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Tiny Koss Scores Big Win over Giant Apple in Patent Dispute Settlement

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Koss Corporaton headquarters in Wisconsin

Expects $10-$14 Million in Licensing Fees in Current Quarter

Back in August 2020, I told you about Koss Corporation filing patent infringement claims against Apple Inc, Bose Corporation, PEAG LLC (JLAB Audio), Plantronics, and Skullcandy. It seemed like an improbable journey for the relatively small specialty headphone maker, but they plunged ahead anyway confident that their wireless audio patents had been unfairly infringed.

This week, after two years of legal battles that had intensified in 2022 and on the eve of a jury trial with mighty Apple, Inc. the two parties reached an agreement settling all disputes in a deal that looks really sweet for Koss.

See more on the big win for Koss

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Turmoil Returns to Krell; COO Walter Schofield is Out Without Explanation

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Krell Solo 375 amplifier

Several Krell-related sources, such as dealers and others, reached out to me on Monday to share the surprising news they had just received in that morning’s email – top Krell executive Walter Schofield has left the company. Other than that basic fact, dealers didn’t know much more as the terse communication from Krell contained very little information. Speculation is running rampant…

See more on what I’ve learned about developments at Krell

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Snap One Offers ‘Partners’ Advice to Protect Them from Fraud

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Snap One By integrators for integrators

Snap One, the entity originally founded as SnapAV, and a company whose motto is “Founded by integrators for integrators,” recently demonstrated how they strive to be a better partner by providing their dealers with some really solid and helpful advice. One of their appreciative dealers forwarded me an email he had received from the company containing useful information on how to protect his business from fraud.

See how Snap One sought to protect dealers from fraud

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With Demand Slack & Inventory Levels Building, Samsung Cuts Procurement

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Samsung logo

Is an Industrywide Slowdown in Tech Beginning?

Samsung Electronics is taking action to hold back on procurement orders and asking suppliers for concessions, such as delayed deliveries, order reductions, and more in the wake of a concerning buildup of inventory. While the action is said to be temporary, concerns over a slowing global economy make it difficult to determine how long the company will deem these actions are necessary.

See more on Samsung’s actions to cut inventory buildup

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RoseWater Energy Expands Sales Presence; Adds 4 New Rep Groups

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RoseWater Energy Hub
RoseWater Hub

RoseWater Energy Group, a manufacturer of residential energy solutions, announced on Wednesday that it has expanded its salesforce footprint, adding four new manufacturer sales representative groups to its network. Not only does this increase the company’s sales touch points, but it expands its presence into four key regions of the country.

See more on the RoseWater Energy sales expansion

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Like a Cat with 9-Lives, McIntosh is Once Again Acquired by a Private Equity Company

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Highlander Partners, L.P., a Dallas-based private equity company, announced today that it has acquired McIntosh Group, a manufacturing and distribution company that offers several high-performance, high-end audio brands such as McIntosh, Sonus Faber, and Sumiko. It also operates under Fine Sounds U.K. and Fine Sounds Benelux.

Read more on the latest change of hands for McIntosh Group

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Former Sony Chairman Nobuyuki Idei Dies at 84

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former Sony chairman Nobuyuki Idei
[Photo: Nikkei]

Nobuyuki Idei, former chairman and group CEO of Sony Group, has died at the age of 84. The cause of death was attributed to liver failure. His passing was announced by the company on Tuesday. Idei leaves a bit of a mixed legacy, contributing greatly during the company’s formative years but leaving during a challenging time. He is a significant part of the history of the technology industry.

Learn more about former Sony head Idei and his leadership

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Foxconn Raises Outlook for Year, Cites Improving Supply Chain Situation

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A Foxconn factory

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, the world’s largest contract manufacturer, surprised many on Tuesday when they announced they were raising their outlook for the quarter and for the year based on what they say is improving supply chain stability in China. The company is one of the largest suppliers for many companies, including Apple, Inc.

See more on what Foxconn is seeing in the supply chain

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In Note to Dealers on Supply Chain, Crestron Says It’s in a ‘Better Position’ Than Ever

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Crestron at Expo 2015

For the last two and a half years, many industries have struggled with supply chain issues – especially Tech. During that period of time, I’ve heard over and over from integrators who were furious at one company or another for failing to deliver on their open orders. I’ve heard expletives hurled at pretty much every brand in the industry…including Crestron.

Now, in a letter to dealers from Crestron Chief Operating Officer Daniel Brady, dealers are being told that the company is “in a better position now than ever before.”

See more on Crestron’s letter to dealers

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Snap One Fiscal 1st Qtr Results Show Good Revenue Growth, But a Net Loss

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Snap One cover photo

At the end of last week, Snap One Holdings Corp. released the results of their fiscal 2022 first quarter, a period which ended April 1, 2022, with comparisons to the same quarter last year, which ended on March 26, 2021. The company showed good revenue growth in the quarter but is still dealing with a net loss – albeit less of one than in 2021.

See the details on the Snap One fiscal Q1 results

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