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On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit

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BREAKING NEWS

Savant logoWe’ve learned today that the long running legal battle between automation giants Savant Systems and Crestron Electronics has been settled on the eve of the case going to trial. The suit was originally filed in September 2010 by Savant Systems, LLC, which alleged that Crestron Electronics, Inc. had – amongst other things – engaged in a variety of anti-competitive and  unfair trade practices. Crestron denied Savant’s allegations and launched their own countersuit alleging that Savant had – amongst other things – engaged in tortious interference with contractual relations; and, unfair & deceptive acts in the conduct of trade.

Scheduled to go to trial in January, the parties have now settled the matter… [Read more…] about On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit

The Revolving Door for Managers at Kaleidescape… Spins Again

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Kaleidescape logoImagine, if you will, working at a company serving a channel in which yours is the only significant participant with no major competitors – you own the segment. Not only that, but dealers love your product, the press sings holy hosannas over the quality and performance of your line, a major [legal] black cloud is behind you, and the future appears to be bright. Must be an idyllic existence…right?

At Kaleidescape, Inc., the industry’s most prominent brand of media servers, it appears to be an idyllic existence only if you are one of the two founders – Michael Malcolm and Cheena Srinivasan. For other top managers, the pressure must be constant, as there appears to be a spinning revolving door – or so it would seem as we learn again this week of more top managers exiting the company.

See more on this newest round of managers exiting Kaleidescape… [Read more…] about The Revolving Door for Managers at Kaleidescape… Spins Again

Apple to Set Up Its First R&D Facility Outside of US

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Announcement Met with Mixture of Pride…and Concern

Apple Headquarters

Apple, Inc. has announced that it will open its first research and development facility outside of the United States and it has chosen Japan as the location for the center. The announcement was reported by the Nikkei and has been met with a combination of national pride…and corporate concerns.

See more on Apple’s new plans for their R&D facility in Japan… [Read more…] about Apple to Set Up Its First R&D Facility Outside of US

Thiel Says It Will Introduce New TT1 Speaker System at CES

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New Thiel logo black backgroundThiel Audio announced this week that it will introduce a new loudspeaker system – the TT1 – at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January. Calling it an “ultimate performance three-way loudspeaker,” the announcement is the first major launch since the current management team was put in place earlier this year.

But, the TTI was not a total surprise… [Read more…] about Thiel Says It Will Introduce New TT1 Speaker System at CES

ICE Cable Selects EMI to Represent Brand in Michigan

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ICE Cable logoSpecialty cable manufacturer ICE Cable Systems announced this week that it has selected veteran Michigan sales representative company Electrical Materials, Inc. (EMI) to represent its line in Michigan, the Great Lakes State. EMI, a unique mixture of electrical component distribution and custom integration AV sales representative company, is well known throughout the region.

See more on this new partnership… [Read more…] about ICE Cable Selects EMI to Represent Brand in Michigan

Having Dumped Everything Else, Pioneer Makes Plans to Dominate Car Electronics

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About the AV biz? Hoping Onkyo Keeps the Pioneer Name…

Photo of Pioneer President
Susumu Kotani, President
Pioneer Corporation

In a revealing interview with the Nikkei in Tokyo, Pioneer Corp. President Susumu Kotani said that Pioneer – after spending several months selling off all of its divisions other than automotive – is considering resorting to acquisitions in order to build a dominant position within its chosen market. A radical shift after months of divestiture, he makes clear that the company is preparing to move to offense, in order to build a new – and expanded – future.

See more on the company’s plans – including just what areas Pioneer is considering entering… [Read more…] about Having Dumped Everything Else, Pioneer Makes Plans to Dominate Car Electronics

Sennheiser Launches Its Own Retail Stores, At Least Temporarily

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Sennheiser logoThe Sennheiser Group, a well-known manufacturer of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission systems, launched two “pop-up” stores – one in New York and another in San Francisco – this past weekend. Their purpose? To showcase Sennheiser products and to highlight its “efforts to increase consumer awareness on the benefits of premium sound.”

See more on Sennheiser’s foray into retail this holiday season… [Read more…] about Sennheiser Launches Its Own Retail Stores, At Least Temporarily

Despite Revenue Decline, JVC Kenwood Cuts Losses as Restructuring Takes Hold

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JVC Kenwood logoJVC Kenwood Corp., the troubled consolidation of two struggling Japanese brands, seems to have turned a corner despite reporting fiscal Q2 and first half revenue declines and continuing losses. The company, which in January surprised many by announcing its decision to withdraw from the consumer electronics business to focus on B-to-B business, announced with pride that – although still showing a loss – the company has seen solid improvement in profits with dramatically reduced losses.

See more on this huge company in a big transition… [Read more…] about Despite Revenue Decline, JVC Kenwood Cuts Losses as Restructuring Takes Hold

Yamaha’s Fiscal First Half Results are Mixed

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Yamaha logoYamaha Corporation released the results for its fiscal first semester or first half of the fiscal year 2015 (April 1, 2014 – September 30, 2014) with results generally positive, but mixed. Overall consolidated sales increased 4.4% to ¥206.4 billion ($1.9 billion) as compared to ¥197.7 billion ($1.8 billion) in the same period last year. But of some concern is the fact that only one of its four major business segments showed an increase in operating profits – and two of the four lost money during the period.

See more on Yamaha’s financial performance… [Read more…] about Yamaha’s Fiscal First Half Results are Mixed

Nortek Releases Q3 Results; Has AV Turned a Corner?

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Nortek LogoNortek, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of commercial and residential products largely targeted towards the new construction business, announced on Monday the financial results of the third quarter of their current fiscal year. Overall, the results were mostly positive, although two of their business units saw revenues decline in the quarter. Surprise…surprise…neither of them were the newly designated AVC (Audio Video Control) segment, as you (and we) might have suspected.

AVC showed a sales increase. Does this mean AVC has turned a corner in results?… [Read more…] about Nortek Releases Q3 Results; Has AV Turned a Corner?