by Bob Archer | Jan 30, 2026 | News
Barcelona, January 28, 2026 – Nice North America (Nice), a global leader in Smart Living solutions, is showcasing the next evolution of its integrated ecosystem at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), highlighting how ELAN OS 9 and Yubii OS work together to deliver scalable, installer-driven smart living experiences across global markets with a focused, strategic path forward for North America.
This year marks a pivotal shift: Smart Living becomes the core of Nice’s offering and identity. More than automation, Smart Living is a vision: a way to create seamless, intuitive experiences that adapt to how people live, work, and connect every day.
At ISE 2026, Nice is demonstrating how its two operating systems — ELAN OS and Yubii OS — interoperate to support different installation environments, customer needs, and levels of system complexity. Together, they reflect Nice’s Smart Living vision of a unified ecosystem.
“Smart Living is not just about connecting devices — it’s about designing meaningful experiences that evolve with people’s lives. At Nice, we believe technology should simplify the everyday, enrich our spaces, and give us back time for what truly matters. That’s why we’re building an ecosystem that’s intuitive, integrated, and ready to grow with you.” Davide Bignù, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Nice.
Two Operating Systems. One Ecosystem. One Brand.
ISE serves as a key moment for Nice to demonstrate how its Smart Living ecosystem scales across regions, installation types, and customer expectations. By showcasing ELAN OS 9 and Yubii OS together, Nice reinforces its commitment to a modular, interoperable architecture that allows integrators to design systems that allow growth as needs change rather than locking customers into a single path.
In European markets, Yubii Home, part of the Yubii OS platform, is already established as a standalone smart home controller, supporting a wide range of Z-Wave and Nice-branded devices for lighting, climate, access, and sun-shading. Designed for retrofit-friendly installations and modular expansion, it enables wireless control across thousands of compatible devices and plays a central role in Nice’s broader Smart Living ecosystem globally.
That proven foundation is now shaping how Nice introduces Yubii Home to North America — not as a one-size-fits-all controller, but as a strategic extension of its premium Smart Living experience.
With Yubii Home as a dedicated controller, the system can benefit from native support for Z-Wave protocol, seamless integration of battery-powered devices, smart modules, and Nice automation solutions – including shading, gate, and door control – directly within the Nice ecosystem. The initial focus will be on motorized shading’s integration, offering a streamlined, bridge-free experience with enhanced responsiveness and design consistency.
Through this integration:
- ELAN OS communicates over the network to Yubii OS
- Yubii Home manages Z-Wave and proprietary Nice protocols
- Commands are delivered wirelessly with improved robustness and device capacity
This architecture replaces legacy bridge-based approaches and enables Yubii Home to act as a dedicated gateway within ELAN OS-controlled systems. Because Yubii OS is native to Nice, designed to work seamlessly with Nice motors, gateways, and control logic, it delivers a level of integration that is difficult to replicate with third-party solutions.
“For the North American market, this integration is about solving real-world installer challenges,” said Jeff Shaw, Chief Product Officer at Nice North America. “By integrating ELAN OS 9 with Yubii Home as a dedicated gateway for wireless devices and shading, we’re giving dealers a more robust, scalable architecture, one that simplifies installation, improves reliability, and creates a clear path for system growth without forcing them to start over.”
Reducing Complexity, Increasing Confidence
For professional integrators, this comprehensive Smart Living ecosystem is designed to reduce friction across the entire project lifecycle — from system design and installation to long-term support. By offloading wireless communication to a purpose-built gateway, installers can support a greater number of devices, extend system range, and reduce troubleshooting related to battery-powered endpoints.
The result is a cleaner system architecture, fewer service calls, and greater confidence as projects scale, particularly in homes with extensive shading, larger footprints, or mixed wireless environments.
Flexible Paths for End Users
Yubii Home’s architecture also enables flexibility for homeowners. It can be deployed as:
- A standalone controller for Nice motorized shades with app-based control
- A gateway integrated with ELAN OS, expanding system scale without starting from scratch
- A foundation that allows customersto begin with shading and elevate to a more premium Smart Living experience later as needs evolve
This flexibility opens new opportunities for dealers to serve customers who may not initially invest in full custom integration, while preserving a clear upgrade path within the Nice ecosystem.
