new platform)

New Features

• Support binary_sensor and device_tracker in HomeKit (@Yonsm – #13735) (home kit docs) (new feature)
• Add Homekit locks support (@philk – #13625) (home kit docs) (new feature)
• Support CO2/PM2.5/Light sensors in HomeKit (@Yonsm – #13804) (home kit docs) (new feature)
• Support Garage Doors in HomeKit (@marthoc – #13796) (home kit docs) (new feature)
• Support basic covers with open/close/stop services HomeKit (@nickw444 – #13819) (home kit docs) (new feature)