Consumer Electronics Daily News

BlueAnt Q1 Crawling Into Sprint Stores

Following the recent launch of the BlueAnt Q1 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset at CTIA Wireless 2009, BlueAnt Wireless today announced the initial availability of the Q1, the world’s most advanced voice controlled Bluetooth headset. Starting tomorrow, May 1, the Q1 will be available through Sprint’s online stores and via telesales. On May 7, 2009, the device will be in Sprint stores across the United States. Sprint will sell the Q1 exclusively for 30 days followed by additional availability at other national retailers.

“BlueAnt is pleased to offer Sprint customers the first taste of the ultimate in wireless communication,” said Taisen Maddern, Executive Chairman of BlueAnt Wireless. “Our vision, and the reason BlueAnt has quickly become a market leader, is to offer tomorrow’s technology today. We focus on providing consumers with the ‘Simply Connect’ experience: allowing easy and seamless integration of this new technology into their lives. We delivered on this vision in 2008 by introducing the first voice-controlled Bluetooth headset, the V1, and continue to raise the bar with this, the Q1.”

The BlueAnt Q1 features voice control, true multipoint(to and conduct calls on two mobile phones simultaneously), advanced noise reduction and a unique styling that was built from the ground up to be the most comfortable headset on the market, the company reports.

The BlueAnt Q1 Bluetooth headset offers a range of advanced specifications making it the most innovative Bluetooth headset on the market today. It is offered at an MSRP of $129.

Live Podcast: David Wang of Alibaba.com

Our sister publication Kitchenware News & Housewares Review has a new podcast of interest to consumer electronics company's interested in breaking into overseas markets, as well as those looking to bring their products to the U.S. Today, they're talking to David Wang of Alibaba.com about the company's matchmaker role in the online business-to-business marketplace.

Download Alibaba

For more information, visit www.alibaba.com.

Will Netbook Boom Go Bust When Economy Recovers?

iSuppli Corp. Looks At Trends In The Global Netbook Market

As consumers’ disposable incomes dwindle, they are flocking to buy low-cost netbook PCs, driving global shipments up by 68.5 percent in 2009 and by a whopping 2,424 percent in 2008, according to iSuppli Corp. However, as economic conditions improve in 2010 and beyond, shipment growth inevitably will fall from these stratospheric levels, the market research firm says.

“People are not buying netbooks because they are truly desirable platforms, but rather because as low-cost PCs, they offer a good mix of features at an acceptable price point,” says Matthew Wilkins, Principal Analyst, Computer Platforms, for iSuppli. “With financial motivation a key factor in many netbook sales, growth of the netbook platform is likely to slow down when the economy comes back and consumers have more money in their pockets.”

Global shipment growth for netbook PCs will decelerate to less astounding—but still impressive—39.6 percent in 2010, and will continue to slow to reach 13.1 percent in 2013. iSuppli defines the netbook as a mobile PC with a fully-functional operating system, including local storage, a keyboard and wireless connectivity. Netbooks are priced at less than $600. The primary function of these devices is portable Internet access, along with providing a basic computing experience, and serving as a low-cost alternative to other types of PCs.

Because of this, much of the growth of netbooks has come at the expense other PC categories, particularly desktops. Global desktop PC shipments are expected to drop by 9.5 percent in 2009. But while desktop shipments are set to continue to decrease during the following years, the rate of decline will slow as consumers regain their purchasing power.

For more from iSuppli's netbook analysis, click here.

Conax: Content Security Solutions for Digital TV

Our sister publication, Broadcaster Show Daily, was live at NAB 2009, speaking with Geir Bjørndal, EVP Sales & Marketing, Conax.

BSD: Who is Conax?

GB: Conax is a content security specialist that provides solutions for digital TV via all types of networks: cable, satellite, IP, terrestrial and MMDS to more than 300 digital TV operators in 78 countries. Conax is the third largest provider of content security solutions for digital TV, globally. A Norwegian technology company, our headquarters are in Oslo, Norway, with subsidiary offices in USA, India and Germany and sales & support offices in Russia, Singapore, China, South Korea, Brazil and Canada. Conax is truly a global organisation with employees from 20 countries. Our owner, Telenor, is a global telecom with interests in 12 mobile operators across Europe and Asia and more than 164 million mobile phone subscribers worldwide.

BSD: What is Conax’s main product offering?

GB: Our core product, Conax CAS7, is advanced, highly secure content protection technology built on Conax’s 15 years of security experience. Conax has a strong anti-piracy record, is a non-proprietary system and is based on an open licensing policy for set-top box manufacturers. With Conax CAS7, the operator is guaranteed the best security, yet has the freedom to choose the devices of choice.

