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Consumer Electronics Daily News 1 3 Thursday, January 10, 2019 Poll: Young Children's Popular Tech Use Distracts from Reading, Daily Conversation National polling released last year by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Read Aloud 15 MINUTES shows that significant per- centages of parents report their children's popular technology use is routinely tak- ing time away from reading and convers- ing – activities basic to fostering brain and communication development. More than one third (34 percent) of parents polled said popular tech devices take away reading time for their child. Twenty-six percent of parents of children ages 0-2 said this is the case; the figures increase to 37 percent and 40 percent among parents with children ages 3-5 and 6-8, respectively. Additionally, 43 percent of parents said popular technology devices are a barrier/distraction to conversation and interaction between themselves and their children. More than half (54 percent) said they "sometimes," "often," or "very often" ask their children to put down their devices in order to increase parent/child interaction. Among parents of children ages 0-2, 37 percent reported this to be the case, with boys more likely to be asked. The proportions jumped to 58 percent and 67 percent among parents with children ages 3-5 and 6-8, respec- tively. But children aren't the only tech enthusiasts: 41 percent of parents said their children sometimes (or more often) ask them to put down their devices and interact with them. About half of parents report that device use takes away from their own personal reading time. "We know the vast majority of brain development occurs in the first 3 years of life – a foundational time for a child's speech/language and social develop- ment," Elise Davis-McFarland, PhD, CCC-SLP, said upon the release of the polling results, a time when she served as ASHA's President. "We also know that this development is fueled by daily opportunities for children to talk, read, sing and play with parents and oth- ers." Davis-McFarland continued: "While apps may be able to teach new words or help children reinforce certain skills – and they certainly can occupy children – developmental benefit comes from genuine human interaction. So, while device usage itself may not nec- essarily be problematic, we do have concern if the time spent on them is tak- ing time away from those vital daily interactions." The critical nature of daily reading and conversation also extends beyond the baby and toddler years. "An area of alarm for us is the docu- mented decrease in daily reading aloud among children ages 6-8 in the United States," said Read Aloud 15 MINUTES President and Co-Founder Dr. Candace Kendle. "We must ensure device time is not replacing time for reading aloud with these children, who are approaching or are at a pivotal point in their academic careers – when grade-level reading is required to advance beyond 3rd grade and high- stakes testing is occurring." Conducted by YouGov in 2018, the polling covered a nationally representa- tive sample of 1,022 U.S. households with at least one child between ages 0 and 8. A survey of CES 2018 attendees who visited the ASHA exhibit booth found that 88 percent said it is important that more prominent industry figures speak out about tech overuse. To join the growing number of brands that are making healthy tech usage a pri- ority for their customers, stop by ASHA's booth #44404 (Sands, Halls A-D) and learn more about ASHA's Healthy Communication & Popular Technology Initiative. Visit www.communication andtech.org after the show. AcuRite Atlas: 'Hey, Alexa, My Current Weather is Simplified!' Not a moment to spare during this hectic show? While the AcuRite Access can't cross things off your to-do list, it can save you time with a more flexible and faster way to get your environmental monitor- ing data with an Alexa upgrade. Several savvy AcuRite weather enthusiasts alerted the company to their frustration of listening to a laundry list of sensor readings. Many suggested to unbundle those environmental sensor calculations and give Alexa the ability to provide specific readings upon request. The development team thought that was a great idea and got right to work. The result? A slick new upgrade that gives end users the flexibility to get only the weather readings they ask for – both indoor and out, at home or away – upon voice command. Go ahead and say "Hey, Alexa, ask my AcuRite for: my outdoor temperature; my wind chill; my lightning; my UV index; my rain; or, my barometric pressure." In addition to provid- ing readings at your request, Alexa