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Deep Dive: New Dana Innovations HQ & Training Ctr

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Strata-gee Goes Through Dana Innovations 2-Day Training

For some time now, I’ve been picking up a lot of buzz about the new San Clemente, CA headquarters building of Dana Innovations, said to be a major upgrade from their previous digs and outfitted with an optimized, multi-room training center. Dana Innovations, parent company of power CI brands such as Sonance, iPort, and Trufig, is one of the top custom integration solutions providers of in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, multichannel amplifiers, keypads, touch panels, and more. They also are renown for their dealer training program, which the company runs year round.

So when I got an invitation to visit their facility close-up, I jumped at it. I’m not sure I knew what I was getting myself into…

Dana Innovations puts me through their intense 2-day training regime… [Read more…] about Deep Dive: New Dana Innovations HQ & Training Ctr

Savant Partners with AVAD in Push for Market Expansion

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New Tools & Partners Open the Door to Entry-Level Buyers

Savant logoSavant Systems LLC, one of the leading control and home automation brands in custom integration, has made two significant announcements recently, both sent within just a matter of three weeks between them. First was the announcement of new software tools: Savant Central Management, a new cloud-based management software, and Studio, an iPad-based field configuration tool. This announcement was followed with a second one – Savant is partnering with AVAD, a national custom integration-focused distributor with 20 locations across the U.S.

It turns out that the two Savant announcements are related. Read on to see how… [Read more…] about Savant Partners with AVAD in Push for Market Expansion

AudioControl: In Full Control of The Path to Success

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Strata-gee’s Exclusive All-Access Tour of AudioControl

When invited to visit AudioControl some time back, I was intrigued. While AudioControl is a secondary supplier, one step below the major electronics manufacturers, it has carved out a unique niche for itself with a solid and growing hold on the AV and mobile audio installer and integrator segments. They’ve had a long record of success, which in the last three years or so has actually increased in intensity with impressive double-digit annual sales growth, according to CEO Alex Camara.

When the stars – and our schedules – finally aligned, Camara offered Strata-gee unprecedented access to the company, including granting me the opportunity to be a “fly on the wall” and sit in on operations meetings, a company-wide CIP meeting, and even an engineering meeting to discuss current and future products – no holds barred. What I learned made a big impression.

See what we discovered in our visit to AudioControl… [Read more…] about AudioControl: In Full Control of The Path to Success

Smart Appliances are Still Looking for a Home

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Samsung family hub
Samsung Family Hub

 

New research shows that while a majority of internet users own some type of smart device, almost no one owns a smart appliance – even though many manufacturers like Samsung have been pushing the category for a couple of years now. If consumers believe in “smart” technology, what’s going on with smart appliances??

See more on the lack of adoption of smart appliances in the home… [Read more…] about Smart Appliances are Still Looking for a Home

Gibson Investment Gone, Onkyo Sells Off European Operations

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In Restructuring, Company Scales Back to ‘Core Competencies’

onkyologoAll the way back in 2012, Onkyo Corp. and Gibson Guitar Corp. came together to partner in what both hoped would become an entity where the whole was greater than the sum of the parts. Just months after their announcement, Onkyo forged ties to another Japanese audio brand, Teac/Tascam – just as Gibson stepped in to buy a majority share of them…and the combined entity began to grow.

Little did they know that just six short years later, Gibson, the investor in Onkyo, would implode into bankruptcy – forced to extricate itself from its Onkyo aspirations. Onkyo was hit as well, losing its Gibson investment – forcing them to reassess their direction. We now learn that Onkyo has sold off its entire European operations to an accessory distributor known as Aqipa GmbH.

See more on this surprising announcement by Onkyo… [Read more…] about Gibson Investment Gone, Onkyo Sells Off European Operations

TPVision and B&W Partner on New Philips TVs

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Philips TV logoTPVision, a principal licensor of the Philips brand of upscale TVs in Europe, announced today that is has partnered with Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) in a new multi-year agreement for a new line of products representing the finest in video and audio quality. The announcement noted the reputation both companies enjoy for excellence in engineering and suggests this partnership will set a new reference standard for visual and audio performance in televisions.

See more on this announcement from Philips and B&W… [Read more…] about TPVision and B&W Partner on New Philips TVs

NY Times Tech Reporter: Cryptocurrency ‘Scams are Everywhere Online’

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Cryptocurrency ATM machines
Cryptocurrency ATMs [Photo: icopulse]
Just days after Strata-gee published its skeptical assessment of the new ICO (Initial Coin Offering) of Monster Money cryptocurrency contemplated in a recent S-1 filing by Monster Products, Inc. – a new article appears in today’s New York Times (originally posted online last Friday) by tech columnist Farhad Manjoo proclaiming this about cryptocurrency, “Scams are everywhere online. Never let your guard down.”

We did NOT say that Monster Money was a scam in our article. We DID say that cryptocurrencies are risky, risky investments to be approached with caution. The prevalence of several large scams in the supposedly safe world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies serve as a stark reminder of this need for extreme caution when investing in something new.

See more on this cryptocurrency cautionary tale in today’s Times… [Read more…] about NY Times Tech Reporter: Cryptocurrency ‘Scams are Everywhere Online’

Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties

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Rutherford Audio logoHigh-end audio distributor Rutherford Audio announced this week that its relationship with Thorens, a prominent European turntable manufacturer, has come to an end. As a result of this news, Rutherford is telling dealers they can no longer accept orders on Thorens’ products.

See more on this cutting of ties between Rutherford Audio and Thorens… [Read more…] about Distributor Rutherford Audio and Thorens Cut Ties

What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4

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Phot of front of Total Home TechnologiesWhen you first pull up in front of Total Home Technologies in Roseland, NJ, it looks pretty much like any other small town store, blending in perfectly with the feel and flavor of this humble little borough of about 5,800 people located twenty miles west of New York City in a picturesque hilly section of Essex County, New Jersey. That feeling persists when you first walk over the “Welcome” mat and enter through the front door to find a comfortable living room on your right and, somewhat surprisingly, an outdoor backyard scene on your left.

You have just entered a Control4 Certified Showroom, and the show’s about to begin…

[Read more…] about What It Means to Have Your Showroom Certified by Control4

Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors

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Photo of Gibson CES promoGibson, as Strata-gee previously reported, filed for bankruptcy protection on May 1st in a pre-negotiated package with principal noteholders of the company’s substantial debt – debt that was now in default. But while that deal suggested a smooth path for the case through the bankruptcy court, it did not take into account the position of unsecured creditors, and especially Philips who describes itself as the largest unsecured creditor in the matter.

See more on the discord in Gibson’s bankruptcy proceedings… [Read more…] about Gibson Hits a Sour Note with Philips & Creditors