Consumer Electronic Products and News

Digital Lighting Enhances your Theatrical Experience
Expert insights
Digital Lighting Enhances your Theatrical Experience
If you have not attended a theatrical performance recently, you may be surprised by the extent that advanced digital lighting contributes to your experience. Theatrical lighting has evolved from candlelight foot lamps to laser video projection systems. Until late in the 17th century, theatrical performances were held outdoors…
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Digital Lighting Enhances your Theatrical Experience
Digital Lighting Enhances your Theatrical Experience
If you have not attended a theatrical performance recently, you may be surprised by the extent that advanced digital lighting contributes to your experience. Theatrical lighting has evolved from candlelight foot lamps to laser video projection systems. Until late in the 17th century, theatrical performances were held outdoors…
Consumer Design Priorities Favor Connector Performance
Consumer Design Priorities Favor Connector Performance
Consumer connectivity helped drive miniaturization trends. Now R&D is focused on doing more within existing form factors. We talk to a supplier on the cutting edge of consumer design to learn what’s coming next. Consumer design has been a key driver of the miniaturization of electronic components. Guided…
Connector Solutions Simplify Design of Wearable Devices
Connector Solutions Simplify Design of Wearable Devices
Compact wearable devices often lack sufficient PCB space for the additional hardware that increases device capabilities. Hybrid connectors offer a solution. [caption id="attachment_44272" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Woman cyclist hands with heart rate icon on smart watch, bicycle at summer trail. All on screen are design up.[/caption] Consumers desire sleek…
What are HDMI connectors?
What are HDMI connectors?
Meet the Connector: HDMI Connectors An HDMI connector is a standardized interface used for transmitting high-definition audio and video signals between a source and display. For more than two decades, HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) connectors have served as a bridge between multimedia devices such as gaming equipment, televisions,…
Waveguide Components Product Roundup
Waveguide Components Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights waveguide adapters from leading connector manufacturers and suppliers. Waveguide Adapters Smiths Interconnect offers a broad choice of standard junction and differential 4-port waveguide components. The highest power devices are based on differential phase shift technology while lower power devices are supplied based on…
March 2024 New Connectivity Products 
March 2024 New Connectivity Products 
New-to-market connectivity products, including interconnects, wire, cable, and cable assemblies, sensors, antennas, materials, accessories, tools, and development kits. March 2024 New Connectivity Products  March 2024 New Connectivity Products > Interconnects, etc. Hirose  Electric's back flip FPC/FFC connector lineup now includes the TF07V Series. This 0.5 mm pitch version with dual contact functionality simplifies flex routing. The space-saving…
Matter: A Show of Unity for Connectivity
Matter: A Show of Unity for Connectivity
In the history of electronics, few single initiatives have been so universally embraced as the Matter protocol. Over 200 companies have agreed on a way to seamlessly connect devices in a smart home. One of the defining technologies of the late 20th century was the IoT (Internet of…
Smart Homes: Connectivity Brings New Opportunities to Designers of Home Systems
Smart Homes: Connectivity Brings New Opportunities to Designers of Home Systems
In an era of smart technology, there really is no place like home. Today’s consumer has come to expect both convenience and cost-savings from the new technologies that are reshaping the way people work and live. Fueled by the Internet of Things (IoT), nowhere is this more evident…
What are USB connectors?
What are USB connectors?
Meet the Connector: USB connectors USB gained popularity due to its compatibility with numerous platforms and operating systems, its low implementation cost, and its ease of use. The connectors are available in a variety of shapes and sizes with an array of features. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is…
FFC/FPC Product Roundup  
FFC/FPC Product Roundup  
This week’s Product Roundup highlights Flat Flexible Cables (FFCs) and Flexible Printed Circuits (FPCs) from leading suppliers. FFC/FPC Greenconn offers various FPC/FFC connectors ranging from ZIF to non-ZIF types with an extensive combination of actuators, pitch sizes, and circuit sizes to support electronics manufacturers with reliable, robust, and…
What is a RCA Connector?
What is a RCA Connector?
Those colorful connectors behind our TVs, DVD players, stereo equipment, and gaming consoles have been around for nearly a century. Meet the Connector: RCA Connectors The RCA connector is a type of electrical connector comprised of a male plug (RCA plug) and a female jack (RCA jack) used…
From Phones to Wearables, Device Battery Connectors Deliver Secure Power
From Phones to Wearables, Device Battery Connectors Deliver Secure Power
As more products go cordless, durability has become an imperative for battery connectors. Batteries enable devices to operate using stored energy instead of a wired connection to an energy source. As more devices that once were wired become available in cordless versions for high-reliability purposes such as medical…
What are Board-to-Board Connectors?
