Rich’s roundup from CEDIA 2025 landed like a fast-moving tour of where the modern smart home is headed: pro-grade audio and outdoor AV, smart TVs with generative AI baked in, practical advice for Windows 10 users facing the October 14, 2025 end-of-support deadline, and a demonstration of how the newest image-AI models can restore old family photos or even remove fences and distractions with a few well-placed prompts. Those highlights — reported on Rich’s KOGO segment and corroborated by on-the-ground coverage — underline three concurrent currents in consumer tech: AI moving into everyday devices, the hard expiration date for legacy desktop platforms, and subscription-model friction that’s changing how consumers share and track services.
CEDIA 2025 in Denver showcased an ecosystem that’s no longer just about big screens and better speakers; it’s about connected experiences that blur device boundaries. Manufacturers are integrating multimodal AI (voice + vision + contextual automation) into TVs, tablets and phones — and pairing that with more robust local security and on-device processing to reassure privacy-conscious buyers. Meanwhile, software and services are tightening access rules (notably subscription sharing), and the Windows platform is setting a calendar deadline many users can’t ignore. This article synthesizes Rich’s dispatch, on-site reporting from CEDIA, and independent verification of key claims to provide a practical, critical guide for enthusiasts and households preparing to upgrade hardware, protect data, and take advantage of new AI productivity tools.
Why this matters for WindowsForum readers:
What to do if you or someone in your network relies on Invitee privileges:
Source: Newsradio 600 KOGO CEDIA 2025 smart home tech, Windows 11 upgrade check & Gemini photo tricks | Newsradio 600 KOGO | Rich On Tech
CEDIA 2025 in Denver showcased an ecosystem that’s no longer just about big screens and better speakers; it’s about connected experiences that blur device boundaries. Manufacturers are integrating multimodal AI (voice + vision + contextual automation) into TVs, tablets and phones — and pairing that with more robust local security and on-device processing to reassure privacy-conscious buyers. Meanwhile, software and services are tightening access rules (notably subscription sharing), and the Windows platform is setting a calendar deadline many users can’t ignore. This article synthesizes Rich’s dispatch, on-site reporting from CEDIA, and independent verification of key claims to provide a practical, critical guide for enthusiasts and households preparing to upgrade hardware, protect data, and take advantage of new AI productivity tools.CEDIA 2025: What mattered and why it should matter to WindowsForum readers
Smart home trends: AI at the center, local-first privacy, and pro audio for the living backyard
CEDIA’s show floor is always where home‑theater tech looks its best — and in 2025 the narrative was clear: AI is no longer a novelty add‑on; it’s being embedded in displays, receivers, and controllers so your living room can see, listen, and reason about what you want. Vendors emphasized:- Vision-first assistants that can identify objects on screen, generate context-aware suggestions, and offer multi‑turn voice conversations with the TV as the hub.
- Audio beyond the living room — outdoor PA and party-grade towers that keep up with streaming quality expectations.
- Home automation orchestration, where panels and smart displays centralize multiple assistants and services.
Notable show-floor takeaways (short list)
- Multimodal assistants that combine on-device sensing and cloud reasoning are now mainstream in flagship displays.
- Manufacturers are shipping enhanced privacy controls (on‑device encryption and per‑app secure stores).
- There’s renewed attention to outdoor AV as a lifestyle category — weatherproof speakers, integrated control, and mobile‑first setup flows.
Windows 11 upgrade checks: a practical guide and timeline
The calendar you cannot ignore
Microsoft has set the Windows 10 end-of-support date as October 14, 2025. After that date, Windows 10 will no longer receive security patches or technical support from Microsoft; users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program if their hardware is incompatible. This is not optional if you rely on up‑to‑date security protections. (support.microsoft.com)How to tell whether your PC is eligible for Windows 11
- Run the Microsoft PC Health Check app — it’s the official compatibility test and explains which specific requirement (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU model) fails if your machine is blocked. (support.microsoft.com)
- If the device is eligible and offered the update, follow Windows Update prompts after you back up your files.
