Episode 561 - 8K Is Dead, Long Live Buttons

On this week’s show: Control4 previews shiny new touchscreens and subscriptions, Google Home finally wakes up to buttons, and Ikea’s Matter devices can’t seem to "Thread the needle." Home Assistant wants your device data (respectfully), the 8K dream is officially dead (RIP pixels), and Nice and Yubii have ecosystem updates. Plus, a new dirt-hugging soil sensor, a pick of the week, project updates, an AI bot forces Gavin to spend money, and so much more! Fan of the show? Want to support our efforts? Please consider becoming a Patron! (  / hometech  ) • Home Tech Headlines • Nice to Showcase Smart Living ecosystem at ISE 2026 - rAVe PUBS (https://ravepubs.com/nice-to-showcase...) • ADI Previews Upcoming T5 Models as Well as New Connect Subscription for X4 Platform - CEPRO (https://www.cepro.com/news/adi-previe...) • Google Home finally adds support for buttons - The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/tech/872927/...) • Ikea’s cheap new smart home gear is struggling to get connected - The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/tech/873973/...) • The TV industry finally concedes that the future may not be in 8K - Ars Technica (https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/...) • New Govee Outdoor Pathway Lights 2 Lite bring S‑shaped color effects to your garden - The Ambient (https://www.the-ambient.com/how-to/ne...) • This Dreame lightstrip is a brighter alternative to Hue’s Flux, and it’s available now - The Ambient (https://www.the-ambient.com/news/this...) • Pre-sale: WH52 Soil Moisture/Temperature/EC Sensor, Wireless 3-in-1 So - Ecowitt (https://shop.ecowitt.com/en-ca/produc...) • Pick of the Week • Surprise Birthday Delivery Surprise Gone Wrong (https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8aeSmuf/) • How we'll build the device database, together - Home Assistant (https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/20...) • Only Fan Controller (https://github.com/sethpjohnson/only-...)