Apple once again may have set another trend with retail stores that sell directly to consumers. Sony and Dell have both jumped into the foray and now Pioneer is giving it a shot and will be opening the company’s first store this August in Costa Mesa CA.
The new Pioneer stores will allow customers to select, design and install a system all in one fell-swoop. You can expect to see regular Pioneer and Pioneer Elite products at their stores, but in addition, Pioneer will be testing some of their Japanese products by making certain foreign lines available to U.S consumers. The hope here is that people will give them feedback on whether the foreign line would be a hit with the U.S. market. If the products are popular then Pioneer will make them available for sale through their merchant partners and Pioneer retail stores.
One example of a product Pioneer will be testing in their new stores include Pure Malt Speakers that are actually made from recycled whiskey barrels. Other unique products include home entertainment furniture with built-in speakers, various colored plasma frames that match different decors and small items like speakers for use in the shower or bathtub.
“Product technology is evolving so quickly and commoditization of product happens faster than ever,†said Craig McManis, vice president, Pioneer Stores (USA) Inc. “A company store allows us greater access to consumers for product testing and planning and supports Pioneer’s plan to provide premium value added products to consumers who are entertainment connoisseurs.â€
The 3200 square-foot Costa Mesa store will open in the South Cost Plaza mall sometime in August.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.