Consumer Electronics Daily News

SpaceX Dragon Attached to Space Station in Spaceflight First

Image courtesy of NASA-TV

The International Space Station's Expedition 31 crew grappled and attached SpaceX's Dragon capsule to the space station Friday. This is the first time a commercial company has accomplished this type of space operation.

"Today marks another critical step in the future of American spaceflight," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "Now that a U.S. company has proven its ability to resupply the space station, it opens a new frontier for commercial opportunities in space -- and new job creation opportunities right here in the U.S. By handing off space station transportation to the private sector, NASA is freed up to carry out the really hard work of sending astronauts farther into the solar system than ever before. The Obama Administration has set us on an ambitious path forward and the NASA and SpaceX teams are proving they are up to the task."

Following a series of system tests and a successful fly-under of the space station Thursday, the Dragon capsule was cleared by NASA to approach the station Friday. Dragon then performed a series of intricate test maneuvers as it approached the orbiting laboratory. These maneuvers were required to demonstrate the maneuvering and abort capability of Dragon prior to approaching and moving into a 65-foot (20-meter) "berthing box" where it was grappled by NASA astronaut Don Pettit using the station's robotic arm at 9:56 a.m. EDT.

European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers installed the capsule on the bottom of the station's Harmony node at 11:52 a.m. NASA astronaut Joe Acaba completed berthing operations by bolting the Dragon to Harmony at 12:02 p.m.

"Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "There is no limit to what can be accomplished with hard work and preparation. This activity will help the space station reach its full research potential and open up space-based research to a larger group of researchers. There is still critical work left in this test flight. Dragon-attached operations and cargo return are challenging and yet to be accomplished."

The Dragon capsule lifted off Tuesday from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The demonstration mission is the second under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program, which provides investments intended to lead to regular resupply missions to the space station and stimulate the commercial space industry in America.

"The investments made by the United States to stimulate the commercial space industry are paying off," said Philip McAlister, director for Commercial Spaceflight Development at NASA Headquarters. "SpaceX achieved what until now was only possible by a few governments, and the company did it with relatively modest funding from the government.

The Dragon capsule is delivering 1,014 pounds of supplies to the station, which includes non-critical experiments, food, clothing and technology. Crew members will open the hatch to the capsule Saturday and unload the cargo during a four-day period. Dragon then will be loaded with 1,367 pounds of hardware and cargo no longer needed aboard the station in preparation for the spacecraft's return to Earth. Dragon and station hatches will be closed on May 30.

On May 31, the Expedition 31 crew members will detach Dragon from Harmony, maneuver it to a 33-foot release point and un-grapple the capsule. Dragon will deorbit approximately four hours after leaving the station, taking about 30 minutes to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and landing in the Pacific Ocean about 250 miles west of southern California.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Brings the Wizarding World to Life Like Never Before with Harry Potter for Kinect

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Eurocom will cast a spell among Harry Potter fans of all ages this fall with the Harry Potter for Kinect videogame exclusively on Kinect™ for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Based on all eight Harry Potter films, Harry Potter for Kinect allows players to join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they embark on an unforgettable journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and beyond. With Kinect’s scanning technology, for the first time ever in a Harry Potter game, players will be able to scan in their own face to create a unique witch or wizard to journey through the adventures of the film.

In addition, Kinect’s hands-free and voice recognition capabilities allow gamers to cast spells using physical maneuvers and by calling out spell names, offering an extraordinary, immersive Harry Potter experience.

“Harry Potter for Kinect will engage Harry Potter fans old and new by bringing them into the wizarding world as truly active participants,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Kids and parents will enjoy recreating their favorite Harry Potter adventures, from flying a broomstick in a Quidditch match, to battling pixies and duelling other wizards.”

Harry Potter for Kinect gives players the opportunity to experience some of the films’ most memorable moments, both as the relevant characters or as their own avatars, including visiting Ollivanders, choosing a house at Hogwarts, and confronting He Who Must Not Be Named in a climactic final battle. Players who master their lessons can also take on their opponents in competitive mini-games, or join forces with family and friends in co-op gameplay.

