Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics, music, video, telephone, computer equipment
Still Have a Landline? Me Too.
On 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 [...]
Previous Stories
- 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 overheating, including one consumer [...] - 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, unwanted, [...] - Haier Moves Higher
August 13th, 2008Never heard of Haier? We think you’ll be hearing from them a lot in the next few years.
- 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 promoting [...] - 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,” [...] - 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. [...] - 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. [...]
- 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, listed by [...] - 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 [...] - 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) [...]
- 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 ccoker [...] - 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 bread [...] - 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.) But [...] - 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, [...]
- 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.
Hazard: The housing [...] - 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 DVD/CD/MP3 players can [...] - 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 used in the humidifier [...] - 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.
Manufacturer: Oki Data [...] - 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 signal from transmitters monitoring [...] - 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 [...] - 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 the DVD player. No [...] - 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 [...]
- 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 a [...] - 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 [...]
- Kodak Kills Flash
June 14th, 2007TechTalk discusses Kodak’s latest development, technology that may eliminate the need for flash in digital cameras.
- 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 18 reports of these boomboxes [...] - 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 protection devices are required [...] - 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 Holmes HT30 Oscillating Tower Fan.
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 [...]
