I spent some time lately playing with Home Assistant. What can I say, it is brilliant. So easy to use with ESPHome integration and so many nice things you can implement with ease.

One of the things I didn't realize, is how easy it is to use ESP Audio docks and Loud ESPs with Home Assistant. It is a 2-minute job to onboard the device to the system, and then you can use it for playing audio or doing voice announcements.

So far I've implemented

- 'Announce hour' automation that is super helpful in the home office

- For similar reasons 'Cuckoo clock' but also just for fun

- Integrated Google calendar to announce the next meeting one minute in advance

- Mopidy 'What is playing' monitor with remote volume and playback control + IR controls for the same 

Anyway, the details are here, if you want to follow my steps