TWICE back issues from January 2006:
Accessories Bask In Glow Of 2006 Profit Spotlight.(consumer electronics accessories, industry forecast)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Jeff Malester The dual specter of climbing interest rates combined with stifling energy prices -- colored even darker by the ongoing war in Iraq and the tragic consequences of last year's hurricanes -- could have some lingering effects on the consumer electronics business in ...
Brand Source, MARTA Sign Alliance Deal.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Alan Wolf LONG BEACH, CALIF. -- Brand Source and MARTA, two leading electronics/appliance buying groups, have forged a new strategic alliance. Brand Source and the MARTA Cooperative of America have "come together to create the industry's strongest group," said ...
Allsop Unveils Photo CD, iPod Accessories.(compact discs)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Allsop is introducing photo CD accessories, as well as products for Apple's iPod and designer mousepads during International CES here. The new photo CD maintenance line includes Clear View, a new tool for cleaning lenses and other sensitive ...
Amimon To Demo Wireless HDMI-Cable Replacement.(wireless high definition interface)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas-- Israel-based Amimon plans to demonstrate short-range wireless streaming of uncompressed high-definition video using a technology said to deliver performance equivalent to a wired HDMI connection. The technology, called Wireless High ...
Apple's Influence On CE Larger Than iPod's Sales.(consumer electronics market influenced by Apple Computer Inc.)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Doug Olenick LAS VEGAS -- No matter how you slice it, Apple is a major player in the consumer electronics industry. Its influence is far larger than its sales volume in a single product category, even if it won't be attending International CES this week. Since ...
ATI Rolls Out New Mobile Card With Avivo.(ATI Technologies Inc. releases graphics card)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Doug Olenick Markham, Ontario -- ATI Technology released the Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card for notebooks that features the company's Avivo technology. ATI said Avivo will deliver 1 billion colors to a laptop screen, while the card itself is designed for ...
Audistry Outlines Acoustic Enhancements.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Audistry's sound-enhancing selection of technologies includes the following: Sound Space Expander : The algorithm is said to create "stable, solid stereo images with a very wide soundfield that 'wraps' around the listener," the company said ....
How To Stay Relevant.(home audio equipment-industry forecast)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : During the five-decade span from the 1950s to the 1990s, home audio thrived during most years. How can home audio stay relevant in the first decade of the 21st Century? Peter Wellikoff, B&W group president : For home audio to stay ...
Component-Speaker Future.(industry forecast)(Panel Discussion)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : How will component speakers (non-custom) stay relevant? Through plasma-friendly designs? Flat-panel technologies? Wellikoff : Not everyone wants, or is in a position to have, speakers built into their walls or ceilings (urban residents ...
Hide And Seek.(consumer preferences of component speakers)(Panel Discussion)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : Has there been any shift in consumer preference to show off components? Or to hide them? Wellikoff : Unquestionably yes. The luxury buyer relishes showing off their high-ticket purchases, whether or not it's keeping their Porsche in ...
Life In 2016.(audio equipment industry forecast)(Panel Discussion)(Industry Overview)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : Look out 10 years from now. What will the home audio industry look like? Wellikoff : Ten years from now we may well see the following changes within our industry: A weeding out of small manufacturers that don't have access to ...
Avega Uses Wireless, UPnP To Network Home Speakers.(Avega Systems launches hi-fi speakers at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas -- Sydney, Australia-based venture-capital startup Avega Systems will show the Oyster series of wirelessly networked, amplified hi-fi speakers, including a wireless surround-sound speaker system that incorporates decoding, amplification and ...
A/V Receivers Embrace New Digital Media.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas-- Frustrated component-audio suppliers hope to catch a little sales action here with A/V receivers that hook up with such attractive new technologies as satellite radio, iPod-brand MP3 players and HDTV. Hoping to lift sagging component ...
Batteries/Chargers Critical To Boosting CE Portables Biz.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff The CE accessories business is expected to benefit from battery/charger-supported product portability as well as the advanced technologies in nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) rechargeables that should fire up sales of high-drain digital devices. Battery companies Lenmar ...
