HomeTech.fm

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Join us as we dissect Google IO 2018. In a very strong showing for the company, this year's conference featured numerous announcements that home tech enthusiasts everywhere should be excited about.

That, plus...

• Netgear releases a nice addition to their Orbi lineup
• Ring's new neighborhood safety app
• Proof from Hisense that feature-rich 4K TVs are now a commodity
• More intriguing clues about Sonos' new soundbar
• Alexa and Cortana join forces
• Facebook sets its sights on an overseas smart speaker launch
• Control4 makes a big bet on local showrooms
• Beer kegs get smart
• And more...

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

• Netgear put a cable modem in latest Orbi wifi router
• Ring launches the Neighbors app to keep your community safer
• Hisense’s latest 4K UHD Roku TV models are big on features, small on price
• Awesome picture for the price, and Roku TV seals the deal
• Sonos plans home theater event for June 6th
• JBL's next soundbar doubles as an Android TV box
• Alexa and Cortana finally team up in limited beta
• Facebook’s smart speakers will launch overseas before they hit the U.S.
• Control your SimpliSafe home security system with Amazon Alexa voice commands
• 140 Control4 ‘Certified’ Smart-Home Showrooms Spring up Overnight
• Control4 Q1 Revenues Up 18%; More Acquisitions to Come
• Beer kegs latest to join the smart device party with the Kegtron
• The 10 biggest announcements from Google I/O 2018
• All the new features coming to Google Assistant, including manners
• Google Assistant grows hookup list to over 5K smart home devices, appliances
• Pic of the Week

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Join us as we dissect Google IO 2018. In a very strong showing for the company, this year's conference featured numerous announcements that home tech enthusiasts everywhere should be excited about.

That, plus...

Netgear releases a nice addition to their Orbi lineup

Ring's new neighborhood safety app

Proof from Hisense that feature-rich 4K TVs are now a commodity

More intriguing clues about Sonos' new soundbar

Alexa and Cortana join forces

Facebook sets its sights on an overseas smart speaker launch

Control4 makes a big bet on local showrooms

Beer kegs get smart

And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: After a rare week off, we catch up on a busy couple of weeks in smart home news. Dominated mostly by Amazon and Sonos, this week's stories include:

• Apple kills off the Airport line
• Sonos files for an IPO valuing the company at $3 billion
• Sonos' newer speakers will support AirPlay2 (and Seth is still pissed)
• The latest on Sonos rumored new soundbar
• Amazon noses into the security installation business
• Alexa gets a memory
• Alexa will now teach your kids some manners
• A huge talent departure for Alexa's smart home efforts
• Honeywell revamps their security offerings
• And much more...

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

• Apple officially discontinues AirPort router line, no plans for future hardware
• Apple outlines key features to look for when upgrading from AirPort devices
• Sonos files for an IPO that may value the company at $3 billion
• Sonos confirms only newer speakers will support AirPlay 2
• Sonos Getting Ready to Introduce New Smart Home Theater Speaker With HDMI
• Alexa will soon have a memory
• Amazon to release new Alexa options for families and kids, including ‘magic word’ feature that gives positive reinforcement for saying ‘please’
• You may soon be able to control your home with a smart wall
• The Skinnier $15 OTT Bundle Has Arrived
• Friday was my last day at Amazon
• Honeywell 2019: Next-Gen Security & Home Automation is One Platform for Wired, Wireless, DIY, Pro
• Amazon is now selling home security services, including installations and no monthly fees
• Amazon Debuts Smart Home Services, Security Package Tiers
• That HUGE Story on Secretive ‘Amazon Home Security Services’
• Pic of the Week
• NodeSchool
• Computer Science Field Guide

On this week's episode of HomeTech: After a rare week off, we catch up on a busy couple of weeks in smart home news. Dominated mostly by Amazon and Sonos, this week's stories include:

Apple kills off the Airport line

Sonos files for an IPO valuing the company at $3 billion

Sonos' newer speakers will support AirPlay2 (and Seth is still pissed)

The latest on Sonos rumored new soundbar

Amazon noses into the security installation business

Alexa gets a memory

Alexa will now teach your kids some manners

A huge talent departure for Alexa's smart home efforts

Honeywell revamps their security offerings

And much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Patrick Stuart of Hubitat for our first-ever installment of the "Startup Showcase". With a unique focus on removing cloud-dependence, and the inherent privacy and reliability issues that come with it, Hubitat is bringing a refreshingly "local" approach to making your home smarter. Smart home enthusiasts won't want to miss this one...

That, plus the latest home technology headlines including:

• Comcast and Netflix offer a new bundle deal
• Hulu's steep (limited time) discount on its HBO add-on
• ESPN+ released for cord-cutting sports fans
• Lutron acquires Ketra
• Google brings DIY to AI
• Netflix Q1 report shows the company is red hot
• Budget TV streaming app Philo making a name for itself
• Amazon and Best Buy playing nicely
• What supply chain reports say about HomePod sales
• And more...

