Episode 214 - WWDC 2018 Roundup

On this week's episode of HomeTech friend of the show Adam Justice joins us to review Apple's WWDC keynote and chat about what, if any, exciting HomeKit news came out of the conference. 

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

Show Notes

• The Beam is Sonos’ ambitious attempt to win the living room
• Sonos announces AirPlay 2 support, Siri control coming in July
• The Connected Home Show
• Connect Sense
• Watch the Apple WWDC Special Event
• Apple TV to get IP Control via Crestron, Control4, Savant Remotes
• Crestron TSR-310 Remote

Episode 213 - Josh Micro and the State of AI with Josh.ai's Alex Capecelatro

On this week's episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Alex Capecelatro, CEO and co-founder of Josh.ai, to discuss the latest at both his company and in the world of AI as a whole. Alex introduces us to Josh Micro, their newest product. Way more than a microphone, this powerful little device packs processing, sensors, capacitive touch control, and more into a compact form factor. Even better, Josh Micro brings the company's uniquely powerful voice control and home automation platform to new, more affordable price points. Alex also shares his unique perspective on the latest happenings in the fast-moving world of voice control and AI. 

That, plus...

• The FBI wants you to reboot your router

• Netgear wants you to change your password

• iOS 11.4 finally brings AirPlay2 into the wild

• WyzeCam puts out a $30 PTZ camera

• D-Link's new cameras offer PTZ and 3rd-party integration

• Google Home outpaces Amazon Echo for the first time in 2018 Q1

• Pandora's launches a new Premium Family Plan

• Verizon scraps their oft-delayed streaming video service plans

• A HomeKit accessory to make your garden hose smart

• And more...

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

Show Notes

• F.B.I.’s Urgent Request: Reboot Your Router to Stop Russia-Linked Malware
• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Foreign Cyber Actors Target Home and Office Routers and Networked Devices Worldwide
• FBI tells router users to reboot now to kill malware infecting 500k devices
• Netgear asks Arlo customers to change passwords in light of security threat
• Netgear Community - Important Security Update
• Z-Shave. Exploiting Z-Wave downgrade attacks | Pen Test Partners
• Apple AirPlay 2: Everything you need to know about Apple's new streaming tech - Pocket-lint
• Wyze Cam Pan is Joining the WyzeCam Family
• D-Link’s new smart home security cams match affordability with Alexa and Assistant
• Google Home overtakes Amazon Echo in smart speaker sales for the first time, study says
• Pandora matches Spotify and Apple Music with new $15-a-month family plan
• Verizon seemingly cancels its oft-delayed streaming TV service
• Elgato made a HomeKit-connected smart hose controller
• HomeTech Podcast - Episode 10 - Canary
• HomeTech Podcast - Episode 131 - Beyond Voice Control - Advanced AI for the Home w/ Alex Capecelatro of JoshAI
• Alexa privacy fail highlights risks of smart speakers
• Google, Comcast, Josh.ai, and more at the 2018 Connections Conference by Parks Associates
• Don’t Freak Out About That Amazon Alexa Eavesdropping Situation
• Josh Micro Unboxing Video
• Josh AI Install Video
• Creating smart home scenes with voice commands
• Pic of the Week
• Vintage Mobile Cinema
• Projects Project

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...

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

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