Home Gadget Geeks

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg647

This week, I am joined by T.J. Huddleston, a home automation pro from HomeTech.fm. We discuss how smart home gear has become significantly more affordable and easier to use, especially compared to the clunky systems of the past. T.J. shares how he’s using smart irrigation in his garden to save time and water, pretty cool stuff for anyone with a green thumb. We also get into the latest in home security with smarter surveillance cameras and how AI is making all of it more useful and less of a hassle. T.J. gives us the inside scoop on organizing the Home Assistant Community Days and why events like that are key to keeping the smart home world moving forward. He wraps up with a look at what’s next in the automation space, some exciting things on the horizon! Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #647 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg647

Doug Milburn, co-founder of 45 Drives, joins me as we talk about the evolving storage server industry. We discuss the shift towards efficient data management solutions for both enterprises and home lab enthusiasts. Doug shares insights from his journey in computing, highlights the demand for high-reliability storage systems, and explains the advantages of using enterprise-grade components. We look at the current trends, including the move back to on-premises storage and the importance of RAID configurations. Finally, Doug previews upcoming innovations from 45 Drives aimed at enhancing performance for developers and video editors. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #647 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg646

Mark Robson joins me this week to explore the world of grilling and smoking food. We discuss the excitement of grilling season, advancements in pellet grill technology, and share our personal grilling journeys since 2016. Mark highlights his Yoder pellet grill, Rectech, and Komodo Joe Big Joe, focusing on their unique cooking capabilities. Our conversation touches on smoked meats, jerky-making tips, and the importance of grill maintenance. We also reflect on the communal joy of grilling and speculate on future technologies, including AI integration. This episode is packed with insights for grill enthusiasts looking to enhance their skills. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #646 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg645

Gavin Campbell joins me this week to explore the latest innovations in home technology. From robotic lawn care with the Segway Navimow to smarter energy management through electrical upgrades and real-time monitoring with Emporia Vue. He shares practical insights on enhancing home security with reliable camera systems and highlights the growing momentum behind Home Assistant Community Days. It’s always great to have Gavin on the program. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #645 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg644

Ed Sullivan is my guest this week. We discuss Ed’s new 2025 Cadillac Lyric EV, which he has driven 3,500 miles without major issues. Ed shares his experience with Paintless Dent Removal and a recall related to the car’s manual. They also talk about Slate’s upcoming $20,000 EV with a 150-mile range, manufactured in the USA. Ed mentions various car accessories he uses, including a screen protector, retractable cargo cover, and a USB-rechargeable vacuum. They also discuss the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure and the benefits of using a ceramic coating for car protection. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #644 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg643

Erin Lawrence from Tech Gadgets Canada joined me this week to look at the latest tech trends, and not even stormy weather could slow us down. We started with highlighting the Ecovacs A2500 RTK with satellite mapping and obstacle avoidance. Erin also shared her thoughts on the sleek Urtopia Carbon 1 Se-bike, packed with GPS and app integration for both commuters and riders on the go. On the audio front, she reviewed the new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, perfect for workouts and everyday use. We wrapped up with Rocketbook’s reusable Post-it notes, a smart, sustainable twist on note-taking. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #643 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg642

Marv Bee joins me this week to talk tech, podcasting, and the wild world of the Florida Man Games. We kick things off with some seasonal banter, then dive into his take on electric vs. gas vehicles, his new RODECaster Video setup, and the Anker C300 portable power station. Marv also shares what’s next, including a new local business podcast. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #642 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg641

Ed Sullivan joins me this week to talk about his move from Tesla to the Cadillac Lyriq. A long-time Tesla owner, Ed shares what prompted the switch, including service challenges and what ultimately drew him to the Lyriq’s luxury and tech. We also cover the other EVs he considered—like the Rivian, Lucid Air, and BMW iX, and how the EV market is shifting as more players enter the space. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #641 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg640

Gavin Campbell, co-host of HomeTech.fm joins me this week. We discuss how unpredictable weather affects tech and the importance of automation for preparedness. Gavin shares his latest upgrades, including a Wi-Fi-enabled water heater, a smart electric lawnmower, and plans for a major electrical panel upgrade to support future automation and EV charging. We also explore the pros and cons of self-hosting and using local AI models for smarter home monitoring. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #640 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg639

Jeff Sieh joins me this week. This weeek we explore the impact of AI on content creation. Jeff and I share our experiences with AI tools like Descript and LM Studio, while we ponder ethical questions around AI-generated content. We conclude by discussing hardware for gaming and AI processing, with Jeff reflecting on building a custom PC. Thanks for listening!

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #639 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E/1UTC at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live