Trident Cases And Arkon Mounts Lock Down Mobile Devices For First Responders

For first responders, finding the fastest route to an emergency is crucial. Mobile applications such as Google Maps provide optimal driving routes, live traffic updates, and estimated arrival times. To simultaneously protect and secure mobile devices in unpredictable environments, Trident Case® has created the perfect solution – Kraken A.M.S. smartphone cases that physically lock into a vehicle with an Arkon mount.

Whether driving in an ambulance, a fire truck, or a police car, Trident’s Kraken A.M.S.-compatible Arkon mounts are specially designed to provide optimal mobile device viewing and placement in any setting. With Arkon mounts, both the driver and the passenger can view vital information simultaneously, abandoning the discomfort of manually holding the device during a time of crisis.

Mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type, including dashboards and windshields. Arkon mounts include eight suction-based windshield and surface mounts, ten vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents and headrests, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution.

Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series is custom built to work with a variety of need-specific Arkon mounts. The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, independently tested to meet the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F for resistance to rain, dust, intense vibrations and drops onto concrete.

A variety of case and mount options are available immediately at Trident’s first responders website, giving officials the tools they need to protect their technology investments. Each Trident Kraken A.M.S. case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

Advanced Designs Unique Mobile Video Wall In Two Weeks For New CTV Show "The Social"

What do you do when your TV show uses a video wall for direct viewer interaction, but the entire set needs to be mobile because other shows film on the same soundstage throughout the day? According to the makers of the new CTV talk show “The Social”, you call Advanced, Canada’s premier AV and IT integrator, to develop an innovative mobile video wall solution that can be easily rolled on and off the set!

Advanced recognized that the show needed a solution as technologically advanced as the show’s concept, which capitalizes on social media to make viewers a very literal part of the show, allowing folks at home to tweet and message the show in real time and influence discussions and pose questions. It’s the 21st century’s answer to the old mainstay of “let’s go to our next caller”, and the set deserved a 21st century display to show the audience’s input.

The most amazing thing may not be the display itself, but the fact that Advanced designed, built and installed the custom mount and display in just two weeks working only after-hours, from the day the order was placed to completion. According to Advanced’s General Manager of Systems Integration Omar Prashad, systems such as this one usually require a 4-6 week lead time, which meant that the team had to work literally 24 hours a day for the final two days to have it finished on time for the show’s debut on Monday, September 2.

“We’ve never built a mobile video wall before,” he said, “so there was a lot of brainstorming at the very beginning to determine the best way to build the mount that houses all nine 46-inch displays. It's not something a lot of AV companies could do, but we developed a custom mobile mounting solution with custom welding that can be moved by a single person, even though it weighs nearly 800 pounds. We also couldn’t be on the set during the day because it’s used for a variety of programming, so we constructed the mount offsite, then spent the final two days working around the clock to get it integrated with the switchboard and working flawlessly for its debut on the air on Monday.”

The video wall is composed of nine 46-inch ultra-thin NEC X463UN displays, creating a nearly seamless 138-inchdisplay that gives viewers an HD view of show graphics that may include photos, videos, text and live viewer feeds from Twitter and other social networks. The video feed is delivered directly from the switchboard to a Kramer scaler that optimizes the incoming signal and then sends to the video wall.

“It was a lot of pressure to design, deliver, color calibrate and make sure it was 100 percent working in such a short time frame, but it was exciting to see it all happen,” Prashad added. “There’s nothing Advanced can’t do, and this last-minute mobile video wall is an incredible proof of that philosophy.”

Trident Case And Arkon Mounts Mean Business For Progressive Retailers Using Mobile Devices To Conduct Transactions

There’s a revolution happening in the way brick-and-mortar retailers conduct business. Cash registers are being traded in for tablets. Employees working the floor use smartphones to conduct transactions, manage inventory and help customers. Everywhere we look, store and business owners are realizing the benefits of going mobile, and it’s enabling them to increase efficiency, improve customer service and effectively manage overhead costs.

Trident Case®, manufacturer of the toughest mobile device cases, today announced a dynamic partnership with Arkon®, maker of the most reliable mobile device mounts, to provide case and mount packages that add protection to every retailer’s business plan.

 According to Erin Luzzi, Director of Marketing at Trident, “Tablets and smartphones are being used every day by progressive retailers who understand that using mobile devices to transact business is the way of the future. By providing one source for the toughest tablet cases and the most flexible, reliable mounts, we have simplified the buying process for retailers looking to protect their investment in mobile technology. The Arkon mounts are available directly through Trident, and they are custom configured to work optimally with our Kraken A.M.S. Series cases.”

According to Luzzi, the Kraken A.M.S.-compatible Arkon mounts are specially designed to provide optimal mobile device viewing and placement in any setting imaginable. The mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type. Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series cases are custom built to work with 27 need-specific Arkon mounts. The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, meeting the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F for protection from rain, dust, drops onto concrete and intense vibrations. This means that a user’s device will be safe even if they drop it from four feet high onto concrete two dozen times, and that dust and dirt won’t get into the device’s ports and buttons.

With solutions for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony, this partnership addresses the widest range of consumers possible. The compatible Arkon mounts include eight removable suction-based windshield and surface mounts, 10 vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents, headrests, lighter sockets or sun visors, two rail mounts that are perfect for bicycles, hand trucks or carts, four clamp mounts that are ideal removable solutions for desks and workstations, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution and are perfect for desktop, wall or under-cabinet mounting.

