I've been thinking about this a lot ever since I noticed that I'm doing less and less distributed audio systems and control systems. Why turn on a keypad for one source (Sonos) when a Sonos system can control rooms from their app. Thermostats have their native app. Why spend time building one for a control system? When I do a full surround system with a surround amp, sure I'll do something with RTI or ProControl. I just wish I would have full control of Spotify or Apple music with the same interface but the custom industry has not been able to do that for years. Shame on them. The only thing I see being convenient to integrate with media control is lighting.

Sonos is impossible to avoid. When I ask a new client what they are currently using for sound, 99% chance it's Sonos and they like it.

The other day I decided to spec a Harmony Elite remote for the first time because the customer wanted to control existing Radio Ra2 in a home he bought and didn't want to spend nearly $1000 on a pro level controller. Damn I was pretty impressed how easy and quick it was to program the Harmony, with some ability to customize buttons and readily integrate with IoT devices. I really am tempted to continue on with the product for small systems. Only thing that makes me hesitate is the lack of margin.

Does anyone feel the need to spec video matrix systems anymore? Less and less people are using cable boxes and the only thing worth sharing in a video system is a Bluray player. Do I really need to suggest spending over $5000 on video distribution when everything is built into the TV? Makes more sense to keep video sources local and use a Sonos Amp to power in-ceiling speakers or use one of their Soundbars. No control system really required there - at most, an inexpensive handheld remote to automate video switching on the TV. Sometimes the customer are smart enough to use the stock TV remote to switch inputs between Netflix and cable box.

I notice there is also less and less traffic on this forum. I wonder if this means there are many people left that are passionate about this industry.

I've been posting stuff like this for the last few years and still haven't found another industry I can work in that's fun and makes money.