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Inference at the Edge: Running a Large Language Model Chatbot on Consumer Hardware

Mike ConnellyArtificial Intelligence, Technology

Large language models can now run entirely on consumer laptops, with no cloud connection required. We explore how hobbyists and open-source developers are deploying instruction-tuned, locally optimized LLMs on standard hardware and what that means for privacy, cost, and accessibility. The practical tradeoffs between model size and response quality are what make this shift more consequential than it first appears.
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A Primer on Conversational Artificial Intelligence Agents & Large Language Models

Mike ConnellyArtificial Intelligence, Technology

Conversational agents and the large language models (LLMs) have become increasingly proficient at mimicking human language and behavior so that they can respond to a wide variety of instructions. At their mathematical core, they are statistical distributions of token adjacency probabilities. This article covers how LLMs work, how they evolved from first-generation transformers to instruction-tuned systems, and what the temperature parameter actually controls.
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How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR

Mike ConnellyMotorcycles

The BMW S1000XR includes a factory navigation quick-disconnect coupler that accepts a third-party smartphone mount, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPS unit. This article covers installing that mount on an S1000XR and running Android Auto 5.5 on a Motorola G6, including navigation, music, and voice control. With Android Auto 5.5, Waze became available alongside Google Maps as a supported navigation option, giving riders a meaningful choice between the two platforms. Continue reading How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR

How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review

Mike ConnellyConnected Home

Lutron’s Caséta sits at the entry point of a residential lighting control lineup that segments by device count, coverage area, and whether installation is DIY or professional. Based on our home deployment, we explain switch selection, installation, and integration with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. We also present an honest look at where the system’s device and range limits matter in practice. Continue reading How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review

How To: Watch Movies in Your Honda Pilot or Odyssey Using Android TV

Mike ConnellyAutos, Connected Home

The 2018 Honda Pilot’s rear entertainment system accepts HDMI input but cannot directly play video files from a USB thumb drive. This article walks through five rejected solutions, including Chromecast and tethered smartphones, before settling on a low-cost Android TV set-top box. This setup works without an internet connection, letting kids watch libraries of movies on long trips. Continue reading How To: Watch Movies in Your Honda Pilot or Odyssey Using Android TV

How To: Deploying a Ubiquiti UniFi Home Network including Multiple WiFi Access Points (Part 2)

Mike ConnellyConnected Home

Ubiquiti’s UniFi platform offers granular control over wireless settings that consumer routers never expose. This article walks through a tested configuration for a gigabit home network, covering channel planning, VLAN segmentation, IoT isolation, and per-AP radio tuning. We also cover getting Sonos and Belkin Wemo devices to coexist reliably with the rest of the network.
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Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 2): Review of Voice Services Including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple Airplay 2

Mike ConnellyConnected Home, Music

Sonos speakers support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri simultaneously, letting users mix and match voice assistants independent of their music source or smart home platform. Here, we explain how that flexibility works in practice and what it means for households split across competing ecosystems. A Sonos owner can run an iTunes library, a YouTube Music subscription, and Apple HomeKit controls from a single speaker while still asking Google a question. Continue reading Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 2): Review of Voice Services Including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple Airplay 2

Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 1): The State of Smart Speakers

Mike ConnellyConnected Home, Music

Amazon Echo and Google Home are designed primarily to deepen their makers’ advertising and data businesses, while Apple’s HomePod functions as a local iPhone extension. This article examines what each major smart speaker is actually optimized for, and why that distinction matters when choosing one. The Sonos One costs nearly twice as much as an Echo but delivers meaningfully better sound for listeners who prioritize audio quality. Continue reading Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 1): The State of Smart Speakers

iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review

Mike ConnellyPhotography

The iPhone 7 Plus is the first iPhone to carry two rear cameras: a wide-angle lens at f/1.8 and a 56mm telephoto with true 2x optical zoom. I examine what each change actually delivers in aperture, low-light performance, image stabilization, color accuracy, and optical zoom. Portrait mode is the reason most people will consider the upgrade, and this review tests it against real shooting conditions, including artificial bokeh at close range. Continue reading iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review

How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles

Mike ConnellyConnected Home, Motorcycles

Dedicated motorcycle GPS units cost roughly twice what a capable waterproof Android phone does, yet deliver a fraction of the performance. This article covers a complete motorcycle navigation build using a budget Android phone, including custom mounting, BMW power wiring, and a head-to-head comparison of navigation apps. The performance gap between the two setups is wider than the price gap. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles

Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review

Mike ConnellyConnected Home

Google’s multi-room audio distribution technology is based on the success of their video casting platform, Chromecast. This article examines how it compares to the AirPort Express, focussing on signal stability, multiroom grouping, and support for both optical and analog output. The upgrade from older wireless standards enables a measurably more reliable connection under real listening conditions.
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