What are Board-to-Board Connectors?
Meet the Connector: Board-to-Board Connectors Board-to-board (BTB) connectors are used to transmit signals between printed circuit boards (PCBs). They are made by many connector manufacturers and come in a variety of styles and materials. BTB connectors are among the commonly used connector types. Their evolution has been influenced…
The Sweeter Sound of Precision AV Interconnects
The Sweeter Sound of Precision AV Interconnects
Precision interconnects help deliver the superb audio clarity and exciting video displays that make live events memorable, whether you have great seats or are following along at home. It’s an incredible time to be a live music fan. After a long stretch of closed venues, thousands of musicians,…
Connectors in Concert
Connectors in Concert
Specialty audio connector types each play a different role in creating a full sound. Learn more about the reliable standards and the new connectors that make live entertainment possible.  To be human is to be entertained. It is a necessity, not a luxury. And so, with some Covid…
Right to Repair Electronics Legislation Update
Right to Repair Electronics Legislation Update
You own it. Can you fix it? Not yet. But depending on where you live, electronics repair businesses and hobbyists stand to gain new rights. In many parts of the world, it’s illegal or intentionally difficult to fix your own electronics. That is about to change in some…
Pitch Perfect: Creating Ever-Smaller Connectors to Enable the Latest Consumer Devices
Pitch Perfect: Creating Ever-Smaller Connectors to Enable the Latest Consumer Devices
Connectors that once were market leaders now are too large for most consumer applications. The next level of refinement in design comes in the form of fine-pitch alternatives. The world of consumer electronic devices has expanded enormously in the last decade. With applications in the leisure market as…
What are RAST Connectors?
What are RAST Connectors?
Meet the Connector: RAST Connectors RAST connectors are an international standard originally developed for the home appliances market. The initial design featured a crimp-style contact, but today most iterations employ insulation displacement contact (IDC) technology, which simplifies the installation process, eliminates mis-mating errors, and improves connection quality by…
Audio/Video Connectors for Consumer Applications Product Roundup
Audio/Video Connectors for Consumer Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights audio/video connectors for consumer applications from leading suppliers. Audio/Video Connectors for Consumer Applications The Neutrik SpeakON line of lockable loudspeaker/amplifier connectors, supplied by Allied Electronics & Automation, now features the standard SpeakON, SpeakON SPX, and SpeakON STX series. The SPX series features 4-pole…
What are Pogo Pins (Spring-Loaded Pins)?
What are Pogo Pins (Spring-Loaded Pins)?
Meet the Connector: Pogo Pins (Spring-loaded pins) Pogo pins, also called spring-loaded pins, are electrical connector mechanisms known for their durability and their ability to provide and maintain an electrical connection that is resilient to mechanical shock and vibration. They are widely used in a variety of electronic applications…
What is a 3-Pin Connector?
What is a 3-Pin Connector?
