On Home Gadget Geeks we cover all your favorite tech gadgets that find their way into your home. News, reviews, product updates and conversation, all for the Average Tech guy! Host Jim Collison and his super line up of hosts are LIVE each week on Thursday nights, 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv

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Are our gadgets actually getting smarter, or just getting more complicated? Erin Lawrence of Tech Gadgets International returns to Home Gadget Geeks after IFA Berlin for a conversation about household robots, DJI cameras, digital note-taking, advanced robot vacuums, art TVs, AI, vehicle technology and smart lighting.Erin and I keep returning to the same practical test: does the technology make everyday life easier, and will the company support it when something goes wrong? Full show notes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg692

Robots, AI TVs, Smart Vacuums and the Future of Home Tech with Erin Lawrence – HGG692

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Phil Hawthorne from the Home Assistant Podcast joins me for Home Gadget Geeks 691 to talk about where Home Assistant is headed, how AI is changing the way we build automations, Tesla Full Self-Driving, energy monitoring and some clever ways to make smart-home technology disappear into the house instead of taking it over.Along the way, we discover that my own Home Assistant installation had fallen several releases behind. That leads to a useful discussion about Docker updates, breaking changes and what happens when a system keeps working well enough that you stop checking whether it is actually current. I fixed it after the show, and I&#39;ll walk through that below.Full Shownotes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg691

Home Assistant AI Automation, Tesla FSD and Energy Monitoring with Phil Hawthorne – HGG691

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Gavin Campbell is back, and this one turns into a tour of what happens when Home Assistant stops being a dashboard and starts becoming the operating system for the house. We talk through Gavin’s first Tesla, garage-door automation, water and leak monitoring, ESPHome projects, lawn and soil sensors, emergency power, camera systems and the growing role AI can play in making sense of all that home data.Full show notes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg690

Tesla, Home Assistant, ESPHome and Smarter Automation with Gavin Campbell – HGG690

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Do kids need a full smartphone just to stay in touch? Mike Wieger joins me for HGG689 with a different answer: push-to-talk-over-cellular radios built around simple family communication. We also dig into practical off-site backups with Unraid, TrueNAS, ZFS and Tailscale, Apollo and Moonlight for using one gaming PC from almost anywhere, and Frigate 0.18 for a much easier local-camera and NVR setup.Full show notes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg689

POC Radios for Kids, Off-Site Backups, Remote Gaming and Frigate 0.18 with Mike Wieger – HGG689

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Concert photography sounds simple until you realize you may have only the first three songs to get the shots you need. Jay Franze joins me for HGG688 to talk about what actually goes into photographing live music — from carrying multiple camera bodies and shooting RAW files to protecting those images with redundant storage and deciding where AI-assisted editing fits.Full show notes at https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg688

Concert Photography Gear, Backup Strategy and AI Editing with Jay Franze – HGG688

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Jim Collison welcomes Seth Johnson from HomeTech.fm back to Home Gadget Geeks for a wide-ranging conversation about programmable outdoor lighting, home automation, electric lawn care, large-format CNC projects and the growing role of AI in home technology.Find Home Gadget Geeks episodes, show notes and subscription options at: https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg687

Pixel Lights, Robot Mowers, Maslow CNC and Home Automation – HGG687

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Phil Hawthorne joins Jim Collison for HGG686 to talk Home Assistant automations, Blueprints, ESPHome, Bluetooth proxies, e-ink dashboards and AI-assisted smart home control. They dig into how Home Assistant is moving from individual entities toward devices, areas, labels and more flexible automation patterns. Phil also shares thoughts on the Open Home Foundation, Works with Home Assistant, Assist and using separate AI roles safely. Full show notes are at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg686

Phil Hawthorne on Smarter Home Assistant Automations, ESPHome, E-Ink and AI – HGG686

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T.J. Huddleston from HomeTech.fm joins me to talk about replacing a traditional lawn with a pollinator garden, building a smarter irrigation system, powering a shed with solar and using Hermes to make Home Assistant easier to manage.Full show notes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg685

