Consumer electronics or electronic home electronics are electronic products designed for daily use, usually at home. Consumer electronics consist of different electronic products such as televisions, computers, DVD players, music players and other electronic devices. Most commonly called black goods because of the many electronic products being housed in dark or black boxes. These products are designed to make life easier for the consumer.
The twentieth century saw a phenomenal growth in the development of consumer electronics. Consumer electronics had become more convenient, easy to use and affordable. They started out as simple gadgets meant for occasional use and later were included in daily lives. The twentieth century witnessed an increase in the number of new and innovative electronic products.
The twentieth century brought about many new and upgraded consumer electronic devices. These devices were manufactured by the world’s leading manufacturers. In the twenty-first century, there has been a drastic decline in the number of new and innovative products. This is attributed to two main reasons, the biggest being the economy of developing countries and the lack of technological know how. Another reason for this drop is the shift from analog to digital technology.
As of now, the market for consumer electronics is still highly competitive. The market is composed of a wide range of electronic devices. Some popular consumer electronics devices include televisions, computers, laptops, portable media players, wearable technology, toys and other electronic items. wearable technology such as watches and bands are fast becoming popular among teenagers and adults. The increasing popularity of these wearable items is attributed to their convenience and practicality.
One of the most popular and common types of consumer electronics is the television. Television sets are also among the most expensive consumer electronic devices. Televisions and other television set-top boxes are often accompanied by high resolution televisions, premium quality picture and sound systems, and built-in internet service.
Smartphones, another leading consumer electronics product, have grown to become one of the most popular gadgets in the world. Smartphones, or mobile phones, can be used as personal digital assistants. Smartphones are also capable of providing web access. The smartphone market has recently seen an outbreak of smartphone applications. A few examples of these applications include restaurants that offer coupons and other deals on the go, weather reports that provide information such as wind speed and cloudiness, currency conversion, and hotel reservations.
Mobile communication devices are also among the most widely used consumer electronics. As of late, the mobile phone has surpassed the PDA and laptop in terms of prevalence among consumers. Cell phones offer wireless connectivity. They also provide users access to the Internet and to each other through text and picture messaging. Some cellular telephones have video cameras and can be used as a digital camera or as a portable television.
With the advancements in information technology, the world has become a faster, more digitally active place. This has resulted in the invention and development of many different consumer electronics. Consumer electronics have become important to our everyday lives. Their influence on our lives cannot be denied. The pace at which technology changes and grows is incredible. The nineteenth century witnessed the birth of the modern consumer electronics industry.
The twentieth century witnessed the birth of television, radio, and the development of the electric bulb. Motor vehicles and airplanes were turned into vehicles of communication technology. The refrigerator and the washing machine gave way to ovens and dishwashers. DVD players and set top cable boxes replaced the obsolete VCR’s and transistorized television sets. The information age gave rise to the information product market, including information technology, cell phones, personal computers, and laptops.
The Information Age transformed the Consumer Electronics Industry. The nineteenth century witnessed the birth of the first mass-market consumer electronics. The nineteenth century saw the development of the assembly-line factory, which revolutionized how consumer goods were produced. In the late twentieth century, the information age gave way to the computer age, which transformed how companies make and sell consumer goods. Today, cell phones, personal computers, and laptops form the heart of the modern information age.
The twenty-first century will witness yet another major transformation in the Consumer Electronics Industry. This will be the digital baby boom. Digital devices will comprise all facets of a modern lifestyle from television, to home video, to Internet browsing. The digital baby boom will continue to shape the 21st century in terms of how we interact with our personal computers and our electronics.