In the latest episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, Ryan Okimoto, also known as Oki, joins the discussion on recent home automation developments and the relaunch of Brilliant. Oki is the Senior Director of Customer Engagement at Brilliant and has an extensive background in tech hardware, having worked with companies like Sonos and Eero prior to joining Brilliant. After facing financial challenges that left the company in uncertainty, Brilliant’s website and servers remained operational. Fortunately, the company has since found new ownership committed to revitalizing its operations, leading to the launch of their second-generation smart panels.
The episode also covers exciting news from the tech world, including unannounced product leaks from Apple. References to a new iPhone and smart home display appeared in the beta versions of iOS 26 and iOS 18.6. Additionally, GE has introduced a new Matter-enabled smart bulb featuring clear filament and full color spectrum support, priced at $17.99 through Target. Nomad has launched a leather MagSafe wallet equipped with Find My tracking, compatible with both MagSafe and Qi charging.
The podcast compares Nomad’s new wallet with competitors like Bullstrap, Ridge, and ESR. However, the episode concludes with some industry setbacks, as Google TV announced layoffs within its workforce, and Signify indicated impending price increases for Hue products due to tariff impacts. Oki provides insights into Brilliant’s past struggles and its future direction. Acknowledging that the original product tried to appeal to everyone, he emphasizes the company’s new focus on collaboration with installers.
The revamped second-generation panels boast faster processors and higher resolution displays, enhancing user experience. Moreover, the potential integration of Matter could soon allow Brilliant panels to manage an even wider range of smart home devices.
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