Conax currently has a CableCard for verification at CableLabs in the U.S. This card is targeting the US cable market and will be distributed by Evolution, Conax’s partner for the US cable market. Conax is thrilled to introduce a healthy competition on the US cable market and to show that the DVB technology can comply with the standards set out by the U.S. regulatory. We believe that a mix of the best of these two worlds will give a maximum business flexibility to create success for the cable industry in the digitalisation process

BSD: Is there growth potential within the content security market?

GB: A comprehensive digitalization process is taking place globally, with an anticipated doubling of today’s 350 million digital TV households by 2013. Conax has gained a reputation worldwide as a secure and dependable security provider, and is now well positioned through its strategy to tap the growing DTV market. Additionally, many of our large customers are experiencing strong growth with the global digitalisation of TV in evolving markets, resulting in additional sales. Conax experienced 68 percent growth in the Indian market in just one year, and is now the market leader in Latin America.

BSD: Why is Conax unique, compared to other security solutions?

GB: In today’s highly competitive market, digital broadcasting operators are looking to specialist solutions to secure their platforms and premium content. While some technology providers try to offer a wide range of services and products, Conax focuses on content protection only, providing all other services through a strategic network of best in class partners. Conax’s growth and increasing global market share is a result of the Conax strategy to focus on providing security only. As a result, the Conax organisation is smaller and leaner than competitors looking to offer a wide range of services and products. Working with a strategic network of partners to deliver complete digital TV platforms, our partner strategy has given us a competitive edge, turning Conax into the fastest growing security provider in the global content security market.

For more information, visit www.conax.com.

CEA: Demand for Internet Ready TV is High, Growing

14.5 Million Consumers Thinking of Buying Net-Enabled TV in Next 12 Months

Demand for Internet-enabled televisions is growing rapidly, according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association. The study, Net-Enabled Video: Early Adopters Only?, found that about half of prospective TV buyers say they are likely to purchase an Internet-connected TV.

The study reveals numerous ways consumers would use an Internet-enabled TV. Nearly half (48 percent) of U.S. online adults would use their web-enabled TV to find out more information on upcoming shows and identify a song that played during the show. Forty-four percent also would use the web to find out more information about the actors featured on-screen. Having anytime-access to content, and accessing the Internet and television broadcasts together were the top benefits of an Internet-enabled TV, according to consumers.

The study also found that most adults are already online while watching TV. Almost a third of online adults (30 percent) say they always or usually surf the Internet while watching television and another third (32 percent) say they sometimes do. Consumers are increasingly willing to shift online activities to the TV. Watching online video has the highest potential conversion rate (62 percent) followed by weather updates (59 percent) and playing online games (57 percent).

Green Plug Lauds CTIA Embrace of Universal Charging for Cell Phones

Wireless Association Support Follows Recent GSMA Backing of Universal Power for Mobile Phones by 2012

Green Plug, the first developer of digital technology enabling real-time collaboration between CE devices and their power sources, today lauded CTIA-The Wireless Association® for its support of universal charging for mobile phones.  The organization made the announcement on Earth Day, during its annual conference. The Universal Charging Solution (UCS) aims to reduce energy consumption and e-waste through the adoption of a single “one-charger-fits-all” solution for new wireless devices by January 1, 2012.

Developed by the Open Mobile Terminal Platform industry standards group and recently adopted by the GSMA, the UCS will use the Micro-USB format as the common universal charging interface. The solution will employ energy efficient chargers in compliance with U.S. “Energy Star” requirements for external power adapters, providing an estimated 50 percent reduction in standby energy consumption.

Green Plug is the first green technology company to apply two-way digital communication to convert a universal power source to a device’s specific power requirements. DC power hubs enabled with Green Plug’s Greentalk™ digital protocol are able to simultaneously power multiple devices, each with its own specific voltage and power requirements. Green Plug technology minimizes e-waste by enabling consumers to keep their chargers for use with future devices after their current devices have become obsolete.

“Coming on the heels of the GSMA’s bold move last February, the CTIA announcement reaffirms our belief that there’s no longer any need for parts like disposable, device-specific power adapters,” said Frank Paniagua, Jr., Green Plug founder and CEO.  “The UCS is aimed at reducing standby energy consumption and the production of duplicate phone chargers.  We’re working to extend this universal, reusable power adapter concept to all electronic devices, not only 5V cell phones.  The consumer electronics industry’s mantra needs to be, ‘One Adapter.’  The CTIA’s support marks yet another important step toward smart, environmentally responsible consumer electronics manufacturing.”