Additionally, Trident’s media stand is ideal for carrying tablets around retail stores and conducting transactions away from the traditional counter space.

A variety of case and mount options are available immediately at Trident’s Retail Solutions website, giving drivers the tools they need to protect their technology investments. Each Trident case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

Stampede Reports Record Year Of Growth And Expansion At 2013 Vendor Summit

Asserting that the Age of Interactivity is now giving way to a new Age of Hyperactivity characterized by an always-fast, always-on Internet, Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. yesterday told attendees at its 2013 Vendor Summit that a new era of unprecedented opportunity was now unfolding — creating sales opportunities for dealers that were unimaginable a few short years ago.

The annual two-day Stampede Vendor Summit, the industry’s only event of its kind, took place October 7-8, 2013 at the Marriott Hotel in Amherst, New York and featured a mix of immersive one-on-one sales interactions between manufacturers and the Stampede sales team, information-packed presentations from InfoComm Senior Vice President John Fuchs and PMA Analyst Rosemary Abowd, a challenging vision of a future built around ‘The Internet of Things’ by AV Girl futurist Midori Connolly, and an engaging dealer panel discussion of business and technology trends hosted by New Bay Media’s Lindsey Adler and EH Publishing’s Craig MacCormack.

“At a time when the traditional AV industry is maturing, a new personalized industry is rising up to take its place, one that is built upon the ideas of connecting, integrating, and sharing devices in entirely new eco-systems built around highly customized software applications,” predicted Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly. “This shift is challenging our industry to stop using the terms ‘audio and video’ and start using the terms ‘see, hear and control’ in order to understand the business opportunities that this shift is creating.”


Indeed, according to Kelly, Stampede has taken a number of strategic steps to empower its 11,000 dealers to take advantage of this seismic shift by consumers and professionals to connect, integrate and share devices at work, school, government and home. “In 2013 we added 20 new product lines and several new core platforms that traditional AV products can attach to,” Kelly emphasized.

“And the results of these additions speak for themselves as we conclude a fifth year of record-breaking growth — a year where earnings grew by 46 percent.” Equally important, according to Kelly, is the fact that the company’s sales grew in all three of its primary product categories — displays, projectors, and unified communications, which is by far the fastest growing segment of the company’s business. “During the Q2 period, our unified communications category sales increased by more than 239 percent over the same period in 2012 and that growth is being driven by the shift from an audio/video world view to a see-hear-control world view.”

Kelly reaffirmed Stampede’s commitment to constantly add value to every system installation it is involved with. “Value adds margin for our dealers,” Kelly told Vendor Summit attendees. “And, thus far in 2013, Stampede is adding value at an unprecedented level that cannot be matched by any other distributor in the business today. We can add this value on a consistent basis because we are focused exclusively on meeting the needs of the ProAV dealer community. We are not distracted by other industries and market segments. We devote 100 percent of our time and considerable resources to helping dealers grow their business.”

Meeting the demands of growth, however, requires an expanding commitment to maintain face-to-face training, online learning, and readily available credit facilities to qualified dealers, “all of which Stampede is committed to providing,” Kelly added. “In fact, in 2013 alone, we have increased our available monthly credit line by 28 percent, enabling us to serve as a bank to our dealer partners. In 2014 we will be opening a new southwest regional office and adding to our field sales team network to increase the number of contacts we can have with dealers and their customers. ”

Photo caption: Left to right: Jeff Willis, Senior Vice President of Stampede; Mark Wilkins, Founder and CEO of Stampede; Kevin Kelly, President and COO of Stampede.

Custom Cases And Mounts Keep Warehouse Workers' Mobile Devices Safe, Secure, And Accessible

Fleet and warehouse facilities utilize smartphones and tablets to oversee vital functions each day. While manufacturers track inventory and shipping dates with internet-enabled devices, fleet managers direct forklifts while using GPS capabilities. In such large scale environments, keeping track of mobile devices can be a burden for managers. In order to simultaneously secure and protect smartphones, Trident Case® has created the perfect solution – Kraken A.M.S. smartphone cases that physically lock onto any surface with an Arkon mount.

By using a custom-designed, physically locked-in mount, facility workers no longer have to keep their smartphones in their pockets or be burdened with uncomfortable armbands. Trident Case and Arkon mounts provide facilities with 25 mounts that can be configured with Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series cases. When combined, the cases and mounts provide superior protection and placement options to fit any need and occupy any space.

 For facility management scenarios, Arkon mounts include eight suction-based windshield and surface mounts, ten vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents and headrests for facility fleets, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution.

Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series is custom built to work with a variety of need-specific Arkon mounts. The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, independently tested to meet the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F for resistance to rain, dust, drops onto concrete and intense vibrations.

With solutions for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Nokia, Sony, LG, Motorola and Samsung, this partnership addresses the widest range of consumers possible. The mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type.

Arkon Resources, Inc. is a manufacturer and global supplier of car, home and office mobile mounting solutions designed for use with tablet computers, smartphones, cameras, portable GPS, satellite radios and other portable devices.

Each Trident case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. To browse the full lineup of Trident mobile device cases and Arkon mounts, visit http://www.tridentcase.com/company/arkon.

