Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 7/ Issue 2 i Residential Tech Today

The underrepresentation of women in our industry is something that could've fit into our previous issue—the Issues Issue. But that simply didn't seem adequate enough. So, naturally, we took this opportunity, on the grandest stage of the custom integration channel, to put a spotlight on just a handful of the countless influential women in CI. And from the get-go, I knew there was only one person who could help us accomplish our goal to do this topic justice—someone who, in a different life and role, was a colleague of mine in this very business: Maryellen Oswald. When we talk about keeping our finger on the pulse of an industry and on the pulse of a topic like influential women, no one fits that bill better than MEO. She's among the…

This year's CEDIA Expo and Education Conference marks a bold new era in how we deliver education—more immersive, more personalized, and more connected to the real-world challenges and opportunities in our industry. Together with CEDIA's education team, I've been honored to help reimagine the attendee experience across four dynamic education tracks: Technical, Business, Design/ Build, and Future Technologies. Each track is packed with carefully curated sessions that align with roles across the smart home industry—from brand-new technicians to business owners, project managers, sales professionals, and experienced integrators. One of the most exciting developments for 2025 is our collaboration with Technology Designer Magazine to create four specialized courses tailored to the design/build community. These sessions are more than just classes—they're an experience. Each course includes an accompanying guided show floor tour…

In the integration industry, it's easy to focus almost exclusively on technology and sales—the next big system launch, contract or next quarter's targets. But after more than 20 years building Acoustic Design Systems from a garage startup into a thriving company with nearly 60 employees, I've learned that success doesn't come from products and contracts alone. It comes from people, and more specifically, the culture that empowers them to do their best work. A strong company culture isn't a feel-good side project; it's a profit driver. Companies with accountable, engaged, and growth-minded teams are better positioned to outperform their competitors. They experience lower turnover, stronger customer relationships, higher productivity, and more consistent growth over time. If you lead an integration business, it's worth asking yourself: Are you investing enough in…

When you think about influential female voices in the custom integration industry, while there are many, a certain few rise to the top of the list on their own. Angela Larson is certainly one of them, and it's because of not only the incredible accomplishments she's achieved over the years, but the impact she's had on future generations of female leaders. So, to be able to sit down with her and tap into that wealth of knowledge and experience was a must for this particular issue of Residential Tech Today. As the Senior VP of Professional Solutions at Savant, Angie's experience is on full display on a daily basis. She guides the product journey for one of the biggest brands in the automated lighting and shading (and power) segment. And,…

For all the pool owners out there, you get it when I talk about how much of a tug-o-war pool cleaning and maintenance can be over the course of a single season. So, when the opportunity presented itself to take a look at an AI-powered robot whose sole responsibility is to keep my pool clean, I sprinted off of the high dive at the opportunity to take it for a spin. Beatbot, makers of a whole portfolio of pool-cleaning bots, supplied us with what they called their most popular model, the AquaSense 2 Pro. The 5-in-1 comprehensive cleaning machine carries a 13,400 mAh battery that allows the bot to continuously clean for upwards of 11 hours between charges. It's absolutely packed with different features and bells and whistles that we'll…

When I was invited to return as a Guest Publisher for this special issue—one timed with one of the industry's most influential trade shows—I felt both honored and inspired. My roots as a publisher placed me at the intersection of design and technology, giving me the privilege of sharing voices, spotlighting innovation, and helping bridge the gap across multiple verticals. This opportunity brought me back to that mission—but with even greater purpose. In this issue, I had the immense pleasure of curating stories that celebrate the strength, brilliance, and impact of women in our industry. I personally selected and worked with some of the most influential voices in the field—women who continue to lead, disrupt, and elevate what's possible. And I had the unique opportunity to sit down with two…

Even as a person who's made a living off of the ability to craft a narrative, sometimes I'm left simply without words. The day I learned of Maureen's passing was one of those days. It's unreal to me that I had to even write the following sentence: Maureen Jenson, a pioneering and industry trailblazing journalist who made a career and life out of covering the consumer technology and custom integration channels, has passed away. I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity, like so many of us, to work closely with Maureen right at the outset of my own career in the consumer tech media space. She was a guiding light and source of inspiration and leadership for so many in this space, and someone who had a profound…

