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  Credit: iStock IFA Berlin and Tech Up For Women recently hosted a webinar exploring strategies for advancing innovation as part of the International Tech Up Talks series. Moderator Faye Holland of Cofinitive welcomed Samsung Electronics America’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing & Communications, Michelle Crossan-Matos, and Google’s Managing Director of Apps, Imma Calvo to discuss the topic. The conversation touched on how the pandemic has accelerated the pace at which brands are bringing new ideas to market, and how consumer confidence has been rebounding in the US. Crossan-Matos and Calvo shared insightful messages about ways companies can implement meaningful change. “Innovation doesn’t just happen — it’s designed by humans for humans. And diversity is a critical ingredient. The innovation process is a multidimensional one and we must learn to approach it empathetically and surrounded by colleagues of diverse backgrounds with varied points of view so we can all...

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word robot? It’s likely anything from a walking, talking C-3PO-like bipod to a wheeled cylinder-like R2D2 to an unstable computer like HAL 9000. The truth is, just about anything mechanized that can pull off human actions can be considered a robot. It doesn’t need to look like a human, either. Because robots don’t necessarily have to walk and talk or even think much, they can be deployed in many different ways, both consumer-facing and behind the scenes. The retail space is no exception. Social distancing and sanitization requirements over the past 14 months led to a surge in online ordering and a dearth of shoppers heading to the malls, which accelerated the use of certain types of robots in warehouses and brick-and-mortar stores. Some of those trends are here to stay, others not so much. Here’s a rundown of significant technologies and trends in the retail robots space. What’s In Store “The general trend is that we’re...

 Certain television setups are less than forgiving when it comes to adding audio. Height restrictions imposed by a fireplace, for example, can often mean sacrificing performance for size. That’s why Next Level Acoustics released a soundbar that delivers high-quality audio in a design less than 3″ high (2.95″ to be exact). The Fusion S3 is now shipping and comes in a variety of sizes: Fusion S3 – 55 (48.8″ wide), Fusion S3 – 65 (56.9″ wide), and Fusion S3 – 75 (65.9″ wide). The high gloss black soundbars use superior quality 2.5″ drivers, and a textured front surface to minimize high-frequency reflections. Users can also tailor the Fusion S3 to their exact liking. Custom configurations include LCR, Stereo, and Center Channel versions, custom widths, IR grille notch badges, colors, and finishes. Pricing for the Fusion S3 ranges from $1199 to $1699 depending on size. Certain models are also available for Quick Ship. Retail Source Scope Dealers Consumer Tech Consumer Electronics Securi...

 With smartphones and the hoteling of offices on the upswing, PC sales were once thought to be on the downswing. It would be a world of tablets and mobile phones in the future. But the pandemic changed all that. PC sales have been soaring while chip shortages are pushing up prices and causing concern throughout the industry. In Europe, where rolling lockdowns afflicted country after country, in 2020, there was a 43 percent sales increase year over year of notebook PCs, according to new data from GfK. And while enterprise IT departments all but shut down spending during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, working-from-home consumers created a surge in demand, spurring the charge for new computers. “There was an overwhelming demand for electronics in general,” acknowledged Josh Wanderman, GfK´s vice president of global market insights, “but in particular for laptops and notebooks.” And that helped create a shortage of processors. “For the electronics world, COVID was a one-two...

 Since Samsung’s The Frame launched in 2017, it has been one of the most highly sought-after televisions for its ability to transform a standard “black box” into a work of art. It has racked up tons of awards and led Samsung to follow up with a newer model, which earned one of our very own Dealerscope IMPACT Awards. One of the biggest challenges integrators and consumers have faced with this product though is deciding how to incorporate high-end audio to The Frame without it losing its organic appeal. The solution, then, was to create something designed specifically for this product. And that’s exactly what Next Level Acoustics did. The audio company known for its American-made custom-install speakers introduced Fusion soundbars and Elite Series enclosures to give Samsung’s The Frame TV the audio it deserves. The Fusion Frame Slim was crafted by master engineers at Next Level Acoustics to complement the ultra-low depth of the 2021 version of The Frame. Despite its small makeup of 1...

Fully vaccinated Americans have been given the okay to visit the European Union this summer by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The news comes five months ahead of IFA Berlin, the world’s leading event for consumer electronics and appliances, which runs from September 3-7 in Berlin. IFA will be held as a full-scale, in-person event for the first time since 2019, and these easing travel restrictions will allow for greater participation. “The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines,” von der Leyen said, according to the Times report. “This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.” The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 28% of Americans are now fully vaccinated, and that number is continuing to grow. “What the world is basically saying is, they’re looking at the US, they’re looking at the success of our vaccination program, they’re looking at the reduction of disease, and ...

 Wholesale electronics distributor, Petra Industries, has partnered with Owlet Baby Care to expand the availability of its award-winning smart baby monitor. This new partnership brings Owlet products to QVC, Home Shopping Network, and many other retailers. “We’re always excited to partner with vendors who offer unique solutions to age-old concerns,” says Tate Morgan, President of Petra. “Owlet brings a sense of safety and security to parents who are eager to look out for their children, and we’re thrilled to bring their products onboard.” Owlet’s ecosystem of products brings technology and vital data to modern parenting. Its flagship product, the Owlet Smart Sock baby monitor tracks a baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels to ensure safe sleep – a growing concern among parents of babies and newborns. Since the company’s launch in 2012, over 1.5 million people have turned to Owlet in their parenting journey. In return, Owlet has eased many of their deepest concerns and actually helped ...

Homes are getting smarter every day. Throughout the pandemic, consumer adoption of “smart” devices – those with connectivity and remote monitoring and management features – has risen steadily. By the end of 2020, 40 percent of U.S. broadband households had  at least one  smart device. The right push could accelerate the category’s steady growth of the past few years into a period of rapid adoption and proliferation. Smart consumer electronics are already powerful and capable; the push they need is increased convenience. Convenience is a powerful motivator. Once consumers have found an easier way of doing something, they won’t willingly go back to doing it the hard way. The litany of recent announcements from the makers of leading AI assistants are compelling not only because they’re cool, but also because they dramatically increase the convenience of smart devices. For example, the Ring Doorbell’s ...