Garner, NC-based 21st Century Distributing, a consumer electronics distributor based in the Southeast, announced this week that it has reconfigured its usual dealer show, converting it into a roadshow with an all-new mobile demo display. Scheduled to hit six major markets throughout the Southeast, the event is now called the Integration Innovation Roadshow.
Archives for 2015
Apple Acquires Empty Panasonic Factory for R&D Facility in Japan
Is the pendulum swinging back? The mayor of Yokohama, Japan, Ms. Fumiko Hayashi, said today that Apple, Inc. has purchased an empty Panasonic factory and will turn it into a state-of-the-art research and development center. For many Japanese, this is likely a highly ironic turn of events, as for decades, Panasonic was the leading edge technology developer.
But the mayor of Yokohama, seems excited at the prospect. See why we say that below… [Read more…] about Apple Acquires Empty Panasonic Factory for R&D Facility in Japan
The Stratecon Group & NewBay Media Reach Agreement on Content Supply Program
BREAKING NEWS
Content to Include In-Depth Analyses on Key Industry Topics
The Stratecon Group, Inc. (parent company to, and publisher of, the Strata-gee.com website) and NewBay Media, LLC have reached an agreement on a content supply program. Under this agreement, Stratecon will create a series of in-depth articles and analyses on a variety of key topics for the technology industry – and for electronic systems integrators – to be published by one or more NewBay Media properties.
See more on this new agreement…and what it means for Strata-gee.com… [Read more…] about The Stratecon Group & NewBay Media Reach Agreement on Content Supply Program
Stunning Stories of Impending Doom Swirl Around Sharp
In just the last two days, Japanese and U.S. press outlets are releasing a slew of stories of Sharp Corp.’s impending doom in the form of a restructuring announcement that isn’t expected to be officially released until May. Nonetheless, multiple reports have emerged from a wide range of media sources including the Nikkei and Reuters news services with a relatively wide range of estimated job cuts – all citing unnamed sources.
See more on this recent whirlwind of reports on Sharp… [Read more…] about Stunning Stories of Impending Doom Swirl Around Sharp
Think Apple’s Watch is Doomed to Fail? Better Think Again
Apple, Inc. announced the coming availability of the Watch, its first major product in years, at a presentation earlier this month. Since that announcement, we’ve been struck by the lack of enthusiasm for the product amongst members of the TECH press. In conversations with colleagues, we heard many predict that the Watch is doomed to failure, in part because of this tepid response.
Now, results from a new survey suggests TECH wonks may be wrong… [Read more…] about Think Apple’s Watch is Doomed to Fail? Better Think Again
Interesting Twist: Autonomic Passes Savings On to Dealers, Consumers
In an announcement that is a bit unusual for a manufacturer, Autonomic announced on Tuesday that it is reducing the MSRP on its popular Mirage Audio System (MAS). Not only that, but the company says it will actually increase the dealer margin at the same time. Normally, a price reduction is a sign of a slow selling product – but Autonomic says that is not the case here.
See why Autonomic says it is cutting the price of its MAS… [Read more…] about Interesting Twist: Autonomic Passes Savings On to Dealers, Consumers
Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
Newly Spun-Off TV Division May Show a Profit for 1st Time in 10 Years
In a new report out of Japan, Sony’s TV business is said to be expected to report an operating profit this fiscal year – its first after ten years of losing money. Due to an improved situation in the U.S. market, the report credits the turnaround in Sony’s U.S. results largely as a function of its tightened partnership with retailer Best Buy.
But the report featured the subheading ‘Outlook Remains Unclear’… [Read more…] about Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
Sharp Officially Announces Its Exit from the Canada TV Market
BREAKING NEWS
Canadian tech industry website WiFiHiFi (wifihifi.ca) announced today that it has confirmed that Sharp Corp. will exit the Canadian TV market. Much in line with our recent reporting on the troubled brand, this is probably just the first shoe to drop…there will most likely be more.
See more on what WiFiHiFi has learned about the situation… [Read more…] about Sharp Officially Announces Its Exit from the Canada TV Market
Legal Guns Blazing, Beats Fires Back at Monster
‘Lee Apparently Regrets His Business Decisions…’
We reported to you in January that Monster, LLC and Noel Lee had filed what appears to be a major lawsuit against Beats Electronics, LLC, Andre Young (Beats founder, aka Dr. Dre), Paul D. Wachter (a Beats director), Jimmy Iovine (Beats founder) and HTC (a Taiwanese cell phone manufacturer). The wide ranging suit alleged all sorts of nefarious business practices by the Beats parties – but especially alleged that Beats and HTC engaged in a “sham transaction” solely for the purpose of triggering a “change of control” provision to defraud Monster and Lee out of their rightful interests.
Funny, but Beats see this matter quite differently… [Read more…] about Legal Guns Blazing, Beats Fires Back at Monster
Azione Unlimited to Sell Sony
Azione Unlimited, a retail buying group of custom integrators, announced today that it has partnered with Sony Corp. to offer its line to Azione’s nationwide membership. The group will carry products from Sony’s AV specialty and custom integration channel division.
