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Apple Watch Ban Takes Effect as White House Declines to Veto USITC Action

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This image is now the top graphic on the Apple Watch product page. It is the SE entry-level model that has been in the line for some time now [Click to enlarge]

Apple Files Emergency Request to Appeals Court to Halt Ban

UPDATE: See the latest news that broke the day after this story was posted at the bottom of this story…

The Masimo vs. Apple saga continues as the ban on Apple Watch models that the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) declared infringed on multiple Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI) patent claims is now in full force as the Biden Administration declined to veto the USITC decision. Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) hopes for a presidential intervention countermanding the USITC ban from taking effect were dashed as the Presidential Review period expired at the end of Monday – yes, Christmas Day – with no action taken by the White House.

Speaking for the Biden Administration Tuesday morning, Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative said the government “decided not to reverse the ban following careful consultations.” With that, the Apple Watch ban took full effect.

See more on what happens now in this Masimo vs. Apple patent battle

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Masimo vs. Apple – An Unusual Wince of Pain as Tech Giant Pulls Watch Off Market

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Apple Series 9 Watch model
From the top of the Watch page on Apple.com – The Series 9 model is within days of being banned from sale in the U.S. [Click to enlarge]

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced that this week it was preemptively removing certain models of its Apple Watch line from its online store on Thursday, and from its physical retail stores by December 24th. The products affected by this action are the Series 9 and Ultra 2 Watch models which include pulse oximetry technology that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined infringed on patents held by Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI).

See more on Apple being forced to pull Watch models off the shelf

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November Housing Starts Leap 15% as Lower Interest Rates Fuel Construction

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photo of a home being constructed

The latest data on residential construction, a government reading known as housing starts, took a surprising jump in November according to the recently released information from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing starts jumped an impressive 14.8% in November as compared to the revised October reading – a huge statistical leap.

See more on the jump in November housing starts

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Ellipsys, Nationwide MG’s Commercial Div., Adds Two More Founding Vendors

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Ellipsys image from website

The amount of activity coming out of the Nationwide Marketing Group is pretty mind-blowing with a lot of moving pieces as its multiple operating divisions are each executing on its part of the overall organization’s “Drive to 1,000” member growth program. Today, Nationwide announced that its newest venture, the Ellipsys Commercial Technology Group, has added two more “founding vendor partners,” both well-known and highly valued brands within the commercial community.

Learn more about the expansion of the Ellipsys vendor assortment

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1st Shipment of AVA Cinema Remote, A Hot Intro at CEDIA Expo, is Delayed

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AVA Cinema Remote shown at CEDIA Expo 2023
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One of the hottest displays at this year’s CEDIA Expo 2023 was the AVA, Inc. booth where the young company was launching its new Cinema Remote. I was there and the booth was consistently packed with integrators interested in its new remote. In fact, I named AVA as one of my top stories of the Expo as a promising newcomer.

From my conversations with several integrators, I believe AVA wrote a lot of preorders for the Cinema Remotes at the show, as its unique design and clever features were indeed attractive. Now I have learned that the company’s first shipment of remotes has been delayed.

Learn what I’ve discovered about a shipping delay on the new AVA Cinema Remote

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Masimo vs Apple – After Early Success, The Wind Shifts… And It’s a Foul Wind

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What a year it’s been for Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI), the manufacturer of medical products sold largely to hospitals and other healthcare systems who is also the owner of Sound United, a leading manufacturer of audio products. Simply saying they’ve been through highs and lows would understate the high drama in which the company has been immersed this past year – not the least of which is embodied by its deathmatch with Apple, Inc., the largest company in the world. Apple is also regularly ranked as the most profitable company in the world – a well-resourced adversary to engage thoughtfully…and carefully.

Some impressive early Masimo wins in this battle with Apple, however, seemed to suggest that the tech behemoth was losing its balance and the altercation might be winnable by its much smaller rival. But then…

But then the wind shifted, and recent events suggest it’s a foul wind indeed…

[Read more…] about Masimo vs Apple – After Early Success, The Wind Shifts… And It’s a Foul Wind

Savant Acquires Long-Time Partner J Geiger Shading

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Savant demos Apple air tag triggering an automation controlling shades
At CEDIA Expo ’23 Savant showed a J Geiger motorized shade controlled by Apple Air Tags triggering an automation [click to enlarge]

Savant Systems, Inc., a leading provider of control, home automation, smart home, and smart power solutions, announced on Monday that it has acquired the assets of J Geiger Shading, a leading provider of architecturally conscious shading products. The two companies have had an ongoing association for several years now, and this new transaction brings J Geiger products under the Savant umbrella.

See more on Savant acquiring the assets of J Geiger Shading

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Azione Unlimited, A Leading Education Provider, Launches Dynamic Education Ecosystem

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Photo from a 2023 Azione Unlimited member conference

Azione Unlimited, a leading buying group of custom integrators that calls itself the Smart Home Association, has for years been recognized as a leading provider of compelling education and knowledge sharing for its member companies. Now, the organization announces a reinvention of the education process that they call the Dynamic Education Ecosystem.

Learn more about the Azione Unlimited Dynamic Education Ecosystem

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Nice and FSI, A Private Equity Group, Finalize a Strategic Partnership

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New Nice headquarters in Brazil
New Nice headquarters in Brazil [Click to enlarge]

Nice, a multi-national company based in Italy with a portfolio of Home Management and Building Management brands (including former Nortek Security and Control brands) and its primary shareholder BeNice Holding, has finalized a strategic partnership with FSI, an Italian private equity investment company. This partnership was first announced in August as part of a capital investment by FSI and has now fully closed.

See more on Nice partnering with FSI

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