Since many of us in the CE field are avid musicians, we thought you’d get a kick out of this: The “B-Bender,” which isn’t commonly known in the Electric Guitar world, was invented by Byrds band member, Gene Parsons (at the behest of legendary Byrds guitarist Clarence White).

A super-cool feature: By pushing down on the guitar neck, an apparatus of springs, linkages and levers are activated—which enables the player to raise the B-string one full step. Translation? That move simulates the wailing, lonesome sound emitted by a pedal steel guitar.

A White Paper by Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, summarizes the changing motivations and concerns of affluent shoppers—with average household incomes of $200,000. The results of her Beverly Hills focus group reveals that the “new normal” will involve delivering new values to luxury shoppers.

The Good: 40 percent agree now is a great time to get more for less. The Bad: 66 percent have experienced a decline in their financial situation. The Ugly:

Ever wonder what’s the fuss behind thermal-imaging surveillance cameras—and how they work?

According to the White Paper from Video-Surveillance-Guide.com, thermal imaging is the process of capturing the heat from an object and transforming it into a viewable image. Thermal-energy cameras, for example, capture the heat that’s emitted from objects. All objects, however, including even ice cubes, emit some form of thermal energy.

In this businessweek article, Phil Lelyveld, program manager of the University of Southern California's Consumer 3D Experience Lab, quotes a recent survey by USC’s Technology Experience Center and the Consumer Electronics Association on the subject of 3D. Forty-four percent of recent 3D moviegoers ages 18 to 29 said they expect to buy a 3D TV within 3 years, compared to 27 percent of 30-49 year-olds.

Lelyveld observes that to today’s Boomers and Gen X’ers, the current 3D boom may appear to be recycled technology, something that pops up every 10 or 20 years (House of Wax, Jaws 3-D, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare). For those born after 1980, however, 3D is a new technology.

According to a New York Times article, Lucasfilm, Ltd. announced on Saturday, August 14 that it will release all six “Star Wars” feature films on Blu-ray DVD in fall 2011. A boxed set containing the Blu-ray versions of the movies, from 1977’s “Star Wars” through the final 2005 prequel, will mark the first time the films have been offered in an HD home format, and will include documentary features and previously unseen footage. 

Given that digital projection was used for the theatrical release of all three “Star Wars” prequels, and the last two prequels were shot digitally, it’s natural to ask “why so long a wait?”

NeuroSky, a medical technology/human interface pioneer, is applying its neuro-stimulation EEG (electro-encephalograh) technology to the likes of the automotive, healthcare, education industries, and…yes, consumer electronics and entertainment. Beginning with games such as Mattel’s MindFlex and Star Wars Force Trainer by Uncle Milton, NeuroSky's ThinkGear chip uses sensors positioned on the user’s forehead (via headgear) to determine the intensity of the wearer's brainwaves. This allows the wearer to move objects in space—a true Jedi skill.

CI channel veteran, Tom Brochard, has taken on the new role of SnapAV’s Northease Regional Sales Manager. Brochard has been in the CE industry for nearly 20 years, and has had experience in sales positions with Home Entertainment Source, Tributaries Wire and Cable, and Madrigal Audio Labs.
 
“For several years now I’ve been impressed with SnapAV, watching them progress in the channel. SnapAV’s business model is unique and I am excited to share it with dealers,” says Brochard.