Episode 222 - Swimming with iPhones

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Jason shares his (successful) covert mission to get himself a new iPhone X. Plus, the latest home tech headlines including:

• SmartThings and Plume partner up for a new mesh WiFi/smart home solution
• Samsung announces their new Bixby-powered Galaxy Home smart speaker
• Fibraro launches an aggressive new North American installer training program
• Marantz rolls out new AirPlay2 receivers
• A new smart device to ensure you never run out of coffee
• Crestron hacks
• Smart home security tips
• And much more...

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Show Notes

• HomeKit Weekly: Four ways to control cooling with fans and air conditioners
• HomeTech Headlines
  • New Samsung SmartThings Wifi Melds Home Automation Hub with Plume Mesh Wi-Fi
  • Samsung announces Galaxy Home speaker with Bixby smart assistant
  • Five things we still don’t know about Samsung’s Galaxy Home smart speaker
  • Fibaro Launches North American Installer Training Initiative
  • Marantz begins rolling out AirPlay 2 support to compatible audio accessories
  • Amazon Dash-powered WePlenish smart pantry device orders snacks, coffee, more
• Security in AV
  • The Art of Hacking AV Systems - rAVe [Publications]
  • DEF CON® Hacking Conference
  • How to better secure your smart home
• Picks of the Week
  • Mystery button on remote at AirBNB in Wales - Tiernan Douieb on Twitter
  • This cruel Bud Light smart fridge unlocks only when the Cleveland Browns win
  • Away Mode by Hippo

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...

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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...

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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