The Wall Street Journal is reporting that wireless music system maker Sonos is getting ready for the big time by planning an initial public offering. According to the report, the IPO could happen as soon as this July…or even June.
Archives for April 2018
CEDIA Takes Their Community Mobile With New App
CEDIA announced on Wednesday that it has launched mobile access to their CEDIA Online Community via a new app. This move allows members on the go to easily access community postings with a quick and easy-to-use app.
See more on this new app from CEDIA… [Read more…] about CEDIA Takes Their Community Mobile With New App
Amazon’s Latest Secret Project Could Change Our World
Can Amazon Scoop the Industry a Second Time?
Amazon has a super secret project that just might change the world…again. I have long said that the brilliance of Amazon’s Alexa-based Echo and Dot devices comes from their realization that voice control belonged in the home. While Apple (Siri) and Google (OK Google) digital voice assistants in the past were viewed predominantly as a hands-free voice assist for when you’re driving – Amazon took a different route…right into the American living room. Brilliant, and now Google and Apple are playing “catch up.”
Now we learn that there’s a new project in Amazon’s secretive Lab126 that could once again change our world.
See what we’ve learned about Amazon’s secret project… [Read more…] about Amazon’s Latest Secret Project Could Change Our World
Surprise Look at Nest Numbers: Smaller & Poorer
Look Quickly, You Likely Won’t Ever See These Numbers Again
For the first time, because of a change in Google’s accounting, we get a look at the real financial numbers of Nest and analysts are truly surprised. It turns out, according to a report by Recode, that Nest is both smaller than many thought, and is losing a lot of money on an operating basis – so much so that it appears that any hope of profitability is far off in the future…if at all.
See what we’ve learned about Nest’s true operating financial results… [Read more…] about Surprise Look at Nest Numbers: Smaller & Poorer
A Gibson Pile-On: Now Hit With a $50 Million Lawsuit
Gibson Brands CEO Henry Juszkiewicz has been very busy lately as he scrambles to arrange a $550 million bailout package in a desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy for the storied brand. But he’s about to get a little busier as one of Gibson Guitar’s vendors, Tronical of Hamburg, Germany, sues the company for $50 million it says it is owed.
So now Tronical gets in line behind Gibson bondholders seeking payment… [Read more…] about A Gibson Pile-On: Now Hit With a $50 Million Lawsuit
TCL Multimedia Obtains Global Rights to Onkyo Brand
In an announcement out of Hong Kong and reported on by Bloomberg News and others, TCL Multimedia, the large Chinese manufacturer of mostly inexpensive televisions, has announced it has obtained the rights to the Onkyo brand name which it intends to use to create Smart AV products. The company says it has the rights to the Onkyo brand globally, in all markets except Japan.
See more on what we know about this TCL Multimedia and Onkyo partnership… [Read more…] about TCL Multimedia Obtains Global Rights to Onkyo Brand
Should the U.S. Government Regulate Tech?
When it comes to politics in today’s world, it is an understatement to suggest that we live in divided times. Although our founding fathers imagined passionate (but healthy) debate leading to the best possible compromise solutions – today, it seems as though our representatives are more likely to throw a hand-grenade than an idea to the other side of the aisle. But recently, a new study has come out to suggest that an issue has arisen that has brought Americans together – and it spells trouble for the tech industry.
See what a survey suggests needs to happen to the tech industry… [Read more…] about Should the U.S. Government Regulate Tech?
Exciting New Study: We are in an Audio Resurgence!
We live in a time rich in options for ways to connect with and consume content. If I asked you to pick which source was the number one method that adults aged 18 and older use to consume content today, which would you choose: Smartphone? Tablet? PC? TV connected device? TV? AM/FM radio?
If you picked that last option, AM/FM radio, you would be correct! Fully 93% of all adults use an AM/FM radio to consume content on a weekly basis. Surprised? Hold on to your hat…that’s just one of the many surprising results in new research study from The Nielsen Company that says we are now in an audio resurgence.
See more on this surprising study on the resurgence of audio with today’s consumer… [Read more…] about Exciting New Study: We are in an Audio Resurgence!
Ex-B&W President Finds New Home at JL Audio
It was only a matter of months ago that Strata-gee broke the news that EVA Automation founder Gideon Yu, the new owner of Bowers and Wilkins (B&W), had dismissed Doug Henderson, President of the B&W Group North America. It was a move that was to send shock waves around the industry and presaged a round of additional staff departures (and additions) as Yu worked to restructure the company.
Now we can report that Henderson is the new Senior Vice President of Home Audio at JL Audio, the scrappy upstart that launched first in the 12-volt business, but has since expanded into the marine, powersports, and home audio segments as well.
See more on this new role for Henderson… [Read more…] about Ex-B&W President Finds New Home at JL Audio
Millson WireFrame – The BMW of Structured Wiring
At a recent dealer show, integrator and entrepreneur Richard Millson of Millson Custom Solutions presented what he called “The BMW of structured wiring panels” to integrators attending the event. Millson’s premise was simple – if you’re going to install a structured wiring panel in your smart home installations, shouldn’t you install a smart panel? It was logic that many found hard to argue…