About this podcast

Join Jennifer Pattison Tuohy on The Vergecast as she uncovers the fascinating story of Insteon, a pioneering smart lighting company brought back from the brink of bankruptcy. She chats with Ken Fairbanks, a long-time Insteon customer who, against all odds, ended up buying and reviving the company. Ken shares the challenges and triumphs of breathing new life into a floundering smart home protocol, discussing the importance of customer loyalty, subscriptions, and the impact of tariffs on the industry, alongside insights into the pitfalls of some hardware companies.

Following this gripping interview, Jen is joined by smart home expert Richard Gunther, co-host of The Smart Home Show, for a supersized 'Vergecast Hotline.' They dive deep into burning smart lighting questions, offering practical advice on everything from moving your smart home setup and choosing between smart switches or bulbs, to selecting the best Thread border router for your Matter system. Discover how these experts integrate smart lighting into their own homes in this insightful and engaging episode.