SHREVEPORT, LA (01.12.2021) – The New Year 2021 is less than 2 weeks old. The COVID-19 Pandemic is raging and turmoil is raging in the Nation’s Capitol. That is reality.
With that backdrop, the virtual All-Digital CES 2021 is set to run from January 11th – 14th on screens around the world. Over the past several years 12volt industry participation has declined as a percentage of the overall CES experience in Las Vegas. Participation of traditional 12volt companies in this year’s All-Digital CES is seeing an acceleration of that trend.
Bright signs along the famous Las Vegas Strip let all know ‘We Miss You CES’ in this image from The Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.
Headlines in the Las Vegas Review-Journal Newspaper speak to the impact the All-Digital CES 2021 is having on the City of Las Vegas and surrounding area. “Millions lost with CES Virtual show.” The 2021 CES was to showcase the new 1.4 million square foot LVCC West Hall with its $980 million price tag. “CES Hopes Virtual Event Unrepeated” is another headline in the newspaper. Those headlines are the harsh reality of the impact of the All-Digital CES2021.
In-Person CES hallways were filled in this 2019 event.
One article in the Review-Journal chronicles the impact of the no in-person CES 2021. “We Miss You CES” messages are visible on the huge digital signs on hotels along the Las Vegas Strip. Please clink this link to read the article and see the many “We Miss You CES” messages.
Almost everyone across the 12volt industry has very good memories from attending CES in Las Vegas. Some have vivid memories from Summer and Winter CES events in Chicago at the McCormick Center. The in-person CES experience is like no other. From The 12volt Central Studios we look forward to attending in-person CES events in the future. A big ‘Thank You’ to Las Vegas resident Robin McNeal, Nakamichi Car Audio National Sales Manager, who provided a heads up about the articles in the Las Vegas Review-Journal Newspaper.
STILLWATER, OK (01.12.2021) – Stillwater Designs today announced that it has been named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards honoree for the new KICKER Solo X L7X subwoofer. The announcement was made ahead of the first-ever, all-digital CES 2021, happening Jan. 11-14, 2021.
The CES Innovation Awards program is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products across 28 product categories. An elite panel of industry judges, including members of the media, designers and engineers reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.
“We’re very happy to win the Innovations award,” said Steve Irby, KICKER’s Founder and President. “This is a radically improved version of the original Solo X, and to be recognized for the amount of work and creativity we’ve put into making it a reality feels really good.”
A ground-up reimagining of the legendary Solo X, the 2021 iteration was designed to set high standards in a subwoofer’s mechanical excursion, musicality, thermal management and reliability. Offered in 10-, 12-, and 15-inch versions, each Solo X will share a 2,000-watt RMS power rating. KICKER’s SoloX has not yet been assigned an MSRP, and will begin shipping later this spring.
For the past four years, KICKER has researched and experimented with concepts surrounding an extreme subwoofer, while re-introducing the brand to the competition circuit by sponsoring major competitions like the Unified Finals, USACi Finals and Midwest SPL Finals.
“The concept of the new Solo X is to take it to the next level,” Irby said. “It is designed with very tight tolerances. It has more power, more stroke, more Xmax, and still has a field-replaceable cone. The new design allows the Solo X to be extremely loud, but also be extremely musical.”
The no-glue reconing system uses a unique surround compression system and bolt-on spider landing, and is designed specifically to make speaker repair possible in only a few minutes time.
The CES 2021 Innovation Awards honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. Additional honorees will be revealed during CES 2021.
SEATTLE, WA (01.12.2021) – AudioControl has appointed Ashley Kay as Director of Customer and Technical Services. Ashley brings a wealth of experience in support services management from the professional A/V market, and will leverage that skillset to accommodate the continued growth of the AudioControl brand that includes critical new product introductions slated for 2021.
Ashley Kay, Director of Customer and Technical Services
Ashley joins an award-winning customer service culture at AudioControl, recognized for providing dealers with the tools they need to succeed quickly and efficiently. Service and support has been a top priority at AudioControl for over four decades. Using superior components and maintaining tight control over in-house engineering, manufacturing and testing practices, AudioControl has established a reputation for the highest levels of product reliability as well as best-in-class service and support for both dealers and end users.
“I am excited to welcome Ashley to the AudioControl team and look forward to leveraging her experience and leadership skills as part of our customer service and technical support initiatives going forward,” explained AudioControl CEO Alex Camara. “It is imperative that we continue to set the standard for unparalleled service and support as we unveil key new products this year and beyond.”
