Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics, music, video, telephone, computer equipment
Recall:Re-announcement of Coby Electronics Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Player – Low Return Rate and Additional Reports of Fires
Name of Product: Rechargeable Batteries sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players Units: About 32,600; 13,000 previously recalled in October 2008 and 19,600 in October 2009 Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Lake Success, N.Y. Hazard: The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics has received 32 reports of the battery overheating. [...]
Previous Stories
- Daewoo Sale
January 26th, 2010(Reuters) Creditors of South Korea’s Daewoo Electronics have chosen five candidates including Electrolux (ELUXb.ST) and Ripplewood to buy the appliance maker in a preliminary bidding, a local media report said. It is the fourth attempt to sell creditors-owned Daewoo Electronics, once a flagship of the failed Daewoo Group. MoneyToday said that Daewoo’s creditors shortlisted five [...]
- Shopping for an Air Conditioner?
December 1st, 2009Shopping for a new air conditioner? maybe one of these. Shop safely with Appliance.Net Soleus LX-140 14000 BTU Portable Air ConditionerDigital Controls – With Timer – With Automatic Shut-Off – Width: 23 in – With Heater Function 8 Sellers ($467.99 to $594.99) Sunpentown 9000 BTU Portable Air ConditionerCooling Area: 250 sq.ft – Energy Efficiency Ratio: [...]
- Recall: Wal-Mart Announces Expansion of Durabrand DVD Players Recall Due to Fire Hazard
September 27th, 2009Name of Product: Durabrand DVD Players. (The August 20 recall of the silver Durabrand DVD player has been expanded to include the pink and purple-colored versions of the same DVD player.) Units: About 4.2 million (1.5 million were previously announced) Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark. Hazard: The DVD player’s circuit board can overheat, [...]
- Flat Screen Shopping? Read On…
September 16th, 2009Americans may be curbing spending across the board, but many are still willing to lay down their dollars for a certain kind of luxury – the high-tech kind that hangs on the wall of your family room and makes you feel like you’re right there on the field at your favorite sporting event. Even though [...]
- Recall: Wii Battery Recharge Stations by Griffin International Due to Burn and Fire Hazards
August 20th, 2009Name of Product: Psyclone Essentials and React Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations Units: About 220,000 Distributor: Griffin International Cos., Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn. Hazard: The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard to the consumer. Incidents/Injuries: Six incidents of overheating have been reported to the firm. Two consumers reported minor burns to [...]
- MicroFridge-Sized and Designed for the Dorm Room
August 11th, 2009MicroFridge, the industry leader in compact specialty appliances, today introduced the next generation in small space convenience. The new product line includes patent-pending Safe Plug® technology and also features a Dual Outlet Charge Station that enables people to safely and conveniently charge a range of popular electronic devices such as laptop computers, MP3 players, cell [...]
- Hannspree’s New LCD TV
June 29th, 2009From TWICE Hannspree North America introduced Monday a 25-inch FullHD 1080p LCD TV as the first offering in its mainstream ST series line. Model ST251MKB, which carries a $400 suggested retail, will be available exclusively at Costco and will be followed by larger models later this year. Hannspree’s ST-series LCD televisions feature an all-black design [...]
- Recall: Best Buy- Certain Insignia 26-Inch Flat-Panel LCD Televisions Due to Fire Hazard
April 4th, 2009Name of Product: Insignia 26-inch flat-panel LCD model IS-LCDTV26 televisions Units: About 13,300 Importer: Best Buy Co. Inc., of Richfield, Minn. Hazard: The television’s power supply can fail, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Best Buy has received two reports of fires that included damage to the television and wall. One consumer [...]
- Pioneer Leaving the TV Business
March 6th, 2009While Pioneer will remain in the home electronics business, focusing on audio products, DJ equipment and cable TV set-top boxes, they have, as reported in Twice.com, announced their intention to quit the television market by March 2010. They plan to emphasize “‘sound’ as they take advantage of extensive audio technologies and expertise developed over the [...]
