Different sets of definitions used to promote high dynamic range (HDR) supporting displays have the IT and CE industries approaching customer education from varying perspectives. It’s not unusual for computer and consumer electronics marketers to take contrasting approaches to solving the same problem. For example, the two industries have long championed different digital connector standards—DisplayPort […]
Archive | Consumer electronics
I Saw the Integrated Future at CES
CES is traditionally a wonderland of new devices and new technologies, some frivolous and some functional, some ready-for-prime-time and some preparing for a hopeful or eventual future. Also, traditionally, most of these new devices and technologies exist by-and-large in siloes, distinct product categories or distinct applications designed to work, perhaps, tangentially, complementary or supplementary with […]
Why the Last Great Push in Smartphone Sales is in India
With smartphone sales waning in most big markets around the world, suppliers want to squeeze the very last drop of growth out of India. After smartphone market saturation occurs in India, smartphone sales are destined for lower growth. That’s why the smartphone-industry push is so forceful today. Now that international and Chinese smartphone brands have […]
VR’s Rocky Road to the Mainstream
For Mom and Pop America to buy into a new technology, they first need an answer to their inevitable “why do I need it?” question. And the answer to this question ends up being more want than need. To get to that “want and can’t live without it” stage, content must be particularly suited to […]
Ready for the AI TV Future?
As everyone in the consumer technology business knows, live demos are a tricky business, especially when dealing with persnickety Wi-Fi connections. To live demo or not to live demo decisions are not arrived at lightly, and then are copiously rehearsed to avoid offending the live demo gods. So when TCL’s senior product designer Tiago Abreu […]
Will the FCC Put the U.S. Back on the Information Slow Lane?
With a new U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman in place, new policy proposals are emerging. The U.S. has always been a bit of a laggard compared to other developed economies when it comes to the availability of suitably fast “broadband” connections. But there has been recent progress in upping those speeds—now from 4Mbps downloads […]
Vizio Smart TV Shift: Are Google and Amazon in an App War?
This month, Vizio, the North American vendor of value-priced television lines sold heavily in warehouse clubs and discount store chains, amended its exclusive use of smart TVs based on the Chromecast platform as it expanded its selection of app partners beyond the Google ecosystem. The move not only lets Vizio customers access a more traditional […]
Chinese video streaming market: How big can it get?
While the streaming video industry is focused on Netflix’s Q2 data—which was punctuated by the addition of 5.2 million subscribers—it might be a good idea to keep a closer eye on streaming service providers in China. Today, leading Chinese internet-based streaming services are believed to have more than 500 million active users, according to China […]
Sharp/Foxconn Undeterred In Bid To Reclaim Sharp Marketing Rights
Terry Gou, chairman of Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry, the parent of electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn, is looking to expand the company’s global footprint using its recently acquired majority stake in Sharp Corp., but Hisense is standing in the way. In recent weeks, Gou’s companies have been the focus of almost daily news articles concerning […]
CES at 50: Lessons Still Not Learned
Gazing at faded black-and-white photos from the first CES, which occurred 50 years ago this week in New York, it’s tough not to laugh at the antiquated gear that was considered cutting-edge at the time—fat tube black-and-white TVs when 23 inches was considered “big screen,” giant wood console cabinet TV/record player/radio combos, “portable” TVs that […]