Cell phones See Quick Recovery from Recession

Wouldn’t it be nice if other consumer electronics products saw the swift rebound that cellular phones are enjoying?

Shipments of cell phones rose 14.5 percent worldwide during the second quarter over last year, returning to 2008 levels, said IDC.

Phone shipments reached 317.5 million during the quarter, with nimble smartphone makers siphoning market share from traditional heavyweights like Nokia and Motorola.
Nokia remains the largest maker of phones but its share dropped from 40 to 35 percent over the past two years. Motorola has also dropped to 7th place. Samsung and LG Electronics are now in the number 2 and 3 positions.

BlackBerry maker RIM is now number 4 at 11.2 million units and Apple and HTC follow with 8.4 million and 6.5 million units, respectively.

IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said, “Companies with a strict focus on the smartphone market, like RIM, Apple, and HTC have clearly benefited from steadily increasing user interest.”

The Consumer Electronics Assoc. said this month that cell phones will hit shipment revenues of $26 billion in the U.S. by next year. Smartphones will drive much of the growth in the category, with unit shipments climbing 31 percent to 54 million smartphones in the U.S. and then more than doubling to 66 million in 2011.

Source: IDC and AP via Yahoo!
Photo: HTC EVO 4G

BlackBerry Blackpad Due November: Bloomberg

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) secured the Internet rights to the name “blackpad.com” which is expected to be the name of a RIM tablet bearing a 9.7 inch screen due in November, sources told Bloomberg.

The device will include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability.

As for the blackpad.com domain name, it was created by RIM on July 8 and expires on September 8, 2011 and one source told Bloomberg it will be the name of the new RIM tablet.

Earlier leaks on a RIM tablet predicted itt would tether to a BlackBerry phone for its wireless service. Perhaps the Blackpad will allow tethering as well.

Source: Bloomberg via engadget

J&R Computer Gets Kindle, Target Gets Kindle WiFi

Updated! Is Amazon about to sell its Kindle eReader through additional stores to better compete with the Barnes & Noble Nook? We learned it has just signed on J&R Computer and Music World (NYC), which will join Target stores and HMS Host airport stores the sole three brick-and-mortar outlets to date.

J&R just began selling the Kindle DX graphite (with 9.7-inch screen and 3G) at $379 through its 2 stores. It is not selling the device on its web site.

Meanwhile Target will begin selling both the new Kindle Wi-Fi (6-inch) and Kindle 3G around the end of September, said a spokeswoman. Target became the first brick-and- mortar chain to offer the Kindle when it began selling the 6-inch Kindle 3G this spring.

An Amazon spokesman said, “Ideally we want to sell Kindle where customers want to buy it. So we will work on expanding our retailer network.”

Source: CEoutlook

Photo: New Kindle Wi-Fi

B&N Fights Back with 1,000-Foot eReader Boutiques

In its war with Amazon over digital territory, Barnes & Noble is firing it’s next salvo. In September, the chain will start rolling out 1,000-square-foot Nook boutiques in all of its stores.

Playing up its brick-and-mortar hands-on advantage, the bookseller told The NY Times that it will feature demo tables, video screens and employees to give advice. A month ago, B&N also said the departments will feature other eReaders.

“American consumers want to try and hold gadgets before they purchase them,” William Lynch, new B&N chief exec told the Times.

This Christmas may be the first time many consumers consider buying an eReader and most people have not yet read an eBook.

The expanded demo areas for the Nook are the latest skirmish in an escalating war between the book sellers.

According to Digitimes Research, Barnes & Noble took the lead in eReader global shipments for the second quarter with a 33 percent share, followed by Amazon’s 27 percent. But Forrester Research notes that shipments are not the same as sales, “especially when one competitor [Amazon] is anticipating a new product launch which would cause them to slow down shipments of previous models,” according to analyst James McQuivey.

In the U.S., 2/3rds of those who have an eReader, have a Kindle. Plus 69 percent of those who plan to buy an eReader, are eyeing the Kindle, Forrester studies show. Sony and Barnes & Noble are neck and neck for the remaining third of the market, said a Forrester report.

