IOGEAR has taken several significant steps in offering consumers eco-friendly and green products and as a company we remain committed to our responsibility to the environment.

A key product line that assists in these efforts is our KVM line. Not only are these products convenient for you, but they save on waste and energy by eliminating the need for excess gadgets and the amount of energy running through them!
By allowing users to control several devices with our KVM offerings, IOGEAR has eliminated the need for nearly 30 million keyboards, mice and other excess products.

Here’s what we’ve accomplished in 2008 – aggressively removing harmful chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominate flame retardants (BFR), from our products. Our solutions are now 80% free of these substances. We have worked hard to ensure 70% of all IOGEAR products are Energy Star or CEC compliant. Additionally, the majority of IOGEAR product packages are made from recycled materials and plastic without UV coating and all marketing collateral is made from recycled materials and soy and vegetable based inks.

We also remain committed to our Road to a Million Tree program in which we will plant a tree for every product sold on IOGEAR.com and through our GREEN initiative partners we will plant two trees for every KVM product sold.

We can’t wait to see the results of our green campaigns in 2009!

What gadgets help you stay green?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

Great news! You can now find your favorite IOGEAR products in Target stores nationwide.

We have expanded our retail presence recently with news that Target will begin selling our Bluetooth 2.1 USB Micro Adapter, 12-in-1 Pocket Card Reader/Writer and 3-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub. Beginning 2010 we will be testing 2 new additional SKU in 100+ stores that will shortly be announced once accepted for a full roll out later in the year.


As retail forecasts for the holidays are looking leaner, we are expanding IOGEAR’s availability with our latest move to Target retail stores. IOGEAR has already established itself with regional retail outlets such as Fry’s and Micro Center and made a splash this summer with the national retail market placing new innovative products in Best Buy and maintaining product placement in Wal-Mart stores.

With the current economic outlook we recognize that consumers are looking for great value and quality in the products they purchase. At IOGEAR we have had great momentum into the tough retail market and continue to do so as we head into another holiday shopping season.

Where do you purchase your IOGEAR products?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

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.

The Wall Street Journal recently published a story predicting that the larger big-ticket technologies will remain on the shelves and consumers will instead go home with the latest gadgets this holiday season. As this article and other industry experts predict, the average consumer will purchase more affordable gadgets and less ‘blockbuster’ devices this season.


So what does this mean? Well, consumers, like you, are prepared and willing to spend $300 or less on tech gadgets this year. With most of today’s most popular consumer electronics (CE) products falling into this price category, it looks like everything from netbooks, to the latest e-book reader and high fidelity speakers might top 2009 Christmas shopping lists.

As we reflect on these predictions and the recent CE trends, we believe that IOGEAR’s Wireless Audio / Video Kit (MSRP @ $299.95) is a perfect fit for this year’s gift exchange.

We offer the Wireless Audio / Video Kit which allows users to stream both audio and video content (up to 720p) wirelessly from their PC to their TV up to 30 feet away. Users can eliminate unnecessary cable clutter and enjoy the best of the Web on their larger TVs from the comforts of their couch. This solution truly gives you or the person receiving this gift the ability to stream wirelessly from PC to TV a reality.

What other gadgets are you looking to put under your tree this holiday season?

Cheers,
The IOGEAR Team

As the price of computers continues to fall and computer performance increases, what does this mean for consumers? Many dated computers are set aside, stored in closets, basements or even garages when they still have plenty of life left to them.

Utilizing a KVM switch – an acronym for keyboard, video and mouse – is one way to breathe some fresh air into the life of an older or non-utilized computer without the expense of upgrading. At the core, a KVM switch allows you to share a keyboard, monitor and mouse amongst multiple computers and switch between computers at the touch of a button or with a keyboard shortcut.

KVM switches have been utilized in the business world for years as they are an extremely efficient way to monitor banks of servers oftentimes tucked in small cabinets with no room for multiple monitors or the confusing mess of endless keyboards and mice. 16-port KVM’s can be daisy chained to each other for up to 256 connections allowing ultimate control. KVMs are great solutions for businesses, and now the technology has trickled into the home, and for very good reasons.

