Tag: product review

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 […]

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 […]

Reviewing the eero Outdoor 7 Wireless Access Point

I’ve been an eero fan boy since the brand first launched in 2016. There’s something irresistible about a product that just works. Much like Sonos has done on the audio side, eero has ascended the consumer Wi-Fi throne over the last eight years one home install at a time. Needless to say, when I heard […]

Product Review: Beale Street Outdoor Audio System

I love music. Everywhere I go, there’s usually a soundtrack playing in the background. This is especially true when I’m spending time at home outdoors. I have speakers everywhere. My backyard, deck, and patio are all routinely bathed in killer outdoor audio sound. The only bummer comes when I hang out in the front yard. […]

Product Review: IOGEAR 4K Video Extender/Splitter

I’ve been frustrated and occasionally delighted (but mostly frustrated) by the little black boxes we use in the custom installation channel to send out HD video from a stack of gear in the main AV rack across the room (or house) to its intended destination while praying that the signal makes the journey in one […]

SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer: New Age Bass Performance

I have reviewed a few subwoofers over the years and thought my days of auditioning big boxes were behind me. What could possibly be new under the sun in the world of bass? That was before I strolled into a demo room at La Cantera Resort in San Antonio last year, lured there by killer […]