Source: The New York Times, Digitmes

Photo: Nook TV ad

MESA Chooses Kinetik

MESA, the Mobile Electronics Specialists of America buying group said it selected Kinetik as it vendor for car electronics power cells.

Kinetik offers 10 power cell models that help autosound competitors achieve decibels over 180dB.

Other MESA supplier partners include Alpine, Kenwood, JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Directed Electronics, Concept Enterprises, Hertz/Audison, HushMat, Aamp of America, PAC, ATrend, USA Spec, Metra,and IXOS.

Source: MESA

Best Buy To Sell Clearwire 4G Service

Best Buy will begin selling 4G wireless service directly to customers using Clearwire’s 4G WiMax network.

The service will be sold starting in 2011 as another option under Best Buy’s recently launched “Best Buy Connect” 3G broadband service, said Reuters, as chains like Best Buy try to become one-stop-shops of not only electronic gadgets, but also wireless services that light up those gadgets.

4G service is 4 times faster than 3G and is offered in about 50 cities in 21 states, said Clearwire.

Clearwire is 54 percent owned by Sprint Nextel. Its other investors include Comcast and Time Warner Cable, which plan to offer 4G service, plus Google and Intel.

Source: Clearwire and Reuters

Viper SmartStart is Now on Android

Directed Electronics broadened the reach of its Viper SmartStart to Android smartphones so that the remote start app now works with the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android phones.

“With this app release, our Viper SmartStart solution is available to more than 75% of all smartphone users,” said Kevin Duffy, president of Directed Electronics.
The SmartStart lets you start your car from your smartphone. You can also lock and unlock the doors, arm/disarm a security system, open the trunk and hit the panic alarm from the phone.

The free app requires a $299 module for the car and a $30 annual service fee plus a remote start system. If you don’t already have a remote start system the package price with module is $499.

Source: Directed Electronics

Panasonic Buys 100% of Sanyo

Panasonic is buying Sanyo for its green technology.

Japan’s largest electronics maker, already has a 50 percent stake in Sanyo Electric and will take 100 percent of Sanyo by April. At the same time, Panasonic will buy Panasonic Electric Works, another company in which it owns a 51 percent stake. The two will be purchased through a public tender offer valued at $9.4 billion.

Sanyo, although a money losing business, has a strong battery and solar panel business, said Forbes, noting Panasonic president Fumio Ohtsubo has repeatedly stated that the ecology business, including solar panels for homes will be the foundation of Panasonic going forward.

Panasonic also reported much improved earnings for the April-June quarter. Profits totaled about 44 billion yen ($502 million) compared to a loss of 53 billion yen last year.

Quarterly revenue surged 35 percent to 2 trillion yen ($25 billion) due to improved sales in flat-panel TVs, Blu-ray recorders, air conditioners, rechargeable batteries, semiconductors and solar panels.

The company raised its forecasts for the full year through March 2011 to an 85 billion yen profit compared to 50 billion yen predicted earlier.

Source: Forbes

New Kindle Wi-Fi at $139

It will be a struggle for a no-name eReader to exist in the new Kindle Wi-Fi marketplace above the $100 mark. Amazon made sure of that late yesterday, announcing a new generation of the Kindle at only $139.

The Kindle Wi-Fi is aimed at the casual reader. Available for pre-order at www.amazon.comkindle3G, it is smaller, lighter, faster and quieter than earlier Kindles. It’s E Ink screen has 50 percent better contrast than any other eReader, claims Amazon, and its body is 21 percent smaller while keeping the same 6-inch screen. The weight has been reduced by 17 percent to 8.5 ounces, which is lighter than a paperback book. Users get page turns that are 20 percent faster and quieter, plus book downloads in 60 seconds. Also, the storage has doubled to 3,500 books.

Amazon also launched a new generation of the 3G 6-inch Kindle. It has all the above improvements of the Kindle Wi-Fi but it weighs slightly more at 8.7 ounces. Battery life in both devices is up to a month with the wireless switched off. Both units also now feature “experimental web browsing.” We’ll find out more about that.

“Readers are going to do a double take when they see Kindle’s bright new screen and feel how remarkably light the smaller 8.7 ounce design feels in one hand,” said Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos. “If you don’t need the convenience of 3G wireless, we have an incredible new price point–$139 for Kindle Wi-Fi. Kindle Wi-Fi has all the same features, same bookstore, same high-contrast electronic paper display, and it’s even a tiny bit lighter at 8.5 ounces. At this price point, many people are going to buy multiple units for the home and family.”

