by Bob Archer | May 21, 2026 | Blog
Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer, and it’s usually a period on the calendar where the technology integration industry is quiet.
This week’s KMB Comm Technology Week in Review includes news from the typical suspects, including Apple and Spotify, as well as a non-technology integration industry news item from Fender.
So, let’s fire up the grill, open some ice-cold adult beverages, and jump into the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review for May 18-22.
Newsmakers in the Residential Technology Market
Starting the week in review is a story from Residential Systems. Written by Christiaan Beukes, the post offers five recommendations to help readers improve their home theater designs.
The story emphasizes the respect of acoustics and the placement of seating, loudspeakers and subwoofers. Summarizing the approach, Beukes says to start with design, and he adds there are no shortcuts in achieving high-performance home cinema.
KMB Comm’s Tech Week in Review’s next couple of stories come from the website Connected Design.
In the first story the website reports that World Wide Stereo and Gramophone are partnering with the German-based luxury AV brand Loewe Technology. Connected Design states the newly announced partnership brings the manufacturer’s OLED line of TVs to multiple showrooms across Pennsylvania and Maryland.
The story also notes that as part of bringing the German brand to their showrooms, World Wide Stereo and Gramophone will focus on consumer experiences in their respective facilities.
Connected Design’s other Tech Week in Review story, “CEDIA CEO to Retire in 2027” looks at the announcement of Daryl Friedman’s upcoming retirement.
The story says Friedman took on the role of global president and CEO in 2021, and he has informed the CEDIA Board of Directors of his plans to retire in 2027.
The CEDIA Board of Directors will meet and June and it will develop a transition plan for Friedman’s retirement.
KMB Comm Tech Week in Review National & Global News
The next couple of stories come from LinkedIn. Picking up a story from Bloomberg, the social media website says that Apple’s soon-to-be-released iOS27 will include a newly redesigned Siri app that focuses on privacy.
Incorporated into the app’s privacy features the story points out is an auto-deleting chat and “tighter” memory controls. The story goes onto assert that through its work with Gemini, Apple’s AI will remain competitive with other companies.
Another LinkedIn post is reporting that after receiving harsh criticism, Spotify is changing its logo back its well-known, green circle. As part of the streaming service’s 20th anniversary, the company turned its logo into a glittering green disco ball, and according to the LinkedIn story, users were not happy with the change.
Wrapping up the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review for the week is a news item from Guitar World.
Following similar actions by the famed instrument company Gibson, Fender has sent the family-run guitar company LsL Instruments a cease-and-desist order to stop production of “S-style” guitars. The “S” stands for Stratocaster, and the information for the Guitar World post comes from the YouTube channels of Phillip McKnight and Tone Nerd.
The story says that McKnight claims that at least six U.S. guitar builders have also received the cease-and-desist orders.
This news comes on the heels of news that Fender won a European court case establishing a precedent to protect its Stratocaster body design.
Fender’s legal actions follow similar steps from Gibson in which the Nashville-based maker of guitars like the Les Paul, Flying V, Explorer, and SG won a ruling against Armadillo (parent company of Dean Guitars) in 2022 and retrial win in 2025.
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by Bob Archer | May 18, 2026 | Blog, SONOS
The Renaissance Era playwright William Congreve once wrote, “musick has charms to sooth a savage breast.” Over time the phrase has morphed into, “music soothes the savage beast.”
The point of the phrase regardless of if the original or the one that’s been changed over time is used, remains the same—Music can impact the mood and demeanor of someone. Think of the UFC fighter that uses Metallica to pump themselves up before a fight or the calm, nature sounds that are used in therapy businesses—music sets the mood.
Taking the concept of mood setting into commercial environments, numerous studies have found that audio can be used in businesses to help business owners create happier, more engaged consumers that ultimately spend more money.
Music Provides Businesses with Key Differentiator
Without getting into today’s economic climate, it is safe to say that consumers are watching their purchases more than ever. In many cases consumer purchasing decisions may hinge on buying discount items online or skipping dinner dates to save a few bucks.
The competition between online sales and traditional brick-and-mortar retail, as well as other factors, including the value of cooking at home, or simply going out for a run compared renewing gym memberships are decisions consumers are making every day.
A study published in February 2025 by RetailNext and co-produced by Brandtrack, cited research from a 2006 study by Garlin and Owen that says tempo has the highest impact on arousal. Moreover, if consumers are familiar with the music that is played in a retail environment, they are more likely to return.
