HomeTech.fm

On this week's show: Apple Home gets Thread 1.4, 4K video, and energy tracking, Amazon gives the Echo Hub a makeover with smarter Ring features, and Google teaches Nest cams to recognize your pets. We also check out Eufy’s biometric locks, UniFi’s campus-level security gear, WiiM’s first soundbar, a Donut Lab battery scandal that’s gone flat, and Music Assistant’s sonic smarts. All that, project updates, and so much more!HomeTech HeadlinesApple Home goes pro: Thread 1.4, 4K video, and native energy management in iOS 27 | Matter Alpha - matteralpha.comCameras get an Apple Intelligence boost in Apple Home | The Verge - theverge.comApple’s Home app will soon show you how much energy your smart plug is drawing. | The Verge - theverge.comShark is bringing some style to robot vacuums. | The Verge - The VergeAmazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features | The Verge - theverge.comNest cams can now recognize your furry friends. | The Verge - theverge.comEufy launches new smart locks with facial recognition and palm scanning. | The Verge - theverge.comUniFi Protect is Now Campus Security Ready - blog.ui.comWiiM expands its whole-home ecosystem with a new soundbar | The Verge - theverge.comMusic Assistant 2.9: Discover Your Sound - Music Assistant - music-assistant.ioFeatherSnap Smart Bird Feeder Camera | Wi-Fi, Solar, & Bird ID

On this week’s show: Gavin as a Service officially launches on YouTube, Sonos drops a new multi-zone Amp while Sony seems ready to drop the whole TV business. Amazon Sidewalk quietly infects Canada. ESPHome gets Control4 support, SwitchBot launches an AI hub with Home Assistant inside, and Zooz Z-Wave joins Apollo’s party. Seth tests drives a new AI assistant, TJ is all in again with Sonos (not really), a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!Image credit: arkangel.wordpress.comShow NotesHomeTech HeadlinesSonos Introduces Amp Multi Streaming Amplifier for Large Residential Audio Systems - CEPROIndustry is Abuzz - What's Happening With Sony TVs & Audio? What is China's TCL's Involvement? - Strata-gee.comAmazon Sidewalk Arrives in Canada Feb. 26: How to Opt Out of the Shared Network | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and dealsEcowitt WS90 - 7-in-1 weather station - Shelly Europe - Shelly EuropeApollo Automation Now Carries ZOOZ Z-Wave Smart Home Devices: Expandin - Apollo AutomationESPHome - Driver for Control4 - chowmain.softwareWemo App Support Ending for Select Products in 2026 - manage.kmail-lists.comSwitchBot Launches its AI-Centric Matter Home Hub - Homekit News and ReviewsPick of the Week: 100 years since the 'birth' of television took place in Soho | ITV News - ITV NewsKuba Komet TV - Early TelevisionHome Assistant shifts Matter integration to Matter.js in beta - Matter AlphaLike, Subscribe, Ring the Bell, Save Automation, Do Your Thing: Gavin as a Service (YouTube)Affliate Link for Droplet: Droplet - The Smart Home PlatformOpenClaw — Personal AI Assistant

