Strategy in TECH...
Last week, we learned that the status of a major antitrust action filed against Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) is changing. Filed by the State of California in San Francisco Superior Court in 2022, the matter is coming closer to fruition with a trial scheduled to begin next year. In the meantime, more salacious details are emerging from the investigation’s findings as previously sealed court documents were recently unsealed.
Some of those details are quite ugly.
Savant Systems, Inc. announced on Thursday that it has developed an integration for the popular Schlage Encode™ Family of Smart WiFi Deadbolts. Thanks to this tie-up between two great brands, end-users can enjoy easy but full control of their Schlage smart lock and home security.
On Monday this week, Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) confirmed what had been widely rumored: CEO Tim Cook would retire from the company. Cook, who is 65 years old, will leave his role as CEO in September and move into a new position as Executive Chairman of the Apple Board of Directors.
The impact of this development is significant and is likely to echo throughout the entire technology industry. Let’s contemplate that a little…shall we?
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), part of the Sound United group, which was recently acquired by Harman (which itself is part of Samsung), announced today the expansion of its popular Px8 S2 over-ear headphone model by launching two new premium finishes. The Px8 S2 features a luxurious Nappa leather trim along with complementary aluminum detailing that all looks great in the new Midnight Blue and Pearl Blue finishes.
Last week, we got the latest read on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan’s (U of M) Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS), and it was not a pretty picture. According to the preliminary report for April, consumer sentiment dropped another 11% this month, extending a decline, U of M says, that began with the onset of the Iran war. This places the current reading about 9% below the reading for April 2025.
This is the lowest reading ever recorded in the history of this survey since 1946…
Netgear announced that it has received conditional approval on its routers from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This approval from regulators, the company says, means that dealers and consumers can rest assured that it is safe to buy, sell, and use Netgear routers which are now exempt from the recently announced ban on foreign-made routers by the U.S. government.
Who else has received FCC conditional approval?
Sound United brand Denon, now part of Harman International Industries, Inc., which itself is part of Samsung Electronics, has launched a new audio/video receiver (AVR) called the AVR-S980H that seeks to deliver an uncommon blend of audio excellence with simple, intuitive setup, and ease-of-use, along with flexibility and configurability to meet the varied needs of today’s consumers. The announcement sets a high bar, but the features and specs of the new Denon AVR-S980H suggest it clears that bar with ease.
Samsung Electronics just reported an incredible operating profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 that surged a much-stronger-than-expected 755% year-over-year. Even so, the company felt compelled to warn investors that the conflict in the Middle East is clouding the view of the future.
Long-time leading loudspeaker brand M&K Sound has selected Audio Collective Group as its exclusive U.S. distributor. The appointment is said to be effective immediately.
On Tuesday, we learned that Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is laying off hundreds of employees from its film studio, TV studios, and division HQ, according to a report in the Hollywood Reporter (HR). The reason behind the company’s move is said to be an effort by CEO Ravi Ahuja to refocus the company on “certain core growth areas, while pulling back in other places.”
