Ted

AVNation Launches ‘Commercial Learn From Home’ Virtual 3-Day Online Event

April 9, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Previous Residential Event a Big Success

AVNation, a largely podcasting group of integrators in both the residential and commercial AV space, this week held a somewhat abruptly announced, but ultimately successful online learning event they call their LFH – or Learn From Home – virtual residential event. Essentially an online conference with multiple presentations from a variety of industry experts, the event gave COVID-19 isolated colleagues an opportunity to while away the hours of their isolation…and perhaps learn something in the process.

Now, the group announces it will offer a new LFH event targeted at the commercial channel next week.

See more on AVNation’s LFH events…

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Melrose Suspends Dividends, Cuts Executive Pay

April 9, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Parent of Many Top CI Brands Steps in to Adjust for Impact of COVID-19

Melrose Industries PLC has announced it will suspend the payment of its usual year-end dividend in the face of the deteriorating economic environment as a result of the global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Melrose, the U.K. turnaround specialist that is parent company of the U.S. based Nortek has taken other actions to adjust operations at its operating companies in the face of COVID-19.

Learn more about Melrose’s actions to adjust to COVID-19…

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Vizio Expands SmartCast TV Free Content Offerings with 30 New Streaming Channels

April 8, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Vizio, Inc. announced this week that it has launched 30 new free streaming TV channels on its SmartCast Home screen. The new content spans the gamut from news and entertainment – to lifestyle and DIY.

See more on this new Vizio content…

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Stuck in COVID-19 Isolation? Country Music Star Says ‘Thank Goodness for Technology’

April 8, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

'Thank goodness for technology' says country music star Miranda Lambert

An astonishing 283 million Americans are stuck in some form of self-isolation or self-quarantine due to the fact that most states and cities have imposed a “Stay-at-Home” rule in the fight to snuff out the COVID-19 pandemic. This new reality in which we find ourselves means that almost all businesses (except for a few essential services) are closed – and millions of Americans are stuck at home with little or nothing to do. But what role does their technology play in this situation?

Thanks to Technology, we can all be connected…

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Economic Data Deteriorates Rapidly in March

April 2, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Economic data declines, unemployment claims up — Business Change of job, unemployment, resigned concept.

Unemployment Claims Jump to 6.6M; Mortgage Applications Plunged 24%

We are now beginning to see a rapid deterioration in economic data in the wake of the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic sweeping the country. Stunning new numbers are dropping at a rate never seen before and suggest we may yet have a long road to recovery. Unemployment claims skyrocketed to 6.6 million new jobless claims at the end of the month, and mortgage applications plunged 24% in March year-over-year.

See more on rapidly descending data…

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Savant Launches New Support Structure & Options for Today’s ‘New Normal’

April 2, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Photo of Savant remote with cat — *Savant Adapts to ‘New Normal’ of Work-at-Home*

You don’t need me to tell you…the entire world has changed dramatically in just a few short weeks. Deadly viral outbreaks forcing government mandated ‘Stay-at-Home’ orders is something we haven’t seen in our lifetimes. Well the good news is, Savant remains committed to supporting their dealers and has aggressively taken action to more effectively configure their company’s support systems to meet the challenges of today’s environment.

See Savant’s changes to improve support in changed environment…

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As Overall Economy Hit by COVID-19, Layoffs Hit Tech as Well

April 2, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

AudioQuest Announces Downsizing

A relatively large number of readers and industry sources have reached out to Strata-gee with word of cutbacks and layoffs at various industry brands – as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) takes its toll on the U.S. economy. As was reported in a post just a few days ago, jobless claims jumped dramatically – by 33% in just one month – only to be exceeded a few days later by a massive jump in claims of 3 million more unemployed workers.

Now we are beginning to see layoffs in Tech…

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New Study: Another Impact of COVID-19 – the Crash of Consumer Sentiment

March 26, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

Nearly 90% of Consumers Expect a Recession Because of COVID-19

New research conducted this month shows another major impact of COVID-19 Coronavirus – the crash of consumer sentiment. A statistically significant survey of a representative sample of all Americans has reached concerning conclusions about consumer sentiment now and likely to prevail for months after the COVID-19 crisis passes.

See how COVID-19 has impacted consumer sentiment…

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IFA & CT Labs Pull the Plug on CE Week

March 26, 2020 by Ted 2 Comments

Yet another trade show bites the dust as CE Week joins a long list of shows canceled due to the nationwide Coronavirus epidemic. This cancellation is no surprise, as CE Week was only a little more than 60 days away and planned for the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan – a facility that is in the process of being converted to a large hospital for victims of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic that is hitting New York City and New York State very hard.

See more on the canceled CE Week…

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New Home Sales & Housing Starts Decline in February, A Hint of Things to Come

March 25, 2020 by Ted Leave a Comment

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development announced this week that sales of newly built residences fell in February 2020. Housing starts also fell in February. This housing market downturn is likely a precursor to much more dramatic declines when figures for March 2020 are reported – a time period when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began to really take hold across America, forcing State and City governments across the U.S. to order residents of all non-essential businesses to stay home.

See more on the drop in new home sales…

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Ted

AVNation Launches ‘Commercial Learn From Home’ Virtual 3-Day Online Event