Meet the Connector: 3-Pin Connectors While many connectors feature a configuration with three pins, the term 3-pin connector is often used to refer to a simple white nylon pin receptacle with three tin contacts that is typically used in small, low-power computing products, most notably computer fans. The…
USBs Armor Up for Hard Use and Rugged Applications
USBs Armor Up for Hard Use and Rugged Applications
Consumers treat USBs roughly — there’s no way around it in the constant cycle of plugging and unplugging, so these ubiquitous connectors are up to the challenge. But as USBs move into even more rugged environments (and into the hands of ever-younger consumers), tough new versions are ready.…
Single-Action Connectors Simplify Portable Device Designs
Single-Action Connectors Simplify Portable Device Designs
Space constraints within small devices create challenges for component placement on the boards. Innovations in ZIF-style flex connectors offer designers a possible solution.   By Jeff Combs, Director of Sales, CE Segment at Hirose Electric USA  Hardware designs for IoT, consumer, modular, and other complex applications often leave limited…
Connector Suppliers Support Students at FIRST Robotics Competitions
Connector Suppliers Support Students at FIRST Robotics Competitions
The next generation of electronics professionals learn about components and robotic systems while having fun in competition. The innovation that drives technology is itself driven, at least in part, by the new ideas and perspectives that come with fresh eyes and open minds. Attracting students to the industry…
Connectors for Wearable Applications Product Roundup
Connectors for Wearable Applications Product Roundup
This week’s Product Roundup highlights connectors used in wearables from leading suppliers. Connectors for Wearable Applications   Omnetics Connector Corp. offers a wide range of circular connector body types, from overmolded breakaway cable connectors to full metal shielded cable and connectors with threaded latch, quick-turn latch, and breakaway metal…
Connectors For Electronics
Connectors For Electronics
Durable, user-friendly connectors used in gaming consoles, smartphones, laptops, and other connected devices continue to evolve as consumers become more entwined with technology. If, like me, you are old enough to remember the birth of the computer games industry, you may remember what it was like getting to…
Analog and Digital Signal Connectors Used in Professional AV
Analog and Digital Signal Connectors Used in Professional AV
The audiovisual industry is a dynamic environment for connected technologies, as sound, light, video, and production technologies converge to elevate live and digital experiences. The professional audiovisual (AV) industry is characterized by dynamic, often-changing configurations. The successful creation, production, and broadcasting of live events and digital experiences depend…
Consumer Device Connectors Must Meet New Safety Standard
Consumer Device Connectors Must Meet New Safety Standard
In 2021, the 62368-1 safety standard took effect, requiring that interconnects in AV and ICT equipment provide new levels of protection for users. As digital technologies proliferate in consumer spaces, infiltrating nearly every aspect of life, product safety is a greater priority than ever. Standards are evolving to…
Consumers Adopt Wearable Tech for Greater Health
Consumers Adopt Wearable Tech for Greater Health
From multifunctional fitness trackers and smartwatches to tiny medical devices that deliver medicine or vital information, consumers have embraced wearable technologies. Consumers have embraced the concept of wearable devices and the industry is responding in a big way. From step counters to heart monitors, consumers have shown a…
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Proprietary to Open Source Connectors
Sometimes a custom connector design will remain a limited-use product. Other times, it may become a popular proprietary connector. In some instances, the evolution continues and the connector experiences widespread use as a commercial or open-source product. This is the eighth installment in the Technology Trends series by…
Smart Technologies Make Public Spaces Safe During Pandemic
Smart Technologies Make Public Spaces Safe During Pandemic
As consumers begin to return to public spaces, a new crop of smart technologies is helping to keep surfaces clean, air clear, and viruses safely away. As vaccination rates rise and infection rates fall, consumers are beginning to venture back into public spaces and resume normal activities, including…
The Rise of the Antennas: Connected Home Ecosystems
The Rise of the Antennas: Connected Home Ecosystems
From digital assistants to smart appliances, consumers are slowly adapting to connected home technologies. These networked devices deliver efficiency and ease of use with the help of sensitive antennas. By TE Connectivity connected home Consumers have come around to the idea of a connected home. Smart TVs, thermostats,…
Connector Basics: The Main Components of a Connector
Connector Basics: The Main Components of a Connector
Can you identify the basic parts that make up a connector? In this excerpt from the new book, “Electrical Connectors: Design, Manufacture, Test, and Selection,” two professors share fundamental knowledge about the principals of interconnect technology. By Michael Pecht and San Kyeong Separable connectors are a vast and…
ECIA Charts a Resilient Electronics Industry
ECIA Charts a Resilient Electronics Industry