A Differentiated Approach to Smart Living
Unlike traditional control systems that rely on a single controller to manage every device type, Nice’s dual-OS approach allows each component to do what it does best. The ecosystem combines a premium, deeply customizable control experience, with a scalable wireless backbone, creating an architecture that is both powerful and adaptable.
This opens the ecosystem beyond a single system definition, allowing integrators to expand functionality, device count, and system scope without compromising performance or user experience.
Global Innovation at ISE, Tailored for the North American Market
At ISE, Nice is demonstrating its full Smart Living ecosystem — including ELAN OS 9, Yubii OS, sun-shading solutions, AV distribution, and security — reflecting the company’s global vision for integrated living.
In the United States, Nice premium Smart Living solutions powered by ELAN OS are available today through authorized Nice dealers and the Nice Store. Yubii Home’s initial North American introduction will begin in a limited, shading-focused configuration, with broader functionality and distribution plans to be announced.
Together, ELAN OS and Yubii OS represent a forward-looking approach to smart living — one designed around flexibility, scalability, and the realities of professional installation.
Visit Nice at booth 2H300 at ISE from February 3 – 6. For additional information on Nice products, please visit niceforyou.com. For product imagery, click here.
About Nice
Founded in the early 1990s, Nice is a global leader in Smart Living Solutions, offering a complete range of integrated solutions for gate automation, garage doors, solar shading systems, parking systems, wireless alarm systems and home security, for residential, commercial and industrial applications; smart and connected systems for residential and commercial applications, for the security, access control, AI (Artificial Intelligence), comfort & wellness, control and power/AV sectors. Nice has embarked on a strategic path of expansion and extension of its portfolio of connected solutions and platforms, to offer a wide choice of customizable solutions and ease of use for the end user. This is complemented by strengthening and expanding in markets with high growth potential, as well as a renewed branding activity to compete in new market segments. Today, Nice can rely on an organization of over 2,000 people on 5 continents, boasting a wealth of different skills and cultures, as well as 15 R&D centers and 15 production plants serving its partners and customers in over 100 countries worldwide.
About Nice North America
Nice North America, LLC, a subsidiary of Nice, is one of the largest manufacturers of smart residential, commercial, and industrial solutions in the world, providing integrated smart living experiences. They offer seamless and easy-to-install technology for smart home control, security & automation, perimeter access and protection, including hostile vehicle mitigation, sunshade solutions, power management, and entertainment. Based in Carlsbad, CA, at the heart of Southern California’s innovation corridor, the company drives innovation through a network of advanced R&D and manufacturing centers across the region, with major operations in Kent, Olive Branch, and Montreal, Canada. Supporting professional integrators, dealers, and distribution partners, the company offers award-winning programs, hands-on technical support, field training, and CEU-certified education initiatives designed to help accelerate business growth. Nice North America lives out their mission of creating environments where individuals truly feel unbounded, safe, and free through smart solutions – an impact exemplified by its support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program for wounded veterans – and strives toward building a brighter and more sustainable future.
Corporate Contact
Valentina Ghirardi
Global Head of Communication
Nice HQ
v.ghirardi@niceforyou.com
North America Corporate Contact
Holly Tessmer
Sr. Marketing Manager, Events & PR
Nice North America
holly.tessmer@niceforyou.com
by Bob Archer | Jan 30, 2026 | KMB Communications, News
CARLSBAD, Calif., January XX, 2026 — At FENCETECH 2026, Nice, a global leader in smart living and perimeter access solutions, is highlighting its complete, end-to-end gate and access control portfolio, bringing together the innovation of Nice and the proven reliability of HySecurity under one unified ecosystem.
Nice’s presence at FENCETECH reinforces how its broad portfolio supports every stage and environment of a project—from design-forward residential properties to the most demanding commercial, industrial, and high-security sites–through trusted performance, intelligent design, and long-term system compatibility.