Home computers serve many purposes and for today’s children they are one of the best interactive learning tools available. Allowing children on a home computer opens up risks for accidentally deleted files, documents and folders moved to the wrong place or other unintentional errors. With an older unused tower, a simple 2-port KVM with remote is a perfect solution.

Simply connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor to the KVM switch, then take the set of wires coming off the side and plug one into the main computer and the other into the older computer for the kids. A remote button can be mounted under a desk, away from their view to switch between computers. When the kids want to use a computer, simply touch the button on the remote and the keyboard and mouse will control their computer using the same monitor. This is an easy way to keep them off your computer and eliminates the fear of them screwing something up by accident.

The other advantage is cost savings. With KVMs there is no need to purchase an extra monitor for a second computer, thus saving money and energy consumption over time.

Utilizing KVM switches isn’t just restricted to connecting your old computer up with your current monitor for space and money savings, they can be used for other purposes too. Netbooks have recently become one of the biggest new markets for computer manufactures because of their low prices and ultra-portable design. The upside to netbooks, their ultra-compact design, is also their downfall. Most netbooks have a screen smaller than 10 inches which is great for quickly checking email or Web sites on the go, but not so much fun if you have an hour or two of email to read or need to view a Google map at a decent size.

By using a KVM for laptops users can connect netbooks and laptops to an external monitor, allowing them to easily use a larger screen when at the office or home. This particular switch also comes with software and an on-screen menu to easily transfer files between your home / work computer and netbook or laptop, perfect for migrating data from a day in the field onto the destination computer. The small size of the KVM fits unobtrusively into any laptop or netbook bag.

KVM switches are one of most efficient ways to utilize multiple computers, expand existing computers to span monitors and enhance a portable computer without the need to purchase extra hardware. This is a direct cost savings and users can give life to older or under utilized computers and add productivity to their workflow.

A recent survey* commissioned by IOGEAR shows that interest in watching Internet video on a TV continues to grow.

Nearly 40 percent of respondents stated they would consider getting rid of their cable or satellite subscription in favor of using a product to connect their PC and Internet to the TV. Forty six percent might consider the option and only 16 percent said no.

Nearly 50 percent of survey respondents said they spend between $50-$100 on monthly cable or satellite subscriptions. Thirty five percent spend more than $100. If there were a more affordable option to getting your favorite content, how many of you would end a long-term cable or satellite relationship?

Fifty percent of those surveyed said they currently watch between 0-2 hours of video each week on their computer. Thirty percent watch 3-5 hours and nearly 20 percent of people watch 6+ hours of video on their computers each week.

As these numbers continue to grow, it is obvious that a fundamental shift in the cable / satellite TV industry must occur. The cable and satellite TV industry has always assumed that the more content they give the consumer, the more they can charge, the happier we are.  With the busy schedules we all keep now, flipping through 400+ channels to find something actually worth watching can be a chore unto itself.

Utilizing new technologies that provide high quality video streaming over the Internet users can now watch the shows they want, when they want to.  For a minimal cost for hardware up front, often less then a few months’ worth of cable bills, the elimination of the traditional TV is becoming more of a reality.

Cheers,

The IOGEAR team

*The survey of 2,812 people was conducted by LAPTOP Magazine.

It’s no secret that the Internet is now a vast source of entertainment. It’s where we find, share and store pictures, home videos, movies and TV shows. However, we can’t always crowd a group of people around a small laptop screen to share our pictures, videos, favorite TV show or movie with friends and family.

Many companies are starting to see the value of offering online entertainment, but it’s how consumers view that content that is becoming increasingly important.

Some of the big cable giants are starting to offer more online content to paid customers but that comes with hefty monthly fees that can add up. And while Internet-enabled TVs aren’t new, they’re getting increasingly popular but are still limited to what content you can have access to. Recently, it was rumored that Apple might take a gamble and manufacture its own Internet-enabled TV that could eventually work in tandem with all Apple products.

We previously reported on a Yahoo! study showing the increase in online video viewing – so the questions are, how much online content are you watching, and would you like to have it viewed on your big screen TV rather than your small computer screen?

