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CTA Centennial

April 16, 2024, was the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CTA (Consumer Technology Association), which started as the RMA (Radio Manufacturers Association). This is a series of essays I have written for TWICE exploring and celebrating CTA’s and the consumer technology industry’s first century of invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

These essays have been assembled from varying technology historical research and writings I have done over the course of 20-plus years, including from an annually updated industry history for CTA’s now-defunct Digital America, 20-plus years of CTA Hall of Fame inductee biographies, and numerous tech history articles for a variety of publications over the years.

Part 1 (1924-1929): Founding

Herbert H. Frost: CTA’sGeorge Washington

Part 2 (1930-1945): David Sarnoff

Part 3 (1946-1960): The TV Age

Part 4 (1961-1974): The Sixties

Interlude: Jack Wayman, Our Industry’s Indispensable Exec

Part 5a (1975-1985): A Decade of Disruption – Home Video Revolution

Part 5b (1975-1985): A Decade Of Disruption – Personal Audio Revolution

Part 5c (1975-1985): A Decade of Disruption – Personal Computing

Part 5d (1975-1985): A Decade of Disruption – 1984 ‘Phones It In’

Part 5e (1975-1985): A Decade of Disruption – 1984: Hollywood Loses The Battle Against Home Video – But Wins The War

Part 6a (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Recording Media

Part 6b (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Video Games

Part 6c (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Airways (Part 1)

Part 6c (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Airways (Part 2)

Part 6d (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Compression

Part 6e (1985-2000): Platform Wars – Digital Photography

Part 6f (1985-2000): Platform Wars – DVD

Part 6g (1985-2000): Platform Wars – HDTV (Part 1)

Part 6g (1985-2000): Platform Wars – HDTV (Part 2)

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Happy 100th Birthday, Consumer Technology Business

Celebrating the 100th birthday of the consumer technology industry with the story behind how and why our business came to be and of those responsible for creating it, in five parts:

Part 1: The Wireless Age

Part 2: A National Priority

Part 3: A Pittsburgh Radio Sensation

Part 4: The Birth of a Business

Part 5: “When The Public Is Ready For Mass Demand”

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How the Consumer Technology Industry Was Born

What we now call the consumer technology industry was born November 30, 1920, when the first consumer electronics product, the two-piece RA-DA, the first commercially produced radio designed for the mass market, rolled off the Westinghouse assembly line in East Pittsburgh. After a two-year period of hectic technological, business and legislative/regulatory developments following the end of World War I, the Westinghouse RA-DA and the entire radio industry emerged, becoming the dominant consumer technology product for three decades. On the centennial of our industry, let’s take a look at the events of 1919-1920 that cleared the way for the future.

Part 1: The Day Radio Died

Part 2: How the Consumer Technology Industry Was Almost Never Born

Part 3: How President Wilson Shaped the Airways

Part 4: Happy 100th Birthday To The Consumer Technology Industry

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New Near Field MEMS Micro Speaker Announced By xMEMS Labs

Company claims full range sound output for small mobile devices from all-silicon 1mm thin piezo MEMS micro speaker.

Read the rest of this news here at TWICE.com.

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AirPods Pro 2 as Hearing Aids Review: Revolutionary, but Flawed

Apple has just proven what I’ve asserted for years: there is no reason why hearing aids, OTC or prescription, have to cost $1,000 or more. For just $250, AirPods Pro 2 now perform as self-fitting hearing aids that provide crystal clear amplified sound for both ambient sound as well as Bluetooth music listening and phone calls.

Read the rest of this review here at Techlicious.

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The Right Way to Set up Your AirPods Pro 2 as Hearing Aids

With the iOS 18.1 update, Apple has redefined what its AirPods Pro 2 ($250) can do, officially transforming them into FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) self-fitting hearing aids. For iPhone users with mild to moderate hearing loss, this upgrade provides an easy way to enhance your hearing for a low cost – or no-cost if you already own AirPods Pro 2.

Read the rest of this set-up guide here at Techlicious.

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Shapiro: Trump Tariffs And Biden Regulation Both Bad For Industry

CTA’s CEO expresses industry’s displeasure with projected policies of the incoming administration and those potentially remaining from the outgoing administration.

Read the rest of this story at TWICE.com.

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October Prime Day 2024 Android Smartphone Deals: Discounts Up to 50% Off

Don’t miss the bargains on basic, premium, foldable, rugged, or ready-for- overseas-travel Android phones.

Read the rest of this roundup here at BestProducts.com.

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Versuni Enters North American Market With Small Appliance Portfolio

Beginning with Philips-branded coffee and espresso makers, Versuni’s brand portfolio will expand with air fryers and garment cleaning devices in the coming months.

Read the rest of this story here at TWICE.com.

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Will the AirPods Pro 2 Make Good Hearing Aids?

Sometime in the next few weeks – or sooner – Apple will release a software update that will transform its popular AirPods Pro 2 into official FDA-authorized over-the-counter (OTC) self-fitting hearing aids.

So, if you think you need hearing aids, should you wait for the software upgrade or go ahead and buy a “normal” dedicated hearing aid, such as the new Sony CRE-C20 or one of the current Bluetooth-enabled OTC hearing aids such as the HP Hearing Pro?

Read the rest of this story here at Techlicious.com.

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Review: Sony’s New CRE-C20 Are the Best OTC Hearing Aids I’ve Tested

My biggest complaint about Sony’s first OTC hearing aids, the CRE-C10, was the in-ear buds being powered by annoying and tiny single-use hearing aid batteries.

Problem solved for Sony’s second generation CRE-C20 ($999.99).

Read the rest of this review here at Techlicious.com.

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Could Apple Disrupt OTC Hearing Aid Business?

Pending software update will turn tens of millions of $250 AirPods Pro 2 into OTC hearing aids, which could force other makers to reconsider pricing and product.

Read the rest of this report here at TWICE.com.

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Tweeter Co-Founder Sandy Bloomberg Has Died

Starting with a $10,000 investment and a 1,000-square-foot space, Bloomberg grew Tweeter into the largest high-end specialty retailer in the country.

Read the rest of this obit here at TWICE.com.

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