Sonos Arc Ultra, Car Key expands, & Shortcuts automations with Clicks

On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast Clicks co-founder and CMO Jeff Gadway joins to discuss Shortcuts automations, the new Sonos line, and more.

Guest co-host this week is Jeff Gadway. He founded Clicks keyboard case with Michael Fisher — Mr. Mobile — alongside Kevin Michaluk — also known as CrackBerry Kevin.

The viral hit launched earlier this year at CES 2024 and is readying a new launch for the iPhone 16 series. One of the newer additions is a companion app that features various shortcut automations.

That discussion was the bulk of the episode, breaking down how you can use devices, like the Clicks keyboard case, to run smart home automations and Shortcuts. We also highlighted a litany of resources for smart home Shortcuts.

Aside from the discussion on Shortcuts and Clicks, we also got into the news for the week.

The big news was that Sonos has launched its new Arc Ultra soundbar and its Sub 4 companion woofer. Both products are up for order and have several improvements.

In other news, Apple Car Key is expanding to other vehicle makers. Code in the Wallet app revealed Audi, Polestar, and Volvo will be getting support on select models.

With Android 15, Pixel phones and tablets both have a new interactive screensaver. This is great for smart home control and is more powerful than Apple's StandBy mode for smart home control.

Signify updated its Philips Hue again. It includes several new effects and the "scattered" animation now works with any Hue gradient products.

Finally, we talk about Apple's 2025 plans for the smart home that seem to be growing. They apparently encompass a new HomeOS, more Matter devices, and a new smart home accessory.

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1 Comment

neelypeely 2 comments · 3 Years

About 1 month ago

Please dont buy the Era 300's for surround sound! its a waste of money when the Era 100's suffice. The Arc and sub work well, I have the Ultra coming next Tuesday and hope it is the improvement Sonos are bragging about, the app is still a horror show though! The reason I say dont buy the Era 300's is that only the uprising 'inside' speaker gets a signal from the arc, the front speaker isn't used, mad I know, plus, once you set the speakers as surrounds for cinema, the Airplay and bluetooth music facility is shut off. So you can see why I say its a waste of money to buy the bigger speakers, which are awesome on their own for music but losing that facility just to have a meagre, hard to hear rear sound effect from such a large speaker is simply ridiculous. I can't believe Sonos can't push a bigger signal to them, and keep the music facilities intact.