Cheers,

The IOGEAR team

Take a step back and look at how you and your family use common spaces, specifically the living room.  The living room was traditionally a place for people to gather and discuss current matters, how the day went and future plans.

With technology came multimedia.  First was the radio, then television, video, gaming systems and multimedia computers. Now, broadband Internet and wireless technology has pushed computers that were once confined to the office into our living space.

During this evolution nothing has really been able to control, manage or streamline how we interact with all the different devices in our living rooms – with the exception of the universal remote. But even with the universal remote, it was never easy switching from device to device.

Now, imagine sitting on your couch, watching TV in one moment, then easily switching to your computer to check a few emails and perhaps browse the Web, then switching over to your favorite video game system all on the same TV display and without leaving your couch.

IOGEAR’s latest revolutionary offering allows users to do that and more, in a simple way.  Utilizing an HDMI Multimedia KVMP Switch to seamlessly change between devices takes your home entertainment into a new level of enjoyment.

What’s amazing about this KVMP is the HDMI integration, it allows a single cable to be run for both high video resolution (1080p HD) and sound transfer, which makes setup a breeze.

The HDMI KVMP Switch supports digital inputs from:

• Blu-Ray / DVD players
• Gaming consoles
• Set-top boxes
• Home / office computers

Because the KVMP is designed to connect all of your existing systems to one central display, it becomes the brains behind your home entertainment system. Display Emulation Technology built into the KVMP remembers monitors parameters such as display resolution and eliminates the nagging delay when switching between or booting devices.

One of the new features included with this unit are the two USB 2.0 ports for asynchronously sharing USB devices between computers.  This patented asynchronous switching allows you to switch applications between two connected computers; run one application on one computer while running a second app on another.  You can further expand the ports with a USB hub.

Now you can take the guesswork out of connecting your gaming and multimedia systems to your living room HDTV while utilizing your multimedia computer to its fullest potential with this simple plug-and-play solution.  The HDMI Multimedia KVMP Switch is a complete home entertainment solution to enhance and enrich your living room and turn it into a complete home entertainment center that the whole family can enjoy.

We want to know how your home entertainment setup has evolved over the years. Tell us all about your setup in the comment section below or at our Twitter page. If you have any pictures to share with us, please do so at our FaceBook page. We look forward to your ideas.

Is your small screen shrinking? That’s the question asked of you in IOGEAR’s latest commercial airing on the popular site Hulu.

As people continue to turn to the Internet to view content, they turn to Hulu, one of the most popular sites for entertainment content.

You may remember, Hulu’s own funny commercials featuring Alec Baldwin and Seth McFarlane were a hit when they aired during last year’s Super Bowl.

We thought this would be a perfect place to share with Hulu users just how much better their viewing experience could be with our Wireless Audio / Video Kit.

As you probably know by now, the Wireless Audio / Video Kit helps take you from the small screen to the big screen by wirelessly streaming content from your PC to your television.

What’s your favorite part of the commercial? We really got a kick out of the opening scene.

Cheers,
The IOGEAR team

Over a six-week period, hundreds of gadget-loving people became fans of IOGEAR on Facebook in hopes to win our cutting edge and ground breaking Wireless A/V Kit. The Wireless A/V Kit utilizes Ultra Wideband technology (UWB) to broadcast HD video signals from your home computer or laptop to your HDTV up to 30’ away, changing forever how you enjoy online, streaming content.

From network television sites to funny YouTube videos, streaming video content right to your television has never been easier, or without as much clutter. The Wireless A/V Kit will finally allow you to bridge the gap between your computer and TV without the fuss of running cables, and enable you to enjoy movies, videos and more from the comfort of your couch, not stuck behind a computer desk.

Of the hundreds of fans, we randomly chose Joey Milici to be our winner! Joey, you are in for a real treat and hope you are ready to change how you look at your computer; its just become a home media and entertainment center. Don’t worry about hooking up cables, cutting holes in your walls or even buying a dedicated computer Joey, your existing computer and our Wireless A/V Kit will bridge the gap to your television and bring the Internet into your living room, where it belongs.