STARKVILLE, MS (01.11.2021) – The Kicker AMA ArenaCross was Livin’ Loud at the Mississippi State University Horse Park Arena in Starkville MS on Friday and Saturday evenings January 8th and 9th.
The KICKER Tent was set up in the lobby of the Horse Park Arena in Starkville, MS.
A KICKER tent, showcasing the company’s wide selection of products for PowerSports, Marine, Automotive and LifeStyle, was set up in the lobby for enthusiasts to see as they entered and exited the arena both days.
Racers on the track in Starkville.
Lorin Morrell, maddog_media, was on site as a Brand Ambassador for KICKER. “Both days were filled with a lot of activity. The floor of the arena was set for riders to show their skills against the clock with amateurs running in the day. Top amateurs raced again in the evening followed by the pros. In light of COVID-19 mandates, with masks and social distancing in place, attendees in the stands were enthusiastic as they watched riders on the track fly and heard the bikes rev.”
KICKER, as a leading 12volt brand, participates in multiple national circuits to put their products in front a broad audience of consumers.
Riders are off and racing as the KICKER AMA Arena Series 2021 got under way.
The next event on the KICKER AMA ArenaCross Series is set for January 15th and 16th at the Mallet Event Center and Arena in Levelland, TX outside Lubbock.
SEATTLE, WA (01.11.2021) – While travel and vacation were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, car sharing has remained relevant with commuters seeking alternatives to public transportation. However, car sharing users, both vehicle owners and renters, continue to face hurdles that prevent a smooth and safe rental experience.
First and foremost, there’s the issue of the vehicle’s key. Currently, vehicle owners’ only two methods of key handoff are to meet renters in-person or to stow away the key somewhere on the outside of the vehicle. The former presents social distancing concerns and the latter subjects the vehicle to threats of theft and key tampering. Additionally, “smash-and-grab” break-ins continue to plague vehicles parked in public places for extended periods of time awaiting rental pickup. Vehicle owners that monetize their vehicles are faced with the dilemma of choosing between convenience and safety.
Firstech, the Seattle-based maker of the DroneMobile remote car starter app, has announced that its April 2021 app update will offer vehicle owners and renters both safety and convenience with new car sharing and key management capabilities.
The upcoming DroneMobile app update will enable the use of the company’s patented KL1 KeyLocker hardware. KeyLocker is an LTE-enabled key management and storage system that makes key handoff as easy as sending an invite to a renter’s email. Upon acceptance of the invitation, renters can instantly see the vehicle’s parking spot and start their trip using only their smartphone. Meanwhile, vehicle owners receive alerts notifying them of successful pickup and drop-off. (During the rental, vehicle owners cannot track or control the vehicle without ending the renter’s access.)
KeyLocker fits into most vehicle compartments and has a sliding door mechanism for safely storing any type of vehicle key. While a vehicle’s key is stored in a KeyLocker, the system activates anti-tampering security sensors around KeyLocker and the outside of the vehicle. These sensors can only be disarmed using the DroneMobile app, which works over LTE from unlimited range. If a vehicle utilizes a “smart” key with push-to-start capabilities, KeyLocker can enable and disable the detection of that key so that it does not need to be removed throughout the duration of the rental. In this case, drivers would use their smartphone as the key for driving the vehicle.
Firstech’s KeyLocker also includes a windshield-mounted touchpad as backup in the event of poor cellular coverage or dead smartphone battery.
Firstech describes the DroneMobile app update as “enabling safer and easier car sharing for everyone.” While the DroneMobile app won’t offer a marketplace to reserve car shares, the company hopes to fill a void for vehicle owners that scale their car sharing operations on other platforms.
In order to enjoy DroneMobile car sharing, vehicle owners should visit an Authorized DroneMobile dealer to have their KeyLocker and LTE hardware installed. Parts and pricing may vary by vehicle. To find a dealer near you, visit www.dronemobile.com/find-a-dealer. All car sharing and key management features will be included for all DroneMobile Premium subscribers, with plans as low as $5.99/month.
FULLERTON, CA (01.11.2021) – Vision Tech America, Inc. has announced 2020 BOYO Trophy Award Winners.
Each year, awards are presented to the sales representatives based on their sales performance and quality of service.
The Distinguished BOYO Sales Rep of the Year 2020 was awarded to Joe Pallila of Potomac Sales by DK Chung (on the left).
The Distinguished Sales Rep of the Year 2020 award was presented to Joe Palilla of Potomac Electronics Sales for the three year in a row.
