For six years, the WiSA Association has struggled to achieve critical mass for its wireless surround-sound technology, but new member Xbox could change the game, so to speak. Meanwhile, WiSA needs a better website .
Julie Jacobson
Julie Jacobson is founding editor of CE Pro, the leading media brand for the home-technology channel. She has covered the smart-home industry since 1994, long before there was much of an Internet, let alone an Internet of things. Currently she studies, speaks, writes and rabble-rouses in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V, wellness-related technology, biophilic design, and the business of home technology. Julie majored in Economics at the University of Michigan, spent a year abroad at Cambridge University, and earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a recipient of the annual CTA TechHome Leadership Award, and a CEDIA Fellows honoree. A washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player, Julie currently resides in San Antonio, Texas and sometimes St. Paul, Minn. Follow on Twitter: @juliejacobson
Julie Jacobson's Latest Posts
Lutron Sues Legrand, QMotion over Multiple Lighting and Shade-Control Patents
In lawsuit, Lutron claims Legrand and its subsidiaries (Watt Stopper, Pass & Seymour, QMotion) infringed on patents involving wallbox dimmers, fluorescent lighting controls and remote-control form factors that resemble Lutron’s Pico remote.
Great News for Pros: Home Automation is More Confusing than Ever
Home automation, networking and security have never been more confusing, thanks to an onslaught of DIY products like Ring Protect, Nest Secure, Amazon Echo Plus and Google Home. That’s great news for smart-home pros.
Azione Dealers on Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Home-Tech Employees
Leading home-technology integrators at Azione conference discuss successes and shortcomings in human resources, including hiring and developing employees.
Amazon’s Decision on ZigBee vs. Z-Wave Makes No Sense
Julie Jacobson and Avi Rosenthal wonder why Amazon chose ZigBee for Echo Plus home-automation hub, when Z-Wave is more interoperable, secure, supportable, and ubiquitous.
Google, Nest Share Vision for Home-Technology Pros
At CEDIA 2017, Google and Nest product managers Mark Spates and Mike Soucie discuss smart-home products, protocols and opportunities for home-technology pros.
3 Big Trends in Security & Home Automation
The security and home-automation industries grapple with new technologies and business models today and in the near future — insurtech, closed vs. open ecosystems, and cloud vs. local integration, to name a few.
Amazon’s New Custom Smart-Home Service: Who Cares if They’re ‘Sincere’?
Countering the Amazon-bashing, Julie Jacobson says new CEDIA program may or may not work, but don’t dismiss it just because Amazon might change its smart-home strategy in the future.
Z-Wave’s New ‘SmartStart’ Dramatically Simplifies Home Automation Installs
SmartStart allows dealers and vendors to easily provision Z-Wave home automation devices off-site, so the entire system is ready control when the products are powered up at home.
Google Home Max, Nest Home Automation, Machine Learning: Can Anyone Beat Google?
The theme of Google’s big press event last week was: Stuff just happens. No downloads. No “skills.” New Google Home Max, potential Sonos buster, listens and learns for “smarter sound,” and Nest home automation magically joins the ecosystem.
Sonos One with Alexa and Google Assistant, Plus ‘More Open’ API
New Sonos One speaker becomes home-automation hub with six-mic array and Alexa voice control; Google Assistant comes in 2018. Plus, a more “open” API?
Ring Protect Shatters Price Barriers for Security Monitoring, Video Storage
Ring Protect DIY security and home automation system debuts with ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular and no-contract professional alarm monitoring with such absurdly low fees you wonder how they make money.
