Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2024 Edition

Welcome to my 24th annual Kayye’s Krystal Ball! It’s been an honor to have written this for 24 straight years and even more of an honor for it to have so many thousands of readers annually — it’s almost always our most-read article of the year on rAVe [PUBS]. So, if you’re reading this right […]

Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2024 Edition

My 2024 E4 Keynote Includes 9 Cool New Products and 4 Cool New Technologies That Will Change AV Forever

I love opening up the Exertis Almo E4 Experience with a keynote presentation — and, I always give attendees the opportunity to see and hear the products and tech I talk about following my speech when they walk on to the E4 show floor. And this year, more than any other in the past, I […]

My 2024 E4 Keynote Includes 9 Cool New Products and 4 Cool New Technologies That Will Change AV Forever

Jabra Research Shows That Gen Z (26-and-Unders) Are Unhappy at Work

New research from Jabra found that the return to office continues to impact working preferences — especially among Generation Z (those age 26 and under). The research was quite surprising in some cases but also predictable in others. Some unwritten rules seem to have been overturned as the newest generation enters our working world. Flexibility […]

Jabra Research Shows That Gen Z (26-and-Unders) Are Unhappy at Work

Disney Debuts HoloTile; a Game Changer in both VR and MR Gaming And Maybe Live Events Too!

Usually, Disney is very secretive with the new tech it develops but, in this case, it wants brands to make it better, faster and start integrating with it in real-life VR environments. It’s called HoloTile. So, here’s the scenario … You develop a VR or XR game — one where the players wear either a […]

Disney Debuts HoloTile; a Game Changer in both VR and MR Gaming And Maybe Live Events Too!

AI-Powered Cables! Don’t Laugh as CEDIA Expo Will See AI Everywhere

CEDIA Expo 2023 will be filled with new HomeAV gear; no doubt about it. And, although I can’t predict what product will impress all the attendees the most, I can — without doubt — predict what trend will dominate in nearly every booth: AI. AI will be everywhere, thanks to some of the most unimaginative […]

AI-Powered Cables! Don’t Laugh as CEDIA Expo Will See AI Everywhere

Zoom Now Thinks WFH Doesn’t Work As Well As The Company Originally Thought

I am sure, by now, you’ve likely read all the stories about Zoom demanding all its employees — living within 50 miles of any Zoom office — start working in the office at least two days a week, some three days a week. This, to me, is a bit ironic as, in 2022, Zoom published […]

Zoom Now Thinks WFH Doesn’t Work As Well As The Company Originally Thought

So, How Many People Attended InfoComm 2023; Why Do You Care???

InfoComm 2023 just wrapped and I just sat down to pen this post for our show daily – and decided to turn this into a blog! So, how was it? Honestly, I’d have to say one of the best shows ever. Kudos to the entire AVIXA team for the work in planning and executing InfoComm […]

So, How Many People Attended InfoComm 2023; Why Do You Care???

Logitech’s Project Ghost Will Be at InfoComm 2023!! I CANNOT WAIT, Screamed Gary!

I am sooooo excited. I found out today that Logitech will bring the coolest thing I’ve seen in UCC to InfoComm 2023 — Project Ghost. What the heck is Project Ghost? Well, it’s a fully formed, turnkey telepresence system for small meetings, and it WORKS! The best way to describe it is for you to […]

Logitech’s Project Ghost Will Be at InfoComm 2023!! I CANNOT WAIT, Screamed Gary!

LG Display to Supply High-End TV Panels to Samsung Electronics — What Does This Mean?

In a wild twist of fate, Reuters is reporting that, “South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd (034220.KS) will start supplying high-end TV panels to Samsung Electronic Co Ltd (005930.KS) from as early as this quarter, three sources said, in a deal that would help the loss-making flat-screen maker turn profitable.” Well, what do we have […]

LG Display to Supply High-End TV Panels to Samsung Electronics — What Does This Mean?

It’s Time to InfoComm!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked by AV integrators, end users and even AV and UCC manufacturers if they should attend InfoComm 2023 in Orlando next month. Every single time my answer has been the same: YES! OK, I know what you’re thinking and yes, you are correct; I attended InfoComm […]

It’s Time to InfoComm!

Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2023 Edition

Welcome to my 23rd annual Kayye’s Krystal Ball! I wonder if this will be my last … are you bored yet? To think I have been opining this column for 23 years is stunning to me. I am humbled by your loyal readership, and I continue to be amazed by how many of you read […]

Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2023 Edition

Why MTR With Front Row Looks So Bad

During the pandemic, Zoom made a fortune. The company could do no wrong, even when it did — like in 2021 having to pay an $85 million fine to settle claims that it lied about offering end-to-end encryption and in 2020 when it accidentally used its Chinese servers to generate encryption keys. The number of […]

Why MTR With Front Row Looks So Bad

If You’re in Live Events, Be More Creative …

We’ve got to stop being so reactive. Stop giving them just what they want. “If you don’t tell them it exists, they certainly won’t buy it from you!” Our clients just aren’t that creative. LED Imaging ✅ Stage ✅ LED Lighting ✅ Loud ✅ As Gen Z continues to emerge as the most creative generation […]

If You’re in Live Events, Be More Creative …

3.9 Reasons to Attend the E4 Experience in Boston on Oct. 20

Soooooo, there’s only one stop left on the 2022 E4 Experience tour — Boston on Oct. 20. As you likely know, the E4 Experience is the largest regional educational-based trade show in the ProAV, UCC and Digital Signage markets and is in its 13th year. The show, running alongside an AVIXA CTS-certified educational conference, includes […]

3.9 Reasons to Attend the E4 Experience in Boston on Oct. 20

The Washington, DC E4 Experience Might Well Have Been the Best-Ever

Coming back out of this long nightmare known as the pandemic has been painstakingly slow and that’s an understatement. We’ve had a number of starts and stops in and all over the live events market. And, attendance at every event along the way — from ISE, to NAB to InfoComm and a host of regional […]

The Washington, DC E4 Experience Might Well Have Been the Best-Ever

Why CEDIA Expo, a Home Tech Show, Added UCC to Its 2022 Event

I have been attending CEDIA Expo since 1991; I think it was the first-ever CEDIA show, in fact. It was in Dallas, Texas, and (if my memory serves me right) it was in the Dallas Market Center. It’s always been one of my favorite trade shows. It’s like the state fair of trade shows — […]

Why CEDIA Expo, a Home Tech Show, Added UCC to Its 2022 Event

Why You Should Consider Selling Office Furniture, Or at Least Consider Space Design

I’ve read Barco’s new survey of 1200 executives across 13 countries to find out how the office is changing and how workspaces are used — and it’s enlightening. My biggest takeaway? The business I want to be in right now is selling office furniture and the tech to support it! In my opinion, that’s exactly where AV […]

Why You Should Consider Selling Office Furniture, Or at Least Consider Space Design

The How Market Likely Wins Award for Fastest to Pivot To Streaming Video During Pandemic

“Adapt or Die.” That was everyone’s mantra over the past two years, but it’s likely that no segment of the market adapted faster than Houses of Worship (HOW). Though generally not considered the most tech-heavy in application, HOWs took to Facebook Live faster than any other segment of the market took to any other messaging […]

The How Market Likely Wins Award for Fastest to Pivot To Streaming Video During Pandemic

How Hybrid Are You?

Although the live events market is still around 30% of what it was pre-COVID-19, the good news is there is more than light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Unlike last summer’s fake reopening, this one seems to be sticking. Companies like Walt Disney have canceled the mask mandates at all theme parks. Cities like New York, Chicago […]

How Hybrid Are You?

Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2022 Edition

Welcome to my 22nd annual Kayye’s Krystal Ball! I can’t believe I have written this article 22 times. I am beyond humbled by how many of you read this; last year, it was viewed by over 90,000 #AVtweeps. #LOVE ❣️ The bottom line is I love writing this article. It keeps me curious and humble. […]

Kayye’s Krystal Ball: 2022 Edition

Projection Mapping Is Now a $3B Segment of Digital Signage — But Its Future Is Advertising

When we think of digital signage, we think drive-thru menu boards, retail store signage and even wayfinding on a college campus. But, the coolest part of the signage market (and the segment that the advertising industry is accelerating) is what’s commonly referred to by techies as Projection Mapping. Of course, everyone reading this would immediately […]

Projection Mapping Is Now a $3B Segment of Digital Signage — But Its Future Is Advertising

