LG Display announced this week that it will invest in a production line to build OLED panels for use in lighting solutions. The move is seen as the company deepening its commitment to OLED technology and seeking new business segments to expand the popularity of the technology.
Tech Trends
Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
IoT Product Launches are Increasing, From Samsung & Others
Several announcements emerged this week from the Samsung Developer Conference being held in San Francisco – an event that has largely represented the launch of the first wave of Samsung’s assault on the Internet of Things (IoT) market. One announcement that caught our eye is the news that Samsung and Legrand have partnered on a new Thread-enabled lighting switch.
See more on this new IoT light switch and the partnership with Samsung… [Read more…] about Legrand & Samsung Partner on IoT Light Switch
Dirac Cuts Interesting Deal with Pioneer
Dirac Research, a provider of high-quality room and loudspeaker optimization technologies, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Pioneer Corporation to distribute their digital technologies in the OEM market in Japan. The deal, their first with a relatively mainstream manufacturer, will put Dirac technology in a wide range of products under a wide range of brands.
See more about this milestone agreement for Dirac… [Read more…] about Dirac Cuts Interesting Deal with Pioneer
Hitachi Spending Nearly $1B to Launch IoT Research Center in U.S.
Hitachi announced this week that it will invest ¥100 billion ($915 million) building a state-of-the-art research center in the United States to develop Internet of Things (IoT) products and technologies. A significant commitment by the company, with the project expected to take over three years to complete – the facility will be located in Santa Clara, California.
See more on this major R&D center in the U.S. by Hitachi… [Read more…] about Hitachi Spending Nearly $1B to Launch IoT Research Center in U.S.
Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models
Firmware Upgrade Brings New Technology to Top Models
Marantz and Denon both announced this week that they are offering a firmware update that adds Auro-3D, a popular surround sound system in Europe, to two top models in each brand. This upgrade will make these models the most comprehensive home theater center available today – featuring Auro-3D, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X – the most advanced surround sound technologies available.
See more about this move by Marantz and Denon…and about Auro-3D… [Read more…] about Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models
Streaming Revenues Overtake Music Downloads for the First Time Ever
Overall Recording Industry Sales Grow for First Time Since 2011
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported overall industry sales data for 2015 this week, revealing that for the first time in history streaming music was the single largest component of industry sales. Revenues from streaming sources accounted for 34.3% of total revenues, beating out music downloads from services like iTunes and others which accounted for 34% of total revenues.
Overall sales increased 0.9% to $7 billion, the first overall industry growth since 2011.
See more on the growth of streaming in music industry sales… [Read more…] about Streaming Revenues Overtake Music Downloads for the First Time Ever
Sorry Siri: Research Shows Consumers Aren’t Using Voice-Controlled Assistants
There is a lot of buzz surrounding Amazon’s Echo product, a tabletop computer featuring a voice-controlled digital assistant named Alexa. Alexa will play your favorite music, get your morning news update, find out today’s weather for you, and more. All you have to do is ask Alexa.
But before Alexa, we had Siri and other voice-controlled assistants, mostly associated with our favorite smartphone. But are consumers enamored with using voice-controlled assistants? A new study from marketing company 451 Research suggests that we don’t.
See more on smartphone users embrace of voice-controlled assistants… [Read more…] about Sorry Siri: Research Shows Consumers Aren’t Using Voice-Controlled Assistants
LCD Panel Prices in a Free Fall – Down 40% This Year
Liquid crystal display panel prices are dropping dramatically, hitting new low levels never before seen, as ramped-up production by Chinese manufacturers collides with depressed consumer demand for televisions and personal computers.The situation does not seem to be righting itself, even considering the fact that an earthquake recently damaged LCD panel production in Taiwan.
See more on the impact of a glut of LCD panels… [Read more…] about LCD Panel Prices in a Free Fall – Down 40% This Year
TiO Adds Wi-Fi Lamp Dimmer & Software Update
Turn it On (TiO), makers of smart and simple home automation solutions, announced this week that they have added a new Wi-Fi controlled lamp dimmer and delivered a system software update that adds exciting new functions to their system. The clever new dimmer module and software update are part of the company’s continued system enhancement and update program.
See more on this latest update from TiO… [Read more…] about TiO Adds Wi-Fi Lamp Dimmer & Software Update
Only Days Away From Official Launch, Toshiba Scraps Wearvue Smart Glasses
Toshiba Corp. has pulled the plug on a highly-touted smart glasses project – a product similar in concept to the recently cancelled consumer version of Google Glass. What’s most interesting about this decision by Toshiba is that they made it just days before the originally scheduled – and loudly promoted – launch date.
