News

Every autumn, the Consumer">http://www.CE.org">Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) publishes its "Five Technologies to Watch" list of "technology trends poised to shape the consumer electronics industry" in the year ahead. Most of the choices may seem obvious, but the final entry on the list this year may be a surprise for audiophiles.

Over the past year, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAAhttp://www.riaa.com">RIAA;) has made significant headway in its multi-front war against commercial piracy, according to a detailed report issued by the trade group October 21.

New York's ailing Bottom Line music club has attracted some heavyweight help. Rock icon Bruce Springsteen and Viacom president Mel Karmazin have joined a campaign begun by New York–based satellite radio service Sirius">http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Radio to save the legendary venue.

Manufacturers and retailers don't expect an upswing in electronics sales next year. That's the consensus of members polled by the Consumer">http://www.ce.org">Consumer Electronics Association, published in mid-October.

In other">http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1758">other news this week, the music business is in a tailspin, and searching for ways to save itself. The National Association of Record Merchandisers (NARM) has just published its chairman's message, with several clues about what consumers may see from the industry in the coming months.

From the October issue, John Atkinson gets acquainted with the Morel">http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?942">Morel Octwin 5.2M loudspeaker, noting, "Once you become accustomed to its admittedly weird looks, it is actually visually appealing and has a small footprint in the listening room." But there's something about the Morel's sound that causes JA to raise an eyebrow.

Sony">http://www.sony.com/SEL">Sony Electronics will soon institute some big changes in an effort to become more efficient.