Home Assistant Podcast Talking with Jimmy Hawkins from Automated House
25 snips
May 13, 2025 Jimmy Hawkins, a digital creator and DIY smart home enthusiast behind Automated House, shares his journey from TikTok to YouTube. He discusses his unexpected rise during the pandemic and his transition to more in-depth content. Topics include enhancing smart homes with advanced technology, navigating the challenges of Home Assistant, and making automation user-friendly. He also offers insights on creative setups for home environments, highlighting the importance of community in simplifying smart technology for beginners.
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Jimmy's TikTok Smart Home Start
- Jimmy Hawkins started making smart home videos on TikTok during COVID lockdown because he was bored and interested in smart homes.
- His follower count grew organically from a few thousand to over 40,000 quickly due to his niche content and consistent posting.
Choose Home Assistant Yellow Hub
- Use Home Assistant Yellow for an all-in-one hub with built-in Zigbee and Thread radios; avoid dongles.
- Pair it with a Z-Wave USB stick like Zooz's for broad device support and simpler setup.
Use Zooz Z-Wave Devices
- For reliable Z-Wave coverage, use Zooz devices with their ZST39 USB radio, supporting long-range and secure mesh networking.
- Their international frequency support helps create a seamless smart home across different regions.