THE 12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (06.22.2020) – Following a family-centered Father’s Day 2020 the road forward is filled with questions as we enter the last part of June and get ready for the second half of 2020.

People in general are ready for everything to return to some degree of normal. The recent MECA event in Tennessee, Sunday May 31st, was attended by competitors and spectators who were excited to see friends and compete.

The Spring Carlisle 2020 Car Meet, in Carlisle PA, was originally expected to draw 100,000 to the large outdoor swap meet venue. At the last minute governing officials stepped in to have the event cancelled. A court hearing on Thursday, June 18th, ended with no decision. With so much uncertainty the event drew a much smaller crowd.

The Florida Jeep Jam in Panama City, on Fathers’ Day Weekend, drew a large number of Jeepers and amazing demo vehicles to Panama City FL. Reports are the crowd was less than expected.

The 2020 Scrapin’ the Coast event is scheduled June 26th-28th in Biloxi MS. The Sling Experience in Houston is expected to draw a big crowd to see amazing Slingshots. Bike rally events are happening, the boating season is making waves plus the dunes and trailers are drawing UTV riders.

Across the 12volt industry there are continuing reports indicating 12volt retailers are having record sales months. Distributors are slammed with business and there are rising product shortages from vendors. Manufacturer rep firms are beginning to travel their territories in certain areas of the U.S.

The above examples are signs that the overall marketplace has a desire to return to normal. Against the above backdrop the number of COVID-19 cases are rising again. Professional baseball training camps have closed and the season is in doubt. Members of top college football teams, along with pro teams, have tested positive for the CORONA-19 virus.

In addition, general unrest across the population is a very significant factor in the road forward.

WTF… What’s The Future? Day by Day, from the 12volt Central Studios, we will strive to highlight positives across the 12volt industry. We trust others will do they same in all business segments, organizations and personally. We encourage your input.

NEW YORK, NY (06.19.2020) – SiriusXM has announced the acquisition of Simplecast, a leading podcast management platform that enables podcasters to publish, manage, and measure their content. The Simplecast solution, paired with the award-winning monetization platform of AdsWizz, the adtech subsidiary of SiriusXM, creates an end-to-end solution that enables creators to publish and generate revenue from their podcasts, all in one place.

Led by Founder & CEO, Brad Smith, the Simplecast platform, with its leading content management, audience analytics, and dynamic audio toolset, MAE (Moveable Audio Engine), has attracted some of the largest and most highly respected brands and publishers including Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Netflix, Maximum Fun, Cloud10, QCODE, Anna Faris is Unqualified, Blue Wire, and Revision Path. The Simplecast platform is employed by a wide range of creators, from enterprise-level publishers and networks to independent niche podcasters.

Simplecast and AdsWizz will form SiriusXM’s publisher solution business, a full-service platform designed to meet the needs of podcast creators of all sizes. The acquisition expands and strengthens SiriusXM’s and Pandora’s tools and monetization services for podcasters and publishers. Through AdsWizz, SiriusXM offers a leading adtech solution for podcasters and networks, from dynamic ad insertion to ad serving, new programmatic solutions for podcasting, and the AdsWizz Podcast Marketplace, PodWave. Through Pandora for Podcasters, creators can easily submit their podcasts to reach Pandora’s millions of users and get access to data analytics tools and useful audience insights.

“Our goal is to provide audio publishers with state-of-the-art platforms and give them everything they need to be successful,” said Alexis van de Wyer, CEO of AdsWizz. “Empowering podcasters of any size to create, distribute, analyze, and monetize their work is the next natural step in pursuing our vision.”

“From the beginning, Simplecast’s mantra and mission was to remain laser-focused on podcast creators – building the best tools for publishing and insights,” said Brad Smith, the Founder & CEO of Simplecast. “The opportunity and alignment with AdsWizz allows our product — and our customers — access to a powerful monetization platform. Two best-in-class platforms are now able to align with the shared mission of helping publishers succeed, while each team continues to focus on their respective areas of expertise.”

