ORIGINAL: 2slow2matter
As I said above, I still believe that they are the same.
From a support and distribution standpoint they are the same, as that's all handled by Horizon. JR doesn't sell, support, or repair radios sold in the US. JR is the manufacturer of JR radios, and supplies most--if not all--of the parts for Spektrum radios to a Horizon-owned Spektrum. What you and I were arguing about is who owns Spektrum--not who makes the parts. Once again, Horizon has stated that they own Spektrum. Horizon does not own JR, just as Hobbico does not own Futaba. The relationship appears to be more analogous to Hobbico's relationship with Tower Hobbies.
if you were considering Spektrum, but wanted to wait for JR--why?
Who knows why the OP wanted to wait? Perhaps to see if JR's SS implementation is compatible with Spektrums? That's not a question I can answer.
Mainly, do you own either radio? How much experience do you have FIRSTHAND with either radio.
I own neither. Now you can tell me how that is in any way relevant to understanding the business relationships between Horizon, JR, and Spektrum.