The aggressive pricing of the Wi-Fi only device is likely a blow to off brand eReaders already hit by the Kindle/Barnes & Noble price war that brought a 3G eReader down to $189.

Forrester Research stated recently in Wired magazine that “Companies that had neither brand nor distribution have failed,” according to analyst Sarah Rotman Epps, noting that the eReader market is now in a full shift to the tablet PC. Audiovox has reportedly canceled plans to introduce the RCA Lexi eReader and Cool-er’s products are listed as out of stock on its website, said Wired.

Source: Amazon and Wired

New BlackBerry Aimed at iPhone Could See Daylight Next Week

Research in Motion (RIM) is expected to announce a new touch screen BlackBerry that will be its latest salvo against the iPhone. At least Wall Street seems to think so as shares of device maker rose Wednesday in anticipation, Reuters reported.

RIM should announce a new BlackBerry 9800 next Tuesday along with AT&T which is expected to sell the device exclusively.

The BlackBerry 9800 is expected to offer a new OS, new browser and full slide out keyboard in a much needed refreshment of the BlackBerry line. Reuters points out RIMs stock has fallen by a third in the past year as iPhone and Android devices took off. The new 9800 may be in stores by mid August.

Source: Reuters
Photo of BlackBerry 9800 via The Cellular Guru

Best Buy Gives Away iPhone 4 Shield

Best Buy is offering a free “Side Shield” for the iPhone 4 as of July 28 to anyone who purchased the phone (or will purchase one) from Best Buy.

The clear shield called invisibleSHIELD helps prevent dropped called when the user holds the iPhone 4 by the lower left corner.

All shoppers of the big box store can also buy the shield for $10 or they can get 20 percent off any iPhone case through August 7.

Source: Best Buy

KnowledgeFest Topics: First Peak

Deciding whether to attend the MERA Knowledgefest in Dallas this October?

Some of the topics that will be addressed include defective products and how to handle them and how to install those new remote start bypass modules.

Pioneer, Kenwood, DICE, Metra, NAV-TV, Kicker Scosche and Avidworx are among the vendors that are signed up and attending with more to be announced soon by MERA (The Mobile Electronics Retailers Assoc.)

Here’s a few of the events and seminars planned, but the roster won’t be finalized until next week:

Town Hall Meeting, Monday, October 11 at 6:00 pm
A panel that will likely include Mike Kahn of Sony, Steve Witt of DICE, Mike Anderson of Alpine and moderator Chris Cook of MERA will discuss a hot topic to be chosen shortly before the event. If Knowledgefest were today, the topic would likely be Internet discounting and distribution said Cook.

The Defective Dilemma, Tuesday, October 12 2:30 to 4 pm
How should the issue of defective products best be handled?

More Than Just Car Audio, Monday, October 11, 2:00 to 3 pm
Opportunities are explored in car/truck accessories, windows tint, upholstery, wheels and tires, driver safety products and the “connected car.”

Car Dealer Relationships, Monday, October 11, 3:00 to 4 pm
How to become more important to the local car dealer and keep expediting profitable.

Internet Marketing, Monday, October 11, 1:00 to 2 pm
Ben Vollmer of Microsoft teaches how about pay-per-click and search engine optimization

Embrace the Internet, Monday, October 11 11:00 to 12 pm
Ben Vollmer of Microsoft teaches how to use Facebook, YouTube etc to market your business.

Remote Start Technology, Monday, October 11, 8:30 to 10:30 am

Custom Install Shop, Monday, October 11, 2:30 to 4 pm
How retailers can set themselves apart through custom installs that don’t cost the retailer an arm and a leg.

KnowledgeFest 2010 will be held in Dallas, October 10 – 12, at the Gaylord Texan resort hotel.

Retailers can register online here.

MERA also announced it named Mike Dixon as its chairperson for the education committee and selected Paul Pirro and Kris Bulla as co-vice chairs of the committee.

