As many integrators seek to pitch their clients on the many wonders of converting their dumb homes into “smart” homes, there are growing indicators that the promise of the smart home is not being reliably delivered up to this point…and may never be, according to one respected industry expert. And there is a growing chorus of others who appear to agree – possibly including Google, who is trying to manage expectations by relabelling the smart home as the “helpful home.”
Products
Atlantic Technology Launches Its First Headphone, The FS-HAL1 In-Ear Monitor
Atlantic Technology, known for years for its high quality/high value loudspeakers designs, announced this week the launch of its first ever headphone, the FS-HAL1. True to their positioning in the market, the FS-HAL1 is a high-performance model targeted at music lovers and Hi-Fi enthusiasts who value better sound quality in an affordably-priced, convenient in-ear monitor design.
Learn more on Atlantic Technology FS-HAL1..
[Read more…] about Atlantic Technology Launches Its First Headphone, The FS-HAL1 In-Ear MonitorIs Darth Vader in Your Kitchen? Would You Like Him to Be?
Williams Sonoma launches a fun line of kitchen countertop appliances designed like popular Star Wars characters. These definitely should be on the top of your gift list for the person in your life who likes to cook…and loves Star Wars.
See Star Wars in Your Kitchen…
[Read more…] about Is Darth Vader in Your Kitchen? Would You Like Him to Be?No Josh-ing, AudioControl & Josh.ai Partner for a Better User and Integrator Experience
AudioControl and Josh.ai announced last week that they were partnering with an integration that will allow integrators to offer their clients a better voice-enabled home entertainment control experience. A perfect blend of the high-quality electronics from AudioControl, coupled with the natural language and privacy protecting voice automation technology of Josh.ai, means clients can simply say their commands to their system and have their system respond in new powerful ways.
See more on this new AudioControl and Josh.ai integration…
[Read more…] about No Josh-ing, AudioControl & Josh.ai Partner for a Better User and Integrator ExperienceIn Wake of Its Acquisition by Control4, Amina Splits Off from Triad Partnership to Go It Alone
UK based Amina Technologies, manufacturer of so called “invisible speakers,” had for years been in a partnership with Triad who distributed their line. Yet in the wake of Triad’s acquisition by Control4, Amina ultimately chose to split off and go it alone – launching their independent sales effort at CEDIA Expo 2019.
See more on Amina’s line of invisible speakers…
[Read more…] about In Wake of Its Acquisition by Control4, Amina Splits Off from Triad Partnership to Go It AloneControl4 Launches 1st Product of Neeo Acquisition – A Slim Handheld Remote Control for OS3
Control4 announced today the launch of the Neeo Remote for Control4, the first product from their acquisition of the Swiss company Neeo back in February 2019. This new Neeo remote control is optimized to work seamlessly with Control4’s OS 3 operating system, offering another elegant system control interface.
See more on the new Neeo remote control…
[Read more…] about Control4 Launches 1st Product of Neeo Acquisition – A Slim Handheld Remote Control for OS3Classé to Launch New Delta Series Line in Triumphant Return to the Market
BREAKING NEWS
With almost two years away from the market after their acquisition by Sound United in January 2018, Classé says it will return to the audiophile electronics market in January 2020 with the launch of their new even more upscale Delta Series line consisting of two new amplifiers and one new preamplifier/DAC. But after so long away, what will it take for the company to re-establish the brand?
See more on the return of Classé…
[Read more…] about Classé to Launch New Delta Series Line in Triumphant Return to the MarketThe Curious Case of the Disappearance of Classé
BREAKING NEWS Acquired by Sound United Two Years Ago, Then Gone
It was January 2018 when I reported that Sound United had completed its acquisition of Classé, an acquisition which had been first announced in December of 2017. In the weeks leading up to that December, former owner Bowers & Wilkins was considering getting out of the electronics business…maybe. After months of confusion, where on any day executives at Classé teetered back-and-forth between survival and demise – it now seemed that Sound United had thrown them a lifeline…a chance to live to fight another day.
And then they dropped out of sight for the last two years…
What happened to Classé?…
[Read more…] about The Curious Case of the Disappearance of ClasséGiving No Ground, Lenbrook Launches Robust Retaliation to Sonos Lawsuit
After receiving a stipulation allowing them more time to respond, Lenbrook Industries Ltd, and Lenbrook America, last week filed their response to the Sonos patent litigation they were hit with in June. It was a robust and smart response that clearly communicated that Lenbrook planned to give no ground in this dispute.
While perhaps not quite as audacious as the D&M response when they were first dealt the blow of litigation…Lenbrook offered a smart and savvy response that not only pushed back but seemingly undercuts many of Sonos’ core allegations..and patents.
Sonos v Lenbrook is heating up…who has the advantage?…
[Read more…] about Giving No Ground, Lenbrook Launches Robust Retaliation to Sonos LawsuitCEDIA19: Origin Acoustics in Big Entry into Commercial Market
Always an entertaining stop at CEDIA, Origin Acoustics didn’t disappoint again this year with a significant number of new models, some other updated models, and new announcements. See what caught my eye at this CEDIA Expo…