SmartTechCheck Podcast: OTC Hearing Aids, Starlink, Elon Musk, macOS Ventura, Continuity Camera

Posted on 31 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

I, host Mark Vena, and my fellow tech journalist John Quain take on OTC hearing aids, Starlink, LinkedIn user “experimentation” and macOS Ventura’s Continuity Camera feature on this week’s SmartTechCheck podcast.

Watch the podcast here on YouTube.

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P&G Innovates Data-Driven Sustainability Roadmap

Posted on 27 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Sustainability has become a fashionable corporate concept at times, and consumer goods companies revel in touting their eco-efforts. But shrinking corporate carbon footprints is not merely about creating sustainable supply chains and products, but to ensure sustainability efforts are, well, sustainable.

Read the rest of this recap here at Consumer Goods Technology.

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Last Minute Holiday Prep: What Dealers Are Doing Differently This Season

Posted on 25 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Just like the Grinch discovered, the holidays come no matter what we do. What are retailers doing differently this season to meet their customer’s needs and spread holiday cheer?

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

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Are Industry Trade Shows Back?

Posted on 21 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

As Covid threats seemingly diminish and society returns to some semblance of “normal,” the question for industry folks is – to paraphrase The Clash – should you stay or should you go…to trade shows?

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

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OTC Hearing Aids: A New Consumer Tech Product Category Opportunity

Posted on 21 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

What do earbud makers and consumer tech retailers need to know about getting into the OTC hearing aid business?

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

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OTC Hearing Aids: What You Need to Know

Posted on 21 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Nearly 40 million American that could and should use hearing aids don’t because of prohibitive pricing and insurance. This week’s FDA pronouncement that hearing aids would now be available to purchase over the counter (OTC) rather than via prescription from an audiologist is already resulting in new lower-priced hearing aid options.

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

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Bluetooth Hearing Aids to Receive Broadcasts from Public Venues

Posted on 21 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

This week, the FDA announced that hearing aids can be purchased over the counter (OTC) without a prescription from an audiologist. In addition to assisting with everyday hearing, many new devices will support the next generation of Bluetooth called Low Energy (LE) Audio, part of Bluetooth 5.2, with features designed specifically for hearing aids.

One of the most impactful features of Bluetooth LE will be a new kind of Assistive Listening System (ALS) called Auracast. 

Read the rest of this report here Techlicious.com.

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15 Protective Cases for iPhone 14 that Show off Your Style

Posted on 14 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Apple annually introduces new iPhones, meticulously designed to merge form, function, and fun in a gleaming glass and metal package chicly sheathed in shiny yet muted pastel hues. And what do we do almost as soon as we take this beautiful object out of its box? We slap a case on it. Of course, we want to protect our investment, but seriously? If you’re going to cover up Apple’s iPhone aesthetic efforts, why not do it with something nearly as stylish? We combed through today’s options for the iPhone 14 models and went hands with 15 that do the phone justice (many are available for earlier models of iPhone too).

Read the rest of this product capsules here at Techlicious.com.

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SmartTechCheck Podcast Matter, Apple Watch Series 8, Supreme Court and Section 230

Posted on 8 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

I join host Mark Vena along with fellow tech journalists John Quain, Rob Pegoraro and Angela Moscaritolo to discuss the finalization of the Matter interoperability spec, new smart watches from Apple and Google, and the Supreme Court agreeing to take on Section 230-related social media cases.

Watch this SmartTechCheck episode here on YouTube.

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Have Smart Major Appliances Passed The Gimmick Stage?

Posted on 6 October 2022 by Stewart Wolpin

Do consumers think smart appliances provide real functionality? Are they worth the price premium? Should retailers recommend smart appliances to their customers?

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

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