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Presents information related to 15 top consumer electronics and appliance retailers in the U.S., as of August 4, 2003. Information on the strategy adopted by the personal computer maker Gateway Inc. to transform itself into a retailer of consumer electronics; Details on the digital printing strategy of the specialty chain, Ritz Camera.

An industry report of the 360-degree camera market in the U.S. is presented with topics such as 360-degree video and live video streaming as well as three-dimensional virtual reality.

The article offers information about the imaging industry in the U.S., which is turning to a new potential growth category in 360-degree imaging and virtual reality cameras. Several topics being discussed include camera sales and diversification in the market as well as platforms for 360 content to drive consumer awareness. The CES 2017 tradeshow is also featured.

The article reports on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filed by U.S. specialty camera chain Ritz Camera. The company's assets and liabilities were valued between $100 million and $500 million. Other stores owned by the camera chain include Wolf Camera, Kits Cameras, Inkleys, the Camera Shops and the Boater's world chain. In 2008, the company earned nearly $1 billion in revenue, of which $580 million was generated by its consumer electronics and camera operations.

The article reports that the U.S. photo industry is hoping that the new camera technology will help it survive in the coming year. The bankruptcy filing of photo speciality chain Ritz Camera indicates declining revenues and would continue to impact more businesses within the industry. Despite the weak economy, digital camera makers continue to launch high-end camera models during the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show.

The article reports that retailers are seeing more consolidation in the consumer electronics industry in the U.S. as manufacturer and dealers deal with the economic downturn. During the annual TWICE Retail Roundtable held at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), closer partnership are needed in order to survive challenges in 2009. It was found that the top categories during the holidays include liquid crystal display (LCD) television, notebooks and MP3 players. The roundtable included Ross Rubin of the NPD Group and Dave Workman of PRO Group.

The article reports on the status of voice Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems in the consumer electronics market in the U.S. According to reports, VoIP continues to grow despite of the fact that manufacturers consider 2007 as the worst time for consumer electronics. However, despite the negative news, subscriber and revenue totals increased steadily because of advances by cable companies in rolling out digital voice services. It also adds that in the third quarter of 2007, VoIP providers added 1.5 million new lines, followed by the increase of its subscribers in the U.S. with 13.5 million.

This article reports on the plan of Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) to exit the digital camera business by 2008. The U.S. electronic company intends to sell through camera inventory during the holiday season and have an original equipment manufacturer partnership in place in the first half of the year. HP explained the move as a means to accelerate its investment in Print 2.0 initiatives including home and retail photo printing. The shift will cause the company to take a pre-tax charge of $30 million in its fiscal fourth quarter.

The article reports on the partnerships entered by Best Buy Co. Inc. and Target Stores Inc. with online photo sites to provide consumers with access to photo prints and merchandise online and in-store in the U.S. in 2007. It is noted that the partnerships, between Best Buy, Kodak Gallery, Target and Shutterfly, also mark the expansion of both the Gallery and Shutterfly into retail. According to Best Buy vice president Kevin Winneroski, the company will promote the online capability with in-store photo merchandise displays by its digital cameras in all of its stores. Meanwhile, the deal between Kodak and Target includes the creation of two co-branded Web sites.

The article examines the ability of Kodak to overturn the prevailing business model in the U.S. inkjet printer market. Analysts and vendors said that it depends on how quickly Kodak can gain market share and whether consumers are holding off on printing images because of costs. However, Marco Boer of I.T. Strategies said that despite Kodak's good entrance, it will be hard to know their impact because they are entering the inkjet printer market late. Vendors also point out that many of the cost-cutting approaches employed by Kodak are not new and they already have low-cost consumables to entice value shoppers.

The article provides information on the hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders launched by Sony at the International Consumer Electronics Shows in the U.S. in summer of 2006. According to the company's camcorder marketing director Linda Vuolo, Sony was prompted to develop said camcorders because of the launch of Internet video Web sites such as YouTube. Sony realized that consumers of such sites were establishing a video habits that were better served by high capacity HDD with easy personal computer connectivity. One of the launched camcorders is the industry's first 60GB camcorder DCR-SR80, which can record up to 41 hours of video in long-play mode.

