AVA has announced AVA OS 3, a major update to its professional smart home control platform, adding more than 100 tools, features, integrations and improvements.
Launching on 15 September as a free over-the-air software update for compatible AVA systems, AVA OS 3.0 is designed to give professional installers more freedom to customise control experiences across homes, rooms and clients.
The update is led by a new visual Custom UI Builder, expanded Dynamic Keypad customisation, support for 31 languages, Crestron Home and Philips Hue compatibility, KNX general availability, expanded Lutron support and free encrypted project backup and restore.
Raphael Oberholzer, CEO and co-founder of AVA, said: “Our pros know their clients and projects better than anyone. We are giving them freedom to shape each experience without sacrificing the simplicity and consistency that make AVA OS different.”
AVA OS automatically generates user interfaces for the AVA Cinema Remote and for the AVA app on wall panels, tablets, PCs and Macs, based on the devices and connections in a project. With AVA OS 3.0, installers can start from that generated interface and then reshape it using the new Custom UI Builder, with a live visual preview.
The update also opens AVA’s patented Dynamic Keypad to full customisation. The keypad, used on the AVA Cinema Remote, combines tactile glass controls with labels and functions that change according to the active touchscreen view.
AVA OS 3.0 allows installers to adjust generated keypad layouts, choose recommended alternatives, personalise colours or use FreeStyle to drag controls from the main touchscreen onto the keypad. These can include lighting scenes, favourite commands or project-specific functions.
Christie Fisher Barry, head of design at AVA, said: “We wanted the tactile confidence of buttons you can use without looking down, with the adaptability of a touchscreen.”
AVA OS 3.0 also adds compatibility with Crestron Home, allowing AVA Cinema Remote to be used as a handheld control option in Crestron Home projects. The system presents relevant controls and keeps state synchronised between Cinema Remote and Crestron touchscreens.
The release also introduces Philips Hue integration with dimming, colour control and Dynamic Keypad support. KNX has moved from beta to general availability, while Lutron support has been expanded to include Caséta and RadioRA 2, alongside existing support for RadioRA 3 and HomeWorks.
For project management, AVA OS 3.0 adds encrypted backup and restore at no additional cost. Installers can create a complete project backup and restore it to different AVA hardware with device configurations and authenticated drivers intact.
Further additions include a redesigned Flow Editor, custom wallpapers, font-size controls, shade tilt and up/down dimming controls, improved two-way volume overlays, faster device addition, QR-based setup instructions, nearby Brain discovery and improved Wi-Fi pairing.
The update also adds Network Event History, expanded service tools and ToughLink Brain Connection for troubleshooting and support.
AVA OS 3.0 will be released on 15 September and will be available for compatible AVA OS systems.