- Study Shows Consumers are Interested in Smart, “Connected” Appliances
January 30th, 2009In the not too distant past, it was the stuff of science fiction for people to have “smart” homes – those houses that lit up and co-ordinated timers, alarms, coffeemaker and dinner each day as you awoke in the morning and arrived home at night. Today a study by Connected Home Research Council (formerly the [...]
- Netflix and LG get Together
January 12th, 2009I have to admit that I have a fairly low tech house. We are unquestionably the last house on the block to have the thinnest HD TV, but yet we still have more clutter around the television than we should. At last count there were two remotes, the Wii with its remotes and nunchucks, DVD [...]
- Sharper Image is Back
January 9th, 2009Remember the vibrating chair and the nose hair trimmers? Sharper Image, the company who filed for bankruptcy and closed its stores in 2008, is remaking itself and has plans for a comeback. This time, Sharper Image will be selling a variety of home electronics under their Sharper Image name, but in independent stores nationwide, [...]
- LG Electronics Wants YOU!
January 2nd, 2009LG electronics has been around since 1958 when it was established as Goldstar. In 1995 it changed its name to LG Electronics. It has spent most of those years as a quiet second (or even third) choice electronics option or most people. That it already changing. Now Andrew Barrett, LG’s vice-president, marketing, for LG Electronics [...]
- Made in China – PR Problem?
December 29th, 2008“Made in China” I search for this phrase daily now as I shop for my family. When my son was only three, he would search for it on his toys and we would all joke about how everything we owned was made in China. Now I’m trying to avoid these imported products. I, like so [...]
- Consumers are Letting it be Known – They Want Green Electronics
December 26th, 2008If you’ve been searching for a greener television, help might soon be at hand. The consumer electronics industry is listening to research from a September 2008 study: Going Green: An Examination of the Green Trend and What it Means to Consumers and the CE (consumer electronics) Industry. This study finds that 89 percent of households [...]
- Stop Playing Games and Save Energy
December 15th, 2008We’re all trying to save money these days. Using less energy by turning off lights and lowering your thermostat are goo ways to cut down on your energy bill, but here is a small step that can help you save a little more – Turn of your Wii, or Xbox when you are done playing. [...]
- Consumers Like Touch Screen Technology
December 10th, 2008My Oven has it and so does my new phone – touch screen technology is becoming hugely popular. Apple started it with the iphone and now manufacturers of everything from consumer electronics to white goods are trying to keep up. The cell phone industry in particular wants to compete with Apple’s iphone. “Consumers are looking [...]
- Need Help with Technology? You’re not Alone.
December 8th, 2008So many wonderful new gadgets. So many user handbooks to read. Some 48% of technology users usually need help from others to set up new devices or to show them how they function. “Struggles with modern gadgetry mean less engagement with the services they enable,” said John B. Horrigan, Associate Director of the Pew Internet [...]
- LG, Sharp, Chunghwa to Plead Guilty to Price-Fixing
November 24th, 2008LG Display Co. Ltd., Sharp Corp. and Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd., three leading Asian electronics manufacturers, have agreed to plead guilty to price-fixing and pay a total of 585 million dollars in fines, the US Department of Justice announced Wednesday. South Korea’s LG Display will pay the largest fine, 400 million dollars, the second-highest criminal [...]
- Still Have a Landline? Me Too.
October 27th, 2008On a recent Sat- urday night while my hus- band and I sat watch- ing a movie, my home was invaded by two men looking for a quick steal. I surprised them in action and they ran off empty handed. The first thing I did as they ran away was grab the landline phone we [...]
- Recall: Sony Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard
October 7th, 2008Name of Product: Certain VAIO TZ-series Notebook Computers Units: About 73,000 Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc., of San Diego, Calif. Hazard: Irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or a dislodged screw inside the hinge can cause a short circuit and overheating. This poses a burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Sony has received 15 reports of [...]
- LG Launches Recycling Program
August 18th, 2008Once you’ve picked out the perfect new DVD player or television, you need to plan for the disposal of your old ones. If your outgoing model was made by LG, that task might just have gotten a bit easier. ”The LG Electronics Recycling Program provides consumers with a free and convenient way of recycling their used, [...]
