The Conusumer Electronics Revolution

By Yamuna Chee  |   Submitted On January 18, 2013

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The Consumer Electronic Timeline:
1972: "Home pong" is the first successful arcade video game manufactured by Atari. This two dimensional tennis game has triggered massive growth in the video game industry and was available for home use by the end of 1975.
1977: Apple 11 became the first successful personal computer. It was massed produced and distributed to all schools in the US and became a household name.
1979: Japan creates the first fully analogue automated cellular network to allow all of Tokyo's cell phone users to participate in the network. This event triggered the use of cellular networks globally.
1979: Sony releases the Walkman audio-cassete.
1982: The compact disc (CD) becomes the first digital storage format for commercial use in the public domain. The use of the CD for storage of digital music was used until 2009.
1983: Betamovie BMC-100P was the first camcorder released by Sony and was so large that it was unusable with one hand.
1984: The Discman a portable digital CD player was released by Sony. The digital format of this device offered a superior sound quality.
1984: The Motorola DynaTAC 8000x brick phone weighed two pounds and offered half hour talk time per charge and retailed at $3995.
1985: Nintendo releases the family computer (Famicom) in the US under Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) making Nintendo one of the wealthiest Companies in Japan.
1989: The Nintendo Game Boy is a portable video game which allows users to go mobile. It was released in Japan and North America.
1989: The portable laptop computer becoming more popular as various manufacturers like Apple, Zenith Data Systems, Compaq and IBM release there latest versions.
1991: The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released and sold 49.10 million units.
1993: The Pentium microprocessor was released by Intel making personal computers faster and more energy efficient.
1995: The first Sony play station video game system is released in December in North America. This system used discs instead of cartridges and sold over 102 million units.
1996: The first release of US HDTV broadcast was aired in limited circulation. It was launched during John Glenn's 1998 discovery return mission.
1996: The Kodak DC-25 is the first point and shoot digital camera to be released. Another feature was the ability to record onto removable compactflash cards. Retailed $499.
1997: The Digital Video Disc (DVD) is created for video and data storage. It is currently used for viewing video.
1998: The first iMac computer was successfully released by Apple and is referred to as "the gold standard of desktop computing."
2001: Apple releases the first iPod a portable media player, used initially for music and now is used for photos, videos and more. the iPod has sold 230 million units through 2009.
2002: The Microsoft Xbox was released globally. It rivals PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo Gamecube. In 2002 Xbox Live was launched which allowed users to play online connecting to high speed internet. By mid 2009 Xbox Live had over 17 million global users.
2004: The Nintendo DS is hand-held console that sold over 113 million units by 2010.
2006: Blue Ray is an optical disc storage medium that can store up to 10 times data then a DVD.
2007: The iPhone released in June and is a revolutionary hand-held phone and multi-media device. It was described in Time magazine as the "invention of the year."
2009: The Flo TV released in November measures 3x4.4" and weighs 5ozs and 3.5" touch screen. It has long battery life, offers 5 hours viewing time and 300 hours on standby. Retails $249.
2010: The iTablet released by Apple will attempt to bridge the gap between iPhone and iMac.
How electronics is being used.
Cell phones are an extremely popular form of communication and are relied upon by families, businesses, friends, and pretty much anyone who needs to talk on the phone.
Universities now expect all of their students to own their own computers, because so many assignments, lectures, and information is given and received online. Also, computers are able to perform similar functions to the television and DVD players now, since so many forms of entertainment can be found online. The internet has made communication all over the world possible with the click of a mouse and companies are able to expand globally because of this phenomenon. Computers are electronics which are going to be around till the end of time and they are going to continue growing, expanding, and improving throughout the upcoming years.
Don't forget about the television which is standard in homes across the globe and many other countries globally. Just like all other electronics, the television is continually being improved upon and advanced, and televisions are becoming more and more expensive with these improvements.
The iPod electronic device is used to play music and view videos and are popular with people who work out and want to listen to music while doing so. The iPods are a popular electronic device used by people who travel and do not want to carry around a laptop. These little electronics are quickly gaining more and more features and tools to make them more marketable, diverse, and popular.
What is the future of electronics? Mobile connected devices are the most wanted gifts this season, led by tablet computers. Tablets are the most wanted gift on both adults' overall holiday wish list. Money and peace/happiness are close behind on the overall wish list with smartphones and notebook/laptop computers rounding out the top five. When asked specifically about electronics, consumers' wish list it is similar to their overall wish list, with televisions also making the list.
While consumers want mobile connected devices, they'll also be giving them as gifts. Smartphones likely will be the most popular electronics device given as a gift this year, followed by tablets, notebook/laptop computers and DVD/Blu-ray players. Electronics device accessories will likely also be a popular gift this season, with headphones/earbuds, carrying cases and memory cards being among the most popular accessories given as a gift this year. Gift cards also will remain a popular gift for digital music purchases, for electronics book purchases, for App purchases and for online gaming purchases.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yamuna_Chee

