Innovative AV Integration Solutions Models: Part 1 – IoT in Control and Automation

Gamechanging – when one refers to the term, mistakenly in most instances, they are referring many times to a product (or “the box”) rather than a solution. I had such an instance in a meeting with representatives of a major industry company who were telling me about all the great capabilities of their new corporate […]

Innovative AV Integration Solutions Models: Part 1 – IoT in Control and Automation

The Ongoing “New” Prospects for Security in AV

How the “New” industry security discussion really began Back in mid-January of this year, the AV world was rocked by a story that truly caught fire within hours after it was first reported. I watched it filter through the industry – the articles and podcasts – however I waited for the right moment to post […]

The Ongoing “New” Prospects for Security in AV

How To Sell a 55″ Touchscreen for $90,000

How much is a 55″ touchscreen? If you take a look around online you’ll find everything from single and dual touch screens starting at about $2,000 and going to high end multi-touch units like those from MultiTaction at $20,000. Add a great mount, a PC or media player and installation and you might get up to […]

How To Sell a 55″ Touchscreen for $90,000

The Great InfoComm 2016 Experience – From A Personal Side

First this: A record 1,000 exhibitors, including 211 new exhibitors, filled the Las Vegas Convention Center June 8-10 for InfoComm 2016, occupying 527,105 net square feet of exhibit and special events space — also a show record. Attendees registered for more than 12,000 seats at InfoComm University sessions throughout the week, more than double the […]

The Great InfoComm 2016 Experience – From A Personal Side

What’s To See At InfoComm 2016? Part 1: Here’s A Start

Every year the largest AV trade show in the United States provides more “things to see” and this year’s show in Las Vegas is no exception as it promises to be a great one – make sure you follow those well-known rules of attending the show in terms of comfortable shoes, clothing, hydration, scheduling booth visits […]

What’s To See At InfoComm 2016? Part 1: Here’s A Start

Hidden Opportunities in the IoT: Ambient User Experience

If you are looking for a good source of information and body of research on all things business and technology, arguably there is not a better resource than Gartner. It is definitely worth a few minutes to go to their technology page once a week and browse or even to sign up for their email alerts and […]

Hidden Opportunities in the IoT: Ambient User Experience

Can AV and IoT Be the New Convergence?

For the longest time (12-15 years?) we have been talking AV/IT convergence. Some will even refer to it as IT/AV. Why? Well, if I was to surmise I’d say that those who are may still be trying to bring validation to this concept, the merger of IT and AV where now AV takes the second player […]

Can AV and IoT Be the New Convergence?

InfoComm Introduces a Series of Events Exploring the Internet of Things in Pro AV

InfoComm International announced the launch of a new conference program created to explore the role of the Internet of Things in professional audiovisual solutions. IoT Insights will debut May 9 at the Marriott Santa Clara, in Santa Clara, Calif. IoT Insights Santa Clara will be held immediately prior to Internet of Things World, a leading […]

InfoComm Introduces a Series of Events Exploring the Internet of Things in Pro AV

So You Want to Talk Security…

Headline: Channel Partners – 3/10/16: Network Security Incidents High Among World’s Largest Companies Story: A new survey of IT and security professionals reveals that 72 percent of organizations have experienced five or more network security incidents in the past 12 months. Regardless of region or technology, IT and security administrators revealed that their networks have significant blind […]

So You Want to Talk Security…

Microsoft, Samsung, Intel Team Up For IoT

A number of big industry names, including Microsoft, Samsung and Intel, team up to form the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF), an entity with plans to create unified Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. IoT is expected to drive the future of the connected home. Other OCF founding members include Cisco, Electrolux, General Electrics, ARRIS and CableLabs. […]

Microsoft, Samsung, Intel Team Up For IoT

A Byte of Apple

By now you should have heard about Apple’s battle with the federal government over the unlocking of Syed Rizwan Farook’s iPhone for use in the investigation of the San Bernardino shootings. If you have not been paying attention and you work in the ICT industry, you should. In short, the Federal Government has secured an […]

