Audio Advice, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based specialty retailer and integrator, has acquired The Sound Room, an audio, video and home automation company in St. Louis. The Sound Room was founded in 1983 by David Young, while Audio Advice has operated since 1978. The companies said the acquisition combines their experience and expands resources, product offerings […]

Shade Innovations has released Nino 2, a new line of motorized window coverings designed for integration into residential and commercial automation systems. The Nino 2 Shade Collection includes Roller, Duo Roller, Roman, Cellular, Trapezoidal Cellular, Woven Woods and Zebra Shades. According to the company, the collection features simplified installation and shorter lead times. Key features […]

Luminii has launched an AV Lighting Configurator and Quoting Tool designed to help integrators streamline the process of specifying and quoting lighting packages. The tool was developed to address challenges with quoting, which the company says can often be confusing and time-consuming. The platform uses Luminii’s Lighting Design Guides to provide application-based design recommendations paired […]

Something I learned early on was the necessity of communicating with clients in the way that works best for them. Some prefer email, while others prefer phone calls or texts. Whatever works. Once, long ago, I had a dealer who preferred to communicate by fax machine. The fact that I didn’t have a fax machine […]

Somfy has released the Glydea ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee Drapery Motor, a wireless motorized solution designed to support fabric loads up to 110 pounds. The motor is powered by a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and is compatible with Somfy’s Pinch Pleat, Ripple Fold and Accordia drapery systems. It can operate on tracks up to 36 […]

Velodyne Acoustics has named Playback Distribution as its U.S. distributor as the company looks to strengthen its presence in the American market. “As a company with strong American roots, we’re excited to partner with Playback Distribution to make Velodyne Acoustics more accessible to U.S. customers,” said Mansour Mamaghani, owner of Velodyne Acoustics. “Playback brings the […]

Shade Innovations has released a 1,000-watt Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch designed for smart buildings, AV automation platforms, surveillance systems and large-scale commercial installations. Unlike most PoE switches that rely on external power supplies, the new model includes an onboard power system engineered to run cool and silent. The design supports PoE-connected motorized shades and […]

Karmine Corp claimed the Rocket League title at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) with a 4-1 victory over Geekay Esports in the grand final, taking home $400,000 of the tournament’s $1 million prize pool. The victory marks Karmine Corp’s second major win of 2025, following their triumph at the Birmingham Major. The team bounced […]

HDTV Supply is shipping its WolfPack 1080p 8×16 HDMI Matrix Switcher integrating CAT6 extension up to 450 feet. The WolfPack 1080p 8×16 HDMI Matrix Switcher enables users to route 8 HDMI inputs to 16 HDMI outputs over CAT6 cabling and is aimed at helping distribute signals in sports bars, command centers, video walls, retail, live […]

SoundTube Entertainment will feature its Cherry Bomb omnidirectional landscape speakers, Rockustics Monument and Coconut speakers at the CEDIA Expo next month. The 2025 outdoor lineup is designed for durability and sound quality, with options for both traditional and networked installations. Products are intended for residential and light commercial applications, integrating into outdoor living spaces without […]

CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals, announced that television host, designer and engineer Chip Wade will give the keynote address at the 2025 CEDIA Expo. The session, titled Beyond the Blueprint: Where Innovation Meets Intention, will focus on creating purposeful spaces for builders, designers and integrators, balancing trends with timeless design, and fostering collaboration. […]

Jetbuilt will launch Radar, a communication and activity tracking feature within its project management platform, at CEDIA Expo. Radar consolidates updates from across the Jetbuilt system — including projects, sales and service — into a single feed. The tool is designed to help teams view and respond to activity without relying on multiple notifications, email […]

RTI has begun global shipments of its new Intelligent Surfaces Remotes, the ISR-4 and ISR-2, designed to deliver enhanced user control for smart home and commercial AV environments. The ISR-4 features a 4-inch touch screen that supports cover art, security camera feeds and lighting controls, alongside customizable soft keys for scene selection. It also includes […]

When I talk to my dealers, sometimes I feel like a broken record. It’s certainly true that I have a number of speeches prepared and in the can for situations where the topic is applicable. One of them is that inventory is a necessary evil: You need to sell inventory to make money, but the […]

D-Tools announced it has raised $12 million in a Series C investment round led by John Heyman, former CEO of Snap One, through his newly formed company, StellarIQ. Existing majority investor Greybull Stewardship also participated. The capital infusion is aimed at accelerating D-Tools’ push to become the leading end-to-end software solution for electronic systems contractors. […]

Theory Audio Design announced it is now shipping its latest Automator software update, offering faster and more flexible setup of surround sound systems on the company’s 8-channel DLC-250.8 loudspeaker controller platform. The new Automator software enables integrators to deploy surround sound configurations — up to 7.1 or 5.1.2 — using either Theory or third-party loudspeakers. […]

