Episode 262 - Solo Flight

On this episode of HomeTech: Jason takes a rare solo flight as Seth enjoys a hard-earned vacation. He dives into the latest home tech headlines including: A look at Crestron’s expanded DM Lite product being shown at InfoComm. CEDIA Expo 2019 extends early bird registration deadline. CEDIA Unveils Home Technology Professional Award Finalists. AT&T's DirecTV reportedly considering a merger with Dish satellite. AT&T's streaming bundle with HBO could start at $16. Amazon offers some good Father’s Day deals on Ring hardware. And more…

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Crestron Shows Expanded DM Lite Product Line at InfoComm - Residential Systems
  • CEDIA Expo 2019 Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended
  • CEDIA Unveils Home Technology Professional Award Finalists - Residential Systems
  • AT&T's DirecTV reportedly considering merger with Dish satellite
  • AT&T's streaming bundle with HBO could start at $16
  • Ring Father's Day Sale Deals
• Mailbag
  • HomePod will support multiple users and music handoffs
• Pick of the Week
  • Amazon’s Home Surveillance Company Is Putting Suspected Petty Thieves in its Advertisements

Episode 261 - WWDC 2019 Wrap-Up

On this episode of HomeTech: WWDC 2019 is in the books and Apple wildly exceeded our (admittedly low) expectations. Tune in as we dissect all of the biggest stories from the event. We discuss HomeKit’s new Secure Video offering, HomeKit-enabled routers, significant updates to the Home App, new HomePod functionality, and much more. You don’t want to miss this one!

That plus the latest home tech headlines including: AT&T set to launch a new IP- based version of the full DirecTV product. SnapAV’s plan to begin distributing Yamaha products, complete with “deep” OvrC integration. Ecobee officially unveils its newest smart thermostat. Ikea’s new physical remote for Symfonisk and Sonos speakers. And more…

PS - if you’re a fan of the show and a home tech pro, check out the new “Reimagining Service” webinar series from OneVision Resources

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Webinars | OneVision Resources
  • AT&T says new DirecTV service will ‘radically reshape’ the concept of television
  • Yamaha, MusicCast Join SnapAV OvrC Ecosystem with ‘Deep Integration’
  • Ecobee unveils its latest Alexa-powered smart thermostat
  • Philips May Add a Smart Plug to its Lineup of Smart Home Gizmos | Digital Trends
  • Ikea Debuts a Physical Remote Control for Symfonisk and Sonos Speakers | Digital Trends
• WWDC 2019
  • Everything Apple Announced at WWDC 2019 in Nine Minutes
  • HomeKit gets secure video and router support - Video
  • iOS 13 Includes Updated Home Interface, Support for AirPlay 2 Devices in Automations
  • HomePod Gaining Handoff Support, AirPods Get Audio Sharing Feature
  • tvOS 13: Everything We Know | MacRumors
  • Time, location triggers make Shortcuts more useful in iOS 13 | Cult of Mac
• Pick of the Week
  • AmpliFi Teleport

Episode 260 - A Chat with abode systems' CEO, Chris Carney

On this episode of HomeTech: We welcome Chris Carney, CEO, and co-founder of abode systems, onto the show. Chris joins us to discuss abode’s robust and highly customer-centric approach to DIY home security. We cover everything from abode’s flexible pricing options and smart home integrations, to the exploding popularity of DIY security and the challenges faced by consumers in today’s evolving connected home market. Don’t miss it!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Control4 lifts the veil on their new OS3 software. New insights from Best Buy on their Total Tech Support program. Hubitat introduces a mobile app. Amazon expands it’s Alexa Announcements capabilities. A new ecobee thermostat rumored to be coming very soon. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Control4 Unveils New Smart Home OS 3 Platform
  • Best Buy Learns ‘Ton of Surprises’ from Total Tech Support Clients
  • Best Buy and the Client Experience - Residential Systems
  • NBC launches its free news streaming service
  • Hubitat Unveils Mobile App for Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Platform
  • Alexa's intercom-like broadcasts come to more non-Echo devices
  • New Ecobee & SmartSensors Detailed
• Interview: abode systems CEO, Chris Carney
• Pick of the Week
  • The Smart Home Show is back! Check your RSS Feeds!

Episode 259 - The Future of Remote Systems Management

On this episode of HomeTech: We explore the current state of remote systems management (RSM). Not long ago, four major players existed in the market—BakPak (Control4), Domotz, Ihiji, and OvrC (SnapAV). Control4, who acquired Ihiji back in 2018, has now merged with SnapAV, potentially bringing a market of four RSM platforms down to two. What will this consolidation mean for the future of remote tech support? What can be done to take this category to the next level? Tune in to get our take.

That plus the latest headlines including: Lutron announces a clever new product to work with Hue lighting. Savant rolls out HomeKit support ahead of LightFair. Samsung reportedly working on a smaller Galaxy Home. The U.S. might blacklist China’s Hikvision (and why this is a big freakin’ deal). Marantz and Denon roll out new receivers with built-in RSM software. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Lutron announces new Aurora dimmer for Hue lights - 9to5Mac
  • Lutron Aurora Could Be The Best Hue Accessory Ever
  • Savant rolls out HomeKit support including circuit breaker control
  • A smaller Samsung Galaxy Home leaks through FCC filings
  • Resideo Acquires Whisker Labs to Bolster Its Smart Home Offerings
  • The US is reportedly considering blacklisting Chinese surveillance tech firm Hikvision
  • Dahua OEM Directory
  • Hikvision OEM Directory
  • Marantz, Denon Each Roll Out Pair of New A/V Receivers
  • Control4, SnapAV CEO Interviews: Analyzing the Home Automation Merger
• Mailbag
  • GRC's | DNS Nameserver Performance Benchmark  
• Pic of the Week
  • "My fibre broadband isn’t as fast as I’d hoped."

Episode 258 - Saying "Alexa" as Many Times as Possible with Guest Co-Host Richard Gunther

On this episode of HomeTech: Guest co-host Richard Guther joins Seth and discusses the weeks news including the Control4/SnapAV merger, Alexa getting a new Guard feature to watch your home, and some interesting news about a few other voice control assistants not named Alexa.

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

Show Notes

• Elon Musk's Starlink Could Bring Back Net Neutrality and Upend the Internet
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Sonos launches Google Assistant on Sonos One and Beam speakers today
  • Samsung spilled SmartThings app source code and secret keys – TechCrunch
  • Samsung’s Galaxy Home missed its April launch date, and the company won’t say why
  • The Reign of ‘Emma’ and ‘Liam’ Continues
  • Alexa Guard Keeps U.S. Homes Safe From Fire, Intruders - Geek.com
  • Blockbuster Merger: SnapAV to Acquire Control4 in $680M Deal
    • Rating the Prospects: After Acquisition of SnapAV, What Major Home-Tech Co. Will H&F Buy Next?
    • Control4 Merger Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLP Announces Investigation Into Whether the Sale of Control4 Corporation is Fair to Shareholders –
• Pick of the Week
  • Meet the One.