HomeTech.fm

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Several major TV manufacturers just released pricing and ship dates on their 2018 displays. As it happens, Jason is in the market for a new TV. Join as we break down the different offerings and discuss the pros and cons of the technology behind them.

That plus...

• August smart locks now work with HomePod
• A slick new way to set up scenes from the team at JoshAI
• We ring the hub bell in reverse for Leviton's new integration with Nest
• Foxconn purchases Belkin for a load of cash
• A new universal search feature for Google Play
• Apple's original content rumored to be launching in the spring of next year
• Google Home can now play through other Bluetooth speakers
• OneVision unveils a new live-streaming video app
• And more...

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

• August Smart Locks now work alongside Apple HomePod for easier door locking
• Apple HomePod Works With August Smart Locks | August Home Blog
• Creating smart home scenes with voice commands - Josh.ai
• Leviton Wi-Fi Lighting Controls Now Integrate with Nest Devices, No Hub Required
• Foxconn buys peripheral maker Belkin for $866M
• Google Play Movies & TV becomes a one-stop shop for nearly everything that streams
• Google Home can now play music through your other Bluetooth speakers | The Verge
• Introducing Live-Streaming Video Support by OneVision
• TCL’s affordable, impressive 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TVs will be available by May 1st
• Samsung's 2018 QLED TVs start at $1,500
• Sony's 2018 OLED TV starts at $2,800
• Sony XEL-1 OLED Digital TV
• POW* - New Showroom

*Under review 🧐

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Several major TV manufacturers just released pricing and ship dates on their 2018 displays. As it happens, Jason is in the market for a new TV. Join as we break down the different offerings and discuss the pros and cons of the technology behind them. 

That plus...

August smart locks now work with HomePod

A slick new way to set up scenes from the team at JoshAI

We ring the hub bell in reverse for Leviton's new integration with Nest

Foxconn purchases Belkin for a load of cash 

A new universal search feature for Google Play

Apple's original content rumored to be launching in the spring of next year

Google Home can now play through other Bluetooth speakers

OneVision unveils a new live-streaming video app

And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech:

• Siri's journey has never been a smooth one.
• Alexa might be getting a little less wordy.
• Nest launches a remote temp sensor.
• Is Spotify inching closer to the smart-speaker game?
• A new and improved Rachio.
• IBM's Watson takes aim at the smart home.
• More proof, if you needed it, that changing your passwords is a good thing.
• And more...

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

• Sneaky Pete - Season 1 | Amazon
• Sneaky Pete - Season 2 | Amazon
• The Polka King | Netflix Official Site
• Bernie | Netflix
• Amazon appears to be testing a new 'Brief Mode' which reduces Alexa's superfluous verbal responses
• Nest launches $39 temperature sensor and is now shipping video doorbell and smart lock
• Spotify tests native voice search, groundwork for smart speakers
• This internet-connected sprinkler system now has faster Wi-Fi
• Look out, Alexa and Google Assistant - Watson Assistant is coming for you
• Off-the-shelf smart home devices are a lot less safe than you think, report says
• Report: Siri team didn't learn about HomePod until 2015, after Amazon Echo debuted
• Pic of the Week: Finally rack-mounted my A/V and home automation devices. • r/homeautomation

On this week's episode of HomeTech:

Siri's journey has never been a smooth one.

Alexa might be getting a little less wordy.

Nest launches a remote temp sensor.

Is Spotify inching closer to the smart-speaker game?

A new and improved Rachio.

IBM's Watson takes aim at the smart home.

More proof, if you needed it, that changing your passwords is a good thing.

And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Alexa acting like a creeper. Samsung's 2018 QLEDs put Bixby and SmartThings in the spotlight. An outdoor range for Philips Hue. A very, very good week for ecobee. The Apple-rumor-mill kicks into gear over a lower-priced HomePod. Some surprising follow-ups on last week's Mesh WiFi show. And much more...

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

• Mystery solved? Amazon explains what cracked up Alexa, and what they’re going to do about it
• Samsung’s 2018 QLED 4K TVs can blend into your wall and control your smart home
• YouTube TV’s price goes up to $40 per month tomorrow
• Philips introduces its first outdoor Hue lights (updated)
• Could Apple already be considering a lower-priced version of the HomePod?
• SmartThings outage takes down Samsung’s home hub
• ecobee Garners $61M in Funding from Amazon, Others
• Alexa-equipped ecobee Switch+ with HomeKit now available for pre-order, ships March 26
• Reddit: Ecobee4 and Alexa Drop-In • r/ecobee
• Lonely eero WiFi Router Needs Home - 1st Generation | eBay
• Pick of the Week

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Alexa acting like a creeper. Samsung's 2018 QLEDs put Bixby and SmartThings in the spotlight. An outdoor range for Philips Hue. A very, very good week for ecobee. The Apple-rumor-mill kicks into gear over a lower-priced HomePod. Some surprising follow-ups on last week's Mesh WiFi show. And much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Jason is in the market for a new WiFi system and he's been doing his research. Join us as we dissect the mesh WiFi landscape, discuss the different features you might consider if you're in the market, and directly compare some of today's top options including Eero, Google WiFI, Netgear's Orbi, Ubiquiti AmpliFi, and many more.

