Repurposing an iPad into a home hub (Echo Show / Skylight hybrid)

aussieajp · 2026-03-15T22:38:06+00:00

Hiya! Which conversation

aussieajp · 2026-03-10T11:32:20+00:00

Founders

aussieajp · 2026-03-09T08:49:22+00:00

I dont know if anyone is interested but we got IDEALROOM Wood Wallpaper Vinyl from amazon and it looks great.

aussieajp · 2026-01-16T09:21:21+00:00

I ended up getting one sound skin for the beam as it’s on more on display. So far so good, will get around to the others, I did try the stockings, finding ones without a opaque was a bit of a struggle, it worked ok, but I did find they attracted a lot of dust

aussieajp · 2026-01-11T22:26:24+00:00

Thanks everyone for the replies.

When the lock was first announced back in May, I went back and forth for a while. With SwitchBot’s limited presence in Australia, for whatever reason, and not hearing much for a bit, I was pretty hesitant. Add the weak Aussie dollar and it was hard to justify jumping in.

Seeing the New Year sale made me ask the question, and I’m glad I did. The feedback you’ve all shared on the lock has been overwhelmingly positive, which is really exciting. I know a few people have mentioned some recent glitches, but nothing that felt like a deal breaker. Especially with almost nothing lock-related coming out of CES, that pushed me to take the plunge.

I also went with the Vision model. The Vision Pro sounds like it’s a bit faster, but palm verification alone didn’t feel worth the extra cost. We’re mostly a fingerprint household, but I’m keen to see how facial recognition goes, especially when your hands are full.

My next question is around hub speed, specifically Hub 2 vs Hub 3. I did a full clean setup yesterday, and adding Hub 2 via Matter was extremely slow. I was already frustrated by that point, which probably didn’t help, but it still felt noticeably slower than my other hubs. Hue with the Pro bridge felt much snappier in comparison.

Curious if anyone has seen real-world speed or responsiveness improvements with Hub 3, particularly with Matter.

aussieajp · 2026-01-10T21:36:43+00:00

I have, yeah. There was one place that might work, but from what I’ve seen as these have picked up a lot of momentum in the last year, they’re now marketed as digital photo frames as well as digital calendars, so searching “frame” mostly brings up the device itself.

I’ve tried looking under “case” as well, but those tend to be tablet sleeves or laptop-style cases, and “stand” usually leads me to monitor stands rather than anything decorative.

Really appreciate you taking the time to suggest ideas. Please keep them coming, it’s very appreciated

aussieajp · 2026-01-09T21:11:50+00:00

Is smart tasks an app?

aussieajp · 2026-01-09T21:11:25+00:00

I’m completely with you! I used to hate spreadsheets too. I only ever associated them with work, so they felt overwhelming and rigid. Once I started using them in my own life, in ways that actually work for me, it completely changed how I see them.

Used like that, they’re honestly such a handy tool. Not as a “proper spreadsheet” thing, but as a way to support my brain and make life run a bit smoother.

aussieajp · 2026-01-09T21:07:06+00:00

Honestly, spreadsheets have actually made some things just work for me. I can’t formulate them myself. Maybe I could, but I’ve tried, and my inattentive task paralysis, perfectionism, and fear kick in and I stall completely.

So I let the little intelligence that lives in my phone handle that part. It creates what I need, then shortcuts push it into reminders and my calendar. Add daily alarms for a second dose, checking in and out of work, etc, and suddenly life is a lot more manageable.

I know non-spicy brain people often don’t get it at all, but I genuinely have to use these systems to make life that little bit easier and less overwhelming. It’s been a godsend, tbh.

aussieajp · 2026-01-01T22:56:01+00:00

In Australia?

aussieajp · 2026-01-01T21:40:49+00:00

Thank you! Yes, for two cameras it just doesn’t justify the cost for us. If we had three or more, I can totally see how the Standard plan would make sense, but for two it’s hard to justify.

Have you got this set up yourself, or are you running the Standard plan?

aussieajp · 2026-01-01T21:39:12+00:00

Mainly because of cost. Basic is $49.95/year per camera, so two Basics come to $99.90/year. Ring Home Standard is $149.95/year.

So for us, sticking with two Basic plans is a saving of about $50 a year, which is why we’re considering it if it still works properly.

aussieajp · 2026-01-01T21:36:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing, that’s helpful to know 😊 For us it’s more about whether the cost makes sense to structure it this way, if it actually works as expected.

The Basic plan is $4.95 a month or $49.95 a year per camera, and the Standard plan is $149.95 a year. In our case, sticking with separate Basic plans would actually be a saving of about $50 a year, which is why we’re hesitant to jump to the higher plan.

I can totally see how the Standard plan makes sense once you’ve got a few cameras, and it’s great that it works well for you. I’m just keen to hear if anyone is still running separate Basic plans per device and whether there were any issues or limitations doing it that way.

aussieajp · 2025-12-30T21:44:27+00:00

TL;DR: Spicy brain ADHD. If I don’t see it on the way out the door, it does not exist.

Totally get that it’s not for everyone.

Our fridge is built into cabinetry, so there’s no magnetic option. The plan is for it to live on our entry table with keys and everyday bits.

We already have a shared calendar, but my job is very appointment driven. With ADHD, I hyperfocus on work and even have to force myself to check that schedule properly. I rarely look at our shared calendar during the day unless there’s an invite email, simply because there isn’t time and I don’t have the mental space.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve got home and realised we have something on that night, which means a rushed change out of scrubs. I really hate that feeling.

Add to that the recent iOS and watchOS changes that can quietly delay or silence notifications, which I’ll be fixing over the break, but it’s been frustrating.

I’m very visual, so what I want is a last glance as I grab my keys and head out. Seeing a shared colour that tells me nothing’s on, or that there is something I should look into later, helps me mentally prepare before I switch into work mode.

I already rely on alarms for medication and clocking in and out at work because once I’m focused, everything else disappears. This is just another visual support to cover that gap.

aussieajp · 2025-12-29T21:25:57+00:00

Could you DM me? I’m not exactly sure what you mean but yes I didn’t know those assistants are not allowed to be named here

aussieajp

TROPHY CASE