As usual, 2019 kicks off in January with CES 2019 as the first event of the year. CES is the largest show in technology, showing a wide array of new technology products both real and unreal. An event that has steadily declined in significance for those of us in custom and commercial integration – in the past, CES illuminated brightly what was to come in tech that year. Now? Not so much…
Tech Trends
10 Hot Consumer Trends for 2019
A smart speaker that argues like family…virtual assistant devices that understand your mood at any moment you wish to speak with and use them – budding futurists are predicting these 2019 consumer technology trends and more as part of a new report from Ericsson’s ConsumerLab consumer research division. The new report, logically titled the 10 Hot Consumer Trends 2019 is based on the insights and predictions of 5, 097 global advanced internet users in metro markets that demographically represent nearly 34 million early technology adopters.
See more on what budding futurists predict as Hot Consumer Trends for 2019… [Read more…] about 10 Hot Consumer Trends for 2019
Artificial Intelligence – Will America Win the AI Race?
Most tech experts point to artificial intelligence (AI) as the NBT – the next big thing – in technology. Not only does this promise to create a huge market – but it is likely to be disruptive of many industries and looks to truly Change-the-World. With a prize this big, many are chasing that AI rabbit with the goal of dominating the future. Will the U.S. win the AI race?
See the latest AI data to find out just WHO seems to be winning… [Read more…] about Artificial Intelligence – Will America Win the AI Race?
James Loudspeaker: Go Big AND Go Home
Creating & Stocking New Soundbars for Larger 75-Inch TVs
James Loudspeaker, the innovative specialty manufacturer of custom-created loudspeakers targeted at the residential and commercial custom integration channel, announced that they will create, build, and stock a new soundbar product designed to be perfectly sized for increasingly popular larger TVs up to 75-inches. By keeping this new product in stock, integrators will have quick access to a more affordable pre-built solution…a win-win for the integrator and for their client.
See more on James Loudspeaker’s new soundbar solution for larger TVs… [Read more…] about James Loudspeaker: Go Big AND Go Home
Research: DIY Gains Momentum in Smart Home Market
New Data Sure to Send Shivers Down Integrators’ Spines
In what some might view as a startling result, new research from GfK reveals that a majority of consumers (52%) said that they prefer to install their own smart home products. This result is substantially higher than the percentage of consumers who said this (43%) the last time this survey was done in 2015.
See more on this eye-opening research on the DIY market… [Read more…] about Research: DIY Gains Momentum in Smart Home Market
Fake News…Anchors? China Unveils AI News Anchors
The Chinese government has targeted artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology they want to dominate globally. They are pouring billions of dollars annually into AI development and directing universities to focus on the technology in all of their fundamental research.
Now, in the first public demonstration of their progress in AI technology, the state-run Xinhua News Agency has introduced and demonstrated a pair of virtual news anchors or avatars based on two known Chinese flesh-and-blood reporters.
See more on China’s new virtual news anchors using AI to read the news… [Read more…] about Fake News…Anchors? China Unveils AI News Anchors
Legrand and Lumileds Partner to Drive Adoption of Tunable White LED Lighting
Legrand and Lumileds announced today that they have signed a partnership agreement that is designed to combine forces and help drive industry adoption of tunable white LED lighting. The two will create and sell what they say is a “simple to integrate” and “easy-to-install plug and play solution” that delivers high quality tunable white LED light. This partnership is another example of the growing interest in this more human-friendly lighting solution.
See more on this tunable white lighting technology partnership… [Read more…] about Legrand and Lumileds Partner to Drive Adoption of Tunable White LED Lighting
New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
As more research continues to emerge on consumer utilization of voice-controlled devices, it becomes clear that there are still impediments to end-users utilizing their voice-control capabilities regularly, according to research by Social Lens. A separate study by Nielsen reaffirms what Strata-gee has previously reported, that people use smart speakers more for listening to music, than for any other task…including voice-control of their home automation solutions.
See more on this pair of new studies on voice-controlled smart speakers… [Read more…] about New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily
Expo18: Savant Launches Microgrid for Macro Impact
A Significant New Revenue & Profit Opportunity for Integrators
As I mentioned in my CEDIA wrap-up post recently, Savant surprised me with an entirely new category they call microgrid. Created in partnership with sister company Racepoint Energy, a microgrid is sort of your own energy substation for your residential (or commercial) clients – giving them much greater control over their energy systems.
And microgrid brings integrators a new significant revenue and profit opportunity addressing a category well beyond traditional “power protection.”
See more on Savant’s Micro-Grid system… [Read more…] about Expo18: Savant Launches Microgrid for Macro Impact
CEDIA Expo18: Vanco in Major Audio Expansion
Vanco has always seemed to be that reliable supplier in the background providing a steady stream of solutions like cables, connectors, and other accessories – not particularly glitzy or exciting, but steady and there. Well all that is about to change I learned when I spoke with Mark Corbin, Vanco’s recently appointed President at CEDIA Expo18 earlier this month. The company has begun a big initiative to become a major player in a category near and dear to my heart…audio.
