In a move that appears to indicate that major TV makers are finally accepting the reality that consumers don’t want 3D TVs, Samsung and LG are said to be limiting or eliminating the feature from future TV models. Some may say, ‘What took you so long?’ But the reality is that the industry invested billions of dollars developing the technology and has been slow to eliminate it – saying that there are still some enthusiasts that love 3D content.
Sharp Shocks Japan; Favors Offer from Foreign Entity
Sharp Corp., the troubled Japanese manufacturer of LCD panels and TVs, finds themselves in unfamiliar territory – multiple potential parties want to buy them and are bidding the price up. Unfortunately, this situation has emerged as a result of their deepening financial troubles and whatever offer they accept is likely to change the company in fundamental and unknown ways…forever.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that despite political pressure to accept an offer from a Japan government-backed bidder – an outcome that everyone in Japan expected – the company has let it be known that it is favoring a bid from a foreign bidder…Taiwan’s Foxconn.
See why Sharp is defying expectations – and its own government – to potentially sell to a foreign entity… [Read more…] about Sharp Shocks Japan; Favors Offer from Foreign Entity
Streaming TV to Hit Tipping Point in 2016
Eye-Popping Numbers Point to Huge Shift in Consumer Preferences
Much like the amazing growth in music streaming over the last few years, streaming TV has also seen an explosion in the number of users as well. This growth has been fueled in large part by the growing popularity of both original programming and the replay of popular shows on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Now new research data predicts that in 2016 streaming TV will reach the tipping point – more than half of all Americans will watch TV programming from streaming video services.
See more on this amazing milestone… [Read more…] about Streaming TV to Hit Tipping Point in 2016
Sony’s Profits Prove Turnaround is Real
In new data coming out of Japan, Sony has reported their 9-month results for the current fiscal year revealing solid profitability that makes it clear that their turnaround efforts are producing serious and durable results. Of a total of 439 companies reporting YTD (3-quarter) results, a report in the Nikkei had “Sony stealing the spotlight” with a “sharp turnaround” in its bottom line.
See more details on where Sony has seen results… [Read more…] about Sony’s Profits Prove Turnaround is Real
Crestron Pulls Out of CEDIA Expo 2016
BREAKING NEWS
After receiving several urgent communications from multiple sources, Strata-gee.com has confirmed that Crestron Electronics – for years the single largest exhibitor at CEDIA’s Expo – has informed the trade association that it will not participate in the upcoming 2016 event. Crestron, a long supporter of both CEDIA and the Expo, has always maintained a huge presence, with an upfront positioning right at the entry, thanks to the many priority points it has earned over the years. Now, CEDIA is fast at work finding a replacement.
See more on this surprising turn of events… [Read more…] about Crestron Pulls Out of CEDIA Expo 2016
This is the End, My Friend; Google Glass Social Media Accounts Go Dark
An Augmented Reality Fail
Reuters reported that all Google Glass social media pages went dark last week…with no explanation given. It was an ignominious end to one of the most anticipated tech products with one of the greatest buzz building campaigns of all time. Alas, in the end all we got was a costly beta test…
Is this the end? See more below… [Read more…] about This is the End, My Friend; Google Glass Social Media Accounts Go Dark
InfoComm Sets New Standards for Cable Labeling in AV Systems
InfoComm International, the trade group representing commercial integrators, announced this week that they have created and set a new standard for integrators called Cable Labeling for Audiovisual Systems (CLAS). This new standard puts forth new requirements for the labeling of cables in an AV system, and is meant to “harmonize” practices among integrators.
See more on this important announcement… [Read more…] about InfoComm Sets New Standards for Cable Labeling in AV Systems
Control4’s New EA Controller Series Reaches for a Broader Audience
Control4 launched their new EA (for Entertainment & Automation) Series of controllers which looks to broaden the appeal of the brand to potentially a whole new class of users. The EA series offers simple but competent control of your music and video content – with solutions priced as low as $600 – as well as automation. Some Control4 integrators are saying this new line effectively bridges the gap between the DIY consumer and the entry-level automation system.
See more on this impressive new offering from Control4… [Read more…] about Control4’s New EA Controller Series Reaches for a Broader Audience
Apple Bruised by Worst iPhone Sales Growth Ever
Apple, Inc. is starting to look brown, bruised, and past its prime in wake of the surprising quarterly results that showed growth in sales of their bellwether iPhone product to be the slowest since the company launched the product category in 2007. Not only that, but the company forecast an overall sales decline for the first quarter of 2016 – their first sales decline since 2003. Reaction from Wall Street was swift with the price of Apple stock down more than 6% in mid-afternoon trading.
What’s going on at Apple?… [Read more…] about Apple Bruised by Worst iPhone Sales Growth Ever
Foxconn’s Full Court Press to Win Sharp
CEO Gou Goes All Out – Meets Face-to-Face with Japanese Gov’t Officials
Although the odds appear stacked against Taiwan’s Foxconn in its bid to acquire Sharp Corp., new reports suggest that CEO Terry Gou has intensified his efforts to win the troubled Japanese giant by meeting directly with Japanese government officials and offering new promises. In a report out of Japan by Reuters, sources are saying that Gou will do whatever it takes to win the company, including detailing more of his plans to assuage concerns and eliminate opposition to the deal.
