<February 22, 2012> The final step in a move that has been expected by some for a long time has been completed as China’s TPV Technology Ltd. shareholders approved the acquisition of the money-losing TV division from Philips Electronics. While Philips exited the TV business here in the United States several years ago, the company enjoyed greater sales success – if not profitably – elsewhere in the world. In fact, at one time, Philips was one of the biggest television brands in the world – but no longer. [Read more…] about It’s Official – Philips Is Out of the TV Business…Globally
Manufacturers
S&P Cuts Panasonic’s Long-Term Debt Rating…Again
<February 22, 2012> Standard & Poors, the credit rating agency, today cut Panasonic Corp.’s long-term debt rating for the second time in only four months suggesting it continues to expect a rough road ahead for some of Japan’s most prestigious brands, according to a report in the Nikkei. [Read more…] about S&P Cuts Panasonic’s Long-Term Debt Rating…Again
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
TV War Won, Samsung Considers Spinning Off its Money-Losing LCD TV Business
<February 15, 2012> Samsung Electronics Co. surprised many in the industry today when it revealed that it is considering spinning-off its LCD flat-panel television business which is losing money amid a worldwide slowdown in consumer demand according to a report by Reuters. The company says letting the LCD business go will allow it to focus on what it believes will be the next wave in television technology – OLED which it hopes will stimulate consumer demand …and company profits. [Read more…] about TV War Won, Samsung Considers Spinning Off its Money-Losing LCD TV Business
The Apple Report – Ripe or Rotten?
<February 15, 2012> While Wall Street has been oooing and aaahhhhhing over Apple, Inc.’s stock breaching a significant price of $500 per share earlier this week…only to drop below it again in trading today (closing at $497.67)…there has been a slew of significant Apple-related stories in today’s news on several major fronts. We offer below a summary of these significant stories from today’s press: [Read more…] about The Apple Report – Ripe or Rotten?
New Wave of Apple iTV Rumors Circulate as Industry Remains on Edge Waiting for Launch
<February 8, 2012> Several reports of new iTV “sightings” have emerged around the Internet with many coming out of Canada as Apple is said to have submitted samples of its latest innovation – a revolutionary new television design – to various testing agencies for approval. [Read more…] about New Wave of Apple iTV Rumors Circulate as Industry Remains on Edge Waiting for Launch
Samsung & LG Outline Aggressive TV Biz Growth Plans
<February 8, 2012> Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics, Inc. plan to launch aggressive expansion of their flat panel television divisions in 2012, according to a new report in the Nikkei. And these aggressive plans contrast sharply with those of Japanese television manufacturers, who are looking for ways to cut their overhead in a search for profitability. [Read more…] about Samsung & LG Outline Aggressive TV Biz Growth Plans
S&P Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating to Just Above Junk, Issues Negative Outlook
<February 8, 2012> Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s today cut the long-term debt rating on Sony Corporation to BBB+, just two notches above “junk” status, and further issued a negative outlook which suggests a potential further drop in the future. In a statement, S&P said that “the likelihood of a strong recovery in Sony’s earnings is low.” [Read more…] about S&P Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating to Just Above Junk, Issues Negative Outlook
Only Months Later, Pioneer Launches the Next Generation of Its Popular AppRadio
>> See a slideshow of the Pioneer 2012 CES Press Conference here… <<
<February 1, 2012> Pioneer Electronics USA, Inc. surprised everyone only months ago in the summer of last year with their launch of a radical new product called the AppRadio [ see our story on the original AppRadio here ]. Now, only a matter of months later, the company has hustled to get out a muscled next generation version called AppRadio 2. [Read more…] about Only Months Later, Pioneer Launches the Next Generation of Its Popular AppRadio
Samsung’s Big Story from Big CES Press Conference is OLED
>> See an extensive slideshow of Samsung’s CES press conference here <<
<February 1, 2012> Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., the world’s largest provider of televisions, wow’d the crowd at CES last month with a stunning display of 55-inch OLED flat panel televisions. Kicking off the show on press day with far-and-away the largest standing-room-only press conference of the day, Samsung showed again why they lead the field with a major commitment to a new technology – OLED. [Read more…] about Samsung’s Big Story from Big CES Press Conference is OLED