iPad Revives China's Portable Electronics Industry

By Aimee Ocampo  |   Submitted On November 30, 2010

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ARM-based systems and the Android open-source OS are helping netbook and PMP suppliers to capitalize on the iPad's popularity. The latest tablet PCs from China have resistive touchscreens and 720 or 1080p playback.
Apple's iPad is reshaping and energizing the netbook and portable media player industries in China.
The Sangda Electronic Market in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, has been a reliable barometer of the consumer electronics industry's pulse. It was a lively marketplace for white-box netbooks and mobile Internet devices until H2 2009, when the crowds started to dwindle and many sellers closed shop because of waning demand.
But just three months after the iPad was released, Sangda was revitalized and once again became a bustling trading center, this time for devices and tablets that look and function very much like an iPad. New shops opened and a recently decorated second floor now displays mostly tablet PCs. Buyers not just from mainland China but even Hong Kong, Taiwan and neighboring countries flock to Sangda, all eager to score nifty tablets at much more affordable prices.
Netbooks and mobile Internet devices are still available, but there are just a handful of stalls offering them and fewer models are on hand.
Sangda's transformation is a reflection of changes in China's portable electronic devices industry.
ARM, Android spur development of iPad-like tablets
The iPad is generally regarded as more powerful and user-friendlier than a smartphone. Compared with a netbook or a laptop, it is lighter and has a battery life. Mobile Internet devices were once touted as the bridge between smartphones and laptops, but their high cost, short battery life and limited OS and software options made it difficult for them to gain acceptance in the mainstream. Save for the price, the iPad does not have such drawbacks. This development has consequently opened the door for white-box makers in China to develop their own, lower-cost versions of the iPad.
Netbook companies were one of the first to launch touchscreen tablets sans keypads. The devices were fitted with the same hardware and OS as netbooks, but had decreased user experience and convenience. They were more expensive as well, which made it difficult to gain mainstream acceptance.
Slate tablets fitted with ARM-based systems made for a viable solution, particularly since Apple's iPads have an Arm Core CPU. Additionally, unlike ARM-based mobile Internet devices that ran on Windows CE or Linux, the new tablets have an Android OS, which is generally regarded as the OS that can compete head-on with Apple's iOS in the smartphone arena.
But although ARM-based CPUs have advantages over x86 structures, they have weak multimedia capability and support Windows CE and Mobile, and Linux. There are very few applications that run on Windows CE and Linux. Windows Mobile is expensive, costing between $10 and $20 per unit, and is still not regarded as a suitable option for smartphones.
The release of the Android OS strengthened ARM-based CPUs' smartphone capabilities. Because the free OS is open source, developers can create a multitude of applications for a richer multimedia experience.
Despite the fact that Android is open source, most of the available applications were developed by industry leaders, including HTC and Motorola. Such companies will not share their codes and experiences developing the applications with competitors. As such, China makers need to work closely with design houses in developing their own applications.
