This Week in Playback: Qualcomm Teased Some Much Needed Enhancements Coming to Wi-Fi

You all ready for Wi-Fi 8? Hm? What happened to Wi-Fi 7? Don’t worry about that. Not content to sit around and wait as the new Wi-Fi 7 devices roll out, Qualcomm has made it quite clear: the next iteration of the wireless standard is going to focus on what might be some its biggest pain points today: connectivity, latency and reliability.

In fact, they’re outright saying that they want Wi-Fi 8 to be comparable to a hardwired connection in terms of responsiveness. We’ll have to wait until 2028 to see if that’s possible though, so you still have plenty of time to build out your Wi-Fi 7 networks.

Enough about that, though, CEDIA Expo 2025 is less than a month away, and while CEDIA has just released the finalists for its Smart Home Awards to be announced at the show, we’ve also caught wind of an ultra-luxury theater demo promising to turn some heads.

Things are only going to keep ramping up from here, though, so we’re excited to see what comes next. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping you connected with all the biggest news stories in professional AV and smart home installation on this week in Playback.

What’s a Million Dollar Home Theater Look Like?

If you’re a consistent CE Pro reader, there’s a chance you’ve seen a million-dollar home theater or two, either through our coverage or through your own personal work on them. However, if you’ve never had the chance and want to experience one in person, this year’s CEDIA Expo may provide you that opportunity.

As it turns out, a collective of manufacturers has come together to create an ultra-luxury theater demo for attendees.

Sporting a 14.18.10 configuration, the theater demo will equate to roughly one million dollars in raw equipment and feature equipment from Seymour-Screen Excellence, StormAudio, ASCENDO, Christie, madVR Labs, Panamorph, Moovia and Simplified Acoustics.

It’s impressive on its own, but beneath the surface, the demo underscores the ongoing competition between high-performance projection systems and increasingly large flat-panel displays, as the manufacturers aim to highlight the immersive advantages and premium design appeal of projection-based cinema formats in luxury installations.

Read the full article: Inside the Million Dollar Home Theater Demo Coming to CEDIA Expo

D-Tools Lands $12 Million in Funding (and Some Cool New Tech)

D-Tools has secured a $12 million Series C investment led by technology investor John Heyman through his new firm, StellarIQ, though the money is only part of the deal.

In addition to this hefty monetary investment, D-Tools will gain access to StellarIQ’s proprietary AI technology, integrating it into D-Tools’ software suite.

According to D-Tools, this will help it deliver more automated workflows, intelligent business tools and expanded market intelligence offerings through its Industry Information & Insights initiative.

The investment aims to accelerate D-Tools’ product roadmap and support its goal of becoming the industry’s leading platform for integrated sales, design, installation, and service solutions.

Read the full article: StellarIQ’s $12 Million Investment in D-Tools Brings More Than Cash to the Company

Roku Brings Back Affordable Ad-Free Streaming with Consumer Appetite to be Determined

Roku has launched Howdy, a new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service priced at $2.99 per month that aims to bring back affordable ad-based streaming of yesteryear.

The service features a growing content library that includes titles from Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, FilmRise, and select Roku Originals.

Rather than have it try to poach users from higher-priced platforms, though, Roku says it’s designed as an affordable complement to those like Netflix and Max.

The move aligns with broader industry trends, as rising SVOD prices have driven increased interest in both Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) channels and low-cost alternatives. Though whether people will be looking to add another paid subscription service on top of their pre-existing ones is to be determined.

Read the full article: Roku’s ‘Howdy’ Subscription Brings Back Affordable, Ad-Free VOD Streaming

Wi-Fi 8 Details Are Out, and They’re Looking to Match Hardwired Connections

Qualcomm has released initial details on Wi-Fi 8, the next-generation wireless standard expected to be finalized by 2028, highlighting a shift in focus from peak speeds to enhanced stability and reliability.

The company states Wi-Fi 8 will deliver 25% higher throughput in poor signal conditions, 25% lower latency, and 25% fewer dropped packets when roaming, with improved performance at signal edges and in devices using shared antennas for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB.

The move is driven by increasing demands from AI-powered and medical monitoring devices, which require low-latency, highly reliable connections, though smart homes will be a beneficiary as well.

The sheer number of wireless devices occupying a home network nowadays—especially in homes serviced by integrators—has led to many integrators deploying large-scale, enterprise-grade solutions to meet client expectations for performance.

Read the full article: Wi-Fi 8 Details Reveal Marked Pivot in Focus for Standard

CEDIA Smart Home Awards Finalists Announced

CEDIA has announced the finalists for the 2024 CEDIA Smart Home Awards Americas, spotlighting excellence across integration, business innovation, and product development within the smart home industry.

This year’s theme, The Enchanting World of Smart Living, emphasizes how technology is reshaping residential design and user experience. Finalists include integrators such as Global Wave Integration, ETC Florida, and Cantara, alongside manufacturers like Sonos, Lutron, Kaleidescape, and Josh.ai.

A diverse international judging panel evaluated entries based on technical execution, design, and adherence to industry best practices.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Lutron, will be held during CEDIA Expo on September 5 in Denver.

Read the full article: CEDIA Smart Home Awards Americas Finalists Announced

Countdown Begins to CEDIA Expo 2025

North America’s largest smart home trade show is less than a month away, but don’t fret, there’s still time to register and attend one of the largest gatherings of smart home and AV professionals this September in Denver, Colorado. Featuring over 50 new exhibitors, a completely revamped education schedule and a more integrated floorplan with co-located CIX, the event will offer four days of networking, product exploration, education and discussions over topics pertaining to both the residential install and pro AV community.

Additionally, the event will play host to several prestigious award ceremonies, including the CEDIA Smart Home Awards and the Women in Consumer Technology (WiCT) Legacy Awards, as well as CE Pro’s own BEST and Home of the Year Awards.

For those who can’t attend for one reason or another, we’ll keep you posted on all the big news right here and in our CEDIA Expo Live News Blog, but for those who are interested in attending and have yet to register: now’s the time.