Sustainability on Smart Home? Sure — But Secure!

Bose Had to Back Down! Open Source Community Saves SoundTouch Speakers

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Turnaround: When Community Pressure Works

Update to my article from November 2025: Remember? Bose wanted to shut down the cloud for SoundTouch, leaving €1,000 speakers stripped of their most important features. Now there’s a spectacular twist!

On January 12, 2026, Golem reported: Bose does a 180° and releases the SoundTouch speakers’ Web API as Open Source. The community has won!

In the video I walk you through the whole story – why this development affects EVERY smart home user, not just Bose owners. Because this is a precedent for the entire industry.

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What Exactly Happened?

Make sure to watch the video – there I explain all the details. Here are the key points:

1. Bose Opens Up the API

Instead of simply shutting down the cloud, Bose has now released the Web API as Open Source. This allows developers to build their own solutions and use the speakers without the Bose cloud.

Bose’s reasoning: They want to “support the open-source community” and give interested parties “the opportunity to develop alternatives.”

This is a complete reversal from the original “we’re just pulling the plug” approach. In the video I show why this is so significant!

2. More Time for Development

The shutdown was pushed back from February 2026 to May 6, 2026. This gives the community three additional months to develop working alternatives.

3. The App Stays Available

Originally, Bose planned to remove the SoundTouch app entirely from the Play Store and App Store. That was reversed – the app remains available.

The Community Was Ahead of Bose

The most exciting part of this whole story: the open source community was ahead of Bose!

Before Bose even released the API, there were already projects on Github working to keep the speakers usable after the server shutdown. Those projects can now be developed much more easily and reliably thanks to the official API release.

In the video I show you concrete examples of these community projects and explain what this means for the future.

Github projects are already working on alternatives to the Bose cloud – and are now getting official support from the manufacturer.

What Still Works After May?

To be clear – the cloud is still being shut down. In the video I go into detail about what that means in practice:

❌ Gone after May 6, 2026:

Direct music streaming via the SoundTouch app
Reassigning station buttons (existing assignments may continue to work)
Cloud-based services (TuneIn, etc.)

✅ Still functional:

Bluetooth (with the usual range limitations)
AirPlay (for Apple users)
Spotify Connect (if you have a Spotify subscription)
Wired inputs (AUX, HDMI, optical)
Local playback control

Watch the video for a complete analysis of what this means in practice!

Why This Should Matter to You – Even Without Bose

This is the most important message of this article: This story affects every smart home user, not just Bose owners. In the video I explain in detail why this sets a precedent for the entire industry.

Three Important Lessons:

1. Community Power Works

Public attention, critical coverage, and active community engagement can push manufacturers to rethink their decisions. Bose could have simply pulled the plug – but didn’t.

In the video I show how public pressure made a concrete difference.

2. Open Source Protects Your Investments

The more open the systems, the less dependent you are on the manufacturer. Even if a manufacturer drops support, the community can take over the project.

In the video I analyze what this means for your future buying decisions.

3. New Buying Criteria for Smart Home

Before your next purchase, ask:

Is there an open API?
Does an active community exist?
Does the device work locally without the cloud?
Are there already open source alternatives?

In the video I give you a detailed checklist for your next smart home purchase.

What Does This Mean for Other Manufacturers?

The Bose case sends a clear signal to Vorwerk, Belkin, Logitech, Philips, and all other manufacturers shutting down their cloud services:

The community doesn’t give up. If you shut down your cloud, the community will build alternatives. Better to support that actively – the way Bose is doing now.

In the video I explain why manufacturers can actually benefit from this development:

Save their reputation instead of permanently damaging it
Retain existing customers instead of losing them
Build trust for future products

Watch the video for the full analysis!

Practical Tips for SoundTouch Owners

If you own a SoundTouch speaker, in the video I show you exactly what you should do now:

Stay informed: Follow the Github projects and community forums
Test alternatives: Try out Bluetooth, AirPlay, or Spotify Connect now
Support the community: If you can code – join the open source projects!
Be patient: The projects still need time until May 6, 2026

All links to the community projects can be found in the video description!

