In this week’s episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Kevin Schoonover for a packed discussion that jumps from health and fitness to EV trucks, from Windows 10’s sunset to ARM’s rise, and all the way down to the small stuff — batteries, smart home gear, and the realities of modern tech maintenance. Thanks for listening!



















Episode Summary



We open the show by talking about the weather rolling into Omaha and catching up on the World Series, before Kevin dives into something a little different — his personal health journey. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago, Kevin talks about how medications, diet changes, and lifestyle adjustments helped him regain balance and energy. I share my own pre-diabetes story and how regular checkups and honest conversations with doctors really make a difference.



From there, we take a hard turn into the tech side.







Electric Vehicles, the Rivian R1T, and the New Slate Pickup



Kevin’s been following the EV market closely and is particularly interested in the Rivian R1T and the recently announced Rivian Slate EV pickup — a minimalist, $20,000 all-electric truck designed to do the basics well. He even dropped the refundable $50 deposit just to keep options open when production starts in 2027.



We explore the real-world practicality of EVs — especially in cold climates — and how the Slate’s simple design might appeal to buyers who just need an affordable, lightweight hauler. Kevin jokes about 3D-printing mounts for Bluetooth speakers and other add-ons, showing how customizable a bare-bones EV could become. We also dig into Ford’s retreat from the F-150 Lightning, incentives drying up, and how changing consumer demand might reshape the EV industry in the next few years.







Windows 10’s End of Life and the Rise of Linux Mint



With Windows 10 support ending, Kevin and I talk about what comes next for users who don’t want to jump to Windows 11. Kevin makes the case for Linux Mint — a smooth, stable, and easy-to-use distribution that can breathe life into older hardware.



We also discuss BitLocker, OneDrive integration headaches, and what corporate users face when managing Windows systems under heavy security policies. Linux Mint comes across as a refreshing alternative — lightweight, clean, and user-friendly for everyday tasks, especially if most of your computing happens in a browser.







Enterprise IT and the Cost of Security



I share my own experiences running into corporate security software that eats up performance, sometimes making even fast hardware feel sluggish. Kevin echoes the same from his IT world — constant balancing acts between locking systems down and keeping them usable.The takeaway: as AI, telemetry, and real-time scanning get heavier, many organizations are starting to explore more efficient approaches — including mobile-based solutions and cloud-first security.







Smart Thermostats, Vendor Lock-In, and End-of-Life Devices



Kevin highlights one of his ongoing frustrations: Google discontinuing support for older Nest thermostats, leaving long-time users in a bind. We talk about the broader trend of planned obsolescence in smart home gear — companies ending support for hardware that still works perfectly.



Sonos gets a mention here too, with its confusing S1 vs. S2 app split, showing how even premium brands can make ownership complicated. Together, we reflect on how “connected” doesn’t always mean...