Presents information on low-priced digital single-lens reflex digital cameras introduced in the U.S. consumer electronics market in March 2006. The availability of the hybrid DVC3500 digital still/video camera has been announced by Cobra Digital. The unit records video graphics array/30 fps MPEG-video and 3.1-megapixel still images. The unit features a 2-inch light temperature polycrystalline silicon color display, 6x digital zoom and an 16MB of internal memory with a secure digital card slot. While Sakar International launched its Cyber Gear Sticker Wizard KidzCam that includes three interchangeable camera face plates and can double as a personal computer-camera. And VistaQuest introduced a 5-megapixel VQ5020 camera that features a fixed focal length lens and 2.5-inch liquid crystal display.

The article reports on the launch of digital cameras at the 2006 Photo Marketing Association's trade show in the U.S. Samsung announced a camera with built-in HDMI output for connecting and outputting higher-resolution JPEG to high-definition televisions. Canon and Panasonic will offer cameras capable of capturing still images and video in a wide angle ratio for display on 16:9 screens. Sony will combine digital photography and HD viewing with a new hard-drive-based photo review designed to connect to HDTV with a component output.

This article reports on the decrease in the overall volume of digital prints in the U.S., as of January 2006. It discusses the macroeconomic factors responsible for the decrease, highlights of the Photo Marketing Association survey of photo printing activity, percentage of digital camera ownership in the region, online ordering as the largest growth market in digital printing, and the forecasts for the industry.

The article reports on the move of vendors to diversify their flash-memory storage products in the U.S. in 2006. Advanced Media will introduce an unbalanced SD card with a portion of the card encrypted for pre-loaded software applications or content. Ceiva will launch a photo frame/receiver with a 15-inch screen capable of displaying 100 photos at a time. Meanwhile, Imation will tackle the issue of misplaced and lost flash drivers with its Flash Wristbrand, a wearable Universal Serial Bus flash drive.

This article presents information on several imaging software for editing digital stills and video that will be introduced in the U.S. market in October 2005. Photoshop Elements 4.0 from Adobe incorporates new tools that allows consumers to select specific parts of photos for color, lighting and contrast adjustments. Premiere Elements 2.0 from Adobe also, features digital video-quality transfer over universal serial bus 2.0 and a new media downloader for transferring video from non-digital video devices. Corel Paint Shop Pro X features a revamped user interface that organizes software tools by task. Roxio introduced the eighth version of its Easy Media Creator digital media suite which lets users author CD and DVD, manage and edit photos and video and play digital music.

This article reports on the introduction of digital photo frames in the U.S. in 2005 that focus on personal computer-free viewing. Royal Consumer Information Products introduced the Royal Digital Picture Album and the Hot Shots keychain display. The frame will be available in 8-inch and 5.6-inch versions and are desktop or wall-mountable. Moreover, the Hot Shots keychain features a 1.1-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) and can store up to 56 digital photos on its internal memory. On the other hand, Westinghouse Digital Electronics added a digital photo frame to its LCD lineup. The 5.6-inch LCD frame can display single images or slideshows from camera memory cards. The frame is packaged with interchangeable mahogany, black or brushed aluminum frames.

This article features a line of photo printers and digital cameras released by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in the U.S. as of July 2005. The suite include a four-by-six inch photo printer with a built-in hard disk drive, a digital camera that docks directly to a four-by-six inch photo printer, a printer capable of producing a photo print in 14 seconds, and a brand for its four-by-six inch printers. The company has also integrated technology from its digital still cameras, called Real Life technologies, into the printers. Select models will automatically remove red-eye from imported images before printing them. The Photosmart 8250 can print a four-by-six inch photo in 14 seconds, black documents at up to 32 pages per minute (ppm) and a 30 ppm in color. The unit uses six individual ink tanks with a page completion feature which can estimate based on the print job how much ink will be required and notify users if they do not have enough ink to finish the print. The Photosmart 475 GoGo photo printer is the first photo printer on the market to integrate a 1.5-gigabyte hard disk drive, for storing images transferred from memory cards or a computer. HP will also take aim at the Kodak printer dock bundle with its own Photosmart 428 GoGo Photo Studio, which combines a four-by-six inch printer with a camera specifically designed to dock in the printer.

