Agnes from Zooz shares insights into the quirky world of butt darts, the evolution of her company from a home automation hobby to a leading brand in smart home technology, and the innovative products they are developing. The discussion covers the challenges and successes in product development, the importance of community engagement, and the future trends in the smart home market, particularly the role of Z-Wave technology. Agnes emphasizes the need for user-friendly products and the significance of customer feedback in shaping their offerings.

Thank you to Zooz for sponsoring this podcast! For the best deals on Z-Wave smart home products you'll love:
https://www.thesmartesthouse.com


Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:43 The National Butt Darts Championships
02:44 The Genesis of Zooz
09:33 Evolving Product Development
15:33 Expanding into the Alarm Industry
23:25 Navigating the Product Cycle
30:57 Successes and Flops in Product Launches
37:49 Challenges in Home Automation Programming
38:20 The Role of Z-Wave Alliance
40:53 Overcoming Z-Wave Stigmas
43:40 Personal Smart Home Experiences
47:14 Understanding Relays in Home Automation
50:51 Engaging with Creators and Consumers

Guests: @Appmyhome Mark and Valerie

Valerie and Mark from At My Home share their journey into tech reviews and the evolution of their YouTube channel. They discuss the challenges of living in a smart home filled with various devices, their philosophy on product reviews, and the importance of maintaining a balance to avoid burnout. The conversation also touches on funny smart home fails and the impact of technology on everyday life.

Thank you to Zooz for sponsoring this podcast! For the best deals on Z-Wave smart home products you'll love:
https://www.thesmartesthouse.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:35 Journey into Tech Reviews
03:34 The Evolution of Smart Home Technology
05:50 Challenges of Smart Home Integration
08:38 The Future of Smart Home Products
11:54 The Role of Voice Assistants in Smart Homes
14:04 Reflections on Early YouTube Experiences
19:04 The Clutter of Smart Home Devices
21:06 Living in a Franken Home
24:06 Managing Notifications and Alerts
25:51 The Challenge of Product Reviews
34:06 The Review Process Explained
45:22 Exciting Innovations from CES 2025
50:28 The Importance of Network Infrastructure in Smart Homes
53:50 Choosing the Right Networking Solutions
56:38 The Role of Smart Home Devices and Automation
59:57 The Creator Economy and Community in Smart Home Tech
01:03:18 Avoiding Burnout in Content Creation
01:08:41 Epic Smart Home Fails and Lessons Learned

Guest @AutomatedHouse Jimmy Hawkins

Jimmy Hawkins shares his journey into the world of smart home technology, detailing his experiences with various devices, content creation on platforms like TikTok, and the challenges of automation. He discusses the evolution of his smart home setup, the impact of AI, and the balance between content creation and a full-time job. The discussion also touches on underrated and overrated smart home devices, unique automations, and personal anecdotes that highlight the joys and frustrations of living in a smart home.

Thank you to Zooz for sponsoring this podcast! For the best deals on Z-Wave smart home products you'll love:
https://www.thesmartesthouse.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions
03:31 Yarbo Day: Snow Blowing Experience
06:12 Jimmy's Smart Home Journey
08:55 Content Creation on TikTok
11:46 Challenges of Growing a TikTok Channel
14:20 Transitioning to Long-Form Content
17:08 Content Creation Process and Tools
19:54 Monetization and Influencer Challenges
22:03 Jimmy's Smart Home Setup
24:47 Unexpected Viral Videos and Their Impact
26:40 Home Assistant Experience and Insights
32:53 Navigating Home Assistant's Complexity
35:09 Smart Home Devices: Overrated and Underrated
38:21 The Role of AI in Smart Homes
42:49 Jimmy's Journey: From Atlanta to Smart Home Expert
47:57 Favorite Automations and Notable Fails