We talk to ECIA’s chief analyst Dale Ford about how the electronics industry weathered a challenging year with success and how the lessons learned will impact the way it operates in the years ahead. Dale Ford, chief analyst at the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA), described 2020 as…
USB4 is Coming to a Device Near You
USB4 is Coming to a Device Near You
In 2021, we’ll see USB4 begin to appear in computing products and peripherals. The latest iteration of the USB standard will be fast and backward compatible. In the connector world, upgrades usually mean two things: higher speed and more power. This time around, the arrival of a new…
Disruptive Innovation in the U.S. and China
Disruptive Innovation in the U.S. and China
Longtime industry observer Bob Hult shares his informed opinions, saying that it’s time for all levels of government and industry to recognize that China has become a pragmatic competitor fully capable of disruptive innovation. Doing so may help Western economies better prepare to confront the challenges ahead.  The United States has enjoyed decades of recognition as the world’s economic,…
Five Technology Trends Driving New Connector Designs
Five Technology Trends Driving New Connector Designs
The connector world is constantly evolving to support dynamic market trends. Emerging high-speed connectivity products are currently responding to a number of technology trends and, once released to market, will serve, inspire, and enable a multitude of next-gen, high-speed applications for many years to come. As businesses and…
Remote Work Opens Network Infrastructures to Security Risks
Remote Work Opens Network Infrastructures to Security Risks
As the workplace shifts to the home, network security becomes a greater challenge. Hardware authentication, strong encryption, and shielded cabling will become essential in computers and IoT products. The coronavirus pandemic has set the stage for a comprehensive shift in workplace settings and network infrastructures. Significant reorganization of…
Space-Grade Connectors are Ready for Liftoff
Space-Grade Connectors are Ready for Liftoff
As government and commercial missions into space become more prevalent, connectivity suppliers are challenged to deliver space-grade connector products that can handle uniquely extreme operating conditions. The joint mission between SpaceX and NASA to send a team of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) is one of…
Four Key Areas Where Wearable Technologies are Pushing Innovation
Four Key Areas Where Wearable Technologies are Pushing Innovation
Miniature interconnects combined with sensors and antennas give designers powerful new means of integrating Internet of Things into flexible new forms.  Tiny wearable technologies are becoming huge. The incredible miniaturization of electronic components, combined with the powerful Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities brought to these systems by miniature sensors and antennas, has resulted in a new wave of wearable technologies. Flexible,…
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Cellular Communication Technology: 3G to 5G
Top 12 Technology Trends: The Evolution of Cellular Communication Technology: 3G to 5G
In the past two decades, we’ve not only cut the cord between our phones and the wall, but we have gained the ability to stream video, play games, and access the web from what has essentially become a powerful handheld computer. 5G will push those capabilities to the…
How Smartphones and Miniature Device Design Shape the Wilderness
How Smartphones and Miniature Device Design Shape the Wilderness
Most designated wilderness areas are uniquely and specifically devoid of human development. But even these remote places can’t escape the reach of smartphones and other technologies. Smartphones have become an indispensable part of everyday life as well as an important tool for serious scientific, educational, healthcare, and public…
Burn-In Testing 101: Testing Electronic Components for Real-Life Durability
Burn-In Testing 101: Testing Electronic Components for Real-Life Durability
This rigorous testing process helps ensure that connectors are durable enough to withstand temperature extremes, use cycles, and other operating conditions. Designers need to know that the components they specify will perform as promised in a finished product. Components reliability can be assured through a variety of testing…
Top 12 Technology Trends: Universal Serial Bus Connectors
Top 12 Technology Trends: Universal Serial Bus Connectors
This second article in the new Technology Trends Series by Bob Hult examines the trends and technologies that have shaped USB connectors over the past 20 years. The last 20 years have been called the decades of disruption for good reason. Over this period, new technologies and products…
Broadcast Connectors and Cables Bring Viewers Closer to the Action
Broadcast Connectors and Cables Bring Viewers Closer to the Action
Audiovisual equipment is integrating with increasingly sophisticated signal equipment to support 8K video and even machine learning. Things have changed dramatically since the days when long delays and grainy images were common during the broadcast of live events. Today, when broadcasters transmit images from international events like the…
Five Things to Consider When Specifying Metal Contact Materials
Five Things to Consider When Specifying Metal Contact Materials
Contact materials can make a critical difference in the integrity, reliability, and durability of connectors. But not every application requires the highest-quality option. By Steve Smashey, President, and Mike Conte, General Manager, SOS Engineering, Inc. contact materials Small details in the quality and construction of interconnects can make…