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

• CEDIA Expo | Home Tech Trade Show & Conference in San Diego
• 2018 Hurricane Season Expected to Be More Active Than Usual, CSU Forecasters Say
• Comcast will soon offer packages with Netflix bundled in
• Hulu discounts its HBO add-on to $5 per month
• ESPN+ is the sports-streaming cord-cutters have been waiting for
• Lutron to Acquire Natural Light Maker Ketra
• Google launches updated DIY kits for AI voice & vision w/ edu focus, available at Target
• Netflix subscriber count hits 125 million
• Budget TV service Philo now streams on Amazon and Apple devices
• Amazon and Best Buy, better together? Smart TV deal is online giant's latest move into physical retail
• China Times Echoes Poor HomePod Sales and Rumors About Possible Lower-Priced Version
• Chinese Report Says $150-$200 HomePod and $799-$899 MacBook Air to Launch This Year KGI: Apple could sell just 2 million HomePods across all of 2018, company ‘mulls’ low-cost model
• Apple’s Stumbling HomePod Isn’t the Hot Seller It Wanted
• Interview: Local Home Automation with Hubitat
• Pic of the Week
• Ring $40 off coupon code: DS40OFF

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Jason's voice comes back from the dead. A defense of physical media from the HomeTech mailbag. A pic-of-the-week scandal revealed! Jason's TV purchase debate continues. Plus, the latest home technology headlines, including:

• Spotify and Hulu team up with a new bundle
• A beefed-up free tier is coming from Spotify
• Amazon Key is going nationwide
• .... and adding support for more smart locks
• Sonos mulling an IPO
• Amazon disrupts the red-hot intercom market
• Drink a beer while a robot mows your lawn
• SimpliSafe and August Smart Locks now work together
• And more...

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

• Pockethernet - Smartphone connected Cable tester & Ethernet network analyser
• Spotify and Hulu team up for $13 subscription bundle
• Spotify Is Planning a New Version of Its Free Music Service
• Amazon Key expands nationwide, but controversial in-home package delivery does not | GeekWire
• Sonos Gets Ready for an IPO (EXCLUSIVE)
• Alexa Announcements will help you save your voice by serving as an intercom
• Watch your lawn mower cut your grass – while you sit on your front porch sipping a beer
• SimpliSafe and August Lock integrate smart locks with security systems
• Vizio’s 2018 4K TV lineup includes its brightest, most colorful set ever
• HomeTech Episode 205
• Pic of the Week
• New data shows Netflix's number of movies has gone down by thousands of titles since 2010 — but its TV catalog size has soared

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Jason's voice comes back from the dead. A defense of physical media from the HomeTech mailbag. A pic-of-the-week scandal revealed! Jason's TV purchase debate continues. Plus, the latest home technology headlines, including:

Spotify and Hulu team up with a new bundle

A beefed-up free tier is coming from Spotify

Amazon Key is going nationwide

.... and adding support for more smart locks

Sonos mulling an IPO

Amazon disrupts the red-hot intercom market

Drink a beer while a robot mows your lawn

SimpliSafe and August Smart Locks now work together

Cox gets into the Home Automation game

And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Keith Watson for a very special installment of the projects project. Keith, who is blind as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, shares his unique perspective on the smart home. From the challenges he has faced to the ways that technology assists him with his day-to-day life, Keith's resourcefulness and ingenuity will serve as an inspiration to anyone with a passion for home technology.

That, plus...

• Facebook decides now is probably not the best time to release a connected speaker
• Amazon expands Alexa's video API to control DVRs
• Alexa routines can now launch music and podcasts
• A new and compelling hardware offering from Tablo
• A big AI hire for Apple
• Google hints at plans for their own smart display device a la the Echo Show
• Lutron and SnapAV partner up
• Oppo exits the BluRay business
• and more...

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

• Why is a data connection necessary for setting up my eero network?
• Facebook Delays Home-Speaker Unveil Amid Data Crisis
• Amazon’s Alexa can now set DVR recordings
• Alexa Routines can now include music and podcasts
• Tablo Slashes OTA DVR Pricing & Betas Cloud Storage
• Apple hires Google’s former AI boss to help improve Siri
• Google Executive Hints at Plans for Company’s Own Smart Display Device
• EXCLUSIVE: Lutron, SnapAV Team Up to Help Dealers Sell More Lighting Control
• Oppo Digital to End Production of DVD and Blu-ray Players, Promises Updates ‘from Time to Time’
• Facts About Retinitis Pigmentosa
• TDSR
• Home Assistant
• AppDaemon
• WeMo Maker
• Keyboard Maestro 8.2: Work Faster with Macros for macOS
• Pic of the Week