A Byte of Apple

InfoComm 2016 Registration Opens, Will Showcase the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things will make its presence felt at InfoComm 2016, June 4-10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Show organizers expect nearly 1,000 exhibitors, occupying more than 500,000 net square feet of show space, making it the largest AV tradeshow in North America. InfoComm 2016 builds […]

InfoComm 2016 Registration Opens, Will Showcase the Internet of Things

Security and the AV Industry – Time to Expand On Message, Perspectives and Awareness

As stated in my previous blog, “Baffling” Backdoor Cyber-Talks, numerous people in the industry through discussion as well as writing got right out and on top of a major story in the industry. Again, my hats off to them and this now leads to my next discussion on the matter of security. With the AMX […]

Security and the AV Industry – Time to Expand On Message, Perspectives and Awareness

Wi HaLow There!

The Internet of Things (IoT) just got one step closer to reality. The Wi-Fi Alliance recently approved a new low-powered long-range Wi-Fi standard they are calling 802.11ah or HaLow for short. Announced at CES this year, this new standard promises to make IoT possible on a large scale. One of the biggest hurdles to IoT […]

Wi HaLow There!

AV -Is- Making the Comeback With IT (and IoT)

OK, so before you go saying AV/IT and the -c- word (over ten years going now) is here, hold on a minute. I read in many corners of the industry, as well as hear the discussions that AV – we still have a problem. IT is laying in wait and even moving into our territory to do […]

AV -Is- Making the Comeback With IT (and IoT)

Say “Hello” to the new IoT – the Internet of Toys, and It Can Be Just As Vulnerable

I wrote a blog recently So What Should Go Under the Tree This Year? The Drones Discussion Continues and yes while it was mostly targeted to (as it states) drones discussion, there was mention of one of the hottest toys currently on the market. In fact this was the blog’s ending with a link to a […]

Say “Hello” to the new IoT – the Internet of Toys, and It Can Be Just As Vulnerable

Convergent TechWeek 10/30

Virtual Anatomy 101 Robert Hasel had an idea about how to change the teaching of human anatomy for medical, dental, and health science students which, instead of cutting into a real human corpse, involved wanting his students to get immersed via virtual and augmented reality. Hasel is associate dean for simulation, immersion, and digital learning […]

Convergent TechWeek 10/30

Convergent TechWeek 10/23

Cloud Video Service Provider Takes Videoconferencing to the Next Level in China Videxio, a leading cloud video service provider, has reaffirmed its commitment to operations in China with the launch of an expanded Chinese service platform, simplified Chinese user interface and cooperation with Huawei to support a fully automated service for Huawei video systems. These enhancements make […]

Convergent TechWeek 10/23

Convergent TechWeek 10/2

A High School Student, An Inexpensive Ebola Test and a $50,000 Grand Prize  A science fair took place where 20 finalists’ projects – originally selected from thousands of submissions from more than 100 countries – came from 11 countries: Bosnia, Canada, France, India, Lithuania, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This […]

Convergent TechWeek 10/2

Convergent TechWeek 9/25

IoT Continues to Open Pandora’s Box According to a PricewaterhouseCooper’s report (from October 2014), more than 20 percent of U.S. adults own at least one wearable, and soon we’ll be using them at home and work for a variety of purposes, with as many as 50 billion new connected devices by 2020. The Internet of Things has of […]

Convergent TechWeek 9/25

Convergent TechWeek 9/4

Google Life Sciences to Focus on Diabetes Outcomes Through Data and Disease-Centric Approaches  Earlier in the week, it was reported in WIRED (and other publications) that the newly created Alphabet holding company’s Google Life Sciences has its first big mission — developing new ways to treat and manage diabetes. In a sign that the company is serious […]

Convergent TechWeek 9/4

Who’s Guarding the Back Door of Your Network?

As I have written about on many occasions in this column, the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly becoming the norm allowing for greater facilities flexibility, accessibility, and sustainability. The Information Communications Technology (ICT) industry is leading the IoT charge by connecting everything from audiovisual devices, security systems, and other telcom networks into network enabled […]

Who’s Guarding the Back Door of Your Network?

