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578 episodes

Episode 318 · September 11, 2020 · 00:50:03

Making Dumb Alarms Smart with Konnected's Nate Clark

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Nate Clark, Founder of Konnected.io. We discuss Konnected’s novel solution designed to bring antiquated home security systems into the connected home. Nate shares the product’s rapid journey from DIY project to open source offering to business. Our conversation also covers the importance of open source and Nate’s perspectives on the current landscape for smart home “prosumers”. That plus the latest home tech headlines including: A new Ring integration from Lutron. What (not) to expect at Apple’s September 15th event. YouTube TV adds NFL Network to its core offering. A new push into the renter market from Amazon. New indoor and outdoor cameras from Blink. And more…

Episode 317 · September 4, 2020 · 00:59:27

Designing from the Outside-In with Lutron's Melissa Andresko

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Lutron’s Chief Corporate Brand Ambassador, Melissa Andresko. Melissa—a 22-year industry veteran who has spent her entire career with Lutron—shares her unique perspective on the evolution of the company and the connected home at large. We discuss Lutron’s new Serena Smart Wood blinds, the importance of form and function in product design, how removing even small points of friction creates delighted users, why we need more women involved in the tech industry, and much more. That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Apple plans augmented reality content to bolster Apple TV+. Spotify considers live virtual concerts, Samsung debuts its first ultra short throw projector. Best Buy shatters Q2 Sales expectations. New Lifx Clean bulb can sanitize surfaces. And more…

Episode 316 · August 21, 2020 · 00:38:09

CueCat

On this episode of HomeTech: Netflix takes aim at the paradox of choice with its new “Shuffle Play” button. FCC filing suggests Ring may have a new hub on the way. OneVision webinar to help home tech pros navigate change successfully. Jason finds a slick new productivity tool. The Smart Home museum receives a generous donation. And more…

Episode 315 · August 14, 2020 · 00:33:50

Make it a Blockbuster All-Nighter

On this episode of HomeTech: Xiaomi makes disappearing OLEDs. The last Blockbuster on earth is offering AirBnB sleepovers. New data shows the smart home is nowhere near “mainstream”. Google Play Music is shutting down. Jason tempts fate. And more…

Episode 314 · August 7, 2020 · 00:43:35

Moose Pi

On this episode of HomeTech: Nortek ends an era with their plans to shut down Niles. The CTA finally gives up its plans for an in-person CES 2021. Google makes a $450 million investment in ADT, who will now install Nest products as part of their smart home offering. Brilliant announces a new platform designed multi-family properties. Universal and AMC theaters strike a deal to bring theatrical releases to the home more quickly. And much more…

Episode 313 · July 24, 2020 · 01:16:39

Taking the Contrarian Position with Brilliant's Aaron Emigh

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Aaron Emigh, CEO and Founder of Brilliant. The conversation starts with an exploration of Aaron’s unique upbringing—growing up off the grid—and how it helped shape his perspective on the connected home. We then dive into Brilliant, discussing the company’s decision to eschew a phone-first approach and instead focus on integrating their technology into the infrastructure of the home. We then ask Aaron—an entrepreneur with multiple successful exits and a holder of over 100 patents—to share some practical tips on innovation and building successful companies (hint: if everyone thinks your idea is great, it probably isn’t). That plus the latest home tech headlines including: Signs that the construction industry may be poised for a strong recovery. Zoom unveils a new all-in-one home videoconferencing solution. Flo by Moen and Yonomi form an interesting partnership to help insurance companies better leverage smart home technology. NBC’s Peacock hides a cake recipe in their terms and conditions. BadPower attack targeting fast chargers could set your device on fire. And more…

Episode 312 · July 17, 2020 · 00:39:13

Goodbye, Amazon Wand

On this episode of HomeTech: CEDIA revives in-person training at its Fishers, IN headquarters. Google unveils its new Nest smart speaker aimed at taking on the Sonos One. Logitech is sunsetting support for the Harmony Express. New app from Caavo enables remote Netflix watch parties. And more…

Episode 311 · July 10, 2020 · 00:47:30

Nerding Out

On this episode of HomeTech: YouTube TV’s latest price hike; Sling TV’s retort; should you just stick with cable? And what does this all mean for the future of streaming? Reviewing the privacy (or lack thereof) of various DIY security cameras. Nerding out on note-taking apps. And more…

