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A Giant Stumbles: Samsung Chip Div. Operating Profits Drop a Stunning 40%

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A flag showing the Samsung logo

Samsung Electronics, Inc. – a giant in the global consumer electronics industry – saw operating profits drop a stunning 40% in its all-important Device Solutions Division compared to the previous quarter. Device Solutions is its semiconductor division and many in the industry are watching this division closely, as it is a key part of Samsung’s business. But recently, the company – in a rare miss – failed to get on board with the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry early on. It is now running to catch up to competitors and this result shows they are not yet there.

See more on this rare stumble from industry giant Samsung

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Masimo Terminates Kiani’s Employment; Files Lawsuit Alleging He Violated Securities Law

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Header of Masimo lawsuit against Joe Kiani & RTW

In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the new Masimo (Nasdaq: MASI) Board of Directors reaffirmed its non-GAAP 3Q and full-year financial guidance as previously provided by the company to investors. It also notified the commission that the Board has officially terminated the employment of former CEO Joe Kiani.

Perhaps most surprisingly, it has additionally filed a major lawsuit against Joe Kiani and RTW Investments alleging, among other things, that they colluded to create a group that violated federal securities laws.

See more on this latest filing with the SEC by the new Masimo Board of Directors

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See Why Apple’s Patent Win is Actually a Victory for Masimo

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Masimo Freedom smartwatch

More patent decisions are being handed down as several long-running patent lawsuits between Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) and Apple Incorporated (Nasdaq: AAPL) wrap up. Last week, a jury in the matter of Apple Inc. (Plaintiff) v. Masimo Corporation and Sound United LLC (Defendants) rendered a verdict on a case where Apple accused Masimo of infringing on six of its Apple Watch patents.

Technically, Apple got a win…but realistically, it was a huge victory for Masimo.

See the outcome of Apple v. Masimo in Delaware court

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More on Crestron’s New Experience Center; CEO Discusses CEC & Business

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Brad Hintze and the Crestron management team in the Event Space
[Click to enlarge]

As I reported last week, I attended the October 15, 2024, Grand Opening of the latest Crestron Experience Center (CEC), located in the prestigious New York Design Center in Manhattan. This CEC is remarkable in its own right, but as I reflected further on the Grand Opening I realized that the event itself was noteworthy. Not only did a top Crestron executive sit down with me to offer some interesting perspectives on the new CEC and business in general, but what I observed at that event itself was impressive as well.

So I have decided to augment my previous report with additional observations…and more photos.

See more on the Crestron Experience Center in NYC & find out what the CEO shared with me…

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Sonos Troubles Mount – Poor Sales Suggests Ace May Be a Joker

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Sonos Ace headphones are reportedly not selling well

Ace Production Cut to Just 10% of Original Plan

While Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) claims to have most of its app problems behind it, multiple reports are emerging that suggest it may have an even bigger problem – the introduction of its Ace premium headphone has flopped. If these reports are true, then Sonos may indeed be staring into the jaws of the one monster that can truly terrify it – growing consumer resistance to its new products.

See more on this troubling turn of events for Sonos

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Masimo Expands Board with Two New Appointments

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Masimo logo

Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) announced that it has expanded the company’s Board of Directors with two new appointees. The medical products manufacturer, which also owns the Sound United audio brands, will now have a total of eight directors on its board.

See more on the expansion of the Masimo Board

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Crestron Opens Impressive NYC Experience Center Showcasing Resi & Commercial Tech

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Crestron executives John Clancy, Dan Feldstein, and Brad Hintze toast the new Experience Center in NYC
John Clancy, Dan Feldstein, and Brad Hintze (who appears to be toasting Strata-gee readers) raise a glass of champagne to toast the launch of Crestron’s remarkable Flagship NYC Experience Center [Click to enlarge]

Crestron Electronics, a worldwide industry leader in both the commercial and residential smart technology space, has opened a dramatic and dynamic new Crestron Experience Center (CEC) in the heart of Manhattan at 200 Lexington Avenue in the renowned New York Design Center. A grand opening ceremony was held with the media, customers, integrators and other special guests on Tuesday, October 15th, previewing the space which offers visitors an expansive roster of “hands-on” experiences and even includes a “workshop” for true first-person experiences where visitors can – among other things – discover new possibilities they didn’t know existed.

See more on this all-new flagship Crestron Experience Center in Manhattan

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Split Decision: A Masimo Win and an Apple Win in High Stakes Legal War

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An annotated illustration from a 2005 smartwatch patent discovered by Masimo containing technology like an Apple patent in 2021
An annotated copy of an illustration from a 2005 patent for a smartwatch (Kotanagi) containing the same or substantially similar technology that Apple was granted a patent for in 2021

While many things have changed in the wake of Joe Kiani’s exit from Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) – and many more changes are likely still to come – one thing continues on, the many lawsuits existing between Masimo and Apple Inc (Nasdaq: AAPL). And in the last few days, we have learned of two significant developments in that regard. One is a significant win for Masimo…and the other a significant win for Apple.

However, the war between these combatants continues…

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Coastal Source to Move President Jeff Poggi to Consulting Role at Year End

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Coastal Source logo

Coastal Source, one of the industry’s leading providers of outdoor audio and lighting solutions announced this week that current President Jeff Poggi will be moving outside the company to take a new role as a consultant. The move will take place at the end of this current calendar year.

See more on Poggi moving to a consulting role

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Sonos Announces ‘New Commitments’ to Consumers; Analyst Issues Double Downgrade

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Sonos Ace headphones
Is she winking at me? Or wincing in the pain of Sonos’ problems?

Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) announced this week that it was issuing new quality and customer experience “commitments,” as it seeks to rebuild its deteriorating reputation in the wake of a disastrous app launch earlier this year that has caused many, if not most, Sonos systems to stop operating properly – if they operate at all. There has been tremendous upheaval among Sonos customers who have reacted angrily and negatively on Sonos-related message boards and other social media sites.

And now, just last week, Morgan Stanley analysts issued a rare “double downgrade” on Sonos shares – a significant ratings drop indicating that it expects the value of Sonos stock to underperform the market in the near- and mid-term future. Morgan Stanley’s analysis of why this double downgrade was necessary is pretty devastating.

See more on the Sonos slide and its attempts to turn things around

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