Join me and 160,000+ subscribers on the journey to a smarter, simpler Apple Home.
Welcome! If you’re just starting your smart home journey, it can feel overwhelming—I get it. That’s exactly why I built this site: to simplify the process and help you build a smart home that actually works for you.
As a longtime Apple user, I chose to build my smart home using Apple HomeKit—and over the years, I’ve documented that journey piece by piece, sharing what works (and what doesn’t) along the way. Whether you’re brand new to smart home tech or looking to level up your setup, my goal is to make building a DIY smart home feel simple, approachable, and yes—wife approved.
Here on the blog, you’ll find guides, videos, and product recommendations all categorized to help you quickly find what you need. Want to know which devices I actually use and trust? Head over to the Recommended Products section for gear I’ve tested and use in my own home.
Let’s make your smart home smarter—without the headache.
Apple Home (formerly HomeKit) is Apple’s smart home platform that brings all your compatible devices together in one place. Whether it’s lights, locks, thermostats, or cameras—you can control everything easily and securely using the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or just by asking Siri. And with remote access and automations, your home doesn’t just respond—it anticipates.
Getting into smart home tech can feel like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve created a few essential beginner videos to help you understand how Apple Home works and how to set things up the right way from the start.
👉 Watch the three videos below—they’ll give you a solid foundation in Apple Home and how to make it work for you.
In this first video of my new Apple Home 101 series, I'm sharing my blueprint for building a rock-so…
Apple Home 101: EP2 In this second video of my Apple Home 101 series, I break down the essential com…
Apple Home 101: EP3 You can have thousands of dollars worth of smart home tech, but without proper o…
Want to go deeper? Check out the full [Getting Started Playlist] for more beginner-friendly content.
🎯 Looking for something specific?
Every video I’ve published is categorized and searchable right here on the website. Whether you’re troubleshooting, researching a product, or exploring advanced automations—you’ll find what you need in just a few clicks. [Browse All Videos]
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Marriage. Family. Tech that sometimes works.
Welcome to Wife Approved — a podcast from Shane & Caroline Whatley that gives you a real look inside their smart home and family life. One’s a tech-obsessed YouTuber. The other just wants the lights to turn on without yelling at Siri. From parenting chaos and marriage laughs to automations that cause more fights than fixes, this show is all about finding the humor (and help) in everyday life with tech. Real talk. Real marriage. Mostly functional Wi-Fi.
Submit questions/topics for us to cover in a future episode here!
Can you build a full smart home security system — with cameras, locks, sensors, lighting, and automations — for someone with zero smart home experience… and do it all with no monthly subscriptions?
The Most Advanced Robot Vacuum + Mop? Narwal Flow Hands-On!
This Might Be the Best Smart Presence Sensor Yet… Today we’re checking out the Lafaer LWR01 — a wireless mmWave presence sensor equipped with ultra-precise motion detection, all packed into a compact, Matter-compatible design. It’s battery-powered, Thread-enabled, and designed to detect real presence—not just motion—so your automations can finally behave the way you want.