Top 12 Technology Trends: Significant Electronic Technology Trends Over the Past 20 Years
Top 12 Technology Trends: Significant Electronic Technology Trends Over the Past 20 Years
The arrival of new, category-defining products and technologies has significantly impacted the connector industry in recent decades. We take a look at the evolution of these electronic technology trends. We are beginning a series of articles that will review 12 technology trends that have had a significant impact…
From CES 2020: Connector and Cable Producers Must Get Creative
From CES 2020: Connector and Cable Producers Must Get Creative
Innovation is happening at warp speed as machine learning, AI, and autonomy come into broad use. Product designers must work closely with component manufacturers to ensure that these enabling electronics meet the requirements of the future. Visions of the future often include revelations of incredible new technology with…
Designing with Waterproof USB Type-C Connectors
Designing with Waterproof USB Type-C Connectors
As small consumer electronic devices infiltrate every aspect of our lives, they endure lots of rough handling and occasional accidents. The connectors that empower these systems must protect functionality and signal integrity when a device is splashed on, spilled on, or even dropped into water. Waterproof USBs are…
The Evolution of Connected Home Technologies
The Evolution of Connected Home Technologies
The IoT is transforming consumers’ homes into hubs of hands-free functionality. The next phase of connected home development will bring artificial intelligence and data-gathering systems into household routines. The idea of “home” has greatly evolved throughout the millennia. Over the decades, technology has transformed homes into hubs of…
Video Displays Take a Great Leap Forward With DisplayPort 2.0
Video Displays Take a Great Leap Forward With DisplayPort 2.0
The latest DisplayPort connector standard will deliver the higher performance needed for immersive gaming, content streaming, and digital displays, as well as higher resolution and high dynamic range capability. Home cinephiles, video gamers, event projectionists, and designers of videowalls and multiple chained-screen PC displays have reason to rejoice:…
Building a Better Device Connector Using Custom Pogo Pin Design
Building a Better Device Connector Using Custom Pogo Pin Design
Industry-standard connectors don’t always get the job done. A very public failure of a proven connector spurred a team of designers to engineer a flexible and dependable new solution using pogo pins. Here’s how they did it. By Nobukazu Kato, ACES Electronics, and Sam Martin, ACES North America…
Top Hardware Reveals at E3 2019
Top Hardware Reveals at E3 2019
The top hardware announcements from E3 2019, the world's biggest annual gaming show, rely on tiny connectors — but edge computing and data centers are the future of gaming. In 2018, the video game industry generated nearly $135 billion worldwide, an increase of 10% over the previous year…
Talk to Your House: The Roadmap for the Smart Home
Talk to Your House: The Roadmap for the Smart Home
Home automation technology begins with the human voice and extends to the Internet of Things (IoT) thanks to smaller, faster, smarter connectivity products. In the past few years, certain slow-to-evolve consumer technologies have really started to work. One such technology is voice recognition. Although speech analysis, acoustic transcription,…
Seven Design Tips for Smart Appliances
Seven Design Tips for Smart Appliances
Smart appliances create new challenges for device designers, who must integrate additional components and manage power, data transfer, size, and heat considerations in compact, unobtrusive packages that satisfy consumer demands. Consumers who value the improved control, energy efficiency, reliability, and convenience of smart home devices are driving the…
Fiber Optic Cable Unleashes a New Breed of Broadcasting
Fiber Optic Cable Unleashes a New Breed of Broadcasting
As video traffic increases and image quality improves, the quality of the cable used to transmit and receive the broadcast has never been more important. Fiber optic cable is getting the signal across. There are many reasons that broadcasters are moving from copper to fiber optic cable, including…
Waterproof Connectors for Portable Devices
Waterproof Connectors for Portable Devices
Product designers have to account for the real possibility that a small consumer device will get splashed on or dropped into the drink. The right waterproof connector can save the day. Spilling a drink or splashing water on portable device chargers and ports has long resulted in inevitable…
Premium Audio Connectors and Cables are the Foundation of Audiophiles’ Home Systems
Premium Audio Connectors and Cables are the Foundation of Audiophiles’ Home Systems
Precision audio connectors and premium cables provide music aficionados with high-fidelity sound. With over 16.8 million vinyl records sold in 2018, hi-fi audiophile systems are no longer considered a relic from the past. Millennials are building their primary living spaces around equipment that resembles the audio systems of…
Lightweight Connector Innovations Enable Infotainment on the Go
Lightweight Connector Innovations Enable Infotainment on the Go
Consumers are now accustomed to instant, high-quality sound and image technology everywhere they go. For airlines, lightweight connector innovations make it possible to provide entertainment while keeping size and weight down. [caption id="attachment_24015" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Connector innovations give designers size, weight, and power (SWaP) advantages and make it…
