TWICE News

• THX Announces Media Director Partners
  
  Greg Tarr, January 23, 2012
  LAS VEGAS - THX used International CES to unveil a list of the first THX Media Director-enabled products from manufacturers, including Dune HD, Epson, Indy Audio Labs and Sharp.
  
• Best Buy Adds Control App For Rocketboost Wireless Audio
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  Minneapolis - Best Buy launched an iOS app that gives users handheld remote control of a do-it-yourself wireless multi-room audio system that incorporates Rocketboost wireless-audio technology.
  
• Sirius XM Expands Used-Car Effort Again
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  New York - SiriusXM continues to expand its efforts to get used-car buyers to activate their factory satellite radio, this time launching a program with Chrysler Group dealers.
  
• RIM President Plans Consumer Focus
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  Waterloo, Ontario - Research In Motion's newly appointed president/CEO promised that the smartphone maker will become more "marketing-driven" and "consumer-oriented" while it improves execution of product and program management.
  
• Hitachi To End Domestic TV Production
  
  By Greg Tarr, January 23, 2012
  Tokyo - Hitachi said it will halt domestic flat-panel TV production and will outsource manufacturing for the Japanese market later this year.
  
• Best Buy, Sharp Kick Off Super Bowl Promo
  
  By Alan Wolf, January 23, 2012
  Minneapolis - Best Buy is kicking off the Super Bowl promotional period with steep discounts on 60-inch, 70-inch and 80-inch 1080p LCD-LED TVs by Sharp.
  
• MTX Reorganizes Sales Team
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  Phoenix - MTX has reorganized its sales department, appointing industry veteran Brad Fair as channel sales and marketing VP.
  
• ADA Readies $40,000 Preamp Processor
  
  TWICE Staff, January 23, 2012
  Las Vegas - Audio Design Associates went to International CES to launch the Cinema Reference Mach IV preamp processor, promoted as the industry's most sophisticated preamp processor and priced at a targeted $40,000.
  
• Shakeup At RIM As Co-CEOs Resign
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  Waterloo, Ontario - Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, Research In Motion's co-chairs and co-CEOs, left their posts in the wake of RIM's declining market share and stock price but remain on the board.
  
• Jerry Throgmartin, hhgregg Chairman, Dies
  
  By Alan Wolf, January 23, 2012
  Indianapolis - CE retail industry veteran Jerry Throgmartin, executive chairman of hhgregg, has died.
  
• Onkyo, TEAC In Cross-Ownership Deal
  
  Joseph Palenchar, January 23, 2012
  Tokyo - Onkyo and TEAC announced a strategic alliance in which they will acquire shares of each other's stock and explore ways to share manufacturing facilities, logistic centers and research and development efforts.
  
• U.S. Tablet Ownership Doubled During Holidays
  
  By Doug Olenick, January 23, 2012
  New York - The 2011 holiday season saw the number of tablet owners in the United States almost double.
  
• Walmart Names New Sam's Club Chief
  
  By Alan Wolf, January 20, 2012
  Bentonville, Ark. - In a flurry of executive appointments, Walmart has appointed a new head of Sam's Club and a new chief of U.S. operations.
  
• Monster's Lee Comments On Beats Split
  
  By Lisa Johnston, January 20, 2012
  New York - First and foremost, Monster's Noel Lee wanted to clear up the rumors: The split between his company and Beats Electronics was not financially related, despite what some Internet rumors claimed.
  
• Capitol To Hold Webinars On ZeeVee's HDbridge Line
  
  TWICE Staff, January 20, 2012
  Eagan, Minn. - Capitol, the CE distributor for residential systems and light commercial contractors, will soon host a series of webinars for residential and light commercial pros on how ZeeVee's HDbridge Line.
  
• CEA Hails Congressional Move To Pull Votes On SOPA, PIPA
  
  TWICE Staff, January 20, 2012
  Arlington, Va. - The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) said it is pleased with the announcement that votes on separate online piracy bills in the Senate and House have been postponed.
  
• Intel Exec Promotions Announced
  
  By Doug Olenick, January 20, 2012
  Santa Clara, Calif. - Intel today announced a number of executive changes, including the advancement of Brian Krzanich to COO.
  
• LG Cinema 3D Earns Int'l Award
  
  TWICE Staff, January 20, 2012
    Hollywood,Calif. - The International 3D Society honored LG Electronics with a 2012 3D Technology Award for the approach to 3DTV called Cinema 3D.
  
• Microsoft Posts Higher Revenue, Lower Profits
  
  TWICE Staff, January 20, 2012
  Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft reported higher revenue, but slightly lower net income in the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011.
  
• Conn's Closing Five Stores
  
  By Alan Wolf, January 20, 2012
  Beaumont, Texas - Conn's is closing five stores in Texas and Oklahoma this month, leaving the multiregional CE, appliance and furniture chain with 64 locations.