“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.

QR codes have in great part; as discussed last week, helped to educate and inform consumers beyond the ways traditional marketing and signage could ever hope to. They have made shopping interactive and fun, by simply using your smartphone (iPhone, Android, Windows 7, Blackberry) to scan a barcode and open a whole new world of available information. Here’s a guided tour to how these QR codes can work for you.

Start by scanning this QR code with your smartphone’s camera with the appropriate app (iPhone, Android, Windows 7 or http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13962?lang=en):



A web browser in your phone should open up to this page:



Designed to be smartphone-friendly and fit the screens of all modern smartphones, it’s easy to navigate with just the touch of your finger.

Almost instantly you’re shown a photo of the IOGEAR GUWAVKIT2, Wireless HD Computer to TV Kit. Just like a traditional website, you can now educate yourself about this product, see how it works and why you need to integrate it into your home computer and television setup.

The first link is for the Intro, and gives you a brief overview of the product and some quick features.



The Features tab goes over, in great detail, every aspect of the HD Computer to TV Kit, with specific pages for each section.



Curious how the HDMI Connector works? Touch it and a close up view of the connection and more information is provided.



Note the Menu option on the top right will always take you back to the first screenfor added convenient.

Next, the Functions screen shows a real world rendering of how you’d use the product:



In the Gallery, you’ll view the product and be able to zoom in to its specific parts:



Again, all easily done with the touch of your finger.

And to further explore the product, enter the 360 / Zoom Gallery, and take full control of viewing the item from a variety of angles:



And lastly, you will find comprehensive Specs on the item.

Educating yourself with the help of QR codes is a fun and convenient way to instantly get information to help you make an informed buying decision, when you want and even share it with friends. Since QR codes instantly take you to useful information via an app on your smartphone, there’s no more hunting and pecking around the keyboard since the hard work has already been done and pertinent information from the website is only a touch away. Aim, shoot, open and explore a whole new world, thanks to QR Codes.

This is our first attempt at using QR codes to make things easier for our customers. What useful ways have you seen QR codes used with other companies? Do you have any suggestions that could help us better serve you with this technology? We would love to hear your ideas, comments and feedback right here on the blog or at our Facebook page.

Now its time to go ahead and put what you have learned to action. Scan the QR code below and save 15% at ShopIOGEAR.com!

Jim Louderback says that “…the average American household may have three TVs, but many, many more screens,” when contemplating a survey by Nielsen that revealed that the average American home has 2.93 TV sets. Consumers want to watch the programming of their choice, when they want and where they want. The use of digital video recorders (DVRs) and services like TiVo have illustrated consumers do follow specific shows, but don’t want to be confined to the original air date of those shows. Furthermore, the ability to stream content on-demand to PCs and other devices has opened yet another door for those who want to watch programming.

To understand what Jim Louderback means by more screens, let’s look at what can now be considered a TV.

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The Traditional TV

Today, we have many options to view content: PCs, iDevices, LCDs, HDTVs, Traditional TVs, Tablet PCs and Smart Phones to name a few. While you aren’t likely to find anyone argue that a home video is best enjoyed on what could traditionally be called a TV (HDTV, LCD or Plasma), there are some new challenges involved with viewing the content you care about on that new HDTV of yours.

One such challenge is that video sources, such as your camera, aren’t always easily piped to the TV (think about snaking your way behind the TV to plug in those cables). And what about the issue of watching content when you want? Well you could buy a DVR; however, hooking up a DVR can be somewhat complicated and in the event of a power outage, a TiVo won’t record shows. This also assumes you pay for home cable or even premium channels.

Connecting a PC to a TV can be even more complicated, even if only considering the most obvious challenge–placing a computer close enough to the TV to get the cables to work. This is one reason why we created our wireless PC to TV solution.

TV Programming vs. Internet Programming

Traditional TV programming is ultimately very limiting. Any given show is on at a specific time, on a certain day, and that has been the industry standard for years. Hollywood does this so they can target demographics to advertisers and sell commercial time, which they’ve been very successful at. Consumers all the while have suffered. It’s rare that a TV series will have a rebroadcast of an already aired event during the current season and live programming, such as the news or sporting events almost never get replayed. Solutions to this issue such as DVRs help you record video for playback, but as mentioned before, have some of its own drawbacks.

