Smart Home Insider

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara discusses the latest announcements from CES 2026, focusing on smart home technology and innovations. Key topics include Apple's upcoming mandatory home architecture upgrade, new members of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, and exciting product launches from brands like LifX, EVE, Aqara, IKEA, and Philips Hue. The episode highlights advancem...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, Andrew O'Hara gears up for CES 2026, sharing insights on the latest smart home innovations. He discusses the schedule and events leading up to CES, including media-only unveilings and third-party events. Andrew highlights exciting new products, such as Matter-enabled cameras, Roomba's Matter support, and innovative smart home devices from brands like Samsung, Go...

In this exciting episode, we dive into the most popular tech trends of the year, focusing on the rise of iRobot and the challenges faced by American companies in pursuing innovative strategies. We explore the booming robotic lawnmower category and highlight Aqara's impressive achievements with camera technology. Join us for a dynamic discussion filled with insights and forward-thinking perspective...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew welcomes Scott Harkins, SVP of Sales at Resideo, to discuss the latest in smart home technology. As they gear up for CES, they delve into the advancements of Honeywell Home's new smart thermostat and the growing adoption of Thread technology. Scott shares insights on Resideo's journey, the impact of Matter on smart home integration, and the future of...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara is joined by Jason Johnson, co-founder of August Smart Lock, to discuss his new venture, DOMA Home. They explore the evolution of smart home technology, the challenges of access control, and the innovative solutions DOMA Home is bringing to the market. Tune in to hear about the latest updates in smart home devices, including Apple's iOS 26.2 r...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest smart home innovations as we approach the holiday season. From Nuki's revamped pricing model for their smart locks to Honeywell's new premium thermostat, Andrew provides insightful reviews and personal takes on these products. He also explores the exciting developments from Acara and Chamberlain, and shares his thoughts o...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest updates in the smart home world, focusing on the launch of Matter 1.5 and its implications for camera support. Andrew shares insights from manufacturers like Akara and Eve, discussing their plans for integrating Matter into their products. He also highlights the new UltiCam IQ V2 from Xthings, a promising addition to the...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara welcomes George Yianni, the visionary founder and CTO of Signify, Philips Hue. Dive into the fascinating journey of Philips Hue, from its groundbreaking launch with Apple to its evolution into a leader in smart lighting. Discover the latest innovations, including the MotionAware technology and the new Hue Bridge Pro, and explore how Philips Hu...

In this special episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew is joined by Chris LaPré from the Connectivity Standard Alliance to discuss the highly anticipated Matter 1.5 update. The conversation delves into the new features and improvements, including support for cameras, closures, soil sensors, and advanced energy management. Chris shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of integrating...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara is joined by Genie Peshkova, the Zigbee Marketing Product Group Chair, to discuss the latest updates in smart home technology. They delve into the exciting announcements of Zigbee 4.0 and the new Suzy brand, exploring their implications for smart energy management and enhanced security. The conversation also covers the latest in sensor technol...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest updates in the smart home world, including Apple's tvOS 26.1 and 26.2 updates, IKEA's new lineup of smart home devices, and a review of the Synology DS723 Plus NAS. Andrew also shares personal experiences with various smart home gadgets and offers insights into maintaining a smart home.  Send us your HomeKit questions and...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, hosts Andrew O'Hara and Wes Hilliard dive into the latest smart home innovations and challenges. They discuss the potential bankruptcy of iRobot, the introduction of DJI's new robotic vacuum, and the intriguing features of the Akara Cam G100. The conversation also touches on the importance of local control in smart home devices and the evolving landscape of Matt...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew welcomes Cole Ashman, founder and CEO of Pela, to discuss the future of smart home power integrations. They delve into the innovative solutions offered by Pela, including a plug-and-play battery system designed for every home and business. Cole shares insights from his experience at Tesla and Span, highlighting the importance of energy independence a...

In this exciting episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest Apple TV updates, including a rebranding and new features. He also discusses the integration of Formula One racing into Apple TV, the latest smart home innovations, and the intriguing updates from Sonos and Eve. Plus, Andrew shares personal anecdotes and insights into the world of smart home technology, making th...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, Andrew welcomes Rob Alexander, Principal Product Manager for Matter at Silicon Labs. Despite multiple recording challenges, they dive into the latest developments in smart home technology. Rob shares insights on the new Matter certification program, which aims to streamline the integration of smart home devices. They discuss the potential of smart displays, the...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara navigates solo through a whirlwind of tech updates and insights. Despite a scheduling hiccup with guest Rob Alexander, Andrew dives into the latest on Matter 1.5, shares his experiences with Apple's new devices, and explores the intriguing world of smart home technology. From the challenges faced by Tile to the innovative updates from Amazon a...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, hosts Andrew O'Hara and Dan Turk dive into the latest in smart home technology, discussing the integration of AI in everyday devices and the evolving landscape of home automation. They explore the impact of new AI capabilities and the implications for smart home security and privacy. The conversation also touches on the latest updates from major tech events, inc...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, Andrew dives into the latest Apple product launches, including new iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches. He shares his hands-on experiences and the challenges of choosing the right device. The episode also explores the latest from Switchbot, including their new vacuums, and discusses the intriguing features of CleanMyMac's cloud cleanup tool. Andrew wraps up with...

In this episode of Home Kid Insider, host Andrew O'Hara is joined by his better half, Faith, as they dive into the latest Apple event highlights. From the new iPhone lineup's Thread networking capabilities to the intriguing updates on smart home devices, Andrew and Faith share their insights and personal experiences. They also explore the innovative Govee Tree Floor Lamp and the Avia smart sash wi...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, Andrew dives into the latest tech announcements from IFA in Berlin, highlighting innovations in smart home technology and sustainability. From the new WiFi spec for Matter to exciting updates from Philips Hue, Ecobee, and Arlo, Andrew covers the most significant developments and what they mean for consumers. Plus, get insights into the latest AI integrations and...

Join hosts Andrew O'Hara and Nikias Molina on HomeKit Insider as they explore the latest in Apple technology and smart home advancements. This episode delves into the features of the new Level Lock Pro, comparing it with other smart locks, and discusses the potential of Apple entering the smart home camera market. The duo also shares insights on upcoming Apple products, including iPhone and Apple...

In this episode of Homekid Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest in smart home technology and upcoming Apple events. From a surprise party recap to a deep dive into Apple's smart home cameras, Andrew shares insights on energy monitoring with Homie, the new PixelSnap technology and the groundbreaking Qi 2.2 chargers. Plus, discover the innovative Dreame Tech PM20 Air Purifier and its un...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara is joined by Steve Hanna, a distinguished engineer at Infineon, to delve into the latest updates in the smart home world. They discuss the surprise release of Matter version 1.4.2, exploring its new features and security enhancements. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape of smart home technology, including Apple's rumored innova...

Join your host, Andrew O'Hara, in this episode of HomeKit Insider as he navigates the latest in Apple rumors, shares personal anecdotes about family tech challenges, and dives into the world of smart home innovations. From the intricacies of streaming services to the latest Sonos updates and the unveiling of a unique outdoor TV. Tune in for a hands-on review of the Sonagi outdoor TV and discover w...

In this episode of HomeKit Insider, host Andrew O'Hara dives into the latest tech updates, including Apple's unannounced adaptive temperature feature found in iOS source code, and the new Roomba Max 705 Combo with its unique roller mop cover. Andrew also explores the intriguing world of portable TVs with LG's StandByMe 2, and discusses the innovative Find My Sketchers line designed for tracking ki...