Denon announced two new A/V receivers (AVRs) on Wednesday, both sporting Dolby’s latest Atmos surround sound technology and, hedging their bets, ready for DTS:X with a free firmware update later this year. These new AVRs are moderately priced and, as is the rule these days, absolutely packed with features.
Archives for 2015
Strata-gee Visits TiO HQ & Factory
How dogged are we in pursuing stories for Strata-gee.com readers? Dogged enough to travel to Florida…in June! Yes, we traveled earlier this month to Melbourne, FL to visit Anuva Automation, parent company of home automation upstart Turn It On (TiO). There has apparently been a lot going on at TiO lately with a flurry of recent press releases and we wanted to see for ourselves, just exactly what the company has been up to in the still early stages of its launch.
See what we found in Florida, including photos of their facility… [Read more…] about Strata-gee Visits TiO HQ & Factory
DOW to Distribute Sony ES Line
Tampa, Fl-based DOW Electronics announced on Tuesday that it will distribute the entire Sony ES line of products, effective immediately. The latest addition to their line-up, DOW says Sony offers a line to dealers that is “protected from online shopping” and has “controlled distribution.”
See more on this development from DOW… [Read more…] about DOW to Distribute Sony ES Line
On Controls Names Director of Control
On Controls, the cloud-based home automation solutions for integrators, announced today that it has named Jeffrey Skalny to Director of Control. In this role, Skalny will report to the company’s CEO directly and will be based out of On Controls Detroit, MI headquarters location.
Who is Skalny and what exactly will he be doing for On Controls? Read on… [Read more…] about On Controls Names Director of Control
Apple Faces the Music – Multiple Investigations Launched
Just days after Apple, Inc. announced its plans to attempt to reassert its leading role in the music distribution and streaming businesses, we learn from the New York Times that two powerful state attorneys general in New York and Connecticut have launched an investigation into Apple’s music licensing practices. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if Apple has broken any antitrust laws in cutting deals that allegedly restrict music industry providers from offering their content on a free basis with other services.
See why there is suspicion of anti-competitive practices by Apple… [Read more…] about Apple Faces the Music – Multiple Investigations Launched
Proxy Adviser Tells Japanese Investors to Vote Out CEOs at Sony & Sharp
We live in interesting times! In a news report out of Japan that is, shall we say, unusual – proxy investment advisory firm ISS is recommending that Japanese shareholders vote against the reelection of the top executives at both Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. at upcoming annual shareholders meeting for the firms. Coming from the land of consensus and support for local brands, this news is quite surprising.
See more on ISS’s recommendation & the reason they suggest these execs must go… [Read more…] about Proxy Adviser Tells Japanese Investors to Vote Out CEOs at Sony & Sharp
Samsung Display Launches New Transparent & Mirror OLED Displays
See more on Samsung’s new mirror and transparent digital signage displays… [Read more…] about Samsung Display Launches New Transparent & Mirror OLED Displays
D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS
An independent commercial finance company, Siena Lending Group, announced last week that it has worked with North Mill Capital to close on a three-year asset-based revolving credit facility in the amount of $25 million with D&M Holdings, Inc. and D&M Canada, Inc. Siena says that the funds will support D&M’s growth and their “seasonal working capital requirements.” It will also, apparently, help Denon grow their HEOS line. Why do we say that? Read on…
See more on this, including how this deal connects to Denon’s HEOS line… [Read more…] about D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS
Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster
BREAKING NEWS
Monster’s Noel Lee Talks to Us About Latest Lawsuit Developments
As many regular readers know, Strata-gee has been closely following the litigation between Monster, LLC and Beats Electronics, LLC. Although the matter is really just getting started, it appears to be getting really ugly, really quickly. Now we have learned that Apple, Inc. has taken several actions that, according to Monster CEO Noel Lee (who is known as the Head Monster), are pure retaliation over this lawsuit – even though Monster did not sue Apple.
See more on Apple’s actions against Monster that it says are retaliatory… [Read more…] about Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster
The Trail Goes Cold & Sticky at Tivoli Audio; Company Sold to Kings of Yogurt
We learn this month that Tivoli Audio LLC’s epic saga continues, as the previous private equity company owner Summit Associates hires another private equity company Levy Capital Partners to sell it to a third private equity company Serruya Private Equity. (Notice a theme here?) Serruya says it has acquired Tivoli Audio to “serve as its flagship consumer electronics brand.” Or, in other words, as its only consumer electronics brand in a sea of yogurt flavored packaged goods brands.
