We made it to the end of 2020! What a wild year it it has been. See my message for you during this unique holiday period following an incredibly challenging year for all of us.
Happy Holidays!
Annual CEDIA State of the Association Report Includes Some Drama
Nearly 600 Members Leave the Association in 2020
CEDIA held their annual State of the Association report for members today and, as usual, it was a well produced, glitzy affair more bent on selling the organization to all who choose to watch and listen. The Master of Ceremonies was Giles Sutton – no surprise for anyone aware of some of the inside actions taking place at the highly political organization. Sutton is the interim co-CEO of the trade group. But is it a trade group? Or is it something else altogether?
Learn more about what CEDIA said in their Annual Report to members…
[Read more…] about Annual CEDIA State of the Association Report Includes Some DramaAKM Fire Update: Sony Admits It Faces ‘Severe Shortage’ of Key Imaging Models
Most manufacturers in Tech have been reluctant to discuss the impact on the supply chain – and on the availability of their key models – as a result of the recent Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) factory fire in Japan. However, Sony – especially Sony Europe – has admitted to customers that it’s camera and video division, is “facing a severe shortage of key parts” for its compact cameras and video cameras. Although Sony did not specifically correlate their problem to the AKM situation, a large number of camera and photography media are saying that this is most likely the cause of the shortage to which Sony is referring.
See what Sony & other brands say about the AKM fire fallout…
[Read more…] about AKM Fire Update: Sony Admits It Faces ‘Severe Shortage’ of Key Imaging ModelsImpressive Savant Experience Center Tour Reveals Smart Home Possibilities
Savant Integrators Should Sign Up Clients & Prospects for a Tour Now
Just last week I was an invited guest to an event that I wasn’t entirely sure would be all that exciting – yet another Zoom meeting in a year full of Zoom meetings. Or so I thought. My invitation came from industry powerhouse Savant, who wanted to host me on a virtual tour of their new Experience Center in Manhattan. Boy!…am I glad I agreed to participate….
What a delightful surprise that tour delivered…
[Read more…] about Impressive Savant Experience Center Tour Reveals Smart Home PossibilitiesSonos Scores Another Patent Win, Legrand Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal
In yet another sign of patent success for Sonos, major industry player Legrand has agreed to a multi-year licensing deal to cover the technology used in their Nuvo line of wireless multi-room products. This is yet another sign that tends to add to the growing power of the Sonos patent portfolio covering these technologies.
See more on this announcement of a deal with Legrand…
[Read more…] about Sonos Scores Another Patent Win, Legrand Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal2020 Intros Continue w/Crestron Home Audio Conferencing & Control Solution
An Optimal Mix of Quality, Utility & Ease-of-Use for the Residential User
Just about seven weeks ago, Strata-gee told you about Crestron’s cool new TS-70R touch screen which was solidly built, exceptionally attractive for either a residential or small office setting, and provided a great control solution for the Crestron Home operating system. Now, Crestron continues their Crestron Home-specific product launches with another new product – the MM30-R Crestron Home Audio Conferencing and Control Solution.
You’re going to want to know about this new Crestron solution…
[Read more…] about 2020 Intros Continue w/Crestron Home Audio Conferencing & Control SolutionNew COVID Outbreak Causes Consumer Anxiety Flare-Up
Results Pose a Threat to Economic Recovery
A new poll shows that the latest flare-up of COVID-19 – which is generating infections, hospitalizations, and deaths at a rate that exceeds those of the worst of readings from this last Spring – are causing an outbreak of another type…anxiety and dread amongst consumers. This sobering data suggests that an increase in anxiety in consumers could result in stalling our economic recovery.
See this new poll on growing consumer dread…
[Read more…] about New COVID Outbreak Causes Consumer Anxiety Flare-UpCanton Appoints Bluebird Music as Its Distributor for the US & Canada
Earlier this month Bluebird Music, an upstate New York-based distributor of fine, high-end audio products, announced that it has been appointed as the distributor of Canton loudspeakers for the United States and Canada. Canton, a well-respected speaker brand by audiophiles around the world, is said to be Germany’s largest seller of loudspeakers and a perfect addition to Bluebird Music’s assortment of the fine audio brands.
See more on Bluebird and Canton…
[Read more…] about Canton Appoints Bluebird Music as Its Distributor for the US & CanadaSnapAV & Integra Announce a New Exclusive Distribution Deal
On Tuesday, SnapAV announced that it has inked an agreement with Onkyo Corporation to become the exclusive distributor of the company’s Integra brand for the countries of Australia and New Zealand. SnapAV says this new appointment will take effect on February 1, 2021.
Learn more about this new distribution deal…
[Read more…] about SnapAV & Integra Announce a New Exclusive Distribution DealSony to Close Major Malaysia Audio Factory; Begins Refocus Away from A/V
Closing a Separate Audio & TV Factory in Brazil as Well
Sony Corporation has two large factories in Malaysia – one manufacturing audio products, and the other manufacturing predominantly video products. A new report out of Japan indicates that the company plans to close its audio factory in Malaysia by no later than the beginning of 2022 – or in other words, during the upcoming year of 2021. This move is likely a result of a previously announced strategic refocusing on businesses other than a/v electronics at the major consumer electronics manufacturer.
