HomeTech.fm

On this week's show: OpenAI may be building a screen-free AI home companion, Nice is skipping CEDIA 2026 and insisting everything is fine, the 2026 TV Shootout crowns both Samsung and Sony, Philips Hue might stick a camera on your TV, and a TP-Link Kasa camera vulnerability report is a rough reminder to patch your gear. We also chat about a touchscreen Zigbee switch from Zemismart, an open-source robot vacuum project, Matter Server 9.1.0, the Only Fan Controller update, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

• HomeTech Headlines
  • OpenAI Reportedly Developing Screen-Free AI Companion for Smart Home
  • Nice Announces It Has Pulled Out of CEDIA Expo 2026
  • The 2026 Kings of TV Are Crowned at Value Electronics TV Shootout - Residential Systems
  • Zemismart Launches Zigbee Touchscreen Light Switch With Power Monitoring
  • Philips Hue’s latest camera might be for your TV.
  • IoT-Vulnerability-Research-Public/TP-Link_Kasa_EC71/Kasa_EC71.md at main · BadChemical/IoT-Vulnerability-Research-Public
• Matter Server 9.1.0 Released
• xcancel.com/ThirdRealityInc
• Only Fan Controller v1.2.1
• Jimothy

On this week's show: Apple wants smarter Home cameras, but only if you spring for the 2TB iCloud plan, IKEA quietly makes Matter less annoying, and Matter cameras from Tapo, Aqara, EZVIZ, and friends are finally becoming a real category. We also get into Josh.ai adding DMX and DALI for the fancy-lighting crowd, Sonos trimming some of the people you’d think it should keep, a coax-powered floodlight for those Wi-Fi dead zones, Ecowitt’s Kickstarter water tester, new Home Assistant-friendly gear from IoTorero and Third Reality, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

• The story behind Erling Haaland and his taxidermy raccoon: ‘Lock the doors, let’s make this special’
• HomeTech Headlines
  • THIRDREALITY Smart Wall Outlet, Dual Independent Control for 2 Sockets, Individual Power Monitoring, Zigbee Repeater, Compatible with Home Assistant & SmartThings, ETL Certified
  • WQT01: Smart Water Quality Tester
  • Channel Master’s Pro Floodlight uses coax to bring smart lighting to your garden’s dead zones
  • Apple Intelligence in Apple Home will require the $10-a-month iCloud Plus plan.
  • Sonos Sacks Top Designers Behind its Premium Speakers | iPhone in Canada
  • Josh.ai Now Offers Native DMX & DALI Support - Residential Systems
  • IKEA updates DIRIGERA hub with Matter 1.4.2 support and improved network stability
  • Tapo, Aqara, Ulticam, and EZVIZ: All the Matter-certified cameras
  • IoTorero joins Works with Home Assistant
• Hermes Agent — The Agent That Grows With You
• IrriSense 2 | 4-in-1 Smart Sprinkler & Irrigation System | Aiper
• Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K – Best 3D Printer for Beginners & Pros
• PrismML — Announcing Bonsai 27B: The First 27B-Class Model to Run on a Phone

On this week's show: Apple makes Apple Home hubs a lot pricier, Samsung puts a $5 toll booth in front of the SmartThings API, and Matter itself keeps inching toward “maybe this really will work.” We also hit a THIRDREALITY timer clock, an interesting universal remote hub, Level’s rough week, Netflix’s new profile email rule, project updates, a pick of the week, and so much more!

• Building an Apple Home just got pricier: New hardware hikes affect key Matter hubs
• Home Tech Headlines
  • New - THIRDREALITY Smart Timer Light TL2,Digital Clock,60GHz mmWave Radar,RGB Light,Light Sensor,Simple Setup,Countdown Timer,Matter Enabled,2.4GHz WiFi only,Compatible with Alexa, Apple Home,Google Home
  • DREO Brings Matter Connectivity to TurboPoly™ Fan 765S, Furthering its Open Ecosystem Commitment
  • OpenInfrared Point: Universal Remote Hub
  • Introducing UniFi Network 10.5
  • Hackers target UniFi as critical exploits surface
  • Crestron Launches Configure Pro Platform for Crestron Home OS
  • Josh.ai Showcases AI-Powered Home Control with New Experiential Video
  • Hunter Douglas Alta Window Fashions Motorized Shades Now Compatible with PowerView Automation
  • Samsung will soon start charging to access its smart home API
  • A New Enhanced SmartThings API Experience  - SmartThings Blog
  • Netflix now requires every user profile to be tied to unique email address
  • Smart lock maker Level has been gutted and its founders are out
  • Matter Just Underwent a Major Stress Test for Supporting Large-Scale Deployments
  • Home Assistant upgrades to Matter 1.5.1 with a better codebase
  • The Matter upgrade you’ve been waiting for
  • Inside the room where the smart home industry is still betting on Matter
• Droplet the #1 Smart Home Water Sensor - Hydrific, part of LIXIL