This article reports on the entry of AOL to the Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) market in the U.S. as April 2005. AOL has entered the VoIP market with Internet phone service that will be available initially in 40 markets. The offering, made possible through partnerships with Level 3 Communications and Sonus Networks. Among the first cities to have the service are Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Orlando, Florida; and New York City. According to AOL, additional cities will be added in the coming months. The service requires a broadband connection and a subscription to the AOL Internet service. The company is offering routers and adapters from both Linksys and Netgear. Users sign up for the service online and receive a welcome kit with instructions and either a terminal adapter or VoIP-enabled broadband router. Non-AOL members will be offered an introductory rate for the phone service and AOL broadband Internet service for $29.99 per month for the first six months and $39.99 thereafter. The offer includes unlimited local and long-distance calling within the U.S. and Canada. For current AOL members, the company is offering three calling plans each with three-month introductory pricing tor a $5 monthly savings.

This article reports on the launching of the voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)-enabled UIP1868 multi-handset cordless phone with Packet8 IP telephony service launched by Uniden and 8X8 in April 2005. The UIP 1868 is a digital system expandable to 10 handsets. The base station connects to a broadband modem to deliver VoIP calling to the accessory handsets. The unit only works over an IP connection. Moreover, the UIP 1868 is compatible with products of Uniden such as TCX800, TCX400, TCX440, CLX500 and ELT560 flip-phone accessory handsets. It offers caller identification, call waiting, handset speaker-phone and four-way conferencing. According to the agreement, Uniden and 8x8 will sell the phone through their respective retail channel partners for a suggested retail price of $199.99. Meanwhile, the Packet8 service offer unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada for $19.95 per month with voicemail, local number portability, unlimited in-network calling, call forwarding, E911 and call blocking.

This article reports on the introduction of several new models of digital cameras in the U.S. as of February 7, 2005. Seeking to draw an early spotlight, digital camera makers introduced several new 2005 models, principally courting the entry and mid-level consumer. Adesso announced its first slate of Umax-branded digital still and video cameras, aimed at the sub-$400 end of the market. The accessories manufacturer agreed to distribute, service and support Umax branded cameras in July 2004. The first fruits of that agreement ship in February 2005 in two lines. The AstraCani family will target more novice users while the PowerCam product line will offer more advanced features. Canon's latest PowerShot claims to live up to its namesake, consuming less power than its predecessor for an equal number than its predecessor for an equal number of shots. The 3.2-megapixel PowerShot A510 serves to replace the A75. The camera can take 300 photos with the LCD on, on a pair of AA batteries. Casio announced a new member in its Exilim Pro line, emphasizing a series of enhanced movie recording features that complement its still photo features. To complement the video recording, Casio incorporated several movie shooting modes and in-camera movie editing in the P505.

This article reports on three voice-over Internet protocol (IP) service providers that have partnered with Uniden to work with the company's IP-enabled UIP1868 multi-handset cordless telephone as of January 2005. Uniden's IP phone offering will be the first retail IP hardware programmed to work across several VoIP platforms in the U.S., in this case with the providers Primus, SunRocket and BroadVoice. According to CEO Al Silverberg, the company specifically eschewed exclusive partnerships in favor of as expansive an offering as possible. In contrast, other vendors like VTech have sought higher profile, yet exclusive, VoIP partnerships with Vonage and AT&T. All of the IP telephony hardware currently on the market--with the exception of Universal Serial Bus telephones for computer-based soft telephone applications--are programmed to place calls across only one network. If a user decides to switch service providers, they have to buy additional hardware, a situation Uniden sought to avoid by including as many as providers as possible in one product, Silverberg said. The UIP1868 can place calls over both the Public Switched Telephone Network and one of the three aforementioned IP networks, uses 5.8-gigahertz digital technology and is expandable up to 10 handsets. The base unit, which features a built-in terminal adapter, plugs into a broadband modem. It will ship in early 2005 for a suggested retail price of $199.

