HomeTech.fm

On this episode of HomeTech: Samsung shows QLED 8K TVs, “The Wall” Improvements, and more at ISE. Crestron unveils its new MC4-R 4-Series control system and new Crestron Home features. Lumastream files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeks a buyer. Sonos testing new Flex rental service in the Netherlands. Sony’s new TV remote doubles as a speaker. ViacomCBS reportedly working on a new streaming service. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Lucas Haldeman, CEO and Founder of SmartRent, an enterprise home automation company taking a novel approach to the rental market. Join us to learn how Lucas and his team help renters and property managers/owners alike enjoy the benefits of the modern smart home with a comprehensive and flexible set of solutions. That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Sonos CEO apologizes in response to backlash over their legacy product announcement. Nest thermostats can alert homeowners to problems with their HVAC systems. Google Fiber drops its TV package. Samsung accidentally announces its Galaxy Home Mini's release date. The home tech industry gets some tariff relief (or do they?). And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Guest Co-Host and frequent guest Cody Crossland joins the show to chat about Frontier filing bankruptcy, Sonos messaging gone awry (again), and the big announcements from Savant at IBS in Las Vegas. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Andrei Gorbatiuc, an integrator out of the Vancouver, WA area, for an installment of the Projects Project. Andrei is the man behind what is reported to be the largest HomeKit-based technology installation in the world. With hundreds of lighting and shade devices, plus some audio and video as well, Andrei has tested the outer limits of what is possible with HomeKit. Join us to hear about the unique backstory, challenges, and successes behind this one-of-a-kind installation. That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: SpaceX’s plan to launch satellite-based broadband internet could come to fruition later this year. Spectrum’s exit from the security business leaves consumers holding the bag. Thoughts on the latest plan/pricing changes from Domotz. And more…

HDMI announces a new mandatory certification program, but will it make a difference? The 8K Association (8KA) is live with its new certification (and a terrible logo). NextGen TV for 4K TV broadcasting launches at CES 2020. Sonos sues Google, and it sounds juicy. Ring unveils numerous new products, including some pro-friendly options. Comcast introduces a WiFi 6 gateway. Sony, Samsung, and LG provide looks at their 2020 TV strategies. Plus a roundup of some cool (and downright silly) tech products from CES 2020. Don’t miss it!

On this episode of HomeTech: While Jason travels Seth takes the reins of the sleigh and drives the podcast into the next decade. Big news stories about internet outrage over recycling, Ring getting hit with a lawsuit over their security practices, a cool new idea to charge devices remotely and more…

On this very special episode of HomeTech: Join us as we look back on the biggest smart home stories of 2019 on our fifth annual Fireside Chat! We are joined by both Richard Gunther and Adam Justice of the Digital Media Zone’s Home:On Podcast. This jam-packed episode will provide you with a comprehensive look back at all the trends that defined the connected home this year, including predictions about what 2020 will bring. Don’t miss it!

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Bronson Gannon, Global Brand Manager for Sound United’s Polk Audio. Our discussion covers the company’s new Legend line of speakers. We also dive into many of the fundamentals of speaker design, providing information all of us can use in order to make more educated buying decisions. That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Cyber Monday 2019 shatters records. Plex launches their ad-supported TV streaming service. Sony updates TVs to support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. The FBI warns consumers about the cybersecurity risks of smart TVs. Wyze undercuts the competition once again with their $89 smart lock. Best Buy hits an impressive 2M+ subscribers to their Total Tech Support membership. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Now that you’ve recovered from your Thanksgiving food coma, we are joined by Kevin Brown, CEO and Co-founder of Innit. Innit is a leading platform for the connected kitchen. Acting as a unifying layer designed to simplify and enhance the home cooking experience, Innit works with a diverse set of industry partners including appliance makers, retailers, tech giants, and large food distributors. Tune in to learn more about their novel and comprehensive approach to the rapidly expanding connected kitchen market. That plus our annual Black Friday roundup. Join us to discover some of the best and most unique connected home deals available this holiday season!

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Charlie Kindel, SnapAV’s Chief Product Officer, and G. Paul Hess, SnapAV’s Chief Marketing Officer, to catch up on what has been a very busy year for the company. Our conversation covers the latest on the Control4 merger, the new NEEO remote, the latest on the OvrC remote management platform, Control4’s upcoming C4Yourself event, and much more. Don’t miss it! Plus the latest home tech headlines including: Netflix explains why certain older streaming devices will no longer be supported. Disney+ comes out of the gate swinging. Hikvision launches the most racist product feature of all time. Amazon patches a vulnerability found in Ring doorbells. and more.

