New data from DisplaySearch* suggests that networking has become the key feature TV manufacturers are focusing on in the development of next generation HD displays, but not for the reasons you might think. In a previous blog post, written when connected TVs were just gaining mainstream availability, (Easy Internet Connectivity of 3D Frills), we showed consumers prefer a networked TV solution over 3D. With consumers making their demands known, TV makers are now responding.


Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly TV Design and Features Report

What we found particularly interesting about the findings was that people weren’t most interested in directly accessing web content on their TVs, but rather using TVs as “companion screens” to directly communicate with smartphones and tablets. The small screens of these devices are the biggest inherent drawback, so making it easier to access on a bigger screen makes a lot of sense.

Fortunately for smartphone users, IOGEAR already makes an HD AV Cable with Charge and Sync for Droid users and a Composite AV Cable with Charge and Sync for iPhone/iPod users, which provides basic hard-wired connectivity between smartphones and TVs. On the horizon though, new networked TVs will take this technology a step further.

According to Paul Gray, DisplaySearch Director of TV Electronics Research:

“Consumer wishes are very clear – no new wires. The incorporation of wireless allows more than just networking, with powerful ad-hoc functions such as transfer of photos and video from a smart phone to a TV using Wireless Direct, or a program guide to be navigated without interrupting viewing.”

Since it will likely be awhile until networked TVs become the de facto display device in every living room, it’s important to understand that there are still solutions available to bring wireless connectivity to an HD display.


Provided it has an Ethernet port, the Universal Wi-Fi N Adapter allows you to connect an HDTV (or Blu-ray player, game console, etc) to any Wireless-N network in a home or office. This low-cost alternative is an ideal accessory for someone who’s just invested in a non-WiFi enabled display, giving them the flexibility to install a home entertainment center anywhere, while remaining connected to the Internet.

It’s easy to see why manufacturers are so committed to networked TVs, but we’d like to how you would take advantage of an Internet-connected TV? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

*The DisplaySearch Quarterly TV Design and Features Report is a quarterly update of the issues and rapid shifts in TV feature developments. The 250+ page report examines and forecasts video processor and signal processing IC market development, including 120/100 and 200/240 Hz frame rates as well as market shares for major IC vendors. In addition, the report also features forecasting for MPEG-4 decoding and the digital broadcast environment around the world, including a forecast for DVB-T2; TV connectivity, such as wired and wireless networked TVs; LED backlighting; 3D-capability and implementation; remote controls and chassis design; and power consumption.

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.



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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.

“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.


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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.


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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 a mantra like “Connectivity through Convergence,” the engineering and design teams from IOGEAR are dedicated to keeping abreast of all the latest developments in cabling, inputs/outputs and wireless technology. It can be a burdensome task to try and track every development, so we rely on a few key sites to provide news about emerging and evolving connectivity solutions.

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With that in mind, one of the most significant communication interfaces to emerge for computers over the last 20 years is the universal serial bus (USB). With roughly two-billion USB devices sold yearly, you’re probably working with at least one USB-connected mouse, keyboard or phone adapter right now. The only downfall with universal adoption and manufacturing of USB-enabled products, is the quality gap between reputable manufacturers and USB snake oil. Fortunately, there’s a USB watch-dog looking out in the form of an exhaustive, all-things-USB website.

Appropriately named EverythingUSB.com, this connectivity supersite includes forums, a blog, FAQs, product reviews and more, all aimed at educating the masses on, you guessed it, everything USB. Recently, the site even featured a certain wireless keyboard, proving they have a finger on the pulse of important industry USB news, such as the future of USB 3.0.

IOGEAR is committed to creating USB adapters, converters, extenders, cables and any other solutions that will help consumers enhance the connectivity of their entertainment and productivity devices. Our ability to stay on top of new and emerging technologies is a key part of achieving this goal, and the demand for wireless USB options has us working overtime to create some exciting new products for 2011.

We want to hear from you though, what USB applications are you excited about or would like to see in the future? Please drop us a note here in the blog or on Facebook.

Don’t forget, as a Club IOGEAR member you can save 30% off IOGEAR products at www.ShopIOGEAR.com if you act before December 31, 2010.

From laptops to iPads, Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles and other devices, we surround ourselves with an increasing number of components, cluttering our living and entertainment rooms with cables and black boxes. While some consumers are happy to live with high-tech inspired decor, many others just want the performance without the visible hardware.