The article provides information on the digital cameras introduced by Concord and Olympus in the U.S. market in October 2004. As the holiday selling season hovers on the horizon, Concord and Olympus announced new additions to their digital camera lineups, setting their sites on a feature-driven consumer base. Concord introduced several new camera lines from 4-megapixel and 5- megapixel/3x optical zoom models to a $29.99 VGA camera. The 5-megapixel 5340z will ship in November and features a 2-inch LCD, MPEG-4 video capture at QVGA resolution up to 30 frames per second (fps), 16MB of internal memory and an SD card slot for a suggested $249.99. The 4-megapixel 43402 also ships in November and features a QVGA movie mode up to 24 fps, a long shutter mode up to eight seconds and a self-portrait mirror for a suggested $149.99. The company also refreshed its 3-megapixel lineup with three new models, two of which will sell for under $100. Olympus introduced a new digital camera and a series of interconnected peripherals aimed at liberating common imaging tasks from personal computer (PC) connectivity. Called the Olympus Total Imaging Solution, the introductions include a new digital camera, a hard drive, a 4-inch by 6-inch dye sublimation printer and forthcoming DVD burner. All, save the DVD burner, will ship in January 2005. No ship date was announced for the burner.

This article highlights the launch of several models of digital camera in the U.S. in September 2004. Canon expanded its lineup of consumer and pro digital cameras along with a new photo printer designed to connect to a television for computer-free digital photo viewing and printing. Among the new introductions is the new 5-megapixel SD20. It will ship in four new colors and it features an all-glass, fixed focal length lens, a 6.5x digital zoom and stainless steel and aluminum alloys exteriors. Concord demonstrated a new wireless image transfer technology for digital cameras called Wireless Image Transfer (WIT) at the Photokina photo trade show in Cologne, Germany in September 2004. The demo involves a prototype 2-inch by 2-inch WIT-enabled WiFi USB device that connects to a digital camera's USB port to wirelessly transmit images. The technology is being evaluated for use as a stand-alone accessory to a camera, as well as an integrated technology to produce a WiFi enabled camera. Olympus threw its hat into the consumer digital SLR ring with the announcement of the Evolt E-300, a model based off the Four Thirds System and employing the company's Zuiko Digital Specific family of interchangeable lenses. The E-300 will ship in December 2004. The 8-megapixel E-300 includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 14-45mm lens for a 3.2x optical zoom. It features five scene program modes and 15 select scene program modes with descriptions on the liquid crystal display to guide a user through using the various modes. Oregon Scientific landed the rights to the Barbie brand from Mattel Inc. and will introduce a new Barbie digital camera in November 2004. The VGA camera will sell for a suggested $34.99 and be initially available in Target. It offers 8MB of internal memory capable of storing 20 VGA images or 104 lower-resolution images.

U.S. camera manufacturer Fujifilm introduced five new digital cameras in August 2004, including a new product series aimed at repeat buyers looking to upgrade their older cameras. The new E-series models will fit between the company's A-series entry-level models and slim form factor F-series. The new cameras include the FinePix E500, E510 and E550. All three cameras feature a two-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, PictBridge compatibility and a 3.2x optical Fujinon wide-angle zoom lens. The company also added two models to its existing S-series of traditionally styled, ultra-zoom models. The S3100 and S5100 both feature 4.0 megapixel resolution with an improved viewfinder and LCD for low-light viewing. The S3100, which replaces the S3000, offers fully automatic exposure controls with a 6x optical/3.4x digital zoom. The S5100, which replaces the S5000, is equipped with manual controls and a 10x optical/3.6x digital zoom. Fujifilm also updated the specifications and announced availability for its high-end digital single-lens reflex camera, the FinePix S3 Pro. New features of FinePix S3 Pro include adjustable range and several film simulation modes.