Custom Cases And Mounts Provide Stability And Protection For Bikers' Mobile Devices

Smartphones have become an integral part of the modern exercise routine, providing maps, GPS tracking, timers and music to keep people motivated and on track. Since mountain bikers and casual cruisers need easy, fast access to their smartphones and can’t risk dropping the expensive devices, Trident Case® has created the perfect solution - Kraken A.M.S. smartphone cases that physically lock into a custom bike rail mount by Arkon.

The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, independently tested to withstand rain, dust, drops onto concrete and intense vibrations, and meets the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F. By using a custom-designed, physically locked-in mount, bikers no longer have to keep their smartphones in their pockets or be burdened with uncomfortable armbands. With the Kraken case and Arkon bike rail mount they can be assured their devices are safe, secure and ready to access at a moment’s notice, right on their handlebars. This provides constant connection to maps, fitness tracking apps and music, and makes answering phone calls easy.

In addition to the bike rail mount, Trident Case® has partnered with Arkon mounts to create more than two dozen custom mounts for a variety of usage scenarios that lock into Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series cases for smartphones and tablets. When combined, the cases and mounts provide superior protection and secure placement options for any scenario from biking and boating to watching backseat movies in a car.

Trident-compatible Arkon mounts are specially designed to provide optimal mobile device viewing and placement in any outdoor setting. The mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type.

With solutions for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Motorola and Samsung, this partnership addresses the widest range of consumers possible. The compatible Arkon mounts include eight suction-based windshield and surface mounts, 10 vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents, headrests, lighter sockets or sun visors, two rail mounts that are perfect for bicycles, hand trucks or carts, four clamp mounts that are ideal removable solutions for desks and workstations, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution and are perfect for wall or under-cabinet mounting.


Arkon Resources, Inc. is a manufacturer and global supplier of car, home and office mobile mounting solutions designed for use with tablet computers, smartphones, cameras, portable GPS, satellite radios and other portable devices.

Each Trident case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. To browse the full lineup of Trident mobile device cases and Arkon mounts, visit http://www.tridentcase.com/company/arkon.

Boaters Lock Down Mobile Devices With Custom-Fitted Cases And Mounts

Smartphones and tablets are indispensable tools for the modern boater. Fishermen utilize apps to locate the most plentiful fishing spots, and sailors navigate the seas with digital maps and GPS. Whether speeding across a lake or navigating across an ocean, boaters need to be sure their mobile electronics are secure, protected and won’t fall out of a mount if the seas get rough.

To provide peace of mind for boaters, Trident Case® has partnered with Arkon mounts to create more than two dozen custom mounts that physically lock into Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series cases. When combined, the cases and mounts provide superior protection and secure placement options for any need, on or below deck.

Trident-compatible Arkon mounts are specially designed to provide optimal mobile device viewing and placement in any outdoor setting. The mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type. Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series are custom built to work with a variety of need-specific Arkon mounts. The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, independently tested to withstand rain, dust, drops onto concrete and intense vibrations, and meets the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F.

With solutions for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Motorola and Samsung, this partnership addresses the widest range of consumers possible. The compatible Arkon mounts include eight suction-based windshield and surface mounts, 10 vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents, headrests, lighter sockets or sun visors, two rail mounts that are perfect for bicycles, hand trucks or carts, four clamp mounts that are ideal removable solutions for desks and workstations, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution and are perfect for wall or under-cabinet mounting.

Arkon Resources, Inc. is a manufacturer and global supplier of car, home and office mobile mounting solutions designed for use with tablet computers, smartphones, cameras, portable GPS, satellite radios and other portable devices.

Each Trident case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. To browse the full lineup of Trident mobile device cases and Arkon mounts, visit http://www.tridentcase.com/company/arkon.

Trident iPad Cases Provide Maximum Protection For Deer Point Elementary School's Autism Classroom

At Deer Point Elementary in Panama City, Florida, teacher William Weatherly has had great success using Apple® iPads in his autism classroom, but he quickly realized he needed top-notch cases to protect the devices from drops and spills. That’s why the school is using Trident Kraken A.M.S. iPad cases to protect their investment and ensure each student continues to have the best possible learning experience.

Weatherly’s class uses nine iPads – one for each student – for various lessons in both reading and mathematics. The tablet’s software also assists in developing communication skills in autistic students with speaking disabilities.

To ensure that the iPads survive, Weatherly required the most durable cases possible. “Our class relies heavily on iPads for daily instruction, because that’s the way the students learn best,” he said today. “Trident cases have been on the devices for a year, and have completely held up against drops, spills and temper tantrums.”

As teachers rely more and more on technology to conduct lessons, Trident Case is committed to providing the highest level of protection for tablets that will preserve tablets through plenty of wear-and-tear scenarios in all school environments, including K-12 and higher education.

“Trident cases really perform the way they say they do,” Weatherly said. “I have been recommending these cases to the administration because students can benefit from protected smart devices in schools. As far as technology goes these days, there are many apps that cater to schools. Books can already be pre-logged. There’s no more excuse of ‘I left it at home’.”

According to Weatherly, the curriculum utilizes software called Nearpod that enables teachers to control each individual device. This way, teachers can administer quizzes, questions and lessons simultaneously to students who each have their own tablet in the classroom.

When Weatherly’s students attend other classes within the school they take the iPads with them, which means that they physically leave the classroom. This requires even more protection from the cases.