That plus the latest headlines including: LG's premium 2018 OLEDs hit the market at compelling price points. Spotify's IPO is official and they're seeking some serious cash. The voice assistant-powered display market gets another entrant with the Archos Hello. Apple continues to pillage Sony's ranks as part of their fledgling online video efforts. And the battle between Amazon and Google heats up, as always, at the expense of the consumer.

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

• Pic of the Week
• LG’s premium 2018 OLED TVs have lower starting prices than ever
• Spotify IPO now official, claims twice as many paid subscribers as Apple Music, seeking $1 billion
• There’s another Assistant-powered smart display — meet the Archos Hello
• Apple hires another Sony TV exec to boost its streaming efforts
• The battle between Amazon and Google escalates, this time around Nest
• Mesh WiFi Systems
  • eero
  • Netgear Orbi
  • Google WiFi
  • Linksys Velop
  • Asus Lyra
  • Ubiquiti Amplifi
  • Luma
  • Plume
  • EnGenius EnMesh
  • Samsung Connect
  • TP-Link Deco M5
  • Securifi Almond 3
• Resources
  • The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems of 2018
  • Best Mesh Router System: Eero vs. Google Wifi vs. Orbi vs. Velop
  • I tried Google Wifi, Eero, and Orbi — here's which one you should buy
  • The Best Wi-Fi Mesh-Networking Kits for Most People
  • NetSpot: WiFi Site Survey Software for Mac OS X & Windows
  • How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal at Home
  • Affiliate Link: NetSpot PRO (for Mac) - One user. Business-friendly license
  • Affiliate Link: NetSpot Home (for Windows) One user. One PC. Non-commercial use only
  • Affiliate Link: NetSpot Home (for macOS) One User. Non-commercial use only.
  • Affiliate Link: NetSpot Enterprise (macOS) 10 users, business-friendly license

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Jason is in the market for a new WiFi system and he's been doing his research. Join us as we dissect the mesh WiFi landscape, discuss the different features you might consider if you're in the market, and directly compare some of today's top options including Eero, Google WiFI, Netgear's Orbi, Ubiquiti AmpliFi, and many more. 

That plus the latest headlines including: LG's premium 2018 OLEDs hit the market at compelling price points. Spotify's IPO is official and they're seeking some serious cash. The voice assistant-powered display market gets another entrant with the Archos Hello. Apple continues to pillage Sony's ranks as part of their fledgling online video efforts. And the battle between Amazon and Google heats up, as always, at the expense of the consumer. 

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 Gavin Campbell, a member of the HomeTech community and DIY smart home enthusiast, for another installment of the Projects Project. Gavin shares many of the tips and tricks he has used to super charge his SmartThings-based home. Tune in to learn how Gavin has created a highly-sophisticated smart home using inexpensive, DIY products (and a whole lot of elbow grease).

That plus... Google Assistant "Routines" will be available this spring. Can Xiaomi get Microsoft's smart speaker efforts on track? Samsung's long-awaited Bixby may finally arrive later this year. Rumors (emphasis on "rumors") emerge about smart speakers from Facebook. RIP Staples Connect. And Ring hits a massive pay day with its acquisition by Amazon.

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

• The Google Assistant is going global
• Microsoft and Xiaomi are partnering to make AI-powered speakers, smartphones, and more
• Samsung’s Bixby smart speaker is coming in the second half of 2018
• Facebook smart speakers Aloha and Fiona to launch by July, report says
• Staples Connect Is Dead
• Amazon to acquire Ring video doorbell maker, cracking open the door in home security market
• What Amazon's acquisition of Ring means for the smart home market
• Ring: "HomeKit is definitely still in the works."
• Pic of the Week
• Interview Topics
  • HomeBridge
  • ecobee Thermostats
  • SmartThings
  • Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer
  • Xiaomi Sensors
  • Ring Floodlight Cam
  • MyQ Garage Door Controller
  • TuneRelay | AirPlay Audio Relay System
  • Logitech Harmony Hub
  • ActionTiles
  • Webcore for SmartThings
  • Kijiji - Buy, Sell & Save with Canada's #1 Local Classifieds
  • IFTTT
  • Rachio Irrigation Controllers
  • Arduino
  • Home Assistant