Episode 250 - Martin Plaehn of Control4

On this very special 250th episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Control4’s CEO, Martin Plaehn. As the CEO of one of the largest companies in the professional channel and the only “pure play” publicly traded smart home company, Martin brings a very unique perspective to the show. We discuss Martin’s take on the evolving smart home landscape, Control4’s recent hiring of Charlie Kindel and acquisition of NEEO, the company’s ongoing expansion into new markets and categories, their steadfast commitment to the professional channel, and more. You don’t want to miss this one!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: SnapAV acquires northeast distributor, MRI. LG partners with JoshAI. IKEA delays shipment of their new smart blinds. Apple’s long-awaited streaming service is almost upon us. And more…

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • SnapAV Acquires Northeast Low-Voltage Distributor MRI
  • IKEA delays its smart blinds until later this year
  • IKEA / SONOS Teaser Video
  • LG Partners with Josh.ai to Enhance TV Voice Control
  • Will These Apple TV and Movie Projects Finally Be Revealed March 25? | Digital Trends
• Mailbag
  • pfSense® - World's Most Trusted Open Source Firewall
• Pic of the Week
  • Comic: You bought speakers...

Episode 249 - All the World's a Coffee Table

On this episode of HomeTech: Guest co-host Cody Crossland joins the show to chat about Apple Music becoming more ubiquitous, how crime does in fact pay, how your TVs really can’t wait to spy on you, heading to the theater from the comfort of your own bathroom, and much more…

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Apple Music is on Amazon Fire TV
  • Man arrested for selling Netflix and Spotify accounts
  • Vizio wants next-generation smart TVs to target ads to households
  • Get ready for targeted ads on your smart TV
  • Magic Leap goes to the theater
• Pic of the Week
  • Millson WireFrame - The BMW of Structured Wiring - Strata-gee.com

Episode 248 - Social Robots

On this episode of HomeTech: Amazon pulls the plug on Dash Buttons. Thoughts on Apple’s quietly-acquired patents from failed smart home startup, Lighthouse AI. Lutron’s fan switch with HomeKit now shipping. Cable providers are getting pummeled, but do they really care? What can we glean from the early success of Best Buy’s Total Tech Support memberships? Do social robots go to heaven? And much more…

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Amazon stops selling Dash buttons, goofy forerunners of the connected home
  • A Security Flaw Leaves Ring Doorbells and Cameras Vulnerable to Spying | Digital Trends
  • Lutron Smart Fan Speed Control now shipping from $59, HomeKit support at launch
  • Apple acquires computer vision-related patents from failed startup Lighthouse AI - SiliconANGLE
  • Lutron Smart Fan Speed Control now shipping from $59, HomeKit support at launch
  • Sonos One going on sale for $179 to make way for new Gen 2 version
  • The future of cable may be no TV at all, as one small company from Arizona shows
  • Hulu, YouTube Snare 3 Million Customers for Live TV
  • Cord cutting almost doubled in 2018, Leichtman Research says
  • Best Buy Hits 1M Subscribers for $199 Total Tech Support Program
• Pic of the Week
  • VIDEO: Jibo Shutdown Message - Dylan Martin on Twitter

Episode 247 - Token Apple TV Speculation

On this episode of HomeTech: the latest home tech headlines including: A look at SnapAV’s new partnership with Clare Controls and Alula. The Home Technology Association ends their first year on a high note. Sony releases pricing on its new premium TVs. Charter to release a new $15/month channel package. Cord cutting hits another record high. Speculation on how Apple is aiming to disrupt television. And more…

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Show Notes

• All the Incoming Foldable Phones of 2019
• HomeTech Headlines
  • SnapAV Dives into Security and Z-Wave, Teams with Clare and Alula
  • HTA Marks 1st Year Anniversary with 135 Members
  • Sony Releases Pricing & Availability For Select Premium 2019 4K HDR TVs -
  • It looks like Apple Music is coming to Google Home
  • Charter to sell $15/month TV channel package with no broadcast networks or sports
  • Cord Cutting Hits Another Record With More Bad News For Cable Providers
  • Apple's Plan for TV Domination: Every Video, Every Source, Every Screen | Digital Trends
  • United Airlines To Provide Free In-Flight Entertainment For Apple Users | Cult of Mac
• Pick of the Week
  • LaMetric

Episode 246 - Exploring WiSA with Tony Ostrom

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Tony Ostrom, President of the WiSA Association. Tony shares everything you need to know about this exciting standard for high-definition, ultra-low latency, multichannel, wireless audio. Designed specifically for high-performance theater and media room applications, WiSA may be the answer you’ve been looking for to simplify your next surround sound setup.

That plus the latest home tech headlines including: A new Savant integration from JoshAI. Samsung’s Galaxy Home speaker may arrive by April (Bixby sighting!) Samsung existing the Blu-ray business? Leviton brings app control to your circuit breakers. Google and Amazon getting greedy with the data. Nest’s undisclosed microphone gaffe. And more…

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • JOSH.AI ANNOUNCES ADVANCE VOICE INTEGRATION WITH SAVANT®
  • Samsung CEO says the Galaxy Home speaker will arrive by April
  • Leviton’s new smart Load Center brings app control to your circuit breakers
  • HomePod Estimated to Have Just 4% Market Share Worldwide Despite 45% Sales Growth Last Quarter
  • Samsung Will No Longer Release New Blu-ray Players In the U.S. | Digital Trends
  • Your Smart Light Can Tell Amazon and Google When You Go to Bed - Bloomberg
  • Users alarmed by undisclosed microphone in Nest Security System
• Interview - WiSA with Tony Ostrom
  • http://www.wisaassociation.org/
• Pick of the Week
  • Smart Toilet Seat Could Monitor Your Health Through Your Butt-Cheeks | Digital Trends