HomeTech.fm

On this week's HomeTech: Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday! We're happy to announce a new effort to save everyone for dealing with the collapse of Twitter: HomeTech.Social – a new Mastodon instance dedicated for home automation enthusiasts. In the news, we look at another Amazon hit piece and talk about the rumors surrounding 4 new products from Sonos. All that, the pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• Some Black Friday Deals
  • Airthings 2930 Wave Plus for $150
  • Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus (White) bundle with Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) for $149
  • eufy Security, Wi-Fi Video Doorbell fir $70
  • iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum-Wi-Fi Connectivity for $175
  • First Alert Z-Wave Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm for $27.00
  • Samsung 70" Smart 4K Crystal HDR UHD TV TU7000 Series - Titan Gray
• HomeTech.Social - HomeTech's Mastodon instance for home automation enthusiasts
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Amazon Alexa is a “colossal failure,” on pace to lose $10 billion this year | Ars Technica
  • Sonos plans to enter four new product categories — and the first is coming next year
• Pick of the Week
  • Getting Title at 12:14
• Industry-Leading Low Voltage Estimating Software | D-Tools
• Tempest Weather System | WeatherFlow Tempest Inc.
• Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24
• BirdNET-Pi – BirdNET in Raspberry Pis

On this week's HomeTech: Hoobs announces a new hub (or bridge). Aqara makes a new pet feeder with voice announcements. Wyze introduces a new 6E router, because "Wyze not?" Amazon is losing $5 billion a year on Alexa and Meta kills off everyones favorite gift for the holiday: the beloved Facebook Portal. All this, a tiny Pick of the Week, and Gavin talks about his big switch to Home Assistant.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Hoobs Pro
  • Nanoleaf Lines Squared add a fresh angle to the modular smart lights
  • Aqara’s new smart feeder can give your pet control of its bowl
  • Wyze is getting into the mesh router business
  • Matter Casting wants to fix messy video streaming experience
  • Amazon eyes devices group as it undertakes broad cost cutting
  • Meta kills off Portal smart displays after announcing mass layoffs
• Pick of the Week
  • TinyTV 2 is a $49 video player with a 1 inch display and a retro design (crowdfunding) - Liliputing
• VIDEO: State of the Open Home 2022

This week on HomeTech: Matter is here and already taking on criticism in the media that once thought it would save us all, a double screen pick of the week, and Gavin starts testing his YAML skills with Home Assistant.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• The best Black Friday deals you can already get at Target
• HomeTech Headlines
  • What’s the Matter with Thread? Amazon says it’s not quite ready for prime time
  • Matter, The Great Universal Smart Home Standard, Is Already Fragmented
  • Aqara releases information about its first Matter compatible devices and upcoming Thread enabled products
  • Lowered Expectations
• Pick of the Week
  • First $800,000 Samsung The Wall Residential microLED Installed
  • Keebmonkey Display Bar
• ClodPi Pre Order

On this week's HomeTech: Matter officially launches (finally) with over 190 certified devices, Orro shuts down operations, Blusound has a new speaker, AppleTV+ costs more, Level's new lock is easy to unlock, TJ reviews the install of a G4 Doorbell Pro, and a fun pick of the week.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• Home Assistant 2022.11: A heck of a release!
• Matter Launch
  • Matter 1.0 launches today: 190 certified devices, +20 new members, twice-yearly specification updates, many phased rollouts into 2023
  • Amazon Announces Matter Support for Alexa Devices • iPhone in Canada Blog
  • Philips Hue Is Now Matter Certified
  • Eve Systems Products offer Matter Compatibility
  • Aqara’s Matter transition begins in December with free hub update
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Orro Suspends Manufacturing and Business Operations
  • Bluesound’s new wireless speaker is like a supercharged Sonos One
  • Apple TV Price Increases
  • Level’s new Home Key smart lock can be unlocked by anyone ‘in seconds’ with ‘low-skill attacks'
  • Level responds to iPhone smart lock-picking controversy, says only 4% of break-ins use that method anyway
• Pick of the Week
  • New Ring Windowbell spotted in the wild: combine with a smart window latch to automate your assignations.
• Unifi G4 Doorbell Pro
• Blockbuster (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

This week on HomeTech: Wyze Cam v3 Pro is here, Arlo Safe launches to keep you safe, Alarm.com buys Noonlight, Youtube wants more money, and a pick of the week to block all commercials. All this and more project updates on this week’s show!

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Wyze’s latest camera adds 2K resolution for $50
  • Arlo is now protecting residents when they leave their residence
  • Alarm.com Acquires Noonlight, A Next Generation Connected Safety Platform
  • YouTube’s latest revenue grab: A 27 percent price increase for family plans
  • Taskmaster
• Pick of the Week
  • Netflix Commercial Curtain

This week on HomeTech: The CEDIA numbers are in! See how everyone did in our friendly wager this year, Samsung really wants you to know they are first, Assa Abloy says hasta luego to Yale in order to keep Kwickset, AppleTV gets a nice spec bump, Home Pro starts taking pre-orders, Roku jumps into the smart home game, and Netflix announces ads and the end of shared passwords. All this, the pick of the week, project updates and more!

