google home

Connected Home

How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review Updated

Although we were first introduced to Lutron when we purchased their traditional switches and outlets, Lutron is reknown for their residential and enterprise lighting control systems. Lutron’s residential lighting control systems include Caséta, RA2 Select, RadioRA2, and HomeWorks QS. Caséta and RA2 Select are intended for the DIY user segment while the RadioRA2 and HomeWorks QS product lines are intended for the system installer/integrator segment. Continue reading How To: Lutron Caséta Lighting Control System Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Music

Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 2): Review of Voice Services Including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple Airplay 2 Updated

Sonos speakers will be able to bridge the gaps between Amazon, Apple, and Google’s smart home ecosystems. Sonos owners will be in the unique position of choosing their preferred voice assistant for a task, independent from the music source, method of streaming, or smart home control. For example, a Sonos owner could maintain their music library in iTunes, their music subscription service on YouTube or Amazon, their home control on Apple HomeKit, and ask general knowledge questions to Google Assistant or Alexa. Similarly, Sonos consumers could control Nest and HomeKit devices from a single smart speaker. Continue reading Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 2): Review of Voice Services Including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple Airplay 2 Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home, Music

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

Amazon Echo’s primary function appears to be extending Amazon’s ecosystem including e-commerce and advertising. Like Amazon, Google Home’s primary goal appears to be lowering the price of its devices so that users will install multiple devices in their homes, generating more user data for Google’s advertising business. Apple’s product design treats smart speakers as a relatively dumb and local extension of the iPhone. The Sonos One hits the price-performance sweet spot: although it costs nearly twice what an Echo or Home does, it provides significantly better sound. Continue reading Sonos One & Sonos Beam (Part 1): The State of Smart Speakers Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Google Home: Configuring and Using It with a Logitech Harmony Hub Updated

In early December, Google announced ‘Conversation Actions’ and ‘Direct Actions’ for Google Home. Today, Google announced interoperability between Google Home and Logitech Harmony, similar to Harmony’s integration with the Amazon Echo. Google Home also added support for the Anova sous vide cooker, August locks, Electrolux Frigidaire Gallery Cool Connect, First Alert thermostat, Geeni LED lights, Insignia Wi-Fi smart plug, Lifx Plus Wi-Fi smart bulb, Rachio smart sprinkler controller, TP-Link Wi-Fi LED, Vivint security platform, and Wink Hub. Continue reading Google Home: Configuring and Using It with a Logitech Harmony Hub Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated

Thus far, Logitech has partnered with Amazon. By connecting the Harmony Hub with Alexa, you can start or stop Harmony activities such as “Watch TV”, “Play a Game” or “Listen to some Music”. You can also power on or off your TV, change your stereo settings, or trigger connected home activities that are controlled by the Harmony Hub. For any Harmony Hub activity, you can create a friendly name that’s easier to say. You can also tune specific channels on your cable/satellite with voice commands such as “Alexa, turn on sports”. Continue reading Logitech Harmony Hub and Voice Control Updated

Mike Connelly
Guitars

Line 6 Amplifi 150 Guitar Amplifier Review Updated

The number one selling point for me is the ease of selecting different guitar tones on the Amplifi. Before the Amplifi, I owned a Line 6 Spider IV amplifier. Although my old Line 6 Spider IV amp also supported a variety of tones, it forced the guitarist to memorize obscure memory banks and read a very small LCD screen. With the Amplifi, I use my iPad as my user interface. I can quickly select over 70+ guitar amps, 100+ effects and 20+ speaker cabinets from the Amplifi Remote app. Additionally, I can layer up to eight simultaneous effects. Continue reading Line 6 Amplifi 150 Guitar Amplifier Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review Updated

Google’s multi-room audio distribution technology is based on the success of their video casting platform, Chromecast. In its second iteration, Google upgraded the video version of Chromecast to include Wireless-AC technology. Additionally, it released a new, audio-specific Chromecast device. Like the Airport Express, it supports both optical and analog audio out. Unlike the Airport Express, it is based on Wireless-AC audio and is much more error-resilient. And, it costs as little as $25 on sale, a quarter of the price of the AE.
Continue reading Google Chromecast Audio with Multi-room Support Review Updated

Mike Connelly