In yet another sign of Japan’s struggle with the flat panel TV business, Panasonic Corp. will stop all LCD panel production at its last such factory. Reports out of Japan say the company has determined that competition from Korea and China will forever preclude it from earning a profit in the panel production business. Many in Japan suggest that this news represents the end of an era of Japanese dominance in the TV business.
Manufacturers
Sony Launches ‘Magic Bus’ to Promote Hi-Res Audio…for the Car
Is the Car the Best Place to Hear Hi-Res Audio?
Sony Electronics Corp. and Whitledge Designs have partnered to promote Hi-Res Audio – for the car – through Whitledge’s demonstration vehicle known as the “Magic Bus.” The partners say the venture “is designed to bring studio-quality Hi-Res Audio to music enthusiasts everywhere.’
See more on Sony promoting Hi-Res Audio in the Magic Bus… [Read more…] about Sony Launches ‘Magic Bus’ to Promote Hi-Res Audio…for the Car
TiO Launches ‘Pro Mode’ for iOS Devices
TiO, the wireless home automation solution that is a division of Anuva Automation, announced this week that it is launching “Pro Mode” for Apple iOS iPad devices. The company says that an updated Pro Mode is now available for both Android and Apple platforms.
See more on this new announcement from TiO… [Read more…] about TiO Launches ‘Pro Mode’ for iOS Devices
Oh-Oh! In Wake of Sharp Purchase, Foxconn’s Orders are Dropping
The ink was barely dry on their $3.5 billion dollar acquisition of troubled Japanese giant Sharp Corp., when Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gou was forced to admit that overall orders for goods produced by the Taiwanese OEM manufacturer are dropping. Gou was essentially pressed to make the admission by China’s Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday.
What factors pushed Gou to say this? See more below… [Read more…] about Oh-Oh! In Wake of Sharp Purchase, Foxconn’s Orders are Dropping
Legrand Will Pay You Cash to Sell Nuvo Speakers
Legrand announced this week that it is launching a cash rebate program for installers on 17 recently launched Nuvo speaker products. This sales incentive program is being offered both to dealers who buy Nuvo direct, and those who purchase Nuvo products through distributors.
See more on this “cash reward’ program on select Nuvo products… [Read more…] about Legrand Will Pay You Cash to Sell Nuvo Speakers
Nortek Fiscal 2016 Q1 Results Improve, Except for AV
AVC Generates an Operating Loss on a 17.8% Decline in Sales
Nortek, Inc. (Nortek) released their results for the 2016 fiscal first quarter and generally showed broad improvement,with sales gains and profit improvements in most of their segments. But not in the Custom and Commercial Air segment which had a sales decline; and especially not in their AVC segment, which saw continued sales declines and generated a loss from operations.
See more on our Nortek 2016 Q1 report… [Read more…] about Nortek Fiscal 2016 Q1 Results Improve, Except for AV
URC Announces Death of Marguerita Kiser
Universal Remote Control, Inc. (URC) announced on Tuesday that its West Coast Sales Manager Marguerita Kiser has passed away after a brief illness. The company noted in a brief but solemn statement that it is in mourning.
See more on this sad news from URC… [Read more…] about URC Announces Death of Marguerita Kiser
At High End Show, Bluesound & NAD Offer High-End Announcements
From the High End show now taking place in Munich, Germany, Bluesound and NAD, two specialty audio lines leading the charge into high-res and high quality audio, made several interesting announcements about their efforts. Both brands are marketed here in the U.S. by Lenbrook America.
See what Bluesound and NAD announced at the High End show… [Read more…] about At High End Show, Bluesound & NAD Offer High-End Announcements
Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
IoT Product Launches are Increasing, From Samsung & Others
Several announcements emerged this week from the Samsung Developer Conference being held in San Francisco – an event that has largely represented the launch of the first wave of Samsung’s assault on the Internet of Things (IoT) market. One announcement that caught our eye is the news that Samsung and Legrand have partnered on a new Thread-enabled lighting switch.
See more on this new IoT light switch and the partnership with Samsung… [Read more…] about Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
Former Lutron Exec Rick Schuett Joins Echelon as SVP of Sales
Helped Popularize Lighting in the Residential Custom Integration Channel
Former Lutron executive Rick Schuett has joined Echelon Corporation as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, the company announced on Wednesday. Echelon describes themselves as a “control networking company for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).”