Low-Powered, Battery-Free Cell Phones Could Change Connector Landscape
Low-Powered, Battery-Free Cell Phones Could Change Connector Landscape
The possibility of battery-free cell phones poses an existential threat to connector makers — or a new challenge. By Neil Shurtz Ask anyone what the biggest flaw is with their smartphone, and they’ll probably say it’s the battery. Relative to their massively expanded computing power and functionality, cell…
Cable Connector Seals May Determine the Life of Your Systems
Cable Connector Seals May Determine the Life of Your Systems
Water is the enemy of electronics. Yet equipment ranging from our pocket-dwelling consumer devices to complex military gear has the potential for exposure to moisture. Good seals on cables and connectors can keep it out. Dana Stoica, Global Marketing Manager, ODU-USA, Inc. Hostile environments often expose the weakest…
New Gaming Hardware Revealed at E3 2018
New Gaming Hardware Revealed at E3 2018
Accessible gaming and a new console? Yes, please. This year’s E3 show revealed modest but solid innovations for gamers — and new opportunities for connectors. This year, for the second year, the general public could attend the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, the video gaming industry’s premier trade…
The Maker Movement Encourages Tech Tinkerers to Try This at Home
The Maker Movement Encourages Tech Tinkerers to Try This at Home
As growing numbers of hobbyists and makers tinker with today’s technology, more electronics companies are meeting their makers. By Amy Goetzman Technology is everywhere. The Internet of Things (IoT) is touching every aspect of our lives. The line between virtual reality and the real world is blurring. For…
New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part II
New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part II
Summary coverage of the latest, new-to-market connector and cable products New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part II Interconnects, etc. AVX’s new 2.5mm 70-9296 Series STRIPT™ insulator-less, single-position, horizontal, poke-home contacts are both the first industrial poke-home connector available without a wire stop, which allows traditional pin…
Battery Connectors Evolve to Stay in Charge
Battery Connectors Evolve to Stay in Charge
Smaller, more powerful handheld, portable, and wearable devices depend on a new generation of battery connectors. By Jean Thimany While many commercial off-the-shelf battery connectors remain unchanged even after many years on the market, connector companies are creating new battery connector designs to correspond with the increasing computerization…
Selecting the Ideal Spring-Loaded Connector for Portable Applications
Selecting the Ideal Spring-Loaded Connector for Portable Applications
Our portable devices would not be possible without proven connector technologies that facilitate miniaturization and connectivity. By Stephen Capitelli, Manager of Product Engineering, Mill-Max Mfg. Corp. Today’s electronics designers are challenged to find the right balance between reliability, suitability, and cost as they specify the components needed to…
FFC and FPC Connector Product Roundup
FFC and FPC Connector Product Roundup
This week’s product roundup highlights FFC and FPC connector solutions from top suppliers. I-PEX Connectors’ DW5 two-way FPC and discrete wire connectors can accommodate 0.2mm-thick (±0.3mm) FPC cables or 34AWG discrete wire using the same PCB and receptacle combination, making them ideal for use in a variety of…
Card-Edge Connector Product Roundup
Card-Edge Connector Product Roundup
This week’s product roundup highlights card-edge connector solutions from top suppliers. Omnetics’ Latching Micro-D Card-Edge Surface-Mount (C0) Connectors satisfy all standard performance requirements of MIL-DTL-83513, including shock and vibration. The dual-row connectors are rated for 3A per contact, a minimum of 500 mating cycles, and operating temperatures extending…
How to Create a Durable Low-Force Crimp Contact
How to Create a Durable Low-Force Crimp Contact
Products ranging from appliances to vehicles feature crimp contact plug connectors that are hard to access and easy to damage. In the event of a repair, a more durable connector is needed. By Andreas Aigner, Product Development Manager, Würth Elektronik eiSos Although they are really designed for permanent…
New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part I
New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part I
Summary coverage of the latest, new-to-market connector and cable products New Product News Roundup: April 2018 – Part I Interconnects, etc. Smiths Interconnect’s new Eclipta – ECL Series edge-card connectors feature innovative, high-performance, double-ended card contact technology designed to deliver the reliability, serviceability, and affordability demanded by critical,…
Connector Industry Supports Future Engineers Through FIRST
Connector Industry Supports Future Engineers Through FIRST
Students are introduced to connectors as they build and design competition robots. The electronics industry is always looking for the next great innovation. But we also need to look for the next great innovators. Attracting a new generation of talent is an especially pressing issue for the connector…
Virtual Reality Isn’t Better than the Real Thing — Yet
Virtual Reality Isn’t Better than the Real Thing — Yet
