It’s that time when we look ahead to a year filled with infinite possibilities. If you’ve embraced smart home living in Wilmington, NC, you’re undoubtedly wondering about the latest technology that can make life even easier and more enjoyable now and far into the future. 

Do you have a whole-home audio system? Check.

How about a home theater or media room? Check.

What about a voice assistant that anticipates your needs before you ask and an automated home that lets you adapt your changing preferences in an instant? No? You may have just found the smart home upgrades of 2026 that will significantly transform your smart home experience. 

SEE ALSO: Let Your Home Shine with LED Landscape Lighting

#1–The Voice Assistant Designed for Smart Homes

Before Josh.ai, most voice assistants couldn’t quite comprehend the integrated technology, such as advanced LED lighting systems, designed for smart home living. You want the lights to transform to cerulean and indigo while you watch an undersea adventure in your media room with friends and family? 

Huh? 

When you tell your smart home you’re gearing up for the big game, does it know to change the lights to Carolina blue, tune every TV in your home to the football game, unlock the doors to welcome friends, and make sure the ice maker will do double time? Probably not. 

Living in a smart home managed by Josh.ai is a little like having a genie at your disposal. And, because it’s smart, it learns your preferences as it creates the ideal environment for life’s changing activities and moods. 

#2–The Ultimate Upgrade: Control4 X4

At Port City Sound and Security, Inc., we specialize in the design and installation of automated technology solutions. To create seamless, high-performance systems, we partner with Control4, an industry leader in smart home automation. In 2025, they released their most advanced upgrade in more than 5 years. 

So, why are people rushing out to upgrade to Control4 X4? In one word: Customization. While the new operating system offers numerous benefits, one of the most sought-after is the ability to change programmed scenes that manage multiple systems simultaneously. 

These scenes create the ideal ambiance by adjusting shades and lighting, entertainment systems, security, and more with a single touch. For instance, the “Dining” button may lower the shades, dim the lights to a candlelight glow, and stream soft jazz through the kitchen and dining room. But what happens when your preferences change? In the past, you had to call your integrator to request reprogramming. In a smart home managed by X4, you can make your own adjustments in minutes. 

#3–Extending Your Living Space

In our coastal climate and the lifestyle that goes with it, homes with outdoor living spaces are a must-have. With the right design and integration, these spaces bring the best home entertainment outdoors, with lighting that mesmerizes, fire features that warm, and outdoor motorized shades that create four-season outdoor living. 

Home entertainment options include 4K QLED TVs that offer brilliant images and vibrant colors even in direct sunlight. Outdoor landscape speakers deliver immersive, high-performance audio, letting you hear every detail across your entire property. These systems are managed by the same home automation platform that controls your entire home, creating a seamless experience between indoor and outdoor living. 

Are you ready to make the year 2026 one of the most memorable? To learn more about today’s smart home upgrades or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Port City Sound and Security today.