On this week's show: Hue brings wired wall modules to Europe and keeps pushing Matter, Schlage’s UWB smart lock finally gets a date and a price, Amazon rolls Alexa+ into Brazil, Google launches a new Gemini-powered speaker while retiring a couple of old Nest favorites, Sonos keeps trying to fix the app it broke, Matter 1.6 tries to make Matter less Matter-y, and a report says your smart TV apps may be doing more networking than streaming. Plus a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

• Energy minister plans 'nuclear renaissance' with up to 10 reactors built by 2040
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Valve prices the Steam Machine at $1,049
  • Europe - Hue’s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem
  • Schlage’s UWB-enabled smart lock launches this month
  • Alexa+ Launches in Early Access in Brazil
  • Google Has Discontinued its Nest Audio and Nest Mini Speakers
  • Google's Gemini-Powered Home Speaker Launches on June 25 for $99.99
  • Google’s first smart speaker in six years arrives next week
  • Google Home Speaker Canada: Price, Release Date, and AI Features
  • Sonos Updating App With New Volume Controls and Navigation | iPhone in Canada
  • Signify Enhances Philips Hue Matter Support Through Collaboration with Silicon Labs
  • Instead of new devices, Matter 1.6 focuses on making Matter less of a headache
  • Matter 1.6 Brings NFC Setup, Joint Fabric, and Smarter Thermostats
  • Nearly Half of LG Smart TV Apps Contain Residential Proxy SDKs
• How Roomba started a robot revolution
• GoveeLife Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro, 60lbs Daily, 6-Minute First Ice, 40dB Ultra-Quiet with AI NoiseGuard, App & Voice Control, Self-Clean, 3.5lbs Basket & Dual Water Tanks, for Home Kitchen, Party

On this week's show: Alexa+ finally opens up across Canada in English and French, Prime Day deals are already leaking out of Amazon’s cart, Fox wants to buy Roku in a massive streaming-and-ads play, and ADI layoffs have Control4 watchers a little nervous. We’ve also got project updates featuring cameras, deck drama, Starlink, a new show notes server, a pick of the week, and so much more!

• Hetzner Price Adjustment 15 June 2026 - Hetzner Docs
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Amazon Just Opened Alexa+ to All Canadians. Here’s What’s Changed
  • Alexa+ is available across Canada in English and French
  • The best early Amazon Prime Day deals include Apple, Bose, and more
  • Fox Corporation announces $22B acquisition of Roku in landmark streaming and live TV deal
  • With Resideo Spin-Off of ADI Imminent, Sources Say ADI is Cutting Staff
• Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium Ion Cordless 4-inch Rear Handle Circular Saw
• Camera G6 180 - Ubiquiti Store
• Access Point E7 - Ubiquiti Store
• Starlink Roam
• Zooz ZEN14 Double Outdoor Plug – ZOOZ

On this week's show: Apple Home gets Thread 1.4, 4K video, and energy tracking, Amazon gives the Echo Hub a makeover with smarter Ring features, and Google teaches Nest cams to recognize your pets. We also check out Eufy’s biometric locks, UniFi’s campus-level security gear, WiiM’s first soundbar, a Donut Lab battery scandal that’s gone flat, and Music Assistant’s sonic smarts. All that, project updates, and so much more!

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Apple Home goes pro: Thread 1.4, 4K video, and native energy management in iOS 27 | Matter Alpha - matteralpha.com
  • Cameras get an Apple Intelligence boost in Apple Home | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Apple’s Home app will soon show you how much energy your smart plug is drawing. | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Shark is bringing some style to robot vacuums. | The Verge - The Verge
  • Amazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Nest cams can now recognize your furry friends. | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Eufy launches new smart locks with facial recognition and palm scanning. | The Verge - theverge.com
  • UniFi Protect is Now Campus Security Ready - blog.ui.com
  • WiiM expands its whole-home ecosystem with a new soundbar | The Verge - theverge.com
• Music Assistant 2.9: Discover Your Sound - Music Assistant - music-assistant.io
• FeatherSnap Smart Bird Feeder Camera | Wi-Fi, Solar, & Bird ID

On this week’s show: SwitchBot flips the switch on Nanoleaf, eero dials back to the landline era with a new Telephone Adapter, Home Assistant welcomes Sensereo’s smoke and CO alarms, and the latest Home Assistant beta brings new toys for dashboards, automations, and IR nerds alike. A pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

