HomeTech.fm

On this week's episode of HomeTech: The NEEO remote is finally shipping, and we are joined by Raphael Oberholzer, the company's founder, to discuss the product's long-awaited release! Way back on episode 55, we spoke with Raphael following their wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Since then, the home tech world has been anxiously awaiting the product. Raphael offers his perspectives on the winding road of a smart home startup, discusses the current state of the NEEO ecosystem, and shares a small glimpse of the big plans ahead for the company! Don't miss it!

That plus... A judge pumps the brakes on Ring's new security system. Control4 looks to cut some dead weight as their stock hits record highs. "Whole World WiFi" from Ubiquiti. And much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Josh Christian, Director of Certification at the Home Technology Association. The HTA is a new initiative aimed at helping homeowners, as well as design and building professionals, find a qualified and vetted home technology firm for their project.

Given the lack of any real barriers to entry, many unqualified companies have given the home technology profession more than its share of black eyes. This, at the expense of consumers who have previously lacked an easy way to separate the wheat from the chaff. Josh gives us the rundown on what HTA is doing to solve this problem and raise the bar for consumers and home tech pros alike.

That plus... Honeywell getting in on the DIY security fun. TiVo's introduces a new voice-control enabled lineup as well as a their new "Hydra" UI. And more...

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

Show Notes

• Early Television Museum - Kuba Komet
• TJ's Album
• Watch the Complicated Smart Home of the 1980s in Action
• Honeywell announces a DIY security system with Alexa integration - The Verge
• Honeywell Smart Home Security System | Indiegogo
• New $199 TiVo BOLT VOX Offers Voice-Control Search - CE Pro
• The TiVo Hydra Heads Up | Zatz Not Funny!
• New TiVo Hydra Interface In Action - YouTube
• Interview: Home Technology Association

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Josh Christian, Director of Certification at the Home Technology Association.  The HTA is a new initiative aimed at helping homeowners, as well as design and building professionals, find a qualified and vetted home technology firm for their project.

Given the lack of any real barriers to entry, many unqualified companies have given the home technology profession more than its share of black eyes. This, at the expense of consumers who have previously lacked an easy way to separate the wheat from the chaff.  Josh gives us the rundown on what HTA is doing to solve this problem and raise the bar for consumers and home tech pros alike.  

That plus... Honeywell getting in on the DIY security fun. TiVo's introduces a new voice-control enabled lineup as well as a their new "Hydra" UI. And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: No need to knock, Amazon, just c'mon in. What the August acquisition could mean for the smart lock market. Wink jumps on the DIY home security bandwagon. Microsoft looks to stay in the smart home conversation with a Cortana/Insteon partnership. Don't mess with Lutron's patent attorneys. Smart home adoption is up, but the market is more confusing than ever... or is it?? And much more...

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

Show Notes

Jason's new NEEO Remote

• Pic of the Week: Clever Hack to get garage door sensor
• Amazon Key and Cloud Cam move tech giant into home security, rivaling Google’s Nest and others – GeekWire
• VIDEO: Amazon Key
• Amazon Cloud Cam Indoor Security Camera, works with Alexa
• Amazon Key is a new service that lets couriers unlock your front door - The Verge
• This $20 security camera is aiming for the Nest Cam’s throne | TechCrunch
• Smart lock company August Home purchased by actual lock company Yale
• ASSA Abloy Acquires August To Revolutionize Smart Locking
• Wink Throws Hat in Ring For DIY Home Security System Supremacy - Security Sales & Integration
• Amazon Echo (Gen 2) Review: Looks Better, Sounds Worse
• Insteon is working with Microsoft Cortana to make your home even smarter
• Google releases new family-friendly features for its digital assistant as it battles Amazon’s Alexa – GeekWire
• Amazon introduces Echo Buttons for at-home trivia games using Alexa | TechCrunch
• Lutron Sues Legrand, QMotion over Multiple Lighting and Shade-Control Patents - CE Pro
• Smart Home Device Ownership Up in the U.S.
• Great News for Pros: Home Automation is More Confusing than Ever - CE Pro

On this week's episode of HomeTech: No need to knock, Amazon, just c'mon in. What the August acquisition could mean for the smart lock market. Wink jumps on the DIY home security bandwagon. Microsoft looks to stay in the smart home conversation with a Cortana/Insteon partnership. Don't mess with Lutron's patent attorneys. Smart home adoption is up, but the market is more confusing than ever... or is it?? And much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: KRACK... no, you shouldn't panic. Details on Amazon's "Custom Home Services" program, why they can't be trusted, and why that doesn't matter. Thoughts on Movies Anywhere, a killer new app for cord cutters. Netflix reaching new highs. And much more...

