Episode 212 - Updates to Our Privacy Policy

On this week's episode of HomeTech:

• In light of their pending IPO, Sonos decides to bury the hatchet with HEOS,,, and lay off 96 employees

• Insurance companies are hot under the collar for the smart home

• Comcast gets in the mesh WiFi game

• Someone is kickstarting smart Tupperware (as if you needed it)

• A nifty new app to scan for BlueTooth signal strength

• Amazon is quietly taking over the subscription video sales business

• Best Buy's new "Total Tech Support" offering might be perfect for your parents.

• And much more...

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Show Notes

• Sonos, Sound United Settle Lawsuits on Denon HEOS
• Apple HomePod competitor Sonos lays off 96 employees ahead of expected IPO
• Insurance Meets Smart Home at Connections 2018: IoT Sensors, Data, Warranties, More
• Comcast moves forward with national rollout of mesh Wi-Fi system
• Plume WiFi Systems
• Novel Effect raises $3M from Amazon and VCs for voice-enabled children’s storytelling app
• This smart Tupperware connects to Alexa and warns you when food is about to go bad
• New Amazon Channels Data Shows Why Apple Wants to Copy It
• Best Buy offers unlimited Geek Squad support for $200 a year
• Total Tech Support Powered by Geek Squad - Best Buy
• Flipper Universal Remote

Episode 211 - Revoked Tokens

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Settling the all-important "Laurel vs Yanni" debate. Plus...

• More hints emerge about Apple's video subscription plans

• A new standard to make mesh WiFi systems play nice with each other. Will it work?

• Yelp is for smart homes, not just for restaurants

• Several major updates from DirecTV Now

• Rumors that Microsoft will build their own Cortana smart speaker

• Xiaomi unveils Google Assistant support

• Your ex might be watching your Ring doorbell feed

• Amazon rolls out "experience centers" in Lennar model homes

• TiVo exits the hardware business

• Puls wants to hang your next TV for dirt cheap

• And more...

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

Show Notes

• What do you guys hear? - Reddit
• Yanny or Laurel? The science behind the audio version of The Dress
• Apple Plans to Sell Video Subscriptions Through TV App
• A new Wi-Fi standard could let different mesh routers work together
• Blanket your house in Wi-Fi for $100
• Tenda Nova MW6(2-pack) Whole Home Mesh WiFi System Coverage up to 4,000 sq. ft, 2-4 bedrooms, Plug and Play, Works with Alexa,Parental Controls,2 Gigabit Ports/Unit
• Smart home automation is now one of Yelp’s fastest-growing categories
• DirecTV Now Rolls Out Massive Update - Including Free DVR Support
• Microsoft working on own Cortana smart speaker, to rival Amazon, Google and Apple
• Xiaomi announces Google Assistant support for smart home devices ahead of US launch
• Ring is promising to do better, and urges folks not to share login details
• Amazon Introduces Smart-Home ‘Experience Centers’
• Onkyo’s receivers will work with Sonos, thanks to upcoming June firmware update
• TiVo Exiting the Box-Making Business
• France’s Canal+ now offering Apple TV as a cable box replacement
• Puls is Building a Repair Technician Workforce, Uber-Style

Episode 210 - Google IO 2018

On this week's episode of HomeTech: Join us as we dissect Google IO 2018. In a very strong showing for the company, this year's conference featured numerous announcements that home tech enthusiasts everywhere should be excited about. 

That, plus...

• Netgear releases a nice addition to their Orbi lineup

• Ring's new neighborhood safety app

• Proof from Hisense that feature-rich 4K TVs are now a commodity

• More intriguing clues about Sonos' new soundbar

• Alexa and Cortana join forces

• Facebook sets its sights on an overseas smart speaker launch

• Control4 makes a big bet on local showrooms

• Beer kegs get smart

• And more...

