“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.

Not too long ago, I explored the potential proliferation of iPads in school classrooms in a post titled, My Dog ate my Tablet. Well, someone in the north country must have been listening, because a few weeks ago, a school in Auburn, Maine announced they were doling out $200,000 for the purchase of 285 iPad 2s, equipping every kindergartner in the district.

According to a WCSH6 in Maine, the superintendent of the district, Tom Morril, had this to say:

“When you look at the iPad 2 apps that are out there, from learning your letters from books, that can be read, finger painting your name, it’s absolutely something we must do.”

The news clip below tells the whole story, beginning with how the group was swayed by video of children engaged in learning on a teacher’s iPad.

We highlighted many of the positives in our previous post, including: savings on paper and material cost, the variety of educational applications and the ability to incorporate multimedia content into lesson plans. Our friends from Maine also pointed out they are cheaper and more easily controlled than laptops.

Beyond these benefits, one stuck out for the educational value it provided; customized lesson plans for different learning levels and styles. The fact is, not every child learns the same way or at the same speed, and by adapting to their learning capabilities, educators can better ensure that each child gets a fair opportunity to progress and extra attention if needed.

While our support is behind using technology to improve education, it’s not all shiny apples and A+ grades for the folks in Auburn. Read the comments after the article, and there are some unhappy Mainers. One commenter mentioned a laptop program and the lack of respect kids had for the hardware since it wasn’t their property. Several said spending $200K was a tremendous waste when considering other needs. And perhaps the most compelling is the argument that sitting kids in front of screens is lazy and takes the onus off teachers, ignoring the foundation of group led 3 R’s – reading, ‘ riting, and ‘rithmetic .

Education should ABSOLUTELY NOT be six hours of screen time, but there’s no denying technology plays an increasingly important role in the workplace and society in general. Preparing children with the skills for success in a modern world should only foster better results.

One commenter, @indietiltheend, summed it up best with this statement:

It’s a new world out there and just because we learned reading and writing the old fashioned way doesn’t make it the best way in today’s society.

What do you think? Should we stick to the basics or should computers be introduced at as early an age as possible? Let us know what you think here on the blog or on Facebook.

Tablets like the new iPad 2 and Xoom with their ergonomic, lightweight, portable, yet big and powerful enough design, are a mainstay on the personal technology front. Individual tablet users blend entertainment with productivity, but as the technology develops and competition drives prices down, the business and industrial applications are limitless.


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One ripe vertical for tablet technology is education. Text books are becoming an expensive and inefficient way to transfer knowledge in a school setting. Books are lost, damaged and outdating occurs if they are not replaced regularly, and there’s some inconvenience with lugging a backpack full of them (even though most of us have done it) to and from class every day. Of course, books will always have a place among the Kindles and iPads of the world, but considering all the possibilities, educators could certainly benefit from the immediate use of tablet technology.

Tablets would have to be industrial grade with access to an approved set of programs, but even replacing textbooks with digital files that students could access from a smartphone, PC, tablet, laptop or IP-enabled TV seems like a far more efficient solution. Budgets, loyalties and lack of understanding stand in the way for the immediate future, but even if the textbook lives on, there is strong evidence to support an increasing use of tablets for teaching.

Just recently, EmergingTech.com published a post, 10 Excellent iPad Apps for Teachers that is pretty self-explanatory. Utilizing several of the options with a number of iPad2 accessories and a larger monitor or projector, teachers would be able to present to an entire class with engaging high resolution graphics and audio/video support. IOGEAR can also play a role in the classroom with the new Wireless Multi-link Bluetooth Keyboard (GKM611B) which can serve as a convenient input device; allowing teachers to navigate the iPad interface and manage apps via touchpad or keystroke.

With budget issues, lack of understanding and a plenty of other hurdles in the way, widespread adoption of iPads or tablets in schools is not coming anytime soon. But, as teachers integrate more technology into the classroom, tablets will likely play an increasing role in the management and sharing of educational material.

Do you think iPads or tablets could ever replace text books? What are the biggest obstacles standing in the way? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

April of 2010 brought us the iPad from Apple, much to the excitement and delight of consumer demand, but also left many users disappointed, and wanting more. Often referred to as a glorified, large-scale iPod Touch, the iPad alienated enough consumers that a gap for other manufactures to step in and give consumers a choice was opened. The opening was especially wide if they could offer features and functionality missing from the iPad. These manufactures, after seeing both the success and faults of the iPad, are now in a race to create the next iPad killer. Let’s take a look at the big three who were at CES and make some comparisons.

Galaxy Tab

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Of all the major players in the game, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab was one of the first, and most successful potential iPad killer tablets made available to the masses. At CES they announced a new WiFi-only version.