On this week's show: CES 2026 gave us everything from refrigerators with ads and humanoid laundry bots to pool cleaners smarter than your thermostat. Amazon and Samsung double down on AI (for better or worse), IKEA floods the market with affordable Matter gear, and Ring keeps dancing with Sidewalk and privacy. Kwikset locks in a new Matter smart lock under $200, SwitchBot wants to do your chores, and Roborock dares to climb stairs. Plus, Home Assistant gets a powerful new Music Assistant, Bose open-sources old gear instead of bricking it, a pick of the week, project updates, and so much more!Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!Show NotesThe HandyWorst in Show' CES products include AI refrigerators, AI companions and AI doorbells - AP NewsHomeTech HeadlinesCES 2026Samsung Reveals Wireless 'Music Studio' Speakers and Soundbars for Home Theaters - CEPROBose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them - The VergeAmazon Introduces Ember Artline Lifestyle TV, Expands Ring Security Portfolio at CES 2026 - CEPROAlexa+ is Coming to Samsung TVs, BMW Cars, and More - Thurrott.comKwikset’s new Matter-over-Thread smart lock costs under $200 - The VergeRing Unloads a Flood of New Security Tech at CES: What’s Coming to Canada | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and dealsRing’s Fire Watch turns doorbell cameras into wildfire detectors - The VergeRing’s new smart home sensors use Sidewalk instead of Wi-Fi or Z-Wave - The VergeA Broad New Lineup of Affordable Matter-over-Thread Devices from IKEA Unlocks Easier Whole-Home Automation for SmartThings Users - SmartThings Blog - SmartThings BlogLifx launches a smart mirror and a $30 dimmer switch that can control smart bulbs - The VergeGE’s new smart fridge wants to help you shop for groceries - The VergeRainPoint Unveils First All-in-One Irrigation System at CES, Revolutionizing Home Gardening with Smart Home Tech - All For Gardening - All For GardeningSegway unveils new Navimow robotic lawn mower lineup at CES 2026 - The AmbientRoborock’s Rover walks, jumps, and vacuums your stairs - The VergeMammotion unveils its most ambitious pool cleaner yet - The AmbientBeatbot’s new mid-range pool robot is all about value - The AmbientSwitchBot says its humanoid household robot can do your laundry - The VergeAiper showcases autonomous robot pool cleaners and more at CES 2026 - The AmbientEcovacs adds a mop cover to its flagship robot vacuum - The VergeLG says its CLOiD home robot will be folding laundry and making breakfast at CES - The VergeECOVACS Wants to Run Your Whole Home, and Yes, There’s a Robot Dog | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and dealsTP-Link announces Aireal, its AI assistant - The VergeIt’s all about AI robotics for Switchbot at CES 2026 - The AmbientGoogle TV Is Getting Smarter and It’s Powered by Gemini | iPhone in Canada - iPhone in Canada | Canada’s source for Apple, telecom, tech news, and dealsLEGO introduces 'Smart Brick' that has tiny computer inside - MobileSyrupGemns™ | Energy Harvesting Technology - Gemns™DONUT LAB INTRODUCES THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIFICATION AT CES PRESENTING WORLD’S FIRST ALL-SOLID-STATE BATTERY READY TO POWER UP PRODUCTION VEHICLES NOW - Donut Lab - Donut LabPick of the Weekfiio.comMusic Assistant 2.7 - Taking over the airwaves - Blog - Home Assistant Community - Home Assistant CommunityOpen Home Foundation (@openhomefoundation@fosstodon.org) - Fosstodon2026.1: Home is where the dashboard is 🥂 - Home AssistantChanges to Home Assistant Green pricing - Nabu CasaUniFi Protect + Home Assistant — Integration Update (now Platinum quality)

On this week's show: iRobot vacuums up a bankruptcy filing and is scooped up by Picea, Apollo launches a new four-button mini-keyboard, Shelly drops a new all-in-one smart plug, WiiM continues its crusade against Sonos with a compact speaker, Homey launches a self-hosted option, and Emerald (parent company of CEDIA Expo) might be for sale. All this news, letters from the mailbag, CES Pre-Game discussions, and so much more!Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron!Show NotesApollo Automation Donates $4,200 to CASA of Lexington and Open Home Fo - Apollo AutomationHomeTech HeadlinesiRobot files for bankruptcy - The VergeWho is Picea Robotics, Roomba’s new owner? - The VergeBTN-1 Macro Deck - Apollo AutomationWiiM Just Expanded Its Wireless Speaker Lineup with the Leaner Sound Lite - CEPROHomey Self-Hosted Server – Run Homey on your hardware - homey.appShelly Plug US Gen4 – Smart Plug for Home Automation (1800W) - Shelly USA - Shelly USAApparently for Sale, Emerald Board is Reviewing Multiple Offers to be Acquired - Strata-gee.com