Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/439817
C o n s u m e r E l e c t ro n i c s D a i l y N e ws Tu e s d a y, J a n u a r y 6 , 2 0 1 5 7 0 markets and distributes GE branded products and provides one of the most comprehensive product offerings in con- sumer electronic accessories, home elec- trical products, lighting controls and security products. Jasco is the only light- ing supplier leading in all three of the developing and emerging technologies – Z-Wave, Zigbee and Bluetooth. CEDN: What new innovations are being introduced this year? KL: Jasco will unveil the new Bluetooth lighting control ecosystem at the 2015 International CES ® (Central Hall, booth #9005). The Bluetooth lighting controls include in-wall on/off switches and dimmers for dimmable LED and CFL, as well plug-in lighting controls that offer on/off and dimming functions. In addition, the weather- resistant outdoor Bluetooth unit is ideal for security lights, fountains and sea- sonal lighting. All of these products operate off of the new and emerging CSR Mesh chipset that allows devices to securely "talk" to each other. Working with Avi-On Labs, our full line of Bluetooth products can be con- trolled from an Android or iOS app, which allows users to turn lights on and off, dim lights and program schedules. Utilizing the wireless mesh technology, it is now possible to easily build a fully automated Bluetooth home control sys- tem, which does not require a hub or Wi- Fi. The Bluetooth devices create a sim- ple, affordable solution that allows users to set it and forget it or control it with the great free app. CEDN: What can CES attendees expect? KL: Jasco will continue as a leader in home automation solutions. The Jasco Z- Wave ecosystem continues to grow and advance with new products that incorpo- rate the latest technology and address the lifestyle and home solution needs of con- sumers and service providers today. Our current two plug-in models have led the industry for years and we are now expanding our line to include six new plug-in devices. They incorporate unique features not found in the market today and will be on display at the Jasco booth #9005. We will also be introducing a new Z- Wave enabled Smart Motion Switch. This device combines unique features and benefits that include energy-savings and hands-free lighting control with intelligent occupancy/vacancy sensors and light-sensing technology. Additional products from our Z-Wave line that will be highlighted include the In-Wall Smart Fan Control and the Direct Wire Smart Switch with energy monitoring, for out- door lighting and high-energy devices up Jasco ( Cont'd. from p. 1) to 40 amps. CEDN: How are Jasco's Connected Home products meeting and setting trends? KL: As an industry in home automa- tion leader since 2006, we work with hub suppliers, retailers and customers to find out the "art of the possible." Thanks to the new Z-Wave Plus com- mand classes and chipsets, consumers are now able to do more with home automation, allowing us to continue to lead in this space and revisit our roadmaps for advances in integration. Consumers' growing understanding and adoption of energy-saving lighting and DIY home automation inspires us to invest in the future and achieve unprecedented breakthroughs to deliver products that accommodate our cus- tomers and open up new possibilities for retailers, service providers and the end-user. Our toggle style Z-Wave switches and interchangeable paddle colors are two great examples. CEDN: What distinguishes Jasco's Connected Home products from com- petitors? KL: We focus on interoperability, product performance and reliability. We have the most robust line of light- ing controls on the market. Jasco inno- vates and participates in Z-Wave, ZigBee and Bluetooth (BLE). Our products consistently test-out with product and engineering teams, inde- pendent testing/certification centers and most importantly, prospective and current customers at equivalent or higher levels than the competition. Product reliability and performance assures our customers that they are pro- viding their customer (the end-con- sumer) with the most dependable solu- tion. Jasco consistently provides a high level of customer satisfaction resulting in increased confidence and subscriber retention, thus reinforcing and strengthening the concept of offering a connected home solution. CEDN: How can readers find out more? KL: All CES attendees will have the opportunity to experience hands-on product demonstrations and learn more at the Jasco booth (Central Hall, booth #9005). You can also visit www.jasco- products.com and stay connected with Jasco on Facebook and Twitter for CES updates and connected home product news. Visit Jasco Products Company at booth #9005. For more information, go to www.jascoproducts.com, call 855-527- 2687 or email mschaffner@jasco products.com. VONAGE GRANTED NEW PATENTS Vonage Holdings Corp. has announced that it was granted four new patents in November by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Vonage has been granted 24 U.S. patents in 2014, and now owns 61 U.S. patents. The company cur- rently has 249 U.S. patent applications pending, along with numerous foreign patents and pending applications in juris- dictions worldwide. U.S. Pat. No. 8,897,177, "Systems and Methods of Conducting Conference Calls" enables telephone users to set their phones into conference mode so that incoming