Join The Pen Pal Kids Club Website And Go On 'Round The World Adventures This Summer

Children everywhere can join Pen Pal Kids Club (www.PenPalKidsClub.com) and go on exciting global adventures this summer – all from the safety of their own home computers!  Pen Pal Kids Club (PPKC) is "the safe social network for kids around the world™" where kids aged four to 14 can 'Explore, Play  & Share' with global pen pals in a completely secure environment.

Guaranteed free of advertisements, PPKC is available for $2.99 U.S. on a monthly basis (first month free), or $29.99 for a year's subscription (two months free).  Key features include:

• Members write and receive digital postcards from children around the world, learning about their new friends' cultures and daily lives.  To ensure security, kids communicate via an avatar, while adults can approve their children's Pen Pals and monitor communications.
• Postcards automatically translate into seven different languages - English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and German - so children across the globe can participate. 
• Six interactive games are based on culture, world history and geography... 'edu-tainment'... learning and fun.  Designed for a range of ages and skills, they include:
  • Trivial Travails! Compete IN REAL TIME against three other players, answering fast-paced questions about history, geography, and related subjects.
  • Fare Fair!  Help customers choose a meal that is native to their country while learning to recognize foreign words, foods and currencies.
• Through an exclusive partnership with Encyclopaedia Britannica for Kids, subscribers enjoy direct online access to this vast library of information, filtered to be appropriate for children.
• The secure online environment offers built-in parental controls, is fully compliant with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and earned the TRUSTe seal of safety.

The website, co-founded by John and Shelley A Aliotti, was based on an original concept by Shelley A Aliotti, author/illustrator of My Pen Pal Scrapbook: An Educational Journey Through World Cultures.  "Our goal is to instill a love of learning about different people and places," said Ms. Aliotti.  "With PPKC children can reach across geographic, time and language barriers to communicate safely with each other – expanding their knowledge and understanding of world cultures in ways never before possible."  

In addition, FREE CLASSROOM SUBSCRIPTIONS are available to qualified educators.

Monster Introduces Three Headphone Models at Monaco Grand Prix

Monster, the global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance headphones, is dramatically raising the bar for headphone sound and style at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, introducing three ground-breaking new models that deliver an astounding new level of audio quality, while providing high style that boldly positions headphones as a fashion accessory. The company’s offerings include the upcoming Inspiration™, Monster’s first over-ear, noise canceling headphone, as well as the elegant over-ear Diamond Tears – Edge™. In alliance with Diesel, the iconic lifestyle company, Monster is offering VEKTR™, a trendsetting personal listening solution. Each new Monster lifestyle headphone has been expertly engineered to deliver a powerful music listening experience, combined with stunning new designs that allow users to express their individuality and style. Monster will showcase and demonstrate its upcoming headphones at a May 25^th press conference at the MC Bay Hotel.

Noel Lee: The Creative Mind Driving Monster’s Next-Generation Style & Sound
Monster founder and “Head Monster” Noel Lee, who was recently honored with the prestigious Plus X Lifetime Achievement Award, is the audio expert responsible for the dramatically enhanced sound quality of the company’s new headphones. After engineering and tuning the acclaimed Beats by Dr. Dre headphone sound, Lee has gone on to redefine the quality of the personal listening experience in recent years, establishing Monster as the clear world leader in advanced, high-performance headphones. The debut of Inspiration, Diamond Tears and VEKTR reflects his ongoing mission to redefine headphone sound and “bring back” great audio performance for all digital music listeners.

Noted Mr. Lee: “Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been known around the world as an event that signifies the pinnacle of glamour and prestige – which is precisely why we chose this event to preview our new line of headphones. As a company dedicated to better-sounding music, Monster creates products that elevate the music listening experience. Powerful, accurate audio reproduction is always at the forefront of our product creation, accompanied, of course, by style and design. With Inspiration, Diamond Tears and VEKTR, we are giving music lovers everywhere an opportunity to explore new horizons in audio performance, with bold new designs that set the stage for a new era of personal sound and style. The Cannes Film Festival is happening at the same time as the Monaco Grand Prix, so be on the lookout for stylish and high-profile people wearing the newest Monster headphones around town, both at the Grand Prix and the film festival. We’re ‘Monsterizing’ Monaco!”