This article reports that with the rapid roll out of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service from cable providers, telecommunication firms and start-ups will use wireless Wi-Fi networking to free telephone from wired modems and wired phones in 2004. Early entrants into the market will be Net2Phone, Viper Networks and Vonage. The underlying functionality of Wi-Fi VoIP is identical to standard VoIP, Voice calls are converted to data packets that are then sent over the Internet and finally onto the public switched telephone network. In the case of Wi-Fi telephony, the adapter will be built directly into the handset, allowing the phone to automatically convert voice to data packets that are transmitted to the Internet via an in-home or in-building wireless network or via a public wireless hot spot. Wi-Fi will deliver greater portability for VoIP users, letting consumers bring the phone to hot spots or wireless networks across the U.S., although it can not offer the true nationwide service of a mobile phone. Vonage will enter the Wi-Fi telephone market, though it will court a different demographic than IDT. It will be seeking early adopters who own their own wireless home networks.

This article reports that an increasing portion of sales are coming from DVD camcorders in the U.S. in 2004. According to Jeff Fochtman, product manager of home electronics division at Hitachi America, the DVD camcorder segment has taken the market lead for the first time in format share over $600. According to consumer data from NDP Group, overall unit sales are down 4.3 percent from June 2003 through May 2004 versus the year-ago period. Dollars are down more significantly, 13.5 percent, over the same period. Digital camcorders are becoming very popular and are replacing analog camcorders at a higher speed than the industry expected, not only at the low end, but at higher retail price points, according to Rudy Vitti, national marketing manager of optical group at Panasonic. Inside the MiniDV camcorder category, units with flash memory card slots are growing rapidly, with 32 percent of the units sold through May 2004 having slots, up 29 percent from 2003. According to a Canon spokesman, the ability to take quality still images with the camcorder is becoming an important step-up feature for high-end customers. He noted that the company was planning a full-court marketing press through the end of 2004 to emphasize Canon camcorders' still capability.

This article reports on the test marketing of voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony in the U.S. Circuit City's announcement that it would sell Vonage's self-installed VoIP kit marks the first national rollout of a VoIP product at retail. VoIP accounts for only a fraction of the residential telecommunications market,but it has been steadily gaining subscribers. Major retailers are test marketing VoIP products in partnership with pure-lay VoIP service providers and anticipate partnering with cable multi-system operators. Best Buy has been test-marketing Vonage in Minnesota, California and Florida. RadioShack has been testing Vonage in the greater Philadelphia market. CompUSA began test marketing Viper Networks' vPhone product, a phone that connects to a computer to place VoIP calls. VoIP works by converting analog voice signals to data and sending that data as packets over the Internet. That data is then reconverted to analog voice signals to travel over regular phone lines to its final destination. The Vonage service lets consumers with broadband Internet access make local, toll and domestic long distance calls over the Internet using their regular landline home phone.

This article presents information on the T-Flash cellular phone memory card introduced by SanDisk in the U.S. The card combines the space-saving benefit of embedded flash memory with the flexibility of removable flash-storage cards. It allows handset manufacturers to incorporate significant amounts of removable storage capacity into small handsets. The company also envisions retailers selling memory upgrades at the point of purchase. T-Flash will differ from other removable cards geared toward cellphones. T-Flash memory cards are meant to be semi-permanent. They will be inserted beneath a phone's battery, not inserted into an external slot. For that reason, the cards will be used to store applications meant to reside on a phone for long periods. Executive Rex Sabio said the T-Flash card is ideal to transport subscriber data and settings from an older T-Flash enabled phone to a new one or if a user finds himself in need of more memory, the cards provide a way to increase a phone's storage capacity. T-Flash has about half the footprint of a SIM card and features built-in content protection for content downloads. The first phones scheduled to ship with T-Flash memory are the E1000 and A1000 from Motorola.

Presents information on various digital cameras introduced at the Purchasing Management Association 2004 show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cost of the Eye-Q 5062 from Concord; Features of the EX-P600 Exilim Pro from Casio; Models of DiMAGE brand from Konica-Minolta.

Reports on several issues raised during the retail roundtable organized by the U.S. periodical "This Week in Consumer Electronics" at the International Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada in January 2004. Sales in December 2003; Product shortages during the 2003 holiday season; Convergence in the consumer electronic and information technology markets.