One of the major limitations to the iPad is that it’s only possible to get a data plan through AT&T or Verizon (via the MiFi), while the Galaxy Tab is also available on Sprint and T-Mobile. Additionally, it’s running the already successful Android operating system.

Hardware comparisons show the Galaxy Tab to be smaller but utilizing virtually the same screen resolution, thus making it more portable without sacrificing viewing quality. Unlike the iPad, the Galaxy Tab also includes a digital camera with flash and a front facing digital camera, optimized for video conferencing. Lastly, the Galaxy Tab is available in 16GB or 32GB sizes, but unlike the iPad is expandable via MicroSD flash cards.

The Playbook

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Dominating the smart phone industry for years, Research in Motion (RIM), most well known for their Blackberry smart phones also launched their own tablet, called the PlayBook. Like the Galaxy Tab, it features a 7” screen with a similar screen resolution, but it is one of the thinnest tablets on the market at only 10mm deep. This can make it the most practical for those on the go, who want to be ultra-portable. Featuring a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 3megapixel front facing camera, the PlayBook is an ideal solution for both photos and video conferencing.

Unlike the iPad, which has a proprietary cable connection, the PlayBook will feature a HDMI connection for easily connecting to TVs and projectors with 1080p HD video out functionality. It runs on the BlackBerry Tablet OS, it will include the ability to display websites in HTML5 and, the crutch of Apple based products, Adobe Flash.

Xoom

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Motorola, no stranger to the mobile market, won Best of CES 2011 from CNET.com for their Xoom. With a 10.1” screen, it’s slightly larger than the iPad but offers a much better screen resolution, and like the PlayBook will be able to handle 1080p video playback via a HDMI port.

The Xoom will also feature the most powerful processor of the bunch, running a dual core Nvidia CPU and matching graphics processor. It will also be the first tablet running Android’s much anticipated 3.0 release, Honeycomb. Coupled with the latest technology including a magnetometer, accelerometer and a barometer, the Xoom is ahead of the game in terms of hardware.

So while there were many great tablets at CES this year (with one even winning the Best of CES award), the fabled iPad Killer was not to be found. Or was it? What do you think? What about Windows? Or maybe the iPad Killer is among the many others at CES. We would love to hear your thoughts here on the blog or on Facebook.

UPDATE: There have been a change in the rules (please read the blog post below for details), starting at Saturday December 18, 10am PST. In summary, entries will be made here on the blog rather than at Delicious in light of the news that Delicious is being shut down by Yahoo.

The holiday spirit is in the air and IOGEAR is in a giving mood! We are giving away a total of three prizes to three lucky winners:

1 Grand Prize*: iPad 16GB with Wi-Fi + IOGEAR Composite AV Cable with Charge and Sync
1 First Prize*: Wireless Audio / Video Kit
2 Second Prizes*: USB Laptop KVM Switch with File Transfer
*Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.

This is a raffle style contest where you get one point for each successful entry. To enter you will need a Delicious account.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING.

In the comments section below, provide links to your favorite legal streaming media resources.

For each non-duplicate link, you will gain one entry point for the contest. When the contest is over (on December 31, 2010 at midnight) we will tally up all the points and randomly choose the winners.

Before you get started, please take a look at the official contest rules.

Good luck!

An interesting thing happened recently. The number of U.S. households that subscribe to cable and other paid TV services fell for the first time since the dawn of cable – by about 335,000 households over the last two quarters out of about 100 million.

Time Warner Inc. also recently commented that it expects its HBO pay-TV service to decline by 1.5 million subscribers this year. Whether this projected decrease can be pinpointed on economic changes or promotional pricing as Time Warner indicated, one thing is clear – technology has been developing in such a way that consumers have been able to replace their cable subscriptions with content streaming from the web.

Take for instance companies like Netflix that have been able to expand their services to include streaming-video delivery. As Internet-connected TVs and disc players have increased in popularity, so has the ability to enjoy streamed content in any room of the home.

No matter how you look at it, the rise of streamed media services is a win for consumers. There are now a growing number of offerings consumers can choose from to best meet their digital entertainment needs and preferences.

On the portable device side of the discussion, take for example, our Composite AV Cable, which gives Apple mobile device users a simple, affordable way to watch videos, stream content using the Netflix app, view photos and listen to music from their device on a TV or home theater setup.

Additionally, there are solutions like our Wireless HD Computer to TV Kit that enable consumers to stream audio and HD video content from their computer to a TV, monitor or projector from a distance of up to 30 feet away via a single HDMI connection. If you want to pick one up, use this coupon code, GUW30OFF, for 30% off (expires December 31, 2010).

How have streaming services impacted the way you consume entertainment? What connectivity devices do you use most to enjoy your favorite videos, photos and music? Tell us here on our blog or company Facebook page.

If you’re one of the hundreds of millions of music and tech enthusiasts who own an Apple iPod or iPhone, there are an astounding number of accessories aimed at improving battery life, broadening connectivity and even adding a sense of style to your personal technology devices.