Bell'O Debuts Hearthside Furniture.(Bell'O International)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas-- Bell'O International is introducing the all-wood Hearthside Collection of home theater furniture consisting of three styles at International CES. The WAVS-320 is an enclosed cabinet that is constructed of real wood with a rich dark cherry wood ...
Maxell Revives 'Blow Away' Ad Campaign.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Steve Smith LAS VEGAS -- Maxell Corporation of America is using International CES to update and re-introduce its famous "blow away guy" ad campaign to attract the highly valued 18- to 30-year-old demographic group for its blank media and accessories products. ...
Bluetooth Popularity Is On The Rise.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Amy Gilroy LAS VEGAS -- Over a half dozen 12-volt suppliers are introducing new Bluetooth-ready head units at International CES that are compatible with cellular phones for hands-free dialing. Bluetooth could become an important feature, said suppliers, because ...
Cable Sees Progress In Interactive 'DCR' CE Devices.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Don Dulchinos LAS VEGAS -- Watch for an invigorated cable presence at this year's International CES, if progress made throughout 2005 is any indication. Several milestones punctuated 2005 as cable providers continued to develop agreements for equipment and ...
New Camcorders Cutting The Tape.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By David Elrich LAS VEGAS-- Although camcorder sales have held relatively steady over the past three years at over 5 million units, a sea change is occurring under seemingly placid waters. The format mix is undergoing a huge shift as consumers embrace DVD-based ...
Camera Phones To The Rescue?
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas-- One tantalizing x-factor is the emergence of the camera phone. Most of the net-to-retail service providers also incorporate software that can be downloaded to a handset to send camera phone images directly to retail stores for output. The same ...
CD Players Get Hot At $130 (Not At $99).(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Amy Gilroy LAS VEGAS -- Some suppliers are focusing on entry-level, step-up head units because of a new trend in CD receivers: Consumers are choosing $130 CD receivers over the price leaders at $99. In 2005, the Pioneer DEH P3700 became the best-selling CD ...
Consumer Electronic Renaissance: The Quest For The Holy Grail.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Bill Matthies What do you think of when I say "Honda"? For many, cars will no doubt come to mind, at least when it comes to products. Many others will think motorcycles, and a few may conjure images of outboard engines. There will also be adjectives ...
Chief Introduces TV Mount Lines.(Chief Manufacturing Inc. introduces wall mounts)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Chief Manufacturing is introducing the PLP-U Universal Pull-N-Tilt wall mount for large flat-panel TVs at International CES. The PLP-U, part of Chief's Fusion Series, is a universal mounting solution that is designed to fit up to 90 percent of ...
Circuit City Says Schoonover CEO As Of March 1st.(Phil Schoonover, chief executive officer appointed at Circuit City Stores Inc.)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Alan Wolf RICHMOND, VA. -- Circuit City's chairman and chief executive Alan McCollough will step down as CEO on Feb. 28 and will not seek reelection to the company's board after his term expires in June. He will be succeeded as CEO by president Phil Schoonover on ...
Circuit City Reports 14.4% U.S. Sales Rise, Net Increase.(Circuit City Stores Inc.)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Jeff Malester RICHMOND, VA. -- Circuit City Stores pushed up sales in its domestic stores segment 14.4 percent during the retailer's fiscal third quarter, reaching $2.7 billion, up from $2.4 billion in the same three months last year. Domestic comp-store sales climbed 13.3 ...
Comcast Considers Retail Channel Key To Growth.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Alan Wolf Philadelphia-- When it comes to the retail channel, Comcast casts a wide net. Over the past four years, the Philadelphia-based multiple system operator has slowly, deliberately built a retail business that today reaches 5,000 locations nationwide, ...
