Brilliant NextGen is back with a second-gen version of its Smart Home Control wall panel; and while it looks the same on the outside, there’s a lot more happening under the hood this time around.
The updated Smart Home Control still slots neatly into the wall like a regular light switch, but now boasts a much sharper display (we’re told 4x the resolution of the original) and dual-band Wi-Fi with support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, which will be welcome news if your home is already swimming in smart traffic.
There’s also a beefier processor designed to handle what Brilliant NextGen has told The Verge will be the “next phase of AI-powered smart home evolution,” though what that actually means remains to be seen.
In the short term, the speed boost may help tackle one of the original panel’s biggest frustrations of sluggish response times with third-party devices.
Brilliant says the new hardware cuts latency across integrations like Hue bulbs and Sonos speakers, though there aren’t any new software features to show for it just yet.
Despite teetering on the brink last year – the company laid off the majority of its staff and shut down its support center – it was scooped up by private equity firms Almeida Strategic Investments and Cullinan Holdings to form Brilliant NextGen.
Like the first-gen model, the new panel replaces standard light switches, with 1- to 4-gang options available and supports voice control via Alexa, motion-triggered automation, smart lighting control, intercom chat, Ring doorbell feeds, and remote access via app.
The new panels are available now, with prices starting at $549 for a single switch replacement, up to $699 for a 4-switch.