SwingSmart™ and SlideSmart™ 535: A Unified Commercial Platform Built on Trust
At the center of Nice’s FENCETECH showcase are the new SwingSmart™ 535 and SlideSmart™ 535 gate operators, which reflect the company’s approach to blending commercial-grade performance with installer-focused simplicity.
Built on HySecurity’s proven SmartTouch™ control architecture and brushless DC motor technology, the 535 Series delivers smooth, efficient, and reliable operation across a wide range of applications. The direct-drive motor design reduces maintenance and noise, while integrated battery backup and solar-ready power management support consistent operation in demanding environments.
Designed with professional installers in mind, the 535 platform supports modern configuration and service workflows through Bluetooth® connectivity and compatibility with the HySecurity Installer App. Integrated MegaCode® radio technology enables seamless use with Linear® accessories and HomeLink® vehicle transmitters—extending trusted commercial-grade communication into residential and mixed-use environments.
The 535 Series represents the convergence of HySecurity reliability, Nice system innovation, and Linear MegaCode wireless technologies, delivering a cohesive operator platform built for long-term performance and interoperability.
HySecurity SlideDriver™ II: Proven Performance for High-Traffic and Hy-Security Applications
In addition to the 535 Series, Nice will also showcase the HySecurity SlideDriver™ II, a cornerstone of HySecurity’s commercial and industrial gate operator lineup and a trusted solution across high-traffic and high-security environments.
Designed for continuous-duty operation, SlideDriver™ II delivers the durability, precision, and reliability required for applications such as transportation facilities, utilities, data centers, and secured commercial sites. Its robust mechanical design, advanced SmartTouch™ controller, and flexible configuration options enable installers to tailor performance to site-specific demands while maintaining long-term system integrity.
By featuring SlideDriver™ II alongside the SwingSmart™ and SlideSmart™ 535 platforms, Nice highlights the depth of its HySecurity offering—demonstrating how legacy, field-proven solutions and next-generation operator platforms coexist within a unified ecosystem built for scalability, serviceability, and long-term confidence.
Juno: Residential Design Meets Professional Performance
Complementing its commercial and industrial offerings, Nice is also featuring Juno, a compact residential gate operator that demonstrates how the company’s portfolio scales from commercial-grade engineering to design-forward residential solutions.
Inspired by European design and engineered for the North American market, Juno combines a modern, space-efficient form factor with the performance capabilities installers expect. Despite its compact footprint, Juno supports substantial slide-gate applications and incorporates features designed to improve safety, visibility, and long-term durability—including an integrated driveway light, internal photoeye protection, and built-in slow-down functionality for quiet operation.
Powered by Nice’s Mercury 310 controller, Juno is designed for quick setup and flexible power options, supporting both AC and solar installations through an integrated battery and MPPT solar charging. The result is a residential operator that aligns modern aesthetics with professional-grade reliability.
One Portfolio, Built to Work Together
Together, the SwingSmart and SlideSmart 535 operators, the HySecurity SlideDriver™ II, and the Juno residential platform illustrate Nice’s broader strategy: delivering purpose-built solutions that work seamlessly together across residential, commercial, and high-security applications.
Designed and manufactured in North America, these platforms reflect Nice’s commitment to building solutions specifically for the needs of the U.S. market, combining regional engineering expertise, domestic production, and system-level integration. By integrating HySecurity’s trusted control technologies, Nice’s system-level innovation, and Linear MegaCode wireless ecosystems, Nice continues to simplify installation, streamline service, and ensure long-term compatibility across its perimeter access portfolio—without compromising reliability or performance.
Experience the Complete Nice Portfolio at FENCETECH 2026
FENCETECH attendees are invited to visit the Nice booth 523 to explore the full Nice and HySecurity portfolio, see the SwingSmart™ and SlideSmart™ 535 gate operators and HySecurity SlideDriver™ II up close, and learn how Juno fits into a unified access solution designed to scale across project types. To learn more about Nice North America and its perimeter access solutions, click here.