The 2025 study goes on to cite other factors found by Garlen and Owen such as slower, quieter music finds people spending more time in stores, compared to loud, unfamiliar music.
A blog by the commercial audio service SoundMachine states that music playing in restaurants sets the tone for customers’ dining experiences, including how they feel, how long they will stay, and possibly what they will order.
According to the blog, audio is a key sensory element like a restaurant’s lighting and décor.
Getting back to the consumers that want to stay fit through gym memberships and martial arts businesses, a report by Center4Research.org emphasizes that listening to music not only eases the tedious nature of exercising, but it improves stamina to put people in better moods.
The Soundmachine post cites several studies, including a 2006 study that examined the impact of music on treadmill speed. The study found that users that listened to fast-paced music increased their pace and distance traveled.
In a 2011 study, the Center4Research.org post writes, achieving top performance depends on the exercise. In the case of cycling, the ideal tempo for music lies between 125 and 140 beats per minute (bpm), and a 2014 study showed the best tempo for treadmill running is between 123 and 131bpm.
The conclusion of the post is that people that listen to music during exercise can get more from their exercise experiences because music can lead to feelings of pleasure. These feelings can then lead to physical changes in hormone levels.
Setting the Proper Mood
In the Soundmachine post that was cited earlier, the company makes the point that finding the proper value of audio in restaurant environments is an important component is creating business-friendly atmospheres.
The post notes that music that is too loud may force patrons to raise the level of their voices, and it could annoy some guests. Conversely, music that is playing to softly could make a business environment appear to be silent. The tempo of music also plays a role in creating friendly environments.
Soundmachine suggests these tempos for restaurants:
- Tempos above 120bpm for cafes, fast-casual spots and lunch serving periods.
- Tempos ranging from 90 to 110bpm for most casual dining businesses.
- Tempos below 80bpm for fine dining establishments, wine bars, and lounges where a relaxed environment is part of the consumer appeal.
Efficiency Fosters Audio Delivery in Commercial Environments
Not all that long ago, the popular home audio manufacturer Sonos entered the commercial audio market. When Sonos entered the category, it came in with a gameplan. Sonos’ gameplan was to offer dealers a streamlined, easy-to-install platform that complies with the legalities of music licensing for public spaces.
As part of that plan, Sono introduced the Era 100 Pro powered speaker. Sold in pairs, the Era 100 Pro incorporates features such as PoE+ (power over Ethernet), multizone capabilities, Wi-Fi network connectivity, Bluetooth, voice control and touch controls, and the company’s Trueplay equalization.
The PoE+ allows integrators to setup Sonos Pro systems using PoE+ for power to streamline cabling runs aiding speaker placement options. Sonos also supports the Era 100 Pro with its Surface Mount for wall mounting and Junction Box Adapter.
Augmenting the Era 100 Pro is the Sonos Pro dashboard. This tool enables business owners to schedule music; it controls what music is playing in every location, and the dashboard offers the ability for business owners to manage their Sonos systems remotely. The dashboard also allows users to set volume levels; remotely reboot systems, and monitor multiple locations, along with specific products from a central location.
Sonos adds that it offers a choice of music plans that offer commercially licensed music from independent and mainstream artists, and access to priority support.
Summing up why in-store music is important, the RetailNext study stresses that a one-size fits all approach to in-store music is outdated. Businesses must tailor their environments to match their identities and customer expectations. Beyond the ability for music to influence customer behavior and the proper mood, music reinforces consumer experiences to help differentiate a business from its competition.
To learn more about the motorized shade industry, check out this blog from KMB Communications
by Bob Archer | May 15, 2026 | Blog
After several slow news weeks, the technology industry cranked up a heavy cycle of news headlined by big names such as Emerald, Dua Lipa, Google, and Apple.
Noticeably absent and maybe it was due to the level of residential and national news items drawing the attention of the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review, but the commercial market was quiet. In fairness however, the commercial AV industry is gearing up for the annual InfoComm show that is rapidly approaching. Perhaps that side of the industry has its head down in preparation for its showcase event.
Now, let’s look at the technology news that defined the week.
KMB Comm Tech Week in Review’s Look at Emerald’s Acquisition
Ever since the publicly traded events company Emerald entered the technology integration business through its acquisition of the CEDIA Expo and then shortly afterwards, several EH Publishing brands that includes CE Pro magazine, the company has been heavily scrutinized.
