Leviton announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with Samsung’s SmartThings division to offer a simple home automation starter package that will be made broadly available through distributors and the “professional dealer” market. Designed to be an affordable, whole-house, home automation solution – the package pairs products from SmartThings with Leviton Z-Wave enabled devices at discounted pricing.
Products
GoldenEar Earns Patent for Innovative SuperSub Technology
GoldenEar Technology announced last week that it has earned a patent for its innovative dual-plane, inertially-balanced subwoofer technology used in its SuperSub™ line. The U.S. Patent Office awarded GoldenEar patent #9,462,39 on its technology, protecting the company from anyone copying their unique design.
See more on this GoldenEar technological achievement… [Read more…] about GoldenEar Earns Patent for Innovative SuperSub Technology
Jetbuilt – Not Just a Name, But a Description
At CEDIA 2016, Jetbuilt CEO Paul Dexter’s voice was holding out…but just barely. Between the loud environment and the constant talking, it’s amazing anyone can talk by the end of day 2. Yet when an intrepid journalist showed up to ask about his software, Dexter shifted into high gear and in only about ten minutes, we had a complete picture of what Jetbuilt is all about. And that’s when we realized the name, Jetbuilt, was not just a company name, but was also a description of the end product – a good looking, well designed, full project proposal – built insanely fast by a savvy software solution.
See more on Jetbuilt… [Read more…] about Jetbuilt – Not Just a Name, But a Description
CEDIA 2016 – Hot Stuff We Saw
CEDIA 2016, like every trade show, for us is like trying to get a sip of water from a fire hose. There is just so much going on. And since all stories interest us – we have to go into a kind of marketing triage, quickly sorting those stories that we feel are the most compelling.
So, in this post, we want to share with you some of the more interesting things – and people – we saw and chatted with on the show floor.
See some of the notable people and products we saw at CEDIA 2016… [Read more…] about CEDIA 2016 – Hot Stuff We Saw
SpeakerCraft’s Remarkable AIM LCR5 FIVE Series 2 Speakers Now Ready
We first reported on the new SpeakerCraft Dolby Atmos enabled AIM speakers at the 2015 CEDIA show (then called the Expo). A clever way to extend their line and tap into the enthusiasm many have to advanced surround sound systems like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro3D – SpeakerCraft designed a high-performance alternative to standard in-ceiling height speakers.
Prototypes last year, but company says it’s ready to ship shortly. Check it out… [Read more…] about SpeakerCraft’s Remarkable AIM LCR5 FIVE Series 2 Speakers Now Ready
Bluesound’s Gender Bending Soundbar
Pulse – A High-Performance Soundbar
Historically, the consumer electronics industry is broken down into basically two types (genders) of products. A product is either designed for the masses with affordability and popular technologies – think wireless Bluetooth streaming speakers for less than $50; Or, serious, high-performance specialty AV products – think a component home theater system with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X/Auro3D built-in for more than $20,000. Like East not meeting West – never the twain shall meet. Until now…
Meet Bluesound’s Pulse Soundbar – a true industry gender-bender… [Read more…] about Bluesound’s Gender Bending Soundbar
Russound Formally Launches 70V Line at CEDIA 2016
To Help Integrators ‘Expand Your Marketplace’
Although previewed to the media last month, dealers and the media finally had the opportunity to physically see and touch the all-new Russound 70-volt light commercial line in the flesh at last week’s CEDIA 2016. The line, which the company intends to continue to develop and expand, launched with three models in the line, including a music streamer/amplifier, a volume control wallpad, and an outdoor speaker.
See more on Russound’s new marketplace expanding 70v line… [Read more…] about Russound Formally Launches 70V Line at CEDIA 2016
7 Top Trends at CEDIA 2016
With CEDIA 2016 now over, those of us in the media are left to try and uncover the underlying themes in order to help our readers wrap their heads around just what this particular CEDIA (formerly referred to as the Expo) was all about. But this show is big enough that no one member of the media can possibly visit all booths, talk to all exhibitor executives, and experience all new models. So each of us have our own version of the themes of the show.
Read more below, to see our take on CEDIA 2016… [Read more…] about 7 Top Trends at CEDIA 2016
LG Launches 77″ OLED, Spectacular in Image and Price
LG Electronics launched a new 77-inch OLED display with a stunning image…and a price point to match. Unveiled for the first time at CEDIA, it was not only an impressive product, it was equally impressive that LG chose CEDIA 16 for its unveiling – a sign of real commitment to the channel for a premium product such as the LG Signature OLED TV OLED77G6P.
See our first impressions on this remarkable LG OLED display… [Read more…] about LG Launches 77″ OLED, Spectacular in Image and Price
B&K is Back…Well, Sort Of
One-time darling of many independent audio dealers and integrators, B&K Components, Ltd. had disappeared from view back in 2010. In fact, Strata-gee (then the Alert) broke the news about its impending demise just after the CEDIA Expo in Atlanta in October 2010. The bank was in the process of taking over the company and amplifier manufacturer Amplifier Technologies, Inc. (ATI) swooped in to purchase the remaining assets of the defunct company.
Now, the brand is back under new ownership – an ownership with all-new ideas to building a new company under the B&K banner. And who are these guys? Well, for starters, they’re Canadian, eh?