Conclusion: A Win-Win Situation

At the end of the day, this is a win-win for everyone involved:

For Bose: Cloud costs saved, reputation partially rescued
For users: Devices remain usable, new possibilities through open source
For the community: An important precedent for the future

This shows: Smart home can be sustainable – when manufacturers and communities work together rather than against each other.

In the video I analyze what this development means for the smart home industry in the long run.

Connection to My First Article

This article is an update to: When Your Smart Home Suddenly Gets Dumb – and What You Can Do About It

There I described the problem; here I show the resolution. Exactly how it should work!

Sources and Further Links

Did this article help you? Share it with other SoundTouch owners! For more articles on secure and sustainable smart home solutions, browse the rest of the blog.

Scanne diesen Code
mit Deiner Banking App!

Replace Your Tablet Battery Yourself – How to Save Your Old Device in 20 Minutes!

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

When Your Tablet Never Leaves the Charger

Sound familiar? Your tablet used to be great, but now the battery barely lasts a few hours. Maybe you use it for your Smart Home Dashboard in Home Assistant or for other purposes – but being permanently tethered to a cable is simply annoying.

Most people think: “Time for a new device.” But wait! These devices are far too good to throw away. In this article I’ll show you how to breathe new life into your tablet with a new battery – and without any special tools!

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Why Repair It Yourself?

Sustainability and Resource Conservation

Every repaired device is a win for the environment. Manufacturing a new tablet consumes enormous resources – raw materials, energy, water. A new battery for €20–30 and 20 minutes of your time can extend the device’s life by years.

Save Money

A new tablet can easily cost several hundred euros. A replacement battery? About €20–30. The math is simple!

It’s Fun!

Honestly: there’s a really great feeling when the device works again after the repair. In the video you can watch every step live alongside me!

My Example: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

For my Smart Home Dashboard I use a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. It’s a bit older, but still perfect for Home Assistant. The battery, however, was completely done – the tablet only lasted a few hours.

Spoiler: After the battery replacement it now runs for a whole week again! 🎉

What You Need

Tools (no special equipment!)

Hair dryer (yes, really – your regular hair dryer!)
Suction cup or suction cup clamp (available at any hardware store)
Plastic spatula or an old credit/loyalty card
Small screwdriver (Phillips head)
Optional: Plastic opening tools (available online for a few euros)

Materials

Replacement battery matching your tablet model
Optional: Replacement adhesive strips for the housing

Important note on buying the battery:

⚠️ Do NOT buy the cheapest battery you find online!

Make sure to look for:

✅ Reputable distributors
✅ Good ratings and reviews
✅ Brand manufacturers or certified replacements

Why? Low-quality lithium-ion batteries don’t just perform poorly – in the worst case they can catch fire. Safety first! I cover this in detail in the video.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Housing with the Hair Dryer

The first step is heating the adhesive between the housing and the display. Without this step you won’t be able to get into the device.

My recommendation:

Lowest airflow setting
Maximum heat
About 2 minutes warming the entire housing
One corner more intensively (that’s where you want to open it first)

Temperature check: If you can just barely touch the tablet without burning yourself, it’s perfect!

In the video you can see exactly how long I hold the hair dryer and how!

Step 2: Open the Housing with a Suction Cup

Now comes the exciting part. Using a suction cup or suction cup clamp you carefully pull the housing apart.

Two options:

Option A: Suction cup clamp (the one I use)

Place it on the warmed corner
Carefully tighten until a gap appears
No force – just warm it up again if needed!

Option B: Two simple suction cups

One on the front, one on the back
Carefully pull apart with your hands
Again: patience matters more than strength

You’ll see in the video: In my case the housing pops open after just a few turns!

Step 3: Fully Open the Housing

Once the first gap appears, grab a plastic spatula or an old credit card.

Important:

⚠️ Do NOT use metal tools!
✅ Plastic only – that way you won’t scratch anything
✅ Don’t go too deep into the device
✅ Work your way completely around the device

If it doesn’t slide smoothly somewhere? Just warm up that spot with the hair dryer again. In the video I show you the right technique!

Step 4: Watch Out for Cables!

On my Samsung tablet: The back panel has no cabling – just lift it off.

