Happy New Year to Strata-gists everywhere! As we close the chapter on 2023, a challenging year of transition for the country and for Tech, we look forward to a bigger and better 2024.
Happy New Year 2024
Themes That Were Key in ’23 on Strata-gee
Wow! It’s crazy that 2023 is now just about behind us, and what a dramatic and dynamic year it was! What were the key themes of the year? At the beginning of the year, I think most would say their greatest concern was the economy and their least concern was the tech industry. Yet the year turned out to be almost the exact opposite of that.
See more on the themes that were key in ’23 on Strata-gee
[Read more…] about Themes That Were Key in ’23 on Strata-geeUpscale Speaker Maker Fyne Audio Selects Harmonia Distribution for U.S.
Fyne Audio, a U.K. manufacturer of advanced high-end audio loudspeakers based in Scotland, has appointed Harmonia Distribution as its distributor for the United States market, effective immediately. Harmonia, formerly known as Upscale Distribution, said in an announcement that it is proud to have been selected by Fyne, a manufacturer that represents a blend of the best of “contemporary and traditional designs.”
See more on Fyne Audio and Harmonia Distribution
[Read more…] about Upscale Speaker Maker Fyne Audio Selects Harmonia Distribution for U.S.Apple Watch Ban Takes Effect as White House Declines to Veto USITC Action
Apple Files Emergency Request to Appeals Court to Halt Ban
UPDATE: See the latest news that broke the day after this story was posted at the bottom of this story…
The Masimo vs. Apple saga continues as the ban on Apple Watch models that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) declared infringed on multiple Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI) patent claims is now in full force as the Biden Administration declined to veto the USITC decision. Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) hopes for a presidential intervention countermanding the USITC ban from taking effect were dashed as the Presidential Review period expired at the end of Monday – yes, Christmas Day – with no action taken by the White House.
Speaking for the Biden Administration Tuesday morning, Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative said the government “decided not to reverse the ban following careful consultations.” With that, the Apple Watch ban took full effect.
See more on what happens now in this Masimo vs. Apple patent battle
[Read more…] about Apple Watch Ban Takes Effect as White House Declines to Veto USITC ActionHappy Holidays 2023!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or so the song goes… With 2023 now almost in the books, it is time for all of us to take a much-needed holiday break. But first, let’s talk about the year now ending.
See my 2023 Holiday message…
[Read more…] about Happy Holidays 2023!Masimo vs. Apple – An Unusual Wince of Pain as Tech Giant Pulls Watch Off Market
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced that this week it was preemptively removing certain models of its Apple Watch line from its online store on Thursday, and from its physical retail stores by December 24th. The products affected by this action are the Series 9 and Ultra 2 Watch models which include pulse oximetry technology that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined infringed on patents held by Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI).
See more on Apple being forced to pull Watch models off the shelf
[Read more…] about Masimo vs. Apple – An Unusual Wince of Pain as Tech Giant Pulls Watch Off MarketNovember Housing Starts Leap 15% as Lower Interest Rates Fuel Construction
The latest data on residential construction, a government reading known as housing starts, took a surprising jump in November according to the recently released information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing starts jumped an impressive 14.8% in November as compared to the revised October reading – a huge statistical leap.
See more on the jump in November housing starts
[Read more…] about November Housing Starts Leap 15% as Lower Interest Rates Fuel ConstructionEllipsys, Nationwide MG’s Commercial Div., Adds Two More Founding Vendors
The amount of activity coming out of the Nationwide Marketing Group is pretty mind-blowing with a lot of moving pieces as its multiple operating divisions are each executing on its part of the overall organization’s “Drive to 1,000” member growth program. Today, Nationwide announced that its newest venture, the Ellipsys Commercial Technology Group, has added two more “founding vendor partners,” both well-known and highly valued brands within the commercial community.
Learn more about the expansion of the Ellipsys vendor assortment
[Read more…] about Ellipsys, Nationwide MG’s Commercial Div., Adds Two More Founding Vendors1st Shipment of AVA Cinema Remote, A Hot Intro at CEDIA Expo, is Delayed
One of the hottest displays at this year’s CEDIA Expo 2023 was the AVA, Inc. booth where the young company was launching its new Cinema Remote. I was there and the booth was consistently packed with integrators interested in its new remote. In fact, I named AVA as one of my top stories of the Expo as a promising newcomer.
From my conversations with several integrators, I believe AVA wrote a lot of preorders for the Cinema Remotes at the show, as its unique design and clever features were indeed attractive. Now I have learned that the company’s first shipment of remotes has been delayed.
Learn what I’ve discovered about a shipping delay on the new AVA Cinema Remote
[Read more…] about 1st Shipment of AVA Cinema Remote, A Hot Intro at CEDIA Expo, is DelayedMasimo vs Apple – After Early Success, The Wind Shifts… And It’s a Foul Wind
What a year it’s been for Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI), the manufacturer of medical products sold largely to hospitals and other healthcare systems who is also the owner of Sound United, a leading manufacturer of audio products. Simply saying they’ve been through highs and lows would understate the high drama in which the company has been immersed this past year – not the least of which is embodied by its deathmatch with Apple, Inc., the largest company in the world. Apple is also regularly ranked as the most profitable company in the world – a well-resourced adversary to engage thoughtfully…and carefully.
Some impressive early Masimo wins in this battle with Apple, however, seemed to suggest that the tech behemoth was losing its balance and the altercation might be winnable by its much smaller rival. But then…