Further, not all netbook and PMP makers have the capability to develop tablets running on the Android OS. Such companies also turn to design houses that specialize in smartphones for R&D assistance.
Impact on portable electronics industry
As of May 2010, more than 60 percent of China's netbook makers have launched tablet PCs. Suppliers of portable media players have also jumped into the fray.
Compared with netbook makers, PMP suppliers are more familiar with handheld devices. Most have established marketing channels, mature production lines and long-term cooperation with design houses. As such, nearly all PMP companies are launching tablets patterned after the iPad. The only exception is the small group that focuses on audio-only devices.
Between the netbook and PMP industries, the latter is more likely to be affected adversely by sales of iPads and other slate tablets. Sales of white-box netbooks have been on the wane even before the iPad transformed the industry. Additionally, although sales are declining, there remains a stable market for netbooks that can handle basic PC functions such as word processing and computing. Similarly, while sales of e-book readers are also affected negatively, there is a niche for such products.
The newest tablets, however, are more likely to cannibalize PMP sales. Although they have similar functions, the tablets perform better and provide a richer user experience, be it in Web browsing, social network services or video streaming.
As with netbooks and e-book readers, slate tablets are not expected to wipe out sales of GPS units and smartphones. The tablets can be integrated with a GPS module and antenna, but doing so can generate signal noise, which can affect the GPS receiver. Smartphones, on the other hand, require wireless connectivity and location-based services, features that are not fully functional in most tablets. The main advantage such tablets have over smartphones, however, is cost. The price of an entry-level tablet is roughly 30 percent that of an Android smartphone.
Product range
Although the latest tablets from China are made to look and perform like an iPad, some have features the Apple device does not have. These include HDMI output and 720 or 1080p playback. Most models, however, have a resistive touchscreen, which does not support multitouch and is more suitable for use with a stylus. A few units have a capacitive touchscreen, but these are priced $30 to $40 higher.
Most China-made slate tablets have 7, 8 and 10in touchscreen panels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. A few companies, including Fujian Sanxi Electronics Co. Ltd, fit the tablets with the same LG Display touchscreens used on the iPad. Prices, however, can reach $350 per unit.
In general, low-end tablets are priced between $65 and $85 each. They have a 7in screen with an 800x480 resolution. Models run on Android 1.5 or 1.6, and support Wi-Fi connectivity, 720p playback, and MKV, AVI, WMA, RMVB and MPEG formats. Their OS cannot be updated to Android 2.0 or higher, but some have a G-sensor.
At $85 to $120 per unit, midrange versions have a 7 or 8in screen with an 800x480 resolution, 256MB RAM and Wi-Fi connectivity. They run on Android 2.1, have an HDMI output and G-sensor, and support 1080p playback and AVI, RM/RMVB, FLV, DAT, VOB, WMV, MPG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG- 11, MP4/M4V and VC-1 formats.
High-end devices are from $120 to $350 each. In addition to midrange features, models may have a 9.7 or 10in capacitive touchscreen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, 3G connectivity and GPS.

