Episode 307 - Mastering the Business of Home Technology with Randy Stearns from D-Tools

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Randy Stearns, CEO of D-Tools. Randy joins us to share the latest from D-Tools, an industry-leading software provider in the systems integration space. We also dive into his perspectives on what it takes to succeed in the business of home tech. Randy shares lessons on leadership, driving profitability, building a high-performance culture, and more. Finally, we explore some of Randy’s key takeaways from serving as the CEO of Via Home, discussing the valuable lessons we can all learn from the disappointing fate of that venture. A long-time industry veteran, Randy brings a strong combination of business savvy and actionable insights to the conversation. Don’t miss it!

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including—Cox slows upload speeds in entire neighbors due to “excessive usage.” Hulu scraps support for older Roku devices. Lutron release Triathlon and Serena Smart Wood Blinds. And more…

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Episode 306 - CEDIA No-Go

On this episode of HomeTech: We discuss that sad but expected news that CEDIA 2020 has officially been canceled. What does it mean for the industry? For future events? And how might Emerald (and event companies in general) find new ways to use technology to provide an engaging virtual experience?

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: CEDIA launches new academy and revamped website. The role of solutions like Crestron’s HomeTime Smart Home Conferencing solution in today’s market. Josh.ai launches a new integration with Comcast Xfinity. HBO Max trips out of the gate, but don’t count them out. And more…

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Episode 305 - The New OvrC with Kenny Kim

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by SnapAV’s vice president of connected products, Kenny Kim, for a deep dive into “the new OvrC.” Two years in the making, this release represents a major leap forward for the company’s remote monitoring and management platform. We discuss various improvements to the platform’s architecture and overall performance, enhancements to the mobile experience, increased integrations into various product lines, and the company’s migration plans for users of BakPak and Ihiji. Kenny also shares some of the unique backstories behind the new OvrC, including the people and processes which made it all possible. Finally, we explore some of the ways the team at SnapAV continues to evolve their product management and development practices in order to better serve their dealers.

That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Samsung releases a new outdoor TV. Thoughts on Savant’s acquisition of GE Lighting. Crestron and Lutron playing nice. And more…

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Episode 304 - Yonomi's Kent Dickson

On this episode of HomeTech: We’re joined by Kent Dickson, co-founder and CEO of Yonomi. Established in 2013, the company eschewed the approach of building a hub. Instead, they focused on building what amounts to a robust and highly-flexible middleware layer for the connected home. Their cloud-based platform empowers developers and end-users alike to create a better home technology experience.

Our conversation with Kent covers the unique backstory that brought him from Aerospace to his current role at Yonomi, why we shouldn’t use the word “smart” to describe homes (and what we should call them instead), the challenges of tackling such a rapidly evolving market, what the future of the connected home looks like, the importance of building great teams, and more. Don’t miss it!

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Episode 303 - Day 2

On this episode of HomeTech: Jason’s new Product gig. Learning from failures. Why projects are such a pain in the a** to finish. The difference between “day 0”, “day 1”, and “day 2”, and why you need to think of all three.

Plus the latest home tech headlines including: Wink’s death throes? Emerald Expositions, COVID, and the future of trade shows. Folks in quarantine stream lots of music. Google’s whole-home Nest Aware now available. A more powerful Apple TV on the way? And more…

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