Extended warranty platform for e-commerce and retail brands, SureBright, has announced the appointment of Keith Kranepool as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships.
Kranepool will focus on accelerating SureBright's partner network in this new role, creating new revenue opportunities for merchants, and strengthening SureBright's position as the go-to extended warranty solution for brands looking to enhance customer trust and post-purchase value.

Despite the potential for in-store shoppers to benefit from continued lower prices, the roll out of electronic shelf labels has driven concerns from officials in the U.S., as well as those overseas, that dynamic pricing will be used for Uber-like surge pricing, or temporarily hiking prices as a result of increased demand or limited supply.

It's back for 2025 -- the Best of Show awards program that celebrates the best custom installation and home entertainment technology launches at CEDIA Expo! Residential Systems, TWICE, and What Hi-Fi? will once again have judges on-site to examine each of the entries and bestow honors on the most deserving.
Here is what you need to know to participate:
The Details

• What? Nominations for the 2025 CEDIA Best of Show Awards, presented by Residential Systems, TWICE, and What Hi-Fi?
• When? Submissions are open now through midnight, PST on August 22, 2025
• Why? Benefits included with each of awards entry submission: One full-page advertorial for each nominated product -- with special distinction for winning entries -- in the Best of Show Program Guide, published and distributed digitally to all Future B2B's consumer electronics lists after CEDIA, plus additional promotion and brand exposure in the post-show recap coverage of award winners.
• How? Everything you need to know, including fees, frequently asked questions, and the nomination form, can be found here.

I would like to extend our congratulations to this year's winners of the TWICE VIP Awards! 2025 saw a wide range of product entries ranging from gaming laptops, outdoor TVs, and automated swimming pool vacuums to the latest TVs and major appliances.
The response to the 12th Annual TWICE VIP Awards was amazing, with over 70 entries across nearly 50 categories to vote on. One thing that makes the TWICE VIP Awards so unique is that it isn't a public vote by people who know nothing about the submissions or the industry.
No, the awards are voted on by you, the industry leaders, consumer tech retailers, and distributors who know greatness, innovation, and what makes the biggest difference in the business. Earning the respect of your peers is a hard-won accomplishment, especially in our industry, and I am proud to be a part of the 2025 TWICE VIP Awards.

Velodyne Acoustics has announced that Playback Distribution is now its exclusive U.S. distributor. This collaboration between Velodyne Acoustics and Playback Distribution will debut at CEDIA 2025, introducing a fresh and dynamic approach to market access that offers U.S. customers more opportunities to discover and purchase Velodyne Acoustics products.

Parks Associates has released a new white paper, Smart Home Evolution: Unlocking Value, in partnership with the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). This new research explores the progress of the smart home, highlighting key milestones, emerging consumer demands, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI).

In case you missed one of the sea of other opinion pieces I've written this month, I recently completed a marathon OLED group test - one that had me reviewing the 48-inch LG C5, 48-inch Samsung S90F and 48-inch Panasonic Z90B.