With CEDIA 2016 now over, those of us in the media are left to try and uncover the underlying themes in order to help our readers wrap their heads around just what this particular CEDIA (formerly referred to as the Expo) was all about. But this show is big enough that no one member of the media can possibly visit all booths, talk to all exhibitor executives, and experience all new models. So each of us have our own version of the themes of the show.
Amazon
Former Specialist Darling McIntosh Opens Up Internet Sales
BREAKING NEWS
Multiple sources have told us that McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., a brand once deeply committed to the specialty electronics retail channel, has notified dealers by phone that for the first time in its history the company will allow Internet retailers to sell the brand. The list of online dealers that will be authorized to sell McIntosh products includes Amazon.com. The news has sent a shock around their dealer base and we have heard from several very loyal, long-time McIntosh dealers…who are very, very angry.
See more on this latest development from McIntosh… [Read more…] about Former Specialist Darling McIntosh Opens Up Internet Sales
Things Are Heating Up in Dallas
Dallas is hot right now – really hot – as in daily temperatures in the mid-90s. This is a shocking change from the cooling New England Fall now engulfing our home base. But it’s about to get even hotter as the nation’s custom integration community comes together for its annual pilgrimage, the pilgrimage known as Expo.
See more on the the pilgrimage known as Expo… [Read more…] about Things Are Heating Up in Dallas
Seiki Shakes Up Industry, Offers Inexpensive 4K Ultra HDTV; ‘Not Helpful’ Says Major Competitor
In yet another sign of an industry in transition, Chinese manufacturer Tong Fang Global – better known by the Seiki brand of A/V products it manufactures – has turned the typical industry model for introducing the latest and greatest technology on its ear. In the same show where Sharp rolls out a 70-inch 4K Ultra HDTV for $8,000, Seiki rolls out a 39-inch 4K Ultra HDTV for $700. How do they do it? Read on…
See more on this disruptive play from relative newcomer Seiki… [Read more…] about Seiki Shakes Up Industry, Offers Inexpensive 4K Ultra HDTV; ‘Not Helpful’ Says Major Competitor
Thiel Audio Products Acquired by Tennessee Private Equity Company
BREAKING NEWS
Strata-gee.com learned from sources early today that Thiel Audio Products was sold last week to a Nashville, TN-based private equity company. Late today, the company distributed a formal press release confirming what we have heard. Kathy Gornik, CEO and President of the company is said to be leaving effective immediately and the release refers to “New Thiel CEO Bill Thomas.” [Read more…] about Thiel Audio Products Acquired by Tennessee Private Equity Company
Consumer Reports Picks Top Ten Electronics of 2012; Their Choices May Surprise You
Consumer Reports, that venerable organization known for torture testing products, ranking their results, and offering advice to consumers on how to pick the right product for them, announced on Thursday their picks for the Top Ten Electronics products for 2012. The list of their picks will appear in the December issue which is its Annual Electronics Issue.
The company said it tested over 600 products for their December issue, but “only ten standout products made the short list for performance and innovation.”
What electronics did they pick? See more below… [Read more…] about Consumer Reports Picks Top Ten Electronics of 2012; Their Choices May Surprise You
The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
<April 4, 2012> In an upcoming issue of Forbes magazine, entrepreneur Jeff Bezos will be profiled and 
analyzed as the technology-industry’s leading “philosopher-CEO.” As part of this coverage, Forbes contributor George Anders solicited the rule-breaking CEO’s lessons of leadership. [Read more…] about The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
NPD Says Consumer Electronics Sales in 2011 at $144 Billion Are Down
<February 15, 2012> The NPD Group, a Port Washington, New York-based market research company said on Monday that total consumer electronics sales including both hardware and consumables, fell .5% to come in at a total of almost $144 billion. NPD’s data represents retail sales that the organization collects from retailers and totals. [Read more…] about NPD Says Consumer Electronics Sales in 2011 at $144 Billion Are Down
Awash in a Sea of Incrementalism, Pre-Show Press Day was a Desperate Search for Innovation
<January 18, 2012> The day before the International Consumer Electronics Show opens, the show promoter holds something they call “Press Day.” Press Day is a mind-numbing endurance test of the media’s stamina with back-to-back-to-back-to-etc. press conferences. Each press conference is supposed to be 45-minutes long to give the press 15-minutes to move to the next one. [Read more…] about Awash in a Sea of Incrementalism, Pre-Show Press Day was a Desperate Search for Innovation
