Xiaomi Aqara Cube

I got some Xiaomi Aqara Cubes and they are my new favorite thing! I hate voice control so having tactile remotes that dynamically change their functions is really neat. I set up automations that: * twisting them like a knob either dims lights up/down, or changes volume of music (if any is playing). Only affects lights that are currently on or media currently playing. This by itself is amazing. * to switch between lights/music control mode - shake it, then twist * flipping it 90 degrees will play / pause music * sliding it will skip the currently playing track. If no music playing, starts a …

Excerpt saved from the Arctic Shift Reddit archive on 2026-10-23.

The one I both show off and get quite a lot of use out of is "movie mode". I flip the Aqara Cube on my coffee table upside down and it will turn on the TV, change it to kodi, turn on the surround sound, turn on the fire, turn off the christmas tree lights and dim the lights. Not the same automation but kodi will also pause when the doorbell rings (because pizza has arrived). The one which may win out as favourite soon is my latest ESPHome build which is hooked up to HA. Board game table lights which will select the first player and show what colour pieces each player is: …

Excerpt saved from the Arctic Shift Reddit archive on 2026-10-23.