“We are thrilled to see our Kraken A.M.S. cases being put to such good use in a challenging K12 classroom environment, but we are not surprised,” said Erin Luzzi, Vice President of Marketing at Trident Case. “The Kraken A.M.S. Series for smartphones and tablets is designed to stand up and perform optimally in the most punishing usage environments. More and more schools are adopting the Kraken A.M.S. Series as a sensible purchase that protects their investment in tablet technology.”

In a YouTube video created by Weatherly, students of the autism program demonstrate the type of damage a tablet may experience in a learning environment. “I would rate it a ten out of ten,” Zachary, a student, said in the video after dropping his iPad on the ground.

The Kraken A.M.S. Series cases are the strongest, most durable cases made by Trident. The case consists of a shock-absorbing silicone inner layer covered by a hardened polycarbonate outer-casing, with a built-in screen protector to provide maximum protection. The attachment port at the back of the case also features a mounting accessory that supports accessories such as media stands or clips. Kraken cases also meet U.S. military standards to protect mobile devices against rain, dust, drops and vibration.

Trident Case® offers six series of protective carrying solutions providing one, two, or three layers of protection: Kraken A.M.S. Series, Aegis Series, Cyclops Series, Perseus A.M.S. Series, Electra Series, and Apollo Series. All Trident cases use bio-enhanced, plastic based products that are recyclable, compostable, and degradable. Trident cases are manufactured in the USA.

Trident Case And Arkon Mounts Offer Mobile Protection For The Road Ahead

Whether you’re riding on two, four or sixteen wheels, professional drivers depend on their mobile devices to drive them forward. Anyone who operates a vehicle for a living — drivers of trucks, buses and cars — can attest to the benefits of using mobile technology: tablets and smartphones streamline navigation, communication and coordination, making life on the road easier than ever before. But when the road gets bumpy, there’s only one place to turn to protect the technology that keeps them connected to the world at large — Trident Case®.

Trident Case, manufacturer of the world’s toughest mobile device cases, today announced a dynamic partnership with Arkon®, maker of the world’s most reliable mobile device mounts, to provide case and mount packages that protect and extend the life of every mobile device used in professional driving applications.

According to Erin Luzzi, Director of Marketing at Trident, “Tablets and smartphones are being used every day by tens of thousands of driving professionals who put their mobile devices through the ringer! By providing one source for the world’s toughest tablet cases and the world’s most flexible, reliable mounts, we have simplified the buying process for drivers and eliminated any questions of compatibility. These Arkon mounts are available directly through Trident, and they are custom configured to work optimally with our Kraken A.M.S. cases with the available smartphone and tablet adapters.”

According to Luzzi, the Kraken A.M.S.-compatible Arkon mounts are specially designed to provide optimal mobile device viewing and placement in any setting imaginable. The mounts range from temporary to permanent, with a solution available for just about every surface type. Trident’s Kraken A.M.S. Series cases are custom built to work with 27 need-specific Arkon mounts. The Kraken A.M.S. Series is Trident’s most rugged line, rated to withstand rain, dust, drops onto concrete and intense vibrations, and it meets the Military Standard MIL-STD-810F. This ensures that mobile devices are safe from up to 26 drops onto concrete from four feet, 7.9 inches of rain in an hour at a wind velocity of 40 miles an hour, or sand blown at 59 feet per second for three hours, among other hazards.

With solutions for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Motorola and Samsung, this partnership addresses the widest range of consumers possible. The compatible Arkon mounts include eight removable suction-based windshield and surface mounts, 10 vehicle mounts that connect to either cup holders, seat rails, air vents, headrests, lighter sockets or sun visors, two rail mounts that are perfect for bicycles, hand trucks or carts, four clamp mounts that are ideal removable solutions for desks and workstations, and three drill base mounts that provide a more permanent solution and are perfect for desktop, wall or under-cabinet mounting.

A variety of case and mount options are available immediately at Trident’s Professional Driver Solutions web site, giving drivers the tools they need to protect their technology investments. Each Trident Kraken A.M.S. case is available in a minimum of five colors and is constructed using bio-enhanced plastic that is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

ELAN Launches Accelerated Dealer Training Certification Program With g! School!

In response to the growing market demand for its award-winning g! Entertainment and Control System, ELAN® Home Systems today announced that it has enhanced its training program to enable prospective dealers to become certified ELAN g! installers in just 20 hours through a combination of online training and a two-day in-person session.

Nearly 1,000 students have already utilized the free on-demand, self-paced training offered at ELAN’s online g! School, which is available 24/7 and provides more than 150 unique courses.

According to Eric Herdman, ELAN Home Systems Content Manager, “Our coordinated approach to dealer certification combines online and in-person training in a way that ensures that any prospect, anywhere in the world, can become an ELAN dealer as quickly as they want to. By combining a free seven-hour online introduction course with a 13- hour, 1.5 day regional on-site training seminar, we provide new dealers with hands-on experience plus a complete understanding of the inner working of the ELAN g! system.”

The certification process is incredibly simple: a new dealer simply visits www.brainshark.com/go/elan and signs up to take the online course, which is available immediately. Upon successful completion of the 7-hour training course, the new dealer contacts an ELAN regional representative to sign up for a 1.5 day, $100 in-person training seminar in their local area that will complete their education. After the in-person seminar, each dealer must pass a final online exam to receive ELAN g! certification, which is sent in a PDF and available immediately so they can get right to work!