Inspiration™: Serious Audio. High Style.
Over 30 years in the making, Inspiration headphones are born from Monster’s tradition of passion for music and innovation. The first-ever Monster over-ear noise-cancelling headphone, they’re ideal for sophisticated listeners, frequent travellers and anyone who wants to enjoy a new point-of-view in luxury personal audio that blends next-generation sound with streamlined design, total comfort and premium customization. Most importantly, thanks to Monster’s leading-edge sonic enhancements, Inspiration headphones bring out more of the truth behind every great recording. This pure and powerful music reproduction is combined with a trendsetting “fashion-forward” twist – interchangeable headbands in a variety of different colors, textures and materials. The bold new concept in headphone design lets users express themselves by changing headbands, transforming the entire look and feel to suit style preferences for any day, mood or occasion.

By combining their advanced audio performance with style-forward design and customization, Inspiration lets users express exactly how their music moves them. Designed for both men and women, they feature a unique angled plush earcup, in addition to their super comfortable, extra wide interchangeable headband.

Diamond Tears™: “Sound with the Clarity of Diamonds”
Monster’s Diamond Tears headphones are fashion that is both seen and heard. They feature Monster’s world renowned audio engineering for a truly unique and powerful personal listening solution. The Diamond Tears sound is pure Monster – rich, powerful audio that is super detailed and accurate across all frequencies, so music sounds the way the original artist intended it to be heard. Best of all, the design is as incredible as the sound. The ultimate fashion statement, Diamond Tears are for those who are BOLD, who want to stand out and be noticed. Their pillow soft ear cushions let you listen for hours in total comfort, with perfectly fitted noise-isolating earcups that keep the world out and your music in. They also feature Monster’s ControlTalk Universal; with an integrated high-grade microphone and answer button that lets users their music and answer phone calls without having to reach into their pocketbook, backpack or pocket. From admiring looks, to incredible music reproduction, Diamond Tears will make a forever lasting impression.

VEKTR™: Expertly Blending the Worlds of Fashion and Great Sound.
VEKTR on-ear headphones provide users with a comfortable, premium-quality listening solution that expertly blends the worlds of fashion and great sound. In addition to their dramatically enhanced audio performance, they offer a strikingly different cosmetic, with a sharp faceted look that’s completely unlike traditional round on-ear headphones. Featuring a distinctive diamond-cut Diesel logo on each plush ear cup, VEKTR headphones provide a unique sound experience: the combination of enhanced audio performance and unique visual design engages the senses and adds a new level of self-expression to the music listening experience.

CEA Line Shows to Feature More than 120 Innovative Tech Companies

Beginning June 27, CEA Line Shows will bring together major brands, innovators and start-ups to introduce their products to top media, analysts and technology thought leaders. With more than 120 participating companies, the 2012 CEA Line Shows already features 50 percent more exhibits than the 2011 event. The 2012 CEA Line Shows is scheduled for June 27-28 at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building in New York City.

Major participating brands at CEA Line Shows include Audio Technica, Case-mate, Dish, Intel, Monster, Phiaton, Pioneer Electronics, RCA, Scosche, Sony, Tiffen, Westinghouse Digital, plus more than 100 innovators who are using the event to launch products. A few of the exciting new products on display include:

