In this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we dive into the Google TV Streamer, investigate the ghost hub issue, and discuss the antics of rogue robovacs. We kick off the episode with a story about robot vacuum cleaners, as multiple users have reported having their accounts 'hacked', allowing others to gain control over their bots. One user shared that his Ecovacs robot vacuum cleaner roamed around the house on its own, shouting obscenities. It's worth noting that these devices may also have cameras. We cover what transpired, how to safeguard against such incidents, and general guidelines for protecting yourself and your smart home. Thankfully, this was not a large-scale hack but rather a case of simple social engineering using a known list of compromised passwords.

Next, we turn our attention to iOS 18.1 and its upcoming release. As we near the launch date, a few minor issues remain to be addressed. This update includes enhancements to Apple Intelligence and an upgraded Siri. The new Siri will be more perceptive and can assist in controlling your smart home, even if you fumble over your words.

Finally, we highlight a recent update to the Hue app. With this update, users can preview Hue lights in their homes via AR capabilities, thanks to LiDAR on select Apple devices. We then dedicate the latter part of the episode to discussing the Google TV Streamer and how it stacks up against the Apple TV 4K. It's an impressive streaming device that comes with its own set of advantages, particularly since it undercuts Apple's pricing by $30 compared to the entry-level model.

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