Confederations of companies rarely outlast the onslaught of the group’s corporate accountants (especially when the new top management comes from a supply chain company like Flextronics).

The confederation known as Nortek will centralize all its nine residential brands under one new group with three business divisions to reduce product and R&D budgets and “deliver programs with higher impact.”

"We've joined the expertise and efficiency of the industry's most important technology brands and formed a new resource for our dealers that represents a unique opportunity for them to grow both ROI and competitive standing," says Sean Burke, group president of Nortek's technology products segment. "By synergizing the benefits of our brands under one centralized group, additional resources can be better allocated to product development and marketing." Not to mention the money that might drop to the bottom line.

Described by Boat International as "one of the world's most amazing super yachts, that could spell the future for efficient long range cruising", the striking 42.5m Trimaran Adastra has recently been launched for Hong Kong clients Anto and Elaine Marden.

The Adastra, a $15M yacht, is capable of traveling from London to New York while controlled via an app on its owner's iPad.

"Adastra" is the result of more than five years of design (and discussion with the owners) to make a viable luxury yacht from the “power trimaran” concept (previously only used by record-breakers who stripped-out trimarans for racing).

Adastra's 16 metre beam creates a spacious saloon area on the main deck which offers superb views through a panoramic window and holds a lounge area, dining table and navigation station. Adastra accommodates 9 guests and up to 6 crew members. The main helm station (seats two) is positioned in a raised pilot house situated between the aft deck and the saloon area and forms part of the cross beam structure.

Watch Adastra, $15M Yacht

Go More details

From the country that brought you NTSC television…

It’s a funny animation that discusses how the government dictates the AV industry must use technology that doesn't make sense.

And who says Yanks don’t have a good sense of humour?.

Go HDMI, HDCP, and the Analog Sunset

Panasonic reaches record losses in 2011, following fellow Japanese TV makers Sony and Sharp-- -$9.7 billion, losses the company blames on ailing plasma and LCD TV divisions.

TV, camera and recorder sales are down collectively by 21% Y-o-Y. Projections for 2012 predict TV sales to fall further (from 17.3m in 2011 to 15.5m).

The company also admits making a mistake by investing heavily in LCD and plasma TVs back in 2006, which president Fumio Ohtsubo describes as "...an excessive investment, something which I regret." Ohtsubo's term as Panasonic presidents ends on June 2012.

Adding to the Panasonic deficit are writedowns for the Sanyo Electric unit. The company plans to continue a restructuring process cutting 17000 jobs.

Panasonic will also follow Samsung and LG into large screen OLED HDTV production. The company is also concentrating on selling solar panels, batteries and appliances, especially within developing territories.

Go Panasonic 2011 Annual Results

Look out Wireless Power Consortium, a wireless power alternative is in town-- the Alliance for Wireless Power (or A4WP), a new industry consortium announced at CTIA Wireless 2012.

A number of major vendors form A4WP, including Samsung, Qualcomm, Powermat, SK Telecom, Ever Win Industries, Gill Industries and Peiker Acustic. Their aim? Nothing less than "an industry-wide wireless power standard" allowing "spatial freedom" between device and power source.

Currently the Qi inductive-charging standard from WPC transmits up to 5W of power from distances of 40mm.

The only technology details A4WP provides mention how the system will include a transmitter and receiver antenna design, a wireless power control system and the transfer of power through non-metallic surfaces.

A4WP is also looking for partnership opportunities with vendors from applicable segments.

Go Alliance For Wireless Power

Dolby Laboratories and Philips Electronics announce Dolby 3D, a 3D HD format and technology suite for the delivery of 3D content on all 3D-enabled devices, including glasses-free displays.

According to the 2 companies the joint project is set to improve the 3D viewing experience on every size of display-- from smartphones and tablets to PCs and TVs.

Both companies will be working with OEMs, focusing on the standardisation and licensing of Dolby 3D technology. No actual partner names are available as yet.

"We believe that Dolby 3D can help drive the adoption of 3D—creating a comfortable, customisable, truly enjoyable glasses-free 3D viewing experience while enhancing 3D display performance," Dolby says.

Go Dolby and Philips Unveil 3D HD Format