HomeTech.fm

On this episode of HomeTech: We’re joined by Kent Dickson, co-founder and CEO of Yonomi. Established in 2013, the company eschewed the approach of building a hub. Instead, they focused on building what amounts to a robust and highly-flexible middleware layer for the connected home. Their cloud-based platform empowers developers and end-users alike to create a better home technology experience.

Our conversation with Kent covers the unique backstory that brought him from Aerospace to his current role at Yonomi, why we shouldn’t use the word “smart” to describe homes (and what we should call them instead), the challenges of tackling such a rapidly evolving market, what the future of the connected home looks like, the importance of building great teams, and more. Don’t miss it!

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Show Notes

• Yonomi — Bring your home to life.™
• Yonomi API Documentation
• Pick of the Week
  • Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet on Apple TV+

On this episode of HomeTech: Jason’s new Product gig. Learning from failures. Why projects are such a pain in the a** to finish. The difference between “day 0”, “day 1”, and “day 2”, and why you need to think of all three.

Plus the latest home tech headlines including: Wink’s death throes? Emerald Expositions, COVID, and the future of trade shows. Folks in quarantine stream lots of music. Google’s whole-home Nest Aware now available. A more powerful Apple TV on the way? And more…

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Show Notes

• Reinventing Your Integration Company - Residential Systems
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Smart Home Company Wink Gives Users an Extra Week Before Surprise Subscription Fees Are Required
  • Epidemic Engulfs Emerald Expositions; Reports Massive Q1 Loss of $570.1M - Strata-gee.com
  • Sonos: Listening Hours Increase 48% in April - CEPRO
  • Google's whole-home Nest Aware subscription is available now
  • A More Powerful Apple TV 4K Could Arrive At Any Time | Digital Trends
• Picks of the Week
  • Hide your Self View in Zoom
  • Google Lens can now help you pronounce the words it translates
  • iNaturalist

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, to discuss the company’s journey from a small, personal experiment to one of the most robust DIY home automation platforms on the market. Supported by a strong open source community, Home Assistant has more than enough horsepower for the dedicated enthusiast who really wants to roll up their sleeves. But the product has also evolved to become increasingly approachable for the less tech-savvy among us. Paulus shares the trials, tribulations, and successes that Home Assistant has seen as it has grown and evolved into its current form.

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Crestron announces plans to return to CEDIA this year (assuming, of course, there is a CEDIA this year). Luxul prepares to release its new ProWatch remote management tool. Josh.ai raises $11 million. Google’s rumored new streaming device. Sonos debuts three new products. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Crestron Set to Return to CEDIA Expo - CEPRO
  • Luxul ProWatch Assists with Remote Management & RMR - CEPRO
  • Josh.ai Raises $11 Million - Residential Systems
  • Google’s next streaming device will shake up the Android TV world
  • Sonos debuts new Arc soundbar, next-generation Sonos Sub, and Sonos Five speaker – TechCrunch
• Interview - Paulus Schoutsen
  • Home Assistant
• Pick of the Week
  • SmartDraw - Create Flowcharts, Floor Plans, and Other Diagrams on Any Device

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Rob Martens, Senior Vice President, Chief Innovation & Design Officer at Allegion, PLC. You may not be familiar with the name Allegion, but its footprint is massive, spanning 30+ brands (including Schlage locks) in 130 countries with 11,000 employees. Rob serves as a futurist for the company and is also heavily involved in Allegion Ventures, which invests in various tech companies surrounding the internet of things. Our conversation covers the state of IoT (hint: it’s not all roses), how companies can and must do better by consumers, why you shouldn’t call it a “smart home”, and much more. Don’t miss it!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: CEDIA puts together a task force to ensure attendee safety at this year’s show, but will it be enough? The government funds an additional $370 billion in COVID relief funds. Best Buy to open 200 locations using by appointment only. And more…

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Show Notes

• Yes, guys, you can cut your own hair at home while barbershops are shuttered. A pro tells us how.
• HomeTech Headlines
  • CEDIA Expo Update: Task Force Formed to Work with Convention Center - CEPRO
  • Additional $370B in Coronavirus Funds Now Available - CEPRO
  • Best Buy to Reopen 200 Stores for Appointment-Only - CEPRO
• Interview
  • Rob Martens - Allegion
• Pick of the Week
  • HouseLinc Whole-House Automation and Home Tehater Controller

On this very special 300th episode of HomeTech: We celebrate our big milestone with a live group recording featuring some great friends of the show! Join us as we dive into the latest home tech headlines together. Also, be sure to hang out for the lighting round where we have some fun with a few (not so) serious home tech questions.

Thank you for being a part of our journey to 300 episodes! We are so appreciative of your support!

