HomeTech.fm

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined Jack MacDougall, President of Pixelgen, for a deep dive into today's ultra-confusing video landscape. From resolutions and bit rates, to color spaces and dynamic ranges, it's enough to make your head spin. Jack brings to the show a unique combination of deep expertise and an ability to make these concepts relatable. While our conversation covers numerous facets of video technology, a good portion of our chat focuses on dissecting today's competing HDR standards. With Jack providing the key information you should know in this brewing standards war, this is a show you won't want to miss.

That plus... Is a smart speaker from Sonos in the offing? Also, the latest on their Alexa software integration. Is a down market thermostat coming soon from Nest? New products from August rumored as well. Back-to-back CEDIA keynotes from Amazon. Eero meeting home tech pros in the middle. And much more...

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

On this week's super-sized episode of HomeTech: In another installment of the "Projects Project", we welcome Nathaniel Gori to the show to discuss his unique smart home install. Figuring out a technology plan in a 100-year old home presented Nathaniel with more than his share of challenges. But, with good planning, thorough research, a bit of elbow grease, he was able to install a system that fits his needs and leaves room for expansion. Perhaps most importantly, his system also meets the requisite WAF. Tune in to hear all about Nathaniel's project. If you're interested in having your home technology project featured on the show, head on over to home.fm/projects and let us know about it!

That plus... Heading to CEDIA? We discuss some can't miss events — HomeTech's Happy Hour and OneVision's Service Workshops. A botched firmware update bricks a line of smart locks. Did Z-Wave's site just leak info on a new controller from Control4, the CA-1? Ikea poised for smart home domination. Pay TV providers register their largest subscribers losses ever! And much, much more...

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

Show Notes

• Projects Project
• OneVision Workshops at CEDIA
• HomeTech Happy Hour CEDIA 2017
• Ouch! Bad OTA update bricks some smartlocks.
• FAKE OUT! - Ikea still on track to make its smart bulbs compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and HomeKit in the fall - The Verge
• Ikea's Home Smart Line Could Shake Up the Smart Home Industry | WIRED
• Z-Wave Product Catalog
• Cable and satellite companies registered their worst subscriber losses ever — Quartz
• Seeso postmortem: Stop treating OTT like linear TV, analyst says | FierceCable
• Hulu Live adds 12 more CBS stations, up to 115 | FierceCable
• Walmart’s Vudu video streaming service is coming to Apple TV on August 22nd - The Verge
• Smart Home DB - The Smart Home Database

On this week's super-sized episode of HomeTech: In another installment of the "Projects Project", we welcome Nathaniel Gori to the show to discuss his unique smart home install. Figuring out a technology plan in a 100-year old home presented Nathaniel with more than his share of challenges. But, with good planning, thorough research, a bit of elbow grease, he was able to install a system that fits his needs and leaves room for expansion. Perhaps most importantly, his system also meets the requisite WAF. Tune in to hear all about Nathaniel's project. If you're interested in having your home technology project featured on the show, head on over to home.fm/projects and let us know about it!

That plus... Heading to CEDIA? We discuss some can't miss events — HomeTech's Happy Hour and OneVision's Service Workshops. A botched firmware update bricks a line of smart locks. Did Z-Wave's site just leak info on a new controller from Control4, the CA-1? Ikea poised for smart home domination. Pay TV providers register their largest subscribers losses ever! And much, much more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Further hints of 4K / HDR support from Apple. TiVo's Mini 4K looks to ship this Fall. Chamberlain's HomeKit compatible MyQ Home Bridge finally launches... better late than never. Amazon reportedly looking to add multiroom audio to the Echo line. Thoughts on Savant's acquisition of Artison. Comcast unveils new features for their xFi platform. And much more...

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

Show Notes

• Pic of the Week
• Code hints the next Apple TV will support 4K and HDR
• The TiVo Mini 4K Is Happening
• Add MyQ to Your Existing Opener
• Apple has proven me wrong about HomeKit
• Amazon reportedly plans to add multiroom audio to Echo speakers
• Anker made a tiny Alexa speaker that’s like an Echo Dot but cheaper
• Savant Acquires Artison for Whole-House Audio and Home Theater
• Comcast deploys new features for xFi Wi-Fi management app
• Will.i.am and Wink’s First Z-Wave Devices: A Shift in Smart-Home Strategy?

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Further hints of 4K / HDR support from Apple. TiVo's Mini 4K looks to ship this Fall. Chamberlain's HomeKit compatible MyQ Home Bridge finally launches... better late than never. Amazon reportedly looking to add multiroom audio to the Echo line. Thoughts on Savant's acquisition of Artison. Comcast unveils new features for their xFi platform. 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 Rob Green, CEO of the smart home startup Kiriō. This Seattle-based company is coming at the connected home from a very unique angle that you'll want to hear all about. Forgoing the pure DIY approach so common today, Kiriō is targeting the builder market with a product designed to add intelligence to the core systems of the home. With a turnkey approach to installation and programming, and an innovative distribution model, Kiriō just might be providing us with a glimpse of the future when it comes to the professionally-installed connected home.

That plus... Hip Hop stars and smart home hubs. A peek behind the HomePod curtain. Apple accidentally leaks hints of 4K and HDR content coming to iTunes (finally!). Comcast's streaming offering could be here by year's end. Ring launches yet another new product (these guys are on fire!). Blackwire looks to "Make Drivers Great Again". And more...