The Internet and widely available broadband connections have opened up a whole new experience to consumers, and some Hollywood studios have embraced the new technology in streaming video. Showing programs a day after the original air time on affiliated websites has helped boost total show views and allowed consumers to finally dictate when they will watch preferred programming. Additional sites like YouTube and Facebook, which show videos uploaded by anyone, have spawned a real reason to sit at the computer desk and watch programming. The same can be said about portable devices, laptops, tablet PCs and smart phones.

What will ultimately redefine TV is the bridge between the PC and TV, via wireless audio and video. Most everyone will agree that the best experience will happen from the comfort of your favorite chair or couch, but the pain comes with getting the streaming video and other content from the Internet to the TV. Giving consumers the ability to watch TV shows on the Internet when they want, and allowing them wireless audio and video capabilities for transmitting to their TV will give the viewing audience the ultimate flexibility for enjoyment, without the need to be tied into a monthly cable bill or specific time frames.

Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or 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!

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.

In July, we celebrated our independence, and now with the 2010 CEDIA Expo coming up and our Wireless HD Kit poised to win an award for best new product, we believe the day of independence from wires in your home entertainment setup is not too far away. In the mean time, we must be content with reducing as many wires as possible. In this week’s post we provide some ideas on how to minimize your wired footprint.

Wireless HD Kit

The centerpiece of most home entertainment setups is the HDTV, surrounded by various devices, which become the primary source of wired clutter.

The Wireless HD Kit allows you to take up to four devices from up to 100 feet away and wirelessly connect them to your HDTV. Then, using a single remote, you can easily switch between the four devices.

HDMI Switch

It is becoming typical for a home entertainment system to contain multiple HDMI connected devices, such as Blu-ray players, VCR’s, video game consoles (Xbox360, Playstation 3, Wii) and various types of streaming media players.

An HDMI switch allows you avoid connecting all these devices individually to your HDTV, and instead you can connect your devices to the HDMI switch and run a single cable to your HDTV, with the ability to switch among your various devices with a single remote.

Wireless AV Kit

If you have not upgraded your HDTV to one of the new Internet enabled models, you will need a PC to stream Internet content. This would normally mean you have to put your PC near the HDTV so that you can run the cable from your PC to TV.

The award winning Wireless AV Kit allows you to cut that cord and move your PC up to 30 feet away from your HDTV. You get 720p video streaming with wirelessly distributed audio with a standard 3.5mm TRS stereo audio connector.

Now that you have achieved a new level of wireless freedom, the next question will be – what will I do with all those unneeded cables and cords? We suggest you consider recycling them or giving them to a friend who is still stuck using old component cables.

Do you still have a nest of wires around your home entertainment center? How do you plan to de-clutter? Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook. Be sure to check out Twitter Deals feed for extra savings, and don’t forget to get even more value on any IOGEAR purchase at Club IOGEAR.

In today’s economy, the average consumer’s budget may not afford a complete home theatre transformation, but there are some affordable solutions that will make noticeable improvements. Today’s topic explores ways to upgrade without the need to downgrade your wallet size.

As always, we appreciate your feedback and experiences, please take the time to share with us here in the blog comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

HDTV

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Most likely you already have an HDTV as the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, so the first question will be: Should I upgrade my TV for a bigger one, a version with built-in Internet connectivity, or even to a 3D TV?

Top consumer tech sites, CNet and PCWorld, have great guides that help you decide on an upgrade, but for those satisfied with their current TV, they can opt to save some cash with using the best cables where possible, usually in the form of HDMI. Too many HDMI devices and not enough ports? An HDMI switch is your best solution.

PC to TV

Media Centers let you extend your PC experience into the living room, and might just be the most impactful upgrade in terms of overall experience and streaming limitless content. Imagine having your entire computer’s contents and the Internet available on your HDTV!

At IOGEAR we believe the PC to TV experience is further enhanced by going wireless, and we make that possible with our award winning Wireless AV/Kit. You can always opt to set up your computer near the TV and use a wireless keyboard with a laser trackball as your remote control – a more affordable option.

Gaming

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If you are a gamer it’s probable that you may have more than one gaming system, such as an XBox360, Nintendo Wii and PS3. If so, you may not be able to access all of these devices on your HDTV due to only one HDMI input. Solve your gaming fiasco with an HDMI switch, allowing you to connect more than one console.

