Episode 438 - Saving is not Fun

This week on HomeTech: Google gets hit with a $32m reason to stop infringing on Sonos patents, URC launches an all-new, familiar looking for some reason lighting control system, a new app brings intercom to Sonos speakers, no more fun celebrity voices on Alexa, and Level starts eyeing the apartment market with a new doorbell intercom. All this, a pick of the week, a massive amount of project updates, and more!

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

Show Notes

• WWDC23
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Google fined $32.5 million for infringing on Sonos patent | Engadget
  • Jury Sides with Sonos, Orders Google to Pay $32.5m for Infringement
  • URC Launches All-In-One Smart Lighting Products - Residential Systems
  • Inovelli supplying URC?
  • Soro app brings HomePod-like intercom to Sonos speakers - 9to5Mac
  • Amazon is discontinuing Alexa’s celebrity voices, even if you paid for them
  • Smart door lock maker Level is bringing a new video doorbell to apartment dwellers
  • Who Matters This Week?
    • ZemiSmart - New Zigbee/Thread/Matter Hub Surfaces on CSA Website
• Pick of the Week
  • Car in 4K
• Home Assistant 2023.6 Beta Released
• New Hubitat Update
• Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor & Water Leak Detector

Episode 437 - Disrupting the Printer Space

This week on HomeTech: An update on Telly's ad TV, Comcast launches a cable-lite streaming package, Netflix lied, Max rebrand kills remotes, Android has viruses, Matter matters, a pick of the week, and the crew plots to disrupt the printer market with ads!

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • The tech behind Telly's free dual-screen TV
  • Comcast reveals Now TV, a cable-lite streaming package for $20 a month
  • Netflix Launches Paid Sharing in U.S., Will Start Blocking Users With Unauthorized Passwords
  • Max rebrand killed the 'HBO Max' button on some Android TV remotes
  • Potentially millions of Android TVs and phones come with malware preinstalled
  • Aqara Reveal New Strip, Ceiling Light, Curtain Motor and Switches [U] – Homekit News and Reviews
• Who Matters?
  • The first update to the Matter smart home standard doesn’t bring any new device-types
  • Govee launches M1 LED light strip with Matter out of the box
  • Meet the first Matter Smart Lock | Yale Home
• Pick of the Week
  • "Thread" Lighting Control
• Smart Home Tour 2023 || 7 Space Saving Ideas
• Watch Silo | Apple TV+

Episode 436 - It's Never Going to be Good

On this week's show: TP-Link is boasting some crazy speeds with Wi-Fi 7, Amazon 'pops' out a new product, a new free* TV for people who want more ads, Wemo says they will or won't fix a security flaw on a discontinued product, Ring's former CEO has the Midas touch, and a massive rant on Matter. All this and a pick of the week!

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

Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • TP-Link’s first Wi-Fi 7 routers, Deco BE85 and Archer BE800, are here - The Verge
  • Amazon pops out a new Echo smart speaker
  • This free TV comes with two screens
  • Researchers find security flaw in Wemo Smart Plug, Belkin says it won’t release a patch
  • Ring Founder Siminoff to Become CEO of Latch
  • Does It Matter? on Twitter: ".@LGUS has quietly launched #Matter support in the LG ThinQ iOS app! The functionality to add devices is there, but it seems to require an LG TV to act as a Matter controller… #smarthome #homeautomation https://t.co/kzaoGz0A3m" / Twitter
  • I’m Done Waiting for Matter’s Smart Home Standard to Matter
• Pick of the Week
  • DIY haptic input knob: BLDC motor + round LCD

Episode 435 - Chattin' with Chad

On this week's show we use ChatGPT to review the podcast with mixed results, Amazon is upgrading Alexa with some ChatGPT magic, Yo-Link gets some impressive updates but not to their website, Google wants to Matter and releases a nice docking tablet, Gavin dives back into the world of soil sensors, a question about Reolink cameras, and a pick of the week.

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

Show Notes

• 15 Best Home Automation Podcasts You Must Follow in 2023
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Amazon reportedly plans to reboot Alexa with ChatGPT-like features
  • Yo-Link Updates
  • Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow | Wi-Fi Alliance
• Who Matters
  • Google’s redesigned Home app was a long time coming
• Mailbag
  • Reolink: Global Innovator in Smart Home Security and Camera Solutions
  • Reolink Duo Floodlight PoE | 4K 180° Dual Lens Floodlight Camera
  • Reolink Video Doorbell PoE | Smart Wired Doorbell with Chime
• Pick of the Week
  • Please?
• SenseCAP Wireless Soil Moisture and Temperature Sensor - LoRaWAN AU915MHz
• SL710US LoRaWAN Water Pressure Sensor

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!

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

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