About Nice
Founded in the early 1990s, Nice is a global leader in Smart Living Solutions, offering a complete range of integrated solutions for gate automation, garage doors, solar shading systems, parking systems, wireless alarm systems and home security, for residential, commercial and industrial applications; smart and connected systems for residential and commercial applications, for the security, access control, AI (Artificial Intelligence), comfort & wellness, control and power/AV sectors. Nice has embarked on a strategic path of expansion and extension of its portfolio of connected solutions and platforms, to offer a wide choice of customizable solutions and ease of use for the end user. This is complemented by strengthening and expanding in markets with high growth potential, as well as a renewed branding activity to compete in new market segments. Today, Nice can rely on an organization of over 2,000 people on 5 continents, boasting a wealth of different skills and cultures, as well as 15 R&D centers and 15 production plants serving its partners and customers in over 100 countries worldwide.
About Nice North America
Nice North America, LLC, a subsidiary of Nice, is one of the largest manufacturers of smart residential, commercial, and industrial solutions in the world, providing integrated smart living experiences. They offer seamless and easy-to-install technology for smart home control, security & automation, perimeter access and protection, including hostile vehicle mitigation, sunshade solutions, power management, and entertainment. Based in Carlsbad, CA, at the heart of Southern California’s innovation corridor, the company drives innovation through a network of advanced R&D and manufacturing centers across the region, with major operations in Kent, Olive Branch, and Montreal, Canada. Supporting professional integrators, dealers, and distribution partners, the company offers award-winning programs, hands-on technical support, field training, and CEU-certified education initiatives designed to help accelerate business growth. Nice North America lives out their mission of creating environments where individuals truly feel unbounded, safe, and free through smart solutions – an impact exemplified by its support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program for wounded veterans – and strives toward building a brighter and more sustainable future.
North America Corporate Contacts
Danielle Karr
Vice President of Marketing
Nice North America
danielle.karr@niceforyou.com
Holly Tessmer
Sr. Marketing Manager
Nice North America
holly.tessmer@niceforyou.com
by Bob Archer | Jan 27, 2026 | News, SONOS
Santa Barbara, Calif. – January 27, 2026 – Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) today announced Sonos Amp Multi, a one-of-a-kind multi-channel streaming amplifier designed to make complex residential audio installations simpler, more flexible, and more scalable. Developed for, and in close collaboration with, integrators, Amp Multi extends the SonosTM experience into larger, more sophisticated homes while preserving the quality and simplicity the brand is known for.
Why Amp Multi Exists
As homeowners move toward open floor plans and mixed-use spaces, we heard from integrators they needed a system that could adapt as designs evolve, but without complicating installs or homeowner friction. Amp Multi was created to meet that need.
With eight amplified outputs delivering 125 watts each and up to four configurable zones, Amp Multi gives professionals the freedom to design systems that fit their customer’s home and lifestyle.
“Sonos Amp is the most widely used two-channel streaming amplifier in residential installation because it’s powerful, dependable, and intuitive,” said Tom Conrad, CEO of Sonos. “Amp Multi takes that same philosophy and applies it to larger systems. It makes ambitious designs more efficient to build and install, and easier to live with.”
How Amp Multi is Different
Amp Multi combines Sonos’ streaming platform and intuitive control with an architecture built for professional workflows. Any output can be assigned to any zone, systems can scale by adding units as needed, and high speaker counts can be driven without sacrificing stability or sound quality. Each output supports up to three Sonos Architectural speakers, enabling dense, efficient installations across multiple rooms or spaces.
At the hardware level, Amp Multi uses a highly efficient GaN power architecture paired with Class-D post-filter feedback. This design delivers clean, controlled sound while improving thermal efficiency across every zone, allowing the system to operate silently without fans and remain stable over long periods of use.
Key Capabilities at a Glance
Amp Multi is designed to give integrators flexibility, control and predictability across the entire lifecycle of a project, resulting in a scalable solution that integrates seamlessly with third-party control systems and is tailored to the evolving needs of the custom integration space.
- Flexible Multi-Zone Capability: Amp Multi offers eight amplified outputs at 125 W each at 8 ohms, allowing it to drive up to 24 Sonos Architectural speakers (3 per channel). Integrators can configure the outputs in any combination across up to four independent zones, and install multiple Amp Multi units for larger-scale installations.