“The mobile electronics industry must come together with a common purpose that utilizes the best and brightest leaders and ideas to build a successful future for our industry”, stated Chris Cook, MERA’s Executive Director. “With more than 20 educational workshops, leading manufacture exhibits, product and business strategy planning and the latest technology on display, KnowledgeFest 2010 is the right place at the right time for turning knowledge into knowhow to grow your business.”

Source: MERA

Apple Sued for iPad Overheating

For anyone hoping to use the iPad in the car, be aware of reports that the iPad shuts down in heat or direct sunlight.

A class action lawsuit was filed against Apple on July 23 claiming the iPad is “virtually unusable” under conditions of direct sunlight or warm outdoor temperatures. The iPad shuts off after just a few minutes of use, in some cases, said the suit, filed in the Northern District of California seeking damages and an injunction against Apple.

The iPad’s screen is said to go dark and then read “iPad needs to cool down,” after about 10 to 12 minutes in the heat or sunlight.

PCWorld says the problem may be real (although the lawsuit seems a bit over the top). The AtlanticWire and PC Magazine have reported the problem in the past.

But Scosche which has been testing the device told us, “We have not experienced any issues with over heating during out test. Using the iPad in normal conditions in the car or on the beach has not been an issue.”

Installer SoundMan Car Audio of Santa Clarita, CA (which has performed 7 iPad installs) said, yes, the device shuts down in the heat so installations must allow for removing the device. “If you leave it in the car, especially in Southern California, it will shut down,” said Doug Bernards. “When you are driving in the car, its fine,” unless, of course, you don’t like air conditioning.

The suit was filed by Jacob Baltazar, Claudia Keller and John R. Browning who seek relief for themselves and on behalf of anyone who purchased the iPad. The suit notes that Apple’s advertising materials fail to warn of the problem. It says “the iPad does not live up to the reasonable consumer’s expectations created by Apple insofar as the iPad overheats so quickly under common weather conditions that it does not function for prolonged use either outdoors, or in many other warm conditions…”

Source: Scott Cole & Associates via PCWorld

Kindle Sold Out on Amazon

The 6-inch, $189 Kindle is sold out on Amazon’s website prompting much speculation by SlashGear. Is demand greater than expected or is a new Kindle due soon?

Source: Kindle.com via SlashGear

Kenwood Sales May Earn You an HP notebook

Kenwood is offering again its X-rewards incentive program for car electronics salesmen and installers.

12 volt pros can earn points towards an HP notebook PC, Samsung digital camcorder, Weber gas grilled and Kenwood Excelon.

The program runs through August 31.

Source: Kenwood

GM Finally Sets Price on Chevy Volt at $41,000

At long last General Motors said its electric Chevy Volt will become available in November at a price of $41,000.

The price is about $8,000 more than its closest rival, the Nissan Leaf, but GM is offering an attractive lease deal, at $350-per-month, which is about the same as that for the Leaf, said the AP. This should place GM’s long awaited electric car in within in the budgets of many people (not us, but hey).

Buyers of the Volt, a 4-door sedan that can run on battery power for up to 40 miles (and then switch to gas), also qualify for a $7,500 tax credit which brings the sticker price down to $33.500. (The Leaf gets the same tax incentive).

The Volt will go on sale first in California, followed by New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Michigan and Texas. About 600 Chevy dealers will see the Volt initially, broadening to nationwide distribution after 12 to 18 months.

As we’ve mentioned here many times, the Volt will permit smartphone control over remote start, door lock/unlock and battery management features. (See video below).

Source: AP via Yahoo!

DICE, Rydeen Ready Mobile DTV

Mobile DTV is gaining steam and it looks like it will be abundant at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.

DICE is readying a Mobile DTV tuner for a possible preview this October at the MERA Knowledgefest. Rydeen will show a Mobile DTV tuner at CES for shipping in early 2011. They join Mobile DTV tuners from NAV-TV and Accele, which is selling a Mobile DTV head unit.

Mobile DTV is simply local, broadcast TV that works on a portable device or in a car. It gives consumers the live news, entertainment, sports and weather they get on a home TV.