Reports on the decision of Canon to introduce digital single lens reflect (SLR) cameras. Condition of the film-based SLR market; Number of digital SLR cameras sold in the U.S. in 2003; Retail price of the EOS Digital Rebel camera.

Discusses issues on the implementation of wireless local number portability (LNP) to consumers in the U.S. in 2003. Deadline set for wireless carriers to offer LNP to consumers; Reaction of the Wireless Carrier Group (WCG) to the implementation; Members of WCG; Claim by WCG on a carrier's ability to remind customers of any outstanding obligations before terminating a contract; Reason telecommunication carriers are able to recover some of their up front investment in the customer without additional cost.

Provides information on cameras introduced by several vendors in August 2003 in New York. 8-megapixel camera for advanced amateurs from Sony; EOS Digital Rebel camera from Canon; DX6490 camera from Kodak.

Announces the launching of digital video disc-based Handycam camcorders from Sony in New York in 2003. Introduction of the company's MiniDV camcorder during a press conference in August 2003; Features of the camcorders; Prices.

Deals with the plan of cable multiple system operators to offer phone service and equipment through retailers according to analysts and manufacturers in the U.S. Move of cable companies to consider retail in selling voice services and equipment; Details on the triple play bundle according to Vamsi Sistla, senior technology analyst at ABI Research of the Oyster Bay in New York; Information on a cable modem installed by PacketCable.

Reports on the exhibition of various consumer electronics products related to imaging peripherals at Photo Marketing Association Show in the U.S. Demand of digital camera peripherals; Introduction of inkjet photo paper by Konica Corp.; Launch of JumpDrive USB portable storage devices by Lexar.

Presents information about the Photo Marketing Association show held in Las Vegas, Nevada during the week starting March 2, 2003. Announcement made by electronics company Sony Corp. regarding its sale of print kiosks; Brief information about digital cameras introduced by Canon Inc.

Reports on Photo Marketing Association's 79th annual international trade show and convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Number of exhibitors who are expected to arrive; Expected dominance of digital camera; Industries that will take part in the show.

Reports on the launch of various home phones by telecommunication companies at the Consumer Electronics Show held in the United States. Introduction of analog phones targeted to individual rooms in a house by Atlinks; Details of accessories included with the KX-TG5100M handset of Panasonic Co.; Inclusion of integrated digital answerer in an analog cordless phone launched by U.S. Electronics Inc.

Features several digital cameras being release for the fourth quarter of 2002 in New York. Availability of the HP Photosmart 850 digital camera from Hewlett-Packard Co.; Price of the Coolpix 3500 camera from Nixon Inc.; Specifications of the PDR-2300 from Toshiba Corp.

Reports the amendment of the Wireless Local Number Portability (WLNP) bill by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Impact of the bill in the wireless communication industry; Views of the customers on local number portability; Costs of implementing WLNP.

Reports the marketing of cordless telephone from Uniden and VTech in New York. Features of the device; Retail price; Transmission of voice data.

Announces the debut of the xD-Picture Card, a flash memory format in the U.S. Collaboration of Olympus and Fujifilm in developing the format; Comment of flash memory manufacturers on the launch of the format; List of the six memory formats.

Introduces the Powershot A200 camera from Canon Inc. at the Personal Computer Expo in New York. Features of the camera; Advantage of the portable dye-sublimation printer; Capability of the single-focal length autofocus.

Introduces the Digital Video Disc (DVD) camcorder, a DVD multidrive and priced blank DVD-RAM from Panasonic in New York. Features of the product design; Advantage of the random access memory; Cost of the DVD-RAM.

Reports the introduction of 3-megapixel cameras by Olympus in Melville, New York. Schedule for the shipment; Features of the products; Price offerings.

Reports the introduction of camcorders DCR-TRV950 Mini DV Handycam and DCR-PC101 by Sony Corp. in San Diego, California. Price offerings; Product features; Design of the camcorders.

Report the increase in subscriber activations of DirecTV network in New York. Contribution of the standoff between Yes Network and Cablevision network; Percentage of the increased activations; Negotiation on the New York Yankees game coverage between Yes Network and Cablevision.