“Our solution allows dealers to become familiar with the ELAN g! system on their own time, with the ability to pause, rewind and restart any lesson they need, so they can progress at their own pace and on their schedule,” Herdman emphasized. “Giving them an online introduction before they do the in-person training is invaluable, and there’s nothing to lose because the online courses are free.”

ELAN’s g! School is the latest incarnation of ELAN U, which debuted as the first-ever online installation-training program in 2003. Since then, installers have taken more than 300,000 online lessons, earning the program numerous awards including the CEA Mark of Excellence Award for Best Training and Support Programs and the Inside Track Certificate of Excellence for Best Dealer Training.

Stampede Unveils New DemoPad Controller

Stampede Presentation Products, Inc., North America’s largest high value added Pro AV distributor, today unveiled the new CENTRO 8 control processor for the DemoPad control system. According to Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly, the introduction of the CENTRO 8 makes DemoPad an extremely attractive control solution for dealers and end-users by simplifying installation and providing highly customizable GUIs to satisfy the unique needs of each project.

“We’re excited to present the expanded DemoPad solution to installers seeking high-quality, high-margin control solutions in the constantly evolving control market,” Kelly said today. “Not only does DemoPad’s software solution offer flexible, customizable control GUIs, but it also allows installers to integrate all key AV elements into the control system, generating opportunities for additional sales of complimentary hardware, such as matrix switchers and IR controllers sourced from other vendors. As we enter the era of ‘The Internet of Things’, DemoPad is leading the way in simplified integration and is aggressively expanding its dealer network throughout North America.”

The CENTRO 8 control processor is a 19" rack mount unit designed to provide two way communication and control of a variety of equipment via an array of input and output ports. Primarily a network device, the CENTRO features a powerful processor board capable of communicating with Apple iOS and Android control interfaces and running complex custom macros and schedules across a network with remote access capability.

The IP-based DemoPad solution sends control signals to Wi-Fi connected devices, so it works equally well with TVs, amplifiers, projectors or blinds that are not IP enabled, which installers can integrate through alternative methods such as IR or RS-232 with affordable IP gateways. DemoPad works with literally 1000s of devices, allowing users to integrate existing products with new devices seamlessly.

The intuitive DemoPad custom design software, available exclusively to DemoPad Certified Installers, enables integrators to create a completely customized interface for the end-user. This programmed custom interface is then uploaded and paired to a DemoPad end-user app, which is purchased through the Apple store or Android Play market, allowing integrators to easily create bespoke systems for each customer and then upload complete control solutions to as many smartphones or tablets as required.

Operating on a network, the CENTRO 8 is the heart of an automation system. It monitors connected devices and listens to requests from Apple iOS and selected Android hand held devices. It provides feedback as to current status of all connected devices (subject to device compatibility) and can receive and store scheduled requests for a variety of tasks including lighting dusk until dawn controls, access control and security arm / disarm, to more simple 'turn TV on' at a set time.

The CENTRO 8 has a built in web server and can store a local copy of the DemoPad project for retrieval or upload to a new device.

The CENTRO 8 features 16 individually addressable IR ports, so using a suitable HD-BaseT Matrix with IR pass through, integrators can simply use jack to jack leads (supplied) from the first eight IR ports into the corresponding IR ports on the matrix. Then at the balun end, a jack to IR bud completes the control loop to enable IR control from iOS and Android devices in each zone, with no additional hardware required. The remaining eight IR ports on the CENTRO 8 are typically used in conjunction with the four RS232 ports to control source equipment located in the rack.

System specifications include:

- Control processor with 4GB internal program memory
- External 12v Power Supply
- 2 x USB general purpose connector ports
- 1 x RJ45 LAN 10/100 Ethernet port
- 1 x HDMI output 1 x Stereo audio out jack
- 4 x Bi-Directional RS232 communication ports
- 8 x Digital Input ports (volt free operation)
- 4 x Low Voltage- 16 x Infra Red output ports (individually addressable)
- Built in HTTP/HTTPS web server and timers for scheduling

New Trident Kraken A.M.S. "Two-In-One" Cases Offer Consumers Both Tough And Flexible Protection For iPhone 5S

The Apple iPhone 5s is now officially available for purchase, and there’s never been a better time for owners to upgrade their case to the most durable, reliable, adjustable and customizable case on the market – the Kraken A.M.S. from Trident Case®. Unlike many other manufacturers that are promoting old cases for the new phone, Trident built a new case specifically for the iPhone 5s that allows users to take advantage of the fingerprint scanner and is precision engineered to fit the exact specifications of the new model.

The Kraken A.M.S. Series is really two cases in one, consisting of a soft, colorful silicone sleeve, called Perseus, and a hard, tough outer shell with a built-in screen protector, called the Kraken A.M.S Exoskeleton, also available in a variety of colors. Owners can use the silicone Perseus case if they require a basic level of protection and then attach the A.M.S. Exoskeleton when they need maximum protection and versatility such as when running, biking, hiking, or working in punishing environments.

