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Sharp Strikes Again – Terminates LCD Panel Supply to China’s Hisense

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Sharp Parent Foxconn Appears to be Playing Global Hard Ball

Hisense logoJust days after we told you about Sharp’s decision to stop supplying LCD panels to global TV leader Samsung – a decision that shocked many in Japan – apparently, they’ve done it again. The Nikkei in Japan is reporting that panel pricing negotiations have apparently broken down between Sharp and China’s Hisense Group with the parties unable to agree on a fair price. As a result, Sharp has notified Hisense it will also stop supplying them with panels in 2017.

The industry is positively buzzing about these power moves by Sharp… [Read more…] about Sharp Strikes Again – Terminates LCD Panel Supply to China’s Hisense

Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung

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‘Samsung Scrambling to Find New Sources’ – Looks to LG

Samsung logoThe media in Japan positively exploded this week with the shocking news that Sharp has notified Samsung it will no longer supply the world’s top seller of LCD TVs with the panels they need for their sets. Samsung was Sharp’s largest customer, but in a shocking power move, after negotiations broke down – Sharp said no deal.

Could this be a sign of a new Sharp, now that it’s part of Foxconn? [Read more…] about Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung

Core Brands Moved Under Control of Nortek’s SCS Group

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Nortek's Core Brands LogoIn a reorganization at Nortek, Core Brands, previously a freestanding, underperforming segment of the company, has been moved under the control of Nortek’s Security and Control Solutions Group, it was announced internally this week. With this change, Core Brands President Joe Roberts will now report to SCS Group’s President Michael O’Neal.

See more on this change with Core Brands inside of Nortek… [Read more…] about Core Brands Moved Under Control of Nortek’s SCS Group

HiFiMan: Staking Out the Extreme High End of the Headphone Market

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Launches $50,000 Headphone System

HiFiMAN Shangri-La systemHiFiMan, the specialty maker of high-end headphones and portable music players, announced this week the launch of a “premium” electrostatic headphone system that they call Shangri-La. Calling it a “cost-no-object experience,” the Shangri-La system is priced to sell for $50,000 at retail. The price of paradise appears to have risen lately.

See more about what HiFiMan suggests is the ultimate listening experience… [Read more…] about HiFiMan: Staking Out the Extreme High End of the Headphone Market

SnapAV Continues Buying Spree, Acquires Autonomic

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‘If You Can Solve a Problem, You Can Sell Some Stuff’

SnapAV logoSnapAV announced Wednesday that it has acquired Autonomic, a leading music server solutions provider. This is SnapAV’s latest in a string of acquisitions, as the company continues to seek solutions that will fulfill the needs of their extensive national network of custom integrators.

See what SnapAV’s President told us about this deal… [Read more…] about SnapAV Continues Buying Spree, Acquires Autonomic

Voice Control: Time to Jump In…or Wait?

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In Wake of CEDIA, Industry Debates How Hot Voice Control Is

Scene showing Alexa voice controlOne of the keynote presentations at CEDIA 2016, was from Amazon – the monster online retailer. Amazon executive Charlie Kindel introduced the custom integration attendees to the Amazon Echo, Tap, and Dot…essentially Internet appliances that all feature their Alexa voice control technology. Then, late in the presentation, Kindel announced the company has developed a way for Alexa to interface with home systems – and even forged integration partnerships with Lutron, Crestron, Control4 and others.

And just like that, CEDIA 2016 became the voice control show… [Read more…] about Voice Control: Time to Jump In…or Wait?

After Years of Cutbacks, Sony Says It’s Time to Drive Sales

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Sony Marketing Discusses Growth Plans with Japanese Media

Sony logo on screen at CES press presentationSony told the Nikkei this week that – to paraphrase – after years of painful dieting, the company has reached its fighting weight and is ready to go to battle to grow its sales worldwide. The company has spent the last few years spinning off divisions, cutting back on employment levels, and reducing overhead – all for the express purpose of improving profits. That goal achieved, the company will now focus on sales.

But the plan that Sony’s chief marketer outlined has some concerned… [Read more…] about After Years of Cutbacks, Sony Says It’s Time to Drive Sales

GoPro Cuts 15% Of Workforce; Closes Division

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Photo of KarmaJust a couple of weeks after we reported on GoPro’s recall of thousands of defective Karma drones and other business problems, now comes word that the company is in the process of cutting more than 200 jobs, or about 15% of its total workforce, amid a sales decline. The company has also decided to shut down its Entertainment division and rededicate itself to its core wearable camera business.

But analysts remain unconvinced the company has the right plan for growth… [Read more…] about GoPro Cuts 15% Of Workforce; Closes Division

Leon Dresses Up SONOS with Gorgeous Woodwork

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Leon logoAnn Arbor, MI-based Leon Speakers, known for their high-end A/V solutions that juxtapose the drama of art with the pinnacle of sound, announced this week that they have launched a line of wood trim encasements that bring the warmth of richly detailed woodgrain to the normal gray and black boxes of popular SONOS brand speakers. Known as Tonecase Hardwood Cabinets, Leon manages to bring a new form of richness to SONOS- a visual one.

See more on the new Leon Speakers Tonecase for SONOS… [Read more…] about Leon Dresses Up SONOS with Gorgeous Woodwork

A Tale of Two Japans – Toshiba & Japan Display

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Photo of busy intersection in JapanTwo stories out of Japan caught our attention and, to our thinking, combine to show that Japan’s tech industry is still not yet out of the woods. The first story, by the Japan Times, says that troubled Toshiba’s half-year fiscal results show that their profits have now tripled. The second story, also from the Japan Times, announced that Japan Display will be laying off thousands of employees – almost a third of their workforce.

See more on these two dramatically different stories of a still-troubled Japan… [Read more…] about A Tale of Two Japans – Toshiba & Japan Display