Joe Palilla, acknowledging this award, offered “DK, Thank you for the honor. 2020 was a very challenging year and your leadership, along with BOYO’s continuing introduction of new quality products, made it possible for BOYO to thrive in my Mid-Atlantic territory. Look forward to working with you in 2021 to duplicate our 2020 success. Thank you again and thanks to all at Vision Tech.”
Most Outstanding Sales Rep of the year 2020 awards were presented to Dave Gill of SMS, Inc., John Tatro of Norcal Sales & Marketing, and Jeff Oliver of J&S Marketing.
Congratulation to all award recipients and we look forward to another successful year 2021.
SHREVEPORT LA (01.09.21) WTF…Win This Friday. King Car Audio won an AIS prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel on Friday morning, January 8th.
The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Four weeks ago we celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.
The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 110th time on Friday, January 8th. The Wheel landed on the AIS space. The King Car Audio slip was drawn from the jar and an Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the Wheel spin was also posted. We reached out to the dealer in Norwalk CT and Mo Deura was very happy to know an AIS prize will be headed their way.
Spinning out winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.
12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, Accele, PowerBass, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, JBL, Power Acoustik, JVC and ZZ-2. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for a winning 12volt retailer.
Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX and Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK, Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI and Infinity Auto Sound. Congratulations to all.
WTF… Where’s the Fun. On next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel will be on Friday, January 15th.
CANNONSBURG, PA (01.08.2021) – On Wednesday, January 6th, End Result and WeConekt hosted dealers for digital marketing classes. The morning and evening sessions were presented on ZOOM.
Ed Dalesandro, End Result Principal, stated “I see it as critical for dealers in 2021 to involve themselves in a platform of different digital marketing avenues to keep their businesses relevant to consumers who are more likely to search for products and services on a computer or smartphone rather than time and money on gas. Make sure your store is motivating, but initially, work to get consumers through the door. That was the focus of the two ZOOM digital marketing classes with WeConekt for dealers in the territory.”
This ZOOM screenshot shows The Digital Journey with Risa Schultz, Allison Lopez and Ed Dalesandro (T to B) during the presentation.
Each ZOOM session lasted just over an hour. During that time Allison Lopez and Risa Schultz guided attendees through a detailed strategy to understand the mechanics to set up a digital strategy for 2021.Powerpoint graphics made it easy for attendees to follow and understand the digital marketing journey.
“Working to help dealers in our territory connect with consumers is extremely important in today’s marketplace that is becoming more digital with each passing month. The WeConekt business platform takes dealers through the digital marketing journey to drive awareness and sales in their stores” Dalesandro offered.
Informative WeConekt graphic
Wayne Arlet, Total Image in Robinson PA, attended the evening session and related “The WeConekt presentation was easy to follow. Importantly there was an opportunity to clarify points. Spending time on the ZOOM presentation was time definitely time well spent. A big thank you to Ed Dalesandro for providing dealers in his territory for the opportunity to connect with WeConekt.”
Risa Schultz, WeConekt SRV VP and CoFounder, offered “Working with Ed and End Result has resulted in dealers in his territory implementing a digital strategy that is increasing sales for their respective car stereo and Home AV businesses. We look forward to guiding dealers through their journeys to connect with consumers.”
DETROIT, MI (01.08.2021) – In the automotive world, bigger has typically been equated with better. But where that was once measured in the length of a vehicle, the size of its fins, the output of its engine or the overall mass. These days, it seems, the best way for a manufacturer to say “Mine’s bigger” is to point to the video screen on the instrument panel.
It may prove difficult to top what Mercedes-Benz has in store, however, as it prepares to release its new EQS battery car. Essentially an all-electric alternative to the familiar S-Class flagship, and the anchor of the new EQ sub-brand, it will offer as an option the large, subtly curved “Hyperscreen,” a video display panel extending, the company notes, “almost the entire width of the interior, from the left to the right A-pillar.
The sort of feature once found in fantasy-in-chrome concept vehicles, “With our MBUX Hyperscreen a design vision becomes reality,” said Gorden Wagener, chief design officer for the Daimler Group. “We merge technology with design in a fascinating way that offers the customer unprecedented ease of use. We love the simplicity we created with a new level of MBUX.”
The MBUX Hyperscreen stretches from one A-pillar to the other.
For those who haven’t followed the automotive technology race in recent years, automakers have gone from basic infotainment systems relying on kludgy knobs, buttons and touchpads to increasingly sophisticated interfaces that can operate much like the voice assistants revolutionizing home technology. The MBUX is, in basic function, much like Amazon’s Alexa. Simply say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and then ask it to change a radio station, plot out a route, check traffic or weather or find the answer to a question you and your passengers are debating.