• AudioFly: The Hybrid AF78 in-ear headphones features a rare combination of a balanced armature device as well as a 9mm custom dynamic driver.
• Audio Technica: The ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint® Active Noise-cancelling Headphones deliver noise cancellation up to 95 percent, and provides three noise-cancelling modes that customize performance for airplane, office and study.
• BeeRaider: The BeeRaider Keyboard is a keyboard designed for the 21^st century, simplifying the future of data entry.
• Blue Aura: The Blue Aura WS8i0 features two active speakers, a transmitter and remote control, plus all necessary accessories to enable you to listen to your favorite music throughout your home or office.
• Braven: BRAVEN SIX Series portable Bluetooth speaker is the world's first combination speaker, speakerphone and mobile phone charger.
• Case-mate: Reverb is a two-piece, customizable case that redirects your speaker for an increased sound projection, making its presence known loud and clear.
• Dish: Hopper™ Whole-Home HD DVR is most advanced set-top box in the industry, delivering features that will change the way you watch TV forever.
• Dockem: The Koala iPad Wall Mount is a cost-effective, damage-free solution that utilizes 3M Command^TM strips for the ultimate combination of functionality, versatility, and aesthetics for mounting the iPad throughout the home and office.
• Ergotron/Omnimount: The ActionMount Series of fully interactive mounts that promote healthier TV and computer interaction for sitting and standing activities.
• FutureDash: EnergyBuddy is small gadget that makes monitoring and managing your home electricity consumption easy with a glowing ‘red-yellow-green’ top for an instant snapshot, plus info and control on your smartphone or computer screen.
• Honeywell: Honeywell Tuxedo Touch is a touchscreen controller that provides home and business owners with an easy, affordable way to centrally control both security and automation functions such as temperature, lighting and more.
• iLuv: MobiAir™ (iMM377) is a universal smartphone audio docking station which uses Bluetooth® technology and features iLuv’s patent-pending myBot® OmniFit Technology™ robotic arms to adjust to various sizes for any device.
• Intel: The Intel® Studybook is a ruggedized and purpose-built tablet for education that provides students with mobility, educational software and innovative classroom-ready features.
• iPower Up: The iPower Pro is a Portable iPhone projector and battery case that allows you to watch videos and slideshows on a 60 inch projection screen right from your iPhone.
• Leon Speakers: The Boundary Series outdoor speakers redefine the outdoor audio experience while seamlessly blending into any outdoor space.
• Monster: Monster’s Inspiration™ headphones bring great sound and style together, with advanced noise cancellation and unique interchangeable stylish headbands.
• Nexiom Company: Power Slate is the world’s thinnest external battery to power laptops, tablets, phones and other devices on the go.
• Nyne: The NB-200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker packs robust sound into a weatherproof package you can tote in your bag, on your bike, or poolside.
• Philips: Philips Fidelio Docking Speakers with Airplay™ enable wireless music streaming.
• Pioneer: Pioneer App Radio™ is the first aftermarket in-vehicle radio designed to utilize the power of the iPhone 4.
• Scosche: The reVOLT h2 pro charger features two 10 watt (2.1 amp) USB ports for charging two power hungry tablets simultaneously.
• Spyder Digital: Spyder's Wireless Portable Hard Drive is built to stream and transfer music, videos and photos to multiple iOS and Android devices simultaneously.
• Tiffen: The Steadicam Merlin 2 offers an ultra-smooth, elegant handheld camera stabilizer system with unparalleled performance and precision.
• Variable Technologies: NODE is a handheld powerhouse of quality sensors developed to foster exploration and understanding of the world around us.
• Vocco: The VOCO V-Spot is an all-in-one media player that uses the power of your voice to stream music and videos directly to and through the device.

Pre-registration for the event is strong. To register and for more information about CE Week and CEA Line Shows and Digital Downtown Conference, visit www.ceweekny.com and www.cealineshows.com.

Android- and iOS-Powered Smartphones Expand Their Share of the Market in the First Quarter

Smartphones powered by the Android and iOS mobile operating systems accounted for more than eight out of ten smartphones shipped in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q12). According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, the mobile operating systems held shares of 59.0% and 23.0% respectively of the 152.3 million smartphones shipped in 1Q12. During the first quarter of 2011, the two operating systems held a combined share of 54.4%. The share gains mean that Android and iOS have successfully distanced themselves from previous market leaders Symbian and BlackBerry, as well as Linux and Windows Phone 7/Windows Mobile.

"The popularity of Android and iOS stems from a combination of factors that the competition has struggled to keep up with," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends program. "Neither Android nor iOS were the first to market with some of these features, but the way they made the smartphone experience intuitive and seamless has quickly earned a massive following."

"In order for operating system challengers to gain share, their creators and hardware partners need to secure developer loyalty," said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker program. "This is true because developer intentions or enthusiasm for a particular operating system is typically a leading indicator of hardware sales success."

