Author: Graham Copeland

Surprising Savings of Home Automation: Time Saved, Stress Lowered, Life Upgraded

Most people chase energy bills and rebates when they think “savings.” Livewire’s Henry Clifford flips the script: “If you believe that time is the most valuable thing of all… that’s really where I see us saving people… automating routines… not walking around the house to turn off lights… sleeping better because of better light.” Time […]

Choosing the Right Smart Home System

Most people ask, “How much does home automation cost?” Livewire’s Henry Clifford tackles it head on: “That question is sort of like asking, well, how much does a car cost… a Ford Festiva is, I don’t know, 10 bucks, and a Ferrari is a million dollars. So they’re both cars.” From there, Henry explains how […]

Understanding Home Automation Needs: Why “Tell Us About Your Pain” Comes Before Picking Tech

When most people start exploring smart home technology, they lead with the wrong question: “Which system should I choose….  Alexa, Google, Home Assistant, or Apple?” That’s like walking onto a car lot and asking, “Which color should I get?” before knowing whether you need a pickup or a minivan. As Livewire’s Henry Clifford puts it: […]

A Hands-On Review of the FutureCare HomeKit

I’ve always loved the side of home technology which caters to the “need” vs. “want” customers. It feels good to help someone live independently or deliver peace of mind. Some of the best moments in my career revolve around watching paralyzed veterans type an email with nothing but the movement of their eyes or enabling […]

Reviewing the Juke+ 6-Zone Streaming Amplifier

Multiroom audio is an interesting category. While it may seem as though most Americans are perfectly happy placing their iPhones inside a bowl for optimum sound performance, thankfully there still appear to be plenty of folks who crave a little “extra cheese on their Whopper,” as Chris Rock would say. Couple that desire with 25 […]

August Newsletter – Stay Powered and Protected This Hurricane Season

Smart backup solutions and home security tips to keep your family safe, connected, and worry-free In this month’s interview, Henry Clifford, CEO and Founder of Livewire talks about storm prep, smart generators, and how to keep your home safe and connected during hurricane season and the back-to-school rush.  Hurricane season is just getting started… Are […]

Your Guide to Smart Generators: What to Expect Before You Buy

When storms hit, the last thing you want to worry about is losing power. A smart generator keeps your home running smoothly during outages, but what does it really take to get one installed, and what should you expect in terms of cost, timeline, and capabilities? We sat down with David Hicks, one of our […]

Review: Monitor Audio C3M Creator Series In-Ceiling Speakers

Architectural audio is a fairly mature category. New speakers come out all the time, but the fundamentals of producing sound through in-wall circles and rectangles have stayed pretty much the same for a few decades. I wouldn’t call myself jaded, but I don’t go out of my way to solicit reviews for these products because […]

A Hands-On Review of Control4 X4

Control4 has been around since 2003 and its user experience has been long overdue for a ‘glow up’ since the launch of OS3 over 5 years ago. They sent me a new CORE 1 controller and an 8-inch T8 wireless touch screen to test drive in concert the new X4 user experience. I was really […]

July Newsletter – Control4 X4 Is Here: Smarter, Faster, More Powerful

Next-level automation designed to simplify your life This month, we spoke with Kenny Kim, Vice President of Product Management at Snap One. Kenny shared insights on the exciting new X4 platform upgrade and how it is transforming smart home automation, helping Livewire deliver even smarter home experiences. What’s new with Control4? Control4 is shaking things […]