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

Show Notes

• Netgear put a cable modem in latest Orbi wifi router
• Ring launches the Neighbors app to keep your community safer
• Hisense’s latest 4K UHD Roku TV models are big on features, small on price
• Awesome picture for the price, and Roku TV seals the deal
• Sonos plans home theater event for June 6th
• JBL's next soundbar doubles as an Android TV box
• Alexa and Cortana finally team up in limited beta
• Facebook’s smart speakers will launch overseas before they hit the U.S.
• Control your SimpliSafe home security system with Amazon Alexa voice commands
• 140 Control4 ‘Certified’ Smart-Home Showrooms Spring up Overnight
• Control4 Q1 Revenues Up 18%; More Acquisitions to Come
• Beer kegs latest to join the smart device party with the Kegtron
• The 10 biggest announcements from Google I/O 2018
• All the new features coming to Google Assistant, including manners
• Google Assistant grows hookup list to over 5K smart home devices, appliances
• Pic of the Week

Episode 209 - The Amazon and Sonos Show

On this week's episode of HomeTech: After a rare week off, we catch up on a busy couple of weeks in smart home news. Dominated mostly by Amazon and Sonos, this week's stories include:

• Apple kills off the Airport line

• Sonos files for an IPO valuing the company at $3 billion

• Sonos' newer speakers will support AirPlay2 (and Seth is still pissed)

• The latest on Sonos rumored new soundbar

• Amazon noses into the security installation business

• Alexa gets a memory

• Alexa will now teach your kids some manners

• A huge talent departure for Alexa's smart home efforts

• Honeywell revamps their security offerings

• And much more...

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

Show Notes

• Apple officially discontinues AirPort router line, no plans for future hardware
• Apple outlines key features to look for when upgrading from AirPort devices
• Sonos files for an IPO that may value the company at $3 billion
• Sonos confirms only newer speakers will support AirPlay 2
• Sonos Getting Ready to Introduce New Smart Home Theater Speaker With HDMI
• Alexa will soon have a memory
• Amazon to release new Alexa options for families and kids, including ‘magic word’ feature that gives positive reinforcement for saying ‘please’
• You may soon be able to control your home with a smart wall
• The Skinnier $15 OTT Bundle Has Arrived
• Friday was my last day at Amazon
• Honeywell 2019: Next-Gen Security & Home Automation is One Platform for Wired, Wireless, DIY, Pro
• Amazon is now selling home security services, including installations and no monthly fees
• Amazon Debuts Smart Home Services, Security Package Tiers
• That HUGE Story on Secretive ‘Amazon Home Security Services’
• Pic of the Week
• NodeSchool
• Computer Science Field Guide

Episode 208 - Keeping Home Automation in the Home with Hubitat

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Patrick Stuart of Hubitat for our first-ever installment of the "Startup Showcase". With a unique focus on removing cloud-dependence, and the inherent privacy and reliability issues that come with it, Hubitat is bringing a refreshingly "local" approach to making your home smarter. Smart home enthusiasts won't want to miss this one...

That, plus the latest home technology headlines including:

• Comcast and Netflix offer a new bundle deal

• Hulu's steep (limited time) discount on its HBO add-on

• ESPN+ released for cord-cutting sports fans

• Lutron acquires Ketra

• Google brings DIY to AI

• Netflix Q1 report shows the company is red hot

• Budget TV streaming app Philo making a name for itself

• Amazon and Best Buy playing nicely

• What supply chain reports say about HomePod sales

• And more...

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

Show Notes

• CEDIA Expo | Home Tech Trade Show & Conference in San Diego
• 2018 Hurricane Season Expected to Be More Active Than Usual, CSU Forecasters Say
• Comcast will soon offer packages with Netflix bundled in
• Hulu discounts its HBO add-on to $5 per month
• ESPN+ is the sports-streaming cord-cutters have been waiting for
• Lutron to Acquire Natural Light Maker Ketra
• Google launches updated DIY kits for AI voice & vision w/ edu focus, available at Target
• Netflix subscriber count hits 125 million
• Budget TV service Philo now streams on Amazon and Apple devices
• Amazon and Best Buy, better together? Smart TV deal is online giant's latest move into physical retail
• China Times Echoes Poor HomePod Sales and Rumors About Possible Lower-Priced Version
• Chinese Report Says $150-$200 HomePod and $799-$899 MacBook Air to Launch This Year KGI: Apple could sell just 2 million HomePods across all of 2018, company ‘mulls’ low-cost model
• Apple’s Stumbling HomePod Isn’t the Hot Seller It Wanted
• Interview: Local Home Automation with Hubitat
• Pic of the Week
• Ring $40 off coupon code: DS40OFF