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 thoughts on my recent move from T-Mobile to Visible. The switch couldn’t have been easier, and the cost savings were immediate. Toward the end, I mentioned some ongoing health issues that have slowed down my podcasting schedule a bit, but I’m still pushing through and doing what I can to keep the show moving forward each week. Thanks for listening!































Home Gadget Geeks Episode FAQ







What did Jim review in this episode of Home Gadget Geeks?







In this episode, I reviewed several new gadgets, including the Lutron PD-15OUT-BL Smart Outdoor Plug, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, and my new iPhone 17. I also shared my recent experience switching from T-Mobile to Visible Wireless and gave a quick update on my ongoing back and neck issues that have been affecting my recording schedule.















How does the Lutron PD-15OUT-BL Smart Outdoor Plug perform?







The Lutron smart outdoor plug is built like a tank—weatherproof, durable, and designed for long-term outdoor use. It performs exceptionally well for powering things like deck lights, sheds, or outdoor setups. The only downside is its price: at $85, it’s much more expensive than comparable plugs from TP-Link or Energizer, which usually cost under $25.















Is the Lutron plug compatible with smart home systems?







Yes—but only if you already have the Lutron Caseta Hub. Without it, the plug functions as a manual on/off device. With the hub, it integrates seamlessly into the Lutron smart ecosystem, giving you full app and voice control.















What stood out about the AirPods Pro 3 in Jim’s review?







The AirPods Pro 3 impressed me with noticeably better noise cancellation—Apple claims twice the reduction from the previous generation, and I believe it. The real standout feature, though, is real-time translation powered by Apple Intelligence. After pairing them with my iPhone 17, I tested live translation in Portuguese and Spanish, and it worked surprisingly well for real-world conversations.















How does real-time translation work with the AirPods Pro 3?







Using the Translate app on the iPhone 17, you can have a live, two-way conversation where speech is translated directly into your ear. The feature currently supports English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German, with Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin coming soon. It’s not perfect—but it’s the closest thing yet to a real “universal translator.”















Why did Jim upgrade to the iPhone 17?







I upgraded mainly to get access to Apple Intelligence features that weren’t supported on my iPhone 12. The new model has a slightly larger screen, improved performance, and native support for the translation features that make the AirPods Pro 3 really shine.















How was the switch from T-Mobile to Visible Wireless?







Surprisingly painless. Once I had my transfer code from T-Mobile,