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!

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Show Notes

• CEDIA Follow Up
  • Blackdove
  • Missing Curved TVs?
  • Sonos Move
  • ConnectSense - Smart In-Wall Outlet
  • Deako Smart Lighting | Home
  • Q-Bit – Enclosure Hole Cutter – Rack-A-Tiers Mfg.
  • Watchman EVO - Cellgate
  • Forward Family - Designed for Speed with 5X faster AV system installs. | Middle Atlantic
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Interlogix to Shut Down at End of 2019
  • AT&T Operating Chief Defends Media Strategy Built Around Streaming, DirecTV
  • AT&T Operating Chief Defends Media Strategy Built Around Streaming, DirecTV
  • As NBCUniversal Preps Streaming Service, Cable Firms Push Back
  • Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box NAM | Hue
  • Amazon Music rolls out a lossless streaming tier that Spotify and Apple can’t match
• Pic of the Week
  • https://giphy.com/gifs/useful-invention-eImYTP8QcD5Pbu5XJq

Amazon Event Notes

Privacy

• Big push on Privacy
• Making the wake word 50% more accurate to prevent false positives
• Mute button physically disconnects the microphones (and cameras)
• New Feature: Home Mode – Allows customers to set devices when they are home to have no recording of audio or video
• New: Amazon Privacy Hub – Shows data on the web or in app.
• Possible to ask Alexa to "delete what I just said" or "delete everything I said today." (Amazon the only company exposing this feature)
• New utterance: "Alexa, tell me what you heard"
• New later this year: "Alexa, why did you do that?" for troubleshooting ghosts in the machine
• New today: Auto delete recordings in 3- and 18-month intervals

Echo Speakers

• New: More natural sounding Alexa, sounds much better & more natural
• New: Multi-lingual mode for mixed language households
• New: Alexa celebrity voices (Samuel L. Jackson shown)
• New: Frustration detection - supposed to know when you are frustrated with Alexa
• New: Alexa Guest Connect: lets your guests connect to your Echo and bring in their Alexa stuff
• Alexa Guard will now listen for footsteps, water, talking etc and send you text alerts
• Alexa for Kids
  • An interface for kids,
  • Education Skill API will tell you how your kid did on their math test.
• Hardware: Echo Dot with Clock!
  • 9-minute snooze button
  • Preorder today: $59
• Hardware: Echo
  • Looks familiar
  • Just like the Echo Plus from last year (no mention of zigbee hub)
  • Preorder today: $99
• Hardware: Echo Studio
  • 3D audio, Dolby Atmos, Self-tuning to the room
  • Looks like a big echo
  • Three mid-range speakers, a front directional tweeter, and a 5.25 bass driver
  • Physical buttons on top
  • Pair two with sub and it will work with FireTV for 3.1 surround
  • Preorder today: $199 look out Sonos (Apple? lol)
• Hardware: Echo Show 8
  • Looks just like the Show 5 but with an 8 inch display
  • Preorder today: $129 (wow, Google in trouble)
• Hardware: Echo Glow
  • Glowing orb type device that can change colors and blink lights for your Alexa powered dance party
  • Preorder today: $29
  • Should be good for the holidays
• Hardware: Echo Flex
  • a tiny echo you plug into a socket, has USB so you can charge thigns
  • Two buttons, speaker, mic, and LED status light
  • Makes it easy to put voice access points throughout the house
  • $25, preorders today
  • Accessories : Motion sensor, nightlight

Eero

• New eero devices, look thicker than the current models
• Dual band radio, adaptive backhaul, 10 minute setup, mesh coverage
• Use Alexa to control wifi (turn on and off for certain devices, users etc)
• Alexa API available for other router manufactures to take advantage of this feature as well
• On sale today: $99 (Europe later this year)
• 3-pack Bundle is $249 (down from $399)

Ring

• Alexa going to live in Ring Doorbells (Elite models) later this year.
• Hardware: Ring Retrofit Alarm Hub
  • Allows old alarm boxes to be integrated (similar to 2gig's offering)
  • Lets you add on hardwired sensors to Ring Alarm panel
  • $199 or bundled with Ring Alarm for $375
• Hardware: Ring Stick up Cam
  • Plugin, battery, solar
  • $99, available today
• Hardware: Ring indoor cam
  • Itty-bitty camera, indoor only
  • Supports Home Mode
  • $59, available today

Works with Alexa

• 100,000+ Alexa Skills, 85,000+ Alexa-compatible products
• Hardware: Amazon Smart Oven
  • Has Alexa but also "scan to cook" to handle prepackage food products. (Whole Foods stuff too)
  • Comes with Echo Dot
  • Preorder: 249

Amazon Sidewalk

• New low frequency radio standard!!!
• Works on 900mhz, secure
• Extends distance for controlling smart home devices, 500 meters or better

Amazon Fetch

• Dog tracking hardware, software

Echo Auto

• Coming to Buick, Chevy, Cadillac, GMC

WEARABLES

• Echo Buds
  • Headphones with built in noise canceling by Bose
  • Preorder $129
• Echo Frames
  • Eyeglasses with discreet direction speakers that point audio at you but not the people around you
  • Prescription ready
  • 31 grams, no display or cameras
  • $179, invite price
• Echo Loop
  • A ring with micriphones and it buzzes for notifications
  • Demo did not work but interesting still
  • $129, invite price