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• What to Expect From WWDC 2026: Gemini-Powered Siri, iOS 27, macOS 27 and More
• Microsoft Build 2026: All the news about Windows, AI, RTX Spark, and more -HomeTech Headlines
  • SwitchBot brightens its smart home portfolio with Nanoleaf acquisition | Matter Alpha - matteralpha.com
  • Introducing eero Telephone Adapter: Adding VoIP to customer networks quickly and easily. – The Download - blog.eero.com
  • Aqara in Best Buy
• Pick of the Week: Relax with Coax
• Sensereo joins Works with Home Assistant - Home Assistant - home-assistant.io
• 2026.6 Beta: A betta title - Home Assistant - rc.home-assistant.io

On this week's show: We talk TV (shows), Govee is shelf shocked, Linkind launches a fiery new Matter bulb, Bell wants your internet unstoppable with mobile and UPS backups, Ubiquiti patches some serious UniFi holes, Google hints at new Gemini-powered speakers, and Open Home Foundation brings e-paper displays to the smart home world. All that, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

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

• HomeTech Watchlist
  • Widow's Bay (Apple TV+) - Funny Preview
  • Ghosts (CBS / Paramount+)
  • St. Denis Medical
  • Superstore
  • The Boys
  • From
  • M.I.A.
  • The Trades
  • Letterkenny
  • Mating Season
  • Ted
  • Project Hail Mary
  • This Is Not a Test
  • Normal
  • Skinamarink
  • The Mandalorian & Grogu
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Govee included a book on ‘White Supremacy’ in its website imagery | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Linkind's new Smart Light Stick features realistic flame effects and seamless Matter connectivity | Matter Alpha - matteralpha.com
  • Bell launches new internet backup options in case of outages - mobilesyrup.com
  • Ubiquiti patches three max severity UniFi OS vulnerabilities - bleepingcomputer.com
  • More Google Home speakers could be on the way. | The Verge - theverge.com
• Pick of the week: TV to Right?
  • Welcoming OpenDisplay as our newest collaboration partner – Open Home Foundation - openhomefoundation.org

On this week's show: Google I/O 2026 is all about agentic AI and Search that answers before you ask, Homey hikes hardware prices and Plex triples its Lifetime Pass price, Hubitat hooks up with Ring, UniFi announces a new 5G backup, Birdie Pro faints at bad air, and iGarden’s robot goes for an Olympic clean. A pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

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

• The 13 biggest announcements at Google I/O 2026 | The Verge - theverge.com
• Everything Announced at Google I/O 2026: Gemini, Search, Smart Glasses | WIRED - wired.com
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Why we’re raising prices on Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini – News | Homey - homey.app
  • Lifetime Plex Pass Price Jumps to Over $1,000 in Canada | iPhone in Canada - iphoneincanada.ca
  • Hubitat Elevation 2.5.0 Update Adds Ring Integration To Power Smarter Home Automation | Markets Insider - markets.businessinsider.com
  • Introducing UniFi 5G Backup - blog.ui.com
  • This mechanical bird drops dead when your home’s air quality worsens | The Verge - theverge.com
  • iGarden Intelligent Pool Cleaning Robot M1-AI Series | Dual-AI Vision Robotic Cordless Pool Cleaner - igarden.ai
• Pick of the Week:
  • Toronto, the Blue Jays, and a Pool Pressure Sensor
  • A modern disaster movie where Someone says "Turn on the News"
• Hzunzunbee joins Works with Home Assistant

On this week’s show: Ubiquiti doubles down with a new UniFi NVR and a major Protect 7.1 update, Unraid ditches the USB stick (finally) with internal boot, and smart vacuums are getting weirder, Blink goes 2K on a budget, Yarbo promises to close its mower’s backdoor, the FBI is resetting routers, and over a million cameras were alarmingly open to hackers. All of this, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!

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

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Network Video Recorder G2 Pro - Ubiquiti Store United States - store.ui.com
  • Welcome to Protect 7.1 - blog.ui.com
  • Eufy’s New Robovac Combines Matter and a Built-in Fragrance Module - homekitnews.com
  • These new Roombas are smaller and cheaper | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Blink bumps its budget buzzer to 2K | The Verge - theverge.com
  • The FBI may have reset your wireless router; if so, you should replace it - 9to5mac.com
  • A million baby monitors and security cameras were easily viewable by hackers | The Verge - theverge.com
  • Yarbo says it will remove the intentional backdoor from its robot lawn mower | The Verge - theverge.com
• Unraid | Unraid 7.3.0 Stable Now Available - unraid.net