In new data coming out of Japan, Sony has reported their 9-month results for the current fiscal year revealing solid profitability that makes it clear that their turnaround efforts are producing serious and durable results. Of a total of 439 companies reporting YTD (3-quarter) results, a report in the Nikkei had “Sony stealing the spotlight” with a “sharp turnaround” in its bottom line.
Sony
CES – From Real Biz to Future Biz to Virtual Biz; This is Progress?
CES is back and its bigger than ever. According to the CTA (formerly CEA), the show spans 2.3 million sq.ft. of exhibit space, in which more than 3,600 exhibitors of all sizes and types have set up booths to hawk their wares. The show is expected to draw more than 150,000 attendees and 6,000 member of the press. It is impossible to cover the entire event…it has just gotten too large.
Luckily, with the industry stuck in several well-worn trends, we in the media can focus our attention beyond these usual suspects – automotive tech (autonomous vehicles and related technologies), drones, 4K UHD TV, Internet of Things (IoT), wearables – to new areas (such as Virtual Reality), and iterative updates from current companies.
See our CES overview… [Read more…] about CES – From Real Biz to Future Biz to Virtual Biz; This is Progress?
Sony Audibly (& Visibly) Professes Commitment to CI Channel
At this month’s CEDIA Expo, Sony Corp. professed to the attending media corps their continued commitment to the custom integration (CI) channel…trotting out none other than Sony U.S. COO and President Mike Fasulo (in photo at right) to make the case. But what really proved their case were the impressive product introductions – products clearly designed with custom integrators in mind.
See what Sony introduced that caught our attention at Expo… [Read more…] about Sony Audibly (& Visibly) Professes Commitment to CI Channel
CEDIA Starts with Some Interesting Stuff
We found some interesting stuff here at the start (and from the days leading up to the start) of CEDIA’s 2015 Expo. There was a lot to sift through, but what follows are some of the more interesting products and technologies we found at the start of the show – presented in no particular order.
See items of interest from the start of CEDIA Expo… [Read more…] about CEDIA Starts with Some Interesting Stuff
Bluesound Scores Deal for National Placement in Magnolia Design Centers
BREAKING NEWS
Bluesound, a division of Lenbrook America, has cut a deal with Best Buy that will result in a national roll-out of the company’s line of high-quality digital multi-room music systems through Best Buy’s Magnolia Design Center locations. The agreement will begin to take effect later this month in a phased introduction into the first 25 locations.
See more about this major development for Bluesound… [Read more…] about Bluesound Scores Deal for National Placement in Magnolia Design Centers
Industry Personality & Technology Enthusiast Len Schneider Passes Away
A truly unique industry personality – and unabashed technology enthusiast – Len Schneider passed away Monday, after a brief illness. Most recently known as the President of TechniCom Corp., an industry marketing company offering product development capabilities and technical writing services, Schneider had a long history working in largely product marketing roles for a variety of top brand names such as Sony, Marantz, and Onkyo. However, many more in the industry became aware of him through his well-researched and approachable writings, with many articles, white papers, books and posts – including one of the most popular posts ever on Strata-gee.com – having been published on a national basis.
See more about Schneider and his contributions… [Read more…] about Industry Personality & Technology Enthusiast Len Schneider Passes Away
Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
New York City in June sees temperatures rise in response to the onset of summer and also, hopefully, in response to the launch of the hottest new technologies being shown at CE Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building exposition spaces in Manhattan. We awaited this year’s edition with great anticipation as it occurs in the wake of a major change in the show’s backers – and is the follow-up to the surprisingly meaningful show last year.
What were the changes, and how did the show go? You’ll have to read on… [Read more…] about Hot Time in the City, It’s CE Week Again
DOW to Distribute Sony ES Line
Tampa, Fl-based DOW Electronics announced on Tuesday that it will distribute the entire Sony ES line of products, effective immediately. The latest addition to their line-up, DOW says Sony offers a line to dealers that is “protected from online shopping” and has “controlled distribution.”
See more on this development from DOW… [Read more…] about DOW to Distribute Sony ES Line
Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
Newly Spun-Off TV Division May Show a Profit for 1st Time in 10 Years
In a new report out of Japan, Sony’s TV business is said to be expected to report an operating profit this fiscal year – its first after ten years of losing money. Due to an improved situation in the U.S. market, the report credits the turnaround in Sony’s U.S. results largely as a function of its tightened partnership with retailer Best Buy.
But the report featured the subheading ‘Outlook Remains Unclear’… [Read more…] about Sony’s Tightened Partnership with Best Buy Credited for Biz Turnaround
Azione Unlimited to Sell Sony
Azione Unlimited, a retail buying group of custom integrators, announced today that it has partnered with Sony Corp. to offer its line to Azione’s nationwide membership. The group will carry products from Sony’s AV specialty and custom integration channel division.