Only six months to go and word has emerged that the Consumer Technology Association – the trade group behind the annual Consumer Electronics show – has proactively taken steps to avoid repeating the mistakes that caused them to endure a plethora of embarrassing headlines last year. The controversy, a self-inflicted wound, surrounded the Association’s awarding – then rescinding – of a CES 2019 Innovation Award…and retroactive cancellation of booth space for that company. The news dominated the early headlines during the January 2019 event…mostly because the matter involved sex.
Associations
Buyers Slammed the Door on Sales of New Single-Family Housing
The latest data from the Census Bureau shows that sales of new single-family housing in April dropped to a rate of 673,000 on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. This level is down a substantial 6.9% from the adjusted rate for March of 723,000 houses sold.
See more on this drop in sales of new housing
[Read more…] about Buyers Slammed the Door on Sales of New Single-Family HousingAudioControl CEO on Fox Biz Network Says Tariffs are Trouble
Alex Camara, CEO of Seattle-based specialty electronics manufacturer AudioControl, was featured Friday on a segment on the Fox Business Network (FBN) talking the real impact of tariffs on American manufacturers. In the wake of the move by the Trump administration pushing a dramatically increased 25% tariff on a wide range of Chinese goods, Camara explained to FBN anchor Liz Claman the true impact these tariffs have on his business…and ultimately the American consumer.
See Camara explain how tariffs are trouble…
[Read more…] about AudioControl CEO on Fox Biz Network Says Tariffs are TroubleThe Techy Side of AudioControl You Probably Don’t Even Know
Many years ago, I worked at a audio specialty retailer in East Lansing, Michigan. As audio specialists, we not only sold and serviced some of the finest audio brands around, but we also sold test gear for users and pros to use to test and fine tune their systems. And one of the brands we sold that offered high quality testing products was AudioControl, who along with their line of graphic equalizers also offered things like spectrum analyzers with calibrated microphones.
They still sell testing gear and now will be showing their latest iOS-based digital test measurement solutions at InfoComm 2019.
Learn more about AudioControl’s test gear…
[Read more…] about The Techy Side of AudioControl You Probably Don’t Even KnowMulti-Decade Member & Respected ‘CEDIA Fellow,’ Renounces His Membership
Says Organization is On the Wrong Path; Announces the Launch of a New Venture
Fred Ampel, a long time, multi-decade member of CEDIA, a regular trainer at multiple CEDIA Expos, and a “CEDIA Fellow” has renounced his membership in the organization. In a Skype interview with Strata-gee, he shared his view that the organization has changed in ways that are counter to his view of the type of education that they should be providing to the membership. As a result, he feels forced to develop a new alternative program outside of the trade association.
See why Ampel left CEDIA & what he’s planning…
[Read more…] about Multi-Decade Member & Respected ‘CEDIA Fellow,’ Renounces His MembershipCEDIA Hires Senior Director of Sales, Sponsorships & Partnerships
CEDIA announced on Wednesday that it has hired Robert Keeler to join the organization as its new Senior Director of Sales, Sponsorships, and Partnerships. Keeler is ex- a lot of well-known companies in this industry and he takes on a primary sales responsibility at the trade association.
Learn more about Keeler at CEDIA…
[Read more…] about CEDIA Hires Senior Director of Sales, Sponsorships & PartnershipsCEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the Corner
On March 28th CEDIA held a grand opening gala to celebrate their brand new $14 million glass and stone castle in Fishers, IN with about 250 of their closest friends. Depending on your viewpoint, this new facility is either a shining shrine to the strength of the custom integration tech association – or it is a monument to the monumental arrogance and ego of an association that is drifting further away from the very community it purports to serve.
But what many of these guests to the opening celebrations didn’t know was that, as they sipped champagne and oohed an ahhhd over the new gorgeous digs, there was yet another small member flare-up taking place in the background…with significant members expressing strong dissent on yet another Association initiative.
See more on this two worlds of CEDIA…
[Read more…] about CEDIA Celebrates, Hoping You Don’t Notice That Little Spark Catching in the CornerTCL Launches 8K QLED & Audio Solutions at CES
TCL, a leading global TV brand out of China, launched several new A/V products at CES 2019, including new higher end 8K QLED¹ TVs with AI, a whole new range of headphone products, and new home theater soundbars. These products not only expand their assortment, they expand their market position with higher end solutions and advanced technologies.
See more on TCL’s impressive CES launches…
[Read more…] about TCL Launches 8K QLED & Audio Solutions at CESMeridian Audio & LG Partner on Soundbar Line at CES 2019
Meridian Audio and LG have partnered on a line of upgraded soundbars, launching them at CES 2019. These new soundbars offer upgraded technologies, like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a better sound experience for LG TV buyers (and others).
See more on this Meridian Audio and LG partnership…
[Read more…] about Meridian Audio & LG Partner on Soundbar Line at CES 2019Top Tech Stories From CES 2019
CES 2019 is over the hump, closing tomorrow. But the top tech stories are pretty big and pretty clearly defined – and will be quite exciting, when they appear…someday. The top tech stories include – LG’s rollable, bendable OLED displays, Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G – the next generation wireless tech, 8K TVs, autonomous vehicles – both car and motorcycle, and Apple & Siri strike back.