With the integration between AdsWizz and Simplecast’s MAE, podcast publishers are able to take advantage of the integrated solution starting today.

SiriusXM was represented by Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP as counsel. Simplecast was represented by Telos Advisors, LLC as exclusive financial advisor and Sullivan & Worcester LLP as counsel.

Visit www.siriusxm.com for more.

PALMYRA, PA (06.19.2020) – PowerDrive’s 3000 Watt power inverter features Bluetooth wireless technology with an APP interface for remote access allowing you to easily customize settings and check battery voltage, output power, product temperature and more.

The powerful PD3000 power inverter supports AC devices rated up to 3000 Watts delivering 3000 Watts of continuous AC power with a high surge capacity for devices that require up to 6000 Watts to start. Mobile features include a free downloadable mobile app allowing pairing between your smart phone and inverter to access features and settings.

Additionally, the removable control panel allows remote monitoring and testing. Convenient outlet options include four 3-prong AC outlets and two USB power ports – one standard 2.4 AMP port and one USB-C 3.0 AMP port. Reliable safety features include audible alarms and safety shut-off triggers. The durable ABS PVC composite housing is tough and rigid to protect electronic components from abrasion and damage.

Click here to view PD3000 product page.

Visit roadprobrands.com for more.

SHREVEPORT, LA (06.18.2020) – WTF… Win This Friday. The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. We are now celebrating 80 winners and seven months ago we celebrated the first anniversary of the weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel.

CRUX Interfacing Solutions was the first brand to award a prize and Stereo & Video Center was the first winner. The date was December 19th 2018. The latest 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Winner, Number 80, was Texas Dreamz Customs. The Wheel landed on the NavAtlas space Friday morning June 12th and the prize was a NavAtlas 2-Way Radio.

Spinning out a new winner each Friday, a 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, Cadence, PowerBass, Sony, CRUX, DS18, SoundStream, AIS, Precision Power, JBL, Power Acoustik, Farenheit, Image Dynamics and SpellBrite. 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 and Texas Dreamz Customs. Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s the Fun. On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel Friday, June 19th.

Want to enter for future spins? It’s easy – when making an Instagram post for your store include the hashtag #12voltspin to make sure your company has a slip in the jar. There are over 1100 #12voltspin posts on Instagram.

With 18 chances to WIN, the 12Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is ready to shower a lucky weekly winner with one of the cool prizes.

Stay tuned to 12voltnews.com on the web and @12voltnews on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for 12volt Spin-To-Win winner announcements every Friday!

METAIRIE, LA (06.18.2020) – After its exceptional recent debut, Oracle Lighting, an innovator in LED lighting solutions, is now taking orders for its latest innovation: The A.I.R. Solo (Antimicrobial Irradiation Respirator). The wearable UVGI face mask is designed to be worn under common face masks in order to protect both users and those around them, killing live viruses such as Coronavirus, pathogens, bacterium, or other microorganisms attached to the fabric’s surface.

“We are all familiar with the CDC statement ‘Your mask protects me; my mask protects you,’” said Troy Organo, co-inventor of the product. “The A.I.R. Solo provides protection against viruses for both the user and others. High-risk individuals cannot simply rely on others to respect their health safety. The Solo provides benefits to the user while also sanitizing outgoing air to protect others. While this product is beneficial for high-risk individuals, it is for anyone going into a higher-risk environment such as public transportation, flying, or even for simply going to the grocery store.”

Ideal for both consumers and professionals alike, the A.I.R. Solo is the extra layer of protection that can help mitigate exposure to COVID-19 and other viruses as the country begins to re-open. The A.I.R. Solo has been designed and engineered in the USA and will begin shipping in July 2020 with a special pre-order introductory price of only $99.95 USD.