Operating System Highlights

Android finished the quarter as the overall leader among the mobile operating systems, accounting for more than half of all smartphone shipments. In addition, Android boasted the longest list of smartphone vendor partners. Samsung was the largest contributor to Android's success, accounting for 45.4% of all Android-based smartphone shipments. But beyond Samsung was a mix of companies retrenching themselves or slowly growing their volumes.

iOS recorded strong year-over-year growth with sustained demand for the iPhone 4S following the holiday quarter and the addition of numerous mobile operators offering the iPhone for the first time. Although end-user demand remains high, the iPhone's popularity brings additional operational pressures for mobile operators through subsidy and data revenue sharing policies.

Symbian posted the largest year-over-year decline, a result driven by Nokia's transition to Windows Phone. But even as Symbian volumes have decreased, there continues to be demand for the OS from the most ardent of users. In addition, Nokia continues to support Symbian, as evidenced by the PureView initiative on the Nokia 808. Still, as Nokia emphasizes Windows Phone, IDC expects further declines for Symbian for the rest of this year.

BlackBerry continued on its downward trajectory as demand for older BlackBerry devices decreased and the market awaits the official release of BB 10 smartphones later this year. In addition, many companies now permit users to bring their own smartphones, allowing competitor operating systems to take away from BlackBerry's market share. Although RIM has not officially released BB 10, initial glimpses of the platform have shown improvement.

Linux maintained its small presence in the worldwide smartphone market, thanks in large part to Samsung's continued emphasis on bada. By the end of the quarter, Samsung accounted for 81.6% of all Linux-powered smartphones, a 3.6% share gain versus the prior-year period. Other vendors, meanwhile, have been experimenting with Android to drive volume. Still, Linux's fortunes are closely tied to Samsung's strategy, which already encompasses Android, Windows Phone, and later this year, Tizen.

Windows Mobile/Windows Phone has yet to make significant inroads in the worldwide smartphone market, but 2012 should be considered a ramp-up year for Nokia and Microsoft to boost volumes. Until Nokia speeds the cadence of its smartphone releases or more vendors launch their own Windows Phone-powered smartphones, IDC anticipates slow growth for the operating system.

VeriFone and PayPal Sign Pact to Bring Alternative Payments to Large Retailers

VeriFone Systems, Inc., and PayPal today announced a comprehensive licensing, marketing and implementation agreement that advances PayPal acceptance at large retailers nationwide.

With VeriFone’s customer base encompassing 80 percent of the top 200 largest retailers in the U.S., the agreement provides PayPal with unprecedented access to over one million high volume points of sale. Together, VeriFone and PayPal offer retailers the opportunity to converge e-commerce and retail payments into a new shopping experience for consumers.

As participating retailers take advantage of VeriFone’s software upgrade and services, shoppers will be able to utilize the existing spectrum of PayPal payment methods at checkout, including using a PayPal Access card and PIN or entering a phone number and PIN. The VeriFone solution is future-proof so that adding new options, such as NFC, will be easy to implement when they become available.

“VeriFone’s extensive customer base and strong technology make it a natural ally for PayPal as we continue to deliver on our strategy to bring intelligent electronic payments and value-added offers to brick-and-mortar stores,” said Don Kingsborough, VP, Retail and Pre-Paid Services, PayPal.

Initially VeriFone will layer PayPal’s “digital wallet” interfaces and user experience at select merchant locations in the U.S., alongside traditional payment forms, spurring consumer demand for this unique payment experience. Long-term, VeriFone will enable PayPal acceptance natively as part of new services and solution packages offered to its expansive global retail customer base.

“Retailers who take advantage of the extensions to VeriFone’s platforms will be able to offer their customers a rich environment that integrates the virtual and physical retail worlds,” said Jennifer Miles, VeriFone executive vice president, North America. “By working to extend PayPal’s reach into traditional retail, VeriFone is providing retailers with an immediate and simple way to adopt and manage new payment experiences that consumers are demanding.”