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

Show Notes

• Lego STEM Activities for a Preschooler - yourcub.com
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Samsung Adds Wellness Apps to Smart TVs, Samsung Health - CEPRO
  • Walmart is selling its on-demand video service Vudu to Fandango – TechCrunch
  • HBO Max arrives on May 27th
  • Sonos launches its own streaming radio service

On this episode of HomeTech: A homewrecker threatens Jason’s long marriage to Trello. (Un)wise ways to spend your stimulus check. The week-3 doldrums. And the latest home tech headlines, including: HBO does an about-face on their ill-timed move to stop supporting older Apple TVs. COVID studies using Oura smart rings highlight the potential of wearable tech. IKEA smart blinds now available online. Ecobee unveils a new camera and home security service called Haven. And more…

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

Show Notes

• Notion – The all-in-one workspace for your notes, tasks, wikis, and databases.
• Trello
• Airtable: Organize anything you can imagine
• Coda | A new doc for teams.
• Dealer Blows Family’s Entire Stimulus Check on B-Stock Gear for His Home That He’ll Never Install
• HomeTech Headlines
  • HBO will extend streaming support for older Apple TVs
  • Researchers use Oura smart rings to predict onset of COVID-19 symptoms
  • IKEA's smart blinds are finally available to buy online
  • You can talk to this home security camera and it will talk back to you
  • Indoor security camera with Alexa Built-in | SmartCamera | ecobee
• Pick of the Week

On this episode of HomeTech: Thoughts on the new short-form streaming app, Quibi. HBO Go and HBO Now will soon stop working on older Apple TVs. Sonos has a big sale on Beam, One, and One SL speakers. Amazon Business Eyes the CI channel. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Quibi had a launch day outage – TechCrunch
  • HBO Go and Now won't work on older Apple TV models after April
  • Sonos has a big sale on its Beam, One and One SL speakers
  • Amazon Business Eyes Custom Electronics Industry - CEPRO
• Pick of the Week
  • Quarantini – BlackWire

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Chris Williams, Director of People Operations at OneVision Resources. Our conversation breaks down the various governmental programs designed to help small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis. The government is providing a lot of assistance to businesses and employees. Gaining a deep understanding of the options is vital to ensuring you make the most of what’s available. Chris brings deep expertise to the table, along with an uncanny ability to distill complicated legislation down to simple, actionable insights. Whether you own a business, work in one, or have recently been furloughed/laid off, you do not want to miss this episode!

That plus, home tech headlines including: AVNation launches a “Learn from Home” conference, taking place April 7 and 8. Sony restructures, creating the Electronics Products & Solutions Unit. JoshAI now enables a politically correct smart home. And more…

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

ShowNotes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Learn From Home Conference - AVNation
  • Sony Restructures; Creates Electronics Products & Solutions Unit - CEPRO
  • Samsung's display business will stop producing LCD screens this year
• Pick of the Week
  • Josh.ai Inaugurates the Politically Correct Smart Home

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Chad Nichols, principal of SimpTech Solutions in Cincinnati, OH. Chad joins us to share his perspectives on the impact COVID-19 is having on the integration landscape. Our discussion covers strategies for handling client relationships, keeping employees healthy, productive, and engaged, and doing all of this while dealing with an incredibly daunting economic landscape. It’s a delicate dance all too many home technology professionals will be grappling with in the weeks and months ahead. Tune in to hear Chad’s perspective on keeping it all together in these trying times.

In addition to our conversation with Chad, we share a number of other stories related to the COVID-19 pandemic including: OneVision releases a “COVID-19 Data Room” with comprehensive resources to help integrators navigate the situation. Information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. CEDIA offering complimentary professional development resources. Tips for running a distributed workforce. And more…

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

Show Notes

• Business During the Coronavirus: OneVision Resources Develops Comprehensive COVID-19 Guides to Help Integrators Strategize and Execute Action Plans - Residential Systems
• HomeTech Headlines
  • How Integrators Can Get Government Loans to Aid Cash Flow During Coronavirus Crisis - CEPRO
  • CEDIA offers complimentary professional development for members - AVNation
  • 4 Tips to Run a Virtual Office Effectively - CEPRO
• Interview Guest Chad Nichols of SimpTech Solutions
• Pick of the Week
  • Apple releases iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 with trackpad support - 9to5Mac

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Mitch Klein, Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance. Mitch, a 2019 CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Recipient, shares his unique perspectives on the industry, shaped by decades of working in every facet of the business from crawl spaces to chip manufacturing. Our conversation explores the challenges and opportunities facing integrators in today’s evolving technology landscape and the continued evolution of the Z-Wave ecosystem. Don’t miss it!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Sonos confirms their new S2 OS will release in June. New research from Parks about which connected home platforms builders want. NBCUniversal will make theatrical movies available on-demand immediately. Fox acquires streaming service Tubi for $440 million. And more…

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

Show Notes

• Hometech Headlines
  • Sonos S2 OS Confirmed for June Release - CEPRO
  • Research: MDUs, Home Builders, and Smart Home Technology - Residential Systems
  • In a Potential Game-Changing Decision, NBCUniversal Will Make Theatrical Movies Available On Demand Immediately
  • Fox acquires San Francisco streaming service Tubi for $440 million
  • Quibi - Quick bites. Big stories.
• Interview - Mitch Klein Z-Wave Alliance
• Pick of the Week
  • Before and After - 24 Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinic