Like a carefully scripted political debate, Day 0 of CES (Day 1 for most of the press) opened with great fanfare…but offered no real surprises. Day 0 – officially known as Press Day – is an endless series of press conferences in which major manufacturers make their significant announcements and present their plans for 2015. And this year these press conferences, for the most part, followed their expected path – not even a Michael Bay meltdown emerged to spice it up a bit like last year!
Strategy
TiO Expansion Continues – Now Shipping TouchLite 4 Lighting Control
Turn It On (TiO), a division of Anuva Automation, announced this week that it is now shipping their TouchLite 4 Lighting Control pad. The announcement is significant for multiple reasons – not the least of which, the TL 4 is its first device that expands the TiO system beyond its original audio foundation.
But the news is significant for other reasons as President Mike Anderson shares with us… [Read more…] about TiO Expansion Continues – Now Shipping TouchLite 4 Lighting Control
Strange Bedfellows? Dish Adds Netflix to Its Hopper Box
Dish Network Corp. announced today that it is the first major pay-TV provider in the U.S. to integrate the Netflix app into its set-top box. With this system, available on their second generation Hopper, users can access their favorite Netflix movies and shows, such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. And this Netflix content resides side-by-side with “linear” TV channels.
See more on this pairing of strange bedfellows… [Read more…] about Strange Bedfellows? Dish Adds Netflix to Its Hopper Box
3 Steps to Building a Smarter Strategy
From our sister website – The Stratecon Group
As you likely know, the tag line for The Stratecon Group is Strategic Concepts in Marketing. Strategy is a big part of what we do. In fact, if you were to view Stratecon founder Ted Green’s LinkedIn profile, you would see that 2 of the top 5 endorsements are for strategy (#1 Marketing Strategy and #4 Strategy). Because of that, at cocktail parties…at the grocery store…on tradeshow floors…I am often asked how a company can come up with a great strategy.
See more on the key steps towards a stronger strategy… [Read more…] about 3 Steps to Building a Smarter Strategy
On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit
BREAKING NEWS
We’ve learned today that the long running legal battle between automation giants Savant Systems and Crestron Electronics has been settled on the eve of the case going to trial. The suit was originally filed in September 2010 by Savant Systems, LLC, which alleged that Crestron Electronics, Inc. had – amongst other things – engaged in a variety of anti-competitive and unfair trade practices. Crestron denied Savant’s allegations and launched their own countersuit alleging that Savant had – amongst other things – engaged in tortious interference with contractual relations; and, unfair & deceptive acts in the conduct of trade.
Scheduled to go to trial in January, the parties have now settled the matter… [Read more…] about On Eve of Trial, Savant & Crestron Settle Lawsuit
Apple to Set Up Its First R&D Facility Outside of US
Announcement Met with Mixture of Pride…and Concern
Apple, Inc. has announced that it will open its first research and development facility outside of the United States and it has chosen Japan as the location for the center. The announcement was reported by the Nikkei and has been met with a combination of national pride…and corporate concerns.
See more on Apple’s new plans for their R&D facility in Japan… [Read more…] about Apple to Set Up Its First R&D Facility Outside of US
Thiel Says It Will Introduce New TT1 Speaker System at CES
Thiel Audio announced this week that it will introduce a new loudspeaker system – the TT1 – at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January. Calling it an “ultimate performance three-way loudspeaker,” the announcement is the first major launch since the current management team was put in place earlier this year.
But, the TTI was not a total surprise… [Read more…] about Thiel Says It Will Introduce New TT1 Speaker System at CES
ProSource Adds Origin Acoustics to Its Mix
ProSource, a retail buying group that describes themselves as the biggest integration, audio, and video buying group in the country, said this week that it has added Origin Acoustics – an all-new company – to its product line-up. According to ProSource, Origin has chosen them as its “exclusive buying group.”
See why ProSource hails this relationship… [Read more…] about ProSource Adds Origin Acoustics to Its Mix
Economy Falling into Recession, Moody’s Cuts Japan’s Credit Rating
Saying that there is “rising uncertainty” with regards to the country’s debt situation, Moody’s has cut Japan’s credit rating. Yet another indicator of fundamental problems in one of the world’s most powerful economies, Japan’s problems go well beyond its dramatically changing TECH industry.
See more on this surprising downgrade and what it means… [Read more…] about Economy Falling into Recession, Moody’s Cuts Japan’s Credit Rating
One Week Later, DOW Electronics Expands CI Assortment with Select Lutron Products
About a week ago, we told you that DOW Electronics announced it was expanding its custom integration-oriented (CI) offerings by adding Logitech’s Harmony remote control line. Now, just one week later, the Southeast-region distributor announces new a partnership with CI cornerstone line Lutron on its wireless Caséta line.
