This is the reason I haven’t given it a chance.

Not that I’m unwilling, but with no common hardware, I’m reluctant to go out and buy something.

I can go buy a pinephone for postmarket, but won’t work for sailfish. I can get an Xperia for sailfish, but I’m out of luck for postmarket.

Not to mention, I’m reluctant to drop a chunk of cash on aged hardware, whose successor doesn’t look to be as well supported.

VW can’t use the factories they have.

But do their products phone home?

HA integration is one thing, manufacturer independence is another.

How long until “Yeah, we’re withdrawing HomeAssistant support. You have 30 days to migrate your automations to SwitchBotPlus”

But none of that is going to stop them from detaining you until you give them the pin.

US citizens might have it a little easier. But foreigners are certainly going to regret their choices if anyone ‘close’ to the border has an issue with them.

Generally, you avoid frying your offspring.

But WRT the OPs concerns of flying; People move, get jobs in other cities and countries, have kids, want to visit families, grandparents get sick, etc.

There’s a whole range of reasons why. Going “whelp, you had kids, sorry we’re going to ostracise you from society until your crotchspawn can keep quiet” isn’t exactly an inclusive attitude.