Episode 221 - Meet Flo with Gabriel Halimi

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Gabe Halimi, CEO and co-founder of Flo. An intelligent leak detection and water shutoff system, Flo takes water-damage protection to the next level. Tune in to hear how Flo's proactive approach to water monitoring can increase your water-use efficiency and protect your home from one of the most common causes of catastrophic damage. 

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: 

• Apple gets into the Thread Group
• Sonos offers Seth an (unsatisfactory) explanation of their AirPlay 2 stance
• Sci-Fi fans can now get their own voice-enabled HAL-9000 replica
• Who killed the cable bundle?
• And more...

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Apple Is Worth $1,000,000,000,000. Two Decades Ago, It Was Almost Bankrupt.
  • Ron Wayne, the Apple co-founder who cashed out for $800
  • Apple joins ‘The Thread Group,’ opening up the possibility of more advanced HomeKit tech
  • Sonos exec explains why the Play:1 and other older speakers won’t get AirPlay 2 support
  • Get your own HAL-9000 replica with Bluetooth and voice command
  • Who Killed the Great American Cable-TV Bundle?
  • Control4 Hires Charlie Kindel, Amazon Alexa Smart Home Mastermind
  • I’m Betting on Control4
• Pick of the Week: Controller for HomeKit
• Interview: Water Leak Detection System with Automatic Shut Off for the Home | Flo

Episode 220 - Moist-P Technology

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Joel Sellinger, co-founder of LifeDoor, for an installment of our Startup Showcase series. LifeDoor is compact device that automatically closes interior doors in your home in the event of a fire — a measure that could mean the difference between life and death. 

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including:

• Best Buy pulls the plug on Vivint
• Marwan Fawaz is out as CEO at Nest
• Another healthy earnings report from Control4
• Control4's releases their new "Intercom Anywhere" app
• Apple removes smart doorbells category from their roster of HomeKit devices
• Sony releases a new flagship LED and OLED
• Dolby Atmos comes to Apple TV (sort of)
• SnapAV releases their new Moist...errr MoIP video distribution system
• Fibraro gets acquired by Nice Group
• And more...

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

Show Notes

• Best Buy is reconsidering its partnership with Vivint
• Nest CEO steps down as division is brought under the Google Home team
• Control4 Reports Solid Financial Performance for Q1 2018 | Control4 Corporation
• Control4’s new Intercom Anywhere ‘Elevates the Smart Doorbell’
• Apple purges 'Doorbell' category from HomeKit accessories page
• Sony announces stunning A9F and Z9F Master Series TVs
• TCL's 6-Series Roku TV has no business looking this good at such a low price
• Atmos Arrives! tvOS 12 Makes the Apple TV 4K The Best Streaming Device Ever (But The Beta is Buggy) | High-Def Digest
• New SnapAV MoIP is ‘Perfect Video over IP System’ - Beta Tester
• SnapAV - Binary MoIP - Category
• Samsung patches multiple SmartThings Hub security flaws
• Fibaro Home Automation Acquired for $73M by European Controls Co.
• Philips accidentally leaks a new, outdoor version of its Hue LightStrip
• 🍻 HomeTech Happy Hour 2018 Info - Register Now
• The List: CEDIA 2018 Parties, Receptions, Special Events
• 🔥🚪🙂 Startup Showcase with Joel Sellinger - LifeDoor
• Firefighters: closed bedroom door likely saved twin girls' lives in Everett fire
• Pick(s) of the Week
  • 5500K Lobby - La Quinta Inn & Suites Hickory
  • When Digital Signage Goes Wrong - Alex Sexton on Twitter
  • ‘Tunity’ Is a Ridiculously Cool App for Watching Sports Games at Bars or Restaurants

Episode 219 - "Smart Home is a Tough Space"

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We share our thoughts on the recently announced Sonos IPO, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities ahead for the one-time undisputed king of streaming audio in the home. That, plus the latest home tech headlines, including...