The cloud-based system made its debut just a couple years ago in the latest-generation Mercedes C-Class but is now working its way through the rest of the German marque’s line-up. And, it claims, the version that will power the Hyperscreen will be significantly upgraded using artificial intelligence and “learn-capable software” that not only will take instructions, but also intuit personal needs and make its own suggestions.
It might remind you if you forget to make a call that you normally schedule at a particular time. Or it might suggest you turn on the hot stone massage when it’s cold outside and you’re heading out on a long drive. It also might check your calendar and recommend sending someone a greeting on their birthday.
Meanwhile, the massive screen will provide additional advantages. It can be difficult to provide much information on a 6-, 8, or even 10-inch touchscreen, requiring users to navigate through a series of menus to find what they need, such as changing radio stations, canceling a route or even turning on or off the seat heaters. The Hyperscreen will allow for a “zero-layer” feature where pretty much anything you might want will be within immediate reach, especially with the AI-powered system anticipating what you need.
The Hyperscreen is not only very large, it’s impressively versatile.
“The MBUX Hyperscreen is both the brain and nervous system of the car,” said Sajjad Khan, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG and CTO. “The MBUX Hyperscreen continually gets to know the customer better and delivers a tailored, personalized infotainment and operating offerings without the occupant needing to click or scroll anywhere.”
As with the large display in the current version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Hyperscreen actually blends together multiple screens but does so all but seamlessly, the automaker noted in a release. It uses the latest OLED display technology to deliver extreme levels of brightness and contrast.
The Hyperscreen is organic in appearance, rather than the boxy layout found in most vehicles, meaning it wraps around the center stack and steering wheel and even two of the EV’s turbine-like air vents.
Mercedes is by no means the only automaker betting that consumers want ever bigger screens. Tesla loaded a laptop-sized display in its original Model S and, today, similar screens are used to control virtually all vehicle functions. Ford’s new Mustang Mach-E has its own computer-sized display and, as TheDetroitBureau.com reported earlier this week, spy shots show a near door-to-door display in what may be a new crossover-style remake of the Ford Fusion. The curved display in Cadillac’s new Escalade SUV measures nearly three feet.
NEW YORK, NY (01.08.2021) – SportsGrid and SiriusXM announced today the launch of the SportsGrid Radio Channel debuting on SiriusXM radios and the SiriusXM app on Channel 204. SiriusXM subscribers nationwide will have access to SportsGrid’s real-time sports news, statistics, odds, and lines, along with live expert analysis. The SportsGrid Radio channel will be available to SiriusXM subscribers 24 hours a day 7 days a week on SiriusXM radios (channel 204) in their cars or anywhere with the SiriusXM app.
SportsGrid Radio will feature a team of on-air personalities including Scott Ferrall, Gabe Morency, Ariel Epstein, and Jared Smith along with expert contributors and guest analysts. The channel streams live from the state-of-the-art production facilities located in New York City adjacent to Madison Square Garden and at the Meadowlands inside the FanDuel Sportsbook. SportsGrid’s real-time reporting includes the daily odds, lines, matchups, injury reports, news and more across pro football, basketball, baseball, hockey, college sports, golf, tennis, and soccer.
The all original SportsGrid Radio weekday line-up has 22-hours of live daily programming starting with The Early Line, weekdays from 7-9 AM ET, hosted by Erin Dolan and Kevin Walsh leading into The Morning After, weekdays from 9 AM – 12 Noon ET, hosted by the passionate and authentic Ariel Epstein and Jared Smith. The high energy topic-driven three-hour morning program covers the top sports stories of the day with the daily rundown of the Scores • Stats • Odds • News • Injury Updates • Interviews and more.
SportsGrid’s pre-game programming features Ferrall Coast to Coast, weekdays from 4-6 PM ET, hosted by popular veteran sports radio personality Scott Ferrall, followed by Game Time Decisions, weekdays from 6-7 PM ET, with Gabe Morency and Cam Stewart. Ferrall Coast to Coast previews the upcoming primetime schedule of live games and special events going over breaking news, injuries, odds, and lines. Game Time Decisions reviews last-minute updates, real-time data and intelligence with expert commentary and analysis.
Every night from 7-10 PM ET, In Play Sports Tonight hosted by Blackjack Fletcher defines the sports gaming genre with live coverage and analysis of in-play breaking news, odds, and the line movement across all major sports. In-Play Sports Tonight focuses on the popularity and emergence of in-play gaming identifying actionable game-specific odds and lines opportunities.
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