Episode 412 - Hub or Bridge?

On this week's HomeTech: Hoobs announces a new hub (or bridge). Aqara makes a new pet feeder with voice announcements. Wyze introduces a new 6E router, because "Wyze not?" Amazon is losing $5 billion a year on Alexa and Meta kills off everyones favorite gift for the holiday: the beloved Facebook Portal. All this, a tiny Pick of the Week, and Gavin talks about his big switch to Home Assistant.

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Hoobs Pro
  • Nanoleaf Lines Squared add a fresh angle to the modular smart lights
  • Aqara’s new smart feeder can give your pet control of its bowl
  • Wyze is getting into the mesh router business
  • Matter Casting wants to fix messy video streaming experience
  • Amazon eyes devices group as it undertakes broad cost cutting
  • Meta kills off Portal smart displays after announcing mass layoffs
• Pick of the Week
  • TinyTV 2 is a $49 video player with a 1 inch display and a retro design (crowdfunding) - Liliputing
• VIDEO: State of the Open Home 2022

Episode 411 - Getting Dirty in the Code

This week on HomeTech: Matter is here and already taking on criticism in the media that once thought it would save us all, a double screen pick of the week, and Gavin starts testing his YAML skills with Home Assistant.

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Show Notes

• The best Black Friday deals you can already get at Target
• HomeTech Headlines
  • What’s the Matter with Thread? Amazon says it’s not quite ready for prime time
  • Matter, The Great Universal Smart Home Standard, Is Already Fragmented
  • Aqara releases information about its first Matter compatible devices and upcoming Thread enabled products
  • Lowered Expectations
• Pick of the Week
  • First $800,000 Samsung The Wall Residential microLED Installed
  • Keebmonkey Display Bar
• ClodPi Pre Order

Episode 410 - Looking at Your Package

On this week's HomeTech: Matter officially launches (finally) with over 190 certified devices, Orro shuts down operations, Blusound has a new speaker, AppleTV+ costs more, Level's new lock is easy to unlock, TJ reviews the install of a G4 Doorbell Pro, and a fun pick of the week.

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Show Notes

• Home Assistant 2022.11: A heck of a release!
• Matter Launch
  • Matter 1.0 launches today: 190 certified devices, +20 new members, twice-yearly specification updates, many phased rollouts into 2023
  • Amazon Announces Matter Support for Alexa Devices • iPhone in Canada Blog
  • Philips Hue Is Now Matter Certified
  • Eve Systems Products offer Matter Compatibility
  • Aqara’s Matter transition begins in December with free hub update
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Orro Suspends Manufacturing and Business Operations
  • Bluesound’s new wireless speaker is like a supercharged Sonos One
  • Apple TV Price Increases
  • Level’s new Home Key smart lock can be unlocked by anyone ‘in seconds’ with ‘low-skill attacks'
  • Level responds to iPhone smart lock-picking controversy, says only 4% of break-ins use that method anyway
• Pick of the Week
  • New Ring Windowbell spotted in the wild: combine with a smart window latch to automate your assignations.
• Unifi G4 Doorbell Pro
• Blockbuster (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb

Episode 409 - Taskmasters

This week on HomeTech: Wyze Cam v3 Pro is here, Arlo Safe launches to keep you safe, Alarm.com buys Noonlight, Youtube wants more money, and a pick of the week to block all commercials. All this and more project updates on this week’s show!

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Show Notes

• HomeTech Headlines
  • Wyze’s latest camera adds 2K resolution for $50
  • Arlo is now protecting residents when they leave their residence
  • Alarm.com Acquires Noonlight, A Next Generation Connected Safety Platform
  • YouTube’s latest revenue grab: A 27 percent price increase for family plans
  • Taskmaster
• Pick of the Week
  • Netflix Commercial Curtain

Episode 408 - Something Orange in the Yard

This week on HomeTech: The CEDIA numbers are in! See how everyone did in our friendly wager this year, Samsung really wants you to know they are first, Assa Abloy says hasta luego to Yale in order to keep Kwickset, AppleTV gets a nice spec bump, Home Pro starts taking pre-orders, Roku jumps into the smart home game, and Netflix announces ads and the end of shared passwords. All this, the pick of the week, project updates and more!

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Show Notes

• Official Attendance Numbers 🏆
• HomeTech Headlines
  • Samsung SmartThings is one of the first to be Matter-certified
  • ASSA ABLOY to Sell Yale to Avoid Antitrust Claims
  • Avia Unveils US Deadbolt Lock With Apple HomeKey
  • Apple introduces the powerful next-generation Apple TV 4K
  • Homey Pro Unveiled With Matter, Thread and More…
  • Roku Expands Into Smart Home, With Some Help From Wyze
  • Roku Partners with Wyze, Walmart to Launch Smart Home Products in US • iPhone in Canada Blog
  • Netflix will charge $6.99 a month for new ad-supported tier starting Nov. 3 in U.S.
  • Netflix adds more than 2.4 million subscribers, reveals details about password-sharing crackdown
• Pick of the Week
  • Winners announced of the 2022 CEDIA Awards, EMEA