- Haier Moves Higher
August 13th, 2008Never heard of Haier? We think you’ll be hearing from them a lot in the next few years. Related Reading:
- Save Energy and Save Money or Not?
July 25th, 2008Energy costs are going up and we’re surrounded by warnings of global warming. What’s a conscien-tious consumer to do? Buy an energy efficient appliance of course. From washing machines that use steam instead of hot water, to refrigerators that use low-energy compressors, to low-power computer screens, electronics companies are furiously developing energy-efficient products and heavily [...]
- Recycle Your Old Monitor and Other Electronics
June 6th, 2008Best Buy will take and recycle your unwanted appliances free of charge. One hundred seventeen stores in the Baltimore, San Francisco, and Minnesota areas are welcoming customers to bring in no more than two units per day, per household, for recycling at no charge. Customers can bring in items such as televisions and monitors up to 32-inches, [...]
- Pioneer’s High Definition TV
May 20th, 2008Pioneer Electronics announces a new line of KURO plasma displays featuring black levels five times deeper than the previous award-winning KURO. “The introduction of this year’s KURO televisions is another step toward our ultimate goal of pure, absolute black that will fulfill the true potential and all the promise of high-definition entertainment,” said Paul Meyhoefer, [...]
- Advice for Buying a High-Def TV
May 8th, 2008If you are shopping for a high-def TV, you’ll need to decide which type you’d like. Will you go for LCD(liquid crystal display), plasma, or HD rear projection microdisplay? Let us offer some information and advice to make your decision a little easier. LCD These televisions are thin and lightweight with bright picture contrast. That [...]
- I sing the body electric – Linemen fly to keep your microwave humming
April 15th, 2008I realize that every job probably gets routine after a while, but some jobs probably get the juices flowing more than others. Here’s one that that keeps the juice flowing to all of us. glumbert.com – High Power Job So I did a bit of research, and hey its the real deal. YOU probably encounter [...]
- Analog TVs Being Tossed Out Next Year
April 11th, 2008According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), about 15 million televisions will be replaced by 2010 because over-the-air reception will no longer be available beginning next year. The study also says that about 95% of those TVs will be sold, recycled or donated. Forty-eight percent of households plan to keep their televisions and [...]
- Convert Your Mom to Digital TV
April 10th, 2008With the biggest change in over-the-air television since the 1930′s coming in February 2009, some seniors may need to take steps to continue watching their favorite programs once the digital television transition is complete. To encourage baby boomers to help their elderly parents, relatives, and neighbors get ready, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® enlisted actress [...]
- Appliance Design Magazine’s Excellence in Design Winners Announced
April 8th, 2008Appliance Design magazine has announced the winners of its 21st Annual Excellence in Design competition. Entrants were evaluated by an independent panel of three experts in the field of design. The products were judged by four criteria: aesthetics, human factors, innovation, and technical merits. Products were entered into one of several categories. The winning entries, [...]
- Consumers Fail to Properly Back-up Digital Libraries
April 4th, 2008Americans are not backing up their digital photos, music, documents or other types of files, according to a new study released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. Results of the study, Amassing Digital Fortunes: A Digital Storage Study, show that nearly one in three consumers don’t see the need to back up their files, [...]
- Tip: How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard
March 20th, 2008Computer keyboards are one of the dirtiest, germiest surfaces in the house. (So is the mouse.) Take a few minutes to clean your keyboard using supplies you probably already have around – just unplug it first. Next, turn it over a trash can and lightly shake out any dirt or dust that has accumulated. Clean [...]
- LG and GE to Share Patents
March 17th, 2008News from appliancemagazine.com a trade magazine, reports: LG Electronics has entered into a cross licensing agreement with GE Consumer & Industrial that will allow LG and GE to use one another’s patents for refrigerators and cooking appliances without paying licensing fees. “We believe that this licensing arrangement with GE will enhance our ability to deliver [...]
- Buying an MP3 Player?
March 4th, 2008There are so many MP3 players out there, how do you know what to look for when you’re out shopping? One of the first things to decide is how much you want the player to hold. If you are using it for music, how many songs do you want on it? Gigabites(GB) are the units [...]
