Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
Plus: Shoe order arrives in a flash with Foot Locker and DoorDash
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April 8, 2026
 
 
Consumer Technology Association SmartBrief
News covering the consumer technology industrySIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
 
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Today's Digital Pulse
 
Bug vision tech could slim down phone cameras
 
Bug vision tech could slim down phone cameras
ultra-thin camera module (KAIST)
KAIST researchers have developed an ultra-thin camera module that could eliminate the camera hump in phones and wearables. The module, less than 1 millimeter thick, uses an insect vision-inspired microlens array to deliver a 140-degree field of view while maintaining high resolution and detail.
Full Story: Digital Trends (4/8)
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Automated fulfillment, available now
Achieve best-in-class OTIF enabled by warehouse robotics—without the upfront cost. Warehouse automation requires massive capital, long-term contracts, and years to implement. Fortunately for you, Exolâ„¢ already made the investment. You get world-class robotics and a nationwide network without the capital commitment or decade-long lock-in. Learn More.
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Smart Home
 
The heat is on with Merino’s Wi-Fi smart pump
Merino Energy has developed the Mono, a compact heat pump that combines the condenser and heat exchanger into a single indoor unit, eliminating the need for complex multi-part installations. The Wi-Fi-enabled system plugs into a standard outlet, installs in about an hour and uses smart features like occupancy sensing and device coordination to simplify setup and improve efficiency.
Full Story: TechCrunch (tiered subscription model) (4/7)
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Sony shows True RGB colors with next-gen mini LED TVs
Engadget (4/8)
 
 
IKEA now lights up with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant
Wired (tiered subscription model) (4/8)
 
 
YouTube goes hands-on with live chat, interactive TV
TechCrunch (tiered subscription model) (4/8)
 
First Industry Standard to Advance Women's Health
Access the first women's health standard for the consumer technology industry — ensuring digital health tech works better for women's physiology, health conditions and life stages. Access today — complimentary for CTA members.
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Wireless
 
Apple's foldable iPhone enters trial production at Foxconn
Apple's foldable iPhone has entered trial production at Foxconn, a move that indicates Apple is transitioning from internal prototypes to preparing for mass production, according to a leaker. Barclays analyst Tim Long has suggested a December launch, but the progress toward mass production suggests a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro is possible.
Full Story: 9to5Mac (4/6)
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Mint Mobile offers $45 home, mobile 5G bundle
PC Magazine (4/7)
 
 
Motorola draws eyes with Moto Stylus and Pad
Engadget (4/7)
 
 
Insta360 upgrades selfies with a Snap on Android, iPhone
Notebookcheck (Austria) (4/8)
 
Manage Agentforce AI Risk
Traditional QA wasn't built for AI. Join Leaptree on April 29th at 3PM EST to discover how to move beyond manual sampling. Learn to build a scalable QA framework that brings trust and accountability to your Salesforce AI agents. Register now!
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Sponsored Content from Dell Technologies
 
Storage is the hidden bottleneck of AI
Harness the full potential of AI by fortifying your storage foundation. As data volumes surge, businesses face hurdles in extracting meaningful insights amid the deluge. Reliable and future-proof storage solutions are vital to handle the evolving demands of AI. Read the article here.
 
 
 
 
Tech News
 
Out of this world! NASA releases Artemis II wallpapers
 
Out of this world! NASA releases Artemis II wallpapers
(NASA)
NASA has released a collection of high-resolution images from the Artemis II mission that can be used as wallpapers on phones and computers. The photos are available on the NASA Johnson Flickr account, with easy download options in various resolutions.
Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (4/8)
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Rivian R2 Performance drives to the top of EPA rating
InsideEVs (4/7)