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.
Brands
First Product of Control4 and Triad Partnership Launches
Control4 Corp. announced today the launch of a line of outdoor audio solutions from their newly acquired Triad Speakers division. Called the Triad Garden Array outdoor speakers, the line includes a satellite speaker along with an outdoor subwoofer – all designed to be placed broadly throughout an entire outdoor entertainment space.
See more on this first product of the Control4 and Triad partnership… [Read more…] about First Product of Control4 and Triad Partnership Launches
Sonos Wins Dismissal of Multiple D&M Holdings Counterclaims
Just one month after Delaware District Court judge Richard G. Andrews ruled against D&M Holdings’ attempt to have four key Sonos patents invalidated, we learn that Sonos was successful in winning a dismissal of three of D&M Holdings’ counterclaims of patent infringement against them. However, four additional counterclaims filed by D&M survived the challenge and the counter-lawsuit will continue.
See more about this clash between Sonos and D&M Holdings… [Read more…] about Sonos Wins Dismissal of Multiple D&M Holdings Counterclaims
Control4 Bolsters Your First Line of Defense – Power
Control4 announced on Tuesday a new line of power monitoring and control solutions in its Pakedge PowerPak line. Saying, “Power monitoring and control is the first-line of defense in bringing a system or device back online,” these new units bring enhanced levels of intelligent control of power, the lifeblood of any system.
See more on this new line of Control4/Pakedge power solutions… [Read more…] about Control4 Bolsters Your First Line of Defense – Power
Lawsuit: Bose is Spying on You and Selling Your Personal Info
A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in Northern Illinois against Bose Corp. alleging that the popular brand is spying on consumers, collecting personal usage data, and selling or otherwise using this data for profit. All of this, the suit claims, is done in violation of various Federal and State privacy laws and with no warning or notification to the consumer.
See more on this lawsuit against Bose… [Read more…] about Lawsuit: Bose is Spying on You and Selling Your Personal Info
Top Smartphones in 2016? Apple Takes 4 of Top 5
Although many analysts criticize slowing innovation at industry powerhouse Apple, Inc., final results for global smartphone shipments shows Apple with four of the top five models. Not bad for a technology slacker!
See the results for 2016 global smartphone shipments, dominated by Apple models… [Read more…] about Top Smartphones in 2016? Apple Takes 4 of Top 5
AudioControl Selects Home Audio Rep of the Year
Specialty audio and automotive electronics supplier AudioControl announced this week that it has selected Rich Jackson in Northern California as its Rep of the Year for their home products category. For AudioControl, Rep of the Year means that “independent sales organization that has delivered outstanding overall performance, dedication to the AudioControl brand and exceptional service” in their region.
Read more about Rich Jackson and AudioControl in Northern California… [Read more…] about AudioControl Selects Home Audio Rep of the Year
CEDIA Picks Middle Atlantic Products for Theater Project
Middle Atlantic Products announced today that CEDIA selected it as part of a group of industry products for a unique theater project at the Portland International Airport. A joint effort by Hollywood Theater, a nonprofit group in Portland, CEDIA, the integration industry’s leading trade association, and Portland’s PDX Art program (Portland International Airports designation is PDX), this unique art project opened in late February.
See more on Middle Atlantic’s collaboration to further art at the Portland Airport… [Read more…] about CEDIA Picks Middle Atlantic Products for Theater Project
Radio Shack’s 2nd Bankruptcy in 2 Years; The Era of The Gadget is Over
In yet another clear sign that the era of the gadget is over, once prodigious gadget-seller Radio Shack files for bankruptcy on Wednesday…again. This is the second bankruptcy filing for the company in just two years. A strategy of partnering with Sprint didn’t produce the revenue the new owner’s anticipated and this second filing was unavoidable. So what happens now?
See what is in store for wounded giant Radio Shack… [Read more…] about Radio Shack’s 2nd Bankruptcy in 2 Years; The Era of The Gadget is Over
At Long Last, New Nest Products are Coming
Four New Models Would Double the Nest Line
Bloomberg News is reporting that, after a long wait, Google Alphabet’s Nest division is finally preparing to launch multiple new models. Nest, which is seeking to become a dominant player in the connected home space, has laid relatively dormant in the wake of the tumultuous exit of founder Tony Fadell. Now, Bloomberg tells us, things will begin to heat up with new models to expand the product segments in which the company participates.
