Brilliant NextGen, a leader in smart home innovation, has announced the launch of its Second Generation Smart Home Products, designed to redefine automation in both single-family and multifamily homes. Unveiled on May 8, 2025, these new products promise faster performance and enhanced intelligence, catering to the growing demand for smarter living environments.
The latest offering integrates powerful AI-ready features, dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and seamless device compatibility, making it a significant upgrade over previous models. According to Lisa Petrucci, CEO of Brilliant NextGen, "Our new Controls address the evolving demand for smarter, more connected living environments. They offer a seamless balance of speed, reliability, and outstanding functionality that caters to the needs of homeowners, property developers, and operators. This is modern living at its finest."
Among the key upgrades are an advanced AI-ready processor that ensures swift, responsive performance, and a 5-inch touchscreen that boasts four times the resolution of previous models. This enhancement allows for clearer visuals and improved usability. Furthermore, the product supports broad integrations with popular smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, ensuring future-proof compatibility for users.
The new Smart Home Controls also feature a versatile sensor suite, which includes a motion sensor, ambient light sensor, temperature sensor, and a built-in camera equipped with a physical privacy slider for enhanced security. This comprehensive functionality is designed to transform living spaces into more efficient and responsive environments.
Brilliant NextGen has established itself as a trusted partner among industry leaders. Multifamily operators like Landmark Properties and By Gomes rely on its technology to enhance resident satisfaction and operational efficiency. Single-family home builders such as Melia Homes integrate Brilliant's systems to provide modern, intuitive living experiences for discerning buyers. Moreover, distributors and integrators, including In Charge, Mountain West, and Republic Elite, are instrumental in bringing Brilliant Smart Home Systems to communities across the nation, solidifying its position as an industry standard.
Brilliant’s approach not only focuses on enhancing individual homes but also aims to revolutionize the broader landscape of smart living. For developers and operators, these systems promise to reduce operating costs and unlock new revenue streams while differentiating their properties through modern automation. Homeowners and residents benefit from centralized controls that manage lighting, music, climate, and security, making it an ideal solution for both tech-savvy users and those new to smart home technology.
The Brilliant Second Generation Smart Home Controls are currently available through the company’s network of distributors and integrators, as well as directly online at www.brilliant.tech. Since its inception in 2016, Brilliant has played a pivotal role in mainstreaming smart home living with its affordable and user-friendly automation systems.
In a parallel development, ING has introduced an innovative mortgage pricing model in the Netherlands, effective April 30, 2025, which links mortgage interest rates to energy efficiency labels. This new model stipulates specific interest rates based on energy labels ranging from G to A++++, a significant shift from the previous system that only offered discounts for labels A and above.
This initiative aligns with ING's vision of promoting sustainable living and facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. Folkert van der Ploeg, ING's director of Housing, stated, "We think it is important that customers not only live energy-efficiently, but can future-proof their homes and make them more comfortable. This new pricing model encourages that."
Homeowners who improve their energy labels during the term of their mortgage can register these changes with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, prompting ING to automatically adjust their interest rates from the following month. This model complements the launch of ING Upgrader, an all-in-one service designed to assist homeowners in making their homes more sustainable. The service offers free energy-saving advice and support in applying for subsidies for sustainable upgrades.
As society increasingly prioritizes sustainability, ING’s approach reflects a growing recognition of the importance of energy efficiency in housing. The bank has committed to financing sustainable activities while also addressing the broader challenge of financing non-sustainable projects.
In the realm of home automation, the author of a recent article shared their experience migrating their Home Assistant setup from a TrueNAS server to a mini PC running Proxmox. This transition, completed on May 8, 2025, was driven by a desire for improved scalability and performance. The author noted that their previous setup limited their ability to experiment and caused instability, which impacted their home automation.
By moving to a dedicated Proxmox host, the author experienced a significant improvement in stability and efficiency. The Ayaneo AM01, the new host, consumes only 6W to 12W compared to the 60W to 80W of their previous home server. This reduction in power consumption is not only cost-effective, with the author estimating a weekly energy cost of approximately €5, but also aligns with their long-term goal of decreasing overall power usage.
The author expressed satisfaction with the enhanced capabilities of Home Assistant OS, which simplifies the management of home automation services by offering a streamlined approach to adding functionality. They highlighted the advantages of using add-ons, which can be easily integrated into the Home Assistant environment, enhancing the user experience.
As the landscape of smart home technology continues to evolve, both Brilliant NextGen and ING are leading the charge toward more sustainable and efficient living solutions. With Brilliant’s advanced smart home products and ING’s innovative mortgage pricing model, homeowners are being empowered to create more connected, energy-efficient environments.