In a press release from May 11, the company announced that it had been acquired by Apollo Funds. The press release points out that along with Emerald, Questex was also acquired and together, the new Apollo Funds properties will be used to create a scaled business-to-business (B2B) platform that offers more than 160 events.
Under terms of the deal Emerald Stockholders will receive $5.03 per share. At the time of this write-up, Emerald prices sit at $4.99.
Recently, The Listening Chair posted a review of the AVID HiFi Relveo turntable. The go-to turntable manufacturer from the U.K. has been around since the mid-1990s and the review points out the Relveo offers vinyl fans an opportunity to acquire one of its products for a more approachable price than some of its other turntables.
The review points out $10,995 turntable comes with the Altus V2 tonearm and for the review the tonearm was fitted with an AVID Ionic MC cartridge ($3,000 MSRP) to bring the total cost to near $14,000.
ResearchAndMarkets.com is an international research company and its Smart Home Global Forecast 2026-2032 finds the global smart home market will reach the figure of more than $139 billion by 2032.
The study estimates the market will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from nearly $96 billion in 2026. ResearchAndMarkets.com states this growth will be fueled by continued Internet penetration, as well as the increased adoption of connected devices and energy-efficient home systems.
One interesting discovery in the data finds the smart kitchen is expected to lead market growth. Consumer appetite for smart refrigerators, connected ovens, and voice-enabled cooking assistants will foster the adoption of smart technologies in the home.
A Pop Star Takes on a Global Technology Giant
Starting the week off, Reuters posted a story on the British entertainer Dua Lipa filing a lawsuit against Samsung. The legal action seeks according to the news service, at least $15 million in damages by using her image without permission.
The lawsuit states the global company used a copyrighted image of her on the front of the packaging of TV boxes that were sold in retail. The image the story notes, enabled the company to benefit from what may have seemed an endorsement from her of those products.
Following up on a story that KMB Comm has been keeping an eye on, Yahoo Finance via Reuters is reporting that eBay has rejected GameStop’s $56 Billion bid.
In the story by Reuters, the takeover bid was called “neither credible nor attractive” by eBay as it is four times the size of the gaming retailer. The story points out that GameStop did not respond to request for comments.
The final KMB Comm Tech Week in Review item comes from LinkedIn. The social media website reports that Google announced that it discovered a security issue that was targeted by hackers using AI.
The “Zero-Day Exploit” that is alleged to have been developed in conjunction with AI was thwarted by Google through a patch before the attacks could negatively impact the huge tech company.
LinkedIn asserts the attacks on Google highlights the cybersecurity threats AI pose.
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by Bob Archer | May 11, 2026 | Blog, Somfy
It’s easy to become entranced by appearances. Take cars for example. Exotic high-performance cars are attention grabbers, but with that attention comes lots of TLC from their owners and mechanics that onlookers don’t see when those cars pull up to some black-tie event.
Taking that exotic car example to something more approachable for most people, cars can once again serve as an example.
Everyday drivers—think about the car in your driveway—and what it takes for those cars to operate as daily drivers. Sure, regular maintenance plays a huge part in these cars running reliably every day, but a part of these vehicles’ reliability comes from the partners these manufacturers work with to build those exotic cars and daily drivers.
To help these cars stop they could incorporate brakes from Brembo or to shift smoothly, they may utilize transmissions from ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF Transmission). Manufacturers that use these products are the who’s who of the automotive world such as BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Chevrolet, and Audi to name a few.
Other industries such as the musical instrument (MI) market also foster similar partnerships. When someone buys a “Slash” signature model Gibson Les Paul, that instrument features pickups from the manufacturer Seymour Duncan.
Additionally, in the technology integration market, major brands such as Sony, TCL, and Hisense utilize the Google TV operating system (OS) in their respective television products to help ensure the reliability and user experience of their respective products.
Lighting, Motorized Shades Surge in Popularity
Released earlier this year, data from ResearchAndMarkets.com estimates the global automated blinds and motorized shades market will grow from a value of just over $4 billion in 2024 to nearly $6 billion by 2030.
Fueling this growth the study says will be the continued expansion of the technology integration industry, including smart home integration. Driving adoption in the commercial and residential technology industries are technologies such as Matter, ZigBee and Z-Wave wireless protocols, as well as voice control technologies.
Domestically, data from Mordor Intelligence values the U.S. automated blinds and motorized shades market at approximately $2.5 billion in 2025. By 2031 that figure the research firm says will reach just over $4 billion at a growth rate of 8.31% CAGR (compound annual growth rate).