- Nutone Door Answering System
January 20th, 2008If you need hands-free security and media access in a compact unit, Nutone’s drop-down monitor will fit neatly under your kitchen cabinets. The system comes with one camera. A second camera (either recessed or surface-mount) can be added to monitor the back door. Lower the color LCD panel to watch cable TV with the integrated cable [...]
- Slow Cooker Tips
December 27th, 2007The wind is blowing here, the temperature is dropping and we’re expecting rain. On days like this we look forward to hot, comforting dinners. A slow cooker (Crock-pot is one brand) is a convenient way to have that satisfying dinner ready when you come home at night. Here are some helpful tips for making your slow [...]
- How a TV Works
December 25th, 2007If you have ever wondered how your television works, HowStuffWorks has just what you are looking for. They cover the basic technology in the back of your TV: the four parts, electron gun, steering coils, phosphorus screen, and steering coil. It’s so much easier to understand if you watch the video.
- Toastmaster Bread Machine Review
December 19th, 2007AmericanChronicle offers this review of the toastmaster bread machine which is an option if you are looking for a less expensive bread machine than the Cuisinart that we reviewed here. A Toastmaster bread machine is cheap to buy. This combined with their standard features makes these appliances attractive to buyers. But there are other cheap [...]
- Great Gadgets for Holiday Giving?
December 16th, 2007Today’s Los Angeles Times reviewed some interesting devices for the health conscious. Here’s one of their reviews for the Tanita Ironman Body Composition Monitor If you’re planning to give someone a scale for the holidays, you’ve already shown a willingness to take risks. (Certain people would see a gift-wrapped scale as an invitation for violence.) [...]
- Finding Your Inner Guide – or at Least a PDF Manual
December 13th, 2007I recently overhead someone ask a friend: ‘how did we ever find out anything before Google?’. I gave away my internet age when I said “with altavista” and added for good measure – in a gopher guide. But nevertheless, the point stands. Google is just the greatest mindshare search tool, but its just a gateway [...]
- Heater Safety
December 5th, 2007As the days get colder, many people are bringing their electric heaters out for the season. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the “best source of information about home appliances and the industry www.heatersafety.org. Tip number seven is one people might not be aware of: Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or [...]
- Great Music, Great Gift
November 26th, 2007The Sansa Shaker is a little, pink or blue, kid’s dream come true. I’ve listened to it with my kids-it comes with ports for two headsets- and the sound is fabulous! It retails for around $29-$39 depending on the memory you want. Check out a comprehensive review at TechTalk.net. This MP3 player is fun, easy [...]
- Recall: Yamaha Recalls AC Power Adaptors Due to Electric Shock Hazard
November 11th, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Yamaha AC Power Adaptors Units: About 49,000 Distributor: Yamaha Corporation of America, of Buena Park, Calif. [...]
- Recall: Coby Electronics Recalls DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard
November 10th, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players Units: About 12,000 Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y. Hazard: The portable [...]
- Recall: Hunter Fan Recalls Humidifiers for Fire Hazard
November 7th, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Warm Mist Carefree Humidifier Units: About 84,000 Manufacturer: Hunter Fan Co., of Memphis, Tenn. Hazard: Water [...]
- Recall: Digital Color Printers by Oki Data Americas Due to Risk of Electrical Shock
October 30th, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: C9600 Series Digital Color Printers Units: About 400 Importer: Oki Data Americas, of Mount Laurel, N.J. [...]
- Recall:Home Automation Inc. Recalls Wireless Receivers Due to Failure to Receive Security Signal
October 24th, 2007The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: 64 Zone Wireless Receivers Units: About 200 Manufacturer: Home Automation Inc., New Orleans, La. Hazard: If the receiver loses power, it could fail to receive the [...]
- 299 Bananas = New Stereo?
October 16th, 2007Can this be true? In 1986, Silo (a chain of home electronics stores) ran a television commercial in 23 markets nationwide, offering stereos for “299 bananas.” They never thought anyone would take them at their word; after all, “banana” is a widely accepted, if playful, term for greenbacks. Who could possibly mistake one for the [...]
