Gender issues aren’t generally a focus of discussion on our blog, but after reading a recent Sound and Vision post, it seems there are some mixed feelings about how some products, especially gadgets or tech gear, are marketed to females. It’s odd because, there are as many women (if not more) who make buying decisions involving smartphones, HD TVs, computer peripherals, portable audio and more, yet when a product goes overboard to market to women, it can backfire.


Source

Our Susan G. Komen for the Cure® campaign involving pink SD/Micro-SD Card Readers/Writers has a specific message and goal of increasing awareness about early detection and supporting the search for a cure to breast cancer. Naturally, it makes sense to go pink, since it is such a widespread show of support, everywhere we looked in October. From NFL players to airlines, sporting pink is an easy way to share an important message.

But what about pink products that choose the color only for its potential to attract women. Especially with gadgets, is this really a significant factor in choosing a pair of headphones, a keyboard ,or (gasp!) an HD TV?

In the Sound and Vision post, Pink is Not the New Black – Unless it Is, Geoff Morrison gathered feedback from three women, which provided a mixed bag of commentary. Some excerpts:

Negative – “Hell yeah, I’ve noticed and it’s annoying. There are a lot of colors in the spectrum women enjoy, and I don’t see everything targeted at men in shades of baby-ass blue…”

Middle of the Road – “These things wouldn’t get made if there weren’t a market for it. I know one girl specifically that gets super excited for pink KitchenAid products … what bothers me is when manufacturers feel the need to alter the product to dumb it down and slap a “lady” label on it. And then charge us more for the privilege.”

Indifferent – “I wouldn’t say it annoys me, but I do find it amusing, mostly because I’d never buy a pink CE (consumer electronics) device. I think the ‘pink push’ is more prevalent in the realm of gadgets and handhelds, probably because the designers don’t have the funds or the freedom to do much beyond changing a product’s color.”

Obviously there’s nothing inherently wrong with a product that is colored pink, but we’re interested to hear from ladies in our community about whether or not they’d buy something just because it’s pink, or if they get annoyed that someone would even think that?

Of course, we welcome feedback from anyone on whether color really matters when it comes to purchasing gadgets. Let us know in the comments, on Facebook or via Twitter.

Just like “thinking outside the box”, “breaking down silos” and “low hanging fruit” were business buzzwords of the past, convergence is one of those new terms that every company seems to want a piece of.



Source

Popular jargon aside, IOGEAR has used the term to describe its place in the consumer technology space for several years now. The concept of convergence is a pillar of our engineering and product development, but there’s still some confusion about what it actually means. From a technology standpoint, convergence is primarily about improving communication, mobility and access to entertainment by getting computer and audio/video to work more seamlessly together. It also means extending the functionality of existing devices by allowing them to do more, or to do what they’re designed for, better.

Whether its streaming iPod content to a TV, sharing computer peripherals wirelessly, or extending Wi-Fi to an Ethernet enabled device, we’re always searching for ways to get more out of the devices we own, or to extend their lives just a little bit longer.

We’ve blogged about AV streaming devices, KVM switches and other devices at the heart of computer/AV convergence, but we’ve never looked at how the topic applies outside the world of technology. Convergence is not only about maximizing technology by enhancing mobility and connectivity. Far from it actually. A diverse set of industries that includes everything from condiments to liquor to convenience stores and outerwear are all undergoing a convergence renaissance of sorts, accelerating down the road of smart innovation to get there.

Recently, Inc.com explored some of the industries where convergence is being utilized most effectively, and had this to say in an article titled, Innovative Product Mashups:

“Convergence is affecting nearly all industries…Another great example is drug store retailing in 
New York City. Duane Reade, a leading chain, now has a physician on call and offers inoculations at some of its stores, putting them in competition with traditional physician’s offices. In some, they carry fresh produce, salads, and sandwiches, putting them in competition with small grocery and convenience stores. In the Wall Street location in New York City, Duane Reade even has a hair and nail salon, putting it in competition with beauty parlors.”

Much like a neighborhood-focused drug store evolving to meet the expanding needs of time-strapped New York City folk, so too is IOGEAR constantly digging deeper into things like USB 3.0, Wi-Fi technology, HDMI, Bluetooth and countless other connectivity options that make the convergence of other compatible devices possible. And even when they’re not compatible, we have things like the USB Bluetooth adapter which provides the necessary connectivity options for whatever the device may be. 