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• Official Attendance Numbers 🏆
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Samsung SmartThings is one of the first to be Matter-certified
  • ASSA ABLOY to Sell Yale to Avoid Antitrust Claims
  • Avia Unveils US Deadbolt Lock With Apple HomeKey
  • Apple introduces the powerful next-generation Apple TV 4K
  • Homey Pro Unveiled With Matter, Thread and More…
  • Roku Expands Into Smart Home, With Some Help From Wyze
  • Roku Partners with Wyze, Walmart to Launch Smart Home Products in US • iPhone in Canada Blog
  • Netflix will charge $6.99 a month for new ad-supported tier starting Nov. 3 in U.S.
  • Netflix adds more than 2.4 million subscribers, reveals details about password-sharing crackdown
• Pick of the Week
  • Winners announced of the 2022 CEDIA Awards, EMEA

This week on HomeTech: Two weeks worth of HomeTech news all in one show as the group catches up post-hurricane to discuss new products and ideas from the Google, Amazon, and CEDIA events. All this, the pick of the week, and so much more.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• The Matter smart home standard is finally available
• Google overhauls Home app as it prepares for Matter
• At Home Assistant we're very excited about Matter. Here are some highlights for ... | Hacker News
• HomeTech Headlines
  • ASSA ABLOY Acquires DoorBird - CEPRO
  • Alfred ML2 Long Range Wireless Power
  • Rachio Gives Up On HomeKit
  • ClodPi ATOM Hub for HomeAssistant
  • Amazon Event
    • What You Really Need to Know From Amazon’s 2022 Fall Event
    • Amazon's Halo Rise tracks sleep patterns by watching you breathe
    • Amazon Launches Fire TV Omni QLED Series Televisions with Free Art Mode • iPhone in Canada Blog
    • Your Echo Dot speaker can soon extend your Wi-Fi
    • Ring Spotlight Cam Pro features radar to aid motion alert accuracy
    • Meshy business: Eero PoE 6 has the prosumer market in its sights
    • Amazon bolsters Blink range with Mini Pan-Tilt and Wired Floodlight Camera
    • Amazon eero Targets CE Pros with New Service, Products
  • CEDIA
    • Snap One Showcasing New Solutions from Control4, Episode, Luma at CEDIA 2022
    • NETGEAR Offers Wi-Fi 6 and 6E Access Points Exclusively to Pro Integrators
    • Autoslide - automatic sliding doors/with locks!
    • Patented, Tool-Free, Adjustable and Reusable Tie - RETYZ
    • Ladder Mate - Rack-A-Tiers
    • Speaker Snap | Fast and Simple Audio Connectors, Banana Plugs, Keystone Inserts
    • Amp genie - clever idea
    • C SEED Demos 144" HLF Foldable, Retractable Outdoor 1.6mm LED TV
• Pick of the Week
  • Hidden Mantel

This week on HomeTech: A hurricane is heading to Florida, Alexa gets new skills, the EU is taking on IoT security, Yale updates the Assure Lock, Google offers a cheaper Chromecast, and Sonos gets a cool turntable. All this, the pick of the week, and so much more.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• r/amazonecho - “Alexa, turn off the lights in ten minutes” now works
• Hubitat Firmware Update v2.3.3
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Brussels plans to introduce cybersecurity requirements for connected devices
  • Yale's redesigned Assure Lock 2 will be one of the first Matter-compatible smart home devices
  • Google now offers a cheaper, 1080p version of the Chromecast with Google TV
  • Victrola made a $799 turntable that can connect to any Sonos speaker
• Pick of the Week
  • r/interestingasfuck - I built my dream ‘80s Video “Store” in my basement over 4 long years for family, friends and creative endeavors. Enjoy! #mondovideo #atl

This week on HomeTech: The team starts out with rants ranging from Smart TVs to label makers, Alexa giving you more ads, the Nest Router Pro is leaked, Sonos Sub mini finally arrives, and TJ educates everyone about Ohio's premier fruit. All this, the pick of the week, and so much more.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• Podcast: Is Matter ready for its close up? - Stacey on IoT | Internet of Things news and analysis
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Alexa may answer your questions with ads soon
  • Google 'Nest Wifi Pro' leaks with 6E, higher price - 9to5Google
  • Router Hats
  • Sonos Sub Mini!
• Pick of the Week
  • @ChristianSelig - Okay y'all, I think I found the best idea for the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro. I added a cat that lives up there like a tamagotchi and just hangs out and does cute stuff as you browse Reddit in my app (Apollo).
  • Dynamic Island Pong
• Watch LIGHT & MAGIC | Full episodes | Disney+
• Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm with Home Automation updates and Jim is frustrated with it all – HGG546
• The Integrated Home: The Demo Space Revisited on Apple Podcasts
• Ohio Pawpaw Festival • A podcast on Anchor

This week on Hometech: Sonos is doing something weird, Comcast rolls out 2-gig speeds, Home Assistant turns 9, Lutron Caseta now has non-Gunther switches, Ring adds a feature that takes away all their other features, and a cool pick of the week from Ubiquity.

Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!

Show Notes

• Sonos Social Media
• Apple Event Thoughts
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Comcast says 2-gig speeds are rolling out now to ‘millions’
  • Home Assistant 9th Birthday Release
  • r/homeautomation - I bring you...KegWatch! A sensor I built to track how much beer is remaining in my home kegerator (details in comments)
  • Keg montior on TikTok
  • Lutron’s new smart light switches go back to basics
  • Google set to unveil new Nest smart home products at 6 October event
  • Tedee Go Ne Smartlock with Thread
  • Ring adds E2E to Battery Powered Devices
• Pick of the Week
  • UInnovations: WiFiman Wizard (Early Access)