Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at the issues smart home technology poses in domestic abuse situations.
Smarthome
Elgato Renames to Eve, Focusing on Just Smarthome
Elgato is getting out of the gaming accessory business to focus on HomeKit smarthome technology and is changing its name to Eve Systems.
Ring Alarm Home Security System Available for Pre-order
The Ring Alarm DIY home security system is available for pre-order now and ships at the beginning of July.
This $2 App Brings Amazon Alexa to Your Apple Watch...Sort Of
An Apple Watch app called Voice in a Can is seeking to satisfy the desires of those who love Apple hardware but rely on Amazon Alexa for its home automation capabilities. As a standalone app, Voice in a Can runs entirely on the Apple Watch without needing to pair with the iPhone. With just a Wi-Fi or LTE connection you ask Alexa to control your home lights, unlock the door, or set your thermostat. However, since Apple prevents third party apps from replacing Siri, you can’t use Voice in a Can to have Alexa make calls or control the audio playback on your watch. It’s by no means a perfect solution, but it’s the best Alexa users have thus far until Amazon and Apple work out an official solution. Grab it now on the App Store for $1.99.
Sync Your Hue Smart Lights with Videos, Music, and Games with the Philips Hue Sync App for the Mac
Signify released its Philips Hue Sync app for Mac and Windows on Thursday, giving Philips Hue smart light users a new way to control their lighting experience. The app uses Hue bulbs to add lighting and color effects in real time to music, videos, and games playing on your computer. It also works with televisions if you use AirPlay or connect via HDMI, which is great if your computer and TV aren’t in the same room. The Philips Hue Sync app is free and available for download at the Philips Hue website.
Elgato Releases HomeKit Summer Products With Eve Aqua, Eve Flare
The first, called Eve Aqua, is a smart water controller. The second, called Eve Flare, is a portable LED lamp.
Philips Hue Smart Light App Gets New Interface, More
Philips Hue smart light users got a nice surprise Tuesday morning with a big update to the Hue controller app for the iPhone. Hue 3.0 sports a new interface that’s easier to use, controls for individual lights instead of just groups, an improved color picker, new scenes, the ability to use the art in a room to create light scenes, and more. The Hue 3.0 app is a free download at Apple’s App Store.
The Charm of the Chime – Mac Geek Gab 709
You have questions, Dave and John have answers. Today’s topics include malfunctioning AirPods, setting Apple Pay addresses, restoring a Recovery Partition, email and iMessage encryption, and much, much more. Download, press play, enjoy, and learn!
This Amazon Doorbell Let a Man Spy on His Ex-Boyfriend [Update]
Ring—which Amazon acquired in February—makes a smart doorbell that has a camera connected to Wi-Fi.
The Voice Assistant War: Alexa and Google Assistant Versus Siri
We’re still in the early stages of voice assistant technology so we can’t declare a winner yet, regardless of which you prefer. Based on what we’re seeing, however, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are putting Apple’s Siri in a serious catch up position.
Proprietary Mac Processors, HomeKit's Big Fail - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-03
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on the possibility of Apple designing its own Mac processors, plus Jeff explains how HomeKit failed for him.
Here’s How I Finally Accepted HomeKit is a Raging S*#t Storm
HomeKit has some great features, but some of its problems are big enough to push me back to Amazon’s Alexa for my smart home control.
Migrating Your Data, Home Automation, and macOS 10.13.4 – Mac Geek Gab 703
Apple released macOS 10.13.4 this week and, well, it changes some things. No worries, your two favorite geeks talk through it all. Then it’s on to managing duplicate contacts and properly migrating your data. There are other questions, too, as well as a few other Quick Tips and some Cool Stuff(s) Found. Press play and enjoy!
Jumping into Home Automation with Smart Lights - TMO Daily Observations 2018-03-29
Dave Hamilton and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to talk about getting started with smart lights now that Dave has some Philips Hue bulbs. They also share some smart home automation tips.
TMO Background Mode Encore Interview with Tidbits Managing Editor Josh Centers
Josh Centers is the Managing Editor of Tidbits.com and has published several Take Control Books. His latest book is “Take Control of Apple Home Automation.” And so, I invited him to make a return appearance on Background Mode to chat about that very subject. The book is a complete guide and starts from the very beginning of the design and wiring process and the use of various hubs. Josh clearly explained how to use Apple’s HomeKit home automation platform to control smart devices in the home, such as lights, outlets, thermostats, and more. And he’s very frank about various myths surrounding home automation. We also chatted about beginner security concerns as well as the ability to maintain control and terminate any service if necessary. If you have an interest in home automation, this show is must listening.
Philips Hue Outdoor Smart Lights Coming in July
Philips is taking its Hue smart lights outside with its new HomeKit compatible luminary, spot, and pillar post products.
Everything You Need to Know about HomePod as a HomeKit Hub
Your HomePod is also a HomeKit hub, so what does that mean, especially if you already have an Apple TV. Read on to learn what that means for your smart home setup.
CES - Xfinity Bringing Smart Home Automation to the Masses
LAS VEGAS – Xfinity wants to be at the center of your smart home and is using its xFi platform to that—along with voice control—simple for home automation newbies.
Apple's Chinese iCloud Occupation, HomeKit Miss, Apple Parenting, Oak Island - Pop.0 ep.28
In this TMO video podcast, Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit look at Apple’s Chinese iCloud occupation and what it says about Apple. They also think Apple is just plain missing the smarthome boat, judging by what we’re seeing at CES. John goes off on a tangent rant about parenting and Apple, and for the pop portion of the show, they talk about recent developments in The Curse of Oak Island. (WARNING NSFW: PROFANITY & RANTS)
CES - Elgato Releases Second Generation Eve Room Indoor Sensor
The Eve Room is US$99.95 and will be available in March at Elgato, Amazon, and Apple.
CES 2018 Xfinity's Smart Home Strategy, Cool Product Finds - TMO Daily Observations 2018-01-11
Dave Hamilton joins Jeff Gamet at CES 2018 in Las Vegas to discuss Xfinity’s plan to make smart home tech more accessible to the average person, plus they share more cool products they’ve found.
CES - Wemo Bridge Makes All Your Wemo Gear HomeKit Compatible
LAS VEGAS – Wemo introduced their HomeKit compatible Wemo Bridge at CES, and showed it off to Jeff Gamet. It lets you add all your Wemo devices to a HomeKit network without replacing any gear. Check out our video interview.
CES - Brinks ARRAY Smart Deadbolt Can Protect Your Home
The deadbolt was named Best Indoor Living Product by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 2017.
CES - Kuri is the Cutest Smart Home Robot Around
LAS VEGAS – Kuri is an amazingly sophisticated and cute smart home robot that’s ready to roll into your house. Mayfield Robotics shows off their cool personal robot to Jeff Gamet at CES 2018.