Commodore Re-Emerges At International CES.(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Doug Olenick LAS VEGAS -- This is not your father's Commodore Computer. In fact, it is not the Commodore of 1970s fame at all except in name, a name the company will reintroduce into the American computer and CE market at International CES. Once closely ...
Communication, Entertainment--A Headset Double Play.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Penny Gill It's hardly news that cellphones are not just for phone conversations anymore -- and with music, video and gaming speeding their way into new multipurpose mobile phones, headset manufacturers are already meeting the trend with specialized headsets designed for ...
What Powers New Subs?
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : The number of net new subscribers in the first half of 2005 hit an historic high of 12.5 million, up for the third consecutive year. The installed base of subscribers at the end of June hit 194.6 million people, or about 65 percent of the U.S ....
Cellular Sell-Through.
Jan 05, 2006; ... Joseph Palenchar TWICE : How was U.S. handset sell-through in 2005? What are the growth projections for 2006? Laikin : In terms of the unit sell-in figure, the estimated year-over-year growth is in the 20 percent range. I believe 2006 is poised for another strong ...
Advanced-Services Potential.(growth in data services, web access)(Panel Discussion)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : How quickly are consumers adopting such advanced services as music streaming, downloadable applications, e-mail redirection and the like? Has growth in some of these services been fueled (or held back) by the supply of handsets incorporating ...
The Wireless Future.(cellular telephones industry forecast)(Panel Discussion)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar TWICE : Will hybrid cellular/Wi-Fi phones make significant headway as a wireless-data device? As a VoIP phone in the home or enterprise or in Wi-Fi hot spots? Will Wi-Fi/VoIP phones or mobile WiMax/VoIP phones aggressively compete against the established ...
CD Players Offer New Media Connections.(launch of expandable head units and gadgets for car stereo systems at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Amy Gilroy LAS VEGAS -- Signs that the car stereo head unit is undergoing a radical shift may be seen in every corner of the mobile electronics booths at International CES. In size alone, the single-DIN CD receiver of the past 20 years is converting to the ...
Cordless Makers Highlight The High Tech.(cordless phone systems launched)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By James K. Willcox Las Vegas-- A host of new and emerging technologies will take the spotlight as cordless vendors make a bid for relevance in the digital home. Motorola is introducing the C51 and SBV5400 cordless phone systems, which unify access to landlines, ...
Cordless Manufacturers Expand VoIP Phones.(Uniden Corp. launches cordless phones for Vonage Holdings Corp.)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Scoblete Las Vegas-- While other cordless vendors prepare their first VoIP-enabled cordless phones, Uniden will be on its second-generation products for Vonage and 8x8. Uniden and VTech will also offer PC-based handsets for use with instant messaging voice ...
Cordless Phones 'Reinvented' For 2006.(industry forecast)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By James K. Willcox Las Vegas-- Despite continued price erosion, shelf-space cutbacks at retail and the growing use of cell phones as primary phones, cordless phone manufacturers aren't yet ready to tap out. Instead, they're fighting back with multiple handset bundles, a ...
Wired, Wireless Products Bowed For Custom Market.(growth and industry forecast)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas -- There's always room for more new products in an industry that's growing at double-digit percentage rates, if suppliers' introductions here at International CES are a reliable indicator. Wired and wireless products at the low and ...
Customer-Centric Marketing: From Concept To Reality.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Andy Cutler Although some CE retailers, most notably Best Buy, have successfully adopted a more customer-centric marketing approach, most have clung to their product- and campaign-centric ways. But product- and campaign-centric models may be on their last legs based on two ...
D&M Moving Headquarters In April.(D&M Holdings to shift to Mahwah, New Jersey)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff PINE BROOK, N.J. -- D&M Holdings said it will open a new headquarters building in Mahwah, N.J., for the company's North American operations, which will feature an advanced product demonstration area and showroom. The move is expected to be completed by ...
Definitive Targets Multiple Speaker Segments.(Definitive Technology Inc. plans to launch home-speaker systems )(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas -- Definitive Technology plans home-speaker introductions in a variety of market segments, including packaged home theater speaker, subwoofers, flat speakers for use with flat-panel video displays and in-walls. The introductions will ...
