Jambula OS 2025.9.0 Released – Now with Bluetooth Speaker Support!
I have uploaded the latest ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ image – version ๐๐๐๐.๐.๐. This release continues the work I have been doing to make Jambula OS, a reliable, lightweight Linux platform for embedded SoC devices like the Raspberry Pi 5. So if you are building smart automation solutions on embedded platforms, this update is definitely worth checking out.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐:
๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ค๐๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Added support for Bluetooth audio devices which is ideal for voice prompts or music output.
๐๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: Replaced dnsmasq with ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ for better dynamic addressing management.
๐๐ข๐ ๐ข ๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐: See how many clients are connected to your hotspot right in the systemโs MOTD.
๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ง: Displays a QR code linking to vendor/device info, useful for branding or support.
๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ญ๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ: Smoother first-time setup experience with updated scripts.
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐: Latest Home Assistant version included to keep your platform up to date.
๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐๐ฌ: Minor fixes including firewall and weather integration improvements.
๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐:
https://code.jambula.net/zikusooka/Jambula-OS
Demo of Agama Linux Installer at OpenSUSE Conference 2025 – Nuremberg, Germany
Over the weekend at the OpenSUSE Conference 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, I had the pleasure of showcasing Agama, the innovative new Linux installer set to debut in openSUSE Project Leap 16 and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.
While still in active development, this tool is shaping up impressively and promises to redefine the future of unattended Linux installations.
Curious to learn more or get started? Explore the full documentation here:
https://agama-project.github.io/docs/user/
Hass-Core-Installer: Keeping Home Assistant Core Alive
It is finally happening – Home Assistant Core, along with other legacy installation methods and 32-bit system support, is officially being deprecated. The Home Assistant team announced this major shift in their recent blog post, signaling the end of an era for many longtime users who have relied on Core and Supervised installs for years. Starting with the 2025.12 release, support for these installation methods and older architectures like i386, armhf, and armv7 will be phased out.
For most users, the path forward is clear: migrate to Home Assistant OS or Home Assistant Container. These methods offer a streamlined, more stable experience with ongoing official support. But what about those of us who love the flexibility and control that Home Assistant Core provides? Or those running on hardware that does not fit the new supported architectures?
Hass-Core-Installer to the rescue
If you are a developer or among the few who want to continue running Home Assistant Core despite the official deprecation, there’s no need to despair! I createdย Hass-Core-Installer, a free and open source tool designed to help you install and maintain Home Assistant Core on your own terms. The latest offline version supported is 2025.5.3.
Hass-Core-Installer is a practical, easy-to-customize script for users who want to keep using Core without relying on official support. Whether you are a developer, hobbyist, or power user, this tool helps you to keep your Home Assistant setup running smoothly, even as the official landscape changes.
Why Hass-Core-Installer?
- Flexibility: Retain full control over your Home Assistant environment.
- Compatibility: Continue using Core on your preferred hardware, including some 32-bit systems.
Ready to Keep Your Home Assistant Core Setup?
If you want to learn more and why I created it, visit my blog post here: Hass-Core-Installer or if you’re ready to try it, go to GitHub where you will find everything you need to install Home Assistant Core confidently and keep it running well beyond the official end-of-life.
While the Home Assistant project moves forward with new priorities, the spirit of customization and hands-on control lives on through projects like Hass-Core-Installer. If you are passionate about Home Assistant Core, this is your chance to stay ahead and keep your smart home running your way.
Releasing Jambula OS Linux – version 2025.3.0
๐ I have uploaded the latest image of Jambula OS Linux version 2025.3.0 (Great Seasons)! ๐ปโจ
While this is mostly a maintenance release, I’ve snuck in some exciting features like:
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Remote connections just got easier with Tailscale support! ๐
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Audio calendar alerts are now possible with Radicale ๐
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Nginx web/proxy server support ๐ฅ๏ธ
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Geolocation tool to help you pinpoint device location ๐
For more information about Jambula OS Linux, including instructions on how to download and install it, please visit:
https://github.com/zikusooka/Jambula-OS
Increasing Adoption of Free Open Source Software In Africa
I recently spoke at FOSS Backstage 2025 on strategies for boosting open source software adoption and empowering local communities in Africa.
I have uploaded the slides. A video of this event will be published in the coming weeks.