This article was written by managing editor Aimee Ocampo originally for Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aimee_Ocampo

Multi Media - Things to Know

By David L. Allen  |   Submitted On October 26, 2010

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During the 1970's, multi media was the term used for images seen in multi projector slide shows. In 1968, the word multi media was used to describe the work of any political character. Came year 1990, multimedia was already believed to be a result of the emergence of different technology contents - this is also believed as its recent definition today. Other kinds of multi media captures includes: audio, photography and even slide shows.
Multimedia is one of the contents present in some devices. A mobile phone has this content. This is actually a combination of texts, audio, videos and some images. It is also used in advertisements, businesses, and entertainment. Both marketing and businesses use multimedia as part of their advertisements. It implements a high quality sound and a full motion which are then combined to make it.
Electronic games are also considered as an example of multi media. The term also pertains to other home entertainment and electronic services.
A device that has multimedia requires a memory. One example is a mobile phone that contains different types of multimedia. The kind of multimedia that a mobile phone has depends on the memory that the mobile phone contains. A memory card is often used for these things. This means, the bigger the space of your memory card, the larger the content of multimedia it can contain.
Another one is the digital camera. It contains multimedia as it contains images and even videos which are stored in its memory card. Devices that contains this may be used online or offline.
There are requirements for this to work. For a personal computer to make multi media work, it needs a microprocessor and a large storage as well as a large memory. For an audio to work well, you will need a large speaker and an audio card for storage. Other kinds of software are also required to make it work. Compact discs and DVD-ROMs are one of the various types of software needed to make it function well.
PowerPoint or slideshow presentations are types of multimedia commonly used today. These are usually used for business and education purposes. They comprise of images, text and even videos which are part of multimedia. In schools, PowerPoint is used to present lessons or reports. This has even been found to be very useful in most schools. For businesses, slideshows are also commonly used for presentations, business proposals and other images which needs to be showed (and having something to do with business). Students who make slide shows make use of their digital camera and transfer the pictures into a personal computer for it to be processed as part of the slide show they are making.
There are technological skills needed to manipulate multimedia. Here are some of the skills that are commonly required: the ability to manipulate the features of texts. You must know how to make the text readable and attractive when presented in a multimedia. Hence, you can either make the letters bold, italic or you can even adjust the size of the text. In doing so, you must also know how to put special effects to make it more attractive for your audience or for the people you are presenting it to. Resizing and cropping of graphics is also an important skill.
Learning the art of multi media is not that difficult. Doing these several times can make you a skilled person in this field. Creativity and the ability to learn are one of the most important things you must possess. Multi media is part of the growing technology we have today. Learning how to manipulate it can help us in so many ways. A lot of ideas regarding multimedia can be learned and derived from a lot of resources.

We specialise in Interactive Media Marketing, comprising of Web Design, Blog Design, print Graphic Design, etc. A solution to your Singapore Web Design needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_L._Allen

Deloitte Study Suggests Social Media Policy a Must Have

By Bruce Johnston  |   Submitted On August 07, 2009

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According to Deloitte's recently released 2009 Ethics & Workplace Survey, 74 percent of those surveyed believe it is easy to damage a brand's reputation via sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Why wasn't the result 100%?
Without a social media policy and strategy the risk is 100% that your brand reputation will be damaged. United Airlines got it wrong and this is what happened - "United Breaks Guitars," which was the headline making public relations nightmare of the week last week. For those of you keeping score, it is estimated this episode, viewed by over 4 million thus far, cost United a 10% drop in their stock price, equivalent to $180 million or 51,000 Taylor guitars!
Employers and employees alike are seeing instances like these and are beginning to understand the real impact of social media on their brand. The results of the study could have very well stated 74% of those surveyed don't understand the power of social media.
The essence of social media is that customers now have the power and ability to access, consume, customize and forward information however, wherever and whenever they want. It provides businesses with the ability to actively listen, watch, gather and learn from their customers. The information gathered can be converted into customer advocacy, brand building and inspire loyalty much quicker than traditional methods.
Is it worth the effort the time and effort? According to Nielsen, total minutes spent on social networking sites in the U.S have increased 83% year-over-year. In fact, total minutes spent on Facebook increased nearly 700% year-over-year, growing from 1.7 billion minutes in April 2008 to 13.9 billion in April 2009, making it the No. 1 social networking site for the month... and worth $10 billion last week according to analysts.
Firms that fully understand the value proposition of social media are implementing electronic communications policies which establish strict guidelines for employee participation on blogs, chat rooms and other social media. They are not bashful about imposing these same rules on employees providing opinion or advice, even if it is from their personal computers.
One example of a corporate electronic communication policy is IBM's. They have established a straightforward set of rules & guidelines, available to every employee taking the guess work out of the rules governing electronic communications.
Firms' that establish guidelines early foster an environment that promotes social media as a way to connect to their clients, rather than through their products.  Firms' that engage and solicit their employee's opinions will benefit the most.

DBJ Associates is a Transformational Distribution Strategies firm focused on developing Social Media distribution solutions for Asset and Wealth Management firms, RIAs and Financial Advisors. D. Bruce Johnston is regarded by many as a high-energy, results-driven Financial Services Distribution Executive with a 25+-year career distinguished by an impressive record of contributions and winner of the Institutional Investor Fund Marketer of the Year award.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Johnston