I don’t use Haier products but a similar thing happened with Chamberlain when they blocked the MyQ integration even though it was using the legitimate API and not breaking any rules. No attempt to work with anyone in the HA community at all, just shut everything down.

On one hand, this means projects like Home Assistant are getting popular enough to have enough usage to effect these companies. So that’s great! In the long term, we’ll all figure out solutions, but in the short term it feels like an increasing fight between corporate and open-source control over smart devices.

IMO, it’s also worth the yearly cost for voice integration with Google Nest/Home or similar devices. Both can be done without paying but it’s so much easier and I know it’ll be supported over time.

There’s also a third audience most people don’t consider: everyone reading the thread that isn’t engaging directly.

You might not convince the direct ‘opponent’ in an internet debate, but can still make an impact on others that might be more open to listening to a new perspective.

I have a DS418play which is several generations behind and it runs a dozen Docker containers, including all of my media automation, just fine. I even host a Minecraft server for my nephews!

And fully supported by Synology, too! They are pretty good at embracing the community while still keeping security as a priority.