T.J. Huddleston on Smart Gardens, Solar-Powered Sheds and Home Assistant AI – HGG685

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Password managers are becoming credential managers as passkeys begin replacing traditional usernames, passwords and authentication codes. Christian Johnson joins me to talk through what that transition means, whether self-hosting Bitwarden provides a meaningful advantage and where Vaultwarden fits for Docker and homelab users. We also look at a larger experiment Christian is working on through Maple Grove Partners: managed container hosting for people who want useful applications without maintaining every server, certificate, backup and update themselves. Full show notes at https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg684

Christian Johnson on Passkeys, Self-Hosted Bitwarden and Guardrails for AI Agents – HGG684

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I revisit the LEPRO permanent outdoor lights after nearly six months of real-world use, including the removable wood-shim mounting method, seasonal lighting scenes and the outdoor smart-plug schedule. I also walk through several OpenClaw projects, including the Home Assistant Storm Guard I built for my EcoFlow and BLUETTI batteries and an Amazon Affiliate Manager designed to help me work through years of aging links on TheAverageGuy.tv. Catch the full show notes at https://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg683

LEPRO Lights Revisited, DIY Storm Guard and Safer AI Agents – HGG683

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Erin Lawrence joins me for Home Gadget Geeks 682 to talk Ring 4K cameras, the ECOVACS GOAT A3000 LiDAR Pro robot lawnmower, Nespresso Pop+, HoverAir X1 PROMAX, AI workflow lessons, smart home gear and upcoming creator tools. Full show notes and links are available at: <a href="https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg682" rel="nofollow">https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg682</a>

Ring 4K Cameras, ECOVACS GOAT A3000 LiDAR Pro, Nespresso Pop+ and HoverAir X1 PROMAX with Erin Lawrence – HGG682

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Full show notes, audio, and video at: <a href="https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg681" rel="nofollow">https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg681</a> What happens when AI leaves the demo stage and starts showing up in real work, real home labs, and the gear that keeps a household connected? This week, Mike Wieger returns to Home Gadget Geeks for a practical conversation that moves from AI in a regulated M&amp;A workplace to OpenClaw at home, new symmetrical fiber, mountain e-bikes, and the growing MeshCore/Meshtastic community around Omaha and Lincoln.

AI at Work, Fiber at Home and Mountain E-Bikes with Mike Wieger – HGG681

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Full show notes, transcriptions available on request, audio and video at <a href="https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg680" rel="nofollow">https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg680</a> Jim Collison is joined by Gavin Campbell for Home Gadget Geeks 680 to compare OpenClaw and Hermes as AI agents for Home Assistant, with practical discussion around local versus cloud LLMs, privacy, token costs, Mattermost, Docker, Unraid, and the hardware choices that matter in a real home lab.

OpenClaw vs Hermes: AI Agents for Home Assistant with Gavin Campbell - HGG680

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Full show notes, audio, and video at: <a href="https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg679" rel="nofollow">https://theaverageguy.tv/hgg679</a> Jim Collison and Marv Bee discuss AI in managed services, including virtual agents, automation, memory across conversations, and where human experience still matters. They also cover soundbar buying advice, RingConn health and sleep tracking, USB-C cable testers, surge protectors, and practical power gear for everyday tech setups.This episode blends future-facing AI discussion with hands-on gadget experience in a way that fits the Home Gadget Geeks audience especially well. Thanks for listening!

AI in Managed Services, RingConn Health Tracking and Smarter Cable Management – HGG679

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg678" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg678</a> What happens when technology troubleshooting meets backyard cooking, meal planning, and a growing obsession with grills? This week, Mark Robson returns to Home Gadget Geeks for a relaxed conversation that blends home tech, networking stories, pellet grills, Blackstone cooking, pizza ovens, and the routines that make outdoor cooking such an addictive hobby. From fixing a broken cable that disrupted a mesh network to experimenting with dry brining, reverse searing, and maple syrup in savory dishes, this episode covers the overlap between gadgets, workflow, and food culture. If you enjoy cooking, grilling, home labs, or simply building better systems around hobbies, this episode delivers practical ideas and entertaining stories. Thanks for listening!

