Who owns your smart home? Cory Mac questions subscription traps
His only new upload explores proprietary systems and the appeal of open-source home controls.
Cory Mac
Story of Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.
THE SMART HOME SCAM
Cory Mac says he is regularly asked to promote smart-home products that come with subscription traps. His only upload of the week, "Why Every Smart Home is Becoming a SCAM", takes that frustration into a broader question: how much control do you retain when your house depends on someone else's software?
The video has passed 112,000 views, making it the channel's biggest daily draw right now. Cory's description focuses on the risks of proprietary systems and building a smart home you actually own. The comments turn that argument into practical buying criteria: several viewers say Home Assistant compatibility matters more to them than another device's features.
There is a useful distinction in the discussion, too. Viewers point out that working with open-source software does not necessarily make the Shelly hardware itself open source. Another brings the debate back to something pleasingly ordinary: a physical light switch can be found by touch in the dark. And one reports that hearing "Alexa" in the video accidentally woke their own assistant.
Control over the home also connects Cory's two other strongest daily draws. His solar-pergola build approaches 600,000 views, while his Germany trip to investigate plug-in solar safety continues attracting viewers. One explores powering the house; the other asks what homeowners should consider before plugging generation into it.
Subscribers increased over the week, although today's viewing pace is well below the channel's usual level. Among nearby home-and-DIY channels, USA Inspection had a substantial viewing week, while Julian Ilett's was smaller. Cory's newest discussion gives his electrical-engineering shelf a software question alongside the panels and wiring: who gets to decide whether your equipment keeps working?
Published on Trari
Where next?
What viewers say
One thing, that makes switches better than every display: You can find them blindly in the dark without having to look at it to touch the correct spot.
That's why I love the possibility to wire existing switches to the shelly.@romsch2430See it on YouTubeWhen Chester said “Alexa” he set mine off and it kept asking what I wanted turned on. 4:55
@stevenaylor9514See it on YouTubeIf it does not work with Home Assistant directly, then i do not buy.
@byteblaster_eeSee it on YouTube
6 more comments
I don't think the shelly products are open source themselves, but they work well with open source software such as home assistant.
I recently installed a shelly in my smarthome and i already have plans to install more. They are super handy for integrating regular light switches with smart light bulbs without cutting the power to them.@slaveriqSee it on YouTube1:49 The Shelly Wall Display is NOT open source.
@leonkernanSee it on YouTubeHome assistant + zigbee devices (or matter over thread for new kit i suppose). Own your own network end to end and never have to rely on third party servers.
@sixfouSee it on YouTubeAbsolutely brilliant video, can we take a moment to talk about the production quality?! Absolute next level.
@JordanixtingSee it on YouTubeImmense production quality - thanks for sharing!
@RebeccaNewton90See it on YouTubeWhat are the brand of the dumb blind motors please?
@5knot849See it on YouTube
Public comments from the video's page on YouTube
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The videos drawing views on Cory Mac right now
- Channel
- Cory Mac
- Subscribers
- 195,000 ▲ 1,000 this week
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 188,458
- Videos published this week
- 1
- Video published
- October 5, 2026
- Video views so far
- 112,387
- Views on its first day
- 45,734
The numbers
Here is Cory Mac's week in views and subscribers.
💡 Test your knowledge
Where did Cory travel to investigate plug-in solar safety?
The description of "Why Every Electrician is Worried about THIS" says Cory traveled to Germany to investigate.