Convergence may be a one of the new marketing buzzwords that all companies want a piece of, but few are as committed to the principle as we are.

What does convergence mean to you? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments.

For many Americans, Sunday is not just a time to spend with family and friends — it’s Football Time! All of a sudden, space becomes a premium as family and friends appear out of the woodworks.

If you have more than one HDTV, we have the solution to a crowded living room! Our brand new Wireless 3D HD Digital Kit allows you to view the game in two rooms simultaneously, and without wires!

Learn More

What games are you planning to watch? Who are you rooting for? We would love to know how you think this device would make game day reach a whole new level of awesome. Let us know here in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

The Wireless 3D HD Digital Kit is now available at Costco.com!

*Distances may vary depending on environment; solid objects such as steel, concrete and brick may view shorter distances

According to In-stat research, the number of Blu-ray players shipped will increase to 105 million by the year 2015. If you’re like most people, you’ve already made the switch to an HDTV, however, if you’re not a PS3 owner, or just haven’t made the jump to a Blu-ray player yet, we have some advice for you courtesy of the sharp minds at HDTV Etc.


We all know competition breeds innovation and fair pricing, but it also breeds something else, indecision. Fortunately, with all the choices of Blu-ray players available, HDTV etc. writer Dennis Burger helps us drill down to what we really want by giving us, Five Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Blu-ray Player.


Source

So, before you shell out your hard-earned cash on a new Blu-ray player, put on your HD thinking cap and consider the following:

1. Is there an app for that?

“Having a disc player that only plays discs is so two-thousand-late, so before you shop around for your next (or your first) Blu-ray player, take a good look at the app selections available for the various brands and decide which (if any) are for you.”

2. 3D or not 3D? That’s the real question.

Check out the flowchart in the article. Seriously, it’s probably the best tool available for answering this question and even an HD-DVD supporter could understand it.

3. What sort of connections do I need?

It’s important to not only understand what your current hardware requires for connections, but also what might be coming in the future so the Blu-ray investment doesn’t become obsolete or incompatible as your A/V system evolves.

4. Should I buy a universal player?

“Don’t assume that “universal” actually means “universal.” …If you really want to play every 5-inch disc format ever touched by a laser, you should definitely read the fine print and make sure your obsolete format (or burnable media) of choice is actually supported.”

5. Do I need WiFi?

“Even if you have no interest in over-the-top rental services, even if DLNA steaming or some other form of media sharing is the last thing you’d ever want to do with your Blu-ray player, you’re still going to want to connect it to the internet, if only for the occasional firmware update to correct for disc incompatibilities.”

The astute HDTV etc. writer goes on to mention the IOGEAR Universal Wi-Fi N Adapter as a solution for bringing Wi-Fi to a Blu-ray player (or other Ethernet-enabled device) at a low cost, and often with performance benefits.

Traditional DVD players can be bought for less than $30 now, but if you’re considering some type of video playback component, it’s really short-sighted not to go with a quality Blu-ray player or a PS3, just make sure you grill yourself appropriately before investing. And when the day comes, there are also a number of useful Blu-ray accessories available from IOGEAR including HDMI cables as well as HD audio/video switchers and splitters to help in any installation setting.

Have additional suggestions for Blu-ray shopping or choosing the perfect video player? Let us know in the comments, via Twitter or on our Facebook wall.

The Hollywood Reporter, a longtime home for behind-the-scenes reporting on celebrities and the entertainment industry, offered some interesting statistics on the Internet’s growing influence over what we watch on TV. The article, quoting analyst reports from research firm SNL Kagan, stated the following:

“…homes that rely on Internet-based distribution to view professionally produced content in lieu of a traditional pay TV subscription will grow from 2.5 million at the end of 2010 to 8.6 million in 2013 and 12.1 million in 2015. Those estimates amount to 2 percent of occupied U.S. homes in 2010, about 7 percent in 2013 and nearly 10 percent in 2015.”



With the range of wired and wireless AV streaming products now available, it’s not hard to understand why so many more people are opting for a connected TV experience. Just recently, we shared a list of over 700 streaming media links (thanks to those who submitted!) that prove a content migration is in effect. TV is being re-defined progressively as each new media source draws another user away from cable.

