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.

Review: D-Link 936L Wi-Fi Camera

Posted on 6 April 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

There are two distinct reasons why you’d consider buying a Wi-Fi security camera for your home: either to alert you if someone enters your space while you’re away, or to act as sort of a nanny cam to let you … Continue reading →

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Flashback 1948: Ampex Unveils First Magnetic Tape Recorder

Posted on 5 April 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Our modern AV world arguably all stems from a single product: the Ampex 200A, the first successful commercial magnetic audiotape recorder, which debuted 70 years ago this month. Read the rest of this post on Sound & Vision here.

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How did Xiaomi make such a great – and cheap – Wi-Fi security camera?

Posted on 26 March 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Wi-Fi security cameras usually come in two distinct varieties: either expensive ($150-$200) and a full-raft of features and options, or cheap (sub-$100) and – well, you get what you pay for in the end. With its Mi Home Security Camera, … Continue reading →

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Party & Sporty: Sony Targets The Young & Active With New Portable Audio

Posted on 20 March 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Sony officially announced a new splash-proof wireless in-ear bud with both active noise cancelation, along with a new series of behind-the-neck Bluetooth sport earphones and colorful portable Bluetooth/NFC speakers with flashing LED trim, all aimed squarely at the young and … Continue reading →

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What Will Be The Legacy of Legacy Formats?

Posted on 12 March 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Recent reports of the demise of the compact disc feature elegies tinged with funereal nostalgia for what was once a bold, new and literally shiny technology.  Those might as well have been elegies for all physical media including the CD’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Tech Consulting, music players/speakers, TV/4K/UHD/8K | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Samsung Bows Smarter, Prettier 2018 QLED TVs

Posted on 7 March 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Stressing beauty, size and functionality, along with a set of unique intelligence and aesthetic features, Samsung officially unveiled its 2018 QLED and Ultra HD TV lineup at a grandiose CES-style event at the American Stock Exchange building in lower Manhattan. … Continue reading →

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Review: ADT Home Security Starter Kit is a good start – if you add ADT monitoring

Posted on 6 March 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

The purpose of a home security system is to ease concerns about the safety of your castle and the people it houses. With a standard ADT system, the company installs your system – sensors, motion sensors, keypads, etc. – and … Continue reading →

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Selfie Journals & Viper Drones: Tech Toys Grow Up To Keep Up

Posted on 21 February 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Welcome to the future, where kids aren’t happy with toys that just … well, sit there. Now playthings must move on the ground and through the air and even speak of their own or user-programmed accord. This year’s Toy Fair … Continue reading →

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Thinking of Buying an Apple HomePod? Don’t.

Posted on 20 February 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Consider buying an Apple HomePod more of an investment bet than a practical purchase because, right now, it’s a pretty useless device. Like most gaudy objects, HomePod’s aural and aesthetic beauty blinds you of its practical near-worthlessness in comparison to … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, cell/smartphones, Gear Brain, music players/speakers, smart home | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toy Fair 2018: ‘Alexa, Play With Me’

Posted on 20 February 2018 by Stewart Wolpin

Like a puppy trailing a child, the toy industry often trails after the consumer electronics industry in integrating advanced technology into playthings. But at this year’s Toy Fair, Amazon Alexa voice-recognition, AR and VR, STEM/STEAM-oriented educational gear, 3D printing and … Continue reading →

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