In a joint release this week from both Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) and the Home Technology Specialists Association (HTSA), the partners announced the creation of a new entity that they call the Home Technology Specialists of Nationwide (HTSN). The announcement, that surprised many in the industry…and had some scratching their heads trying to see the fit…said that this new alliance will offer new business opportunities for their respective members and vendors. It also, largely due to the size of Nationwide, creates the “largest buying and marketing collaboration” in the industry.
News
Sharp Expected to Report 200 Billion Yen Loss
BREAKING NEWS
In a new report out of Japan today, Sharp Corp. is said to be preparing to report a loss of “more than 200 billion yen” or about $1.66 billion, when they finally release their fiscal year-end results. This report is based on unnamed sources and appeared in the Nikkei.
See more on this rather dramatic news out of Japan… [Read more…] about Sharp Expected to Report 200 Billion Yen Loss
Showing the Power of Software – Latest TiO Update Expands Capabilities
We have been reporting on TiO and its various predecessor permutations (Colorado vNet, 3vNet, ACTP) for some time now. TiO, which stands for Turn it On, is an interesting hybrid of software and hardware enabling an incredibly flexible home automation system that strikes a balance between easy operation, system capabilities, user experience (UX) and powerful performance.
TiO is app driven and also has a proprietary system software solution . And now the company shows us the power of a strong system software foundation with an “update” that dramatically expands the systems capabilities.
See more on how this upgrade expands the TiO capabilities… [Read more…] about Showing the Power of Software – Latest TiO Update Expands Capabilities
Sonos Shoots Back; D&M Filings ‘Not Entirely Accurate’
The legal battle in the patent infringement case filed by Sonos, Inc. (Sonos) against D&M Holdings, Inc. dba The D+M Group, D&M Hodlings U.S. Inc., and Denon Electronics (USA), LLC (D&M) continues to heat up as lawyers launch new salvos against each other alleging – among other things – improper actions. In February, we reported that D&M’s legal team had filed a Motion to Disqualify the Sonos legal team, with the astonishing allegation that at one time these lawyers worked for both Sonos and D&M at the same time.
Now, Sonos’ legal team shoots back, saying D&M’s filings are “not entirely accurate”… [Read more…] about Sonos Shoots Back; D&M Filings ‘Not Entirely Accurate’
The DaVinci Group Selects Stratecon to Create Content for New Dealer Support Program
Topics to Include Industry Trends, Product & Company Information
The Stratecon Group, Inc., a leading tech industry strategic marketing company and parent company of this website, announced today that The DaVinci Group, LLC has selected it to develop, create, and produce content for a new support program for their dealers. This new program, which will be officially launched in a few weeks, is centered around the creation of news and information on industry trends, technology trends, product news, and company information to be published on a regular basis for The DaVinci Group dealers.
Learn more about this announcement… [Read more…] about The DaVinci Group Selects Stratecon to Create Content for New Dealer Support Program
Hey Retailers – Forget the Millennials, Follow the Money
New data from market researcher Forrester Research Inc. suggests that retailers should forget about trying to attract millennials or other younger shoppers and instead shift gears to reach out to baby boomers. Why? Quite simply, that’s where the money is.
See the interesting results from this new research on buyer trends… [Read more…] about Hey Retailers – Forget the Millennials, Follow the Money
Apple’s Smartwatch: A Magnum Opus? Or A Major Oh-Oh?
But is this time – with this product – going to be different for Apple?… [Read more…] about Apple’s Smartwatch: A Magnum Opus? Or A Major Oh-Oh?
HDMI Forum Announces Release of HDMI 2.0a Spec
With many just getting their arms wrapped around the new HDMI 2.0 specification, we now learn that the HDMI Forum – parent of HDMI Licensing, LLC – has released a new HDMI 2.0a specification. This new spec update is said to add support for high dynamic range (HDR) transmissions.
See more on this new HDMI 2.0a spec… [Read more…] about HDMI Forum Announces Release of HDMI 2.0a Spec
Tidal Narrative Turns from Quality of Sound – to Quality of Royalties
Soon to Face New Competitor in Service Created by Apple and Beats by Dr. Dre
The narrative surrounding Tidal, the latest music streaming service to enter the increasingly crowded music delivery market last year, has taken a new and unforeseen turn with the purchase of the service by Jay Z. Originally conceived as a pay music streaming service offering a higher performance alternative to the ad-driven free services of highly compressed music streamers such as Pandora and Spotify, the Tidal narrative was one of quality. Now?
See more on our thoughts on this dramatic new development… [Read more…] about Tidal Narrative Turns from Quality of Sound – to Quality of Royalties
SupplyStream Says Its All About the Search
SupplyStream, the industry product-line aggregator that offers dealers and integrators a web platform with cross-vendor consistency in product and pricing information, announced today that it has upgraded its search function based on feedback from current users. The company also says that it will make its API available to select 3rd party software solution providers.
