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Crestron Opens Impressive NYC Experience Center Showcasing Resi & Commercial Tech

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Crestron executives John Clancy, Dan Feldstein, and Brad Hintze toast the new Experience Center in NYC
John Clancy, Dan Feldstein, and Brad Hintze (who appears to be toasting Strata-gee readers) raise a glass of champagne to toast the launch of Crestron’s remarkable Flagship NYC Experience Center [Click to enlarge]

Crestron Electronics, a worldwide industry leader in both the commercial and residential smart technology space, has opened a dramatic and dynamic new Crestron Experience Center (CEC) in the heart of Manhattan at 200 Lexington Avenue in the renowned New York Design Center. A grand opening ceremony was held with the media, customers, integrators and other special guests on Tuesday, October 15th, previewing the space which offers visitors an expansive roster of “hands-on” experiences and even includes a “workshop” for true first-person experiences where visitors can – among other things – discover new possibilities they didn’t know existed.

See more on this all-new flagship Crestron Experience Center in Manhattan

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Split Decision: A Masimo Win and an Apple Win in High Stakes Legal War

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An annotated illustration from a 2005 smartwatch patent discovered by Masimo containing technology like an Apple patent in 2021
An annotated copy of an illustration from a 2005 patent for a smartwatch (Kotanagi) containing the same or substantially similar technology that Apple was granted a patent for in 2021

While many things have changed in the wake of Joe Kiani’s exit from Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) – and many more changes are likely still to come – one thing continues on, the many lawsuits existing between Masimo and Apple Inc (Nasdaq: AAPL). And in the last few days, we have learned of two significant developments in that regard. One is a significant win for Masimo…and the other a significant win for Apple.

However, the war between these combatants continues…

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Coastal Source to Move President Jeff Poggi to Consulting Role at Year End

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Coastal Source logo

Coastal Source, one of the industry’s leading providers of outdoor audio and lighting solutions announced this week that current President Jeff Poggi will be moving outside the company to take a new role as a consultant. The move will take place at the end of this current calendar year.

See more on Poggi moving to a consulting role

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Sonos Announces ‘New Commitments’ to Consumers; Analyst Issues Double Downgrade

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Sonos Ace headphones
Is she winking at me? Or wincing in the pain of Sonos’ problems?

Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) announced this week that it was issuing new quality and customer experience “commitments,” as it seeks to rebuild its deteriorating reputation in the wake of a disastrous app launch earlier this year that has caused many, if not most, Sonos systems to stop operating properly – if they operate at all. There has been tremendous upheaval among Sonos customers who have reacted angrily and negatively on Sonos-related message boards and other social media sites.

And now, just last week, Morgan Stanley analysts issued a rare “double downgrade” on Sonos shares – a significant ratings drop indicating that it expects the value of Sonos stock to underperform the market in the near- and mid-term future. Morgan Stanley’s analysis of why this double downgrade was necessary is pretty devastating.

See more on the Sonos slide and its attempts to turn things around

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Savant Announcements, Taken in Whole, Offer a Picture of a Smarter Smart Home

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A Savant smart home

Savant released several announcements at CEDIA Expo 2024, each of which was interesting on its own. Seeing these announcements reminded me of some of its past announcements – such as the acquisition of GE Lighting and J Geiger Shading – that were also interesting in their own right.

But only when you start putting these and other company developments together, like individual pieces of a mosaic, does a picture emerge of just where Savant is headed. And that picture…is truly compelling one of a smarter Smart Home.

See the Savant picture that emerges from multiple announcements

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It’s Getting Manic at Masimo vs Politan as Dueling Proxy Materials Sling Sludge & Lawsuits

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Masimo graphic

I’m thinking of pitching Bravo Network on my idea for a new reality TV show called something like …Masimo Manic Mysteries…or Politan Proxy Obsessions… What do you think? I’ve got tons of material to pull from. I’ve followed many proxy battles over the years, but this one definitely wins the prize as the most personal and brutal battle I’ve seen. In the first twelve days of September, there has been no fewer than seventeen new proxy revisions, investor letters, and proxy-related press releases (four separate filings just today!) filed and mailed to investors. Investor’s heads must be spinning…I know mine is!

And of course, as the 2024 Annual Stockholders Meeting approaches – only one week away – the drama continues to ramp up as management continues to dig in to save their jobs while investors keep shoring up more votes. It’s getting really ugly.

See all the latest on the Masimo and Politan proxy battle

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On Eve of CEDIA Expo 2024, Oasys Announces Partnership with Sonos

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Sonos booth at the 2022 CEDIa Expo

Oasys Residential Technology Group, a division of Nationwide Marketing Group, announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Sonos, a leading wireless audio brand popular with consumers. The announcement comes on the eve of today’s opening of CEDIA Expo 2024, taking place in Denver, CO from September 5-7, 2024.

Oasys group managers say that this is a significant deal with “a massive brand.”

See more on Oasys partnering with Sonos

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It’s a Sonance Tsunami of Innovation at CEDIA Expo 2024

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Photo of a kitchen with Sonance Small Aperture Series speakers
Sonance says ‘Life is Better with Music’ as this couple dances to Small Aperture Speakers [Click to enlarge]

See Sonance at CEDIA Expo 2024 in Booth #3501

In a torrent of multiple releases from Sonance, it has unleashed a veritable tsunami of innovation covering several product categories and market segments. Scheduled to be shown at this week’s CEDIA Expo 2024 show in Denver will be a wide array of new products from Sonance and its entire family of brands, including James, IPORT, and TRUFIG. The company will also launch new modules for its Sonance Design Gallery – winner of the “Best New Software” award at last year’s CEDIA Expo 2023.

Also to be unveiled is a redesigned Sonance.com website and a fully functional my.Sonance.com platform with added configuration enhancements. Finally, the company will be demonstrating a new immersive music experience for attendees every 15 minutes. Like I said, it’s a Sonance tsunami of innovation.

See more on these and other new items from Sonance at CEDIA Expo 2024

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Hunter Douglas Keeps the Sun Outside & Taps It to Recharge Your Motorized Shades Inside

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Hunter Douglas, one of the leading manufacturers of custom window treatments like motorized shades, will show an interesting new Solar Charger Kit at the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2024 in Denver this week. Now, not only does Hunter Douglas keep the sun out of your home, but it now uses it to recharge your battery-powered motorized shades. Clever!

Learn more about the Hunter Douglas Solar Charger Kit

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SoundTube Entertainment Names Jeff Brewer VP of Sales, Residential

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SoundTube logo

Soundtube Entertainment (formerly MSE Audio) announced this week that it has appointed Jeff Brewer as its new Vice President of Sales for the Residential Division. Brewer is well known throughout the industry and the company hails his “rich background in the audio industry” along with his “proven track record in leadership.”

Learn more about Jeff Brewer joining SoundTube Entertainment

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