Wall Street analysts are getting increasingly concerned about the ability of Apple, Inc. to sustain its historic run of innovation. Some are suggesting the company’s best days may in fact be behind it. Exacerbating the growing drumbeat of discontent…it has been eight months – since October 2012 – when Apple last announced new products. And even they were more iterative than innovative. Clearly feeling the pressure, over the last couple of months Apple CEO Tim Cook has told anyone who was willing to listen to hang on, great things are coming.
News
Existing-Home Sales Hit Highest Level in Almost 3-1/2 Years
In a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that further reinforces the rebound in the housing market, sales of existing homes for the month of April rose to their highest level in the almost 3½ years since November 2009. And while there were minor quibbles of forecast misses, overall the report contained clear evidence of positive trends including solid pricing increases – as well as an increasing pace of sales.
The NAR has some concern about tight inventory, but see more on this good economic news… [Read more…] about Existing-Home Sales Hit Highest Level in Almost 3-1/2 Years
Sharp Launches 4K Ultra HDTV
Sharp Corp. announced today that it will begin selling 4K or Ultra High Definition televisions to high-end consumers in Japan starting in June, according to a report by the Nikkei. To be included as part of its Aquos line, the company says that 4K technology offers consumers four times the resolution of existing HDTVs.
See more on Sharp’s plans, including whether they have plans to export 4K to the U.S…. [Read more…] about Sharp Launches 4K Ultra HDTV
CEDIA Debuts New Advanced Networking & Systems Integration Boot Camp
The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) announced today that it is launching an all-new, “intensive” Advanced Networking & Systems Integration Boot Camp for systems integrators and custom installers. Delving deeper into the subject than any of their other previous courses – or similar classes offered by other organizations – CEDIA says this course offers home technology professionals the opportunity to advance their skills to the advanced level necessitated by today’s high-tech connected home and the Internet of Things.
See more details on this new boot camp… [Read more…] about CEDIA Debuts New Advanced Networking & Systems Integration Boot Camp
Onkyo Launches Two New A/V Receivers To Top Off Their Mid-Range Lineup
Onkyo USA Corp. today announced two hefty new additions to its A/V receiver line, the TX-NR929 and TX-NR828 Network A/V Receivers. Calling them the crown of its mid-range home theater lineup, these new models fit in between their high-end series (TX-NR1010/3010/5010) and their more mid-range series (TX -NR414/515/616/717/818). These new models augment the recently announced TX-NR727.
See more on these new multi-channel, THX-certified A/V receivers… [Read more…] about Onkyo Launches Two New A/V Receivers To Top Off Their Mid-Range Lineup
In Wake of Fiscal Year Loss, Pioneer Seeks Business Alliances…and Capital
Pioneer Corp. is seeking to form a business and capital alliance with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo Inc. according to a story today in The Japan Times. The company will also try to enhance its ties with Mitsubishi Electric Corp. “in a bid to survive” in its main car electronics business with a stronger financial footing.
The announcement was made the same day that the company announced their Fiscal 2013 results in which sales came in at ¥451.8 billion ($4.4 billion), up 3.5% over ¥436.8 billion. But more importantly, the company announced a big loss of ¥19.6 billion ($191.6 million)…much worse than the profit of ¥3.7 billion last year.
See more on why Pioneer needs these new alliances… [Read more…] about In Wake of Fiscal Year Loss, Pioneer Seeks Business Alliances…and Capital
Huge Loss & Management Dismissals Induce Sharp Pain at Sharp Corp.
Sharp Corp. announced this week the worst net loss in its long corporate history for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2013. Booking a net loss of ¥545.35 billion ($5.4 billion), the company has aggressively moved to shake up the company management replacing both the President and Chairman in a rare (for a Japanese company) public rebuke of company leaders. And in what may be a signal to the market, the new President has no ties to the company’s TV business…and he’s talking tough.
See more on this worse-than-expected result… [Read more…] about Huge Loss & Management Dismissals Induce Sharp Pain at Sharp Corp.
Nortek Reports Uneven Q1 Results, But TECH Actually Contributes This Time
Nortek, Inc. reported their financial results from the first quarter of fiscal 2013 late last week. The results were mixed as the company deals with a struggling economy and a difficult internal restructuring that is impacting costs now, with any resulting benefits to be realized still down the road. But for the first time in several quarters, the company’s Technology Solutions Segment (TECH) actually offered a positive contribution with growth in both sales and profits offsetting losses in other divisions. But TECH’s success was largely due to a recent acquisition in the security business.
See more on Nortek’s results… [Read more…] about Nortek Reports Uneven Q1 Results, But TECH Actually Contributes This Time
Banks Throw Sharp a $1.5 Billion Lifeline
Two key banks in Japan announced yesterday that they will extend Sharp Corp. an additional line of credit of ¥150 billion ($1.5 billion) over and above all of their other financing. Mizuho Corporate Bank and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ originally had considered a ¥100 billion line, but ultimately decided to up the ante with each bank kicking in ¥75 billion – a real lifeline to the struggling electronics manufacturer.
See more on this surprise announcement out of Japan… [Read more…] about Banks Throw Sharp a $1.5 Billion Lifeline
Kathy Gornik: Why I Sold Thiel…
*Strata-gee.com EXCLUSIVE*
Much has been written on the changes at Lexington, KY-based Thiel Audio Products Company (Thiel) in the wake of its purchase by a group of Tennessee investors that we first reported last November. Shortly after their acquisition, strata-gee.com was invited to speak with Bill Thomas – one of those Tennessee investors and now the new CEO of Thiel Audio. And a couple of months after that, we had the opportunity to speak with new Thiel interim COO and Board member Bob Brown.
But many Thiel-related reps and dealers kept asking us about co-founder and former President Kathy Gornik. Some of this curiosity was related to rumors that Gornik had been forcibly removed from the respected high-end loudspeaker company that she helped found. And some of the interest centered around an unanswered question, not covered by any of the press (including Strata-gee.com) as to why Gornik decided to sell the company.
