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"New Products" Replaced by "Updated Products" New features trumped truly “new” products at InfoComm 2012. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, because it showed manufacturers listened to their clients’ concerns about existing products and responded to them in hopes of building better relationships and better products. Barix launched Annuncicom 60, a $295 switcher that features bigger screws for easier installation. The product also works with an 8-ohm wall plate, features balanced audio capabilities and VoIP power over Ethernet compatibility, changes that were customer-driven. “We can take something from an idea to a new product in about 16 weeks,” says Barix CEO Andrew Standheim. That sort of innovation was evident in many booths and bodes well for the future, with customers becoming more tech-savvy and asking for more innovative solutions. AmpliVox (shown) launched line array speakers that are perfect for framing whiteboards and digital signage displays. The speakers come in three varieties - passive, wired microphone-powered, and wireless microphone-powered - and have a range of more than 100 feet. The speakers were created after customers and whiteboard manufacturers began asking for them, AmpliVox officials say. AmpliVox also launched Visionary, its standard lectern equipped with a 17-inch LCD monitor with built-in speakers. The screen can be used for corporate logos or to help some audience members better see presentations. - D. Craig MacCormack, CI senior writer