I’ve definitely turned into the paranoid nutcase within my friend group in recent years, I hate that everything is “smart” nowadays requiring an app/internet connection & account, just to do basic things that didn’t require any of that before.
What’s some things currently making you ramble like an old man?
I like that there’s still smart devices that don’t need the cloud. Look for devices that use Zigbee or Z-wave instead of Wifi, as these protocols are guaranteed to be local.
Zigbee devices can still be crap if you have the choice between a proprietary app that phones home and maintaining home assistant as a part-time job
Z-wave is proprietary, thus Zigbee is far more superior. Nearly all sensors can be bought cheaply.