The CEDIA Expo is next week and our annual CEDIA Survey is now closed for responses. Thank you all who participated – we truly appreciate those of you who took the time to respond. Results are in and we have to say, just when we think there are no surprises left…we get surprised again.
News
John Badovinac of New York’s CAVD Passes Away Suddenly
UPDATED: Friday, Sept. 20, 2013…See update below…
John Badovinac, one of the partners of New Jersey-based specialty electronics distributor CAVD (Custom Audio Video Distributors) passed away suddenly Tuesday night, the victim of an apparent heart attack. Badovinac, well known throughout the New York metropolitan market in the electronics industry, has been selling CE products for nearly 40-years both at the retail and wholesale level.
Learn more about this Badovinac’s passing… [Read more…] about John Badovinac of New York’s CAVD Passes Away Suddenly
What DOW Electronics Really Gets in Acquiring Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing
In yet further indication of industry consolidation, Tampa, FL-based Dow Electronics announced this week that it would acquire Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing, Inc. of Dania, FL. Shifting Sands (SSSD) is a well-known custom electronics-oriented distributor that was also one of the founding members of the Digital Delivery Group – a national distributor group.
See more on this dramatic development impacting the entire Southeast… [Read more…] about What DOW Electronics Really Gets in Acquiring Shifting Sands Stereo Distributing
Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey
In an announcement considered a surprise by most in the industry – Core Brands announced that it has named Joe Roberts as VP of products and marketing. Roberts will replace Paul Starkey, the former President of Core Brands’ Elan division and, most recently, Senior VP of Marketing for the company.
See more on this surprising announcement, including comments from Starkey… [Read more…] about Core Brands Hires New Marketing VP to Replace Starkey
Homebuilders Report the Next Great Home Add-On is Solar Panels Built-In – To the Roof & the Mortgage
Granite countertops – at one time considered an amenity – are now considered a standard option for most folks building new homes. Now, Bloomberg is reporting that the next granite countertops – is solar panels.
How hot are solar panels? According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, demand for systems that generate electricity at home will jump 56 percent nationwide this year. In fact, two communities in California have passed legislation mandating solar panels in all new construction.
See more on this rapidly growing green energy trend… [Read more…] about Homebuilders Report the Next Great Home Add-On is Solar Panels Built-In – To the Roof & the Mortgage
Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug
Is Apple the Victim of Unreasonable Expectations? Or Is the Reaction to Incrementalism Justified?
Apple, Inc. announced on Tuesday the long-awaited update of its key iPhone 5 smartphone, only to see its stock pummeled – losing more than 2% of its value on Tuesday and another 5.44% on Wednesday as investors appeared under-whelmed by the announcement. But is this reaction fair? Has Apple lost its innovation mojo? Or is Apple the victim of unreasonable expectations?
See more on the new iPhone 5C and 5S smartphones from the market leader… [Read more…] about Apple Launches New iPhones, Stock Gets Squashed Like a Bug
What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
One of the hottest trends in the automobile industry over the last few years is the emergence of a whole new category of vehicle called the “crossover.” A crossover combines the capacious body design of a modified SUV (sport utility vehicle) with the enhanced handling and drivability of a car-based chassis. The result is something that doesn’t exist in either of those independent categories.
Now, Salamander Designs, Ltd. and Leon Speakers have partnered to create their own version of a crossover for our industry as Salamander launches a new line of accessory custom speakers from Leon, perfectly designed to integrate with their cabinets.
See more on this new “crossover” product from Salamander in partnership with Leon… [Read more…] about What Do You Get When You Cross a Salamander with a Leon? A Powerful Furniture ‘Accessory’…
Did You Get Your Strata-gee SYNCH?
We told you last week that the ALERT was being discontinued – and it has. This morning, we distributed the first version of our new Strata-gee SYNCH newsletter. You were emailed a copy. Did you receive it?
As we mentioned in our post last week, the Strata-gee SYNCH is coming from a new email address:
info@strata-gee.com
If you did not receive your Strata-gee SYNCH today, the first place to check is your junk mail folder. Your system may not have recognized the new email address and assumed this was junk mail from an unapproved sender.
See more on how to ensure the reliable receipt of the next Strata-gee SYNCH… [Read more…] about Did You Get Your Strata-gee SYNCH?
Savant Launches Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control That Configures Itself
Savant Systems, LLC said today that it has launched a new Wi-Fi-based universal remote control designed with today’s media room in mind. The sleek designed remote is said to fit well in your hand and is designed to be intuitive to operate…even in a multiple sub-system set-up. Even better, when connected to a Savant control ecosystem, the remote fully configures itself – eliminating the need for complex programming routines.
See more on this exciting new universal remote from Savant… [Read more…] about Savant Launches Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control That Configures Itself
Google Sends Street View Cars Into Devastated Fukushima District in Japan
Jiji Press in Japan is reporting that Google has sent its Street View vehicles into at least eight municipalities in the devastated Fukushima District in Northern Japan. The area was devastated in March 2011 as the result of an earthquake and tsunami that fatally damaged The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant’s reactor causing the greatest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in Russia.