Proven to withstand drops, bumps, rain, dust, sand and vibration, the Kraken A.M.S. series is the only case of its kind that provides a military level of protection and custom mounting solutions while allowing buyers to choose their own colors to create a unique case. All Kraken A.M.S. Series cases include a media stand right on the case for easy hands-free viewing, and it can be removed to make way for more than two dozen custom-fitting accessories and mounts, such as a tripod attachment, belt clip, bike rail strap, wire organizer and a variety of car mounts.

Buyers can visit www.tridentcase.com/build-your-own-case to build their own case and choose from more than 40 color combinations*, plus easily add whatever accessories and mounts they need to fit their unique lifestyle. The Kraken A.M.S. case, now available for both new iPhone models, retails for $49.95 and the mounts and accessories start at $14.95.

Trident also released Cyclops and Aegis cases for the iPhone 5s today, offering consumers varying levels of protection, sizes and prices. The $39.95 Cyclops case is a two-piece polycarbonate shell that offers the same protection as Kraken A.M.S. in a smaller form, without the custom attachment options. It includes a built-in screen protector and is available in black, blue, pink, red and Trident green. The $34.95 Aegis case combines a silicone case with a polycarbonate back plate to offer sleek protection for every day use, and comes with a self-applicable screen protector. It is available in black, blue, pink, red and Trident green. Additionally, all three newly released cases are backwards-compatible with the iPhone 5.

The Kraken A.M.S. and Cyclops series are independently tested to meet Military Standard MIL-STD-810F to protect damage caused by excessive vibration, dust, sand, rain or drops. That covers just about every type of “just in case” situation an iPhone owner might encounter, whether they’re going to the beach or a hiking trail. The Aegis series, offering sleek protection and a smaller form factor, meets the same military standards for drops and vibration. In fact, all three series of Trident cases can withstand 26 drops onto concrete from a height of four feet! Since seeing is believing, click here to watch the rigorous military testing that each and every Kraken A.M.S. case goes through.

The Kraken A.M.S. series includes models for the most popular smartphones and tablets from Apple, Blackberry, HTC, Motorola and Samsung. Buyers can feel good about helping the environment because the American-manufactured cases are made with bio-enhanced plastic that is degradable, compostable and recyclable. Trident Case incorporates bio-enhanced resin into plastic based products, making for an effective solution to reducing the environmental impact and contributing to a greener earth.

Note that A.M.S. accessories and mounts are only compatible with the full three-piece Kraken A.M.S. case. Other accessories are compatible with all Trident case series, and each accessory on the website clearly states which cases it can be used with. The newly designed Aegis iPhone 5s case is also compatible with the iPhone 5.

*Full color selections will be available in late October. The Perseus is currently available in black, blue, red, pink and Trident green, and the A.M.S. exoskeleton is currently available in black only.

Photo caption 1: Trident Kraken A.M.S. iPhone 5s case with blue Perseus case and black A.M.S. exoskeleton.

Photo caption 2: Trident Cyclops iPhone 5s case in red.

Photo caption 3: Trident Aegis iPhone 5s case in Trident green.

ELAN Predicts 2014 Will Be The Year Control Comes Home

With new home sales surging and home control becoming an integral part of many homebuilders’ designs, ELAN Home Systems today predicted that 2014 will be the year that integrated entertainment and control becomes a staple of new home construction and remodeling. The forecast  by Core Brands Control Category Director Joe Lautner, who emphasized that there is finally a control solution perfect for every size home, from a one-bedroom apartment to a multi-million dollar estate.

“The goal of technology has always been to make people’s lives easier, and that guiding principle is finally coming home with simple integrated entertainment and control solutions from ELAN,” Lautner said. “The ELAN g! system is giving builders the chance to show new homebuyers that they understand their needs and can design homes with integrated systems that make daily life more convenient, whether it’s two rooms of audio and video in an 800 square foot apartment or connected lighting, climate, security, AV and irrigation systems in a 10,000 square foot home. By introducing a system that can be had for less than $2,000, we have created a value proposition that can win over even the most reluctant homebuyers.”


Award-winning builders Jim Blansfield of Danbury, Connecticut-based Blansfield Builders, Inc. and Josh Wynne of Sarasota, Florida-based Josh Wynne Construction agree with Lautner because they have both already found huge success by partnering with local integrators and using the ELAN® g! Entertainment and Control System to help close new home sales.

“I’m a believer in ‘the new normal’ way of thinking,” Blansfield said, “and with the affordable and expandable control solutions made possible by ELAN g!, home control is the new normal! In the past two years, I’ve closed several new homes by demoing the g! system for prospective clients. I have a g! system in my own home, so I’m the first person to say how easy it is to use, and my clients are consistently impressed that I include technology in my designs and recommendations, because many other builders minimize the importance of home technologies.

“Any builders who resist change and aren’t prepared to talk to clients about integrated home control solutions will hurt themselves in the long run. I even push owners doing remodels to install the ELAN g! system because it adds so much value to the home and brings it into the 21st century more so than new countertops or an open-concept floor plan could ever do.”


Since partnering with Danbury integration firm Structured Home Solutions, Blansfield has built 13 homes that include ELAN g! systems of varying size and complexity. Whether the new buyers were looking for enhanced security, HVAC scheduling, lighting, irrigation and pool controls, or super simple whole-home audio and video systems, every client received a custom solution tailored to their specific needs. From a business perspective, Blansfield knows that his knowledge, appreciation and passion for technology place him in an entirely different category from other builders.