Digital Cameras No Longer Need A Steady Hand.(digital cameras launched at Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Scoblete Las Vegas -- If there's a unifying theme among new camera introductions at the show, it's that image stabilization is fast becoming the next "must-have" specification, alongside the more predictable positioning. There is some novelty as well, including the ...
Digital Services Seek Novelty In Land Of Flagging 4-By-6.(digital photography and printing forecast)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Scoblete Las Vegas-- In a market where inexpensive editing software can turn run-of-the-mill digital photos into dynamic slideshows, animated cartoons or art-deco calendars produced in the comfort of your living room, it's no wonder retailers are casting about for a ...
Digital Video Handheld B'casts To Air At CES.(Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar LAS VEGAS -- Digital TV is moving out of the home theater system and into cellular phones, PDAs, laptop computers, portable media players (PMPs) and cars here at International CES, where multiple companies plan to demonstrate Digital Video ...
HD Optical Disc War To Commence This Spring.(high definition)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Tarr LAS VEGAS -- Companies from multiple industries remained tight lipped prior to International CES on market launch plans that will touch off a brewing high-definition optical-disc format war. Backers of the HD DVD format -- led by Toshiba, NEC, Universal ...
Dolby Subsidiary Launches Stereo-Sound Enhancements.(Audistry )
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas-- Audistry, a new Dolby subsidiary, has launched a package of five DSP technologies intended to improve stereo sound in midtier mass-market products expected to be on store shelves in the first half. The package, intended for such ...
Eaton Displays Custom And DIY Home Systems.(Do-It-Yourself)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Eaton Corp. plans to display an updated structured-wiring system and a distributed audio system based on the low-cost A-BUS technology. The two systems will be displayed along with a wireless home-monitoring system that lets users monitor key ...
Unfinished Business.(Consumer Electronics Show)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Steve Smith International CES opens today, and for those of you attending the show (and even for those of you who aren't) this annual event has made Las Vegas the world's technology vortex for the opening days of this, or any, new year. The interest and demand ...
EPOS Handwriting-To-PC Product Launches.(EPOS Corp. launches digital pen, cordless mouse, and USB drive )
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff New York-- CE newcomer EPOS will officially launch its first two products at International CES that take advantage of the company's proprietary handwriting recognition technology. The digital pen and cordless mouse and the digital pen and USB drive use a ...
EVO Lurks In Krell Booth.(Krell to launch audio components at Consumer Electronics Show)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Krell's eight-SKU EVO series of components, debuting at International CES, is based on technology used in the flagship Evolution Series. Like the mono amp in the Evolution series, the EVO one-, two- and three-channel amps and the stereo preamp ...
Flash-Memory Makers Are Diversifying Lines.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Greg Scoblete LAS VEGAS -- The drive to differentiate flash-memory storage products along grounds other than price per megabyte have led vendors down novel pathways, including wearable drives and drives capable of displaying available memory while disconnected from a ...
Furniture/Mounts Offer No-Limit CE Placement Possibilities.(consumer electronics)
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff With technology and manufacturing leading change in CE furniture presentation and pricing, and the mount business benefiting from the emergence of mid-size LCD screens and the continued surge of front-projector units, both Bell'O International and Chief are two ...
Gennum Debuts Video Processors.(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Tarr LAS VEGAS -- Gennum, a leading manufacturer of video-processing chips for better quality video display systems, will present a pair of new image processors designed to convert multiple image formats to the requirements of the display with minimal artifacts and ...
Giant Leaps Into Wi-Fi/MP3 Players.(Giant International to launch mp3 players)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar LAS VEGAS -- Giant International plans to launch its own version of a Wi-Fi-equipped MP3 player that downloads directly from authorized sites via Wi-Fi connections. Atlanta-based Giant cites a need to simplify downloading by making a PC ...
