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On this episode of HomeTech: YouTube TV is finally available on Fire TV devices. A feud between Dish and Fox leaves sports fans in the cold. Next-gen ISP bundles may include various streaming services. The future of DirecTV’s “Sunday Ticket” package may be in question. Google follows Amazon’s lead, adding the deletion of Assistant command history. More delays on Ikea’s forthcoming smart blinds. Vivint is slowly moving forward with 5G internet service. And more…

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!

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

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

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!

On this episode of HomeTech: We take a break from working the big show to chat about a few quick observations we had at CEDIA 2019. We’ll be back next with with a wrap up and bigger conversation about the rest of our CEDIA experience.

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Happy Hour 2019 Gallery is Up!
• CEDIA EXPO 2019- Home Tech Trade Show & Conference in Denver

On this episode of HomeTech: We take a break from working the big show to chat about a few quick observations we had at CEDIA 2019. We’ll be back next with with a wrap up and bigger conversation about the rest of our CEDIA experience.

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Giles Sutton, CEDIA’s VP of Industry Engagement, to get his take on the upcoming EXPO in Denver! Giles shares several exciting updates surrounding the big event. Additionally, we dive into some of the organization’s latest initiatives including a promising new workforce development program and increased outreach to the design and specification community. Don’t miss this one!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Rumors of a new Apple TV to be unveiled next week. The 8K Association has released key performance attributes for this (daunting) new spec. RoomMe’s “room-level personalization” sensors make their debut to the CI channel. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Happy Hour 2019 Info
• CEDIA EXPO 2019- Home Tech Trade Show & Conference in Denver
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Apple Invites Media to September 10 Event at Apple Park: 'By Innovation Only'
  • New Apple TV With A12 Chip and 'One More Thing' Teased Ahead of Next Week's Apple Event
  • 8K TV Performance Specification Released
  • RoomMe Adds Person/Location Tracking for True Home Automation; First Custom Integrations at CEDIA
• Pick of the Week
  • Westinghouse All Electric House

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Giles Sutton, CEDIA’s VP of Industry Engagement, to get his take on the upcoming EXPO in Denver! Giles shares several exciting updates surrounding the big event. Additionally, we dive into some of the organization’s latest initiatives including a promising new workforce development program and increased outreach to the design and specification community. Don’t miss this one!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Rumors of a new Apple TV to be unveiled next week. The 8K Association has released key performance attributes for this (daunting) new spec. RoomMe’s “room-level personalization” sensors make their debut to the CI channel. And more…

On this episode of HomeTech: Crestron OS 3 officially launches. Lutron sues Savant over Palladiom knock-off (err… competitor). Details emerge on Google’s forthcoming Nest Mini. A new initiative from the UHD alliance takes aim at the dreaded soap opera effect. Disney+ offers a killer limited-time pre-order deal. Is the Bravas roll-up the sign of a new era in integration, or Via part 2? And much more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Happy Hour 2019 Info and RSVP
• A Vision for Profiting from Service Agreements - Residential Systems
• HomeTech Headlines
  • ‘Gamechanger’ Crestron Home OS 3 Officially Launches
  • Lutron Sues Savant Over Alleged Patent Infringement on 4-Button Keypad
  • Exclusive: Google plans 'Nest Mini' w/ mount, better sound - 9to5Google
  • New TVs May Automatically Disable the Awful Soap Opera Effect | Digital Trends
  • Disney Plus: Disney's streaming service opens preorders at a big discount
  • Disney Plus discount: Buy two years and get the third free
  • Another Big Industry Roll-up: Bravas Gets $75M Investment to Merge 15 Top Smart-Home Integrators
  • Bravas Group Sold to Private Equity Firm in $75 Million Deal - Strata-gee.com
• Pick of the Week
  • Milwaukee Packout: Before & After

On this episode of HomeTech: Crestron OS 3 officially launches. Lutron sues Savant over Palladiom knock-off (err… competitor). Details emerge on Google’s forthcoming Nest Mini. A new initiative from the UHD alliance takes aim at the dreaded soap opera effect. Disney+ offers a killer limited-time pre-order deal. Is the Bravas roll-up the sign of a new era in integration, or Via part 2? And much more…

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Justin Berghoff, Leviton’s Director of Business Development & Product Management. Justin joins us to discuss the company’s Smart Load Center product line. A part of our homes so fundamental that most of us take it for granted, the breaker box was overdue for an intelligent upgrade. Join us to learn how Leviton’s product line is finally bringing circuit breakers into the 21st century.

That plus… Apple is reportedly targeting a November launch for Apple TV+. Ikea doubles down on their smart home strategy with the creation of a dedicated business unit. Amazon’s launches Custom Interfaces for Alexa to enhance connections with games and gadgets. Samsung’s about-face pivot to OLED displays. And much more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Happy Hour 2019 Info
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Apple Is Targeting Launch of Apple TV+ Service by November
  • IKEA smart blinds won't support HomeKit at launch after all - 9to5Mac
  • Ikea doubles down on smart home tech with new business unit – TechCrunch
  • Amazon launches Custom Interfaces for Alexa skills to deepen connections with games and gadgets
  • Samsung's Quantum OLED Plans Could Mean Better, Cheaper TVs for All | Digital Trends
• Interview
  • The Leviton Smart Load Center
• Pick of the Week
  • AmpliFi Teleport App