Part 4: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Just Relax

In Part 1 of my “Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021” series of blogs, I explained some of the elements of how InfoComm 2021 will be like no other InfoComm we’ve had in history — for OBVIOUS reasons. In part 2, I explained why showing only one product in your booth is critical to success at InfoComm […]

Part 4: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Just Relax

Part 3: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Use QR Codes

In Part 1 of my “Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021,” series of blogs, I explained some of the elements of how InfoComm 2021 will be like no other InfoComm we’ve had in history — for OBVIOUS reasons. In Part 2, I explained why showing only one product in your booth is critical to success at InfoComm 2021. Today’s blog is all […]

Part 3: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Use QR Codes

The LED Will Bring You Opportunities You Never Knew Existed

Most houses of worship are only used a few hours a week. The rest of the time, the worship halls are either empty or barely visited. And, even with the accelerated concerns about COVID-19 or future viruses, the openness of the typical worship hall offers an amazing opportunity for uses that will help both future […]

The LED Will Bring You Opportunities You Never Knew Existed

Part 2: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Exhibit Only 1 Product

In Part 1 of my “Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021,” series of blogs, I explained some of the elements of how InfoComm 2021 will be like no other InfoComm we’ve had in history — for OBVIOUS reasons. And, my advice to exhibitors to help them maximize their ROI and reach the attendees well was simple […]

Part 2: Simple Expectations of InfoComm 2021 — Exhibit Only 1 Product

PLANAR Makes it Clear It Is Delivering MicroLEDs Now

The Sony CLED has been the torchbearer for microLED’s wow factor for four years now. Everyone remembers the first time they saw it at InfoComm in the Sony booth. It was and continues to be a, “wow, that’s an amazing image” kind of thing — over and over. But, the CLED from Sony has been […]

PLANAR Makes it Clear It Is Delivering MicroLEDs Now

Sony’s In-Person AV Tech Expo Did Not Disappoint

I took my third business trip post-vaccination today and headed up to New York City for Sony’s first-ever AV Tech Expo at its 25 Madison Ave. location. I’d say it was worth the masking, walking and mouth-sweating (inside the mask). The expo was primarily focused on the new B (for high-brightness) and C (for high-contrast) […]

Sony’s In-Person AV Tech Expo Did Not Disappoint

Part 1: A Simple Expectation of InfoComm 2021

We’re fewer than 100 days from InfoComm 2021 week — the first InfoComm since 2019 and the first time two InfoComm shows will be in the same town two times in a row in over 20 years. I don’t think we need to review how and why we came to where we are with this […]

Part 1: A Simple Expectation of InfoComm 2021

How Virtual Mic and Mic-Array Technologies Revolutionize Meeting Rooms and Classrooms: The Blog

Hello, #AVtweeps! On June 30, I hosted this webinar with Rob Ziv, vice president of business development and strategy at Almo Pro A/V, as well as Adrian Doughty, director of North American sales at Nureva. For this webinar, we discussed how virtual mic and mic-array technologies revolutionize meeting rooms and classrooms — and this is […]

How Virtual Mic and Mic-Array Technologies Revolutionize Meeting Rooms and Classrooms: The Blog

I Was Right — Epson Releases New Wireless Whiteboard Tech

In January, as part of my 2021 predictions (dubbed Kayye’s Krystal Ball), I wrote “Epson will debut a new technology.” Well, my prediction came true today as Epson announced a hardware and software solution for enhanced lesson plans and student engagement — the BrightLink GoBoard Wireless Collaboration and Integrated Whiteboard Solution. BrightLink GoBoard will be […]

I Was Right — Epson Releases New Wireless Whiteboard Tech

I Miss ‘POT’ Calls

Remember way back when, when phone calls didn’t include video? I miss these days. Unbeknownst to my clients — sans the occasional siren or Harley Davidson motorcyclist, there were many, many times where I would jump on a call with them and walk, and walk and walk while strategizing. I loved it. Not only was […]

I Miss ‘POT’ Calls

Unboxing the FLEX From Newline Interactive!

Chances are, you’ve heard of the Newline FLEX — we even covered it last year when it was first unveiled on the market. The Newline FLEX is a solution completely designed for desktop collaboration. The 27-inch monitor includes capacitive touch, full device touchback capability (with palm rejection), USB Type C connectivity (with power) and an […]

Unboxing the FLEX From Newline Interactive!