But of all the content available, there is one glaring omission. Whether it’s the commoditization of sports by ESPN or the growing number of profitable team networks, the Internet lacks live sports coverage, though channels such as ESPN are pushing viewers to view content online that augments their live coverage. Major League Baseball has the Extra Innings package, and ESPN3 helped us procrastinate at work by airing the World Cup and March Madness and the biggest playoff games are always shown on a major network. But day-to-day sports fanatics will likely not find the variety of sports content that can be delivered by expanded cable.

In addition to the ESPN family, cable provides Foxsports, the aforementioned team networks, not to mention specialty networks like the Golf Channel, NFL Network and MLBTV. Bluntly, cable has a lot more to offer over the Internet when it comes to exclusive and in-depth sports content.

Of course, in a perfect world, we can stream HD content and have our cable too, providing the best of both worlds, but the economy and excessive cable fees are making some people question this decision. We’re curious, is sports entertainment important enough to keep cable, or will you be saying sayonara cable and cutting the cord?

Let us know in the comments, on Facebook or via Twitter.

Once again, your friends at IOGEAR are in the giving mood. We have 100, yes you read right, one hundred USB Theater Sound Xperience PC adapters to give away!

The rules are simple:

1) Like Us on Facebook and enter your email
2) Like DTS’s Facebook page for an extra entry
3) Invite Your Friends – Each friend that joins gets you 5 additional entries!

For all of the specifics, please see our official sweepstakes rules.

So what exactly is a USB Theater Sound Xperience PC adapter (GUADT51), you say? Check out this recent blog post for some real world scenarios of how this device can forever change the audio experience on your laptop.

Be sure to follow our Twitter account also, as we will be providing timely updates there as well.

Terms and Conditions:
5,000 fans must be reached by August 31st, 2011 5pm PST when the sweepstakes ends. If 5,000 fans have not been reached by the time the sweepstakes ends no USB Theater Sound Xperience PC Adapters will be given away. A list of winners will be posted at the end of the sweepstakes. Winners will also be contacted by e-mail in order to retrieve mailing address. We will only mail to a U.S. address.

“Convergence” is one of those budding buzzwords that marketers and even scientists use when describing the prolonged combination or mixing of various entities. The blending together of traditional and social media is one example as is the simultaneous inward movement of eyes towards each other.


Source

Blurred media and crossed eyes aside, the most relevant form of convergence is happening in our living rooms and offices. Traditional forms of entertainment, like radio and TV, are being re-invigorated by a new breed of AV and computer accessories that allow formerly disjointed systems, to work in harmony. Echoing this sentiment is a trade industry publication called Dealerscope, which recently pegged convergence as THE driving force for consumer electronics sales as we head into the second half of 2011 and beyond.

Culling information from interviews with the magazine’s annual 40 Under 40 list of young consumer electronics leaders, convergence was a common theme among those who responded. Quoting the article, Mid-Year Prediction: Convergence To Drive CE,

“We’ll see more technologies being brought into tablet devices that will involve HDMI jacks, and consumer formats that fit the AV world. Your TV is just the gateway drug… The proliferation of high-speed broadband into the home, along with more robust home networks, will continue to change how and where people consume video and audio.”

IOGEAR’s product development has always accepted the TV as a hub (or gateway drug) and considered how TV can be used to enhance the digital home experience. The convergence concept has really become a rallying point for consumers and installers considering new wireless AV streaming and other technologies. Think about the number of devices you interact with on a daily basis. We have content stored on laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles, NAS storage devices, desktops, digital music players, DVRs and even in the cloud. Currently, not all of this content is readily available from all access points at all times, but that’s where we’re headed, Netflix Instant Streaming and HBO GO for example.

Currently, we have solutions like the iPhone/iPad Composite AV Cable and the Wireless AV Kit for bringing non-networked content on our devices to a display, but we’re merely scratching the surface of what’s to come. Imagine a scenario where your iPad can act as a complete control device for the entire home. Take the idea of having a TV remote, but make it a tablet and have it control everything from lights and thermostats, to the music that is playing and what will be downloaded for Friday movie night. The best part is, it’s already happening.

