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Last week’s “Made by Google” event featured a number of new hardware products, including the company’s answer to Amazon Echo, Google Home. As my Residential Systems...

If you had asked me in March if iPoint was going to CEDIA, I would have confidently stated, “No way.” I would never have guessed...

An older gentleman makes his way into our retail store looking for a new overhead projector to replace the one he purchased from us...

On the surface, it might appear that the announcements from Tuesday’s Google product introduction event was about, well, products. There were certainly more than...

Home technology professionals weigh in on the pros and cons of having a diverse range of products, services, and markets versus carving out a specialty...

Before CEDIA, I could have cared less about Amazon’s Alexa. It just seemed like a $179 toy that I had no interest in. Alexa...

As we hurtle headlong into the world of the Internet Of Things (IoT), we find ourselves at a constant crossroads; to the left lies...

On the surface, when you think about this industry and what we do, our days should really be filled with fun and smiles. But there’s...

Whatever the argument, when companies like Apple and Google are entering the DIY home automation space, you simply cannot ignore it.

I just had to share another great experience that I had with integrators helping each other out.

With a head full of ideas, and all of the day-to-day fires hopefully contained, now’s the time to start to thinking about the show...

Whether you came to Dallas looking to be educated, wanting to find out the latest in networking, explore advances in home theater, stay on...

Without further ado, welcome to my completely unofficial, personal, non-technical CEDIA "best of" wrap up.

Trade shows are kind of a fantasy. Or at least they can be. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen some...

The biggest news this year seemed to be Alexa integration with Control4 and Crestron and Sonos integration with everyone (Lutron, iPort, Crestron, Control4, Savant,...

By using virtual reality, REAL wants to let customers “walk through” their new theater space “before a single nail is driven.”

This category is so new in fact that there isn’t yet an agreed-upon name for it. I’ve heard it referred to as managed services,...

We all know there are countless speakers, receivers, and flat panels at the CEDIA show, but what about the companies that live on the...

Want to know what's happening during Control4's Wednesday afternoon CEDIA 2016 press conference in Dallas, as it happens? Follow along with us!

We try our best to set expectations and prevent any surprises. Before a service call is even scheduled, a client is informed of the...

On the eve of CEDIA, where I’m sure we’ll see the continued evolution of the home viewing experience, that comment along with Kaleidescape’s recent...

Preparing ourselves to speak in an educated manner about the Home app, and the broader HomeKit platform, is the key to using Apple’s initiative...

Three weeks ago today, movie server pioneer Kaleidescape abruptly shut its doors. In a lengthy interview with company co-founder and CEO, Cheena Srinivasan, he...

Yes you read that right! This week on Qioto we are presenting smart devices…which produce alcoholic drinks!

Several friends have tried to change my mind about selling Sonos over the years, but only recently was I finally convinced.

Forming a plan is easiest when looking at the show through the lens of a few key themes. For me, these are voice control,...

Instead of complaining about it, we need to understand it, realize who’s affected by it most and market to those most likely to continue...

Where to find Heather at CEDIA and other cool stuff that she's looking forward to at the show.

From Innovation Alley to the most established players like Pakedge, URC, Anthem/Paradigm, Clare Controls, Control4, Savant, and many others, I’ll have my schedule booked...

So far I’ve introduced 13 of the companies exhibiting for the first time at CEDIA. Here are the final five companies to put on...

The news of Kaleidescape’s imminent demise last week sent shockwaves through our industry.  ...

There’s no denying that humans simply love tactile buttons, and smart buttons attempt to cater to this fact. Stick one where you need it,...

Here are five more companies to put on your CEDIA appointment calendar!

We have taken several steps to maximize our financial position in the past few years, aside from trying to improve product margin and employee...

Did you ever have a job that went sideways and bled cash like a stuck pig? Wonder why all your technicians appear busy yet...

An exclusive interview with CEO Cheena Srinivasan about the shutdown of the premium movie service brand.

This is the first blog post in the partnership between my website Qioto and Residential Systems, in which we will be sharing blog posts...

Two hours into the install, a distressed phone call came back to home base. The team ran into a mess when they took out...

In last week’s post I introduced Remocam, PoE LED, Meural, and LIFX. Here are four more first-time exhibiting companies to put on your CEDIA schedule...

It is amazing what one little comment can do to open up a whole new realm of discussion and common ground. If I see a...

In all of the various settings I can imagine myself describing my work, I can’t think of one where calling myself a “home technologist”...

As I have a DISH Hopper3 at my home and a DirecTV Genie HR54 at my custom installation showroom, I thought I would compare...