I'm really surprised that PoE isn't more prevalent that is currently the case, but I guess it's because most people prefer WiFi devices. I'd add network jacks to everything and remove the power plugs if the option was presented. Most "normal" people seem to be the other way around.

"Wireless" speakers (they'd be networks speakers then) / home assistant devices / media players and whatever else should always be attached with a network cable, so just power them over PoE. I'm still annoying that the AppleTV isn't PoE enabled. That's not a device I'd use over WiFi anyway.

I think real POE is kind of heavyweight. It uses higher voltage like 37-57 volts and the pi poe hats I've seen usually have fans.

I've used "informal" poe where you have a cheap injector/splitter that puts a nonstandard lower voltage over the ethernet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NRHNPUA

but real poe is getting more popular, poe switches are becoming available and maybe the hat is worth it.

There are also middle-of-the-road solutions:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJ3ZNJ4

basically poe splitter that has a usb-c power out for the pi

> I'd add network jacks to everything and remove the power plugs if the option was presented.

You could always use PLC to use your eletrical network as a data network. I use that for IP cameras. Unfortunately, I still haven't found a PCL adapter providing PoE power.

The option isn't presented for me. My flat has plenty of power outlets but no Ethernet ones, and that's ~100% of the houses I've seen.

> The idea that even 10-20% of users would power their Pis with PoE seems wild to me. Seems like a much smaller niche to me (even though I'm one of those people).

I'd be surprised if the majority of RPi's userbase didn't used PoE. Having to cart around a power supply isn't a very attractive option when all you have to do to power the device is simply plugging in a yank-proof RJ45 cable. It's also cheaper as you don't have to buy a charger.

I've contemplated trying PoE for powering RPis, but just the HAT alone is more than the official power supply, so it's hardly cheaper and that's not even figuring in the extra cost of PoE network equipment.

I think that's what the Compute Module is for. Put it on a breakout board with just the I/O you need, and away you go.

> The idea that even 10-20% of users would power their Pis with PoE seems wild to me

I actually though it was the other way around. Having the PI powers other devices like IP cameras.