There will always be a need for accessories, connectors, and devices that make these convergence scenarios possible, and that’s why IOGEAR is committed to the Convergence through Connectivity ethos.

What convergence advancements would you like to see? Does the concept of an iPad controllable home appeal to you? Let us know here on the blog, on Facebook and/or on Twitter.

When it comes to design elements in a home, men are usually on the outside looking in. And while many men are not overly concerned with duvet covers, throw pillows and the shade of yellow going in the bathroom, they still deserve and enjoy a say in the process, even if it’s just lip service. A better way to get men involved in the design process, however, is to give them a blank palate to work with…like a man cave.


Source

The origin of the term is tough to pinpoint, but the concept has grown exponentially based on a DIY network show appropriately named Man Caves. Two men, one designer and one ex-football player descend upon one lucky dude’s abode, learn a bit about him, and proceed to build a personalized in-home retreat where the only pink to be found is in a bottle of Pepto handy for washing down piles of buffalo wings or nachos.

Constructing a man cave doesn’t necessarily mean a second mortgage for the house. While some men go all out for their home team or personal passion, most men are just happy to have a dedicated spot where they can watch, listen to and smell like they want. The personalized space is the real appeal but David Lupberger, home improvement specialist for ServiceMagic.com offers this take in a recent video, “It has more to do with digital and wireless than it does with paint colors or faux finishes.” Going a step further, the site offers the following stats on items men desire in their man caves:

1. Flat screen TV (75%)
2. Recliner (69%)
3. Stereo (68%)
4. Refrigerator (67%)
5. DVD player (67%)
6. Computer (65%)
7. Bar (64%)

Based on the fact that only the bar and recliner don’t require power (unless it’s a massage chair), it’s clear the desire for converging entertainment is in high demand for today’s modern man. The rough part is convincing the wife, girlfriend or checkbook in the equation that the home requires this extra set of devices. It may be an uphill battle, but IOGEAR is here to help.

Instead of buying a separate computer for the downstairs, utilize an existing laptop with our Wireless HD Computer to TV Kit to provide a connected TV experience without purchasing one of the uber-expensive new TV sets. Aside from extending the laptop screen to a big screen, the HD kit can also stream a music library or Internet radio from your computer to your home theater system, potentially saving on a pricey AV receiver. Plus, if you throw a wireless keyboard into the mix, you can Trash Tweet with Chad Ochocinco, work on fantasy baseball trades and write lamenting blog posts about the NFL lockout, without leaving your seat in the cave.

Since many man caves are re-finished basements or garages, proper wiring was not always taken into account. For that reason, something like the Universal Wi-Fi N Adapter might be useful for things like gaming consoles and Blu-ray players, which feature an Ethernet connection. If running cables through the floor or wall isn’t your thing, this little adapter allows these devices to pick up a Wi-Fi signal without a single cable cluttering your man space. Streaming Netflix and online gaming will become much tidier, something the ladies will like.

The days of a family huddling around the radio listening to a ballgame are long gone, having been replaced by HD TVs, surround sound systems and other devices that practically give us the in-game or movie theater experience at home. Considering the growing popularity of Staycations, a technology-driven man cave is not only a masculine retreat, but potentially a long-term money saver.
We’d like feedback from both sexes:

Ladies – Would you be cool with a dedicated man cave in the home? How much is a reasonable budget?

Guys – What would you include in your ultimate man cave: mechanical bull, cocktail waitresses, kegerator?

If you already have a man cave, we’d love to see pictures Tweeted to us or shared on the Facebook wall.

With CNET reporting that 123 million connected TV’s will ship in 2014, it’s clear there’s mounting demand for a single screen that can give us access to all of our traditional TV content and our web content at the same time. While many predicted 3D to be the driving force behind future video purchases, it is clear Internet connectivity means more to consumers than goofy glasses.


Source

And while early-adopters with disposable income will flock to the new smart sets, many mainstream consumers will be left wondering how they can get in on the action without replacing a practically new 50-inch 1080p LCD. Fortunately, solutions exist that provide a connected TV experience without actually requiring a new TV.

