CEDIA Day 3 - Sonos Can't Win
I’ve set myself a challenge during this years CEDIA Show in San Diego. I’ve got to get a blog out every day of the show.
The CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) industry has taken it’s annual EXPO to San Diego this year and has literally taken over the Gaslamp and Convention Centre areas of this coastal gem in California. CEDIA 2017 is a 100% dedicated to Home Technology show running between 5th and 9th of September. Over 500 exhibitors and 150 training courses are available to visitors to the show.
Friday was the standout day of the show, crowd numbers swelled, excitement peaked and the weekend was starting. Friday was my Sonos day. I attended the Sonos 101 seminar at the convention centre in the morning and then ended the day with a visit to the Sonos Loft outside in the vibrant Gaslamp area of the city.
Sonos are the coolest cats at CEDIA, they know, we know it. Whilst typing up this blog a video criticising Sonos at CEDIA has surfaced on social media, I kind of get why the tweeter was blasting them online but if he had the opportunity to see the effort Sonos made in their Loft in Gaslamp then I’m not sure he would have posted his short video. Sonos probably aren't loosing sleep over the criticism.
In between Sonos commitments I got to have a close look at the latest product and service launches from Samsung, Krika and Hogar Controls.
Samsung showcased the new Frame televisions. Frame couples the latest TV technology with beautiful artwork encased in customisable TV frames. When your not watching TV, the Frame reverts to being your favourite artwork. The display reacts to ambient light to dim as the room lighting changes to retain a realistic painting like display. Samsung have a great artwork collection you can access and you can choose several frame finishing. Go and find this cutting edge television online.
Krika have a long heritage in remote monitoring of your installations network devices and at CEDIA they announced their Krika Concierge service, which probably can’t launch soon enough for some installers. Krika Concierge are going to handle your initial technical support calls and queries from your customers, assisting them in remedying issues without the installer having to get involved. They will aim to resolve issues as a first responder but if necessary escalate it to a service visit from your team if advanced or in home support is required. Krika Concierge has different service plans available to installation businesses. Track them down on social media to get more information.
Hogar Controls were long term targets from my pre-show planning. Their participation in the Z-Wave Alliance area hid a compatibility with Apple HomeKit but I found it in my pre-show investigation. Hogar make a stylish range of products which give elegant control of lighting from a wall switch or wireless button. Their switches are finished with a glass faceplate and metallic trim around the edge with control provided by touch sensitive buttons behind the glass exterior. The communication with your Apple Home is via a Hub and this is the part which works with Apple HomeKit. We’re going to get some of these switches and a hub for testing very soon so look out for tweets or Instagram posts when I get my hands on them.
An evening reception with CEDIA closed Day 3 at the show and it was an excellent opportunity to network with other CEDIA members based around the globe.
Day 4 is my last day at the show and it's going to be a mad dash to tick off all the things I wanted to see.
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