calls are automatically added to a conference call. Users may disable this feature at any time to receive calls in a standard manner. U.S. Pat. No. 8,892,748, "Systems and Methods for Enabling Data Communications to a Telephony Device," issued November 18, provides a battery-efficient method for mobile devices using a VoIP service to maintain a connection when the user is not on a call. This ensures that the mobile device can reliably receive calls over the VoIP connection. U.S. Pat. No. 8,885,457, "Systems and Methods of Improving the Quality of VoIP Communications," issued November 11, enables VoIP operators to detect when a subscriber's device may be having difficulty registering with the operator's network, instructing their devices to reboot themselves to correct the problem. U.S. Pat. No. 8,879,476, "Method and Apparatus for Performing Network Registration," issued November 4, relates to a system where VoIP operators can partner with operators of other sys- tems, such as social networking plat- forms or Wi-Fi hotspot networks, to help determine the current IP address of a VoIP user. Even if the VoIP user is not connected to a VoIP operator's network, this technology allows the VoIP operator to complete a call request to the user by requesting the user's IP address informa- tion from third-party operators as long as the VoIP user is connected to their sys- tems. "Conference calls have traditionally been inconvenient to set up, involving the distribution and use of conference bridge numbers and authorization codes. The '177 patent eliminates these steps, allowing invitees to dial the host directly and immediately join the conference call. The '177 patent complements a patent granted to Vonage last year, which provides a group 'dial-out' solution that also eliminates the need for bridge num- bers or authorization codes," said Chief Legal Officer Kurt M. Rogers. "Vonage has also focused on improving consisten- cy and quality in delivering incoming call requests despite challenges inherent in providing voice-over-data services, espe- cially on mobile devices. The '748, '457 and '476 patents each address aspects of this problem, improving efficiency and reliability in connecting VoIP calls." amplifiers built for the outdoors, and upgraded three woofers with enhanced performance characteristics. The new Kenwood woofers all feature an oversized design to provide more cone area in a smaller space, and a redesigned spider that improves sound integrity. A dual ventilation bas- ket smooths airflow within the basket and lets it out from the back and sides of the subwoofer, resulting in improved heat dissipation and superior bass reproduction. The new square array pattern cone design helps with cone rigidity. From the Kenwood eXcelon line, the KFC-XW-120 12-inch subwoofer can handle 400 watts RMS and 2,000 watts peak power at 4 ohms. Its smaller com- panion, the 10-inch eXcelon KFC-XW- 100, handles 300 watts RMS and 1,300 watts peak at 4 ohms. Suggested retail prices are $120 and S110, respectively. Like the KFC-WX-100, the KFC- W2516PS (MSRP $110.00) also peaks at 1,300 watts and handles 300 watts RMS at 4 ohms. All woofers are shipping in January. The new power sports amplifiers tout a small design that allows them to fit into the storage compartments of motor- cycles, quads or boats. The circuit boards from the CEA-2006-compliant ampli- fiers are treated with conformal coating to deter damage over time from the ele- ments. The KCA-M1824BT (MSRP $300; March ship date) is designed to allow a Bluetooth-enabled device to act as a source unit. The amplifier includes built- in Bluetooth with sound-enhancing aptX technology, as well as a USB port that charges the paired device. In addition to Bluetooth, high-and low-level inputs work with factory or aftermarket radios, and an RCA output allows the user to Kenwood ( Cont'd. from p. 1) expand the system with an additional amplifier. An IPX5-certified wired remote control enables volume control and media selection. The four-channel KC-M1824BT is rated at 45 watts per channel at 4 ohms (peak output at 100 watts per channel). If the two sets are bridged for two-speaker applications the output is 90 watts RMS per channel at 4 ohms. At $200, the KCA-M3001 is a sin- gle-channel amplifier designed for use with a subwoofer. It includes a variable low-pass filter to optimize bass output and both speaker-level and low-level inputs for installation flexibility. Power output is rated at 200 watts at 4 ohms; 300 watts at 2 ohms. The companion KCA-M3004, also with an MSRP of $200, runs four chan- nels and includes high- and low-pass fil- ters. It is rated at 50 watts per channel at 4 ohms; 75 watts per channel at 2 ohms. The three amplifiers are expected to ship between February and March. See them, as well as the new subwoofers at Kenwood booth #1702 in the North Hall during International CES. About JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVCKEN- WOOD Corporation and is a leading developer of imaging, home and car entertainment, and navigation products for the consumer market, two-way radio communications systems for public safe- ty, private industry and amateur users, and video equipment for the broadcast and professional markets. For detailed information, call JVCKENWOOD USA at 800-950-5005 or visit http://us.jvck- enwood.com, www.kenwoodusa.com and www.jvc.com. For more information, visit www .kenwoodusa.com or booth #1702.