Raspberry Pi Official Magazine #167 (July 2026)

Raspberry Pi Official Magazine #167 — July 2026

This issue puts the smart home front and centre. If you have ever wanted lights, heating, sensors, and everyday routines to work together without handing all your data to a big platform, the cover feature shows a practical Raspberry Pi route. It is built around Home Assistant and DIY hardware, with an emphasis on flexibility, privacy, and learning by making.

But that is only part of the issue. #167 also ranges across AI coding, conservation technology, cyberdecks, retro-inspired builds, CNC upgrades, and the kind of command-line and electronics tutorials that turn a spare board into something useful.

Build a Smart Home on Your Terms 🏠

The main feature, “Make a smart home: DIY home automation made easy”, explores how a Raspberry Pi can act as a hub for smart plugs, sensors, and other connected devices. It looks at Home Assistant as a versatile platform that can work across different ecosystems, giving you more control over how your home automation is set up and where your data goes.

There is also a companion feature for readers without the newest board: “Make the most of Raspberry Pi 4/400: No Raspberry Pi 5? No problem”. It is a useful reminder that older models remain capable platforms for projects, learning, and home automation.

Projects and Builds to Inspire Your Next Make ⚙️

• TinyProgrammer, an AI coding buddy
• Motorola DynaTAC MAX and BetterDash Pi
• Smoking food with Java and the LEAP project
• Text-based Cyberdeck, AI Rocky, Curiously Minty Cyberdeck, and an F1 controller
• A 3D print showcase

These project showcases are not just finished objects to admire. They show different ways people approach enclosures, interfaces, sensors, and code, which can be helpful when your own build needs a fresh direction.

Tutorials: From FreeCAD to GPIO Zero 💡

The tutorial section is broad enough to suit different experience levels. You can convert a CNC router to run on Raspberry Pi 5, make jigsaw puzzles in FreeCAD, try découpage, continue a command-line series, or work through simple electronics with GPIO Zero. There is also a history feature on Pilot ACE, part of the “Computers that made the World” series.

If you are learning Python, electronics, or CAD, these sections offer the chance to follow along with practical steps rather than reading theory alone. The command-line and GPIO Zero instalments are especially relevant for readers building confidence with Raspberry Pi hardware and software.

Reviews, Community, and a Look at Environmental Projects

#167 includes reviews of radio communication options, SPOKE, KIWI+ Net, and other products powered by Raspberry Pi. The “Ten amazing: Environmental projects” feature highlights how the platform is used for conservation and environmental work. Community pages bring an interview with Tom Fox, letters, events, and news from the wider Raspberry Pi world, plus a competition to win a Pironman 5 Pro Max.

Who Will Get the Most from Issue 167?

This issue is a good fit for Raspberry Pi owners who enjoy project-based learning, especially those curious about smart home automation. It also suits makers who like seeing how others solve hardware and coding problems, and readers who want a mix of tutorials, reviews, and community stories in one monthly magazine.

If you are planning your first Home Assistant setup or looking for a weekend project, Raspberry Pi Official Magazine #167 offers a varied, hands-on guide to what people are building with Raspberry Pi right now.