PayPal acceptance will initially be implemented on VeriFone’s MX Solutions product families popular with large merchants.

Retailers can obtain additional information at www.verifone.com/paypal

Golf Training Now Simple and Easy with 3BaysGSA Golf Swing Analyzer

Perception Digital, a leading consumer electronics solution provider, announces that 2 Time LPGA champion, Top 50 Golf Teacher Penny Pulz will incorporate the 3BaysGSA™ Golf Swing Analyzer into her teaching curriculum.

Penny is now using the 3BaysGSA™ in her golf lessons to the delight of her students. "This is easy to use. Place the analyzer into the end of the grip; hit the ball and your student instantly sees on their phone -- club head speed, tempo, impact force, etc. 10,000 data points instantly; it is just amazing and fun," says Penny Pulz. "It's simple. It's easy. I just think it's simply the best."

3BaysGSA™ is the first product available on the market that enables golfers to instantly learn about their golf swings with ease. The small and lightweight device captures each of the golfer's swings and instantly presents to the user the related information with high accuracy. The captured data can also be easily shared with your friends on Facebook. Penny is well known in her circle of golfers as someone who is very tech-savvy, understands and embraces leading technology. "I am impressed that Penny was able to do substantial evaluation of many technologies and recognizes 3BaysGSA™ as the best," says Group CEO Dr. Jack Lau.

To see Penny's 3BaysGSA™ testimonial on YouTube, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0p2cXBHUzHQ.

For more information about 3BaysGSA™, please visit http://www.3bayslife.com/gsa.

Satechi BT Media Remote for iPhone, iPad & OS Bluetooth Devices Now Available

Satechi, a leading mobile accessories manufacturer, is thrilled to announce the availability of its new BT Media Remote.  The wireless Bluetooth HID remote allows users to control any iOS Bluetooth Device while connected to a TV, dock station or car stereo.  The convenient BT Media Remote is the ultimate multimedia companion for iPhone or iPad.

The BT Media Remote features multimedia control which allows users to control the playback of any music or video on the iPhone or iPad.  The convenient Satechi BT Media Remote has a remote camera shutter button so users can take photos without leaving themselves out of the camera.  Lastly, the "Home" button on the remote can be used to activate Siri even while connected to another device.

The Satechi BT Media Remote is available now for $39.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.

Consumer Demand for Home Technology Grows as Housing Market Regains Footing

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today released the 10th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study, which found installed home technology is strongly solidified in builders’ portfolios of services and offerings. Entertainment and automation solutions are helping builders differentiate their businesses, while more common home technologies like structured wiring are necessary to compete effectively in the market.

“This year’s study confirms CEA’s long-held belief and prediction that home technology would make a positive contribution to the inevitable housing market recovery as home buyers’ digital lifestyles and desires for energy efficiency factor into purchasing decisions,” said Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis. “For example, home automation and lighting controls tap into buyers’ rising concerns regarding energy costs, while a focus on home theater and multi-room audio demonstrate that builders can meet the growing homeowners’ demands to access entertainment anywhere in the home.”

The study found an increase in installations across all technology sectors, with the biggest gains in structured wiring (63 percent of new homes in 2011 vs. 45 percent of new homes in 2010). Energy management solutions, such as automated lighting controls (12 percent vs. 7 percent) and home automation (10 percent vs. 5 percent) were at all-time highs. Entertainment features also performed strongly in 2011 with the multi-room audio (23 percent) and home theater (29 percent) installations rebounding strongly after their recession-period lows.

The study also found that builders have embraced other construction opportunities such as remodeling existing homes (57 percent). Even as the housing market shows signs of life, industry players should not lose their focus on aftermarket opportunities, as one in five builders cite remodeling has generated more revenue than new home building in the past 12 months.

CEA’s study was conducted in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center, which gathered data through the Annual Builder Practices Survey, including new construction information from U.S. homebuilders. The study provides home technology professionals with a better understanding of homebuilders’ perceptions of and motivations for installing home technology in new home construction and the remodeling market.

The 10th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study (May 2012) was conducted from December 13, 2011 – January 9, 2012. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) ^®. The report is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the report for $699 at the CEA Store.