Pioneer Corp. announced it has entered a new product category with a navigation device specifically designed for use on a bicycle. The cleverly designed device will be available late this month, the company said at a press announcement on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.
News
Denon Tries a New Tack in Receiver Design: Easy
Denon Electronics, part of the D&M Group, introduced a new receiver line-up on Tuesday that really embodies a trend they’ve been championing for a couple of years now – to optimize their products for consumers by making them “easy” (as in easy to hook-up and easy to use). In fact, the company calls this new receiver line-up their “E-Series” and say the design philosophy was actually four “E’s” – Easy, Exciting, Entertainment, and Experience.
See more on why Denon says this line is “easy”… [Read more…] about Denon Tries a New Tack in Receiver Design: Easy
Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
*STORY UPDATED BELOW* – FOXCONN ‘OFFENDED’
The Nikkei reported today that South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Company has agreed to invest ¥10 billion ($107 million) into former high-flying, now troubled Sharp Corporation as it continues to struggle to raise much-needed cash. According to the report, Sharp will issue the shares to Samsung possibly as early as this month.
The surprise announcement signifies that Samsung will have own significant share of Sharp… [Read more…] about Samsung Takes Significant Stake in Sharp Corp.
FCC to Test Ultra HDTV Broadcasts
Just when you thought then dust had finally settled on the switch from analog to digital high-definition television broadcast, and adding fuel to the heated debate over 4K Ultra HDTV, we learn that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this month approved a test of Europe’s OFDM-based DVB-T2 format. Could the U.S. government be quietly putting in place plans for an Ultra HDTV broadcast future?
Critics of Ultra HDTV complain that there is no content or UHDTV broadcasts…yet… [Read more…] about FCC to Test Ultra HDTV Broadcasts
Plasma: The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
The conventional wisdom in the world of television technology is that LCD won the panel platform wars and most talk of the future has moved from LCD to LED to OLED and beyond. But wait a minute, as new data from market researcher Quixel Research shows, don’t bury plasma in the grave just yet…
The rumors of plasma’s death appear to be greatly exaggerated as the tech shows growth in 2012… [Read more…] about Plasma: The Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Apple Supplier Foxconn Halts Expansion and Freezes Hiring; Sign of iPhone Slump?
The Nikkei in China reported today that it has learned that key Apple, Inc. supplier Foxconn Technology Group (also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.) has stopped plans to expand its production capacity at its large facility in Zhengzhou, China. This is the facility that assembles smartphones such as Apple’s iPhone5 and the news has set Wall Street buzzing that this is another sign of the waning dominance of the formerly powerhouse iOS line.
Separately, Foxconn fueled the fire by additionally announcing a freeze on hiring factory workers at the plant. Reuters is reporting that the Foxconn freeze extends to all of their factories in China.
But Foxconn denies it is due to any one customer. So what’s the deal?… [Read more…] about Apple Supplier Foxconn Halts Expansion and Freezes Hiring; Sign of iPhone Slump?
Catalyst AV Adds IC Realtime Security to Vendor List
Catalyst AV, the newest national distributor group, announced yesterday that it has added IC Realtime Security to their vendor line-up. Catalyst AV is made up of eleven regionally based rep/distribution companies. The group launched officially at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
See more on this new line and on Catalyst AV… [Read more…] about Catalyst AV Adds IC Realtime Security to Vendor List
Nortek Acquires 2GIG Technologies
BREAKING NEWS
Nortek, Inc. announced today that it has acquired 2GIG Technologies, Inc. from APX Group, Inc. 2GIG is a designer and supplier of residential security and home automation systems. A privately held company, 2GIG will expand Nortek’s portfolio of installed home systems products.
See what 2GIG brings to the table and how much Nortek paid to add the brand to its portfolio… [Read more…] about Nortek Acquires 2GIG Technologies
Founder Schulze Considering Abandoning Deal for Best Buy
Former Best Buy Chairman
Multiple news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Reuters News Service, are reporting that Best Buy founder Richard M. “Dick” Schulze is considering abandoning his bid to take the company private. Schulze had informed the Board of Directors in August 2012 that he intended to purchase all outstanding shares of stock to take the company private. After months of study and planning, Schulze is said to be ready to scuttle the plan.
Why, after so much effort, is Schulze considering dropping his bid?…See what we discovered… [Read more…] about Founder Schulze Considering Abandoning Deal for Best Buy
Pioneer Announces Q3 & 9-Month Losses; Cuts FY2013 Forecast from Profit to Loss
In what is turning out to be a very rough earnings season in Japan, Pioneer Corp. announced yesterday its results for the third quarter and nine-month periods of fiscal year 2013 which ends March 31, 2013. Both Q3 and the 9-month periods showed losses, with the YTD loses increasing substantially to ¥9.8 billion ($105 million) down from a loss of ¥6.6 billion. As a result of this, the company has cut its FY2013 forecast from a profit of a ¥1 billion ($11 million) to a loss of ¥4 billion ($42.8 million)…a surprising ¥5 billion change of fortune.
Due to the company’s deteriorating business, the Board of Directors has ordered a significant restructuring including salary and bonus cuts for executives and employees. The company has also said it will cut jobs.