“N95 masks have been the go-to PPE for preventing exposure to COVID-19, but these only filter 95 percent of particulate,” explained Justin Hartenstein, Oracle Lighting director of product development. “Consumers need better assurance to be confident that they will not be exposed. A.I.R. Solo is your personal virus protector by neutralizing that remaining five percent not filtered by an N95 mask while sanitizing the contaminated mask at the same time.”

This device also benefits those who wear cloth face coverings, according to Hartenstein. “Studies have shown that respiratory pathogens on the outer surface of cloth masks can actually result in self-contamination, which is exactly what they are intended to prevent,” he said. “Because of this, we see the unique UV irradiation benefits of A.I.R. Solo as the best sanitization scenario for helping to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 and other viruses.”

Existing personal air filtration masks are designed to prevent inhalation of viruses by trapping the particles from the incoming air in the cloth material worn on the face. However, they are not designed to disinfect or neutralize these particles. Because of this, the masks can become saturated with live viruses, pathogens, bacterium, or other microorganisms attached to the fabric surfaces. Because the cloth mask becomes contaminated with use, washing a cloth mask is recommended by health officials. Unfortunately, most consumer-grade laundry detergents do not contain disinfectant; in fact, studies show that pathogens can actually be spread in the wash and can contaminate other laundry in the load.

A.I.R. Solo is worn under any common face mask and utilizes a patent-pending system to sanitize the air while simultaneously neutralizing contaminants trapped in the cloth face mask by means of short-wave ultraviolet light exposure. The ultraviolet light source is produced via UV LEDs which are integrated into the device. The spectrum of ultraviolet light is separated into various ranges, with shortest-wavelength referred to as UV-C which is considered “germicidal UV.”

“A.I.R. Solo is composed of a small cover made of an anti-microbial silicone which is worn on the face and attached with straps similar to a traditional face mask,” Hartenstein continued. “The user wears a traditional face mask (cloth mask, surgical mask, N95, etc.) over the device. A small rechargeable battery pack powers the device and can be manually turned on and off by the user. In addition to the anti-germicidal LEDs, the device also contains UV-A LEDs which provide a wider light spectrum and visible light. The visible UV-A LED functions as an indicator that the device is on and working but provides minimal anti-microbial benefits.”

Wavelengths between 200-300 nanometers, such as the UV-C LEDs integrated into the A.I.R. Solo provide the most effective germicidal function. This is because the wavelength of UV-C irradiation utilizes photons to inactivate the virus which prevents the cell from replicating and infecting the body if inhaled. The A.I.R. Solo’s UV-C LED emitters are integrated into the airflow partition of the device which is designed to scrub the air and sterilize the cloth mask simultaneously.

Research has shown effectiveness of UV-C LEDs against Coronavirus. A recent study by Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. (SETi) has demonstrated 99.9 percent effectiveness against COVID-19 and determined that COVID becomes even more sterile when placed closer to the UV-C source. The A.I.R. Solo is designed to channel the incoming air within 5mm of the UV-C source providing increased effectiveness and sterilization.

Is it safe?

For years hospitals and labs have used ultraviolet light for disinfection and medical sanitation against viruses. Commonly known as “Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation,” UVGI is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA in a manner which renders the cells inactive and unable to perform cellular functions. Testing has shown that no measurable amount of UV-C light is directed towards the user wearing the device.

“UV-C light has been used in many applications such as the purification of drinking water for decades,” said Hartenstein. “While UV-C is part of the normal spectrum of sunlight, it is invisible and can cause sunburn with direct skin exposure. This was taken into account when developing the A.I.R. Solo, and the UV light is outward and away from the user to prevent any direct skin exposure. Testing has shown that no measurable amount of UV-C light is directed towards the user wearing the device.”

Additional A.I.R. Device models are scheduled to be released in 2021.

For more information on the A.I.R. Solo, visit www.theairdevice.com, or email info@theairdevice.com.