- If ineligible, you have realistic options: enroll in the consumer ESU plan for an extra year of protection, replace the device, or — for experienced users — consider advanced upgrade workarounds (registry edits or custom install media). Each carries tradeoffs. (support.microsoft.com)
Real-world advice and risk assessment
- Best practice: If PC Health Check says “eligible,” update now after a full backup. That preserves security and future compatibility.
- If your PC fails: Don’t rush into registry hacks unless you’re comfortable with unsupported configurations and potential driver or stability issues. These community workarounds exist, but they increase complexity and risk.
- If you must stay on Windows 10 temporarily: Enroll in ESU as a mitigation step while you plan replacement or migration; note that ESU pricing and availability may vary. Coverage beyond October 2025 is intentionally temporary. (windowscentral.com, support.microsoft.com)
Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 FE — what it means for the smart home and photo workflows
Samsung’s announcement of the Galaxy S25 FE positions a mid‑priced phone as a primary entry point to the larger Galaxy AI ecosystem. The phone starts at roughly $649 in the U.S. and brings a 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED panel, a 4,900 mAh battery, and several AI-driven photo features (Generative Edit, Instant Slow-mo, Gemini Live) that directly feed into the home ecosystem strategy. Samsung’s product copy emphasizes integrated AI editing and on-device privacy protections. (news.samsung.com, sammobile.com)Why this matters for WindowsForum readers:
- The S25 FE shows how manufacturers expect phones to be the central input device for home AI features (visual context for assistants, content creation, and quick editing).
- The device’s generative tools reduce friction for everyday photo repairs and edits, which were until recently the domain of desktop apps.
Gemini Nano / “Nano Banana”: AI photo restoration — power, promise, and perils
Google’s updated image-editing model — dubbed in some coverage as Nano Banana / Gemini Flash 2.5 — significantly improves image edits inside the Gemini app: it can restore old photos, fill missing background details, remove fences or passersby, and perform complex style transfers with a few textual prompts. Google’s blog and early coverage demonstrate rapid, high‑quality edits that preserve likenesses and contextual detail. (blog.google, washingtonpost.com)Practical capabilities demonstrated
- Restore and colorize old family photos with context-aware fills that match surrounding textures and lighting.
- Remove fences or background clutter and reconstruct plausible backgrounds.
- Combine multiple photos or change outfits/backgrounds while keeping subject identity consistent.
Critical caveats and safety concerns
- These edits are powerful but not perfect: occasional artifacts, mismatched faces, or implausible fills still occur, especially with extreme edits.
- The democratization of realistic image manipulation raises misinformation and privacy risks — anyone can alter or place people into scenes with minimal effort.
- Google has introduced watermarking and other traceability features (e.g., SynthID), but detection and societal safeguards remain a work in progress. Treat dramatic image edits — especially those involving public figures or sensitive scenes — with skepticism. (blog.google, washingtonpost.com)
Subscription sharing and tracking: Amazon’s Invitee change and how to manage recurring costs
Amazon ends the Prime Invitee program
Amazon is phasing out the Prime Invitee program on October 1, 2025, which historically allowed Prime members to share select shipping benefits with people outside their household. Amazon is directing people toward Amazon Family (household-limited sharing) and offering discounted first-year subscriptions to former invitees. This change reflects broader industry moves to limit non-household account sharing and recover subscription revenue. (cbsnews.com, tomsguide.com)What to do if you or someone in your network relies on Invitee privileges:
- Expect notifications from Amazon in early September if you’re affected.
- If shipping perks are essential, plan for a personal Prime subscription or consolidate orders to meet free-shipping thresholds.
- Be wary of “workarounds” that violate terms — those may create account restrictions or other friction.
Managing subscriptions: Rocket Money vs. Monarch Money
Rich’s call-in exchange mirrors a common dilemma: do you want automated cancellation and negotiation, or a holistic paid dashboard? The landscape breaks down broadly:- Rocket Money: Strong at detecting and canceling forgotten subscriptions, negotiates bills (for a fee), offers a usable free tier, and is cheaper for casual users. It excels at one‑time cleanup tasks. (fool.com, 9meters.com)
- Monarch Money: Focuses on visual dashboards, net‑worth tracking, and deeper planning. It’s a paid product with a cleaner UX for long-term money management, but it does not auto-cancel subscriptions. (fool.com, modestmoney.com)
- Use Rocket Money if you want to find and cancel subscriptions quickly and at low cost.
