Dave Hamilton joins me this week. After a quick Mac lightning round, Dave shares how he uses ChatGPT for long-form conversations while driving and discusses his Eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15, which navigates with onboard cameras and mows daily for a consistently clean lawn. They also review the Ampace Andes 1500 portable power station and the Boost Hero jump starter—both handy tools for outages and emergencies. The episode wraps with reflections on our long-running podcasts and how tech continues to shape our shows. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison welcomes Dave Hamilton for a wide-ranging conversation that blends AI, home tech, and podcasting wisdom.
Jim opens by reflecting on his recent experiment using an AI co-host and thanks the community for their thoughtful feedback. Dave shares his own use of ChatGPT—particularly for engaging, long-form conversations during commutes and even to navigate challenging real-world scenarios. They explore the current limitations of AI in co-hosting, such as the absence of emotional nuance and non-verbal cues.
The discussion shifts to podcasting, where Dave recounts the evolution of Mac Geek Gab from audio to video, and the toll of being “on camera” during remote recordings. They trade tips on improving audio setups, including Jim’s use of a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and Dave’s insights on Apple Photos, iCloud storage, and organizing digital media.
Jim asks about using HomePods as computer speakers, prompting a deep dive into audio latency, speaker quality, and why Dave prefers traditional speakers paired with a DAC. The conversation transitions to Apple Silicon, where Dave walks through his smooth migration experience from Intel and the quirks of app compatibility along the way.
Dave then reviews his Eufy robotic lawn mower, which uses cameras to map and mow daily—quietly and efficiently. He shares practical setup advice and maintenance tips. From there, they explore portable power solutions, with Dave highlighting the Ampace Andes 1500 power station, ideal for outages and off-grid situations. A real-world example: keeping his daughter’s apartment powered during a long-term blackout.
The gear talk continues with the Boost Hero jump starter, which doubles as a power bank. Jim and Dave discuss the leaps in battery technology and how they’re reshaping everything from EVs to mobile devices.
The episode wraps on a reflective note as Dave recounts the 20-year journey of Mac Geek Gab, emphasizing community, consistency, and curiosity. He and Jim look ahead to the future of podcasting, new formats, and the tech innovations that continue to reshape the landscape.
Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at
http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg652
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@jcollison for show #652 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.
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