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COVID-19

Tech Takes a Turn…Downward

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Photo: Jovelle Tamayo for The New York Times

After several years of dizzying growth, the technology sector is now experiencing a notable downturn, as the post-COVID era has brought a combination of higher prices (inflation) and lower demand. In response, 2022 saw significant job cuts at major Big Tech brands that have continued on into 2023. That includes this Wednesday when Microsoft announced it was cutting 10,000 jobs – after a 1,000 job cut in October 2022 – another big blow to Tech.

But what about the more specific segments like consumer electronics and custom integration?

See the latest on tech taking a turn downward…

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Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in China

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The supply chain recovery threatened w/new China COVID lockdowns
Some of the 21 million residents of Chengdu, China submitting to daily COVID testing [EPA/Shutterstock, NY Times]

Like being forced to watch a rerun of a movie you never liked in the first place, China is back to closing major cities around the country as a new round of COVID infections has emerged. China continues to maintain a “zero-COVID” policy of government-ordered aggressive measures designed to stamp out any new outbursts of coronavirus infections. But the impact of this policy is disastrous to the local and global economies – threatening to snuff out the recent signs of a recovery in the supply chain.

See how China’s shutdowns leave the supply chain recovery threatened

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Sputtering Supply Chain Takes Another Hit as China Forces Factories to Close

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Shutdowns in Shenzhen China threaten the supply chain
Shuttered buildings in Shenzhen, China on Monday [Photo: Chinatopix, via Associated Press]

Here we go again! Yet another major blow has been dealt to the supply chain, this time from another round of COVID-19 hitting China, forcing lockdowns in many critical areas of the country – including Shenzhen. You may or may not know that much of the electronics goods manufactured in China come out of the Shenzhen region – so we all have a direct connection to the impact of this development. Add to this, new reports of container costs rising again and transportation disruptions from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. What’s next?

See more on the latest supply chain disruption

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Sony Forecasts a Record Profit; Says NOT Entering the Car Building Biz

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New Financial Info Shows Sony Continues to Transform Biz

On the eve of closing out their current fiscal year (fiscal 2021) on March 30, 2022, Sony Group announced their latest financial results for the first nine months of the fiscal year…and included a surprising new upgrade of their forecast, now saying they’ll have a record operating profit for the year. This was a high note for the company, a company that has benefitted from consumers spending more time at home playing video games on their PlayStation, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the company also answered the question that many – including me – had about Sony entering the automobile business via their new Sony Mobile division – and in so doing, reiterated their plan to move away from a hardware-centric business.

See more on where tech leader Sony is headed

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CES 2022 Forced to Remove Programs from Schedule in Wake of Cancellations

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Day 1 of CES 2022 at the Venetian
Just before opening at the Venetian on Day 1 of CES 2022

Heading to CES 2022? Be sure to check the online version of the show schedule regularly, as Advertising Age (Ad Age) is reporting that CES has apparently removed “a slate of programs,” including several previously scheduled sessions and panels planned for Tuesday. The move is said to be a result of so many companies and executives canceling or otherwise pulling out of the show.

See the latest news on CES 2022

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CES Shortened by a Day as ‘An Additional Safety Measure’

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Photo of CES show floor

BREAKING NEWS – Event Shortened Jan. 5-8, 7

Strata-gee readers reached out to me on late Friday as word circulated that the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) was taking the unusual step of cutting the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) short by one day “…as an additional safety measure.” That is essentially all that an announcement from the association says about this decision, which on the face of it seems to call into question the safety of attending the event at all.

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Huge 6-Fold Jump in Omicron Infections in One Week; Ready for a New ‘Normal?’

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Omicron causes long lines at testing facilities
A long line of cars waiting for COVID testing recently in New Jersey (NBC News)

Remember back in 2020 when as the stressful year unfolded, we would wistfully daydream about the day when this coronavirus pandemic would come to an end and we’d get “back to normal?” We thought that would happen, like, in 2021. Then 2021 came along and the deadly Delta variant of COVID-19 emerged. “Normal” had eluded us once again.

Enter Omicron which looks to complicate 2022. I think it’s time to forget about getting back to what used to be normal and make sure you and your company are ready for a new “normal”…

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Today in Malaysia, Intel CEO Warns Chip Shortage Will Last to 2023

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Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger at press conference in Malaysia with government official

Speaking at a press conference in Malaysia today, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said that the global chip shortage will last until 2023. Gelsinger pointed to the fact that demand keeps expanding, even as the industry struggles to bring more production online to fill the demand.

See more on how Intel sees supply chain issues continuing

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Hundreds of Integrators Descend on Boston for the Crestron Next Road Trip

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Crestron Next Road Trip Day 1 crowd

Attendees Got a Full Show, Training & a Preview of Future Technology

Last week, Crestron Electronics, a leading provider of control and automation solutions, wrapped up their two-day regional show, the Crestron Next Road Trip, at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston. The well-attended two-day event saw hundreds of integrators descend on Boston to participate in an event that included whole sections of their displays from the CEDIA Expo and InfoComm trade show booths and offered full-day educational courses for both their residential and commercial dealers.

Learn more about the successful Crestron Next Road Trip

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Majority of All Companies Raised Wages in Q3; Will Do It Again This Quarter

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Photo of happy employees

In a survey by the National Association of Business Economists, a strong majority of all businesses – fully 58% – reported that they raised the wages they paid to employees in the third quarter, as reported by AXIOS. Nearly the same number say they will raise wages yet again in the coming months. While the news has some positive elements, especially for workers (like the smiling employees above), it definitely has some economists worried.

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