Is Apple making my “HomePad”? For at least two years, I’ve been suggesting (or at least hoping) that Apple should make a smart display to compete with Amazon and Google. I’ve referred to the product idea as a HomePad. We don’t know the name of this … [Read more...]
Podcast: Amazon’s turning Alexa into the brains of the home
This week's show focuses on Amazon's new devices and services launched Wednesday. Kevin and I talk about Amazon's direction with Alexa as the manager of your life. We also gawp at the price iRobot is charging for its latest iteration of the Roomba … [Read more...]
Podcast: Here’s why Amazon really bought iRobot
This week's show kicks off with our discussion of Amazon’s planned acquisition of iRobot, the maker of Roomba robotic vacuums for $1.7 billion. We then talk about a survey from Parks Associates that indicates almost a third of people using … [Read more...]
Podcast: Senator calls out video doorbells … again
This week's show kicks off with another look at Ring's potential to become a surveillance tool, this time prompted by a letter from Senator Ed Markey who wants Amazon to answer some questions. We then talk about a new capability for InfluxData's time … [Read more...]
The smart home is stuck in stasis (and I’m stuck in Dallas)
This week I traveled to Dallas for the Parks Associates Connections conference. The event focuses on the movers and shakers in the smart home, with a big focus on Parks' ISP and security provider client base. For me, the big news of the event is that … [Read more...]