ResTech Roundup: july 18-23, 2026 - Legrand | AV deepens cloud integration with Utelogy. Welcome to the latest ResTech Roundup, your quick briefing on the innovations, product launches, partnerships, and industry shifts shaping the new smart home. Here's what caught its attention this week: Savant teases ai-powered home experience ahead of CEDIA. CEDIA Expo attendees will get an early look at Savant's latest artificial intelligence initiatives during the company's Sept. 3 media breakfast in Denver. Executives plan to demonstrate how Savant AI uses natural conversation and contextual awareness to create more intuitive home experiences, allowing homeowners to express goals like "I'm ready to relax" instead of relying on pre-programmed scenes or app navigation. The preview reflects a growing industry focus on AI as the next evolution of the intelligent home, where personalization and seamless orchestration take center stage. With CEDIA just around the corner, Savant is positioning AI as a technology that simplifies interaction while reinforcing the value of professionally integrated systems. HTSA launches search for new Managing Director. HTSA has begun a nationwide search for a Managing Director as part of a planned leadership transition intended to support the organization's next phase of growth. Longtime leader Jon Robbins will continue serving members and vendor partners through the end of the year, with plans to help onboard the new executive if timelines align. The transition comes as HTSA expands initiatives such as Reside, its collaborative residential technology event with AVIXA and ProSource at InfoComm. By separating day-to-day operational leadership from broader strategic initiatives, the buying group is preparing for continued growth while maintaining continuity for members and industry partners. Legrand | AV expands Luxul cloud management through Utelogy. Legrand | AV has expanded cloud management capabilities for its Luxul networking portfolio through a new integration with the Utelogy platform. The partnership enables integrators to monitor Luxul managed switches alongside AV devices from a single dashboard, including real-time PoE status, firmware management, port activity, system health, and diagnostics. As AV-over-IP deployments continue to grow, networking has become a critical layer of commercial AV infrastructure rather than simply background connectivity. The integration gives integrators greater flexibility by supporting open management platforms while allowing customers to choose the workflow that best fits their operations. Brilliant returns with subscription-based smart home service. After financial struggles and a company relaunch, Brilliant NextGen has introduced Brilliant Max, a subscription service designed to simplify smart home management. The platform centers on preconfigured "Modes," such as Away and Vacation, that automatically coordinate connected devices without requiring homeowners to build complex automations themselves. Subscribers also receive premium support, ongoing system optimization, upgrade opportunities, and bundled smart sensors. The move reflects a broader shift in the smart home market. Companies are increasingly packaging automation, remote support, and proactive management into subscription services that emphasize convenience over device control, creating recurring value for both homeowners and technology providers. Why a $13 water leak sensor may be the smart home's best investment. Smart homes often showcase voice assistants, lighting scenes, and entertainment systems, but one of the simplest devices may deliver the greatest value. An inexpensive water leak sensor can prevent thousands of dollars in damage by detecting leaks near water heaters, sinks, bathrooms, or roofs before they become major problems. Modern sensors can trigger audible alarms or send smartphone alerts through home automation platforms, helping homeowners respond immediately. For integrators, the article is a reminder that meaningful smart home experiences aren't always driven by headline-grabbing technologies. Small, affordable sensors that protect homes from costly damage can provide immediate, tangible value while strengthening the case for a thoughtfully connected home. By submitting, you consent to receive newsletters and marketing emails from Residential Tech Today via email.

Brilliant NextGen has launched Brilliant Max, a subscription service that transforms smart homes into fully automated living experiences. The service builds on Brilliant's hardware platform and aims to eliminate the complexity of managing smart home systems. Brilliant Max offers pre-configured automation Modes, including Away and Vacation modes initially, with Home and Night modes to follow. Each subscription includes a complimentary Shelly Bluetooth Door/Window Sensor. The service provides continuous optimisation across connected devices, premium support, and hardware upgrade opportunities. The offering addresses common smart home challenges such as complex setup processes and fragmented ecosystems. It also creates recurring revenue opportunities for professional installers and integrators who can now offer ongoing managed services rather than one-time hardware installations. The service is currently available through authorised Brilliant partners.