• BeON Home closes its doors
• Netflix kills user reviews, begins testing a higher-priced "Ultra" tier, and prepares to spend a whopping $13 billion on original content
• Samsung announces a new range of 8K TVs (no, that's not a typo)
• AirPlay2 is now available on Sonos
• And more...

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

Show Notes

• YouTube TV goes down (again) during World Cup
• Smart Bulb Startup BeON Home Shuts Down
• Netflix will remove user reviews from its website next month
• Netflix tests 'Ultra' tier that could add a higher price option
• Netflix will actually spend as much as $13B on content this year, report says
• Samsung Announces Two New Ranges Of 8K TVs - And Discusses Future 8K TV Tech
• Sonos Speakers Finally Get the Airplay 2 Support We've Been Waiting For
• Sonos App controls no longer appear on your lock screen | Sonos Community
• Sonos' public filing shows the challenge of relying on Alexa
• Sonos Files $100 Million IPO; Plans More Direct-to-Consumer Sales
• Sonos files for $100M IPO as it seeks to stem losses in face of growing competition
• Pic of the Week - Laurent Baumann on Twitter
• Dune - The Pain Box

Episode 218 - Fireworks, Football, and Streaming Price Hikes

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We get together on the holiday week to catch up the latest. Jason has been shamed out of inaction on his slow quest to cut the cord. Seth has a bone to pick with the state of streaming media. A nod to the UK-based football (errr... soccer) fans in the audience. 4th of July festivities. And, oh yeah, what little news we could pull from the summer doldrums...

• A close look at Honeywell's new Smart Home security system
• AT&T's WatchTV is a new ultra-low priced streaming service
• SimpliSafe sells a majority stake to SnapAV's parent company, Hellman & Friedman LLC
• Apple mulling an all-in-one media subscription plan
• Price hikes for DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue and SlingTV
• Netflix now the No.1 choice for TV viewing
• And a look at Samsung's next-gen frame TV's

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

Show Notes

• Honeywell’s versatile, Alexa-savvy security system now available for pre-orders
• AT&T’s ultra-affordable new WatchTV streaming service is now available
• Analysis: SnapAV Owner Acquires Majority Stake of DIY Security Giant SimpliSafe
• Report: Apple mulling all-in-one media subscription plan, combining Apple Music, TV shows and magazines
• DirecTV Now and PS Vue announce price increases for new & existing customers
• Sling TV gets pricier, adds completely free content to lure back quitters
• Netflix Is No. 1 Choice for TV Viewing, Beating Broadcast, Cable and YouTube (Study)
• Samsung’s latest Frame TV features improved HDR and new smart controls
• Create Custom TV Covers With Elegant Motorized Art | VisionArt
• Woman delivers own baby in Turkish hotel using YouTube, shoestrings and a pocket knife
• Pic Of The Week - TJ's new shoes

Episode 217 - Projects Project with Joe Albian

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Joe Albian, a supporter of the show who shares his handy work on the latest installment of the "Projects Project". Joe hired professional help for portions of the home including wiring and landscape audio but has also done a great deal of professional-caliber work on his own. The results are a clean and robust installation with a few custom touches you won't want to miss (including one of the nicest AV head ends we've seen on the show)! 

That plus...

• WiFi's tougher WPA3 encryption is now available
• HDR10+ could provide stiff competition for Dolby Vision
• Strong evidence of a pending Sonos-HomeKit partnership... a HomeTech exclusive :) 
• and more...

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

Show Notes

• WiFi's tougher WPA3 security is ready
• HDR10+ is coming to more TVs, could be serious competition for Dolby Vision
• HomeKit on the Sonos Beam?
• Passler PRTG Network Monitoring
• CasaTunes Multi-Room Music Systems
• Sonance Sonarray Outdoor Speaker System
• Insteon
• ISY99i Series | Universal Devices, Inc.
• Pic of the Week