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Industry is Abuzz – What’s Happening With Sony TVs & Audio? What is China’s TCL’s Involvement?

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Sony is selling its TV and audio business to TCL

The industry is all abuzz ever since this past Tuesday, when Sony Corporation announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TCL “for strategic partnership in home entertainment field.” The announcement goes on to describe, in really sketchy terms with virtually no details, an idyllic or almost utopian vision of how this “partnership” would operate.

But it’s all code. The media has scrambled to spread the news of what they know…which is virtually nothing. Let me help you decode the important meaning of this announcement.

Learn more about this new Sony & TCL ‘partnership’…

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CEDIA Announces 2026 Board Members and First Ever Woman Chairperson

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The new CEDIA Board Chairperson is Amanda Wildman
Amanda Wildman

On Wednesday, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) announced the roster of new members joining the Global Board of Directors after a “slate” vote by members recently. The trade association also announced a historic first – for the first time in its history, a woman has been selected as Chairperson of the organization.

Learn more about the changes to the CEDIA Board & Leadership

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Huge News From AVPro Global as Current CTO Matt Murray is Named CEO

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Big news this morning out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota as AVPro Global Holdings, LLC, one of the fastest growing companies in the custom integration industry, announces it has named current Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matt Murray as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Company founder and current CEO Jeff Murray will become the Chairman of the Board in a move that the company says was a long-planned generational leadership transition.

Learn more about the leadership transition at AVPro Global…

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After Nearly 80 Years of Operations, Howard’s Appliance Suddenly Closes All Locations

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A Howard's Appliance Experience Center
Howard’s Experience Center in Murrieta, CA

Blames Tariffs & Slowing Spending; Company to File Bankruptcy

Shocking news emerged at the end of last week as we learned that Southern California multi-location retailer Howard’s Appliance suddenly closed all stores. Local media is struggling to get details on the situation, but here is what we know so far: Howard’s Appliances, a large and formerly successful independent TV, Appliance, and Mattress retailer in Southern California, just days after Black Friday, suddenly announced to employees it would be closing in two days. No reason was provided, and all employees were laid off as of December 6.

There was no formal announcement circulated to customers, and some have taken to social media to complain that they had deposits on various appliances and were waiting for delivery…delivery that is apparently not coming.

Learn more about Howard Appliances closing…

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After a Decades-Long Career, An Ex-Integrator Switches to the Client’s Side with Spexi Advisory

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A Spexi Advisory project image provided by Sean Weiner

By any measure, Sean Weiner has had an exemplary run in custom integration. His blue-chip resume includes significant roles with custom integrators such as Myer Emco, Starr Systems, and Bravas, where he was the organization’s Chief Technology Officer.

But now he’s left the role of integrator and created something new, called Spexi Advisory. And in so doing, he may have created a new business model – something that puts him on the side of the buyer (client).

See what Weiner has created…and if you should consider the same idea

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Popular Tech Industry Editor & Reviewer Robert Archer Leaves CEPro

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Robert Archer is leaving CEPro

Many in the industry were stunned to learn Thursday afternoon that popular custom integration editor and reviewer Robert “Bob” Archer was released from his prominent role at CEPro by owner Emerald Expositions. It was an inauspicious conclusion to a long, illustrious career at one of the top industry trade publications, where Archer’s insightful product reviews could make a real impact on the success of a product in the market.

Read more on the departure of Robert Archer from CEPro/Emerald Expositions…

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Azione Unlimited Launches the Azione Collective, An Internal Woman’s Group

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Photo from a past Azione Unlimited conference

Azione Unlimited, a leading North American buying group of upscale custom integrators, announced on Wednesday that it has formed the Azione Collective, a group of women drawn from all walks of the greater Azione ecosystem who have come together to “empower connection, mentorship, and growth.”

Learn more about Azione Unlimited’s Azione Collective

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Days After an Array of New Amazon Devices Debut, A Devices VP is Leaving the Company

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Amazon product launch in New York City on September 30, 2025
Panos Panay presenting at the Amazon product launch in New York City on September 30, 2025 [Click to enlarge]

Just days after Amazon put on its glitzy annual devices and services showcase for the media in New York City, employees were surprised to learn that a Vice President who helps oversee the devices division is leaving the company. In an internal memo circulated to employees, and viewed by Reuters News Agency, it was announced that Rob Williams, Vice President of Device Software and Services – and part of a small elite group of executives with direct access to CEO Andy Jassy known as the S-team – stepped down from his post…and furthermore, will leave the company entirely at year-end.

See more on the turmoil in Amazon’s money-losing devices division…

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AVPro Global Launches Expert Advisory Board; Names Wally Whinna as 1st Member

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AVPro Global Holdings logo

Here is a really smart idea: AVPro Global, one of the industry’s fastest-growing manufacturers of a wide range of products designed specifically for the residential and commercial custom integration spaces, is creating an “Expert Advisory Board.” Why is that smart? Because a well-selected advisory board can be a great sounding board (no pun intended) on strategies and tactics, and an almost limitless source of fresh ideas and perspectives for driving above-average growth.

The first expert appointed to this board is well-known industry executive Wally Whinna, formerly of ADI/Snap One, AVAD, Tandem Marketing, and Allnet.

See more on the new AVPro Global Expert Advisory Board

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Masimo Completes Sale of Sound United to Harman International

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Sound United presentation at CEDIA Expo 2025
Sound United presentation to media at CEDIA Expo 2025 [Click to enlarge]

The long-awaited closing of Masimo Corp.’s (NASDAQ: MASI) sale of Sound United (formerly Masimo Consumer) to Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has been formally completed. Both parties of the transaction put out their own separate announcements, with Masimo’s version quite short and perfunctory, while Harman’s gave little more than an inkling of what is to become of Sound United.

Learn all about the completion of the sale of Sound United…

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