InfoComm: Redefining AV as a Service

By Nermina Miller Senior Technical Editor, InfoComm International As organizations continue to adapt to digital-economy parameters and become Internet-scalable, location-aware and agile, the need for collaboration across space and time increases the demand for centralized technology monitoring and management. Customers are trying to avoid the headache of owning a depreciated asset or the technical risk […]

InfoComm: Redefining AV as a Service

InfoComm: What I Learned About IoT at the InfoComm Keynote

By Brad Grimes InfoComm International Great seeing all of you packed into the opening keynote panel, Tuesday afternoon of InfoComm 2015 in Orlando. As you know (and for those of you who weren’t there, you may have heard), the topic was the Internet of Things. Seems a little far afield for an AV industry confab. […]

InfoComm: What I Learned About IoT at the InfoComm Keynote

“Internet of Display…” Are you Viewing Your Information Through a Straw?

Most of you have probably heard of the term Internet of Things (IoT) which refers to the fact that millions and soon, probably billions of devices will be connected to information via the Internet. Recently Andrew (Drew) Jamison at Scalable Displays has been chirping about what he calls  the “Internet of Display” (IoD). Since reading […]

“Internet of Display…” Are you Viewing Your Information Through a Straw?

The Internet of Things, For Openers

Global events, data, analyst predictions and future trends — the Internet of Things has continued to capture our attention as we speed endlessly toward a mass “connected things” world…. Facts, trends and market expertise driving the numbers. The future predicted and re-predicted — depending of course on which market source and/or expert you follow. And […]

The Internet of Things, For Openers

IntuiLab and Quividi Announce Strategic Partnership To Bring Demographics to Interactive Digital Signage

IntuiLab and Quividi today announced the availability of a joint solution that automatically collects, blends, calculates and reacts to demographic and engagement statistics, on-screen selections and location-based information of a visitor using a touch screen. This first-of-its-kind solution delivers two key benefits. First, the ability to automatically adapt content — in real-time — to the […]

IntuiLab and Quividi Announce Strategic Partnership To Bring Demographics to Interactive Digital Signage

Internet of Things — 2015 and It’s All Happening…

If you ever loved the movie Almost Famous, you will certainly remember when the lovely Penny Lane (beautiful, young Kate Hudson) gets that gleam in her eye and proclaims, “It’s all happening.” Well, I must say, I am feeling that same sense of glee and excitement watching as the retail world becomes a tangible product […]

Internet of Things — 2015 and It’s All Happening…

Justify the Expense: Churches Need Metrics

The old sales trick of providing a list of desired features and benefits to overcome purchase barriers may still work with some church leaders, but the Internet has taught consumers a thing or two about what is offered and what they really want. To justify the expense, churches need metrics from real data. Rethinking Repairs Technology […]

Justify the Expense: Churches Need Metrics

InfoComm: Ask Now, Hear Your IoT Questions Answered at the InfoComm 2015 Keynote

By Nermina Miller InfoComm International Something I read earlier this year in a blog post by our Executive Director and CEO Dave Labuskes stuck with me. He talked about moving away from “commoditized technology” delivery and instead “enabling directional shift” for the customer. Indeed, today’s solution design is driven by user experience (UX) and not […]

InfoComm: Ask Now, Hear Your IoT Questions Answered at the InfoComm 2015 Keynote

Amazon Invents a New Way for Husbands to Get Yelled at by Their Wives

So, in case you missed it, Amazon recently announced its new foray into the Internet of Things (IoT), the Dash Button.   In short, the Dash Button is a programmable, WiFi enabled device that allows someone to press a branded button to generate an order for new products through Amazon.  It’s more than a little ironic […]

Amazon Invents a New Way for Husbands to Get Yelled at by Their Wives

Machine To Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT: A Hand in Hand Approach

Machine to Machine (M2M) refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices of the same type (Wikipedia definition). In essence, M2M refers to any technology which enables networked devices to exchange information and perform actions without direct manual assistance from human interaction. M2M communications is often used for remote […]

Machine To Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT: A Hand in Hand Approach