On this episode of HomeTech: Tune in to learn all about the hottest new device in connected home security—the HomeTech Assistant Security Shield (ASS)™. Your worse fears have been realized. Hackers are taking to the streets armed with lasers capable of unleashing mayhem on your smart speaker. You feel vulnerable. Helpless. Ready to throw in the towel on your smart home dreams. But fret not. The HomeTech Assistant Security shield leverages Advanced Impenetrable Reflective Technology (AIRT)™ to keep you and your family safe. It’s security, at the speed of light. Tune in to learn more! That, plus the latest home tech headlines, including: Initial thoughts on Apple TV+. Insignia smart products are smart no more. Walmart reportedly looking to put Vudu on the selling block. Google buys Fitbit for $2.1B. Lutron dismisses lawsuit against Savant. Control4 launches new NEEO remote. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Brad Russel, Parks Associates’ Research Director, Connected Home. A leading market research and consulting company, Parks Associates is a go-to resource for anyone looking for a data-driven understanding of the smart home market. Our conversation with Brad covers the current state of the industry along with the “cheers and fears” driving connected home adoption. Don’t miss it! That, plus a very busy week in home tech news including: Is Wink in its death throes? Apple pulls a HomePod update after reports of bricked devices. Sonos launches a trade-in program. Playstation Vue is shutting down. More details emerge regarding HBO’s forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max. The Apple TV app is officially available on Amazon Fire TV devices. Reports that Apple is ramping up its HomeKit efforts. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Researchers have found a way to extend WiFi (sort of) up to 200 ft. SpaceX plans to launch satellite-based low latency broadband service in 2020. Google Home update bricks some units. Homebuilders are ditching Nest. Voice assistants introduce a new kind of phishing attack. Best Buy takes on Amazon with free next-day deliveries for the holidays. Ikea’s long-awaited smart blinds are finally available in parts of the U.S. An interesting debate over Google’s decision to leave WiFi6 out of Google Nest WiFi. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We take a deep dive into the numerous smart home announcements unveiled by Google during their recent Pixel event. Plus the latest home tech headlines including: US blacklists several major Chinese surveillance companies. Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video nears launch. Apple adds an option to delete Siri's history. Disney+ unveils its content lineup ahead of its November 12th launch. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: YouTube TV is finally available on Fire TV devices. A feud between Dish and Fox leaves sports fans in the cold. Next-gen ISP bundles may include various streaming services. The future of DirecTV’s “Sunday Ticket” package may be in question. Google follows Amazon’s lead, adding the deletion of Assistant command history. More delays on Ikea’s forthcoming smart blinds. Vivint is slowly moving forward with 5G internet service. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Join us on this jam-packed edition as we wrap up another big CEDIA show! Our discussion includes some of the biggest trends and technologies we observed on the floor, plus a few cool product-finds you won’t want to miss! That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: The end of an era as Interlogix prepares to shut down at the end of 2019. AT&T refutes rumors that DirecTV is on the selling block. News emerges on NBC’s forthcoming streaming service, Peacock. An interesting (if pricey) new gadget from Hue. An in-depth review of Amazon’s massive hardware event. And more!

On this episode of HomeTech: We take a break from working the big show to chat about a few quick observations we had at CEDIA 2019. We’ll be back next with with a wrap up and bigger conversation about the rest of our CEDIA experience.

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Giles Sutton, CEDIA’s VP of Industry Engagement, to get his take on the upcoming EXPO in Denver! Giles shares several exciting updates surrounding the big event. Additionally, we dive into some of the organization’s latest initiatives including a promising new workforce development program and increased outreach to the design and specification community. Don’t miss this one! That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Rumors of a new Apple TV to be unveiled next week. The 8K Association has released key performance attributes for this (daunting) new spec. RoomMe’s “room-level personalization” sensors make their debut to the CI channel. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Crestron OS 3 officially launches. Lutron sues Savant over Palladiom knock-off (err… competitor). Details emerge on Google’s forthcoming Nest Mini. A new initiative from the UHD alliance takes aim at the dreaded soap opera effect. Disney+ offers a killer limited-time pre-order deal. Is the Bravas roll-up the sign of a new era in integration, or Via part 2? And much more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Justin Berghoff, Leviton’s Director of Business Development & Product Management. Justin joins us to discuss the company’s Smart Load Center product line. A part of our homes so fundamental that most of us take it for granted, the breaker box was overdue for an intelligent upgrade. Join us to learn how Leviton’s product line is finally bringing circuit breakers into the 21st century. That plus… Apple is reportedly targeting a November launch for Apple TV+. Ikea doubles down on their smart home strategy with the creation of a dedicated business unit. Amazon’s launches Custom Interfaces for Alexa to enhance connections with games and gadgets. Samsung’s about-face pivot to OLED displays. And much more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Can’t-miss CEDIA courses. A “save-the-date” for our CEDIA HomeTech happy hour. CBS and Viacom agree to a $30 billion merger. Is a portable speaker from Sonos finally in the offing? Cortana is getting kicked out of its own thermostat. A review of SnapAV’s new ultra-compact, WiFi WattBox. A new pro-focused Logitech remote. The TV Fairy visits residents of Virginia. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Jason and Seth are both back to discuss this week’s news in Home Technology