will also now notify you of any active alerts you have programmed. So, if you monitor for freezing temperatures, excessive wind or rain or lightning, Alexa can tell you what new alerts have been triggered. Just say, "Alexa, ask my AcuRite for my alerts." Also, indoor condi- tions can be monitored as well, so you'll always know if the temperature and humidity lev- els in your home are just right. Be sure to enable your My AcuRite skill, rated four stars on Amazon and compatible with many AcuRite products, including the new AcuRite Atlas. AcuRite hopes you enjoy the updates! For more information, visit www .acurite.com. New X Series Kenwood eXcelon Amplifiers The Kenwood eXcelon X series ampli- fiers are being revamped this year with several improvements. Three new Kenwood eXcelon amplifiers are being introduced, including two multi-channels – the X302-4 (4 channel) and X802-5 (5 channel) – as well as a new mono-block, the X502-1. Many enhancements for the next gen- eration of X series amplifiers have been implemented. First, a dedicated speaker level input has been added, whereas previ- ously, speaker level input connectivity was only supported through the RCA inputs, requiring more labor to make your own cables. Now, adding these amplifiers to many OEM stereos is simplified with the included speaker input cable. Another new addition to these amplifiers is a remote controller input, enabling users to control the Bass channel input sensitivity from the optional KCA-RC01A remote control. The KCA-RC01A features both surface and flush mounting options for installation flexibility. Speaking of enhanced installation ease – now all termi- nals are on the same side, and a new slid- ing terminal block cover is being intro- duced, making for an easier and more aes- thetically pleasing install. Sound quality is also taken to the next level, with improvements on both the mechanical and electrical sides. The screw holes are now being placed on alu- minum parts for bet- ter vehicle vibration control on all new X series amplifiers. With the adoption of a variable gain circuit, the signal to noise ratio is effectively improved as well. In the X502-1, a polymer multi-layer capac- itor (PMLCAP) has been incorporated into the low pass filter circuit, reducing total harmonic distortion. An infrasonic filter has also been added, enabling unnecessary frequencies outside of the audible range to be eliminated, improv- ing the speaker's playback and longevity. In the X502-1 and X802-5, the output coil has been changed to a magnetic shield type, further reducing unwanted radiated noise. All new Kenwood eXcelon X series amplifiers boast impressive specs: X302-4: 75 watts RMS x 4 at 2Ω, 150 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4Ω; X502-1: 500 watts RMS x 1 at 2Ω or 300 watts RMS x 1 at 4Ω; X802-5: 75 watts RMS x 4 + 500 watts RMS x 1 at 2Ω or 300 watts RMS x 1 at 4Ω, 150 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4Ω + 500 watts RMS x 1 at 2Ω or 300 watts RMS x 1 at 4Ω. For more information, stop by booth #4602 in the North Hall. My Geko Gear – OwlScout the Right Dash Cam for Rideshare Drivers My Geko Gear is an up-and-coming brand in the dash cam market. The brand strives to bring new and high- quality dash cams with a user-friendly experience. When designing the dash cams, My Geko Gear takes every detail into consideration, from design to pro- duction to creating a dash cam that fits the user 's needs. My Geko Gear ensures that all the hardware and spec- ifications of the dash cams are industry leading, and most importantly, afford- able. If you are a rideshare driver, the new OwlScout dash cam is a necessary car accessory. The OwlScout is a dual dash cam, which is two cameras set in one unit, great for a quick and easy installation. The front camera will face to the front of the car to record all the events unfolding on the road. The second camera faces inside the cabin, so drivers will have visibility of their passengers at all times. Having footage of each drive may be very important, because you never know what can hap- pen with a passenger or how a drive may go. This new model records in 1296p and with the Sony Exmor sensor, ensuring crystal clear footage for both day and night. For user friendliness, this unit is WiFi capable, which means users will be able to view and transfer their files on their smart- phone. Another great fea- ture with the OwlScout is GPS logging, so users will have the ability to look at all the routes that they have driven. With the new OwlScout, rideshare driv- ers will feel safer on the road. For more information, stop by South Hall booth #35675 or email marketing @papagousa.com.