- Recall:Toshiba Recalls AC Adapters sold with Portable DVD Players Due to Burn Hazard
October 10th, 2007Name of Product: Toshiba AC Adapters Sold with Portable DVD Players Units: About 142,000 Distributor: Toshiba America Consumer Products LLC, of Wayne, N.J. Hazard: The AC adapters can fail, causing the portable DVD player to overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received two reports of minor damage to the bottom of [...]
- Green Light to Hidden Energy Costs?
October 9th, 2007I have often thought that the little green lights on the computers, monitors and printers in my home office were handy little night lights but today I started seeing them differently. Warren Swil writes in the Los Angeles Times Opinion Section about the tremendous amount of energy that is wasted by leaving appliances on in [...]
- She’s Willing to Eat a Little Burnt Toast
September 11th, 2007I know some people have those toasters with the slots on top that pop the toast up, and I remember having a toy one for my play kitchen as a child, but as an adult with a family to feed, I always choose a toaster oven over the pop-up. My mother had a toaster oven [...]
- High End Appliances – Chef Included
September 5th, 2007If you have recently spent some time feeling baffled by the many options on a new appliance, you are not alone. Some folks have even sought help with their entire kitchen. Maybe not a bad idea. The Los Angeles Times writes: With sophisticated, professional-quality appliances and high-design gizmos going into residential kitchens, many would-be home [...]
- The $2,000 Digital Post-it Note
August 21st, 2007Are folks really willing to pay for what they say they want in an appliance? Apparently not. The OC Register has some thoughts on cool but pricy features that are appearing on kitchen appliances. In 2002, for example, Whirlpool Corp. introduced Polara, which combined refrigeration with a convection oven. Polara would keep a casserole cool until [...]
- Can KitchenAid Stand up to the Grind?
July 23rd, 2007One of the easiest ways I have found to get calcium and vitamins into my kids is to offer them smoothies as an after school snack.I just throw a variety of frozen fruit, yogurt and some milk into the blender and produce a treat they love. This is a great time of year to pull [...]
- Finding Your Inner Guide – or at Least a PDF Manual
July 12th, 2007I recently overhead someone ask a friend: ‘how did we ever find out anything before Google?’. I gave away my internet age when I said “with altavista” and added for good measure – in a gopher guide. But nevertheless, the point stands. Google is just the greatest mindshare search tool, but its just a gateway [...]
- Kodak Kills Flash
June 14th, 2007TechTalk discusses Kodak’s latest development, technology that may eliminate the need for flash in digital cameras. Related Reading:
- Recall: Coby Boombox
April 27th, 2007Coby Electronics Recalls Boomboxes Due to Fire Hazard Name of product: Coby-Brand USB/MP3/CD Boomboxes Units: About 13,800 Importer: Coby Electronics Corp., of Maspeth, N.Y. Hazard: When left plugged into an electrical outlet and the off switch is not firmly in place, these boomboxes can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Incidents/Injuries: Coby Electronics Corp. has received [...]
- Recall: Version-X Hair Dryers
January 30th, 2007Name of product: Travel’N Baby Mini Hair Dryers Units: About 18,000 Importer: Detour Corp., doing business as Version-X, of Studio City, Calif. Distributor: Metropolis Beauty Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif. Hazard: These electric hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection plug to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Electric shock [...]
- Recall: Holmes Group Tower Fans Fire Hazard
January 29th, 2007Name of product: Holmes® Oscillating Tower Fans Units: About 300,000 Distributor: The Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass. Hazard: Electrical arcing in the fan’s wiring can cause a fire hazard. Incidents/Injuries: The Holmes Group has received 16 reports of property damage, including one reported injury involving minor burns and smoke inhalation. Description: The recall involves the [...]
- Can You Hear Me Now? Amplified Phone Market to Grow As Boomers Age.
June 26th, 2006Earlier this month, the news reported the latest craze, cellphone Ringtones that only teens can hear. The National Public Radio (NPR) article Teens Turn ‘Repeller’ into Adult-Proof Ringtone describes how: The war between teens and authority figures has a new — or old — front: ears. British shopkeepers tired of teenage loiterers have turned to [...]