Episode 310 · July 3, 2020 · 01:11:21

"Process Therapy" with Portal's Kirk Chisholm

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Kirk Chisolm, CEO and Founder of Portal. Our conversation starts with an exploration of Kirk’s industry background—a veritable case study entrepreneurial persistence, innovation, and flexibility. We then shift to discussing Portal’s “Ultimate Dealer Study”. In this comprehensive survey, Kirk and his team have set out to uncover and analyze the 16 steps required to run a successful home technology business. Kirk shares why they undertook this ambitious effort and how they aim to inspire and empower integrators to run better businesses by sharing the results back with the industry. Finally, we dive into some of the specific processes, tools, and best practices their research has unveiled. That, plus the latest home tech headlines, including: CEDIA releases a save-the-date for their three-day virtual event. A $100 billion “universal fiber” plan is being discussed in the House. Microsoft to close all of its physical stores. Sonos lays off 12% of its workforce. And more...

Episode 309 · June 26, 2020 · 00:31:10

WWDC20 Roundup

On this episode of HomeTech: Jason takes the week off but Seth is around to discuss what Home technologies Apple will be releasing in iOS14.

Episode 308 · June 19, 2020 · 00:54:37

HBO Stew

On this episode of HomeTech: WWDC over-unders. CEDIA plans to resume regional Tech Summits this Fall. Google countersues Sonos. HBO makes a mess. Thoughts on SPLICE, a new project from the National Science Foundation designed to boost IoT security. A productivity Pic of the Week from Jason. And more…

Episode 307 · June 12, 2020 · 01:01:23

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…

Episode 306 · June 6, 2020 · 00:40:34

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…

Episode 305 · May 29, 2020 · 00:54:04

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…

Episode 304 · May 22, 2020 · 00:54:04

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!

Episode 303 · May 15, 2020 · 00:58:45

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…

Episode 302 · May 8, 2020 · 01:14:00

Home Assistant's Paulus Schoutsen

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant, to discuss the company’s journey from a small, personal experiment to one of the most robust DIY home automation platforms on the market. Supported by a strong open source community, Home Assistant has more than enough horsepower for the dedicated enthusiast who really wants to roll up their sleeves. But the product has also evolved to become increasingly approachable for the less tech-savvy among us. Paulus shares the trials, tribulations, and successes that Home Assistant has seen as it has grown and evolved into its current form. That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: Crestron announces plans to return to CEDIA this year (assuming, of course, there is a CEDIA this year). Luxul prepares to release its new ProWatch remote management tool. Josh.ai raises $11 million. Google’s rumored new streaming device. Sonos debuts three new products. And more…

Episode 301 · May 1, 2020 · 00:58:18

Looking Around Corners with Allegion's Rob Martens

On this episode of HomeTech: We are joined by Rob Martens, Senior Vice President, Chief Innovation & Design Officer at Allegion, PLC. You may not be familiar with the name Allegion, but its footprint is massive, spanning 30+ brands (including Schlage locks) in 130 countries with 11,000 employees. Rob serves as a futurist for the company and is also heavily involved in Allegion Ventures, which invests in various tech companies surrounding the internet of things. Our conversation covers the state of IoT (hint: it’s not all roses), how companies can and must do better by consumers, why you shouldn’t call it a “smart home”, and much more. Don’t miss it! That, plus the latest home tech headlines including: CEDIA puts together a task force to ensure attendee safety at this year’s show, but will it be enough? The government funds an additional $370 billion in COVID relief funds. Best Buy to open 200 locations using by appointment only. And more…

Episode 300 · April 24, 2020 · 01:10:44

The HomeTech Bunch

On this very special 300th episode of HomeTech: We celebrate our big milestone with a live group recording featuring some great friends of the show! Join us as we dive into the latest home tech headlines together. Also, be sure to hang out for the lighting round where we have some fun with a few (not so) serious home tech questions. Thank you for being a part of our journey to 300 episodes! We are so appreciative of your support!

Episode 299 · April 17, 2020 · 00:54:02

Wandering Eyes

On this episode of HomeTech: A homewrecker threatens Jason’s long marriage to Trello. (Un)wise ways to spend your stimulus check. The week-3 doldrums. And the latest home tech headlines, including: HBO does an about-face on their ill-timed move to stop supporting older Apple TVs. COVID studies using Oura smart rings highlight the potential of wearable tech. IKEA smart blinds now available online. Ecobee unveils a new camera and home security service called Haven. And more…