HDAnywhere updates uControl platform with new features

HDAnywhere (HDA) has rolled out a significant update to its uControl smart control platform, introducing a suite of new features aimed at improving performance, flexibility and ease of use for professional installers.

uControl is designed to work with HDA's MHUB matrix products. It allows users to manage TVs, AV receivers and media sources such as Sky Q, Apple TV and Fire TV, as well as multi-room audio systems, lighting, blinds, smart plugs, and custom automation routines.

The new release, uOS 11.06, is positioned by the company as bringing ‘big league’ functionality to the midmarket, offering improvements typically associated with high-end control systems.

Among the most notable additions is power button customisation on the uControl Remote. Installers can now configure the button to operate in three different modes: controlling individual devices, running a full-room on/off scene, or mimicking the behaviour of the original TV remote. Both single press and press-and-hold actions are supported.

Battery efficiency has also been improved, extending usage of the uControl Remote by up to two additional days between charges. In addition, the remote’s integrated IR emitter now allows it to operate like a traditional universal remote, giving direct control over multiple devices.

Other enhancements include a streamlined device database for faster setup, a new Command Generator tool for easier integration of lighting, blinds and PDUs, and an AirDrop feature for quickly sharing user interface customisations. Sonos integration has also been expanded, allowing its actions to be embedded in custom automation sequences.

Security and reliability have been addressed with the addition of WPA3 Wi-Fi support, alongside smarter recovery from network drops for consistent system performance.

For installers, the update brings a number of tools to simplify setup and management. These include a new demo mode in the uControl app for client demonstrations, a Quick Connect feature for switching between multiple systems, and a redesigned workflow for repairing or replacing controllers and MHUBs without needing to rebuild entire configurations.

Visual refinements, improved pairing confirmation, and the ability to update remote configurations without starting from scratch also contribute to a smoother installer experience.

The uOS 11.06 update is available now. Systems and uControl Remotes will auto-update, with further updates accessible through the uControl app.