- Premium Performance: An innovative combination of highly efficient GaN power architecture with Class-D post-filter feedback (PFFB) delivers added accuracy, dynamic control, and thermal performance efficiency across every zone. This gives clients a beautifully crisp sound system that operates silently without fans and remains stable over long periods of use.
- Fast, Predictable Setup: Each unit emits a unique audible chirp that is triggered from the Sonos app, removing the need for manual PIN entry and reducing time spent identifying hardware in the rack. The Sonos app also enables integrators to manage zones, sources and outputs more efficiently, while homeowners are left with an experience that simply works.
- Advanced Tuning and DSP Tools: Amp Multi also introduces ProTune, a new manual sound optimization tool that gives integrators granular control of each output, including a 10-band parametric EQ, gain, width control and delay offset. These tools make it possible to fine-tune sound for challenging speaker placement and room geometry, while Optimize Sonos Speakers delivers detailed DSP profiles for Sonos Architectural speakers.
- Rack-Ready Design: Built for modern racks, the 1.5U chassis paired with the dedicated 2U Rack Mount, sold separately, creates built-in ventilation space above and below each unit. This layout removes the need for additional vent panels and helps maintain clean cable management.
- Efficient Installation: Amp Multi’s flat-back design and recessed connectors allow the unit to stand upright while the Rack Mount slides into place. The entire install process requires only eight screws, making projects fast and predictable.
- Greater Freedom to Design Systems: Amp Multi empowers integrators to create more adaptive layouts by letting any output serve any zone. This flexibility allows fast adjustments as projects evolve, without rewiring or redesigning system plans.
- Precision Control for Professional-Grade Results: With tuning tools like Optimize Sonos Speakers and the all-new ProTune feature, integrators gain deeper control over audio shaping, timing, and unique room acoustics. This tool helps them deliver consistent, high-quality sound in complex spaces and rooms that require custom treatment.
- Scalable for Ambitious Projects: Amp Multi’s advanced architecture delivers stronger, cleaner output across larger systems. Integrators can confidently drive high speaker counts while maintaining clarity, stability, and balanced performance across every zone.
- Designed for How Pros Work: Amp Multi’s rack-forward design and dedicated 2U mount help integrators streamline dense equipment stacks. The improved ventilation and space efficiency mean cleaner racks with more room for the client, easier serviceability, and silent performance.
Reliable Performance with Lower Maintenance: GaN technology and a convection-cooled design reduce common failure points such as fans, dust buildup, and thermal stress. Integrators benefit from systems that stay stable over time, minimizing callbacks and improving client satisfaction.
“We created Amp Multi with integrators at the heart of every decision, drawing on their deep understanding of real-world installation challenges to design a product around how they actually work,” said Chris Heintzelman, VP, Product at Sonos. “The goal was to reduce friction at every stage of a project, from installation and setup to system tuning. This is about giving professionals more control while keeping the system approachable for the people who live with it every day.”
Advantages of Amp Multi for Integrators
Amp Multi gives integrators a purpose-built solution to scale their business, built on the Sonos ecosystem with tightly integrated hardware and software, broad streaming service support, and flexible control that homeowners can rely on day after day.
Amp Multi will be available globally through Sonos installation partners in the coming months. For more information, visit sonos.com, and follow along on @sonos.
Sonos at Integrated Systems Europe 2026
Sonos invites attendees to experience Amp Multi at Integrated Systems Europe, February 3-6, 2026. Located in Hall 1 at booth 1E500, Sonos will offer demonstrations every 15 minutes, alongside hands-on experiences across its full range of premium audio solutions.
About Sonos
Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) is a leading audio company dedicated to elevating life through sound. Sonos has built a connected system that brings together all the sounds people love, from music and movies to stories and conversations. Its portfolio of home theater speakers, components, plug-in and portable speakers, and headphones grows more powerful with every room and device added. Trusted by more than 17 million households in over 60 countries, Sonos is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. Learn more at www.sonos.com.