Tech, BBQ, and the Blackstone Lifestyle with Mark Robson - HGG678

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg677" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg677</a> What happens when AI stops being just a chatbot and starts to reason, plan, and actually do useful work? This week, Dewain Robinson joins me for a conversation on Copilot Studio, AI agents, reasoning models, vibe coding, and the future of software development. We go beyond the usual AI hype and into the practical side, how these tools are already changing workflows, helping with real tasks, and forcing all of us to rethink what productive work looks like. From Microsoft’s internal shift after ChatGPT to real-world examples like managing email, building demo data, handling calendars, and guiding software creation, this one is packed with insight. Thanks for listening!

AI That Thinks: Dewain Robinson on Agents, Copilot, and What’s Next - HGG677

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg676" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg676</a> What happens when a practical conversation about AI tools turns into a deeper discussion about autonomy, cybersecurity, local models, and the future of the internet? This week, Christian Johnson joins me to talk about OpenClaw, the rapid rise of open-source AI agents, and why this new generation of tools feels very different from traditional chat-based AI. From local LLMs and hardware choices to plugin trust, sandboxing, and the risks of giving agents access to real systems, this episode explores both the promise and the danger of the current AI moment. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / <a href="https://www.twitter.com/jcollison" rel="nofollow">@jcollison</a> for show #676 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe</a> Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/live" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/live</a>

Should You Trust OpenClaw on Your Network? with Christian Johnson - HGG676

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg675" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg675</a> Is the AI future helpful or just plain dangerous? This week, Gavin Campbell from <a href="https://www.hometech.fm/" rel="nofollow">HomeTech.fm</a> and I take a hard look at OpenClaw, “vibe coding,” and what it really takes to run autonomous AI agents safely in your home lab. I’m trying to find out if you can actually let AI do the work without losing control of your network… or getting roasted by your own creations. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / <a href="https://www.twitter.com/jcollison" rel="nofollow">@jcollison</a> for show #675 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? <a href="http://www.theaverageguy.tv/subscribe" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe</a>Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at <a href="http://www.theAverageGuy.tv/live" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/live</a>

A Hard Look at OpenClaw: Is It Safe to Use This AI Right Now? – HGG675

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg674" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg674</a> Paul Braren from <a href="https://tinkertry.com/" rel="nofollow">TinkerTry.com</a> joins me this week to discuss energy-efficient home technology, including heat pumps, air sealing, and upgrading older homes for modern HVAC systems. They explore the real-world costs of improving home energy efficiency, the role of smart electrical panels and lithium-ion battery backups, and how modern monitoring tools help homeowners better understand their energy usage. The conversation also covers robotics, network upgrades, and the growing role of AI in everyday technology troubleshooting. Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / <a href="https://www.twitter.com/jcollison" rel="nofollow">@jcollison</a> for show #674 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? <a href="http://www.theaverageguy.tv/subscribe" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe</a>Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at <a href="http://www.theAverageGuy.tv/live" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/live</a>

Upgrading an Older Home: Heat Pumps, Air Sealing and Smart Energy with Paul Braren – HGG674

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Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg673" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg673</a> Jay Franze joins me to talk about how AI is showing up in real songwriting workflows, not just as a toy, but as a tool people are actually using. We unpack how we built the new Home Gadget Geeks theme, what’s happening in Nashville studios, and whether AI makes music more creative or more predictable. Along the way, we hit crypto regret, bourbon country, and the bigger question: what happens when anyone can make a full song in minutes? Thanks for listening! Join Jim Collison / <a href="https://www.twitter.com/jcollison" rel="nofollow">@jcollison</a> for show #673 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at <a href="http://theAverageGuy.tv/live" rel="nofollow">http://theAverageGuy.tv/live</a>

How AI Is Disrupting Songwriting and the Music Business with Jay Franze – HGG673

On Home Gadget Geeks we cover all your favorite tech gadgets that find their way into your home. News, reviews, product updates and conversation, all for the Average Tech guy! Host Jim Collison and his super line up of hosts are LIVE each week on Thursday nights, 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv