Home Gadget Geeks

Jim Collison

We cover all your favorite tech gadgets that find their way into your home!

  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Andrew Morris Returns: Solar in Brisbane, NAS Frustrations, Unifi Networking & Garmin Tech – HGG671
    Andrew Morris returns to Home Gadget Geeks this week. We revisit the early days of HGG, catch up on his move from Melbourne to Brisbane, and dive deep into solar upgrades, NAS decisions, hardware pricing, Unifi networking, broadband realities, Garmin health tech, and the growing temptation of a Bambu Lab 3D printer. Thanks for listening! Andrew’s Early Contributions to Home Gadget Geeks We open with a throwback to the early HGG days — Friday recordings, weekend syncing, and Andrew’s reputation as the inventor of “world-class show notes.” We reflect on how the podcast team evolved over the years, including familiar
    14 February 2026, 1:06 pm
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    Solar Sheds, Smart Gardens, and a Reality Check from CES 2026 with TJ Huddleston – HGG670
    This week I am joined by TJ Huddleston for a wide-ranging conversation that blends real-world winter weather, practical home technology, and insights from CES 2026. From navigating a rare Level 3 snow emergency in Ohio to installing a solar-powered backyard shed using an EcoFlow battery, the discussion stays focused on what actually works. Along the way, Jim and TJ dig into smart irrigation, weather stations, automation strategies, and why CES continues to be more about people and perspective than breakthrough products. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by TJ Huddleston for a
    7 February 2026, 12:43 pm
  • 1 hour 28 minutes
    Tapo Smart Devices, UniFi Home Networking, and a Gadget Detox – HGG669
    Marv Bee returns this week for a practical conversation about unified home networking and modern tech habits. The discussion provides a closer look at Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem and why it’s becoming more approachable for home users, along with strategies for simplifying complex networks, utilizing VLANs to enhance security, and managing the constant pressure to upgrade. Along the way, the episode also explores smart home automation, Amazon shopping behaviors, and Marv’s ongoing gadget detox—offering a thoughtful balance between embracing new technology and keeping it under control. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, the conversation explores the real-world
    31 January 2026, 2:43 pm
  • 1 hour 43 minutes
    Oscar Hedaya with Smart Safes and Reinventing Home Security with Space – HGG668
    In this episode, I speak with Oscar Hedaya, founder of Space, about how smart safes are redefining home security through modern technology. We explore Oscar’s entrepreneurial journey and how his experiences led to rethinking a traditionally overlooked household product for today’s connected lifestyles. Our conversation highlights the innovative features of the Space smart safe, including a touchscreen interface, motion detection, app connectivity, and the PanicPin emergency alert system. Oscar explains why consumer expectations have shifted toward app-integrated devices and why usability must remain front and center, even as products become more advanced. We also discuss the realities of building and
    24 January 2026, 1:45 pm
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    Celebrating 15 Years of Home Gadget Geeks with LePro Outdoor Lighting, AI Hardware Shifts, and Crypto Signals – HGG667
    Christian Johnson joins me this week to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the show while exploring today’s evolving tech landscape. They discuss AI hardware trends, rising consumer component costs, and NVIDIA’s latest enterprise advancements, along with a hands-on look at programmable outdoor LED lighting. We also look into cryptocurrency, comparing Ethereum and Bitcoin, before wrapping up with immersive tech and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Thanks for listening! In Episode 667 of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison is joined by long-time friend and technologist Christian Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation that blends reflection, hands-on experience, and forward-looking analysis. The episode opens with
    17 January 2026, 2:03 pm
  • 1 hour 57 minutes
    Jay Franze Talks Writing Songs with AI: Creativity Without Limits – HGG666
    In this episode, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a seasoned music producer, to explore how AI is transforming music creation. Jay shares his experiment using AI as a virtual studio—producing songs that rival human-recorded tracks and often sound indistinguishable from traditional productions. We compare AI and studio recordings, discuss songwriting, ethics, and ownership, and explore how these tools can empower musicians and podcasters alike. The episode closes with a look toward future collaborations and the potential for AI-crafted theme music. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a music industry veteran with
    20 December 2025, 3:12 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Sammie Collison on Unpacking a Remarkable Year Through Grit, Growth, and Gratitude – HGG665
    Every year on Black Friday, Home Gadget Geeks pauses the tech talk just long enough to look at where life and technology intersect, and this year’s episode with Sammie Collison might be the most grounded one yet. From returning to college as a full-time library para to managing finances, mental bandwidth, and school in the age of cloud tools and tactile hobbies, Sammie gives us a real-world look at what it takes to navigate modern adulthood with limited time and limited money — and still find room for creativity, connection, and growth. Technology is in the mix, but seldom the
    29 November 2025, 1:17 pm
  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    Warped Boards & Wired Homes, Catching up with Dave McCabe – HGG664
    Dave McCabe joins me this week to reminisce about 17 years of podcasting, dive into smart home gadgets, and explore Dave’s woodworking journey with Warped Boards. From CNC upgrades and handcrafted cutting boards to candid talk on men’s health, this episode blends tech, creativity, and community. Thanks for listening! In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow podcaster Dave McCabe for a conversation that blends technology, woodworking, and community. We kick things off with some lighthearted stories about lawn care and the unpredictable Midwest weather before diving into our shared podcasting journey
    22 November 2025, 1:02 pm
  • 1 hour 27 minutes
    Smart Fridges, Clean Windows and Virtual Fairways: Tech That Simplifies Life – HGG663
    I am joined this week by Erin Lawrence and Mike Wieger to explore tech innovations that enhance daily living. They review the Mydea One Touch Autofill Refrigerator, the Ecovacs WinBot W2 window-cleaning robot, and dive into golf simulator technology. The episode wraps with Black Friday deals, hard drive upgrades, battery backup solutions, and camping tech innovations—all with humor and practical insights for the average gadget enthusiast. Thanks for listening! I am joined by Erin Lawrence and Mike Wieger to explore the latest technological innovations and gadgets that can enhance our daily living experiences. Recorded on November 13th, 2025, we dive
    15 November 2025, 2:32 pm
  • 1 hour 22 minutes
    The $20K Slate EV, Linux Mint, Recycle PCs and Smart Battery Upgrades with Kevin Schoonover – HGG662
    In this week’s episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Kevin Schoonover for a packed discussion that jumps from health and fitness to EV trucks, from Windows 10’s sunset to ARM’s rise, and all the way down to the small stuff — batteries, smart home gear, and the realities of modern tech maintenance. Thanks for listening! Episode Summary We open the show by talking about the weather rolling into Omaha and catching up on the World Series, before Kevin dives into something a little different — his personal health journey. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago,
    8 November 2025, 1:02 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Gavin Campbell with Smart Yard Automation, Unraid 7.2 Enhancements, and the Rise of Local AI – HGG661
    Gavin Campbell joins this week and we covered winter weather, his strong early results with the Segway Navimow robot mower, the improved sound and smart-home functionality of the Echo Dot Max, and his Unraid 7.2 upgrade that boosted responsiveness. We discussed how we are using local AI for automation, troubleshooting, and coding, along with bigger questions around AI’s economics and infrastructure. We closed with notes on CES planning, upcoming guests, and a quick update on Sammy’s library-science studies, plus an invitation to keep the conversation going in our Discord. Thanks for listening! Episode Overview In this episode of Home Gadget
    1 November 2025, 1:58 pm
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