Companies are working on new cable designs that will help move this promising technology beyond gaming and into the real world. Virtual reality (VR) is one of the fastest-growing segments of the electronics arena, with implications for the industrial, medical, consumer, automotive, and other markets. This is a…
Sensors Make Sense Beyond IoT Applications
Sensors Make Sense Beyond IoT Applications
Synergy between advanced sensors as well as related connectors and cable assemblies is opening new avenues of growth and profit for the interconnect industry. Electronic sensors are popping up everywhere, and this technology is expected to proliferate logarithmically over the next few years. Sensors act as the eyes…
Compression Connector Product Roundup
Compression Connector Product Roundup
This week’s product roundup highlights some of the highest-performance compression connector products currently available on the market. Compression Connector Products AVX Interconnect’s 9155-400 Series two-piece battery connectors have a 4mm pitch and a unique angled contact lead-in on both sides, which, unlike most other connectors in this category,…
Industry News: January 2018
Industry News: January 2018
Summary coverage of upcoming events and recent news from across the connector industry. Event News  DesignCon 2018, which will take place January 31 – February 1 in Santa Clara, California, will feature in-depth education, top-tier suppliers, and easy networking activities designed to help chip, board, and systems design…
The Implications of Adopting eSIM Technology
The Implications of Adopting eSIM Technology
As the Internet of Things expands to link phones, appliances, security systems, and vehicles, manufacturers are looking to one SIM card that can talk to them all. By David Luu, Marketing Manager, GCT Connectors Embedded subscriber identity modules (eSIMs) or embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs) are integrated…
Gaming Connectors Evolve (Even When Gaming Products Go Retro)
Gaming Connectors Evolve (Even When Gaming Products Go Retro)
Smaller connector designs pushed by the cellphone world find a new home in portable and scaled-down gaming devices. Gaming Connectors Evolve For decades, young people have had their first exposure to connectors through gaming equipment. Although the vast array of electronics contained in these systems are hidden within…
We’ll Always Have Paris
We’ll Always Have Paris
In December 2015, 195 countries signed an agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris. In June 2017, President Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the agreement, joining Syria as the only countries to remain outside of the agreement. What does that…
Right to Repair Legislation Moves from Automotive to Electronics
Right to Repair Legislation Moves from Automotive to Electronics
Consumers and businesses want to be able to repair the products they have invested in. Industry says no. If you are an engineer and your phone — or toaster, TV, or printer — is on the fritz, you’ve got two options: Tinker with it or toss it. But…
Ultraminiature Connector Products
Ultraminiature Connector Products
This week’s product roundup highlights some of the most compact, capable, and lightweight connectors and cable assemblies responsible for enabling the reliable transmission of high-speed data and digital audio/visual signals in an ever-expanding range of applications spanning warfare to web browsing. Ultraminiature Connector Products TE Connectivity’s CeeLok FAS-T…
The Rise of Asian Connector Manufacturers
The Rise of Asian Connector Manufacturers
The Chinese market’s growth over the past decade has been phenomenal. What does the future hold? As of the end of August 2017, global sales of connectors are up over 10%, with Bishop & Associates forecasting 7.1% growth for the full year. While sales of connector manufacturers based…
LED & Lighting Connector Product Roundup
LED & Lighting Connector Product Roundup
This week’s product roundup highlights some of the latest and greatest LED and lighting connector solutions available. Amphenol Pcd’s Luminus Series connectors are lightweight, cost effective, easy to use, and available in multiple configurations to suit a broad range of application specifications. Featuring AS39029 (MIL-C-39029) contacts with quarter-turn,…
High-Speed Signals Take the High Road
High-Speed Signals Take the High Road
Very early computers were a mass of discrete point-to-point wires. The combination of physics and economics is bringing that interconnect architecture back full circle. [caption id="attachment_18466" align="alignright" width="300"] Samtec’s flyover systems harken back to, but improve upon early interconnect architectures. (Image courtesy of Samtec, Inc.)[/caption] Design engineers have…
New Product News Roundup: June 2017
New Product News Roundup: June 2017
In the market for a new solution? We’ve rounded up, summarized, and linked the top connectors, cables, assemblies, tools, and accessories to hit the market this June. Connectors and Cable Assemblies Fairview Microwave released a new series of BMA connectors and adapters. Currently comprised of 45 BMA connectors…
Right Angle Board-to-Board Battery Connectors Suit High Shock and Vibration Applications
Right Angle Board-to-Board Battery Connectors Suit High Shock and Vibration Applications
AVX Corporation has released its 9155-700 Series 2mm-pitch right angle board-to-board battery connectors, which are rated for 125VAC, up to 2A, and 5,000-cycle durability. Designed to provide miniaturized, mechanically stable, high-integrity connections in harsh environment applications subject to high shock and vibration, including: handheld and portable devices that…
New Product News Roundup
New Product News Roundup
