Strata-gee.com

Strategy in TECH...

You are here: Home / Archives for Technology

Technology

Savant Partners with Top Solar Provider Sunder Energy to Make Solar Smart

by Leave a Comment

Savant app on tablet and smartphone

I first heard about Savant’s interest in energy for the home back in 2018 when a company representative walked me through the Racepoint Energy booth at CEDIA Expo 2018. Racepoint Energy was a sister company to Savant and the two were partnering on creating new concepts in automating, monitoring, and controlling power as part of a smart home system. Ultimately, the two companies would merge to become Savant Power which turbocharged the development of deeper integration and automation of energy solutions for the now smarter smart home.

Now, Savant is partnering with Sunder Energy to provide smart solar power…

[Read more…] about Savant Partners with Top Solar Provider Sunder Energy to Make Solar Smart

Time Selects the Best 200 Inventions of 2024; Did Your Fav Make the List?

by Leave a Comment

Time Best 200 Inventions of 2024 cover image

Time (formerly Time Magazine) has published its list of the 200 best inventions of 2024 and it is an interesting and occasionally puzzling list at times. As a general interest news media outlet, Time covers a wide spectrum of suggested “bests” in a wide range of product types, but AV was definitely included. Check it out and see if you agree with its picks.

See more on the best inventions of 2024 from Time

[Read more…] about Time Selects the Best 200 Inventions of 2024; Did Your Fav Make the List?

J Geiger Shade Maker’s Gamble on New Trial with Lutron Cost It $1.2 Million

by Leave a Comment

Photo from lawsuit showing the Lutron bracket (R) looks identical to the J Geiger bracket made by GeigTech (L)
Patented GeigTech (J Geiger) bracket on the left, Lutron copy on the right [Click to enlarge]

Last week, a jury was convened for a special trial to determine reasonable damages in the matter of GeigTech East Bay LLC v. Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. GeigTech, the plaintiff in this case is the manufacturer of motorized shade products marketed under the J Geiger brand, an independent company owned by Savant (and which is not a party to this litigation). Lutron has already been found to have infringed on certain patents held by Geigtech and the original jury’s large damages award was set aside by the judge who found it to be excessive. This new trial was held to determine a more reasonable damages amount.

See the painful result for Geigtech in this new trial

[Read more…] about J Geiger Shade Maker’s Gamble on New Trial with Lutron Cost It $1.2 Million

AVPro Edge Launches New HDMI Extension Kit With Mind-Blowing 150 Meter Range

by Leave a Comment

AVPro Edge AC-EX150-BRK front
AVPro Edge AC-EX150-BKT front [Click to enlarge]

Are you facing a painfully long HDMI cable run and don’t know how you can reliably accomplish that? AVPro Edge has your answer – the AC-EX150-BKT. This new HDMI extension kit breaches new barriers to deliver integrators a mind-blowing range of up to 150 meters. Problem solved…

See more on the AVPro Edge EX150-BKT HDMI extender

[Read more…] about AVPro Edge Launches New HDMI Extension Kit With Mind-Blowing 150 Meter Range

A Giant Stumbles: Samsung Chip Div. Operating Profits Drop a Stunning 40%

by Leave a Comment

A flag showing the Samsung logo

Samsung Electronics, Inc. – a giant in the global consumer electronics industry – saw operating profits drop a stunning 40% in its all-important Device Solutions Division compared to the previous quarter. Device Solutions is its semiconductor division and many in the industry are watching this division closely, as it is a key part of Samsung’s business. But recently, the company – in a rare miss – failed to get on board with the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry early on. It is now running to catch up to competitors and this result shows they are not yet there.

See more on this rare stumble from industry giant Samsung

[Read more…] about A Giant Stumbles: Samsung Chip Div. Operating Profits Drop a Stunning 40%

See Why Apple’s Patent Win is Actually a Victory for Masimo

by Leave a Comment

Masimo Freedom smartwatch

More patent decisions are being handed down as several long-running patent lawsuits between Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) and Apple Incorporated (Nasdaq: AAPL) wrap up. Last week, a jury in the matter of Apple Inc. (Plaintiff) v. Masimo Corporation and Sound United LLC (Defendants) rendered a verdict on a case where Apple accused Masimo of infringing on six of its Apple Watch patents.

Technically, Apple got a win…but realistically, it was a huge victory for Masimo.

See the outcome of Apple v. Masimo in Delaware court

[Read more…] about See Why Apple’s Patent Win is Actually a Victory for Masimo

More on Crestron’s New Experience Center; CEO Discusses CEC & Business

by Leave a Comment

Brad Hintze and the Crestron management team in the Event Space
[Click to enlarge]

As I reported last week, I attended the October 15, 2024, Grand Opening of the latest Crestron Experience Center (CEC), located in the prestigious New York Design Center in Manhattan. This CEC is remarkable in its own right, but as I reflected further on the Grand Opening I realized that the event itself was noteworthy. Not only did a top Crestron executive sit down with me to offer some interesting perspectives on the new CEC and business in general, but what I observed at that event itself was impressive as well.

So I have decided to augment my previous report with additional observations…and more photos.

See more on the Crestron Experience Center in NYC & find out what the CEO shared with me…

[Read more…] about More on Crestron’s New Experience Center; CEO Discusses CEC & Business

Sonos Troubles Mount – Poor Sales Suggests Ace May Be a Joker

by 13 Comments

Sonos Ace headphones are reportedly not selling well

Ace Production Cut to Just 10% of Original Plan

While Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) claims to have most of its app problems behind it, multiple reports are emerging that suggest it may have an even bigger problem – the introduction of its Ace premium headphone has flopped. If these reports are true, then Sonos may indeed be staring into the jaws of the one monster that can truly terrify it – growing consumer resistance to its new products.

See more on this troubling turn of events for Sonos

[Read more…] about Sonos Troubles Mount – Poor Sales Suggests Ace May Be a Joker

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

by Leave a Comment

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…

[Read more…] about Split Decision: A Masimo Win and an Apple Win in High Stakes Legal War

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

by Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…] about Hunter Douglas Keeps the Sun Outside & Taps It to Recharge Your Motorized Shades Inside