Media Contact
PR@sonos.com
Investor Contact
IR@sonos.com
Source: Sonos
by Bob Archer | Jan 27, 2026 | KMB Communications, Kordz, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Download image here
Download podcast here
Kordz Explores the Human-Centred Future of AV, AI and Next-Generation Connectivity with Expert Panel in Latest Mastering Connectivity Podcast
Industry visionaries discuss exponential technological change, robotics, AI, autonomous homes, and the expanding responsibilities of AV integrators.
January 13, 2026 — Kordz, the professional-grade connectivity brand trusted by integrators worldwide, has released a powerful new episode of its Mastering Connectivity podcast, produced in collaboration with AV Trade Talks about our road ahead. Titled “Expert Insights into the Future of AV Connectivity,” this seventh installment explores the next decade of smart home technology, networking and systems integration and the critical need to keep humanity at the centre of innovation.
Hosted by Katye McGregor Bennett, the enlightening conversation brings together James Chen, Managing Director of Kordz, industry futurist and integrator, Rich Green, and longtime integrator–turned–Samsung executive, Kris Hogg. Together, they unpack how exponential advancements, from robotics and artificial intelligence to pervasive sensing and autonomous home environments, are reshaping the industry and redefining the integrator’s place within it.
A New Era of Human Connection
Green opens the discussion by noting that the future will not advance in a straight, predictable line. Instead, rapid breakthroughs in immersive displays, AI-driven engagement, robotics and quantum computing will fundamentally alter how humans interact with their technology and their surroundings. He describes emerging possibilities such as brain-implanted transceivers and edge-based AI capable of operating millions of times faster than human cognition, developments that no longer belong in the realm of science fiction.
However, alongside this acceleration, the panel emphasises the need for balance. As technology becomes more intelligent, autonomous and pervasive, it must remain grounded in human connection, wellbeing and emotional experience. Innovation should enrich daily life, not overshadow it; it should create environments that feel more intuitive, more personal, and more humane. The greatest opportunity, and responsibility, lies in blending powerful tools with the fundamental qualities that make us human.
“The integrator sits at the centre of this transformation, ensuring the proper humanisation of rapidly advancing technologies,” says Chen. “With the right knowledge and the right mindset, they can help ensure the future of technology enhances life—not overwhelms it.”
The Expanding Role of Integrators
As homes become increasingly intelligent and interconnected, the traditional role of “installer” no longer fits the reality of what modern clients require. Integrators are becoming long-term caretakers of digital ecosystems, responsible not only for system deployment but also for ongoing monitoring, maintenance, optimisation and security. As Green notes, billions of small, specialised AI agents will soon be embedded across the built environment, making decisions locally without relying on cloud infrastructure. Integrators will be responsible for orchestrating these agents, ensuring they behave cohesively, ethically and safely. A better understanding and utilisation of AI, along with robust, future-ready cabling infrastructures, therefore, will be key for integrators to embrace.
Guiding the Next Decade of Connectivity
The insights shared in this episode make one point clear: the future of AV connectivity is not just about speed, bandwidth or automation; it is about designing technology that elevates human experiences. As systems grow smarter, more autonomous, and more deeply woven into everyday life, integrators become the guardians of comfort, creativity, security and wellbeing.
By embracing AI, strengthening technical and human-centred skills, and approaching projects as long-term digital stewards, integrators will elevate their role in the built environment and shape a future where technology enhances life in profound and meaningful ways.
Learn More
To hear the full conversation and gather insights on how to prepare for the next evolution in home technology, go here for the podcast and the full article. For additional resources on a wide variety of connectivity topics, including other podcast episodes, articles and professional-grade cabling solutions from Kordz, visit kordz.com/articles.