On other tablets: Carefully check whether ribbon cables connect the back panel to the circuit board! Otherwise you’ll tear something off when opening it.

Step 5: Remove the Battery

Now it gets technical – but don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!

On my tablet:

Loosen a few screws securing the battery
Carefully disconnect the ribbon cable
Gently lift the contact clips with a small screwdriver
Pull out the cable

In the video you can see every single step in close-up – I show you exactly where each cable sits!

Step 6: Remove the Old Battery

The battery is usually still secured with some adhesive tape. Carefully lift it and remove it from the housing.

Note: Don’t just throw the old battery in the trash! Batteries belong at the recycling center or at the collection point in an electronics store.

Step 7: Install the New Battery

The new battery goes in exactly the same spot.

Connection order:

Place the battery in the housing
Reconnect the ribbon cable
Press the contacts firmly
Screw the screws back in

In the video I show you what to pay attention to when connecting the cables!

Step 8: Function Test BEFORE Closing!

Important: Test that everything works BEFORE you close the housing!

What I test:

✅ Tablet can be switched on
✅ Display works
✅ Buttons respond
✅ Speakers work
✅ Battery charges (plug in the charging cable!)

In the video you’ll see the exciting moment: Does it turn on? 😊

Step 9: Calibrate the Battery

Before closing the housing, it’s a good idea to:

Charge the battery fully (100%)
Let the tablet drain completely without charging in between

Why? This way the operating system learns the actual capacity and can display accurate remaining runtime again.

Step 10: Close the Housing

Now comes the final step!

Option A: Use the remaining adhesion (what I do)

The old adhesive often still holds well enough
Simply press the back panel on and you’re done
⚠️ The device is then no longer waterproof

Option B: New adhesive strip

Remove the old adhesive
Apply a new adhesive strip (order it together with the battery!)
Good sealing again

For my Smart Home Dashboard, Option A is perfectly sufficient!

The Result: Mission Accomplished! 🎉

In just 20 minutes: My Samsung Tab runs for a whole week again, just from a new battery!

The tablet is back to being:

✅ Usable permanently as a dashboard
✅ Usable without constant recharging
✅ Ready for years more of service

Common Problems and Solutions

“The housing won’t open”

Solution: Heat it up again! Better to use the hair dryer for 30 seconds longer than to use force.

“I’m afraid of breaking something”

Solution: In the video you can see every move. Take your time and work calmly. Most damage happens from rushing!

“Which battery is the right one?”

Solution:

The exact model number is printed on the old battery
Search for that number at reputable shops
Read the reviews!

“The cable won’t connect”

Solution: Some connectors are a bit fiddly. In the video I show you how I handled the tricky connector on mine – it took me a while too!

Safety Notes

During the Repair

⚠️ Never work while connected to power!
⚠️ Do not damage the battery (risk of short circuit/fire!)
⚠️ Choose a well-ventilated room
⚠️ Keep children and pets away

After the Repair

✅ Supervise the first charging cycle
✅ The tablet getting warm is normal
✅ If you see smoke, disconnect from power immediately!

Why This Fits Perfectly with “Using Tech Smartly”

This channel is called “Smart Home? But Secure!” for a reason – and smart means:

Conserving resources instead of throwing things away
Taking action yourself instead of buying everything new
Understanding and mastering technology

A repaired tablet for a Smart Home Dashboard is the perfect example: Old meets Smart!

Your Repair Project?

Write to me in the comments:

Have you ever replaced a tablet or smartphone battery yourself?
What was your experience?
Do you also use your tablet for Smart Home?
Which device are you considering repairing?

Make sure to watch the video – there you can see every step live and get all the important tips!

More Repair Guides

Repair BROKEN Shellys – the 30 CENT repair that actually works! – Repair Smart Home hardware instead of throwing it away: save a Shelly 2.5 with a new capacitor
Repair Sonoff S20 Smart Plug – the 26 Cent Repair – Permanently fix the unstable WiFi connection on the Sonoff S20 with a capacitor replacement

When Your Smart Home Suddenly Goes Dumb – And What You Can Do About It

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Every Smart Home Owner’s Nightmare

Imagine coming home, opening your smart home app – and suddenly it shows “No Connection.” Not because of an internet outage or a technical glitch, but because the manufacturer simply pulled the plug.