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

Show Notes

• Here’s a workaround for the #WPA2 WiFi exploit.
• Hide your kids, hide your Wi-Fi! Vulnerability found in WPA2 encryption
• Severe WiFi security flaw puts millions of devices at risk
• Why the Krack Wi-Fi Mess Will Take Decades to Clean Up | WIRED
• Severe flaw in WPA2 protocol leaves Wi-Fi traffic open to eavesdropping | Ars Technica
• Amazon Details ‘Custom Home Services’ Program Featuring CEDIA Smart Home Pros - CE Pro
• CEDIA Dealers Shouldn’t Trust Amazon as Smart-Home Partner, Says Industry Veteran - CE Pro
• Amazon’s Decision on ZigBee vs. Z-Wave Makes No Sense - CE Pro
• ‘Movies Anywhere’ will combine movie libraries across iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and VUDU from multiple studios | 9to5Mac
• How to use Movies Anywhere to stream your digital movie library - The Verge
• Tip: Convert physical Blu-ray and DVD discs to iTunes with Vudu and Movies Anywhere
• Netflix adds another 5.3M subscribers as stock price reaches all-time high after Q3 earnings – GeekWire
• Amazon Prime Video could hit Apple TV 4K very soon, according to rumor
• A Surprising Lesson Integrators Can Take Away from the Netflix Price Hike | ResidentialSystems.com

On this week's episode of HomeTech: KRACK... no, you shouldn't panic. Details on Amazon's "Custom Home Services" program, why they can't be trusted, and why that doesn't matter. Thoughts on Movies Anywhere, a killer new app for cord cutters. Netflix reaching new highs. And much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Seth and Jason dissect the biggest news in the smart home including - Google Home Mini gives new definition to "always listening". Why Google is the one to beat in smart home AI. Alexa gets an important multi-voice recognition upgrade. The secret weapon that will keep Sonos in the game. Kwikset says to hell with physical keys. The Channels app is one to watch for cord cutters. And much more.

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

Show Notes

• Google Donut Shop
• Google’s Home Mini needed a software patch to stop some of them from recording everything - The Verge
• October 4th - Google Event - YouTube
• Google Home Max, Nest Home Automation, Machine Learning: Can Anyone Beat Google? - CE Pro
• Amazon’s Alexa can now recognize different voices and give personalized responses - The Verge
• Sonos’s Secret Weapon In The Smart Speaker Wars: Becoming A Platform | Fast Company
• Kwikset goes digital with the Obsidian electronic lock
• Channels DVR — Your Whole Home DVR

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Seth and Jason dissect the biggest news in the smart home including - Google Home Mini gives new definition to "always listening". Why Google is the one to beat in smart home AI. Alexa gets an important multi-voice recognition upgrade. The secret weapon that will keep Sonos in the game. Kwikset says to hell with physical keys. The Channels app is one to watch for cord cutters. And much more. 

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Seth and Jason recap one of the busiest home technology weeks in recent memory. New hardware and integrations from Sonos. New Google Home hardware. An ADT and SmartThings collaboration. Ring disrupts monitored security. Amazon and Google drop their 4K movies pricing. Exciting HomeKit(ty) developments. And more...

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

Show Notes

• Sonos One with Alexa and Google Assistant, Plus ‘More Open’ API - CE Pro
• iPort xPress Wifi Keypad for Sonos -Sonos will add AirPlay 2 support for direct control in 2018
• The Pixel 2 XL, Home Mini, translating Pixel Buds and more: All Google just announced - CNET
• Key Home Automation Takeaways from Amazon Echo Plus & New Alexa Services - CE Pro
• Ring launches its own DIY home security system
• Get Whole-Home Security With the Ring Protect Security Kit | Ring
• Best of DIY and Pro: UL-Listed Security Hub with SmartThings Inside, Monitored by ADT, Built on 2GIG - CE Pro
• Amazon slashes prices on 4K content in response to Apple TV 4K’s launch - The Verge
• Google Play matches Apple’s $20 price for select 4K titles
• Comcast launches $18 streaming TV service, but only for its own broadband customers - The Verge
• Ikea’s smart lights are as stylish and breakable as its furniture - The Verge
• Ikea now offering HomeKit-compatible color smartbulbs as well as white ones | 9to5Mac
• Philips adds HomeKit support for Hue accessories - The Verge
• HomeKitty - Browse HomeKit Accessories
• Home Kitty - Nothing to do with HomeKit