Erin Lawrence from https://www.techgadgetscanada.com. is my guest this week. In this episode, we explore a range of innovative products, from the NextBase 4K iQ Dash Camera’s impressive features to Erin’s candid experiences with the Bird Buddy smart Bird Feeder, offering a cautionary tale about high-priced disappointments. But fear not, as we uncover a worthy contender in Birdfy. Additionally, we discuss the L’OR Barista pod coffee machine and the Moen Smart Sprinkler Controller and Wireless...

Jeff Sieh from http://socialmedianewslive.com/ and http://jeffsieh.com/ joins me this week as we get to know Jeff for the first time and spend some time talking about the new Apple Vision Pro. There’s lots of conversation, a hands-on review, and lots of commentary. Thanks for listening. Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg602 Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #602 of Home...

Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm joins me this week and after a short catch-up, we ask the question, in home automation, does Matter really Matter? The standard has picked up a lot of support in the last few years, but is it ready for primetime? Gavin has installed a new garage door opener control and lives to tell the tale. We chat about Logitech Harmoney remotes, and clothes dryer automation and wrap the show with some fun conversation that you will not want to miss. My face still hurts from...

Long-time listener Tony Raynor joins me this week as we talk about his new DGI Pocket 3 and he even uses it as a webcam for the show. We also discuss his love for photography and why he submits so many pictures to Google Maps. We also discuss his trip to Vegas and the U2 concert in the new Sphere. It’s always great to have Tony and thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at...

Marv Bee from the IT Business Podcast is my guest this week. Marv and I discuss the question, “Are we getting too gadgetry in our lives?”  We also look at Marv’s new StreamDeck, discuss his recent purchase of the Logitech Mevo 3 Camera System and talk about why he is returning his Hero Pro 11. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg599 Join Jim Collison /...

Bob and Ryan from ThinkComputers.org join me as my guests. They are both off a successful CES 2024 and live to tell! Lots on monitors, memory and a new wearable from ASUS! Great to catch up with them and I am sure you will enjoy the show. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg598 Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #597 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by...

Christian Johnson is back this week and catch up with him and his quest to complete his pilot’s license. We also get an update on his thoughts on LastPass and Bitwarden and wrap the show with some updates on AI. Bonus: Christian was recently in the news, but not for what you think. Check it all out and thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg597 Join Jim Collison /...

In the latest Home Gadget Geeks episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Titania Jordan the CPO (Chief Parent Officer) from Bark.us —a leading digital safety company. Titania delved into Bark’s cutting-edge solutions, discussing AI-driven content monitoring and advanced threat detection. This episode unveils the synergy of technology and security, offering a glimpse into digital safety’s future. Tune in for a tech-savvy discussion that matters! Thanks for...

This week I am joined by TJ Huddleston from HomeTech.fm. We kick off the conversation by delving into the intricacies of TJ’s background, gaining valuable insights into the technological landscape that has shaped his journey. We look at the dynamic realm of Maker Spaces, exploring the symbiotic relationship between innovation and community through entities like Friends of the Library. Stepping into the realm of home automation, TJ shares his technical prowess in optimizing household tasks,...

A very special Home Gadget Geeks episode! Celebrating 13 years with Mike Wieger. Mike shares his home lab insights. Using a self-hosted git repo for documentation, he’s into Proxmox clusters alongside Unraid. He explores the merits of multiple servers, tried a Ceph storage cluster for high availability, and is diving into ZFS. Stay tuned at the end for a brief update on my recent surgery. Join us for a tech-packed episode with Mike Wieger, marking 13 years of Home Gadget Geeks! Thanks for...

Jay Franze is my guest this week. Jay continues to use ChatGPT and finds it helpful for drafting documents from bullet points. We talk about some limitations of ChatGPT and how prompt engineering could help improve it. The discussion then shifted to failed gadgets of 2023. I regret buying an Oculus VR headset that I rarely use. Jay discussed gadgets like a baby monitor that emails photos when motion is detected. Other topics included car remote start apps disconnecting, solar generators, and...

In this week’s podcast, I had the Sammie Collison. We delved into the exciting developments surrounding her new role at the library, providing listeners with an update on various aspects. From the progress on the new building to the intriguing addition of a new fish tank, we covered it all. Moreover, Sammie shared insights into fresh meeting spaces and offered some compelling recommendations for seasonal reads. See the show notes for a curated list of Sammie’s recommendations. Additionally,...

