Salutations everyone. The week in Playback is here and just in time as well. CES 2026 has been thoroughly wrapped up and now we can start to point our attention to the next big thing: ISE coverage. We have a small window to breathe in before that, though, so I’m excited to talk about something I think we’re going to see more of this year: AI.
“Yeah. Duh,” you say, but let me clarify. I’m excited to see more AI being used by control platforms because you may have noticed that, while AI has become incorporated into product stacks and business software, the common control platforms have been markedly reserved when pushing those products to market, even as the DIY crowd get their fill.
Up until very recently, Josh.ai and Nice were some of the only platforms to be prominently leveraging AI as part of their systems, and, to be honest, it’d be more newsworthy if Josh wasn’t leveraging AI in some way. There’s a reason behind that, though, as nearly all the control platforms assured CE Pro when we chatted with them last year.
AI that directly impacts the user experience of a smart home is perhaps one of the most mission-critical pieces of technology out there. If it doesn’t work the first time, it could kill all momentum for the product. Think about it. If you installed a system that got a software update that promptly tanked all your handiwork, both you and the client would likely have a very long-lasting sour taste in your mouth over the whole ordeal.
For that reason, control platforms have been cautious and deliberate, each with their own ideas as how to best leverage AI to improve both the client and integrator experience. And this week, we finally get to see what URC has been cooking up for its Total Control platform: an AI-powered module designed around a very specific context that can essentially be “plugged in” to transform a system’s capabilities.
We’ll dig more into what it does later in the Playback, but all of this is to say that this year, expect more of those AI advancements to finally start affecting how smart homes operate in some pretty big ways. And if you want to know more about what the other control platforms have planned, I suggest you read Zachary Comeau’s discussion from last year. Good stuff all around.
Alright, you’ve listened to me blather on long enough. You’ve got a Sunday to enjoy, so let’s get you caught up on everything you need to know in AV and smart home news with this week in Playback.
The Week in Playback
- Global TV Markets Shifting as China Shipments Slump on Low Demand
- Loewe’s stellar OLED TVs Make First U.S. Appearance at CES 2026
- URC Launches AI-Powered Circadian Lighting Module for Total Control Automation
- Logic Integration’s Shawn Hansson: Discipline and Service Will Define Integrator Success in 2026
- Matt Murray Named AVPro Global CEO, Founder Jeff Murray Transitions to Chairman
Chinese Brands Look Abroad for TV Growth
A report by Omdia earlier this week hinted at the possibility that major Chinese manufacturers like TCL and Hisense may soon be turning to U.S. markets for growth as a run of subsidies came to a close in their home country in Q3 2025.
Chinese TV shipments tanked during the quarter, dragging global shipment totals down with them, however two markets remained resilient: North America and Asia & Oceania.
Omdia analysts expect Chinese manufacturers to turn to Europe and India due to the lack of financial hurdles related to tariffs in these countries.
However, recent moves by Hisense in particular point to a possibility that the manufacturer isn’t going to be dialing back from American markets any time soon.
Meet the New Kid in Town: Loewe
After having served European luxury markets for nearly a century, Loewe is finally in the U.S. with it’s stellar OLED line.
The company made its international debut at CES 2026 and gave integrators a look at what will be on offer in the coming month, with the full lineup of luxury OLED TVs expected before the end of January.
Across seven screen sizes, the lineup sports a slim profile with 4K resolution and support for the latest HDR formats.
Loewe says each OLED is color-calibrated in house at its Kronach, Germany headquarters to deliver on what the company calls the most realistic colors.
URC Releases Its First AI-Powered Smart Home Module
The Circadian Utility marks the first piece of tech to come out of URCs Total Control Automation Engine, and one of the biggest UI-focused upgrades to grace the platform.
As described by URC, the new Circadian Utility is an AI-powered lighting module that dynamically adjusts color temperature based on sunrise, sunset, weather and UV data, even being able to detect cloud cover for calculations.
This is the first in a long list of planned modules to be developed via the Automation Engine, which itself is an incubator designed to introduce tools powered by artificial intelligence intentionally onto the Total Control platform.
Shawn Hanson on What Will Define Success in 2026
As part of its ongoing prediction series, CE Pro sat down with Shawn Hanson of Logic Integration to talk about his outlook for the new year.
Hanson stated that operational and financial discipline, alongside improvements in service revenue and customer experience will be key for firms heading into 2026.
Additionally, Hanson highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with electricians being able to shape businesses within the next year.
Lighting, shading and energy continue to be major growth categories for integrators, with all three showing no signs of slowing down among firms.
Murray Transitions Out of CEO Role at AVPro Global, Murray to Replace
Matt Murray ascended to AVPro Global CEO position this week, following a planned transition of company leadership.
Jeff Murray will now assume the role of Chairman of the Board, where he will still hold a guidance/mentorship role over company operations.
With this experience and customer‑first mindset, AVPro Global asserts Matt will work to guide AVPro into its next phase, delivering on its solutions while strengthening the culture and capabilities that have made the company a trusted partner around the world.
