Podcast #1196: Will AI Drive Home Automation into the Next Decade?

On this week’s show look at five trends that are shaping home theaters in 2025 and we look at what will drive home automation into the next decade. Pulse we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• Kaleidescape Introduces the New Strato M Movie Player
• Police shut down Minecraft movie screening after audience trashes theater
• SVS 5000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofer

Other:

• When Google Assistant is phased out, what happens to our smart speakers?

Here are Five Trends Shaping Home Theater Experiences in 2025:

1. Immersive Audio Systems: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X continue to dominate, with more homes adopting multi-dimensional sound setups. Ceiling speakers and soundbars with upward-firing drivers are increasingly popular, creating a cinema-like audio bubble.

2. 8K Resolution Adoption: While 4K remains standard, 8K TVs and projectors are gaining traction as prices drop and content becomes more available. Upscaling tech also enhances older media, making the jump to 8K more appealing.

3. Smart Integration: Home theaters are syncing up with smart home ecosystems—think voice-controlled lighting, motorized screens, and AI-driven content recommendations. Systems like Google Home or Alexa are seamlessly tied to AV receivers and streaming devices.

4. Modular and Compact Designs: Space-saving solutions are on the rise. All-in-one projectors with built-in streaming, or modular furniture with hidden speakers, cater to smaller living spaces without sacrificing quality.  

5. Gaming-Centric Features: With next-gen consoles and PCs pushing boundaries, low-latency displays (120Hz+ refresh rates) and variable refresh rate (VRR) support are must-haves. Home theaters are doubling as gaming hubs, blending entertainment modes.

Will AI Drive Home Automation into the Next Decade?

One of the biggest advancements in home automation technology in recent years is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into smart home systems. This has taken home automation beyond simple remote control and scheduling to a level where devices can learn from user habits, adapt to preferences, and make intelligent decisions autonomously.

Those who are fans of AI point to smart thermostats like the Nest or Ecobee and claim that these devices don’t just follow a preset schedule anymore—they analyze your temperature preferences, daily routines, and even local weather patterns to optimize heating and cooling. Over time, they adjust themselves to save energy while keeping you comfortable, often without any manual input. 

But this isn’t really asking Ai to do much. Once you set a thermostat with your preferences it just needs to determine whether you are home or away and go into the appropriate mode. There is nothing revolutionary or even AI about it. 

However, AI-powered hubs like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, or Apple’s HomeKit have gotten smarter with natural language processing and interoperability. They c an now coordinate multiple devices—lights, locks, cameras, appliances—through a single voice command or trigger complex routines based on contextual cues like, “I’m home” could unlock the door, turn on lights, and start the coffee maker. The latest advancements also include predictive behavior, where systems anticipate needs—like dimming lights when it’s movie time or locking doors when you leave—based