Airzone Control has received OpenADR certification for its Aidoo Pro device, enabling broader demand response integration for Inverter HVAC systems across North America. The certification supports compliance with the Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) standard, a widely adopted international protocol that allows utilities and consumers to coordinate energy use in real time. With Aidoo Pro, […]

Trinnov Audio announced a significant software update for its Altitude line of audio processors, featuring a redesigned user interface and updated implementations of Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro and Auro-3D. The update continues Trinnov’s software-first philosophy and commitment to long-term product support. The free update preserves core features such as the Trinnov Optimizer, WaveForming and Remapping […]

Resideo Technologies announced Tuesday it will spin off its ADI Global Distribution business into a separate publicly traded company and pay $1.59 billion to Honeywell International to settle future obligations under an existing indemnification agreement. The spin-off, expected to close in the second half of 2026, will separate Resideo’s two major business units: ADI, a […]

Onkyo announced the C-30 CD Player, designed for music lovers seeking a premium, solid playback solution for their CD collections. The C-30 Hi-Fi Grade CD Player delivers audiophile-grade quality using VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuit) — a proprietary technology that removes pulse noise from the signal path using advanced algorithms. The result is a clean, […]

Sonos has appointed Tom Conrad as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Conrad, who has served as Interim CEO since January of this year, will remain on the Board of Directors. “Following a comprehensive and competitive search, the Board is confident that Tom is the best person to lead Sonos into its next chapter of delighting […]

ADI | Snap One introduced a new line of Episode Hybrid Amplifiers, designed to meet the demands of large-scale outdoor speaker installations. These high power and versatile amplifiers are significantly more powerful with 1200W and 2400W models, giving customers more options than previous models for easy and flexible configurations. The Episode Hybrid Amps support both […]

ProjX360 announced a new invoicing update designed to better support accrual-based accounting practices for AV integration firms. The upcoming release will introduce three invoice types — Request for Payment, Standard and Delivery — allowing integrators to bill by milestones, product delivery or completed work. The new invoicing module aims to align accounting with operational workflows […]

Peerless Industries has appointed Earl Naegele and Tom La Porta to key sales leadership roles in support of its Neptune outdoor AV brand, the company announced Tuesday. Naegele has been named head of custom integration, retail and e-commerce sales, while La Porta will serve as inside sales manager for those same segments. Both will focus […]

Hisense has released a Control4 driver for its VIDAA smart TVs, allowing integration into Control4-powered home automation systems. Developed in collaboration with Chowmainsoft, the new driver enables IP-based control of core television functions such as power, volume, input switching, transport control and channel selection. It also supports app launching, including services like Netflix, YouTube, Prime […]

Part of the reason this post is titled the way it is: I’m nodding to an old aphorism — “complaining without offering a solution is just whining.” And yes, I’ll admit up front that I don’t have a solution for what I’m complaining about. The news this month? Google will no longer support the first- […]

Hunter Douglas has added support for Matter, the smart home connectivity standard, to its PowerView Gen 3 Automation platform, the company announced Tuesday. The update allows users to control PowerView shades through platforms such as Apple Home and Google Home. Matter support is enabled through a firmware upgrade to the PowerView Gateway or Gateway Pro, […]

Shelly Group has announced the availability of its new Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) product line, with nine devices now shipping. The ZWLR protocol is designed for extended wireless coverage, offering up to 1.5 miles of range in ideal conditions and support for up to 4,000 devices on a single network. It is also backward-compatible with […]

Plugable has released the PS-6CC, a six-port USB-C charger designed to work with existing USB-C power supplies ranging from 18W to 100W. The device uses Plugable’s proprietary PriorityShare technology to intelligently distribute power across connected devices while maintaining fast charging performance. Unlike traditional multi-port chargers that rely on proprietary power bricks, the PS-6CC allows users […]

Bond and Infratech have jointly released the Infratech Smart Wall Switch and Smart Wall Dimmer. Featuring Smart by Bond with built-in Wi-Fi technology, the new devices bring smart control to Infratech outdoor heating systems. This native integration with Bond expands the Bond outdoor platform’s list of controllable devices, which already includes motorized pergolas, awnings, shutters, […]

Coastal Source introduced a redesigned services program intended to simplify sales processes, accelerate turnaround times and help partners close with confidence — backed by the Coastal Source in-house team of expert lighting and outdoor audio designers. The new program features a streamlined, two-tier structure to better support projects of any size and at any stage […]

CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals, has launched its first national consumer campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of working with a certified technology integrator. The campaign aims to showcase how smart home automation can enhance comfort, ambiance and security for homeowners. According to the organization, the smart home market reached $29 billion […]