This is happening on a massive scale right now: Bose is shutting down the cloud for SoundTouch, Vorwerk is killing off Neato robot vacuums, and the list grows longer every day. Devices that cost over €1,000 are being turned into expensive paperweights overnight.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! In this video I explain why this happens and how you can protect yourself.

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Recent Cases: When Smart Homes Go Dumb

Bose SoundTouch: The €1,000 Paperweight

As of February 18, 2026, Bose is discontinuing cloud support for the entire SoundTouch product family. That means:

❌ Spotify integration is gone
❌ TuneIn radio no longer works
❌ Multiroom features are history
❌ App control is heavily restricted

Bose’s explanation: The technology has been “extensively further developed” and the company is “no longer able to maintain the cloud infrastructure.”

Translation: Running the cloud costs too much money.

Vorwerk/Neato: A Broken Promise

Even more egregious is the Vorwerk case: the company had promised five years of cloud operation for Neato robots. Did they keep that promise? Apparently not.

In 2023, Neato Robotics was shut down, and now all cloud services are being terminated. Even robots that were still sold regularly in 2023 are losing their functionality.

Vorwerk’s excuse: “Cybersecurity standards have evolved.”

The truth: They failed to invest in time – or simply didn’t want to.

The Mechanics of the Cloud Disaster

Why does this keep happening? The video explains the vicious cycle:

Phase 1: The Launch

Manufacturer develops a new product
Cloud enables modern features (remote access, updates, etc.)
Sales revenue funds cloud operation

Phase 2: Technical Progress

New device generation requires new cloud architecture
Manufacturer operates two cloud systems in parallel
Double the costs, half the benefit

Phase 3: The End

Old devices no longer sell
Cloud operation becomes a pure cost factor
Pulling the plug is the “economical” solution

Your Checklist: How to Protect Yourself

1. Check Manufacturer Reputation

Before you buy: How has the company behaved in the past?

Are there already reports of discontinued products?
How transparently does the company communicate?
Google search: “[Manufacturer] + cloud shut down”

2. Test Local Features

The most important question: Does the device work without internet?

Can you switch lights on/off during a Wi-Fi outage?
Does the robot vacuum start offline?
Does the heating control run independently?

Rule of thumb: The more features available locally, the safer you are.

3. Question Update Promises

Does the manufacturer specify support periods?

How long will updates be provided?
Are there written guarantees?
Silence is often not a good sign!

4. The Free Cloud Paradox

Warning: Free cloud services are often a red flag!

If a manufacturer only makes money from hardware sales but provides cloud services for free, that model won’t be sustainable long-term.

Better: Transparent subscription models create sustainable value for both sides.

Positive Examples: How It Should Be Done

Philips Hue: Local Foundation + Premium Cloud

Core functions: Fully local via the Bridge
Premium features: Optional via Bridge Pro (one-time purchase)
Transparency: Clear separation between free and paid

Link: Philips Hue Bridge Pro

Aqara: Hub-Based Architecture

Local control: All basic functions without cloud
Cloud access: Optional for remote access and extended features
Fair pricing: Transparent cost structure

Link: Aqara Smart Hubs

What You Can Do Right Now

Immediate Actions:

Inventory: Which of your devices depend on the cloud?
Test: Do they work offline?
Research: What is the manufacturer’s track record?

Before Your Next Purchase:

Prioritize local features
Prefer open standards (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter)
Support transparent business models

Long-Term:

Set up Home Assistant or a similar local system
Buy fewer cloud-dependent devices
Factor in community support when making purchasing decisions

The Bottom Line: Your Smart Home Belongs to YOU

As the Süddeutsche Zeitung aptly put it: “Anyone buying technology today is handing themselves over to the manufacturer.”

But it doesn’t have to be this way! With the right preparation and conscious purchasing decisions, you can build a smart home that belongs to you – not to the manufacturer’s cloud.

The full video walks you through everything step by step – from concrete checklists to positive examples to action recommendations for your existing setup.

What do you look for when buying smart home products with cloud features? Have you ever had a manufacturer pull the plug on functionality you relied on?

