On this week’s episode of the Smart Home Insider Podcast, YouTube host Shane Whatley joins to discuss the upcoming Unify Conference, smart speakers, and more.
Shane Whatley is this week’s guest host. He has his own YouTube channel where he tests and reviews smart home products.
This episode is also the first episode we’re launching with native support for video in the Apple Podcasts app. Apple Podcasts users can freely switch between audio and video versions directly from the app instead of going through YouTube.
In news of the week, the Connectivity Standards Alliance announced Unify 2026. This is its first public conference to talk about the future of the smart home.
It will take place in Austin, Texas and feature numerous industry speakers. Signing up isn’t cheap at $700, so average smart home fans may skip it, but it will be a great resource for those close to the industry.
Also in the news, Govee offers two new floor lamps. Shane had the opportunity to test out these new lights ahead of the launch and gave us some first impressions.
Aqara has updated its W200 smart thermostat with a highly sought-after feature. It can now use any Matter or Aqara environmental sensor to take over the room, getting a better temperature reading throughout your home.
Finally, SwitchBot announced a new circulating fan. This updated model features multiple height options and works with Apple Home through Matter.
After the news, we spend some time discussing smart speakers. The focus is on the new Denon Home line, although we’re talking about the general lack of Siri-enabled speakers.
Smart Home Insider Podcast Links
Those interested in sponsoring the show can contact us at (email protected)
Stay up to date on all things Apple in the weekly woozad podcast. Just say “Hey, Siri” to your HomePod mini and ask for it, along with our latest Smart Home Insider episode. If you want an ad-free core woozad Podcast experience, you can support the woozad Podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple’s Podcasts app or through Patreon if you prefer another podcast player.