CE Pro October 2023 - 16

Audio+Video
JL Audio to Be Acquired by GPS & Alert Specialist Garmin
GARMIN LTD., a Swissbased
technology company
known for its wearable
fitness devices and GPS
navigation and alert systems
for the automotive, marine
and outdoor markets, has
announced that it has entered
into a definitive agreement
to acquire JL Audio, a
privately held U.S. company
that designs and manufactures
audio solutions for
marine, aftermarket automotive,
powersports, home
audio and RV customers.
According to Cliff Pemble,
president and CEO at
Garmin, the company cites
an opportunity to provide
" premium audio features "
across a broad range of
Garmin's markets and
products using JL Audio's
" extensive audio experience "
within the market.
With over four decades of
audio product development
and manufacturing experience,
JL Audio offers a broad
range of audio products and
accessories, including speakers,
amplifiers, subwoofers
and other audio components.
JL Audio is headquartered in
Miramar, Fla., and employs
more than 600 people.
While Garmin does
currently manufacture and
sell headsets and radios for
trucker and marine applications,
the company does
not have much of a history
regarding audio devices.
Given JL Audio's extensive
history within the car
audio space, combined with
Garmin's own track record
for providing GPS and satellite
equipment for a variety of
vehicles and activities, many
have begun to speculate that
Garmin could be attempting
to expand its offerings for
RVs and off-road vehicles
in an attempt to expand
further into its burgeoning
outdoors market.
Earlier this year, JL Audio unveiled its custom shop for
personalizing marine speakers and subwoofers.
" JL Audio shares Garmin's
vision to deliver unique
technology solutions, supported
by meaningful R&D
and engineering. We are
thrilled at the opportunity
to integrate into Garmin's
product ecosystem. JL
Audio will contribute audio
knowledge and engineering
expertise to create great audio
products for many years
to come, " adds Lucio Proni,
founder and CEO, JL Audio.
Garmin emphasizes that
all existing JL Audio products
will continue to be supported
once the acquisition is completed,
and customers can
expect to continue receiving
the same level of customer
service that was offered by
the previous ownership. Financial
terms of the acquisition
will not be disclosed.
According to Garmin, the
completion of this acquisition
is expected to occur
by the end of 2023 and is
subject to customary regulatory
approvals and closing
conditions.
Netflix Beta Tests Gaming Content for Smart Devices & TVs
Netflix is beginning to test
its gaming platform on a
wider variety of devices,
including smart TVs and
other streaming devices,
essentially making many
home theater installations
double as gaming platforms
beyond simply PlayStation 5
and Xbox consoles.
According to the streaming
giant, the company is
rolling out a limited beta
test to a small number of
members in Canada and the
U.K. on select TVs. Gaming
will also be added to PCs
16 | CE Pro October 2023
To play Netflix games on
TV, users will use their smart
phone as a controller.
During the limited beta
Initial partners include Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media
Players, Chromecast with Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia
Shield TV, Roku devices and TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and
Walmart ONN.
and Macs through the website
on supported browsers.
Two games are part of
the initial test: Oxenfree
from Night School Studio,
a Netflix Game Studio, and
Molehew's Mining Adventure,
a gem-mining game.
release, Netflix will test its
game streaming technology
and controller and will work
to improve the experience.
To start, Netflix games on
TV will operate on select
devices, including Amazon
Fire TV Streaming Media
Players, Chromecast with
Google TV, LG TVs, Nvidia
Shield TV, Roku devices and
TVs, Samsung Smart TVs, and
Walmart ONN.
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CE Pro October 2023

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