Write it in the comments – your experience helps others make better purchasing decisions!

Repairing BROKEN Shellys – the 30 CENT Fix That Actually Works!

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Is your Shelly 2.5 humming? Making strange noises or constantly dropping the Wi-Fi connection? Then you are probably familiar with the frustrating problem that many Shelly owners face: after a few years, these devices become increasingly unreliable.

What looks like a Wi-Fi problem at first usually has a completely different cause. The good news: in most cases you can fix it yourself with a 50-cent repair!

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The Problem: When Shellys Get Old

Recognizing the Typical Symptoms

Shelly 2.5 devices of the first generation in particular show characteristic problems after a few years:

Strange noises: Humming or buzzing from the device
Unstable Wi-Fi connection: Sporadic disconnects
Unreliable operation: Commands are not executed
Complete failure: The device stops responding entirely

In the video I demonstrate the characteristic sound — if your Shelly sounds like that, there is a good chance this repair will help!

The Root Cause: Capacitor Aging

What many people do not know: the problem is usually not the ESP8266 chip or the antenna, but a tiny electrolytic capacitor in the power supply. After years of use, it loses its electrical properties and destabilizes the entire power circuit.

The tricky part: the capacitor looks completely normal from the outside — no bulging, no visible damage.

The 50-Cent Repair, Step by Step

What You Need

100µF/16V electrolytic capacitor (approx. 50 cents)
Soldering iron and solder
Narrow flat-head screwdriver
Some patience and care

Important safety note: Never work on the Shelly while it is connected to mains power!

Opening the Case — the Flat-Head Screwdriver Trick

Opening the Shelly 2.5 is a little tricky, but perfectly doable with the right approach. In the video I show you exactly:

Where to insert the flat-head screwdriver
How to carefully pry off the casing
What to watch out for with the delicate tabs

The trick is to work systematically along the sides without applying too much force.

Identifying the Faulty Capacitor

Once opened, you can see the compact circuit board with all its components. The problematic capacitor is the small black cylinder marked “100µF 16V”. In the video I explain exactly:

Where the capacitor is located
How to distinguish it from other components
What other capacitors are present on the board

Removing the Faulty Capacitor

Desoldering requires some skill, but is very manageable with the right technique. I show you in the video:

How to carefully tilt the capacitor out
The correct soldering iron technique
How to clear the holes after removal

Particularly important: the capacitor sits on the outer edge of the board and is therefore relatively easy to reach.

Installing the New Capacitor Correctly

With electrolytic capacitors, polarity is critical:

Negative pole: Marked with a broad stripe on the casing
Positive pole: The longer lead

In the video I show in detail how to correctly identify the polarity and orient the capacitor. Getting this wrong would destroy the entire device!

Reassembling the Case

When reassembling, make sure to route the Wi-Fi antenna correctly. There is a dedicated notch in the case for it — the video shows you exactly how this works.

The Success Test — Live in the Video

The most exciting moment: switching it on for the first time after the repair! In the video you can watch live:

How the repaired Shelly boots up
Testing the web interface
Checking the relay function
And most importantly: the listening test reveals complete silence!

After a successful repair, the Shelly will run reliably for years to come.

Other Affected Shelly Models

The capacitor problem is not limited to the Shelly 2.5. Other models can be affected as well:

Shelly Dimmer (first generation)
Shelly 3EM (older versions)
Other first-generation Shellys

The repair principle remains the same — only the exact capacitor type may vary.

Why the Repair Is Worth It

Sustainability over the Throwaway Mindset

Instead of discarding working hardware and buying new devices, you invest 15 minutes and 50 cents in materials. That is:

Environmentally friendly: Less electronic waste
Cost-saving: A new Shelly 2.5 costs over 20 euros
Educational: You understand your hardware better

Long-Term Reliability

After the capacitor repair, the Shellys work like new again:

Stable Wi-Fi connection
No more strange noises
Reliable response to commands
Years of further trouble-free use

Practical Tips for the Future

Preventive Measures

Electrolytic capacitors age faster due to:

Heat: Avoid excessively warm installation locations
Moisture: Ensure a dry environment
Overvoltage: Use surge protection

When Is a Repair Worth Attempting?

