On 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.
Tech Trends
CEDIA on Latest Market Data, ‘Installers are Having a Good Year’
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
At 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
Pioneer 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
How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
IC Realtime, a manufacturer of video surveillance gear, showed their new IC720 remote viewing platform that can “see” a fully seamless 720º with no blind spots. It is a remarkable capability which basically opens up the whole world to be viewed remotely with the ability to look up, down, and all around and see…everything.
See more on this remarkable development… [Read more…] about How Secure Would You Feel if You Could Remotely See 720-Degrees?
CEDIA Expo Opens with Many Stories – But Few Big Ones
As we made our way to the Colorado Convention Center Wednesday morning, it was a gray, rainy, then drizzly morning. It’s a weird experience walking into a huge hall with very few people around – most there to either set up booths or to take educational classes. It was as quiet as a library and depending on where you were in the hall…it could be eerily lonely.
But it’s CEDIA’s 2014 Expo…so it’s time for Press Day, the day before the show officially opens. On this day, the press tries to pick up on the major stories of the show…and get a feel for the atmosphere of the event.
But pre-show buzz was pretty light…see what we discovered… [Read more…] about CEDIA Expo Opens with Many Stories – But Few Big Ones
SpeakerCraft…Just Got SpeakerCrafty
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW!
The hushed buzz of whispers of trouble at Nortek’s Core Brands had grown over the summer – culminating in almost a roar in the wake of Nortek’s last quarterly report identifying its AV division as troubled. One of the premier flagships of the Core Brands stable is SpeakerCraft. As if the SpeakerCraft crew didn’t already have enough on its plate countering these issues, the company faced a new challenge as its former founders launch a new competitor (Origin Acoustics) to a lot of noise.
But don’t count them out just yet! SpeakerCraft just got SpeakerCrafty…
Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models
This past June at CE Week in New York City, Onkyo was one of two manufacturers (the other being Pioneer…now part of Onkyo) who were the first in the industry to announce new Atmos-enabled AV receivers. Atmos, Dolby Labs’ latest surround sound technology that adds innovations such as “height” speakers and sound “objects,” promises to deliver to consumers an all-new, in-home entertainment experience.
But not only did Onkyo succeed in being one of the first manufacturers to introduce the technology to the market in yet-to-be-delivered new products – it went one step further and announced that it would offer owners of certain existing Onkyo A/V receiver models the ability to upgrade to Atmos (Atmos-upgradable models) through a firmware upgrade by the end of the third quarter.
Today, Onkyo announced that they will deliver on their Atmos upgrade promise… [Read more…] about Onkyo Promised and Now Delivers True Atmos Performance on Select Existing AVR Models
Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’
DEVICE COULD HAVE APPLICATIONS FOR INSTALLERS
Panasonic Corp. announced last week that it is launching a new product that it believes will capture major market share in the market for what they call a “wearable assist robot.” Starting in 2015, the company will field this “wearable” that – for lack of a better description – is like a lightweight, backpack-style partial exoskeleton.
See this new product with potential applications for any job requiring heavy lifting… [Read more…] about Panasonic Gives a New Meaning to ‘Wearable’
Atmos Atmosphere Expands with New Speakers from Triad Speakers & Atlantic Technology
One of the bigger stories in our industry is Dolby Labs introduction of a new surround sound system they call Dolby Atmos. Launched at CE Week in New York City this past June, Atmos has already attracted a number of predominantly electronics manufacturers supporting the system in their latest models. Now the selection of Atmos products expands with new product introductions by both Triad Speakers and Atlantic Technology.