- Use Monarch if you want a long-term finance hub and are comfortable paying for a premium, polished interface.
- Consider using both sequentially: Rocket Money to clean up forgotten recurring charges, then Monarch to take a long-view approach to budgeting and net worth.
Practical tips and short how‑tos
1) How to check Windows 11 eligibility (quick)
- Back up everything first.
- Download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check or use Settings > Windows Update to check for the upgrade offer. If it reports an incompatibility, note which component (TPM, CPU, Secure Boot) fails so you can make an informed decision. (support.microsoft.com)
2) How to claim the Microsoft student offer
- Microsoft is offering U.S. college students a free 12‑month Microsoft 365 Personal subscription with Copilot (claim window through October 31, 2025). To claim, students must verify enrollment with a valid university email or appropriate documentation. After the free year, Microsoft is offering discounted continuation pricing. Students should verify the sign-up flow and cancel auto-renew if they do not want to be charged after the trial. (theverge.com, bleepingcomputer.com)
3) How to use Gboard’s writing tools to polish messages
- On updated Android devices, Gboard includes a “Writing tools” button that can proofread, rephrase, and change tone. Open any text field, tap the Writing tools icon, and choose Proofread, Rephrase, Professional, Friendly, or Shorten depending on your needs. All core rewriting occurs on-device for privacy on supported phones. (blog.google, support.google.com)
4) Choosing an online protection strategy: NordVPN vs Chrome Safe Browsing
- NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is an integrated feature that blocks known phishing and malicious domains, scans downloads for malware, blocks trackers and ads, and provides an additional defense layer even without an active VPN connection. It’s an endpoint enhancement you control via subscription. (nordvpn.com, support.nordvpn.com)
- Chrome Safe Browsing (Standard and Enhanced modes) now offers real‑time URL checks and advanced, ML-driven protections in Enhanced mode. Turning Enhanced Protection on in Chrome is a strong defense for everyday browsing and is free — but it shares additional telemetry with Google’s Safe Browsing service to power those protections. For the broadest protection, use both: enable Enhanced Safe Browsing and consider a reputable endpoint service like NordVPN’s Threat Protection for extra scanning of downloads and network-layer threats. (blog.google, security.googleblog.com)
Risks, tradeoffs, and final cautions
- AI photo editing is transformative for personal archives, but the same tools make seamless image manipulation trivially available. Always ask for original files or provenance when authenticity matters. Use detection flags and preserve original scans when archiving family photos. (blog.google, washingtonpost.com)
- Running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware (via hacks) can work, but it’s unsupported by Microsoft and may block future updates or cause driver issues. The safest route is upgrade-on-eligible hardware or ESU enrollment if you need more time. (support.microsoft.com)
- Subscription churn is real: services may restrict sharing and increase friction for shared benefits. Audit recurring charges, use an app to identify low-value subscriptions, and set calendar reminders to review trial expirations and annual renewals. (fool.com, kiplinger.com)
- Privacy tradeoffs still matter: Enhanced Safe Browsing improves protection but involves more telemetry; on-device AI (Gboard, some Galaxy AI features) reduces telemetry to cloud but not entirely. Read vendor privacy docs and toggle settings to match your threat model. (blog.google, news.samsung.com)
Conclusion
CEDIA 2025 showcased a smart‑home future that’s rapidly converging around multimodal AI, tighter on-device privacy controls, and higher expectations for integrated experiences across phones, TVs, and home audio systems. At the same time, platform realities — notably the Windows 10 end-of-support date of October 14, 2025 — impose concrete deadlines for upgrades and security planning. Rich’s on-air notes captured both the brio of the show floor and the practical consumer choices ahead: take advantage of AI editing and smart-home convenience, but pair that excitement with concrete housekeeping steps — confirm your Windows upgrade path, audit subscriptions, and apply layered online protections. The next six months will be busy for households that want to stay current, secure, and in control of their data and media. (support.microsoft.com, blog.google)Source: Newsradio 600 KOGO CEDIA 2025 smart home tech, Windows 11 upgrade check & Gemini photo tricks | Newsradio 600 KOGO | Rich On Tech