Out of Tokyo, Japan this past Monday came word of a new global strategic collaboration between Onkyo Corporation, U.K.-based Imagination Technologies Group, and Imagination’s consumer division known as Pure. A global technology creator, Imagination Technologies Group largely focuses on multimedia, cloud, mobile, and connected audio technologies – often licensed to major consumer brands as part of their product offerings.
Manufacturers
OK, 3D HDTV Flopped – Industry Turns to Next Trick in Bag: Ultra HDTV
[PHOTO: Junko Kimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Now manufacturers have dug deep into their bag of tricks to offer 4K HDTV, also known as Ultra HDTV… [Read more…] about OK, 3D HDTV Flopped – Industry Turns to Next Trick in Bag: Ultra HDTV
Moody’s Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating Again; Now Just One Notch Above ‘Junk’
The investment community remains unconvinced that new Sony Corp. CEO Kaz Harai is making meaningful headway in turning around the financial performance at the struggling tech manufacturer. And now Reuters is reporting out of Tokyo that credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Services has piled on with another downgrade of the company’s credit, placing it perilously close to “junk” status.
Why did Moody’s downgrade Sony again just one month after a previous downgrade? [Read more…] about Moody’s Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating Again; Now Just One Notch Above ‘Junk’
Savant Picks SESales for Southeastern States Reps
Savant Systems, LLC has selected Southeastern Sales Associates, Inc. (SESales) as their sales representatives for the southeastern region. Focusing on the custom integration business, SESales will represent the home automation brand to those installers and dealers in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Learn more about this new appointment here… [Read more…] about Savant Picks SESales for Southeastern States Reps
Sharp Shocker: Company Will Report Interim Net Loss Almost Double Their Forecast
The Nikkei reported today that it has learned from unnamed sources that Sharp Corp. is about to report a surprising interim net loss of ¥400 billion (just over $5 billion). Covering the period of their April-through-September fiscal (interim) semester, this loss is 90% worse – almost double – their most recent estimate of a ¥210 billion loss…and an full ten times worse than last years interim loss of ¥39.8 billion.
How did Sharp management get their forecast so wrong?… [Read more…] about Sharp Shocker: Company Will Report Interim Net Loss Almost Double Their Forecast
Alpine Parent Alps Electric Reinvents the Car-to-Human Control Interface
In a new video published to the Internet on Wednesday by Diginfo TV, Alps Electric – parent company of Alpine Electronics – demonstrates a prototype of future automotive control technology that redefines the human interface with the car of the future. Shown earlier this year at a show in Japan, this is the first time the concept was demonstrated to the rest of the world thanks to this video.
See this futuristic interface which includes gestures, predictive configuration, and haptic technology… [Read more…] about Alpine Parent Alps Electric Reinvents the Car-to-Human Control Interface
Panasonic to Cut Production of LCD TV Panels
Panasonic Corp. has announced it will cut production of LCD panels targeted for TV manufacture in the next fiscal year in order to increase production of small and midsize LCD panels for tablets and other mobile devices. The move is seen as a response to the company’s declining TV business.
Juggling purchase and supply agreements…looking for cost savings…
[Read more…] about Panasonic to Cut Production of LCD TV Panels
Nortek Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer
Nortek, Inc. announced today the appointment of Scott Campbell to Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. A newly created position, the company says that the executive will be responsible for “creating, driving and implementing” an enterprise-grade, global supply chain strategy. [Read more…] about Nortek Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer
Pioneer to Use Contract Manufacturers in Indonesia to Produce Car Sound Systems
The Nikkei reported today that Pioneer Corporation is planning to use contract manufacturers in Indonesia for the production of its automotive sound systems starting next spring. According to the report, the company is “facing a shrinking market for its mainline car navigation equipment.”
See what Pioneer feels they gain by making this move… [Read more…] about Pioneer to Use Contract Manufacturers in Indonesia to Produce Car Sound Systems
D&M Sells McIntosh Labs to Italian High-End Marketer Backed by Private Equity
News emerged today that Italian holding company Fine Sounds SpA has acquired 100% of McIntosh Laboratory, the Binghamton, NY-based high-end brand most recently owned by D&M Holdings. The announcement – which came from Fine Sounds, contained only a short statement from Charles Randall, President of McIntosh, with no other comments attributed to D&M Holdings or its parent Bain Capital.
Fine Sounds, backed by private equity company Quadrivio – also based in Milan, Italy – is the owner and distributor of other high-end brands such as Sonus Faber, Audio Research Corporation, Wadia Digital, and Sumiko. According to the company, their strategy is to “offer products that are the best in the world in their category.
But does this strategy make sense for McIntosh?…
[Read more…] about D&M Sells McIntosh Labs to Italian High-End Marketer Backed by Private Equity
