If you’ve read my other Apollo blog entries, you’ll know I’m very impressed by their presence sensors and other ESP-based gadgets. This morning in the post arrived a small box from Apollo containing the Apollo annual holiday light-up, music-playing Xmas tree. Sadly, the Spanish post office didn’t believe the Apollo customs declaration which read “value: 2.99 USD, Shipping cost 0.9 USD” and accordingly, Spanish Correos ripped me off for 5+ Euros.
Before I get into the good stuff, one more slight issue… the unit can run from USB-C OR a RECHARGEABLE CR123A (there’s a battery compartment on the back) – handy but do you have any idea how much rechargeable CR123A (16340) batteries are? Around 14 Euros plus 4 Euros postage EACH. I’ll stick with the USB-C option.
And now the GOOD news. This is a REALLY neat christmas gadget. The tree has 4 buttons and 49 RGB LEDs.
Using only the 4 buttons – it plays a variety of music (Sleigh Bells, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Let It Snow and Blue Christmas) and some truly lovely flashing light variations. Go a step further and it talks by WiFi to Home Assistant wherein you can customise the effects and sounds.
The piece of paper that comes with the well-boxed unit contains a QR code which then takes you to a full set of web instructions including the info below:
I can see this keeping me occupied for hours… meanwhile, I’ve included some photos and video for entertainment. Like everything else I’ve seen from Apollo – this looks well-thought-out.
Thinking about it – this would make a good gadget to put on your front door at Christmas, along with a movement sensor and via Home Assistant have it show custom displays and play custom music. Or using the battery option, stick it in your car window or on a jumper – the list of possibilities is endless.
For now, all you see above is done simply by taking it out of the box, adding power and pressing buttons – neat.