Episode 434 - Moist Soil Detection

On this week's HomeTech: Abode gets Google Nest (again), Paramount+ gets subscribers, Amazon gets Matter, and a cat gets a new scratching post thanks to Apple. All this and more, plus some big project updates including a new home for one of our co-hosts!

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Show Notes

• Amazon's May the 4th sale includes a 'Mandalorian' Echo Dot | Engadget
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Abode's Google Nest Integrations Are Back
  • Paramount+ tops 60 million subscribers thanks to 'Picard' and the NFL | Engadget
• Who Matters this week?
  • Amazon doubles down on Matter support with its Echo line
  • Amazon and Eve Systems Join Forces to Enhance Smart Homes
• Pick of the Week
  • @victor@tooters.org - If you keep scratching the HomePod....
• Home Assistant 2023.5 Released
• Honeywell 5800 series 345Mhz door and window sensor integration with HA
• Zigbee Soil Temperature and Humidity Sensor | Temperature and Humidity Sensor | Tuya Expo
• Ecowitt WH51 Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor Max 8 Channels Soil Humidity Tester

Episode 433 - Silver Alert

On this week's HomeTech: Zooz has a new sensor made for smoke detectors, Ring announces an indoor camera with a privacy shutter, Alarm.com gets smarter with AI, Netflix loses 1 Million customers in Spain, Wiz and Nest really Matter, and Home Assistant is getting serious about voice control. All of this, a pick of the week, project updates, and more!

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

Show Notes

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• HomeTech Headlines
  • Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range DC Signal Sensor
  • Ring’s new indoor security camera comes with a physical privacy shutter
  • You can now keep track of your cat effortlessly thanks to Tile’s new tracker
  • Alarm.com Acquires AI Video Analytics Firm Vintra - CEPRO
  • Netflix Loses 1 Million Spanish Users Over Password Policing | Time
  • Half of All Homes Will Be Smart in the next Five Years
• Who Matters This Week
  • Wiz Smart Bulbs get Matter
  • The Nest Thermostat is getting Matter support starting today
• Pick of the Week
  • Bell Satellite Dish Gets Clever Makeover as SpaceX Starlink Mount
• Home Assistant - Year of the Voice Chapter 2
• Home Assistant 2023.5 Beta Released
• Frigate NVR

Episode 432 - Sonos as a Service

On this week's show: New products from URC, Aqara, and Sonos, Netflix ends DVD-by-mail service, Apple Homepods can now listen for smoke alarms, how to backup your pictures and files, project updates, and a pick of the week for organizing your things.

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Aqara Presence Sensor FP2, mmWave Radar Wired Motion Sensor, Zone Positioning, Multi-Person & Fall Detection, Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant
  • URC Launches TDC-5100 Premium Handheld Controller - Residential Systems
  • Netflix is sending its DVD-by-mail business to the Blockbuster graveyard - MarketWatch
  • Apple’s HomePod and HomePod Mini can now listen for smoke alarms and send you an alert - The Verge
  • Firefighter Z-Wave Plus Wireless Smoke/CO Audio Sensor - Ecolink
  • Sonos Pro Launches: Business Solution for Sound
  • Sonos Pro: The Premier Sound Solution for Businesses
• Synology Inc.
• Backblaze Online Backup
• Wasabi Cloud Storage
• IDrive Cloud Backup
• Pick of the Week
  • DIY Smart Organizer
• Remotely Connect to the Home
• Seth's "Custom" rack ears

Episode 431 - Snacks & Max

This week on HomeTech: Nexx Disables their garage door systems, Google disables more, Homeseer teams up with Home Assistant, HBO Max is now just "Max," AI can't see camouflage, Gavin catches a thief and gets a budget increase, and TJ updates us on all of his various projects.

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Nexx Disables Online Access to its Smart Garage Locks
  • Are Amazon Sidewalk’s privacy protocols ready for the real world?
  • HBO Max Rebrands to ‘Max’
  • More Google Assistant shutdowns: Third-party smart displays are dead
  • Google will shut down Dropcam and Nest Secure in 2024
  • Killed by Google
  • Homeseer Joins Works with Home Assistant
  • HS-FLS100+ G2 Z-Wave Smart Floodlight Sensor | HomeSeer
• Pick of the Week
  • Reddit - Camo defeats CodeProject
• Kenwood DMX1037S 10.1" High Definition Car Stereo Receiver with Capacitive Touch Panel
• Husky 72 in. 2-Drawers Adjustable Height Work Table in White

Episode 430 - Printer Talk

On this week's show: Gavin has a printer update…. again, NEXX devices have major security issues, Google Assistant may be doomed, Innovelli launches a new radar light switch, a new survey says "AV techs are cool" (or something like that), a question for Gavin and only Gavin, audio issues for Seth, quick projects updates, and a pick of the week!

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Open garage doors anywhere in the world by exploiting this “smart” device
  • Inovelli Working on mmWave Smart Light Switch
    • Forum Post
    • Reddit Thread
  • Google Assistant might be doomed: Division “reorganizes” to focus on Bard | Ars Technica
  • AV Technician Ranked as Most Interesting “No-Degree Job” in US
• Pick of the Week
  • RoomGPT - Dream Room Generator