Jambula OS Linux – Version 2025.1.0 Released
I have just compiled and released a new image for Jambula OS Linux version 2025.1.0! This exciting update features a range of innovative enhancements, including:
๐ Seamless integration with the latest Home Assistant smart home software
๐ Radicale, the lightweight and powerful CalDAV/CardDAV server for all calendaring needs
๐ต A local music server that supports audio announcements and alerts
๐ฐ๏ธ A talking clock feature that announces the time at hourly intervals
๐ฆ๏ธ Periodic weather updates delivered through voice alerts tailored to your location
๐ท MQTT-based triggers activated by motion detection from the built-in camera server
For more information about Jambula OS Linux, including instructions on how to download and install it, please visit:
https://github.com/zikusooka/Jambula-OS
Jambula OS Linux now supports the latest Raspberry Pi 5
I have uploaded the newest image of the Jambula OS Linux which supports the latest Raspberry Pi 5 Model B. You can download the image from : https://github.com/zikusooka/Jambula-OS
Jambula OS, a custom Linux distribution used primarily on embedded and SoC based devices such as the Raspberry Pi.
Uganda’s Digital TV Migration is complete but where’s the EPG Data?
Now that Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) says digital TV migration in the country is complete, its time to look at some of the benefits of using Digital TV.
One of the less advertised features of using digital versus Analogue TV is the extra data that comes with the signal. Among this data is the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) or in a lay man’s term – a listing of programmes and shows for each broadcaster with their respective airing times i.e. TV Guide. Forget that listing at the back of Uganda’s leading dailies – By the way, I can’t believe they still do that!
So why the fuss about EPG data? Other than the obvious, which is knowing when your favorite show will be on, EPG data can be used to schedule recordings on some smart devices. Knowing when a TV program will start and end is very central to most video recorder systems. Also, having this data automatically transmitted, takes the burden away from broadcasters from informing their viewers of any programming changes. It irks me every time I see “Coming Up,” “Up Next,” or “Programming guide” on TV.
As of today, the Free-to-Air mux(es) being used by Signet (474/594MHz) are not transmitting any EPG data. Only the Pay-TV providers are sending these data on the non-UCC frequencies.
It is time for Uganda’s TV broadcasters to start feeding EPG information along side their Free-to-Air TV channel streams. This is not an expensive proposition, and is in fact not optional for the Industry. This would be a small step, while we wait for all those extra channels resulting from the freed spectrum.
Uganda’s analogue TV stations switched off in Kampala
In one of the first major moves to migrate the country to Digital TV, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) on Monday 15 June 2015, ordered broadcasters to switch off their analogue transmissions in and around Kampala. As expected most of the broadcasters complied, and Television consumers in this market who had not transitioned from their old analog TV sets will now have no TV.
It is too early to tell what sort of reaction Ugandans have about the switch-over. Also, the rest of the country still remains on Analogue, and will be phased into the migration on 31 of July and August 2015.
For now, the majority of TV channels, including NTV, NBS, WBS, Urban, UBC and others are using the 474MHz multiplex on the Free-To-Air feed around Kampala. For a detailed list of what channels are available, please check out Availability.
Uganda’s popular TV channels currently off the Digital TV (OTA) spectrum
Uganda’s traditionally most watched TV stations, Nation TV (NTV) and Wavah Broadcasting services (WBS) are currently off the UCC assigned Over-the-Air digital TV frequency, 474MHz. WBS TV has been off for nearly a month now, while NTV’s feed went off last week, with a brief return on Tuesday evening. Since, most Ugandans are still using analogue (and a few using Pay-TV-services), these blackouts on the Kampala Free-to-Air Digital TV transmission multiplex have gone pretty much unnoticed. Check out the current status for all Free-to-Air Digital TV Channels.
With all the questions surrounding the ability of Signet, the sole distributor of the Digital TV signals in Uganda , it is sad to see that some of Uganda’s major digital TV channels are off or barely on at this very late stage.
Signet, which was spawned from the national public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and contracted to handle the Digital TV signal distribution through out Uganda.
It would be nice to see all the parties responsible for digital TV migration in Uganda (i.e. Signet, Uganda Communications Commission, and broadcasters) aggressively updating the country, on where we are regularly especially now that we are quickly approaching the June switch off deadline.