The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced this week that at its upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2018 in Las Vegas, there will be a new area of focus on Smart City technologies. The group plans both a dedicated display space featuring the technologies of Smart Cities, as well as a full schedule of related conference programming.
CEDIA Chairman Corrects Us: Members are NOT the Owners
Shortly after our story about layoffs at CEDIA was posted, we spoke with CEDIA Board Chairman Dennis Erskine, who sought to correct what he said were some “misconceptions” presented in that article. Specifically, Erskine felt our call for more transparency from the organization was off the mark due to our misunderstanding about non-profit organizations.
See what Erskine said we got wrong and why non-profits are special… [Read more…] about CEDIA Chairman Corrects Us: Members are NOT the Owners
Another Departure from CEDIA – VP Ron Fleming is Out
BREAKING NEWS
Only a matter of days after the announcement of Vin Bruno’s resignation as CEDIA CEO, and a few weeks after a 15% headquarters staff reduction, we now learn that Ron Fleming, CEDIA VP of Business Development is out in what appears to be a major reorganization at the industry trade group. The news went out earlier today in the form of an email from COO and interim CEO Tabatha O’Connor to exhibitors.
See more on this still-evolving story… [Read more…] about Another Departure from CEDIA – VP Ron Fleming is Out
Sony CEO Predicts 20-Yr High Op. Profit; Says Co. Needs More Innovation
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai is feeling pretty good these days. After an incredibly tough turnaround period where many questioned his plan, Hirai said this week that the company expects to book an operating profit of ¥500 billion ($4.5 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 2018, its highest operating profit in 20-years according to a report by the Nikkei. But the CEO admits that, as good as this news is, the company is still short of a full turnaround.
What’s needed for a complete turnaround of Sony’s business? Innovation…
See more on what Sony’s CEO says the company needs to do… [Read more…] about Sony CEO Predicts 20-Yr High Op. Profit; Says Co. Needs More Innovation
HARD TIME: Vann’s Ex-CEO Gets 5+ Years in Federal Prison
Judge: ‘…Arrogance, That Defies Explanation’
In February, we reported that George Leslie Manlove was convicted on approximately 170 out of a total of 200 Federal felony counts stemming from his tenure as CEO of the now-defunct Vann’s Electronics & Appliances in Montana. A few days ago, Manlove learned his fate in the form of a sentence from U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dana Christensen, and it wasn’t a pretty picture. Manlove has been ordered to serve a sentence of more than 5 years in a Federal Penitentiary.
See more on this fall from grace by Manlove, the former CEO of Vann’s… [Read more…] about HARD TIME: Vann’s Ex-CEO Gets 5+ Years in Federal Prison
A Global Player, CasaTunes Launches Call to Muslim Prayer Feature
Ft. Collins, CO-based CasaTunes announced this week that it has launched a new feature to better address their growing global business. This new feature is a call to Muslim Prayer feature, which will be very handy for end users in their growing Middle East business. A unique capability ignored by most system providers, this new call to Muslim Prayer support allows users to schedule and customize their personal call to pray.
See more on CasaTunes new call to Muslim prayer feature… [Read more…] about A Global Player, CasaTunes Launches Call to Muslim Prayer Feature
LeEco Appears to be Falling…Hard
What started as a roar appears to be ending as a whimper, as Asian wannabe-giant LeEco announced this week plans to lay-off nearly 70% of their entire U.S. workforce. This significant retrenchment occurs just weeks after its proposed $2 billion acquisition of Vizio fell apart just before closing, and suggests the company, which is in multiple businesses, may have gotten ahead of itself…and ahead of its funding.
See more on this dramatic announcement from LeEco… [Read more…] about LeEco Appears to be Falling…Hard
Simply Reliable Launches ‘Digital Proposals’ in SmartOffice Update
Simply Reliable Software announced this week that it has added a dramatic new feature called “Digital Proposals” in the latest update of its SmartOffice software. The company called Digital Proposals “a game changing feature.”
Learn more about Simply Reliable’s Digital Proposals… [Read more…] about Simply Reliable Launches ‘Digital Proposals’ in SmartOffice Update
Voice-Enabled Device Usage Will Grow Nearly 130% This Year
Momentum continues to build for voice-enabled devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home products, according to new data and forecast from eMarketer. Usage rates also appear to be increasing for the broader category of virtual assistants, such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Now and Microsoft’s Cortana.
See more on this all-new data on voice-enabled and virtual assistant market… [Read more…] about Voice-Enabled Device Usage Will Grow Nearly 130% This Year
Savant Targets New Market Segment with Simple Host/Pro Remote Kit
Savant Systems has launched a clever new package that allows them to address a new entry-level market segment, and provides custom integration pros with a more robust solution for their less sophisticated clients. Called the Simple Host and Pro Remote System, Savant applies what they’ve learned from their consumer business to offer a solid solution sold only through professional integrators.