The repair is most promising for:

Devices older than 2–3 years
Typical noise problems
Sporadic Wi-Fi dropouts
Devices that are still partially functional

More Hardware Repairs

This repair impressively demonstrates that smart home can be sustainable! The video shows not just the practical implementation, but also my thought process during troubleshooting.

More Repair Guides

Repairing a Sonoff S20 Smart Plug – the 26-Cent Fix – The same capacitor problem, different device: fixing Wi-Fi disconnects on the Sonoff S20
Replacing a Tablet Battery Yourself – Save Your Old Device in 20 Minutes! – When the tablet used as a smart home dashboard only works while plugged in

Note: Links marked with affiliate link are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!
― Joachim

Repairing the Sonoff S20 Smart Plug: The 26-Cent Fix

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Sound familiar? Your Sonoff S20 smart plugs worked reliably for years, but suddenly they keep dropping their WiFi connection. A restart fixes things — for a few hours. Then the same thing happens all over again. You simply can’t build a reliable smart home on devices like that.

The good news: in most cases you can fix the problem yourself for under a dollar in parts. The secret lies in a tiny component that loses its electrical properties after a few years.

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The Common Problem: Unstable WiFi Connection

Recognizing the Symptoms

The problem tends to show up in a very characteristic way:

The Sonoff S20 sporadically drops its WiFi connection
After a restart everything works again for minutes to hours
The device stops responding to commands from the app
The LED blinks irregularly or shows error states

The Root Cause: Capacitor Aging

What looks like a WiFi problem at first glance actually originates in the plug’s power supply. After some research it became clear: the electrolytic capacitors used in these devices lose their rated parameters after a few years.

This causes instability throughout the entire power supply circuit — instability that the ESP8266 microcontroller cannot handle. In the worst case the device eventually dies completely.

The $1 Repair: Step by Step

What You Need

One 330µF/16V electrolytic capacitor
A soldering iron and some solder
A Phillips screwdriver
Desoldering braid (helpful but optional)
Common sense when it comes to safety

Important safety notice: Never work on the plug while it is connected to mains power!

Opening the Case

The Sonoff S20 is surprisingly easy to open. Remove four Phillips screws and you have access to the circuit board. The video shows you step by step exactly where the screws are located and how to open the case safely without damaging anything.

Identifying the Culprit

The problematic capacitors are easy to spot. They are the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply area of the board. The main suspect is the 330µF/16V capacitor located between two IC chips.

The tricky part: these capacitors look completely normal from the outside. No bulging, no visible damage — yet they are faulty. The video shows you exactly where to find the suspect capacitors and how to tell them apart from other components.

Removing the Faulty Capacitor

To replace the capacitor you need to partially loosen the board so you can reach the solder joints from the back. The relevant contacts sit between the two chips and need to be carefully desoldered.

The video shows the soldering iron work live, including tips for avoiding damage to the board. Clearing the holes after removing the old capacitor is covered in detail — that is the trickiest part of the whole repair.

Installing the New Capacitor

When inserting the new 330µF/16V electrolytic capacitor, polarity is critical:

Negative lead: Marked with a thick stripe
Positive lead: The other side (longer leg)

The board markings show you exactly which way the capacitor goes. Positive on top, negative on the bottom — following the markings on the board. The video demonstrates slowly and clearly how to identify the correct polarity and align the capacitor properly. Getting this wrong would destroy the entire power supply!

Reassembly

When reassembling, pay close attention to the correct positioning of the button. The small transparent plastic piece must sit precisely on its pins, otherwise the manual button will no longer work.

Also make sure the cables are routed so they do not conflict with the socket contacts. The video shows the small but important trick with the button — miss it and you will regret it later!

The Moment of Truth

After screwing everything back together comes the exciting part: the first power-up. If everything was done correctly, the LED starts blinking happily and the plug connects to the WiFi without any trouble.

The video shows the successful result live: the repaired Sonoff S20 is fully reachable at its IP address and switches flawlessly — something that was not possible before. That moment is genuinely satisfying and proves the effort was worth it.

