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Hands-On Battle in Clash of Remote Control Titans; URC Claims Victory

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But UEI Says ‘It is Not Over’

URClogoFor the last couple of years, there has been a running court battle between two of the titans of the remote control category: Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) and Universal Remote Control, Inc. (URC). Today, one of them, URC, announced victory in the first of two pending patent infringement lawsuits that was originally filed in 2012.

URC claimed a complete victory – but Strata-gee.com has received a statement from UEI who says, in effect, not so fast – this dispute is far from over.

See what URC claims the court said…and why UEI cautions not to jump to conclusions… [Read more…] about Hands-On Battle in Clash of Remote Control Titans; URC Claims Victory

Apple to Show Software for the Connected Home at Upcoming Software Expo

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Not Just iOS…Apple Goes IoT

AppleThe Financial Times reported this morning that Apple, Inc. will announce a new software solution for the connected home market at the Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco next week. The move follows a lot of activity in the connected home channel recently including: Control4 going public, Google acquiring Nest, Philips launching Hue (app controlled lighting), Belkin launching WeMo, Harman acquiring AMX…and now Apple seeking to bring it all together in the home.

Is Apple on the right track? Or are they diving down a dark rabbit hole?… [Read more…] about Apple to Show Software for the Connected Home at Upcoming Software Expo

Five Former Foxconn Employees Indicted in Kickback Scandal

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foxconn-buildingFoxconn Technology Group, a division of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. and a key supplier to major brands like Apple, Inc. and HP (formerly Hewlett Packard), had five former employees indicted by Taiwanese prosecutors on Wednesday in a major kickback scheme involving illicit payments from suppliers. The announcement of the scandal is sure to cause significant embarrassment for the company.

See more on this dramatic announcement from the Taipei District Prosecutors Office… [Read more…] about Five Former Foxconn Employees Indicted in Kickback Scandal

Harman Takes Control; Acquires AMX

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Harman International logoThe release came across the wire at 8:00AM this morning and caught the industry totally off-guard – Harman International Industries, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with privately-held The Duchossois Group, Inc. to acquire its AMX, LLC subsidiary for $386 million. The move was not an immediately obvious one for Harman, which has been largely focused on building its automotive electronics division into a worldwide powerhouse.

But Harman did say it had a reason for taking this dramatic step… [Read more…] about Harman Takes Control; Acquires AMX

Pioneer Pulls Out of AV

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BREAKING NEWS

Pioneer LogoIn yet another sign of dramatic changes afoot that will literally change the face of the TECH industry for years to come – news comes out of Japan that Pioneer Corp. is planning to exit the AV business by selling off its entire AV division. This news follows a similar decision made by JVC Kenwood earlier this year to pull out of consumer electronics to focus on more commercial business.

Pioneer is said to be in active negotiations with Funai Electric, a large OEM manufacturer who recently took over Philips video business, as well as other potential suitors.

Does this deal make sense? Or has the AV world gone crazy?… [Read more…] about Pioneer Pulls Out of AV

Sony Puts OLED on the Back Burner; Ramps Up Deeper 4K Commitment

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Photo of early Sony OLED
An early Sony OLED TV.

Just days after a similar announcement from South Korean rival Samsung Electronics, Sony Corp. has said it will put OLED technology on the back burner – scaling back development efforts for the forseeable future. Instead, the company says it sees a greater immediate opportunity with 4K Ultra HD LCD TVs and will work to expand its assortment in this product segment.

While Sony puts OLED on the back burner, it is ramping up its 4K commitment now… [Read more…] about Sony Puts OLED on the Back Burner; Ramps Up Deeper 4K Commitment

JVC Kenwood Takes Bold New Steps to Reconstruct Its Core DNA – Shaking Up Structure & Management

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JVC Kenwood logoIn a regulatory filing this month, JVC Kenwood Corp. said it will take dramatic and bold steps to literally change its very core – the operating structure of the company – such that it fundamentally changes the way the company is run. This changing-our-DNA move marks a deep expansion of its previously announced business-spectrum initiatives to move away from its weakening consumer electronics businesses into more commercial enterprises by ensuring that the way it manages itself is completely changed as well.

See more on this surprising move in which JVC Kenwood doubles down on “change”… [Read more…] about JVC Kenwood Takes Bold New Steps to Reconstruct Its Core DNA – Shaking Up Structure & Management

Samsung Cuts Investment in OLED

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Photo of model with Samsung OLED TVIn a move that is likely to signify a tipping point in the industry’s adoption of OLED technology, Samsung Electronics is dropping plans to build a new factory that was supposed to help it scale manufacturing of the nascent technology, driving production volumes and lowering cost. But as we’ve reported before, manufacturing OLED…well, it’s just not easy.

See more on this surprising decision by one of OLED’s most vocal supporters… [Read more…] about Samsung Cuts Investment in OLED

Nortek Q1 Sales Grow in All Major Segments, But AV Sales Continue to Decline

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Nortek LogoNortek, Inc. released financial results for their fiscal first quarter this week. As a widely diversified provider of largely building-related products, the company noted marked improvement in several key areas over the same quarter last year. With an overall quarterly sales increase from $519.1 million last year to $550.1 million this year, sales increased 6%. But the company still lost money in the quarter – though the loss was less than last year.

Results for Norteck’s TECH segment continue a shift to security and AV continues to decline… [Read more…] about Nortek Q1 Sales Grow in All Major Segments, But AV Sales Continue to Decline

Commercial & Residential Integrators Converge in Manhattan for Sapphire Marketing NYC RoadShow

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Poster about NYC RoadShowSapphire Marketing, a well-known manufacturer’s sales representative company focusing on the commercial and residential integration channels in the Northeast, held their sixth dealer “RoadShow” in mid-town Manhattan on Thursday and Friday of last week. We had the good fortune of being invited to attend the event courtesy of our friend Dawn Allcot of Crestron’s PR department…and we’re glad we went.

See more on this event, including some impressive presentations by major integration brands… [Read more…] about Commercial & Residential Integrators Converge in Manhattan for Sapphire Marketing NYC RoadShow