European Custom Installer

System Integration for the Connected Home

Control and Home Media Systems

Extron Intros TouchLink Pro Touchpanels

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The TouchLink Pro control systems from Extron make a complete AV control solution, being a combination of a TouchLink Pro touchpanel and an integrated IP Link control processor.

Extron Touchlink proSuch an all-in-one approach streamlines system designs by consolidating essential control system components, freeing up space and easing integration. The ethernet port allows direct control of multiple devices, and the included port expansion adapter makes it easy to add traditional control ports directly at the touchpanel.

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Sonos Speakers Get Google Assistant

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The Sonos One and Beam smart speakers receive a second built-in voice assistant with Google Assistant, allowing customers to use voice to start a song, queue a TV show, check the weather or control the smart home.

Sonos googleGoogle Assistant follows the previous addition of Amazon Alexa support. Sonos users can choose an assistant for each individual speaker, and a single system can handle multiple assistants. Thus, one can use Google Assistant on Beam in one room and Alexa on a Sonos One in another, or start a song with Google Assistant before asking Alexa what is playing.

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Josh.ai Controls Sony Devices

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Voice controlled-assistant Josh.ai gets compatibility with devices from another vendor-- Sony, specifically through integration with network-enabled TVs, projectors and receivers.

Sony Josh.aiDevice compatibility not only allows for voice controls, but also for a seamless setup process. After connection to the network, Josh auto-populates Sony devices, accelerating the deployment process. Making setup even easier is the fact the Josh portal visibly diagrams the configuration of HDMI inputs and AV outputs.

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Crestron Joins Black Nova in Keypads, Touchpanels

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Crestron announces a partnership with Black Nova-- one bringing Crestron Connected capability to the ARIA, ALBA and ANY collections of keypads and touchpanels.

Crestron Black NovaAs a result, Crestron residential dealers can integrate the Black Nova products in system designs using the Cresnet bus to deliver advanced custom control features and functionality. Crestron Connected technology enables interoperability among diverse 3rd party products, bringing about "significantly" smart homes.

 

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Logitech Intros Alexa-Enabled Harmony Express Remote

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Logitech announces the Harmony Express-- a universal remote bringing together the Harmony entertainment control system and the Amazon Alexa voice-controlled smart assistant.

Harmony remoteAs a streamlined remote, the Harmony Express features the most frequently used entertainment controls, as well as a button for the summoning of the Alexa voice service. It is compatible with "major" cable and satellite TV providers and media streaming services, and should work with TVs, STBs, gaming consoles and sound systems.

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Futuresource: Virtual Assistants Appear Everywhere

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Virtual Assistants (VAs) are set to become the next-generation go-to interface, Futuresource reports-- with 41.8% of all home audio shipments of Q4 2018 featuring integrated VAs, an increase of 50% over Q4 2017.

virtual assistantsIn addition, Q4 2018 smart speaker shipments are up by 79% Y-o-Y.

“But it’s no longer all about the smart speaker,” the analyst says. “For TVs, VAs are being rolled out by leading brands such as LG, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung. Most involve a microphone in the remote control, similar to those used in media streamers, assuring a continued lifespan for the trusty set until manufacturers include microphones in the sets themselves. This can be costly and will require solutions for technical issues around noise and echo cancellation, due to microphones being located adjacent to TV speakers."

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Apple, Netflix Rival

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The rumours have been making the rounds for a while, and now Apple is set to confirm them-- the iPhone maker is indeed launching a video streaming service, the imaginatively dubbed Apple TV+.

Apple TV++Presented at the "show time" event held at the Steve Jobs Theatre, Apple TV+ promises to be "home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet." And Apple appears to be backing up such claims to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by opening its massive chequebook, since the service will offer programming featuring the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan and even Steven Spielberg.

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