Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] By the 2030s, evidence may routinely include data from wearable devices, smart home systems, workplace monitoring software, and algorithmic decision-making systems. Seyfarth Shaw - Technology in Trials of the 2030s
• [New] LG plans to continue developing home robots with practical functions and forms for housework. LG USA
• [New] Smartphone replacement cycles are getting longer as discretionary household budgets come under pressure from inflation, with demand for new devices expected to fall for the rest of 2026. The Register
• [New] An individual server rack within an advanced data center is only the size of a large refrigerator, but by 2027 it could have peak power demand equivalent to that of 65 households. IEA
• [New] The average Iranian is expected to get poorer over the coming months, as rampant inflation decimates households trying to keep their heads above water. Al Jazeera
• [New] Major retailers like JB Hi-Fi are increasingly entering the advertising space, creating in-house networks that threaten traditional media outlets. Retail Media IQ
• [New] Tru Earth's disruptive suite of household cleaning products - including fabric enhancers, dishwashing detergent, toilet and multi-surface cleaning strips - are water-activated, ultraconcentrated, premeasured, and easy-to-use, all packaged in plastic-free packaging. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] Knight Frank's The Wealth Report 2026 forecasts Thailand's ultra-wealthy population will rise 26% in 2026-2031, while prime home prices climbed 6.3%, underscoring strong domestic and foreign demand. null
• [New] Demand for rooftop solar systems across Europe has surged since the start of the Iran war, as households rush to shield themselves from soaring power prices triggered by the worst global energy disruption in history. Clean Energy Wire
• [New] Families of four could receive up to $1,890 and single persons up to $950 in 2026 including the top-up. / Canada Changeflow
• [New] The household energy price cap is expected to rise by a lower amount than originally feared despite price volatility caused by the Iran war. City AM
• Year-over-year spending for home renovation and repair will increase by 2.5% to reach a record $526 billion by the first quarter of 2026. Joint Center for Housing Studies
• AB 1294 will create a single, statewide application process for new home construction in California, making it faster, cheaper, and easier for home builders to complete. California YIMBY
• Vacation rentals are still considered by many to be a home-away-from-home option, but the reality in 2026 is that travelers do not want to stay just anywhere, especially if a destination is exposed to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, or other climate-related disruptions. StayFi
• New Hampshire needs 90,000 new housing units by 2040, as home prices climb to $535K vs. ~ $103K median income, highlighting how supply shortages are pushing affordability further out of reach. Churchill Mortgage
• The national average home price is expected to edge up 0.9% from 2026 to $695,094 in 2027, subject to an upward revision if the current oil shock and associated inflation end up being short lived. BNN Bloomberg
• With national house prices forecast to rise 7.7% in 2026 and Brisbane's median house value hitting $1,175,981 in February, the traditional advice of buy and hold is being challenged by a new reality. Big News Network.com
• As Utah continues to experience rapid population growth and rising housing costs, housing policy will remain central to how communities across the Wasatch Region plan for the future. Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities
• The passage of HCR6 represents an important acknowledgement that closing the growing gap between housing supply and demand in Utah will require coordinated statewide leadership and stronger alignment across the policies that shape how housing is planned and delivered. Wasatch Advocates for Livable Communities
• The cost of houses in Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart is expected to outpace annualised wage growth - 3.4% last year - by the end of 2026. SBS News
• Singapore uses smart technologies to plan, develop and manage newer Housing & Development Board (HDB) towns to create better living environments for residents. Centre for Liveable Cities Knowledge Hub

Last updated: 02 May 2026