Josh Wynne has had similar success integrating advanced home technologies with the ELAN g! system, and has teamed up with Sarasota integrator SmartHouse Integration to offer his new clients the best that modern home technology has to offer. Wynne is building four new LEED Platinum certified homes in 2013, each featuring the ELAN g! system to control core subsystems such as AV, HVAC, security, lighting, window shades, irrigation, garage doors, pool controls and surveillance cameras.

According to Wynne, “I’ve strived to make a basic home automation package standard for every new home I build. When smartphones came on the market a lot more people started to see how easily these advanced systems could integrate into their homes and help them live more simply and comfortably, and I’ve used that culture movement to benefit my business. Most of my projects are relatively big budget, around the $1 million mark, but there’s absolutely no reason that a $300,000 home shouldn’t include a multi-room audio system, an integrated HVAC or lighting system that saves money and energy, or a lighting system that saves money and energy, or a security and surveillance system that can be accessed remotely from any smartphone or tablet.”

Both builders agree that determining the buyers’ interests is key to selling advanced home control solutions, whether they love music and want multi-room audio or desire heightened peace of mind and would benefit from a mobile-accessible security and surveillance system. From there it’s a small leap to demo the entire ELAN g! system and highlight all the trappings that easy-to-use home control offers. Another thing they agree on is the need to use a reliable, qualified integrator to make the homeowner’s technological dreams a practical reality. That’s why they’ve each partnered with a top integration firm in their respective regions, and worked together to craft custom solutions that make every home the perfect living environment for the owners.

Trident Makes Its Case For Profitable, Easy To Implement Fundraising Programs

Any smart fundraiser will tell you that the key to maximizing contributions is to offer a compelling incentive that appeals immediately to the interests and lifestyle of the contributor. Trident Case®, the California-based manufacturer of tough and stylish mobile device cases, today introduced an easy way for organizations to tap into the growing popularity of mobile devices and maximize contributions to their individual cause.

“With nearly 95% of adults in the United States now owning either a cell phone or wireless device, it’s clear that millions of consumers need a premium case to protect their investment in mobile technology,” today stated Erin Luzzi, Trident Case Vice President of Marketing. “And now Trident Case is providing the easiest way possible for fundraisers to earn the most money for their organization.”

According to Luzzi, the new “Fundraise with Trident Case Program” provides organizations with three distinct ways to generate contributions. First, organizations can link directly to the Trident Case web site. Once linked, an organization’s supporters can use a special Promo Code to order their smartphone or tablet cases. The participating organization will automatically earn up to $14 on each case that is purchased. The consumer receives a 20% discount off their purchase and an additional 20% of the list price of the case is donated to the organization.

Secondly, organizations can purchase and distribute Trident Gift Cards that generate for the organization $10 for every $50 Gift Card and $5 for every $25 Gift Card sold. Finally, organizations can combine both options into a completely integrated effort that leverages the power of the Internet with traditional Gift Cards.

“What’s more, Trident will create custom case programs that feature an organization’s colors and logo,” Luzzi said. “And, once a program is finalized, Trident will provide the organization with a complete merchandising support program consisting of email flyers that can be customized with each organization’s logo and message. We will also provide the organization with a summary of all sales generated from the specific Promotional Code — making the management of the entire program as seamless as possible for each organization.”

The decision to introduce a turnkey fundraising toolkit is a direct extension of the company’s overall corporate commitment to make a difference in the lives of its consumers. With its rapidly expanding line of award-winning smartphone and tablet cases now being carried by national retailers such as Best Buy, Office Max and Wal-Mart, the increasingly well-known Trident brand is sure to make an immediate and powerful impact on any organization’s fundraising goals.

To find out more how Trident can make a case for your organization, email Erin Luzzi directly at erin.luzzi@tridentcase.com.

Trident Case offers six series of protective carrying solutions providing one, two, or three layers of protection: Kraken AMS Series®, Aegis Series®, Cyclops Series®, Perseus AMS Series®, Electra Series® and Apollo Series®. Every series supports a broad range of devices from manufacturers including Apple®, Samsung®, HTC®, Motorola®, and more. All Trident cases are bio-enhanced plastic based products that are degradable, compostable, and recyclable. Over the past two years, Trident Case has invested in the infrastructure and resources necessary to manufacture its tough cases, with style, in the United States of America.

NanoLumens Introduces The Industry's First Six-Year, Zero Failure Warranty Program

NanoLumens® today announced a precedent-setting Six-Year, Zero Failure Warranty Program, effective for all NanoLumens displays purchased from September 1, 2013. According to Karen Robinson, Executive Vice President of Business Development, the new warranty covers everything, down to a single LED.

“NanoLumens displays are designed, engineered, and manufactured to the very highest quality standards,” Robinson said today. “Our Six-Year, Zero Failure Warranty Program underscores our belief that NanoLumens displays are second to none in quality.”

According to Robinson, other LED display manufacturers can leave customers exposed to a 0.5% LED failure rate. “It may seem low at first glance. However, if you own a display that has one million LEDs, you will face the reality that 5,000 individual LEDs need to be defective before your warranty covers repairs. At NanoLumens, this is unacceptable. We promise customers zero failure coverage, an industry first that establishes a new benchmark for other LED manufacturers to try to meet.”

