Welcome back! After a short break, we're back discussing the latest in smart home automation, AI integration, electric vehicles, Windows 11 builds, music tech, and more. Join Ian and Gary for a packed episode covering gadgets, home automation experiments, and future tech.

👇 Timestamps & Topics:

00:00 – Welcome back & holiday recap (Surface Go, Kindle, suitcase trackers)
01:48 – Capturing field sounds for future projects
02:01 – Gary’s smart home experiments with Xiao AI device
03:12 – Flashing ESPHome firmware & integrating Google Gemini
04:00 – Voice assistant demo: "Who is Ian Dixon?"
05:01 – Studio lights control via AI assistant
06:00 – On-device voice processing using Home Assistant
07:04 – Controlling blinds with voice commands
08:02 – Future of voice AI vs Alexa limitations
09:00 – Using wake word detection and custom voices
10:02 – Natural language commands for smart home tasks
11:00 – Smart assistants learning from user habits
12:06 – Blink camera battery extender & long battery life
13:04 – AI voice assistants mimicking human-like behavior
14:02 – Large language models vs real intelligence
16:00 – AI’s impact on job roles & skill development
18:00 – Copilots and code suggestions: useful or misleading?
19:04 – AI visual detection to monitor gate state
20:34 – Using LLMs for natural alerts & prompts
21:07 – Smart homes that ask questions & respond with context
22:07 – Predictive automation and habit learning
23:02 – Microsoft Copilot and smart features in Windows
24:15 – Podcast AI show notes automation
25:15 – New Windows 11 features & UI tweaks
26:01 – Windows machine recovery improvements
27:09 – Is Windows 12 coming or not?
28:24 – New MIDI 2.0 and audio stack in Windows
29:18 – YouTube videos: CR-78 recreations, Modwave tutorials
30:09 – Ring modulation on Korg Multi/Poly explained
31:09 – Upcoming synth album inspired by '80s vibes
32:02 – Blink camera usage and extended battery life
33:35 – Blink vs Arlo cameras & integration with Home Assistant
36:02 – EV updates: new government grants & EV signage
37:49 – EV grant details, new MG IM range
40:00 – Solid-state battery revolution: watches, GPS, trackers
42:58 – Cooling tech advancements: Peltier effect, nano AC
45:02 – Future possibilities in fanless laptop cooling
46:09 – EV Driver YouTube channel info & upcoming guest
46:48 – Show wrap-up & how to get in touch

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly discussions on tech, music gear, and smart homes.

📺 Check out our other videos on Modwave patches, synth sounds, CR-78 recreations, and more.

#SmartHome #Modwave #ElectricVehicles #Windows11 #AI #Synths #TechPodcast #HomeAssistant #CR78 #SurfaceGo