Why the Repair Is Worth It

Sustainability Over Throwaway Culture

Instead of throwing away the “broken” plug and buying a new one, you invest about 30 minutes of time and under a dollar in parts. That is not only sustainable — it is also educational.

Other Affected Components

If replacing the first capacitor does not solve the problem, the other electrolytic capacitors in the circuit may also be affected. The repair principle stays the same.

Long-Term Stability

After the repair the plugs work perfectly again. The WiFi connection is stable, response times are fast, and reliability is back to its original level.

Practical Tips for the Future

Prevention

Electrolytic capacitors age due to heat and operating time. Avoid placing your Sonoff devices in excessively warm environments and ensure adequate ventilation.

When Is a Repair Worth It?

For devices older than 2–3 years that show the WiFi problems described above, a faulty capacitor is very likely the cause. The repair is usually successful and only takes a few minutes.

More Hardware Repair Projects Ahead

This repair shows impressively how sustainable smart home can be. Instead of discarding working hardware, we fix it with minimal effort. The best part: the video shows not just the repair itself but also the reasoning behind it — what to look for when diagnosing the fault and which pitfalls to avoid.

More Repair Guides

Fixing BROKEN Shellys – The 30-Cent Repair That Actually Works! – The same capacitor principle applied to the Shelly 2.5: solving WiFi problems with a new capacitor
Replace a Tablet Battery Yourself – Save Your Old Device in 20 Minutes! – When your old tablet needs to last hours instead of minutes as a smart home dashboard again

Note: Links marked with affiliate link are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!
― Joachim

Sustainability on Smart Home? Sure — But Secure!

Bose Had to Back Down! Open Source Community Saves SoundTouch Speakers

The Turnaround: When Community Pressure Works

What Exactly Happened?

1. Bose Opens Up the API

2. More Time for Development

3. The App Stays Available

The Community Was Ahead of Bose

What Still Works After May?

❌ Gone after May 6, 2026:

✅ Still functional:

Why This Should Matter to You – Even Without Bose

Three Important Lessons:

1. Community Power Works

2. Open Source Protects Your Investments

3. New Buying Criteria for Smart Home

What Does This Mean for Other Manufacturers?

Practical Tips for SoundTouch Owners

Conclusion: A Win-Win Situation

Connection to My First Article

Sources and Further Links

Replace Your Tablet Battery Yourself – How to Save Your Old Device in 20 Minutes!

When Your Tablet Never Leaves the Charger

Why Repair It Yourself?

Sustainability and Resource Conservation

Save Money

It’s Fun!

My Example: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

What You Need

Tools (no special equipment!)

Materials

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Housing with the Hair Dryer

Step 2: Open the Housing with a Suction Cup

Step 3: Fully Open the Housing

Step 4: Watch Out for Cables!

Step 5: Remove the Battery

Step 6: Remove the Old Battery

Step 7: Install the New Battery

Step 8: Function Test BEFORE Closing!

Step 9: Calibrate the Battery

Step 10: Close the Housing

The Result: Mission Accomplished! 🎉

Common Problems and Solutions

“The housing won’t open”

“I’m afraid of breaking something”

“Which battery is the right one?”

“The cable won’t connect”

Safety Notes

During the Repair

After the Repair

Why This Fits Perfectly with “Using Tech Smartly”

Your Repair Project?

More Repair Guides

When Your Smart Home Suddenly Goes Dumb – And What You Can Do About It

Every Smart Home Owner’s Nightmare

Recent Cases: When Smart Homes Go Dumb

Bose SoundTouch: The €1,000 Paperweight

Vorwerk/Neato: A Broken Promise

The Mechanics of the Cloud Disaster

Phase 1: The Launch

Phase 2: Technical Progress

Phase 3: The End

Your Checklist: How to Protect Yourself

1. Check Manufacturer Reputation

2. Test Local Features

3. Question Update Promises

4. The Free Cloud Paradox

Positive Examples: How It Should Be Done

Philips Hue: Local Foundation + Premium Cloud

Aqara: Hub-Based Architecture

What You Can Do Right Now

Immediate Actions:

Before Your Next Purchase:

Long-Term:

The Bottom Line: Your Smart Home Belongs to YOU

Share Your Experience

Further Reading

Related Articles

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