Earlier this year, Sony's custom integration division went through a rather major transition. Jeff Goldstein, a longtime industry veteran who's responsible for some of the biggest pro-channel launches, announced his retirement after 28 years with the company. His understudy, Kathleen Thomas, was tapped as his replacement and stepped into the lead role back in April. Thomas, a lifelong veteran of the consumer electronics and custom integration channel, carries her own wealth of knowledge and experience into her new role. Early into that transition, Residential Tech Today took the opportunity to check in with Thomas, learn a little more about her background, dive into Sony's CI strategy, and more. Residential Tech Today: First of all, congrats on the new gig. An exciting time for you, for sure. For those who might…

Michelle Guss's career story—and even just her journey through the years at Crestron Electronics—has been filled with many different chapters. What started as a life in the mortgage industry in 2007 quickly evolved out of necessity. Her unmatched skills as a people person have since seen her climb from an office manager at Crestron to the VP of Hospitality. Here, we sit down with Michelle to learn more about her story—one that's a masterclass in taking your career by the horns and making it your own—what the journey has been like, and what lessons she's learned along the way. MEO: As I think about your journey working at Crestron, from where you began to what you do today, it is such a great story to share, and a lot of…

Smart home hubs were once considered essential for connected living. But with the rise of smart speakers, growing device capabilities, and interoperability challenges, their popularity dipped. Now, hubs are experiencing a resurgence—driven by the increasing number of smart devices in homes, the push for crossplatform compatibility, energy-saving needs, and evolving standards like Matter and IoT. Despite Matter's emergence, many devices still rely on Zigbee or Z-Wave protocols, necessitating a hub. Some manufacturers now bridge their legacy devices to Matter, and that's where SwitchBot comes in. Founded in 2016, SwitchBot focuses on making traditional home items smart. Its latest offering, the SwitchBot Hub 3, is a Matterenabled device that supports the SwitchBot ecosystem and much more. Key Features The Hub 3 offers: Centralized control via physical buttons, a rotary knob, the…

Sonos Arc Ultra — Featuring breakthrough Sound Motion technology for a more expansive soundstage, Arc Ultra brings your entertainment to life like no other soundbar. Experience clearer dialogue, deeper bass, and more detailed sound that precisely surrounds you from every direction—all in an unbelievably sleek design. Dolby Atmos takes immersion to a whole new dimension, creating a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience. Learn more at www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/arc-ultra. Monitor Audio Creator Series — Monitor Audio redefines Custom with a 19-model range of performance based in-ceiling and in-wall speakers featuring advanced acoustic technologies and patented installer designs. With 3 clearly defined tiers, each offers enhanced performance levels and additional functionality, culminating with Tier 3, featuring Monitor's best Platinum driver technology! The Creator Series delivers better performance and sound for customers while offering integrators enhanced…

Jessica Bowes is a driving force behind CEDIA's external communications strategy. She expertly crafts and disseminates press releases, ensuring CEDIA gains recognition in various publications and platforms. In addition to her PR prowess, Jessica is a versatile wordsmith. She contributes insightful articles to CEDIA's bi-annual magazine and collaborates with third-party publications to share the association's expertise and insights. Amanda Crigar is Vice President at Acoustic Design Systems, one of the top integration firms serving the Las Vegas market. In her role, she spearheads the development of new efficiencies, procedures, and training programs while overseeing day-to-day operations by leading the company's sales, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, and administrative departments. She joined their team in 2019 after a decade of consulting with them on a variety of business development and marketing…

If you made a list of the things required to be successful as an editor and trade media journalist covering this industry, it would be filled with myriad items. But, at or near the top of that list—at least for me—is a strong relationship with the many different public relations professionals who support so many brands throughout the industry. Big and small. Rookies and veterans. Hardware and software. The roster of brands that each of these incredible women (and their teams) represents runs deep. I and so many other individuals would have a very difficult time keeping track of the latest happenings if it wasn't for their timely alerts, regular follow ups, and downright passion for being a key stakeholder in this space. That's why any collection of content on…

Smart locks offer homeowners a range of benefits, from enhanced security and convenience to remote access and system integration. They eliminate the need for physical keys, allow temporary codes for guests, and often reduce home insurance costs. Enter Alfred International, a Canadian smart lock manufacturer founded in 2018. Though not a household name, Alfred was launched to bring high-security and well-designed smart locks to market. Their “butler meets bouncer” philosophy combines sleek aesthetics with strict safety standards. With 30+ years of OEM/ ODM experience behind its leadership, Alfred has built a robust product line. Key Features of the Alfred DB2S A newer entrant to their portfolio, the DB2S comes loaded with advanced features, including: Multiple Access Methods: Use keys, RFID cards (2 included), up to 250 PINs, Bluetooth via the…