The new warranty covers the entire display from corner to corner, including all parts and controller devices, sold by NanoLumens to end users, resellers, and distributors, effective from the date of shipment. NanoLumens warrants to the end user that the display will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use as intended by NanoLumens for the warranty period and applies only to the displays as originally installed at the end user location. For more information about the new warranty program, please contact Clay Montaigne at cmontaigne@nanolumens.com.

Wyrestorm Taps Stampede To Serve As Its First Distributor Of Pro Av Solutions

WyreStorm, a global manufacturer that specializes in innovative HD audio and video distribution products, and is a leading adopter of HDBaseT™ technology, today announced a strategic partnership with Stampede Presentation Products, Inc. to help drive sales of its ProAV solutions through the broad range of channels served by Stampede’s 11,000 dealer network. 

According Mark Dziekan, National Sales Manager of WyreStorm Pro AV Solutions, Stampede is the first distributor to be appointed by WyreStorm. 

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Stampede, a sales partner that shares our philosophy of providing meaningful value added distribution solutions to the professional marketplace," Dziekan said. "The Stampede team brings a complete program to its customers, a program that includes the industry’s broadest array of products that are backed up by a strategically focused management team, world-class online training, and outstanding customer support.  Their understanding of the AV/IT convergence that is now reshaping our markets makes them the ideal North American distribution partner for WyreStorm.”

“Our 11,000 dealers look to Stampede to bring them the products and solutions they need to help them grow their business every day of the year,” Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly said today. “WyreStorm’s Pro AV Solutions will help them do just that.  They offer innovative AV switching, extender and HDBaseT distribution opportunities that our dealers, and their businesses, will benefit from. Full HD audio and video performance and reliability are essential when servicing the sophisticated design projects that our commercial and broadcast AV dealers work with. We are confident that the addition of WyreStorm products to our line will provide them with the high level of professional performance and flexibility demanded in those applications.”

According to Kelly, Stampede will offer WyreStorm’s Pro Plus matrices, award-winning digital amplifier, extenders and converters.  With a wide range of high performance WyreStorm HD AV distribution solutions to select from, Stampede customers will benefit from greater reliability of one-brand distribution solutions, consolidated product sourcing, and increased order management efficiencies.

Stampede will exhibit the WyreStorm product line at CEDIA 2013 at Booth #2531.  For more information about WyreStorm visit www.wyrestorm.com.  For more information about Stampede visit www.stampede-usa.com. 

Take1 And Event Safety Alliance To Host Industry’s First Webinar On Live Event Safety

Asserting that the live event production industry can no longer take a passive approach to life safety, Take1 Insurance, the leading insurance provider to the entertainment industry, today announced that it was teaming up with the Event Safety Alliance (ESA) to host the industry’s first webinar focused on producing safer live events.

Scott Carroll, Seinor VP & Program
Director of Take1 Insurance

According to Scott Carroll, Executive Vice President & Program Director of Take1 Insurance, the precedent-setting webinar will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 2 p.m EST and is open to anyone involved in the business of producing and staging live events. Registration for the webinar is now open at this website.

“The time for discussion is over and the time to take action is at hand,” Carroll stressed today. “For years we have emphasized the need for live event producers to take the time to prepare for the unimaginable and now, thanks to the leadership position taken by Jim Digby and the Event Safety Alliance, the industry can utilize the ESA’s“Event Safety Guide” to prepare complete emergency action plans that include having the right insurance coverage in place.”

Carroll emphasized that, “Investing 60 minutes to learn more about the issues involved in producing safer live events is not too much to ask of any of us, given the number of incidents that have occurred over the last several years. It is our hope that ‘A 60-Minute Introduction to Producing Safer Live Events’ is the first in a series of additional Take1 sponsored topic focused webinars that involve a broad range of industry professionals in a very important discussion.”

Jim Digby, President of ESA

“Due to a series of tragic accidents, life safety has become a major concern to many within the live event industry,” explained Jim Digby, founder of the Event Safety Alliance. “Whether you work directly on productions or provide support to them, everyone has a role to play in ensuring the well-being of our performers, workers, and audience members. In this webinar, leaders from ESA and Take1 will detail the importance and responsibilities of event safety for those who promote, produce, and insure live events. You’ll learn more about the mission and activities of the ESA, along with our vision for the future, as well as the solutions offered by Take1. Most importantly, we’ll discuss critical tools and resources currently in development, and how the insurance industry can work with the ESA to create safer live events.”

A week after the Event Safety webinar, the Event Safety Alliance will take its message of “be prepared” to LDI 2013 (November 22–24, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada) where it will host a presentation entitled “The Event Safety Guide: The Future of Safe, Responsible Show Production” on November 23, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center. At 3:30 p.m. the same day, the ESA will host a 90-minute roundtable discussion entitled “You Are The ESA” at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Event Safety Alliance was founded in 2011 by Jim Digby, a 30+ year veteran of the entertainment industry. He is the founder of Collaborative Endeavour Group (CEG), providing international touring strategies and complete production solutions for the live entertainment industry. He currently serves as Director of Touring and Production for the multi-million selling artists Linkin Park, and has previously worked with artists as diverse as The Backstreet Boys, Bon Jovi and Marilyn Manson. A long-time advocate for event safety and ethical touring models, he is a three-time recipient of Tourlink’s “Production Manager of the year” award, as well as the Parnelli’s “Production Manager of the Year” award for 2012.