A popular European smart lock manufacturer made its debut in American markets this week, but more than that, after months of grinding away at Congress, the custom integration industry finally got handed a substantial legislative win this week.
Under a new policy expansion, Federal 529 college savings plans can be used for trade education and certifications, making it just a little bit easier to fund efforts to fill the massive trade skills deficit that continues to exist in America right now.
Plus, we’re giving a new name to this weekly roundup of news stories across the professional AV and home automation industries to help give it a little extra distinction among our audiences.
That said, it’s still the old deal: here to keep you connected with all the biggest news stories in the custom integration industry each week, only now, it’s this week in Playback.
Nuki Retrofit Smart Locks Make Their U.S. Debut
Image/Nuki
After being recognized as a 2025 CES Innovation Awards honoree, Nuki, an Austrian smart lock brand has made its U.S. debut with a retrofit lock aimed at replacing traditional U.S.-style single cylinder deadbolts.
Being able to support PIN codes, fingerprints, smartwatch control, auto-unlock via geolocation and traditional key use, it’s a versatile offering with its security features being only scratching the surface of what it provides for integrators.
Read the full article: Nuki Brings New Look to Retrofit Smart Locks with Stateside Debut
Oelo Drivers Arrive on the Josh.ai Platform
Image/Josh.ai
Josh.ai users can now manage Oelo’s architectural-grade exterior lighting through voice, touch, and app interfaces thanks to a set of drivers developed by CinDev for the platform.
More than that, however, the new set of driver marks the first to be developed by an independent developer working on the Nimble DevSuite, finally delivering on a growth promise Josh had made back when the platform was released back in 2023.
Read the full article: With New Drivers for Oelo Lighting, Josh.ai’s Nimble DevSuite Reaches Major Milestone
Panasonic Joins Value Electronics’ TV Shootout Event
The Samsung QN65S95F OLED TV is available in a choice of four screen sizes. Photo/Samsung
Value Electronics’ annual “TV Shootout Evaluation” returns on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Value Electronics’ A/V showroom at 35 Popham Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
While the event features flagship OLED TVs from frequent competitors LF, Samsung and Sony, this year will see Panasonic’s 65Z95B added to the mix, marking its first inclusion in the competition since it re-entered U.S. markets in 2024.
Read the full article: Value Electronics Annual TV Shootout Returns with Panasonic Joining the Competition
529 Savings Plans Now Cover Integrator Trade Education
A large contingent of industry folks accompanied CEDIA leaders on the second Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill this year. Photo/CEDIA
Federal 529 college savings plans can now be used for trade education and certifications—specifically including CEDIA credentials—following changes in the new H.R. 1 tax law signed earlier in July 2025.
The change resulted from two years of targeted lobbying by CEDIA, including a March 2025 “CEDIA on the Hill” day, and support for the bipartisan “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act” and now has CEDIA planning on an expansion to its “CEDIA on the Hill” event planned for March 2026.
Read the full article: 529 Savings Plans Now Cover Integrator Trade Education Following CEDIA Advocacy
CE Pro Releases Home Entertainment Deep Dive Report
SoundVision’s showroom features a multipurpose room, which is a hot trend according to CE Pro’s 2025 Home Entertainment Deep Dive.
As the market stabilizes, there’s a burgeoning interest in immersive technology and cinematic experiences within adaptable living spaces. This report offers a thorough examination of how integrators are currently designing, selling, and installing audio-visual spaces.
Download the full report to delve deeper into these trends and explore how to elevate your home entertainment offerings.
Read the full report: CE Pro’s 2025 Home Entertainment Deep Dive