About Kordz
Kordz is the connectivity brand for integrators, by integrators. A multi-award-winning global industry leader in professional-grade connectivity products, Kordz’ team of seasoned former integrators is on a mission to ‘Kordzify’ and optimise technology for professionals by designing, engineering and manufacturing products that deliver ease and profitability through a seamless installation experience with high performance results that today’s tech-savvy end-users expect. With a wide range of robust, fast and effective solutions backed by expert technical support, Kordz helps integrators around the world meet the evolving cabling requirements of a diverse range of residential and commercial environments. For more information about Kordz, please visit kordz.com and follow the company @kordzglobal on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye (McGregor) Bennett of KMB Communications at (406) 446-1283 or katye@kmbcomm.com
© 2026 Kordz International. All Rights Reserved.
Please note, re-publishing of press release content in relation to this article is permitted, however the re-publishing of the original article content is prohibited. Please author your own post or article, citing the name of the Kordz article, and link it to the page on kordz.com.
by Bob Archer | Jan 23, 2026 | Blog, Daisy, KMB Communications
Is the world preoccupied with football … while highly unlikely, presidential politics and the National Football League (NFL) seem to be dominating the current news cycle.
Admittedly, certain members of the KMB Comm staff are perhaps a little distracted with his team returning to league prominence led by MVP candidate Drake Maye, but putting aside the talk of championship games it is time to focus on the residential and commercial electronics market.
Major Brands Make Major News in Home AV Market
Sneaking into people’s newsfeeds between the NFL coaching hires and politics has been a couple of interesting consumer electronics items. Starting this week’s KMB Comm Technology Week in Review off is a Residential Systems story on the latest NAD integrated amplifiers. Building off the success of the NAD C 3050 integrated amplifier, the new C 3030 and C 303S offer retro-inspired industrial designs that include VU meters and a classic NAD logo.
The C 3030 is rated to deliver 50-watts per channel, and it offers options such as aptX Bluetooth and HDMI with eARC. Residential Systems says the C 3030S incorporates the same features as the C 3030 and it adds the company’s BluOS whole-house streaming audio platform.
Here is the entire Residential Systems’ post.
CE Pro has a story on Daisy’s Hagen Kappler outlining what integrators will need to do in 2026 to experience a successful year.
According to Kappler, integrators that produce reliable revenues via disciplined system installations, predictable service models, and control their costs will bolster their businesses.
The entire conversation with Kappler can be found here.
NAMM Show Headlines Commercial AV Activities
Currently, the annual North American Music Merchants (NAMM) show, which takes place in Anaheim from Jan. 20-24 is grabbing the spotlight in the world of pro audio. Brands including Fender, Avid, Mackie, DiGiCo, Suhr, Friedman Amplification, and Apple are all in attendance.
Looking at some unrelated NAMM pro AV news, Commercial Integrator recently posted an item on QSC’s new Q-SYS Full Stack AV Platform. The story says the Calif.-based manufacturer has expanded the product line with options that include the Q-SYS RoomSuite Modular Systems, Q-SYS Connect for Zoom Rooms, and MPA-Q Series network amplifiers.
The Commercial Integrator story goes into greater detail on all the new products within the line. That story can be found here.
KMB Comm Week in Review Look at National News
This is a residential technology story that is big enough to cross into a national news item. Picking the story up from eCoustics, Sony and TCL have announced plans to expand their relationship.
The story points out that Sony, the fifth largest TV manufacturer in global market share and TCL, a company that is trending to be the second largest TV manufacturer in global share are set to increase their partnership in which TCL will take over Sony’s home entertainment product manufacturing, including TVs and home audio.
As part of the agreement, TCL eCoustics reports, will hold a controlling 51% stake in the partnership to give TCL control. The complete story can be found here.
Concluding this week’s KMB Comm look at technology news, LinkedIn is reporting the streaming service Netflix now has more than 325 million paid subscribers. Through its subscription base, the story continues, the streamer is growing 16% year-over-year to $45 billion.
The problem, however the article points out is that growth is becoming more difficult for Netflix as the potential buyer of Warner Bros. Additionally, the LinkedIn post says that Netflix is planning on increasing its spending on original content by 10% to gain more U.S. original content viewing time.
KMB Communications hosts a podcast called AV Trade Talk. Listeners can check out the podcast to learn about the latest happenings in the custom installation electronics industry. To listen to the KMB AV Trade Talk Podcast, click here.