Samsung Mobile, MetroPCS Introduce the Tint

Compact Flip Phone Comes with Fashionable Interchangeable Faceplates

MetroPCS Communications, Inc., the nation's leading provider of unlimited, flat-rate wireless communications service and Samsung Mobile, are now offering the Tint. The compact flip design of the Tint makes it both durable and fashionable, and it includes grey and pink faceplates as a standard accessory to help match the user’s style. Additional faceplates are also available in various colors. This handset also features customizable wallpaper, banner themes and fonts to personalize the visual experience on the Samsung Tint.

For immediate access to family and friends, the Samsung Tint offers ChatLINK℠ a push-to-talk social networking tool that works like a walkie-talkie. Users can simply push a button and talk without dialing to individuals or groups with compatible phones. With the Samsung Tint, MetroPCS subscribers will be able to navigate the mobile Web, download ringtones and graphics and interact with social networks without having to use a laptop or PC.

The Samsung Tint is available with all MetroPCS service plans and is available for purchase in all metropolitan areas where MetroPCS service is available, which include Greater Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco Sacramento, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.

Richardson Named Distributor of the Year by Microsemi

Richardson Electronics, Ltd. has been named Distributor of the Year by Microsemi Corporation’s Power Products Group. This distinction, presented annually by the Microsemi Sales and Marketing teams, goes to the distributor who has consistently shown exemplary design, sales and logistics support to Microsemi’s global customer base.

“This award is special in that it is voted by the Microsemi sales and product groups located throughout the world. We are proud to accept this award, on behalf of our employees, and we thank our friends at Microsemi for honoring us in this way. We look forward to continuing our high levels of service and support to Microsemi, and to our mutual customers throughout the globe,” says Greg Peloquin, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Richardson’s RF, Wireless & Power Division.

In presenting the award to Richardson Electronics, Microsemi’s Director of Global Sales, Scott Lindberg, stated: “Richardson’s success with Microsemi over the years is attributed to consistently doing the right things, the right way, with the right timing. Microsemi congratulates Richardson and all of its employees on receiving the Microsemi Distributor of the Year award.”

For more information, visit www.microsemi.com.

CEA: Consumer Confidence Falls in April

-Consumer confidence in the overall economy decreased in April, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association and CNET. Although there was a slight decrease in consumer expectations about the future, the CEA-CNET Indexes painted a different picture for technology spending expectations, which reached their highest level this year.

The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations, which measures consumers’ confidence in the overall economy, dipped to 168.5 in April, but was up nearly three points over April 2008. The number is down four points from last month and moderates the upward trend persistent since February.

“Consumers continue to worry about economic uncertainty,” said Anne Claudio, Vice President of Research at CBS Interactive. “While we’re seeing indications of overall consumer confidence stabilizing, this month’s decline is still well above the all-time low seen last summer. Consumers continue to be cautious and reactive.”

While overall consumer confidence dipped in April, confidence in technology and consumer electronics (CE) climbed significantly. The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Technology Expectations (ICTE) rose to 77.4, an increase of more than 10 points from last month and its highest level since December of 2008. The ICTE is up on a year-over-year basis for the first time since last September.

For more information, visit www.ceacnetindexes.org.

OCOS Loudspeaker Cables Now Distributed in the US

OCOS Loudspeaker Cables are now being distributed in the United States and Canada through Dynaudio North America. OCOS, which stands for Optimal Connection System, was developed under the principal that a cable should be sonically transparent, and through practical implementation of solid and scientific principles a completely neutral sound is achieved, the company said in a statement today.

OCOS cable maintains a constant impedance, no matter how long the run. OCOS is the first and only loudspeaker cable with absolute constant impedance throughout the entire frequency range, matching that of a normal loudspeaker. A benefit of OCOS’s constant impedance is that there is no drop-off in performance with varied lengths of cable, and even with long lengths (up to 100 meters) the impedance retains its constant value and the sound remains neutral and balanced. This makes OCOS ideal for home theater/multichannel applications that typically require asymmetric cable runs, as the cables for the surrounds are identical to the mains, and the same high sound quality is maintained at all speakers, even with long runs to the surrounds. Likewise, any system which may require longer than normal runs of speaker cable will benefit from the constant impedance of OCOS as there will be no drop-off in performance or sound quality, regardless of the length of cable utilized.

For more information, visit www.dynaudio.com.