Fortunately, one of the greatest innovations in home entertainment over the last five years has made cable and black box clutter obsolete. Wireless HD streaming, once littered with endless buffering, colorful scroll bars and interrupted audio, has made great strides on the back of research and development by companies like IOGEAR.
Of course, not all wireless HD streaming products are created equal, and settling for an untested, low-end solution can result in the same problems mentioned above, or worse. IOGEAR spent countless hours in the lab developing the most reliable solution possible, and the result…Ultra-wideband (a.k.a. Wireless USB or UWB).

This new radio technology can be used at very low energy levels for short-range high-bandwidth communications by using a large portion of the radio spectrum – 3.1GHz ~ 4.8GHz (WiMedia Band Group 1). By using this frequency, our Wireless Audio/Video Kits have a minimum level of interference with other wireless signals such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or cordless phones.

As mentioned, wireless HD streaming is an ideal solution for eliminating cable clutter, but if signal clutter is wreaking havoc and interrupting your wireless HD streaming, there’s really no convenience at all. Our wireless products may not clean up the clutter in your closet, but they can reliable make your entertainment more accessible.

If you could eliminate one cable or wire in your home, which would it be?

Yesterday, the interwebs went into overdrive as Steve Jobs took the stage for Apple’s latest press conference in San Francisco.

Although the biggest announcements were of changes to Apple’s line of media products and services, what really grabbed our attention was the news of iTunes 10: Ping. The upgraded service, available as of yesterday, has taken the form of a music-centered social network, allowing users to follow people and their favorite artists. Using Ping, music fans can create a circle of friends, comment on their updates and find over 17,000 concert listings. Not only is it available on computers, but it’s also accessible on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Pretty awesome, if you ask us.

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With these sorts of advancements coming out of the tech space year after year, it’s getting easier and easier for consumers to access and stream online content directly to their TVs via a multitude of devices. For instance, Apple’s iOS 4.2 AirPlay software update coming out in November will enable iPad owners to stream content directly to their Apple TV. This announcement really demonstrates where the connected living room is headed as a whole.

At IOGEAR, we’ve been making headway in total convergence technology solutions with the introduction of products such as our Wireless A/V Kit, which allows consumers to stream content from their PC to TV. Homes across the nation are steadily moving up the technology ladder and looking more and more like the home of the Jetsons. (We couldn’t resist!)

Wireless A/V Kit

In the coming months, we’ll be announcing some great solutions that will continue to advance the connected living room and home entertainment, so keep a close eye here for more details.

How streamlined is your home entertainment living space? What were you most excited to learn coming out of Apple’s press conference? How do you interpret this news and its impact on how we connect with content today? Let us know your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or Facebook.

Apple’s latest brainchild, the sleek iPad is flying off the shelves. Conservative estimates put iPad sales at around 2.2 million for the calendar year, while overall tablet sales are expected to top 10.5 million.

If Apple even comes close to these estimates, we can look forward to a changed portable computing market landscape. Combined with the exciting changes in the Audio/Video market, we believe the iPad will play an interesting role,….but no-one seems clear on what that role will be. Here at IOGEAR, we’ve taken out our crystal ball and provided some thoughts on how the iPad will change the world … (cue world dominating laugh).

Getting Started

Whether you use a professional installer or you are a DIY pro, the iPad could help spearhead a new standard for instruction manuals. We already have Internet web sites that fulfill this need, such as HowCast, but unfortunately with the norm is still cryptic user manuals and PDF formatted installation guides. Take a moment to envision standing your iPad up next to you, while installing your next device into your home entertainment system, using a voice activated interface to pause, rewind and fast-forward video instructions. No more re-reading confusing instructions over and over while pulling out your hair – the iPad could offer a quick-glance guide to troubleshoot even the trickiest problem.

Perhaps even with video instruction you are still having trouble figuring something out. No fear – the solution may lie in your iPad’s built in WiFi or 3G for live streaming video, or audio help by tapping the help icon on the screen. Here is where a built in camera might come in handy – allowing you to show a live stream of what you are doing back to the customer support agent.

Integrating

We know that Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR connectivity is included with the iPad, but further details regarding connectivity options are unclear. WiFi and 3G connectivity already allows us to interact with all sorts of devices that can be controlled through the Internet or over the air. So how can we fit the iPad into our home entertainment center setup?

Many are making the switch from traditional cable to web TV bringing the PC into to the living room. The iPad can be the interfacing device between the PCs, consoles and TV. Think of it as the ultimate programmable remote control with all the advantages of Apple’s “magical” user interface.