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And while everyone loves to have shopping options, the quality of Apple accessories varies greatly. The main reason for this are companies that make products without adhering to the strict criteria Apple created, often selling them alongside authorized Apple iPod accessories at the same price. The differences are often small but important. A slightly off centered pin on a connector or substandard build materials can compromise performance, or at worst, damage the product. IOGEAR is proud to display the Apple, Made for iPod iPhone logo’s with our Apple products. Rest assured that IOGEAR uses the Apple certified 30-pin connector, not an inexpensive imposter.

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But enough fear-mongering, IOGEAR has gone through the rigorous Apple product certification process, and our growing iPod and iPhone accessory line make great stocking stuffers for the digitally connected student or professional.

GearPower – Leather Case for iPhone with Built-in Battery Pack (3GS/3G)

What do a diamond mine and Apple products have in common?…the need for power and protection. IOGEAR’s GearPower iPhone® accessory provides a protective leather-bound home for your iPhone with the added benefit of a 1400mAh Lithium-Polymer battery pack adding up to five hours of additional talk and usage time. Drop into a diamond mine yourself and breathe easy knowing battery power and protection (hard hat also recommended) of your iPhone are in IOGEAR’s hands.

GearPower – Portable Battery Pack for iPhone

Ever worry you’ll be on a camping trip and lose the ability to play Angry Birds or listen to your favorite Revision 3 podcast? Fret no more, with IOGEAR’s portable battery pack for iPhone/iPod you get up to 3.5 additional hours of additional talk time (or 24 hours of audio playback or 8 hours of video playback) after your battery has gone completely dead. Easily charged via USB port or with the included cable, the portable battery pack even has an indicator to let you know when you’ll have to cut things short.

Buy a dozen and you’ll easily make it through the entire weekend without ever noticing a real bird.

Composite AV Cable with Charge and Sync for iPhone/iPod

Ever try and have a group of friends over to listen to Bing Crosby Christmas remakes, but the iTunes sounds emitting from your phone can barely be heard over the clinking of eggnog glasses? With IOGEAR’s Composite AV Cable with Charge and Sync, you get six feet of A/V cable and a connector to hook up your iPod or iPhone to a kicking stereo system or television.

We all love to save money, but if you see a chintzy looking Apple accessory for $10 less than a similar looking IOGEAR version, pay the extra money and give your loved ones iPod and iPhone gear that will have them singing Joy to the World.

We love your feedback. Please take a moment to share your experiences with these accessories here on the blog or on Facebook. Remember, from now until the end of the year, you can get free shipping off any order of $79.99 at www.ShopIOGEAR.com.

“Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” means that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation for this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Because of the economy slowdown, we have been witness to Black Friday like deals all throughout the year. So will this Black Friday be anything special, or more of the same?

Judging by the resources we are making available in this blog post, the answer is yes! Black Friday will still be a day to catch savings that ordinarily you would not have access to … at least all at once.


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One thing is for certain, here at IOGEAR, we have some amazing Black Friday offers to take advantage of. For example, we are giving away 50% off discount codes starting Friday 11/26 at Midnight PST. So stay tuned and be ready for some great savings.

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

So which has the best deals? This is a question only answered through pros and cons. For example, while you will find unbeatable door buster and freebies by standing in long Black Friday lines; however, the time savings you get shopping strictly online may provide an offset. Also, consider that many retailers are offering their Black Friday deals online, effectively becoming a Cyber Friday deal. Take a look at this closer examination by WalletPop and MSN has some thoughts with regards to strategy here.

Small Business Saturday

There is a new shopping phenomenon this weekend, for the first time we have a Small Business Saturday. With almost 1 Million people liking their FaceBook fan page, it looks like this movement has some legs. Why not support your local small business?

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 Tips

These are general tips and tricks to help you navigate the shopping explosion this weekend:

• Top 10 Tips to Getting the Best Bargains on Black Friday – About.com
• Black Friday has lost its luster … or has it? – MSN.com
• Black Friday Tips for Savings & Sanity – ConsumerReports.org
• Top 10 Tips to Bag a Bargain – ConsumerWorld.org
• Top 10 Social Media Deals – Mashable.com
• Black Friday Countdown: How to Prepare for the Big Day – WalletPop.com
• Black Friday Tips – Mahalo.com
• Cyber Monday Tips – Mahalo.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 Deal & Coupon Sites

These sites aggregate all of the deals (Ads, coupons and more) in one place from many different sources:

• DealTaker.com
• FatWallet.com
• GottaDeal.com
• CheapCheapCheap.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 on the iPhone and/or iPad

If you need to have your Black Friday resources available on your iPhone, these are the resources for you:

• DealNews Black Friday
• FatWallet Black Friday
• Black Friday Wish
• BF Deals
• BlackFriday2Go

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 on the Android

Now with the Android gaining mainstream traction, we have a few good apps available to help facilitate your Black Friday weekend activities:

• TGI Black Friday
• Black Friday Survival Guide

Here are a few other resources:

• 6 Android Shopping Apps for Black Friday and Beyond – Androinica.com
• The Best Black Friday Apps for Android – PCWorld.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday on Twitter

Of course, you will want to follow all your favorite stores, such as @IOGEAR — here are some other Twitter feeds you want to keep track of:

• @blackfriday_fm – 23,417 followers
• @blackfriday – 9,602 followers
• @blackfridayweb – 3,931 followers
• @blackfriday_org – 2,312 followers
• @cybermonday – 1,219 followers
• @dealnewsbf – 847 followers

Don’t forget to follow @IOGEARDeals for all the latest IOGEAR deals. We push out new Black Friday like deals every Monday and Tuesday.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday on FaceBook

For you Facebook fans out there, here are some fan pages that may be worthwhile for you to like:

• BlackFridayInfo – 316,947 people like this
• BFAds – 146,590 people like this
• BlackFridayAds – 11,137 people like this

Of course, you also want to like our Facebook page to keep up to date on our latest deals.

IOGEAR Products

If you are specifically looking for great deals on IOGEAR products, first head on over to our Black Friday page and follow us on Twitter.

Then, take a look at some these great deals some of our re-sellers are offering:

• Target – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Wal-Mart – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Staples – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Best Buy – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• OfficeMax – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals

What deals are you hungry to find? Have you found any awesome IOGEAR product deals out in the wild? Do you have any resources we should add to our list? Share them with us here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook.

If you have become accustomed to unlimited cable TV access at home, you may be in for a rude awakening once you hit the dorm room. The good news is that most of the content you would find on cable TV can be found online legally and at a fraction of the cost (in many cases, free). In addition, you will find much more content on the Internet than is available on cable TV for a truly enhanced viewing experience.

This post will give you the information you need to cut your cable TV ties, save money and enjoy your content through your high-speed Internet connection – all in the comfort of your dorm room.

Monitor / TV

The concept of a “TV” has certainly changed over the past few years, as traditional cable TV content is now viewed on computer monitors. Depending on your preference, your computer monitor may be all you need.

If you do choose to purchase a TV, this guide should help you make the right choice. We suggest that if you go the TV route, choose one that can also serve as a computer monitor, extending your laptop or PC’s viewing area.

Connectivity

If you have an iPod or iPhone, you can use our new Composite AV Cable to view videos, photos and listen to music directly on your TV, home theater system or stereo receiver. This cable also allows you to charge and sync, so when you are done viewing, your iPod or iPhone will be freshly juiced.

If you are looking to connect your PC to your TV, we recommend an HDMI cable. Be sure to research the type of connectivity your computer and the TV offers and opt for the best quality connection. If you prefer to go wire free, take a look at our award-winning Wireless AV Kit.

Content Sources

We previously wrote about the abundance of Internet based content, which should keep you busy for quite some time. In addition to entertainment focused solutions, with the spirit of education in mind, take a look at iTunes University for thousands of pre-recorded lectures from many universities. Also, be sure to take advantage of the online academy that Bill Gates has enrolled his kids in, the Kahn Academy.

Will you still watch “traditional” cable TV at school? Are there some cable TV shows that prevent you from pulling the plug? What Internet content will you view most? Please share with us here on the blog, on Twitter or Facebook.

Don’t forget to check out our Back to School Checklist.

The next time you and your friends gear up for home movie night, make sure to grab the popcorn, candy, soda and… the Composite AV Cable? If you own an Apple mobile iOS device such as an iPod, iPhone or iPad, then you’re all set. Well, that and a decent sized TV at someone’s place.

Introducing IOGEAR’s beautifully streamlined Composite AV Cable. This light and portable cable allows you to connect your ‘i-anything’ directly to any AV system that has composite jacks. Music, movies and photos on your device may now be enjoyed in high quality on a grand scale.

Just returned from your Summer trip to Europe and want to show off some great pics? Instead of having your friends climb all over you in an effort to check ‘em out, just plug in and throw the pics up on the big screen. You can even set it to the music of a local band you may have discovered in the wilds of Norway. And, if your friend’s annoying little brother comes home? No worries. Just pull the plug and hop to the next location, never missing a beat nor a scene!

Additionally, with the release of new apps such Netflix and Movie Maker, you can easily stream the newest blockbuster or your own film masterpiece up on the big screen.

IOGEAR’s Composite AV Cable helps ensure that you’ll always ready to enjoy your content on the big screen, wherever you may be.

Continue the discussion with us here in the blog comments, on Twitter on on Facebook. We would love to know how you plan to use this device!