Home Gadget Geeks
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We cover all your favorite tech gadgets that find their way into your home!
456 Episodes
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What happens when a practical conversation about AI tools turns into a deeper discussion about autonomy, cybersecurity, local models, and the future of the internet? This week, Christian Johnson joins me to talk about OpenClaw, the rapid rise of open-source AI agents, and why this new generation of tools feels very different from traditional chat-based AI. From local LLMs and hardware choices to plugin trust, sandboxing, and the risks of giving agents access to real systems, this episode explores both the promise and the danger of the current AI moment. Thanks for listening! Why This Episode Matters A lot of
Is the AI future helpful or just plain dangerous? This week, Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm and I take a hard look at OpenClaw, “vibe coding,” and what it really takes to run autonomous AI agents safely in your home lab. I’m trying to find out if you can actually let AI do the work without losing control of your network… or getting roasted by your own creations. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by Gavin Campbell from HomeTech.fm to take a hard look at one of the fastest-moving areas in technology today:
Paul Braren from TinkerTry.com joins me this week to discuss energy-efficient home technology, including heat pumps, air sealing, and upgrading older homes for modern HVAC systems. They explore the real-world costs of improving home energy efficiency, the role of smart electrical panels and lithium-ion battery backups, and how modern monitoring tools help homeowners better understand their energy usage. The conversation also covers robotics, network upgrades, and the growing role of AI in everyday technology troubleshooting. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison welcomes Paul Braren, founder of TinkerTry.com and a long-time advocate for energy-efficient home
Jay Franze joins me to talk about how AI is showing up in real songwriting workflows, not just as a toy, but as a tool people are actually using. We unpack how we built the new Home Gadget Geeks theme, what’s happening in Nashville studios, and whether AI makes music more creative or more predictable. Along the way, we hit crypto regret, bourbon country, and the bigger question: what happens when anyone can make a full song in minutes? Thanks for listening! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Home Gadget Geeks #673 – AI, Songwriting & the Music Industry What is Home
Erin Lawrence from https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/ joins me this week to break down Ring’s new 4K doorbell, the real impact of AI in consumer tech after CES 2026, Amazon’s move into the Art TV market, and Alexa+ early access. We separate meaningful upgrades from marketing hype and talk through where smart home tech is actually headed. Thanks for listening! In Home Gadget Geeks 672, I’m joined by Erin Lawrence to unpack the biggest smart home trends emerging after CES 2026. While artificial intelligence dominated the headlines, our focus is on what’s actually improving products versus what may simply be driving up costs.
Andrew Morris returns to Home Gadget Geeks this week. We revisit the early days of HGG, catch up on his move from Melbourne to Brisbane, and dive deep into solar upgrades, NAS decisions, hardware pricing, Unifi networking, broadband realities, Garmin health tech, and the growing temptation of a Bambu Lab 3D printer. Thanks for listening! Andrew’s Early Contributions to Home Gadget Geeks We open with a throwback to the early HGG days — Friday recordings, weekend syncing, and Andrew’s reputation as the inventor of “world-class show notes.” We reflect on how the podcast team evolved over the years, including familiar
This week I am joined by TJ Huddleston for a wide-ranging conversation that blends real-world winter weather, practical home technology, and insights from CES 2026. From navigating a rare Level 3 snow emergency in Ohio to installing a solar-powered backyard shed using an EcoFlow battery, the discussion stays focused on what actually works. Along the way, Jim and TJ dig into smart irrigation, weather stations, automation strategies, and why CES continues to be more about people and perspective than breakthrough products. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by TJ Huddleston for a
Marv Bee returns this week for a practical conversation about unified home networking and modern tech habits. The discussion provides a closer look at Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem and why it’s becoming more approachable for home users, along with strategies for simplifying complex networks, utilizing VLANs to enhance security, and managing the constant pressure to upgrade. Along the way, the episode also explores smart home automation, Amazon shopping behaviors, and Marv’s ongoing gadget detox—offering a thoughtful balance between embracing new technology and keeping it under control. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, the conversation explores the real-world
In this episode, I speak with Oscar Hedaya, founder of Space, about how smart safes are redefining home security through modern technology. We explore Oscar’s entrepreneurial journey and how his experiences led to rethinking a traditionally overlooked household product for today’s connected lifestyles. Our conversation highlights the innovative features of the Space smart safe, including a touchscreen interface, motion detection, app connectivity, and the PanicPin emergency alert system. Oscar explains why consumer expectations have shifted toward app-integrated devices and why usability must remain front and center, even as products become more advanced. We also discuss the realities of building and
Christian Johnson joins me this week to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the show while exploring today’s evolving tech landscape. They discuss AI hardware trends, rising consumer component costs, and NVIDIA’s latest enterprise advancements, along with a hands-on look at programmable outdoor LED lighting. We also look into cryptocurrency, comparing Ethereum and Bitcoin, before wrapping up with immersive tech and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Thanks for listening! In Episode 667 of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by long-time friend and technologist Christian Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation that blends reflection, hands-on experience, and forward-looking analysis. The episode opens with