The iPad also provides a unique experience for gaming with the way you interact and control the game. Integrating the iPad, or using it as a sole controller could open up new avenues of at-home gaming – whether it’s using it as a steering wheel control for racing games, or as a virtual map while playing an action/adventure game.

iPad vs. NetBooks vs. Slates

One of the advantages of a portable computer such as the iPad is the ability to take your home entertainment on the road. This is already a crowded market, with NetBook and Slate computers competing for your attention and dollars.

A key factor to your decision of where to spend those hard-earned dollars will be the answer to the questions: what do you need your portable device for, and what kinds of functionalities are a must? Undoubtedly a NetBook or Slate computer will have much more functionality, both in terms of software (e.g. you will not find QuickBooks or Starcraft on the iPad yet) and hardware (the iPad suffers from a lack of standard ports, while both the Slates and NetBooks have at least standard USB interfaces. In the end you should ask: what do you really need in a portable computer? More importantly, how much is the user experience or the ‘cool factor’ worth to you?

Battery life is one area where the iPad significantly outshines the other solutions, with an impressive 140 hours of music capability or 10 hours of uninterrupted eBook use. However, the lack of a removable battery may be a minus, unless you don’t mind using an external battery, such as the GearPower Mobile Portable Battery.

Finally, pricing is always an important issue. Even at the starting price of $499 for an iPad there are some very powerful NetBooks available at similar price points that could arguably match the iPad in terms of user experience. With a rumored $500 price tag, the HP Slate is one of the more popular contenders at this point, though there are some very interesting non-Windows contenders at similar price points.

Conclusion

What would you use the iPad for instead of a NetBook? Is there a deal breaker that would cause you to choose a Windows, Android or Linux powered NetBook or Slate vs. the iPad? What do you think about the pricing? Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook.

With broadband connections rising in the United States and YouTube kicking off the share your video genre of Web sites that now has dozens of copycats, consumers have become more accustomed to watching TV, movies and videos on their computers. Additionally, with the dropping price of digital cameras and video cameras, and the video and photo features in cell phones, we now witness a whole new generation of consumers that are creating, editing, sharing and consuming media content online.

Pay-per-view options via Amazon and iTunes deliver video instantly to your computer as opposed to the now dated act of getting in the car and heading to the local video rental store, or waiting for your Netflix movie to physically show up in the mail. Netflix offers a wide collection of streaming video content but rarely provides newly released items for instant streaming.

Realizing consumers’ needs, Hollywood is now listening. They’ve Studio executive have slowly warmed to the idea of putting full shows online within 24 hours of the original air-date on traditional TV. This recent UK article shows the dramatic spike in online views of video based content, further reinforcing how much consumers want this option. With more than 80 sites available to legally stream movies, TV shows and short video clips now, clearly the shift to online content viewing is happening now and fast.

All of this is great news for consumers as it makes entertainment easier and cheaper, however, being stuck to your desk, office or kitchen table with a laptop is not the most enjoyable way to watch his newly available content. Having a dedicated computer to soley serve as a multimedia station for most, is a burden they’d rather not deal with. The set up, the proximity to the TV and figuring out how to use it and where to put it, can cause a huge headache. Anyone who’s taken the time to hang their flat panel TV on the wall and fish the cables down through it to have a clean look knows parking a computer tower under it is not the most aesthetically pleasing option.

There is now a better option available.

IOGEAR has introduced the Wireless Audio / Video Kit, which is changing how everyone views multimedia content from the Internet. A simple, clean and no-hassle hookup with no cables will have the video transmitting from your computer to your HD TV up to 30 feet away.

Now you can easily enjoy your HD TV from the comfort of your couch with the near limitless content available online. Unlike digital video recorders which cost several hundred dollars and require a monthly service fee, once you purchase the Wireless Audio / Video Kit it’s yours. The only other requirements are a TV and a broadband Internet connection.

Use the Wireless Audio / Video Kit for more than just streaming video. Easily show videos you’ve made on your camera after you’ve transferred them to a computer, or setup a slideshow of still photographs on your computer to be displayed when you aren’t watching videos. This technology easily converts your TV into a digital photo frame!

Showing you just how easy it is to connect your PC to TV can be opens a whole new world of exciting possibilities, entertainment and cost savings for you and your family. The added benefit of embracing one of the newest and fastest growing digital trends also means quicker delivery of media and instant gratification.

Internet on TV is a trend that still at the beginning stages of explosive growth and IOGEAR is at the forefront, bringing you cutting edge technology to allow full enjoyment of everything the Internet has to offer and will offer for years to come.

You can pick up or order a Wireless Audio / Video Kit today at Best Buy, Micro Center, Fry’s, Amazon or at our own IOGEAR store.