Since the FCC gave Mobile DTV a second clearance weeks ago, more vendors are revealing plans to launch products. Also, Mobile DTV’s competitor FLO-TV is not selling to plan and developer Qualcomm has put it on the sales block. A simple comparison between the two services is that FLO-TV requires monthly service fees and Mobile DTV does not. (But Mobile DTV requires that TV stations convert to the format). [See note from Audiovox below*]

DICE hopes to provide more details on its device by October with an official unveiling at CES in January.

Rydeen has been testing its RAC-100 tuner connected to a Kenwood AV head unit in Torrance, CA where one station is up and running in Mobile DTV. Rydeen president Phil Maeda said he’s happy with the picture quality although he added, “There were a few areas on the freeway when the signal strength was low, and therefore the picture was pixilated.” He believes that as more receivers come on the market there will be more reason for TV stations to improve their signal.

Accele recently began selling a double DIN head unit with a Mobile DTV tuner. It has a 6.2-inch touch screen and offers built-in navigation and Bluetooth with an option for a rear vision camera. Called the DIN200GPS ATSC, it sells for $999 with the Mobile DTV tuner representing a $300 premium to the consumer.

Rosen is studying the technology. “We are studying and feel the service has some upside but we want to make sure there is enough coverage and content in key markets. Many markets have limited stations broadcasting from what we’ve seen…The advantages of better picture quality and no service fees after the 1x equipment investment are enticing for sure,” said VP sales & marketing Steve Weimar.

NAV-TV announced it will offer a $399 Mobile DTV tuner called the MiTV that works with any aftermarket car video screen or with specific factory car screens. Concept Enterprises also plans to offer a Mobile DTV tuner this year.

The portable TV technology’s key drawback is that less than 50 TV stations are airing in the service, but that number should double by the end of the year.

Programs currently offered via Mobile DTV in a Washington DC test trail of the service include local NBC, Fox, and CBS programming plus MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS programming.

Source: CEoutlook

Photo: MiTV by NAV-TV

*Audiovox: The comparison is that FLO-TV provides premium content for a subscription fee, while DTV will provide local network TV in a mobile environment, with out a subscription. This is the same experience one has watching TV at home. Local channels are free and broadcast terrestrially, while the premium content is distributed by a cable or satellite provider on a subscription basis.

Consumer Confidence Hits Low in July Says CEA

Consumer confidence in the economy reached its lowest level in July since 2007, said the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) which tracks consumer confidence through a poll in collaboration with CNET.

The CEA-CNET index fell 5.5 points (3 percent) this month to 157.3–an all-time low–regarding the full economy. Regarding technology, specifically, consumer confidence decreased only half a point to 82. “Although there were several new and innovative technology products launched this month, consumers seem uncertain about purchasing consumer electronics. This may be a wait-and-see approach, as parents and children prepare for the school season and may purchase more for necessity rather than luxury,” said Anne Claudio, VP research at CBS Interactive.

As for the overall economy, Claudio says consumers continue to be cautious.

Source: CEA

Motorola “iPad” Rumored for Fall

Motorola is having so much fun gaining share in smartphones since it adopted the Android OS that it is planning to do the same thing in tablet PCs around November, according to Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar.

Motorola is planning a 10-inch tablet that should run on the upcoming Android 3.0 (Gingerbread) operating system, which is expected to be more visually snappy than the new Android 2.2.

There are few details offered on the device, but SlashGear sees Verizon as a likely service provider.

Sources: Tom’s Hardware, TheStreet, SlashGear

iPhone “Jailbreaks” Now Legal

It is now legal to “jailbreak” (unlock) a phone, including an iPhone, so you can download apps that aren’t approved by Apple, said the AP.

Phone users can also unlock their devices to switch to a different service provider, so in the case of the iPhone, users might switch from AT&T to T-Mobile.

Under new U.S. Library of Congress rules, a 1998 law has been relaxed, now legalizing the practice of unlocking phones. However, if you do jailbreak your iPhone, Apple can still void the warranty or it can disable the phone through software upgrades.

Apple maintains a tight control over apps that appear in iTunes. One reason, said AppleInsider, is to avoid pornographic apps according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. In April, he said, “That’s a place we don’t want to go, so we’re not going to.”

Source: The AP via Yahoo! and AppleInsider

Photo via iphonefreakz: Steve Jobs introducing the iPhone 4

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