Appliance Design - October 2008 - (Page 9)

NEwS watch highest among clothes dryer manufacturers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Laundry Appliances Study. The study measures customer satisfaction with clothes washers and dryers based on ease of use; features; performance; styling and feel; warranty; and value. LG achieved a score of 831 on a 1,000-point scale, scoring high in the performance, features, ease of use, and styling categories. Following LG in the rankings is Samsung (829), which performed consistently well across all factors. Kenmore Elite ranks third (819), performing well in the ease of use and features factors. Samsung ranks highest in customer satisfaction with clothes dryers with a score of 833, performing particularly well in the performance and warranty factors. LG was second with an 829 score, and Kenmore Elite was third with a score of 815. switch to digital broadcasting, and retailer incentives, as reasons that the Digital TV (DTV) market is booming. Worldwide DTV shipments in 2008 are projected to rise by 18.1 percent to 138.97 million units from 117.7 million units shipped in 2007. By 2012, shipments are expected to reach 252.7 million units. Gaming is also thriving with record sales for software titles and accessories, and video-game consoles. Home Appliance Group. The retailer now sells Bosch’s complete line of eco-friendly products. The laundry appliances are Energy Star-certified. Dell Vostro. Philips ultra-thin prototype LcD is only 8 mm. SUPER SKINNY tV. Philips Research, M2E mini-generator. waLKING ENERGY. M2E Power, a renewable energy design and development company based in Boise, Idaho, is developing an external charger for mobile devices that will use the kinetic energy of everyday motion. For every six hours of cumulative motion, the charger can generate between 30 and 60 minutes of talk time. The technology is based on a fundamental change in magnetic architecture within electronic devices. The change allows for more efficient generation of electricity from subtle micro-motion, the company says. Eindhoven, the Netherlands, unveiled an ultra-thin 32-in. LCD prototype at the IFA trade fair in Berlin. Only 8 mm thick, and weighing only 5 kg (11 lbs.), the new technology will make it more feasible for consumers to hang televisions on the wall like paintings. Philips Research says the secret to the ultrathin design is its extensive expertise in optical design and backlighting technology. The novel technology involves a very thin light guide plate illuminated from the top and bottom by highpower, energy-efficient LEDs. Using a patented light in-coupling structure and a fine-tuned out-coupling pattern, light can be distributed over the whole display area in a uniform fashion. This cuts the size of a conventional light guide – which is the thickest part of an LCD – from around 25mm to just 1mm. Philips has not yet established a date for when the product will be commercialized. DELL’S LOw-cOSt PcS. Dell has unveiled four low-cost computer models, dubbed Vostro, manufactured for sale in 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Two notebook computers and two desktop PCs were introduced for use by small-businesses. Prices for the new Vostro notebooks will start at 3,299 Yuan ($475), and the desktop PCs will start at 2,999 Yuan ($440). The laptops are available in 15.6 in. and 14.1 in. versions. The PCs include the A180 with Intel Celeron and Pentium dual core processors, and the A100, which is an entry-level desktop with an Intel Atom processor and Ubuntu Linux operating system. SaLES POP. Sales of products used for DIGItaL BOON. Consumers, who appear home entertainment are expected to grow even as consumers tighten their fiscal belts in other areas, according to the Summer edition of Housewares MarketWatch, a publication of the International Housewares Association. Surveys have found that consumers plan to more often stay at home, or cocoon, in order to cut expenses. In a survey by the NPD Group, 53 percent of consumers plan to dine out less than usual. This trend has helped boost sales of housewares products. In the last year, for instance, sales have increased for ice cream makers, fondue sets, and popcorn poppers. to be cutting back of vacation travel, are purchasing more electronics for the home, according to consulting firm iSuppli, El Segundo, Calif. The analysts also point to falling prices, the mandated BUY BOSch at SEaRS. Sears will sell the Bosch Nexxt Laundry and Axxis Laundry products at its stores. The units are made by Bosch Home Appliances, which are part of BSH Bosch and Siemens aIMING FOR INDIa. The Jarden Corp., a U.S. based housewares manufacturer, plans to expand into the $240 million www.applianceDESIGN.com applianceDESIGN October 2008 9 http://www.applianceDESIGN.com

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Appliance Design - October 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Prototyping - Materials Play the Part Prototyping - Mix & Match Motors Electronics Coatings Design Marts Association Report: AHRI Advertiser's Index

Appliance Design - October 2008

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