This week we have Erin Lawrence from https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/. I’ve got the inside scoop on her Temu experiment—providing a comprehensive update and addressing the burning question: Is Temu a scam? Join me as we explore the innovative Google Chromebook PLUS, a Chromebook in a league of its own with AI assistance, and the Google Pixel Watch 2, an irresistible timepiece that Erin will not give back. We’ll also dive into the festive world of Govee Curtain Lights and Floor Lamps—adding...

Ed Sullivan is my guest this week and he shared insights into his advanced mobile podcast setup, centered around the 2021 16” MacBook Pro M1 Max 32 GB as the processing hub. The audio setup features the Mackie ProFX12v3 mixer, Mackie HM-800 headphone amplifier, and Dbx 266xs compressor/gate for precise control. Visuals are captured through the PTZOptics Camera and Insta360 Link, ensuring high-quality video content. Power considerations are met with Jackery and FlashFish portable solutions,...

In this episode I am solo. I have a few personal updates for you. We look at some health gadgets that we have turned into dinner time family games. I ask a question to you about a new type of format for the show and we talk about a few things you might consider as we approach the end of the year. All that and more this week on Home Gadget Geeks. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at...

Gavin Campbell joins me this week as we talk about how Home Assistant introduces a local voice assistant with wake words. Gavin is enthusiastic about mmWave sensors, Aqara FP2, which can detect people, even when stationary. Zigbee vs. Z-Wave gets a mention as Gavin upgrades to the Zooz ZST39 Z-Wave 800 controller. 3D printing is a recent interest, used for creating smart shutter controllers. Gavin’s year-long experiment with smart lawn watering is summarized, along with enhancements to his...

Dave McCabe joins me this week. We’ll be discussing his recent woodworking projects, including items he’s crafted for his office. Dave has also recently acquired a 3D printer, and you’ll be intrigued by the unique uses he’s found for it. Towards the end of the show, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and explore the history of the Home Server Show. It’s a fascinating look at our podcast’s roots. Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request),...

Bob and Ryan from ThinkComputers.org are joining me, and we’re going to discuss the economic outlook for 2024 and how it might impact tech purchases. We’ll also dedicate some time to talking about the leaked Intel 14th Gen chips and what’s on the horizon. Additionally, we’ll share our thoughts on what ASUS might do now that they own the NUC. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a closer look at the new Mountain DisplayPad and engage in some conversation about Case Mod Friday. If you haven’t already,...

This week, I’m joined by Christian Johnson for an exciting update on his pilot’s license journey and the tech that played a pivotal role in his progress. We’ll also dive into the intriguing developments surrounding the MGM/Caesars breach and how each party handled it in their own unique way. Plus, in a nod to the original “Christian’s Corner,” we’ll have an in-depth conversation about Windows 11 and what to expect in the near future. Thanks for...

Paul Braren from TinkerTry.com joins me this week and we catch up with him. It’s been a busy time for Paul. Both moving and changing jobs has kept him on his toes when it comes to technology. We talk about everything solar, updating an older house for solar, EVs and the challenges and benefits of managing your own power—that and lots more. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marv Bee. We dive into the NetAlly CyberScope and the Bose SoundSport earbuds. We also discuss AI based on an Engadget article and learn about Marv’s new podcast that might be right up your alley! Check it out at unhealthypodcast.com Thanks for listening and your support! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg583 Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show...

Joining us this week is a visionary leader who has been instrumental in revolutionizing the irrigation landscape – CEO Shane Dyer of Irrigreen. Get ready to gain some invaluable insights into the future of precision irrigation, the role of technology in sustainable landscaping, and the challenges and triumphs of steering the industry toward a greener tomorrow. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video...

Jay Franze joins us this week!. We caught up with Jay and asked about some new equipment he is using for his podcast as well as an update on the fire pit he mentioned the last time he was on. Jim mentioned that he thought the economy was going to be challenged in 2024 and it might be a good time to think about tightening up the budget a bit and looking for some sweet deals ahead. Thanks for listening! Full show notes, transcriptions (available on...

This week we sit down with Randy Walker to dive into the world of WordPress and ask the question, why is WordPress still important? Before we start in on WordPress, Randy has a new podcasting mic to talk about, the M2 MicTrak from Zoom. We then discuss staging for upgrades and development work, focusing on transitioning to full-site editing on WordPress. Along the way, we’ll explore some indispensable plugins such as Redirection, Podcast Importer, and the dynamic duo of Contact Form 7 +...

Christian Johnson is back and we spend some time catching up on Maple Grove Partners. We have a discussion on the benefits of cold storage is how to make the most of it. We then discuss the increasing accessibility and affordability of language learning models (LLMs) for both enterprises and individuals. Is the future where everyone will have their own language learning model, with some being cloud-hosted and others privately hosted? Christian predicts that the availability of LLMs will...