GN Netcon Wireless Headsets Adapt To Traditional Telephony.(GN Netcom launches headsets for office telephony)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Penny Gill Wireless headsets are most often associated with cellphones, but at least one manufacturer sees an emerging market for wireless headsets for use with traditional and IP telephony. "We see more and more user demand for personal communications tools," ...
Headset Demand Soars As Bluetooth Pushes Biz.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Penny Gill As ubiquitous as cellphones have become, mobile headsets may not be far behind -- a growing spate of hands-free laws coupled with advances in technology and style provide a host of compelling reasons for consumers to purchase a new headset in 2006. ...
Hifi House Celebrates 50th Anniversary In Philly Market.(Hifi House Group. Pro Video Sales Co.)(Company Profile)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Alan Wolf Broomall, Pa.-- Hifi House, the high-end A/V retailer, custom installer and systems integrator, is celebrating its 50th year of serving the greater Philadelphia area with both cutting-edge CE products and charitable community involvement. The company, ...
Blistering Web Biz Buoys Holiday Sales.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Alan Wolf Despite key shortages, solid sales momentum holds on through the big finish NEW YORK -- CE retailers and their suppliers reported solid sales momentum in the final days leading into the holiday shopping weekend. Despite shortages in key ...
Home Printing Evolves As Retail Encroaches.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Rebecca Day Las Vegas -- Home printing of digital images is expected to take a hit from print kiosks, online services and retail digital printing locations over the next few years as more mainstream customers gravitate from film to digital cameras. But while the percentage ...
HP Supports HD DVD Format.(Hewlett-Packard Co. to develop products compatible with high definition DVD format)(Brief Article)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Tarr VANCOUVER, WASH. -- PC maker Hewlett-Packard, once a strong ally of the Blu-ray disc next-generation recording format, announced that it also will be adding support for the rival HD DVD system, and will join the HD DVD Promotions Group. HP had hinted ...
HTiBs Add Links To MP3s, XM To Expand Sales.(home theater in a box)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar LAS VEGAS -- Home theater in a box (HTiB) sales dropped in 2005, but suppliers are doing their utmost at International CES to encourage replacement sales and expand penetration. In large part, suppliers are trying to make their systems less ...
Overview Of HTiBs Being Introduced At CES.(product launched at Consumer Electronics Show)(home theater in a box)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar LAS VEGAS -- Here is a company-by-company rundown of what's being introduced today in home theater in a box (HTiB) systems at International CES, here: Acoustic Research : The Audiovox-owned brand plans the first-ever HTiB offered with optional ...
Hybrid Still/Video Cameras Go HD.(products launch at Consumer Electronics Show, high definition,)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Greg Scoblete LAS VEGAS -- The combination digital still/video camera category will beat its tape-based counterpart to offer the first HD recorder to consumers for under $1,000. The HD boost comes courtesy of Sanyo , which is announcing the HD1 combination ...
Hybrid Wi-Fi/Cellphones To Debut.(Motorola Inc. and Samsung Group launches VoIP-enabled cellular phones)
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Joseph Palenchar Las Vegas -- Motorola and Samsung want to erase the difference between home landline and cellular calls. Both companies are enabling hybrid VoIP-enabled Wi-Fi/cellular phones to hand off calls between home Wi-Fi networks and cellular networks. ...
Intel's Napa Mobile Processor, Viiv Platform Set To Launch.
Jan 05, 2006; ... By Doug Olenick NEW YORK -- With the upcoming launch of the Napa mobile processor line and the Viiv entertainment platform, Intel intends to create an environment for experiencing digital content at home and on the road. The technologies enable a wide variety of ...
Jabra Introducing Bluetooth Headset Foursome.
Jan 05, 2006 ... By Staff Las Vegas -- Jabra is showing a variety of new Bluetooth headsets during International CES which include the BT620s, BT325s, BT160 and JX10 Bluetooth headsets. The Jabra BT620 features a street-style neckband, hi-fi frequency response speakers, stereo ...