Strategy in TECH...
Time (formerly Time Magazine) has published its list of the 200 best inventions of 2024 and it is an interesting and occasionally puzzling list at times. As a general interest news media outlet, Time covers a wide spectrum of suggested “bests” in a wide range of product types, but AV was definitely included. Check it out and see if you agree with its picks.
In a new report last week, we learned that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched an investigation into RTW Investments over its role in an “empty voting” scheme related to the Masimo Corp. proxy battle which concluded in September at the Masimo Annual Stockholders Meeting. Masimo, now under new board management, has accused former CEO Joe Kiani and RTW of colluding in an empty voting scheme to try and manipulate a board election in their favor and deprive shareholders of their voting rights.
Sonos, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO) Chief Executive Officer Patrick Spence did his best to sound upbeat and exuberant recently as he discussed the company’s results for its fourth quarter (4Q) and full year of Fiscal 2024 on an earnings call with financial analysts. Although most expected poor results in the wake of recent challenges, the numbers were particularly rough as the company is struggling against market headwinds in the audio segment, a less-than-satisfying rollout of what it had hoped would be a blockbuster new product in a blockbuster new category (Ace headphones), and most vexingly, from its own self-inflicted wound with a horribly botched app rollout.
Spence faced a tough sell to analysts, even with reduced expectations, as the numbers were quite disappointing.
Late Tuesday, Masimo’s communications team reached out to Strata-gee to provide a statement designed to counter or otherwise address unspecified “speculative articles” on the recent pronouncement from Masimo CFO Micah Young that the Sound United division may end up being treated as a “discontinued operation” if the Board decides not to spin it off as a publicly-traded company.
Why are people speculating about that? Read on…
As another year begins to wind down, it is fitting that we all pause, catch our breath, and reconnect with friends and family. The holidays are a time to relax and unwind…to recharge our batteries, so to speak.
Sales of newly constructed single-family homes dropped to a two-year low in October as rising mortgage rates and persistent high prices impacted the affordability of available homes and served to keep buyers on the sidelines. Some experts also noted that elevated hurricane activity also kept buyers away, especially in the South region.
Last week, a jury was convened for a special trial to determine reasonable damages in the matter of GeigTech East Bay LLC v. Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. GeigTech, the plaintiff in this case is the manufacturer of motorized shade products marketed under the J Geiger brand, an independent company owned by Savant (and which is not a party to this litigation). Lutron has already been found to have infringed on certain patents held by Geigtech and the original jury’s large damages award was set aside by the judge who found it to be excessive. This new trial was held to determine a more reasonable damages amount.
Are you facing a painfully long HDMI cable run and don’t know how you can reliably accomplish that? AVPro Edge has your answer – the AC-EX150-BKT. This new HDMI extension kit breaches new barriers to deliver integrators a mind-blowing range of up to 150 meters. Problem solved…
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the CEDIA Tech & Business Summit at the Hilton Hotel in Hasbrouck Heights in Northern New Jersey. To my eyes, this was a well-attended event and I was impressed with how the Association has put together a well-oiled machine that shows some real progress in elevating the value of attending a regional industry event like this.
On Tuesday, Bose Corporation – a privately held manufacturer and marketer of a variety of predominantly audio products like headphones, speakers, soundbars and car audio – announced it has acquired McIntosh Group, a high-end manufacturer of electronics under the McIntosh brand and speakers/phono cartridges under the Sonus faber brand. Terms of the deal were not revealed and a buzz has descended around the industry as to whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
