When speaking of luxury, one typically thinks of Prada, BMW, or perhaps Eames. When speaking of technology, does “luxury” come into play? Typically not, says Tim Herbert, senior director market research for CEA (Consumer Electronics Association).
One difference between CE and other markets like jewelry is CE products are considered more necessity than luxury in many [...]

A harmonious marriage was released today, Skype has finally launched on the iPhone. The free app will be available shortly on ITunes making it easy to see your loved ones and business types while going about your daily life (barring you are close to a Wi-Fi source as the video capability won’t work over your [...]

Yesterday, Nokia released images of the fully-functioning song-inspired winners of the Nokia Music Almighty Headset Competition - an ingenious idea developed by Wieden + Kennedy London. The competition began last year, in which 6,000+ entrants crafted their Nokia Bluetooth headset around inspiring songs such as Daft Punk Robot Rock or Kelis Milkshake (one looking almost [...]

While flipping through the pages of Fast Company’s April 2009 issue, this clip to the left caught my eye. The Zikmu, by Parrot looks like two big trumpets with a small ipod on the top. The cool look made me dig further to find a product launch flash site and an inspiring video from Philippe Starck himself. 
As [...]

I flew Virgin America over the weekend, my airline of choice. I will spend just a little extra to use the simple kiosks stands equipped with orchids, sit at the gate as Coldplay fills the air and walk onto the plane where the purple glow feels cozy and comforting. I always sit down in my seat, excitedly [...]

As mentioned in my blog on March 11th, Cisco has squelched the rumor of acquiring Pure Digital Technologies, the makers of the ever-so-simple Flip Video mini camcorder, by publicly announcing the $590 million agreement. Cisco used this announcement to also address their commitment to the consumer electronics space and plan to become a house-hold name [...]

Last year, Philips released a series of LCD TVs called the “Design Collection.” With similar strategies as outlined in my Adamo blog, the brand wanted to further appeal to the females whose CE influence and purchase power would strengthen their position in the evolving technology market. According to Philips’ research, 98 percent of women consider [...]

As the iPhone OS 3.0 will no doubt steal the blogosphere today, I thought it important to give some well deserved credit to the other white meat - the new PC debut, Adamo by Dell. There has been great anticipation to the official release and finally they are available today.
The Adamo, latin for “to fall in [...]

As the ultimate homage to fashion meets technology, the Japanese Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology unveiled a ‘fashion model robot‘ today. She is 5′ tall, 95 lbs, can speak, express emotions and walk with grace. She will hit the catwalk in Tokyo on March 23rd and likely many tradeshow floors shortly thereafter.

While the fascination with robots [...]

There are many facts supporting female’s power over purchases made in every B2C sector. Although, most of these studies don’t further segment women into those who drive the female consumer to make these choices. Just as in any other demographic segmentation there are those who influence and those who are influenced.
The strategic challenge becomes highly-complex [...]

Simple and direct has replaced complex and obscure.
Example: Flip sales figures and acquisition rumors this week.
Function and ease-of-use marry exclusivity and fashion.
Example: Fergie promoting HP usability. 
Reliability and convergence usurp bleeding edge.
Example: Engadget’s nod to Nokia for exploring the next big trend.
Consumer retention outweighs acquisition.
Example: Kodak’s new upsell technology released at PMA.
Insightful innovation leads ubiquitous invention.
Example: Intuitiveness of the [...]

If you missed Engadget Editor-in-chief Joshua Topolsky on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, you didn’t miss much. Their energized tête-à-tête at CES didn’t carry over to national television, it became a lovefest over the not-yet-available Palm Pre. As this type of mainstreaming of technology fascination becomes a staple on talk TV, it will be a creative challenge to bring the [...]

For all those who attended CES early this year, you may have noticed a celebrity comedian roaming the aisles - Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon and Engadget editor-in-chief Joshua Topolsky, put on a funny impromptu review discussing the PalmPre and the “not netbook, ultra-portable, coat pocket-fitting” Sony Vaio P. 

Obviously, this duo hit it off and Jimmy has [...]

GE’s interactive “Smart Grid technology” YouTube spot shows you how to create your own virtual Smart Grid - with only a printer, a webcam and a microphone. Impressive and a unique approach to connect consumers with the company’s value of innovation. The site is also visually engaging.

While working with consumer electronics brands, I’ve come upon varying degrees of sophistication in retail strategies. Many believe proposing endcap ideas and featured areas in retail environments is a great “added value,” but a luxury, not a necessity. Times have changed or more specifically, marketing channels need to be reprioritized.
A new study released today from [...]