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

Show Notes

• i.am+ buys Wink, the smart home hub previously owned by Flextronics and Quirky | TechCrunch
• Pic of the Week
• Roomba is no spy: CEO says iRobot will never sell your data
• HomePod firmware reveals new interaction details, Accessibility support, more | 9to5Mac
• Unreleased HomePod UI Sounds - YouTube
• Extracting files from the recent HomePod OTA firmware | citrusui
• Apple Listing Select Movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes Purchase History - Mac Rumors
• iTunes hides clues that Apple is preparing to go 4K - Engadget
• Comcast's live TV streaming service could launch by year’s end
• Plex pushes Live TV broadcasts to Apple TV, Android
• Fire TVs are getting expanded Alexa controls, new smart home features
• Ring announces new external security camera, in wired, battery & solar versions
• BlackWire Presents Control4 Drivers for HomeKit, Freshdesk, Roku, Notifications, More
• Interview: Kirio

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Rob Green, CEO of the smart home startup Kiriō. This Seattle-based company is coming at the connected home from a very unique angle that you'll want to hear all about. Forgoing the pure DIY approach so common today, Kiriō is targeting the builder market with a product designed to add intelligence to the core systems of the home. With a turnkey approach to installation and programming, and an innovative distribution model, Kiriō just might be providing us with a glimpse of the future when it comes to the professionally-installed connected home. 

That plus... Hip Hop stars and smart home hubs. A peek behind the HomePod curtain. Apple accidentally leaks hints of 4K and HDR content coming to iTunes (finally!). Comcast's streaming offering could be here by year's end. Ring launches yet another new product (these guys are on fire!). Blackwire looks to "Make Drivers Great Again". And more...

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

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Our second installment of the "Projects Project", featuring David Millsaps. David recently performed a home renovation which included some substantial technology upgrades. From lighting control, to house audio, to home automation, and more, David clearly did his homework before forging ahead. By making well-researched product decisions, David's goal was to avoid flash-in-the-pan products and technologies. He also managed to balance his technology wants with the aesthetic requirements of a design-driven spouse... no easy feat! Tune in to hear how David has pulled off a highly-functional DIY home technology install on par with many professionally installed systems.

That plus... Asus gets into the Wesh MiFi (err, Mesh WiFi) game. Is Sigma Designs looking to sell Z-Wave? A potential IPO on the horizon for ADT. When it comes to Net Neutrality, Verizon just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Facebook's original TV programming may finally be near. And much more...

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

Show Notes

• Home Depot Releases New Bluetooth Cordless Hose - The Onion - America's Finest News Source
• Mesh Wi-Fi will come for us all: Asus ships Lyra system for $399 - The Verge
• ASUS' take on mesh WiFi is now available
• Sigma Designs, Owner of Z-Wave Home Automation Tech, Ponders Sale or Spinoffs - CE Pro
• ADT Could Go Public for $15B as Early as 2018 - CE Pro
• Did You Notice This One Line in Amazon’s Smart Home Service Message? - CE Pro
• Verizon Throttles Netflix Subscribers In 'Test' It Doesn't Inform Customers About | Techdirt
• Facebook's first wave of original TV shows is almost ready
• Apple adds several new universal Search and TV app content partners | 9to5Mac
• Hulu's live TV service is now available on Amazon Fire TV
• Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player
• Episode 118 - Sonos 101

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Our second installment of the "Projects Project", featuring David Millsaps. David recently performed a home renovation which included some substantial technology upgrades. From lighting control, to house audio, to home automation, and more, David clearly did his homework before forging ahead. By making well-researched product decisions, David's goal was to avoid flash-in-the-pan products and technologies. He also managed to balance his technology wants with the aesthetic requirements of a design-driven spouse... no easy feat! Tune in to hear how David has pulled off a highly-functional DIY home technology install on par with many professionally installed systems. 

That plus... Asus gets into the Wesh MiFi (err, Mesh WiFi) game. Is Sigma Designs looking to sell Z-Wave? A potential IPO on the horizon for ADT. When it comes to Net Neutrality, Verizon just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Facebook's original TV programming may finally be near. And much more...

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

On this week’s episode of HomeTech: BlueTooth mesh is finally a reality, but what will it mean for the smart home? Thoughts on the URC’s substantial new update — Total Control 2.0. OpenHAB now integrates with IKEA TRÅFRI smart lighting, as well as connected lawn mowers (lawnmowers??). Loxone has nifty looking new weather station. New and improved Alexa integrations from Savant and Logitech, respectively. Important details emerge about Lennar’s Amazon-powered smart home strategy. And much more...

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

Show Notes

• Pic of the Week - Hoverbird
• Bluetooth LE adds mesh networking to improve home/building automation, lighting & other IoT devices | 9to5Mac
• Mesh networking comes to Bluetooth, which could set off a new wave of smart buildings – GeekWire
• Exclusive: URC Total Control 2.0 is Complete Overhaul of Flagship Home Automation System - CE Pro
• openHAB 2.1 Release
• Home: On #090 – Home Smart, with Björn Block
• Luxone Weather Station - Measure & forecast accurate weather data
• Logitech just made it easier to manage your Harmony-controlled smart home with Alexa - The Verge
• Savant Introduces Skill For Amazon Alexa | ResidentialSystems.com
• GAFA Follow Up: Lennar’s New Home-Automation Paradigm: Embracing Amazon Smart Home Services
• 'Devil's Ivy' Vulnerability Could Afflict Millions of Internet-Connected Cameras and Card Readers | WIRED