The issue that arises from the motorized shades category growth that could damage long-term prosperity is the versatility and reliability of these shade products.
Tackling these problems head on are technology integration companies like Sonata Design. This Canadian provider of shade and automation systems relies on Somfy because of the brand’s performance, reliability and overall functionality.
““Let’s talk about Somfy. Somfy is one of our favorite brands for a number of reasons. One, of the 16 different brands we carry, 14 of them work with Somfy motors,” says Tyrell DaSilva of Calgary, Canada-based Sonata Design.
“They may have some other options in terms of the motorization of shades, but they all carry Somfy. Somfy is the biggest motor manufacturer in the world; they are a giant global, multi-national company, and even our exterior deck screens are powered by Somfy Motors.”
In a home or in a commercial business environment, homeowners and office managers may not know—or for that matter even care about what brand of motorized shades their property uses—but they understand that user friendliness, performance and reliability matter.
This is why dealers like Sonata Design are turning to products from manufacturers like Somfy.
“Somfy is a great brand for a variety of reasons,” emphasizes DaSilva in this YouTube video.
“The price of the motors is value driven you get great bang for your buck. Somfy has spent a lot of energy over the past several years, making their motors quieter and quieter.”
Here is more news from Somfy: Casambi and Somfy Partner to Advance Intelligent Lighting and Shading Ecosystems
by Bob Archer | May 8, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications
It’s hard to believe that it’s already May and we’re only a couple of weeks away from the first major holiday of the year with Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaching.
To this point 2026 has been shaped by aggressive politics and an economy that’s been tough to figure out. At the top of that list of “why it’s happening” issues with the economy are a labor market headlined by layoffs in the tech sector due to corporate America’s adoption of AI technologies. That news on the surface would lead someone to believe the tech industry is struggling. What is really happening however is the tech sector is thriving as we’ll see shortly in this week’s news roundup.
KMB Comm Examines the State of the Home Tech Industry
The home technology industry is in a great place. Home control continues to mature with technologies like voice control and other interface designs becoming more user friendly by the day. Home AV offers consumers products such as high-performing TVs and projectors that are priced reasonably, and home audio is going gangbusters with great products and high levels of format diversity to allow users to listen in any way they want.
Starting the KMB Comm look back at tech news is a tech primer story from Future Audiophile. In this story, the publication breaks down the category of amplifiers. The story looks at what the ratings mean, what types of engineering designs populate the category, and the story provides a bit of a buying guide for those new to home audio.
The next couple of stories highlight the strength of the home technology market:
eCoustics is reporting the N.C.-based specialty retailer/technology integration company Audio Advice is expanding its operation into the Las Vegas market. The story points out the new Audio Advice location will be run by former Eagle Sentry executive Chris Oram, and eCoustics speculates that Las Vegas could serve the integration company as a new location for its live events, which have become popular over the past several years.
The other dealer-related story comes from Residential Systems. The trade magazine says Md.-based Gramophone is set to build a 70,000-square foot “innovation hub” just outside of Baltimore.
In the story Gramophone CEO Andrew Davis boasts the company is setting a new standard for consumers and trade partners to learn, create and explore what is possible in the worlds of technology and entertainment. Davis also went on to note the announcement is important for Gramophone as the specialty retailer celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Global Technology News
Circling back to the earlier point made in the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review for the week of May 4, Yahoo Finance picked up a story from Bloomberg that states the tech industry is leading the way for strong corporate earnings.
According to the Yahoo Finance story, the median S&P 500 company is posting an earnings-per-share upside of 6%. The story goes on to say the corporate world’s spending on AI is showing no signs of slowing down to contribute to the earnings outlooks for these companies.
Speaking of AI, the European trade show, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) posted on LinkedIn a column that examines the impact of hybrid workspaces.
The trade event points out that during its Megatrends session Kasia Maynard, head of research and editorial, research lead at Women in Innovation, along with Vasu Subrahmanian from Google Beam, and Greg Baribault from HP look at why the future of collaboration could be driven by true-to-life digital co-presence.
Wrapping up the KMB Comm look at technology news makers for the week is a post from LinkedIn.
Going back to the beginning of the week, this LinkedIn post notes that on May 3, GameStop made an unsolicited $56 billion offer to acquire eBay for $125 per share. The proposal the post says is split between cash and stock.
Citing Ryan Cohen, CEO, GameStop, from The Wall Street Journal, the post adds that Cohen envisions the company being able to challenge Amazon for online retail dominance.
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