What is the expected lifetime of the Model C-7 before it is replaced by the Model C-8? WIll the C-8 have improved Kasa integration?
Thank you
Hubitat never announces their hardware plans. At the most recent Hubitat Live, it appeared as if a firmware update would bring Matter compatibility to the C-7.
The Kasa integration is actually a community integration from @djgutheinz that is now built into the platform. @djgutheinz is constantly improving his code or updating it to add support for additional devices, so I would suggest you use his Kasa thread to request new features or support for new devices. I've linked to it below:
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Thanks for the quick response. I purchased a Hubitat Elevation US Version × 1 in mid 2021 not paying attention that it didn't work with the Kasa world devices until I was ready to start to use it. Can the V1 be upgraded to a firmware version to incorporate Kasa integration. Is there a chart somewhere that shows the differences in devices. I am sure there are more features, however, it would be nice to know what improvements had been added to see if it would benefit a users use of the device.
The latest version of the firmware already includes the built-in Kasa Integration.
On the App page, click the "Add built-in app" button and search for Kasa.
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There are only four five models of the hub to date:
- C-3 and C-4 (introduced January 2018): the original models, identical except the C-4 has the screenprinted logo on top that is now on all hubs; no internal radios (added via one or two USB sticks, usually included; hub has two USB ports), power via DC barrel connector
- C-5 (introduced February 2019): slightly smaller form factor, ports reduced to micro-USB, and now has internal radios for Zigbee and 500-series North American Z-Wave (other regions--or really any--can use an external stick, as before, with an adapter to connect)
- C-7 (introduced July 2020): internal Z-Wave radio upgraded to 700-series (with user-selectable region/frequency) and a new Z-Wave implementation on the hub side offering new features (S2, SmartStart, more informative Z-Wave Details page, the ability to do firmware updates on devices via the built-in Device Firmware Updater app, etc.). Zigbee and all else is the same as the C-5.
All hubs have similar specs, aside from the 700-series Z-Wave radio on the C-7. The C-5 and newer do run a more finely tuned OS that should eliminate some "scheduled reboot" workarounds some C-3/C-4 users put up with (and even probably some early C-5 users before some more work was done). The C-5 and C-7 also added some network options like the ability to connect the hub to your network over Wi-Fi instead of wired (adapter required and not included), though this isn't recommended if wired is possible.
But beyond Z-Wave (and networking) as above, pretty much every other feature is the same between hubs. Your example of the Kasa integration is one--as mentioned above, that was added in a recent hub firmware update, and so far, these updates have always been available for all hub models dating back to the orignal C-3.
EDIT: For those coming back to this post, there is one more model to add:
- C-8 (introduced February 2023): introduced external antennas, switched to USB-C power, internal Z-Wave radio upgraded to 800-series, new Zigbee implementation using Zigbee 3.0-capable chip and offering Zigbee migration (Z-Wave migration has already been available), internal Wi-Fi chip as alternative to wired connection, and offering Matter support starting in December of 2023
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Think of it this way, if Hubitat move quicker than you expect, it's rare if not impossible a C-7 will not work with a new revision of the hub, based on prior history... So you could either use a C-7 as a second hub, linking it to a C-X via Hub Mesh, or use it as a development hub, and who doesn't need one of those.... 
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Yes any C7 can be updated to current firmware.
Most (if not All) of the "Kasa" branded devices are supported.
TP-Link also makes some other brands/lines of smart devices, which I think for the most part do not work on the Kasa integration.
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The Tapo devices I believe are part of that group.
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I have updated the top of the Kasa Thread to be more explicit on supported devices.
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