DVD / Blu-Ray

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If you are thinking of upgrading from DVD to Blu-Ray, there are many options on the market right now and the prices are reasonable. As an added bonus, newer versions usually include Internet connectivity and the ability to stream Internet media, such as streaming movies from Netflix.com, directly to your HDTV. If you are having a difficult time deciding what Blu-Ray device to go with, check out the Consumer Reports online guide.

You may have a DVD player along with a Blu-Ray player, but you want to just use just one HDMI input on our TV,again, the HDMI switch is the key for any multitasking living room.

Remote Controls

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Declutter your Mount Everest pile of remotes with a universal remote. Your remote control solution will depend on your particular setup, but one worthy goal is to replace your stash of controls with one or two, and possibly a keyboard if you have a PC to TV solution.

If you don’t want to buy yet another remote, utilize the instructions equipped with your cable company’s, as you may find that it can ultimately replace a few of the remotes you have on your coffee table by working with several devices.

Sound Systems

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There are many things to consider when opting for an audio system upgrade. Often, today’s home audio systems include functionality that complement or replace equipment you already have, or even offer iPod/iPhone connectivity and varying levels of wireless abilities.

We suggest you head on over to AVGuide.com to weigh your options. Once there, take a gander at their Surround Sound Speakers Buyer’s guide, a free PDF download with over 100 pages of useful information.

Have tips for helpful upgrade ideas? Take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, Twitter or Facebook. Keep an eye out at our Twitter Deals feed for extra savings, and don’t forget to get even more value at Club IOGEAR.

Cheers from the IOGEAR team!

Green technology is all the rage in the tech space, and here at IOGEAR we love nothing more than to keep our finger on the green pulse. From Apple’s work-in-progress solar powered iPad and iPhone, to the grass-trimming goats Google has put to work, earth conscious companies are developing new ways to help our waning Mother Earth.

This week Cisco Systems announced the testing phase of their home energy management system, temporarily named the home energy controller. Despite the unsexy name, this is a pretty slick device which helps keep an eye on mounting energy costs. The controller’s digital readout helps people keep track of energy consumption throughout their home and do away with energy waste. Wasting energy is so passé, people.

Users can sign up for the system’s demand-response program, which provides rebates for shutting off the switches during peak times. It saves you money AND gives you the glow of being a green conscious American – all from one small control panel!

In case you are new to our blog, we here at IOGEAR have a vested interest in keeping up with the newest green technologies. We are doing our part to help our planet every day with a variety of products that cut back on energy usage – from energy saving convergence devices like KVM switches and Wireless AV kit to Solar BT hands free kits which harness the sun’s rays to power cell phones.

So, everyone, let’s start doing our part to stay up-to-speed, and hopefully adopt the latest green tech developments – it’s up to us.

What are you doing to incorporate green methods into your home or lifestyle?

Until next week, this is the IOGEAR team signing off. Stay green, readers.

Are you spending less time channel surfing and more time surfing the web for video content? You’re not alone – according to CNN, there’s a growing army of defectors turning their back on traditional cable options and replacing the tube with the net.

As cable prices continue to soar and content is becoming less and less readily available, today’s couch potato is rising from their seats to find new methods of instantaneous delivery while neatly sidestepping an expensive monthly bill.  Online content providers have been rising to the challenge, providing everything from your favorite network TV shows to independent films to music videos – all available to stream online at no cost.

The fatal flaw? Even the most hardened gadget geek can agree that hunching over a computer screen isn’t the same as reclining in comfort in front of a widescreen HDTV…and passing a laptop from lap to lap to share a favorite clip may not be the best way to get a party started.

Previously, streaming computer content to an HDTV has been reserved for the tech-savvy brave enough to tackle an octopus of tangled wires and complicated setups.  Here at IOGEAR we’re happy to jump into the streaming content revolution and offer a solution to this conundrum!



Our Wireless A/V kit bridges this gap, with three easy adapters a simple setup, eliminating the clutter of wires, putting instant PC to TV streaming within reach. This kit provides a simple solution for the average consumer to sit back, relax and choose from a variety of online content and stream it directly to their HDTV.

So whether you’re hanging on to your trusty cable box, or exploring the brave new world of a Internet centric, cable-less future, there’s an easy solution to keep your HDTV at the center of your home entertainment. It’s time to shrink your bills….not your screen!

Cheers
The IOGEAR team