This tiny box gives your older tech smart home superpowers – and it’s only $69

Home Assistant, the most customizable smart home automation system, now offers a solution for users wanting to make their older electronics smarter without purchasing new devices. The company, Nabu Casa, has introduced the AUX-2, an affordable box-shaped device that connects to various connectivity options, such as RS-232 serial for older TVs and stereo systems, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, USB, PoE, and Wi-Fi.

Founder Paulus Schoutsen emphasizes that "no device should be left behind because it doesn’t have smart capabilities" and that the AUX-2 addresses the issue of modern smart homes excluding functional electronics. Instead of buying new smart equipment, users can utilize the $69 AUX-2 to give their existing devices connectivity, control, and easier integration with Home Assistant.

With one AUX-2, multiple devices can be controlled, depending on how they are connected, giving users the ability to integrate old AV receivers, TVs, audio equipment, and multi-room sound systems without relying on the manufacturer’s cloud servers.