Alpine Electronics will be the first of ultimately several companies to offer a in-car infotainment system based on Apple’s CarPlay system according to a report late last week by the Nikkei. Alpine’s system, which will likely be replicated by others, allows drivers to listen to music, view maps, as well as access other iPhone capabilities.
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Major OLED Production Problems Force Panasonic & Sony to Refocus on 4K
In a report that appeared in the Nikkei on Christmas Day, it appears that Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. have dissolved a joint OLED production initiative and will instead seek new methods individually. As a result, both companies will back-burner OLED and redouble their efforts on building their 4K UHDTV businesses.
This decision – along with poor sales of OLED sets from Samsung & others, calls it’s future into question… [Read more…] about Major OLED Production Problems Force Panasonic & Sony to Refocus on 4K
Startling Jump in November Housing Starts; Are Happy Days Here Again?
Newly released data from the Commerce Department shows that housing starts took what many are characterizing as a startling jump in November – rising 23% overall above the October rate and almost 30% above the November 2012 rate. Analysts are struggling to explain the gains other than to say these numbers show a durable housing recovery – welcome news considering the fact that the housing construction industry is a key driver of the overall economy.
The news is good…but is it a real recovery, or just an outlier?… [Read more…] about Startling Jump in November Housing Starts; Are Happy Days Here Again?
Yikes! New Research Confirms It: Affluents are Moving to Digital Shopping
In news sure to send a chill through the backbone of every luxury retailer and manufacturer of every luxury product – electronics included – eMarketer is reporting that new research makes it clear that Affluents, loosely defined as those with household incomes over $100,000, are now shopping online in increasing numbers. Up until now, online shopping was predominantly the domain of the mass consumer, with Affluents preferring gorgeous showrooms laden luxury appointments and knowledgeable, well-dressed and poised staff who cheerfully kowtow to them. Not any more…
Learn more about this latest research on Affluents, likely the target end-user for many of us… [Read more…] about Yikes! New Research Confirms It: Affluents are Moving to Digital Shopping
Hey Sales VPs, Think You Know Everything About Your Sales Team’s Performance? Think Again!
New research from Salesforce.com in conjunction with The TAS Group has recently uncovered some surprising data about the sales process. Having conducted a survey from a wide variety of industries, the company has created a report and infographic called 10 Things Every Sales Manager Should Know About Sales Performance. Suffice it to say that they have discovered some surprising truths about sales in today’s economy.
Think you know everything about your sales team performance? Think again… [Read more…] about Hey Sales VPs, Think You Know Everything About Your Sales Team’s Performance? Think Again!
Strata-gee’s CEDIA Expo Survey Offers Surprises – Positive & Negative
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.
See some of the surprising…and not so surprising results from this our 2013 Expo Survey… [Read more…] about Strata-gee’s CEDIA Expo Survey Offers Surprises – Positive & Negative
EXCLUSIVE: CEDIA Gives Strata-gee.com A Deeper Look at Its Latest Benchmarking Survey
STRATA-GEE.COM EXCLUSIVE
Last month, we reported that CEDIA released its 2013 Benchmarking Survey with certain select data highlighted. Now CEDIA has offered Strata-gee.com an exclusive look at the full report (the summary version provided to all CEDIA members) with the opportunity for us to highlight any results we found particularly enlightening. And in the process of reviewing their results – we discovered a much more comprehensive read on the “typical” CEDIA member than we had originally expected.
See more on some of the more interesting results from CEDIA’s 2013 Benchmarking Survey… [Read more…] about EXCLUSIVE: CEDIA Gives Strata-gee.com A Deeper Look at Its Latest Benchmarking Survey
CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
This week the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) released what it called key findings from its 2012 and 2013 annual Benchmarking Survey of members. The findings were of 2012 final results and dealer expectations for 2013 and according to the trade association, suggest that the industry has stabilized and is even back to showing moderate growth.
See more on these key industry findings against which you can benchmark your company’s results… [Read more…] about CEDIA Says New Benchmarking Data Suggests Moderate Industry Growth
Uh-Oh, Consumer Adoption of Tablets Slows in Q2 CEA Says
In new data released today by the Consumer Electronics Association, consumer adoption of one of the hottest technologies in tech today – tablet computers – actually (and unusually) slowed in the second quarter of 2013. This unexpected downturn comes after several consecutive quarters of growth for a product category that the CEA itself identifies as one of the two major drivers (along with smartphones) for the entire electronics industry.
What does this unexpected downturn mean?… [Read more…] about Uh-Oh, Consumer Adoption of Tablets Slows in Q2 CEA Says
One Month After CE Week, CEA Cuts 2013 Forecast
The Consumer Electronics Association today released their updated forecasts in a report called The U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts – a semiannual report put out every January and July. The new forecasts show the CEA has scaled back their 2013 forecast substantially from the one released earlier this year, but still expect a small increase of just under .2% to $202.6 billion from last year’s $202.3 billion.
