<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
Manufacturers
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
Sony Says Only They Can Deliver ‘The New User Experience’
>> See our full slideshow of photos from the Sony Press Conference at CES <<
<February 1, 2012> In typical fashion, Sony Corporation at CES delivered a long and at times rambling press conference covering their large range of products. And while presenters tried to sound enthusiastic about their many innovations, much of this year’s presentation mimicked last year’s…and even those of its competitors. [Read more…] about Sony Says Only They Can Deliver ‘The New User Experience’
House of Marley Stages a Not-So-Quiet Revolution
>> See a slideshow of photos from the House of Marley Booth at CES here… <<
<January 31, 2012> Still early in its development, House of Marley, LLC has quickly, if not quietly, staged a rapid business ramp-up – building its product assortment, expanding its distribution network, and growing its fan base. If you haven’t been paying attention – you may have been blissfully fooled by their laid-back, reggae-inspired back-beat…but make no mistake, this is serious business. [Read more…] about House of Marley Stages a Not-So-Quiet Revolution
Soul by Ludacris Shows Party in a Box
<January 25, 2012> First revealed by the ALERT just after the 2010 CEDIA Expo, Soul by Ludacris at CES showed their remarkable product with a funny name, the Party In A Box. [ See original story here…]Sort of a boombox on steroids, PIAB was meant to re-invent boomboxes adding in today’s new technologies and taking the street beat to a whole new level. [Read more…] about Soul by Ludacris Shows Party in a Box
Though Ink Not Yet Dry on Gibson Deal, Onkyo Launches Another Partnership with Teac
<January 22, 2012> Just days after news reports of the formation of a strategic partnership between Osaka, Japan-based Onkyo Corporation and Nashville, Tennessee-based Gibson Guitar Corporation – a new report by the Nikkei says that Onkyo has now formed yet another new strategic partnership with Teac Corporation. While details are sketchy, apparently the two reached an agreement this past Friday, January 20th. [Read more…] about Though Ink Not Yet Dry on Gibson Deal, Onkyo Launches Another Partnership with Teac
End of an Era, Onkyo Halts Production of Loudspeakers in Japan
<January 22, 2012> On Thursday, the Nikkei said it had learned that Onkyo Corporation has decided to cease production of loudspeaker systems in Japan. This decision ends several decades of domestic production of a product category in which Onkyo not only had a great reputation for quality, but also leading market share. [Read more…] about End of an Era, Onkyo Halts Production of Loudspeakers in Japan
Onkyo Demos New Technologies at CES
<January 25, 2012> Onkyo Corporation had a very busy CES, not just because of the recent news of their strategic partnership with Gibson Guitar (and subsequent to CES, a partnership with Teac), but because the company was showing and demonstrating new technologies recently announced that will enhance their soon-to-be-released receiver line up. Paul Wasek, Onkyo National Marketing and Product Planning Manager, took the ALERT around the Onkyo booth to show and demonstrate these technologies. [Read more…] about Onkyo Demos New Technologies at CES