In the market for a new solution? We’ve rounded up, summarized, and linked the latest connectors, cables, assemblies, tools, and accessories to hit the market.  Connectors and Cable Assemblies Hirose’s new DF40GL Series low-profile FPC connectors operate at USB 3.1 Gen. 2 speeds of up to 10Gb/s and…
No Silver Bullet for Vision System Connectors
No Silver Bullet for Vision System Connectors
Like any aspect of machine vision, cable and connector selection is driven by speed and economy. Customers demand longer, faster, and cheaper cabling solutions, but aren’t always happy about adopting yet another new connector or protocol. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   No Silver Bullet for Vision System Connectors…
New Interconnect Product News for March 2017
New Interconnect Product News for March 2017
Check out the latest interconnect innovations in our New Interconnect Product News roundup. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   Mill-Max announced the release of low-profile target connectors with an above board height of .087” (2.21mm). Target connectors are used in place of SMT pads on a PCB as the…
UAV Market Trends
UAV Market Trends
Over the next decade, combined sales of UAVs are expected to top $90 billion dollars, with annual sales rising from $8 billion in 2015 to between $12 and 14 billion in 2025. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   The military market will continue to lead the way, with an…
Interconnect Industry News: February 2017
Interconnect Industry News: February 2017
See below for updates about new product introductions and distribution news. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   Product News TE launched new Sliver internal cabled interconnects. Designed to provide one of the most flexible solutions in the market for making I/O connections on the board, this new technology simplies…
Even watch bands may get smarter
Even watch bands may get smarter
Circuit board modules used for watch band concept [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   [caption id="attachment_17222" align="alignright" width="300"] Dassault Systemes and Antenna Magnus simulated a watchband made of intelligent segments[/caption] The ability to cram more powerful electronics into smaller spaces has made portable equipment a pace-setting field for the…
IDT, SKEDD combined to bring many benefits
IDT, SKEDD combined to bring many benefits
Connector Supplier interviewed Ulrich Schmidt, Managing Director of Lumberg Group and Member of the Shareholder Family, on the company’s plans for combining IDT and SKEDD technology. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   Lumberg, based in Schalksmuehle, Germany, plans to start production of SKEDD connectors that use IDT this year…
Optical Links Move Inside the Box
Optical Links Move Inside the Box
Fiber has traditionally been the go-to solution for long-distance, high-speed communication links. Fiber optic cable offers huge advantages of bandwidth, low attenuation, and reduced size and weight to transmit hundreds of data channels over a single glass fiber. Look to these suppliers for the products you need. [twitter…
Growth of the Connected Home
Growth of the Connected Home
The connected home is a rapidly emerging market and platform for products and innovations. Whether you call it the connected home, smart home or home automation, it is a hub of activity for connectivity and sensor solutions. While mainstream adoption may still be years away, we know this…
The Evolution of Compression-Style Battery Connectors
The Evolution of Compression-Style Battery Connectors
For more than 20 years, modular industrial electronics have used many of the same reliable, ruggedized battery connectors that have been trusted throughout the consumer electronics industry. However, these devices are even more susceptible to host connector damage than modular consumer electronics. Now there's a solution. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share…
Smart Home as a Service – Still a Work in Progress
Smart Home as a Service – Still a Work in Progress
The way smart home-enabled devices will be installed and will operate is still evolving, and the same is true for the connectors and cabling vendors that supply the industry. [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   The nearly 31,000 residents that call the Shanghai Culture Garden home live in the…
What is SHaaS? And Why Should You Care?
What is SHaaS? And Why Should You Care?
A Comcast survey shows that homeowners want a smart home, but they want services, not a collection of connected devices. What do design engineers need to know about SHaaS when specifying interconnects for these systems? [twitter style="horizontal"] [linkedin_share style="none"]   In April 2016, Comcast released a report entitled,…
M.2 Connectors for Sleek Smart Home Electronics
M.2 Connectors for Sleek Smart Home Electronics
Due to the especially personal nature of homes, smart home electronics must be user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and as subtle as possible. The new M.2 connector is designed for use with a wider range of module widths and lengths, and especially smaller computer expansion cards that operate at faster…
The Robots in Your Future
The Robots in Your Future
Today we see all types of robotic devices that do everything from vacuum your floors to clean up nuclear waste. Originally focused on industrial and hazardous applications, robots are now appearing in warehouses, hospitals, and even the home. The concept of automated devices that extend human capabilities has…
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