Yesterday in South Korea, LG Electronics made formal what we all knew was coming – they are ending production of all plasma display panel products. Even though we knew it was coming, somehow…it still hurts. We’ve had many an engineer tell us the plasma was the most accurate picture available – many saying they own it themselves. Certainly, they are sure to be ruing this day.
Marketing
Is Beta Better? Yamaha Launches First Earphones with Beta-Titanium Tubes
Yamaha Corp. announced today that it has launched a new line of earphones that includes a model with what it claims is the “world’s first” to use a beta-titanium sound tube. Yamaha’s EPH-M200 also features a “large-caliber” or diameter driver for better quality sound – and features a striking design available in three different colors.
Learn more about this unique new series of earphones from Yamaha… [Read more…] about Is Beta Better? Yamaha Launches First Earphones with Beta-Titanium Tubes
In First Step of Transformation, Thiel Terminates Reps
In a notice emailed to dealers last Thursday sporting a spiffy new corporate logo, Thiel took what appears to be the first step in what is promised to be a stream of “regular communications from us” regarding the company’s transformation from a legendary audiophile loudspeaker brand to a…well to what, we just don’t know yet. But what we do know is that the company has begun this transformation by terminating its entire national independent sales representative sales force.
See what Thiel told dealers was the reason for terminating their local sales rep…
[Read more…] about In First Step of Transformation, Thiel Terminates Reps
Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
Congratulations Denon, your new HEOS system is so successful that wireless music monster Sonos has taken notice…and filed a lawsuit to stop it. It has been a open secret since we first learned of HEOS this past June that HEOS is meant to attack the same wireless music player market that Sonos essentially invented. Many have tried to take on Sonos…but none have come close to replicating the features and performance Sonos introduced to consumers. Until HEOS…
See more on this development. Will Denon fight? Or license?… [Read more…] about Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
U.S. Smart Home Supplier Icontrol Launches Venture in Japan
Icontrol Networks, Inc. has partnered with Japan’s Tokyu Corp. to launch state-of-the-art smart-home solutions in Japan first, and then later into the greater Southeast Asia market. The deal provides for Tokyu’s cable television division, Its Communications, to offer Icontrol’s Touchstone solution throughout Asia to their cable customers.
See more on this major initiative to bring smart-home technology to Japan… [Read more…] about U.S. Smart Home Supplier Icontrol Launches Venture in Japan
What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?
52% of Americans Say Having a Smart Home is at Least Somewhat Important to Them
In an new study on consumer attitudes about smart home technology, we find some interesting insights. Some seem logical…while others are a bit of a surprise. We were surprised to find out that more than half of all Americans feel that having a smart home is at least somewhat important to them. And 21% – more than one in five Americans – said having a smart home is very or fairly important to them.
Do consumers want a pro to install their smart home tech? Or will they DIY it?… [Read more…] about What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?
Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start
Sharp Corporation has announced in Japan that it intends to be the first company in the world to bring 8K LCD TVs to market – and says it will begin making them in 2015. Sharp made the comments at CEATEC, a major trade show for the IT and CE industries taking place right now in Japan.
Are you ready for 8K?… [Read more…] about Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start
CEDIA Expo Shorts
As we perused the hallowed halls of last month’s CEDIA Expo, we ran across of lot of stories – great and small. Below you will find a selection of some of the stories and photos we haven’t yet posted about, but felt you should know… (All photos can be clicked to be enlarged)
See our CEDIA Expo shorts, below… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo Shorts
CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) released new preliminary market data at their Expo held earlier this month – in a decidedly more optimistic presentation than in past years. Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA’s Market Research Manager, was obviously pleased with the data she was to share with the media – and she conveyed an optimism that appears to be due to the new data showing an upturn in CEDIA members’ business results.
Not only was there a business upturn, it was the second year of positive results… [Read more…] about CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
IC Realtime, a manufacturer of video surveillance gear, showed their new IC720 remote viewing platform that can “see” a fully seamless 720º with no blind spots. It is a remarkable capability which basically opens up the whole world to be viewed remotely with the ability to look up, down, and all around and see…everything.
