i3 - September/October 2020 - 4

Editor's Note

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Focus on
the Trends
COVID-19 has impacted our lives and the economy in ways we
could not have anticipated in January. The good news is that
the tech sector is providing solutions during the pandemic with
innovations that are keeping us connected, productive and
entertained as we social distance.

o help stay in front of changing trends, CTA conducts
research studies to inform
business decisions. CTA's
U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year
Industry Forecast finds tech retail sales
revenue will reach $406.8 billion in
2020 - a 2.2% decline year-over-year
- as consumers struggle with economic uncertainty from the pandemic.
However, a bright spot is spending on
streaming services and connected
health devices including audio, video
and video gaming have risen as people work remotely, and are forecast to
reach a record high of $86 billion in
2020 (14% growth over last year).
CTA is also examining how technology is enabling students to continue learning at home during the
pandemic. CTA's COVID-19 Impact:
Technology and Remote Education
found three-quarters of parents
(75%) and educators (73%) say tech
products and services have eased
at-home learning.
Looking ahead, nearly four in five
(78%) parents and educators believe
coronavirus restrictions will lead to
more remote education for the
2020/2021 school year. To read
more, see i3's Market Beat column

with the latest stats. And for the latest research, visit CTA.tech/research.
In this issue we also look at the
new workplace that has sprung up in
response to the pandemic. The
Conference Board, in its report on
Human Capital Response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic, concludes that
remote working "could become the
most influential legacy of COVID-19."
And i3 interviewed Jeff Wald, author
of The End of Jobs, to discuss why
jobs are changing so rapidly and
how technology is expediting the
rise of on-demand workers.
Our Innovator is an entrepreneur
with more than 20 years of industry
experience, Deena Ghazarian. She
talks about her new company
Austere which combines high-performance accessories with a stylish
flair that complements home decor.
Finally, we look at services for
electric vehicles that will use realtime data from the vehicle and vehicles operating in its vicinity to
enhance the driving experience further. And we take a look at 5G tech
and some of the challenges and
opportunities with the current rollout. Please send ideas and comments to: cstevens@CTA.tech.

Gary Shapiro

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Jean Foster

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Cindy Loffler Stevens
MANAGING EDITOR

Mark Chisholm

SENIOR CREATIVE
MANAGER

MANAGER,
CREATIVE DIRECTION

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CIRCULATION
MANAGER

John Lindsey
Ian Shields

Matt Patchett

Gretchen Mitchler

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Gary Arlen, Robert Calem,
John Gaudiosi, Steve Koenig, Natalie Hope McDonald,
Susan Schreiner, Murray Slovick
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Kari Aakre, Intel; Dave Arland, Arland Communications;
Peter Brinkman, Casio; Gabriele Collier, HDMI; Kristen Cook,
The Marketing Shack; Danielle Deabler, NPR Labs;
John Dunstan, Netgear; Sean Durkin, Tencent;
Bill Kircos, Intel; Chris Loncto, Sharp Electronics Corp.;
Daniel Pidgeon, Sears Home Services; David Steel, Samsung;
John Taylor, LG Electronics

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PRODUCTION MANAGER

Lori Orient

PHOTO EDITOR

ASSOCIATE OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR

Leah Rudolfo

Alix McNamara

It Is Innovation (i3) is published as a service to the members of the
Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and to key players in the consumer
technology industry. CTA represents more than 2,200 U.S. manufacturers
of audio, video, digital imaging, accessories, mobile electronics, home
networking, wireless communication, information technology and multimedia
products that are sold through consumer channels.
The opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and not necessarily
those of CTA. Comments, questions and letters to the editor are welcome.
Address responses to: It Is Innovation (i3), Consumer Technology Association,
1919 South Eads St., Arlington, VA 22202, tel: 703 907 7600.
© 2020 Consumer Technology Association
Articles from this issue may be reproduced in whole or in part,
provided full credit is given to CTA.
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are trademarks owned by CTA.
It Is Innovation (i3) (USPS 022897 Vol. 8, No. 5) is published bi-monthly by the
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Cindy Loffler Stevens,
Editor-in-Chief
4

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i3 - September/October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i3 - September/October 2020