Home Gadget Geeks

Full show notes, audio, and video at: https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg681What happens when AI leaves the demo stage and starts showing up in real work, real home labs, and the gear that keeps a household connected? This week, Mike Wieger returns to Home Gadget Geeks for a practical conversation that moves from AI in a regulated M&A workplace to OpenClaw at home, new symmetrical fiber, mountain e-bikes, and the growing MeshCore/Meshtastic community around Omaha and Lincoln.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg669Marv Bee returns this week for a practical conversation about unified home networking and modern tech habits. The discussion provides a closer look at Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem and why it’s becoming more approachable for home users, along with strategies for simplifying complex networks, utilizing VLANs to enhance security, and managing the constant pressure to upgrade. Along the way, the episode also explores smart home automation, Amazon shopping behaviors, and Marv’s ongoing gadget detox—offering a thoughtful balance between embracing new technology and keeping it under control. Thanks for listening!Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #669 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribeJoin us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg667 Christian Johnson joins me this week to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the show while exploring today’s evolving tech landscape. They discuss AI hardware trends, rising consumer component costs, and NVIDIA’s latest enterprise advancements, along with a hands-on look at programmable outdoor LED lighting. We also look into cryptocurrency, comparing Ethereum and Bitcoin, before wrapping up with immersive tech and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #667 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribeJoin us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theaverageguy.tv/hgg665Every year on Black Friday, Home Gadget Geeks pauses the tech talk just long enough to look at where life and technology intersect, and this year’s episode with Sammie Collison might be the most grounded one yet. From returning to college as a full-time library para to managing finances, mental bandwidth, and school in the age of cloud tools and tactile hobbies, Sammie gives us a real-world look at what it takes to navigate modern adulthood with limited time and limited money — and still find room for creativity, connection, and growth. Technology is in the mix, but seldom the hero. Instead, it’s a year defined by discernment, turning constraints into clarity, and using the right tools — digital and analog — to build a meaningful 2026. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #665 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg663I am joined this week by Erin Lawrence and Mike Wieger to explore tech innovations that enhance daily living. They review the Mydea One Touch Autofill Refrigerator, the Ecovacs WinBot W2 window-cleaning robot, and dive into golf simulator technology. The episode wraps with Black Friday deals, hard drive upgrades, battery backup solutions, and camping tech innovations—all with humor and practical insights for the average gadget enthusiast. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #663 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg661Gavin Campbell joins this week and we covered winter weather, his strong early results with the Segway Navimow robot mower, the improved sound and smart-home functionality of the Echo Dot Max, and his Unraid 7.2 upgrade that boosted responsiveness. We discussed how we are using local AI for automation, troubleshooting, and coding, along with bigger questions around AI’s economics and infrastructure. We closed with notes on CES planning, upcoming guests, and a quick update on Sammy’s library-science studies, plus an invitation to keep the conversation going in our Discord.Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #661 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg659In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I spent some time diving into a few recent tech updates and sharing a bit of what’s been going on with me. I started with a look at the Lutron PD-150UTB-BL smart outdoor plug — it’s built like a tank and performs great outdoors, but at $85, it’s hard to call it a good value. From there, I talked about Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, which I recently picked up. The upgraded noise cancellation is noticeably better, and the new translation features are surprisingly effective for multilingual conversations. Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #659 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg657On this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Brian Friedlander to talk about how AI is changing the landscape of assistive technology. We covered everything from tools like AOA, Brisk, and Magic School AI that support students in the classroom, to innovations in note-taking, E Ink devices, and even brain-computer interfaces. It was a fascinating conversation about where accessibility meets technology, and how sometimes the simplest solutions end up being the most powerful. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #657 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 7pmC/8E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live