The State of the Smart Home in 2026 (Live w/ Paul Hibbert & Smart Home Solver)
This week I’m joined by Paul Hibbert and Reed Kleinman (Smart Home Solver) to discuss the current state of the smart home industry in 2026.
We’ll talk about where smart home tech is headed, what’s actually improving (and what isn’t), and what we’re all seeing behind the scenes as creators in this space.
I’ll also be asking them about their personal smart home setups — what they actually use at home, what they’ve ditched, and what they recommend.
And of course, we’ll open it up for LIVE Q&A, so bring your questions and join the conversation in the chat.
Huge thanks to our guests this week. Go subscribe!
@paulhibbert
@SmartHomeSolver
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✅ LET’S CONNECT
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► Website: http://shanewhatley.com
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RECOMMENDED
VIDEOS
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🎬 Apple Home 101: Getting Started Playlist (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSyPtAY5VFr1NF_OgtaNoV67cT2YynuOr
🎬 The State of Apple Home in 2026: Is This the Year… or Is It Too Late?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-CL__OWGkA
🎬 The BEST Smart Home Tech of CES 2026!
https://youtu.be/nixxP7DNRBs?si=9FdxylzcCGKNY8BG
🎬 Matter Finally Supports Cameras!
https://youtu.be/9QEAcnaL1tc
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📌 Chapters
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00:00 Welcome to Apple Home Talk Live
02:08 Introducing Reed Kleinman & Paul Hibbert
03:03 Dad life, sleep deprivation, and different time zones
04:34 Last week’s YouTube chat glitch (emoji-only chat)
06:31 Can iPhones control Thread devices directly?
08:14 Massive membership gifting + community shoutouts
10:13 What platforms we actually use (Home Assistant vs Apple Home)
12:29 The challenge of reviewing smart home devices across ecosystems
14:40 Homey vs Home Assistant vs Hubitat discussion
20:17 Visual automation tools + using YAML and ChatGPT with Home Assistant
23:29 Super Chat + Wife Approved Podcast shoutout
26:25 First impressions of CES (first-timer vs veteran)
31:33 Is smart home innovation slowing down?
35:53 Dream smart home devices we wish existed
40:46 What happens to your smart home if you’re gone?
42:22 Will Matter replace “Works With” ecosystem badges?
44:35 Smart lock discussion (mortise locks, favorites, Aqara U400)
48:10 UniFi sensors vs Aqara + testing smart home gear
51:24 IKEA smart home devices discussion
55:30 Speed round: underrated devices, best brands, Zigbee vs Thread, RGB lighting
1:04:48 Wrapping up the stream + where to follow Reed and Paul
#SmartHome #AppleHome
