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D-Tools & Spring Deck Announce Strategic Partnership

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Spring Deck logoD-Tools, Inc., one of the industry’s largest proposal generation software companies, and Spring Deck, LLC, a new and rapidly growing app-based sales presentation software company, have joined forces to offer a virtual end-to-end sales and proposal solution for the custom integration industry. The two companies plan to integrate their respective software platforms, offering integrators a streamlined solution that will facilitate everything from the initial sales presentation to an efficiently created proposal to final installation illustrations and materials.

See more about this partnership offering an all-new unique solution…

[Read more…] about D-Tools & Spring Deck Announce Strategic Partnership

Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS

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Photo of HEOS product line
HEOS product line

Congratulations Denon, your new HEOS system is so successful that wireless music monster Sonos has taken notice…and filed a lawsuit to stop it. It has been a open secret since we first learned of HEOS this past June that HEOS is meant to attack the same wireless music player market that Sonos essentially invented. Many have tried to take on Sonos…but none have come close to replicating the features and performance Sonos introduced to consumers. Until HEOS…

See more on this development. Will Denon fight? Or license?… [Read more…] about Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS

U.S. Smart Home Supplier Icontrol Launches Venture in Japan

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Icontrol logoIcontrol Networks, Inc. has partnered with Japan’s Tokyu Corp. to launch state-of-the-art smart-home solutions in Japan first, and then later into the greater Southeast Asia market. The deal provides for Tokyu’s cable television division, Its Communications, to offer Icontrol’s Touchstone solution throughout Asia to their cable customers.

See more on this major initiative to bring smart-home technology to Japan… [Read more…] about U.S. Smart Home Supplier Icontrol Launches Venture in Japan

Amazon’s Mysterious Lab126 – Poised to Take Over Home Automation?

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Amazon logoOnline retail behemoth Amazon.com, Inc. has always been pretty secretive about their internal projects and initiatives. Especially so about their Lab126 hardware design division, the group responsible for the popular Kindle e-book reader…and the not-so-popular Fire phone. But a report by Reuters at the end of last month blew the tent cover back enough to get a glimpse of just what this secret lab is working on now – and home automation appears to be in their sights.

See more on Amazon’s Lab126 and what it may mean for home automation… [Read more…] about Amazon’s Mysterious Lab126 – Poised to Take Over Home Automation?

What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?

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52% of Americans Say Having a Smart Home is at Least Somewhat Important to Them

Photo of Cover of Lowe's SurveyIn an new study on consumer attitudes about smart home technology, we find some interesting insights. Some seem logical…while others are a bit of a surprise. We were surprised to find out that more than half of all Americans feel that having a smart home is at least somewhat important to them. And 21% – more than one in five Americans – said having a smart home is very or fairly important to them.

Do consumers want a pro to install their smart home tech? Or will they DIY it?… [Read more…] about What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?

Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start

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Image of large UHDTV Screen

Sharp Corporation has announced in Japan that it intends to be the first company in the world to bring 8K LCD TVs to market – and says it will begin making them in 2015. Sharp made the comments at CEATEC, a major trade show for the IT and CE industries taking place right now in Japan.

Are you ready for 8K?… [Read more…] about Sharp Says They’ll Be First to Market with 8K TVs – Plans 2015 Start

On Controls is On Fire

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Photo of On Controls ConnectOn Controls launched their new On Controls Connect at last month’s CEDIA Expo and we received an impressive demo of this little remote access device. On Controls – a cloud-based home automation system – makes it easy for installers to add remote connectivity to their On Controls-based system – a capability that is sure to delight clients.

See more on this new On Controls Connect solution… [Read more…] about On Controls is On Fire

CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’

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Photo of Erica Shonkwiler of CEDIA
Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) released new preliminary  market data at their Expo held earlier this month – in a decidedly more optimistic presentation than in past years. Erica Shonkwiler, CEDIA’s Market Research Manager, was obviously pleased with the data she was to share with the media – and she conveyed an optimism that appears to be due to the new data showing an upturn in CEDIA members’ business results.

Not only was there a business upturn, it was the second year of positive results… [Read more…] about CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’

With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community

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PyngLogoAt the CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron surprised many in the integration community by offering a new, friendly, easy-to-program and easy-to-use, app-driven home automation system they call Pyng. In fact, at a presentation to the press during CEDIA Expo earlier this month, Crestron staff referred to Pyng as “the app for your home.”

But does Pyng’s ease of programming & use cut the integrator out of the picture? See more… [Read more…] about With Pyng, Crestron Zings the Integration Community

Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined

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Pioneer LogoPioneer Corporation released an interesting document on September 12th – while much of the tech media was in Denver for CEDIA – titled Notice with Respect to Basic Agreement for the Integration of Pioneer’s Home AV Business and Onkyo. This curious document, six pages long, gives an update as to the state of the discussions between the parties in the previously announced “basic agreement” between Pioneer, Onkyo, and Baring Private Equity Asia for a “Capital/Business Alliance” related to Pioneer’s Home AV business.

Now, apparently, the deal’s changed…with Baring PE pushed to the sidelines… [Read more…] about Pioneer Says Merger Talks with Onkyo Continue; But Equity Partner Appears Sidelined