Author Archives: Stewart Wolpin

About Stewart Wolpin

I have been writing about consumer electronics for four decades, including news, reviews, analysis and history for a wide variety of consumer, niche and trade outlets. For the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), I annually update the industry's history and write the official biographies of the CTA Hall of Fame inductees. Aside from writing about consumer technology for a variety of consumer, tech and trade publications, I write a blog and do market research for Digital Technology Consulting. In the non-tech world, I have written "Bums No More: The Championship Season of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers" and "The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle." Check out my work at www.stewartwolpin.com.

OTC Hearing Aids: A Retailers Guide, Part 1

Posted on 4 December 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

What, exactly, are “over-the-counter” hearing aids? What’s with all the FDA regulations? What are the types of products available? What is the retailer’s opportunity? Read the rest of this report here at TWICE.com.

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Cross-Industry Insights: 8 Lessons CPG CIOs Can Learn from Other Industries

Posted on 21 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Companies and industries traditionally find it easier to maintain a “this is the way we’ve always done it” attitude until forced to painfully pivot to new methods and new models. But in the wake of the pandemic and its aftershocks, … Continue reading →

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Smartphones 2024: Can Independent Retailers Get In The Business?

Posted on 20 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Psst! Hey, you, consumer technology retailer. Wanna sell smartphones? Yes, smartphones are still the best-selling consumer electronics devices, but the business isn’t exactly booming anymore. U.S. unit smartphone shipments have steadily declined from 140 million units in 2022 to a projected … Continue reading →

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CTA To Start Centennial Celebration At CES 2024

Posted on 17 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

As is its wont, the U.S. Congress determined it would levy a new 10% tax on the production of an exceptionally popular new tech device. And, unsurprisingly, the companies producing said new tech devices were unhappy with the prospect of … Continue reading →

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Reviewed: Elehear Alpha Pro – Affordable Multi-Function Hearing Aids

Posted on 10 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

The new Elehear Alpha Pro OTC ($999, now heavily discounted to $499) hearing aids capably amplify and clear up otherwise muddy sounds, especially voices, for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. With its Bluetooth music streaming and hands-free calling capabilities, the … Continue reading →

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Review: Sennheiser All-Day Clear – High-Quality Sound with a Catch

Posted on 6 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Sennheiser’s All-Day Clear over-the-counter (OTC) self-fitting hearing aids ($1,399), developed with Swiss hearing aid maker Sonova, present a conundrum. They have the potential to be the best OTC hearing aids that can also serve as Bluetooth headphones, producing excellent sound quality untuned … Continue reading →

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SmartTechCheck Podcast: AI @ Adobe MAX event, smart grids, and Elon Musk

Posted on 13 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

I join fellow tech journos John Quain, Rob Pegoraro, and host Mark Vena to take on Elon Musk’s feud with writers on Twitter/X, the AI-related announcements at Adobe MAX, and smart grids. Watch this podcast here on YouTube.

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Report: Consumers Willing To Pay More For Higher Quality Ear/Headphones

Posted on 12 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Here’s good news for consumer tech retailers: your customers actually want to spend more money on true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and headphones. According to a survey conducted by Qualcomm of 7,000 consumers in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, China, India, … Continue reading →

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AI Beginning To Infiltrate Increasingly Adult-Oriented Toy Market

Posted on 10 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

“Toys aren’t just for kids” is now more than just a tired truism within the toy industry. With an aging population combined with more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the so-called “kidult” and “elder toy” markets are slowly gaining prominence … Continue reading →

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Tested: Can Regular Bluetooth Earbuds Be Used as Hearing Aids?

Posted on 7 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

During this first year that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids became available, four major types of solutions for those with mild to moderate hearing loss have emerged: However, a potential fifth class of “hearing aid” has recently emerged – standard Bluetooth … Continue reading →

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