The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence.
Robert J. Shiller, American Economist & Author
Archives for September 2014
With New Funding & New CEO…TiO is Finally Ready for Takeoff
“I have a very high regard and respect for the product,” Vinu Patel, CEO of Anuva Automation told us he said to Mike Anderson earlier this year as they discussed a possible buyout. Patel was sharing the story of how he came to know – and ultimately buy – Anderson’s home automation and control company Turn It On (TiO). As we reported earlier this year, TiO had run into trouble and out of money when financial backing fell through. The situation quickly became dire.
Then, Anuva entered the scene… [Read more…] about With New Funding & New CEO…TiO is Finally Ready for Takeoff
CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) released new preliminary market data at their Expo held earlier this month – in a decidedly more optimistic presentation than in past years. Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA’s Market Research Manager, was obviously pleased with the data she was to share with the media – and she conveyed an optimism that appears to be due to the new data showing an upturn in CEDIA members’ business results.
Not only was there a business upturn, it was the second year of positive results… [Read more…] about CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community
At the CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron surprised many in the integration community by offering a new, friendly, easy-to-program and easy-to-use, app-driven home automation system they call Pyng. In fact, at a presentation to the press during CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron staff referred to Pyng as “the app for your home.”
But does Pyng’s ease of programming & use cut the integrator out of the picture? See more… [Read more…] about With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community
Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined
Pioneer Corporation released an interesting document on September 12th – while much of the tech media was in Denver for CEDIA – titled Notice with Respect to Basic Agreement for the Integration of Pioneer’s Home AV Business and Onkyo. This curious document, six pages long, gives an update as to the state of the discussions between the parties in the previously announced “basic agreement” between Pioneer, Onkyo, and Baring Private Equity Asia for a “Capital/Business Alliance” related to Pioneer’s Home AV business.
Now, apparently, the deal’s changed…with Baring PE pushed to the sidelines… [Read more…] about Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined
How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
IC Realtime, a manufacturer of video surveillance gear, showed their new IC720 remote viewing platform that can “see” a fully seamless 720º with no blind spots. It is a remarkable capability which basically opens up the whole world to be viewed remotely with the ability to look up, down, and all around and see…everything.
See more on this remarkable development… [Read more…] about How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
Pioneer Fire Sale Continues – Dumps DJ Biz to KKR
Pioneer surprised everyone back in June of this year when word came that it had decided to sell its AV business to Onkyo Corp. and a private equity company. But actually, the gears for this and other deals were set in motion last year when the company launched a new strategic plan to focus on their core business – car electronics, their largest and most profitable division.
Now we learn the company has sold off its once burgeoning DJ business to KKR. See more… [Read more…] about Pioneer Fire Sale Continues – Dumps DJ Biz to KKR
CEDIA Releases Expo Attendance – Getting Better, But a Long Way to Go
This week the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) announced the attendance figures and other pertinent data from last week’s Expo trade show in Denver, CO. The association justifiably crowed about attendance growth as it apparently continues to move up from the post-2007 recession trough which had painful consequences for both the association and its members (not to mention the US consumer).
See more on the CEDIA Expo results…with our usual Strata-gee.com analysis… [Read more…] about CEDIA Releases Expo Attendance – Getting Better, But a Long Way to Go
Dolby Demos Atmos to CEDIA Expo Press & Attendees
Dolby Labs set up a special demonstration room to give the industry press and, eventually, show attendees an opportunity to experience Dolby Atmos surround sound. The demo room was probably about as close to ideal as you can get on a noisy trade show floor. And the demo included new, special effects laden sound-fests.
So what did we think about this ‘controlled’ demonstration of Atmos? See more… [Read more…] about Dolby Demos Atmos to CEDIA Expo Press & Attendees
CEDIA Expo Opens with Many Stories – But Few Big Ones
As we made our way to the Colorado Convention Center Wednesday morning, it was a gray, rainy, then drizzly morning. It’s a weird experience walking into a huge hall with very few people around – most there to either set up booths or to take educational classes. It was as quiet as a library and depending on where you were in the hall…it could be eerily lonely.
But it’s CEDIA’s 2014 Expo…so it’s time for Press Day, the day before the show officially opens. On this day, the press tries to pick up on the major stories of the show…and get a feel for the atmosphere of the event.
