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The Real Story Behind Control4’s Certified Showroom Program

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A Strata-gee Exclusive Interview

Control4 Certified Showroom plaqueControl4 surprised everyone about a month ago when they suddenly announced the launch of no less than 140 Control4 Certified Showrooms in partnership with certain dealers around the world, including the U.S., Canada, UK, China, and Australia. These showrooms were said to meet “elevated standards” and were positioned with dealers who were “experts in WOW-ing’ homeowners through interactive storytelling, visually-stunning displays, and hands-on demonstrations.”

At the recent launch of these showrooms on May 31, 2018, in an event called C4Yourself, I had the opportunity to visit one of two Certified Showrooms in New Jersey and to meet with Larry Bennett, Control4’s Managing Director of Global Programs. Bennett is the Control4 executive in charge of their global Certified Showroom program.

See what the Control4 exec said was the real purpose behind the program… [Read more…] about The Real Story Behind Control4’s Certified Showroom Program

What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4

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Phot of front of Total Home TechnologiesWhen you first pull up in front of Total Home Technologies in Roseland, NJ, it looks pretty much like any other small town store, blending in perfectly with the feel and flavor of this humble little borough of about 5,800 people located twenty miles west of New York City in a picturesque hilly section of Essex County, New Jersey. That feeling persists when you first walk over the “Welcome” mat and enter through the front door to find a comfortable living room on your right and, somewhat surprisingly, an outdoor backyard scene on your left.

You have just entered a Control4 Certified Showroom, and the show’s about to begin…

[Read more…] about What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4

New Research: Smart Home is Big & Getting Bigger

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Strategy Analytics logoIn a new updated report by market research firm Strategy Analytics, the global smart home market is said to have had a great 2017 and updated forecasts expect industry sales of this technology to continue to rise ever higher to an expected $155 billion by 2023.

See these updated smart home market estimates… [Read more…] about New Research: Smart Home is Big & Getting Bigger

Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors

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Photo of Gibson CES promoGibson, as Strata-gee previously reported, filed for bankruptcy protection on May 1st in a pre-negotiated package with principal noteholders of the company’s substantial debt – debt that was now in default. But while that deal suggested a smooth path for the case through the bankruptcy court, it did not take into account the position of unsecured creditors, and especially Philips who describes itself as the largest unsecured creditor in the matter.

See more on the discord in Gibson’s bankruptcy proceedings… [Read more…] about Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors

AudioControl to Launch 70-Volt Amp at Its First InfoComm

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Move to Drive Share of Commercial Channel

AudioControl logoAudioControl, a scrappy and innovative maker of electronics solutions for residential, commercial, and automotive applications, said today that it will show its commercial products at InfoComm 2018 taking place next week in Las Vegas, NV. Although the company has been involved in the commercial market for years, this is the first time they’ve displayed at InfoComm in a bid to further build their share of the commercial channel.

See more on this bold move by AudioControl… [Read more…] about AudioControl to Launch 70-Volt Amp at Its First InfoComm

Scope This Out – CEDIA Needs Your Help on Survey

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cedia logoCEDIA announced this week that they are now open for participation in their annual 2018 CEDIA Size and Scope of the Residential Electronic Systems market survey. CEDIA needs all integrators to help them collect helpful industry data for the benefit of us.

See more on this important tool that helps define the custom integration market… [Read more…] about Scope This Out – CEDIA Needs Your Help on Survey

Glowacki Out as Editor of Residential Systems

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BREAKING NEWS

Major Restructuring at Leading Publication by New Owners

Photo of Jeremy Glowacki

This week, subscribers of the digital version of Residential Systems Magazine are getting more than the usual expert advice and latest news on the custom integration business in their newly received June issue – they’re getting a farewell message from the magazine’s editor-in-chief – and founding editor – Jeremy Glowacki. In a surprise move, new owners Future Plc, a global British media company, has launched an aggressive restructuring program which, as is typically the case, has resulted in staff cuts at multiple levels, up to Glowacki’s senior position.

See more on this shocking exit of a popular CI industry editor… [Read more…] about Glowacki Out as Editor of Residential Systems

Sonos v. HEOS – War is Over, Peace Has Come

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hippie family w/peace signOn Friday last week, we learned that Sonos and D&M Holdings have settled their litigation, first begun in October 2014. Although the terms of the settlement are confidential, all actions taken by each party are now moot.

It is likely that the parties now enjoy some form of licensing arrangement that put all adversarial issues behind them.

See more on what we know about the end of the Sonos and D&M patent war… [Read more…] about Sonos v. HEOS – War is Over, Peace Has Come

9 Years After Recession, Americans Still Feel Frugal

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Gallup logoMy grandparents lived through the Great Depression (1929-1939) and it changed their lives forever. As kids, we used to think they were weird. They never threw anything away. Bent nail? “I can hammer it straight again!” Small amount of left-over paint? “You can add thinner and turn it into plenty of white wash.” Hole in a sock? They would darn it! Clearly, dealing with that time of great financial distress changed forever the way they felt about money, spending, and saving.

Since the last recession in 2009, Gallup has been conducting a poll on Americans’ attitude on spending. Read on to see the results – they just might surprise you…

See the results of the latest Gallup poll showing American frugality continues… [Read more…] about 9 Years After Recession, Americans Still Feel Frugal

Sonos Cuts Nearly 100 Employees or 6% of Staff

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BREAKING NEWS

Sonos logoSonos Inc. confirmed late yesterday that it has cut 6% of its staff, or 96 employees, just days before a highly anticipated public offering expected as early as next month. The cuts are said to have been across all department and at all levels.

See more on what we know about the Sonos staff cuts… [Read more…] about Sonos Cuts Nearly 100 Employees or 6% of Staff