Having gotten into a regular rhythm with the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review blogs, one thing has become apparent: LinkedIn is more than just a professional networking social media page.
The social media website posts news stories on a regular basis with analysis in an easy-to-digest form.
This week the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review will look at three posts from the social media site: A pair of stories on Apple and another story related to the possibility of a growing shift in the consumer retail industry.
Will Apple Ever Enter the Smart Home Industry?
Rumors have circulated for close to two decades on whether the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant Apple would formally take part in the technology integration industry. Dating back to the days when there were rumors on the release of an Apple TV display, as well as many rumors connecting the company to home automation, Apple fans have longed for the company to enter the smart home industry in a big way.
LinkedIn reports, the long-rumored smart home display launch has been delayed due to issues with the company’s AI-based Siri platform.
The story does state the product will incorporate a 7-inch display and facial recognition capabilities.
Moving on, in a move that could have an impact on the residential and pro audio markets, eCoustics posted a story on the international electronics company, Barco and its acquisition of VerVent Audio Holdings that includes the Focal and Naim brands.
Technology integrators in the residential and commercial AV markets are aware of Barco, particularly its Barco Residential products that serve the luxury home cinema category. The company is also popular in the commercial market through a range of projection and unified collaboration (UC) solutions.
Speaking of the commercial AV industry, AVNetwork.com has a story on Apple’s marketing efforts to promote its coverage of the F1 racing season and a big billboard in Times Square in New York City.
The story points out that there isn’t much information available about the 3D anamorphic billboard, but AVNetwork.comnotes that 3D billboard ads are a fast-rising trend within the digital advertising industry.
KMB Comm Technology Week in Review National News
Continuing with the heavy Apple coverage in this week’s roundup of tech news items, LinkedIn posted a story earlier this week based on a story from Bloomberg News.
According to the LinkedIn item, now with the announcement of the affordable MacBook Neo computer, the company is preparing to introduce premium line of products to expand its existing product line. Highlighting the rumored products to make up Apple’s premium tier will be a foldable iPhone, along with a touchscreen MacBook Pro, and AirPods that incorporate cameras.
Arguably, a case could be made that the musical instrument (MI) industry is a sister industry to the residential and commercial electronics industries.
MI market giants Fender and Gibson have dabbled in electronics for years, and many people in both the residential and commercial electronics industries play an instrument and maybe even had dreams of being professional musicians.
The rock and metal website Blabbermouth.com posted a story back on March 10 on Fender’s legal win concerning the body design of its iconic Stratocaster guitar.
Fender joins Gibson in the pursuit of protecting their respective intellectual properties (IP) that date back to the 1950s with the release of instruments such the Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson Flying V, and the Gibson Explorer. Gibson has defended its IPs including litigation against Dean Guitars back in 2019, 2022 and 2025.
Like the battles IP holders such as the HDMI Forum and DVD Forums have fought against IP infringement, the rock and metal music website states that Fender won a ruling in a German court to protect the Stratocaster body design.
Finally, the KMB Comm Technology Week in Review concludes with one more LinkedIn item.
Perhaps like the reemergence of vinyl as viable form of media and the growing trend of DVDs and Blu-ray discs finding new life through young consumers, a post from the social media site says Gen Z is shopping at malls.
LinkedIn citing a story from The Wall Street Journal says that in 2025 consumers between the age of 18- to 24-year-olds purchased more than 60% of their buys in person. The story emphasizes that Gen Z’s annual retail spending is estimated to reach $12 trillion by 2030.
Responding to this trend, the post adds that malls are redesigning their spaces to be more Gen Z friendly.
To learn more about KMB Communications and its clients, check out KMB Comm news items here.