Hmm, good question. I think it is no problem. From an electrical point of view I think it would make sense that the relais power cycles when the plug reboots after an update. But I have not yet seen it do it.

I have the need for power metering only too.

I disabled the switch button on the plug so that they cannot be turned off by mistake. And set it to power on after power outage. Had no problems for a long time with this setup.

Or make it old school and use the hostname instead of the IP.

The hot water pipe to the kitchen is quite long. We have a pipe loop there with a pump. Back in the days we had an ordinary timer that let the pump run at the usual times when there is hot water demand to be expected.

I now use a Zigbee plug for the pump and added a button in the kitchen to start it manually. In addidion HA starts it in the morning and every time when somebody comes home. Another HA automation turns off the pump after 3 minutes and ensures that it does not start again for 30 minutes.

This comparison looks neutral: https://www.freie-messenger.de/en/systemvergleich/xmpp-matrix/

I run Reolink cameras with frigate, but I use “only” the video streams. But yeah, you have to have a close look at the model you buy if this works.

You could have a look at Kerberos. That’s what Microsoft took as base for AD afaik.

I use the Nextcloud news app which is a RSS feed reader. But mainly because I run a Nextcloud instance anyways. For news only I would not install Nextcloud - too much overhead.

I had no problem to install my CA on my Pixel (Android 13). I read that this was not possible for some time but Google changed it.

Consider buying one that is supported by Valetudo. It’s so much better to be cloud free.

Washing machine and dryer are monitored for power consumption. When the power consumption drops to a minimum for some minutes then my wife gets a push notification to her mobile that the machine has finished. Was a bit trial & error especially for the washing machine which has phases while washing where it does “nothing” for some minutes and at the end it turns the laundry every now and then after the program is done (to avoid crease).