In this episode, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a seasoned music producer, to explore how AI is transforming music creation. Jay shares his experiment using AI as a virtual studio—producing songs that rival human-recorded tracks and often sound indistinguishable from traditional productions. We compare AI and studio recordings, discuss songwriting, ethics, and ownership, and explore how these tools can empower musicians and podcasters alike. The episode closes with a look toward future collaborations and the potential for AI-crafted theme music. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a music industry veteran with
Every year on Black Friday, Home Gadget Geeks pauses the tech talk just long enough to look at where life and technology intersect, and this year’s episode with Sammie Collison might be the most grounded one yet. From returning to college as a full-time library para to managing finances, mental bandwidth, and school in the age of cloud tools and tactile hobbies, Sammie gives us a real-world look at what it takes to navigate modern adulthood with limited time and limited money — and still find room for creativity, connection, and growth. Technology is in the mix, but seldom the
What happens when a longtime tech conversation grows into something deeper about making, friendship, and the projects that keep life interesting? This week, Dave McCabe joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about 17 years of podcasting, smart home tech, woodworking, and the creative work behind his Warped Boards shop. From Home Assistant dashboards and CNC upgrades to handcrafted cutting boards and honest talk about men’s health, this episode blends gadgets, craftsmanship, and community in a way that feels both practical and personal. Thanks for listening! Why This Episode Matters Some of the best tech conversations are no longer just about
What happens when smart home tech actually makes life easier instead of just adding another app to your phone? This week, Erin Lawrence and Mike Wieger join me to talk through a lineup of gadgets that aim to solve real-world problems—from a smart refrigerator that fills your glass automatically, to a robot that cleans windows, to golf simulator tech that brings the course indoors. We also dig into Black Friday gear planning, hard drive upgrades, battery backup options, and camping tech that can make life on the road a little more manageable. If you like practical gadget talk with a
In this week’s episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Kevin Schoonover for a packed discussion that jumps from health and fitness to EV trucks, from Windows 10’s sunset to ARM’s rise, and all the way down to the small stuff — batteries, smart home gear, and the realities of modern tech maintenance. Thanks for listening! Episode Summary We open the show by talking about the weather rolling into Omaha and catching up on the World Series, before Kevin dives into something a little different — his personal health journey. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago,
Gavin Campbell joins this week and we covered winter weather, his strong early results with the Segway Navimow robot mower, the improved sound and smart-home functionality of the Echo Dot Max, and his Unraid 7.2 upgrade that boosted responsiveness. We discussed how we are using local AI for automation, troubleshooting, and coding, along with bigger questions around AI’s economics and infrastructure. We closed with notes on CES planning, upcoming guests, and a quick update on Sammy’s library-science studies, plus an invitation to keep the conversation going in our Discord. Thanks for listening! Episode Overview In this episode of Home Gadget
In this episode, we discuss the latest with my solar setup (EcoFlow battery, Eco-Worthy panels) and take a deep dive into local AI — exploring LLMs you can run at home, privacy implications, and practical use cases. We also field live chat questions, talk about Ollama, LM Studio, voice cloning, and more. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I share the latest updates from my ongoing solar power experiment — including new insights from my EcoFlow Delta 3 battery system and a fresh set of Eco-Worthy 100-watt solar panels mounted to the front porch. I break
In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I spent some time diving into a few recent tech updates and sharing a bit of what’s been going on with me. I started with a look at the Lutron PD-150UTB-BL smart outdoor plug — it’s built like a tank and performs great outdoors, but at $85, it’s hard to call it a good value. From there, I talked about Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, which I recently picked up. The upgraded noise cancellation is noticeably better, and the new translation features are surprisingly effective for multilingual conversations. I also shared a few
In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Christian Johnson. We start with a discussion about the new Apple AirPods Pro 3, which I’ve purchased and am waiting to try once they arrive. From there, Christian shares updates on life as a new father and his progress toward earning a pilot’s license. The second half of the conversation focuses on cryptocurrency and blockchain, with Christian explaining his changing perspective on the space, especially the role of Ethereum and its connection to the growth of AI technologies. Thanks for listening! n this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined
On this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Brian Friedlander to talk about how AI is changing the landscape of assistive technology. We covered everything from tools like AOA, Brisk, and Magic School AI that support students in the classroom, to innovations in note-taking, E Ink devices, and even brain-computer interfaces. It was a fascinating conversation about where accessibility meets technology, and how sometimes the simplest solutions end up being the most powerful. Thanks for listening! In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brian Friedlander, an expert in assistive technology and
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