Two of the benefits of connected TV are the apps and on-demand features, which provide convenient access to a wealth of content not available on “dumb” TVs. Additionally, if you introduce a USB to HD adapter to the mix, it’s just like adding a video card to your PC, providing an instant connection for watching HD quality video or other content on a flat panel TV. No need to buy another set.

For a wireless solution, the Wireless Audio Video Kit can stream the content from PC to TV through the air. With few easy steps, you can eliminate cables and relocate the PC, but keep the Internet connection, making it an integral part of your media consumption experience. Add a wireless keyboard and you can easily browse the Internet, watch online video, or edit spreadsheets on the flat-panel TV, without ever leaving the couch or recliner.

Prophesying about the future, the CNET writer quotes a DisplaySearch analyst report stating:

Looking ahead, DisplaySearch sees the connected TV market splitting apart. One group of televisions will feature “basic video on demand [and] appeal to consumers who expect TV to remain a passive experience,” the research firm projects. Those who are looking for something more substantial will find other sets offering “configurable apps, sophisticated search and navigation engines, and advanced user interfaces.”

While the future holds many possibilities and prices will likely drop as Connected TVs become more prevalent, there’s no need to wait until 2014 to bring an Internet experience to your TV. With a few inexpensive AV convergence accessories, you can have the same experience at a fraction of the cost.

If you already own a Connected TV, how’s the experience been? If not, how important is having a Connected TV and why would you consider purchasing?

Anyone who’s tried to install a video card in a computer knows it’s not a simple DIY project. In homebuilding terms, it’s akin to furnace or electrical work and not something for the inexperienced. However, fiddling with your computer’s internals can be a thing of the past with the new IOGEAR USB to HD Adapter.


A.K.A the GUC2025H, the new adapter connects additional HD displays to a desktop or laptop computer using a USB 2.0 cable, something all computers have (as opposed to HDMI). Throw in an HDMI to DVI Adapter and you’ve got a set-up that will complement almost every modern computer and TV combination.

Going even further, because the increased bandwidth of HDMI and DisplayLink™ technology are utilized, the USB to HD adapter provides both video AND audio support, a huge advancement from the traditional internal video cards or external DVI/VGA adapters that only supported video.

Need proof, here’s what Engadget says:

Pumping out video content to the big screen has been simplified, sure, but audio has always been the Achilles heel of the diminutive dongles. Enter IOGEAR, whose GUC2025H USB External HD A/V Adapter solves this exact problem — without taking up any additional ports to boot.

With a USB to HD Adapter in place, laptop users will be able to have up to three displays showing content; the laptop screen, a second display via the built-in VGA port and a third from the USB port courtesy of IOGEAR’s new adapter. In the home, the GUC2025H complements convergence since it provides a hard-wired streaming solution of standard or HD content from the PC to the TV with only a single HDMI cable connection. Youtube, Hulu and other computer content can be streamed to the TV interference-free with ease.

Outside the home, the USB to HD adapter is made for multitasking. Office accounting and marketing personnel will appreciate the ability to view large spreadsheets across two screens without sacrificing continuity. Graphic designers can queue up editing tools and pallets without constantly minimizing and maximizing windows, while data analysts can type in one document while viewing reference material elsewhere. Lastly, anyone who works heavily with email will appreciate the ability to open attachments on one screen while staying in the inbox to manage email functions.

Installing the USB to HD Adapter is quick and easy for anyone who’s ever plugged in a mouse or other USB peripheral. No need for multiple software and hardware updates to get both audio and video, and no need
for an external power supply since the adapter runs via the USB port. With video cards, it’s sometimes necessary to remove a computer’s back panel, locate the existing video card, remove and replace it with a new one, all without affecting any of the sensitive electronics. While certainly possible, these actions can void a manufacturer warranty, or worse, cook the motherboard.

Because the IOGEAR USB to HD Adapter connects externally, there is no threat of memory loss or inadvertent collateral damage from the installation. With support of resolutions up to 1600×1200 / 1920×1080 and 32-bit color, the USB to HD adapter shares content at its ideal resolution for the purest viewing experience possible.

For a wireless solution, IOGEAR also offers the GWAVKIT2, a wireless HD streaming kit that serves a similar function as the USB to HD adapter.


We’d love to hear from you, what computer content is best for streaming to the TV? Do you prefer a wired or wireless solution?