Editing VTech (section)

==History==
[[File:VTech-Socrates-Set-FL.jpg|top|thumb|right|VTech has developed edutainment consoles since 1988, their first being the [[VTech Socrates|Socrates.]]]]
VTech was founded in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] in October 1976 by two local entrepreneurs, Allan Wong (Chi-Yun)<ref name="Silicon's Search For Youth"/><ref name="CNN"/> and Stephen Leung.<ref name="History"/> When the first single-chip [[microprocessor]], the [[Intel 4004]], became available in the early 1970s, the company saw the potential it offered for portable consumer electronics products. Wong & Leung set up a small factory in [[To Kwa Wan]], with a {{US$|40000}} investment and a staff of 40 people. In the first year, turnover was less than $1 million.<ref name = "History" />

VTech initially focused on developing [[video game]]s. In 1977, the company created its first home TV game console, a version of [[Pong]]. Since only consumers in North America and Europe could afford such items, the company targeted primarily these markets.

The United Kingdom was chosen as the first market for Pong, as Hong Kong and the UK used the same standard for [[television system]]s. In 1978, the founders introduced LED games they had developed to buyers from [[RadioShack]] in the US, which were sold under the RadioShack brand.

VTech then began to build its own brand. Starting in the early 1980s, a line of [[List of VTech Handheld electronic games|electronic games]] would be manufactured. VTech unveiled its first electronic learning product, called Lesson One, at the New York Toy Fair, in February 1980.<ref name = "History" /> It taught children basic spelling and maths. An exclusive version under the name Computron was offered to [[Sears]], with the product being prominently advertised by Sears, in its catalogue, which was a popular shopping guide.<ref name="Silicon's Search For Youth-2">{{cite news|title=Silicon's Search For Youth|url=https://www.forbes.com/2011/01/31/toys-allan-wong-vtech-microchip-search-for-youth_2.html|newspaper=Forbes|date=31 January 2011|page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kids' computers through the ages|url=http://www.computerworlduk.com/slideshow/infrastructure/3291946/kids-computers-through-the-ages/6/|newspaper=Computerworld UK|date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

Next, VTech made the video game console [[VTech CreatiVision|CreatiVision]]. An electronic product with an external projector from French company Ludotronic was adapted by VTech and sold as the VTech ProScreen in 1984, following the release of VTech's Gamate and Variety handheld products the year prior.

VTech then branched out into [[personal computer]]s, including a series of 8-bit [[TRS-80]] competition computers named the Laser 200, 210, and 310, as well as a series of [[IBM PC compatible]]s both beginning in 1983, followed by [[Apple II]] compatible computers, beginning in 1985, including a model called [[Laser 128]]. After acquiring PC manufacturer [[Leading Technology]] of Oregon in 1992,<ref name=shake>{{cite journal | last=Veilleux | first=C. Thomas | date=April 20, 1992 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A12153987/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=While Comdex roars, industry shakes out | journal=HFD | publisher= BridgeTower Media Holding Company | volume=66 | issue=16 | page=110 | via=Gale}}</ref> VTech exited the personal computer market in 1997 due to tight competition.<ref name="Reference for Business">{{cite web|title=VTech Holdings Ltd. – Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on VTech Holdings Ltd.|url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/4/VTech-Holdings-Ltd.html|publisher=Reference for Business}}</ref>

In 1985, the United States [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) allocated the frequency band [[900 MHz]] to [[ISM radio band|ISM]] (industrial, scientific, and medical) devices. Taking advantage of this, VTech began development on a cordless telephone, using the 900&nbsp;MHz band, and in 1991 introduced the world's first fully [[Digital data|digital]] 900&nbsp;MHz cordless telephone.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Cordless Phones Offer Privacy, Remarkable Clarity|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/06/04/new-cordless-phones-offer-privacy-remarkable-clarity/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=4 June 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Benjamin |first1=David |title=Dalvado |url=https://dalvado.com/ |access-date=27 October 2023 |agency=Tech Support}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=VTECH phone is no bump analog; this baby's digital.|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-12402943/vtech-phone-no-bump.html|date=15 June 1992|author=Michael Rose|publisher=Business Journal-Portland}}</ref>
[[File:Vtech logo.svg|thumb|200px|Logo used since 2001]]
In 2000, to expand its cordless phone business, VTech acquired the consumer telephone business of [[Lucent|Lucent Technologies]]. The acquisition also gave VTech the exclusive right for 10 years to use the [[AT&T]] brand in conjunction with the manufacture and sale of wireline telephones and accessories in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite news|title=VTech buys Lucent's consumer phone business for $113m|url=http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/19/01/2000/14318/VTech-buys-Lucent39s-consumer-phone-business-for.htm|newspaper=ElectronicsWeekly.com|date=19 January 2000}}</ref> Although the acquisition increased sales of VTech's telecommunication products by 50%, it led to operating losses and [[write-off]]s. The company issued a [[profit warning]] in March 2001 and launched a broad [[restructuring]] plan.<ref>{{cite news|title=VTech Issues Profit Warning, Plans to Restructure Business|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB985617884903534895.djm.html|newspaper=Wall Street Journal Online}}</ref> By the [[financial year]] 2002, the company had turned around the business and returned to [[profit (accounting)|profit]]ability.<ref>{{cite news|title=VTech reverses losses to post $11.2m profit|url=http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?C=0&ID=404064|newspaper=Reuters|date=27 June 2002}}</ref>

Today, VTech's [[core business]]es remain cordless telephones and electronic learning products. Its [[contract manufacturing]] services – which manufactures various electronic products on behalf of medium-sized companies, have also become a major source of revenue. The company has diversified geographically, selling to North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2012|url=http://vtech.com/images/stories/vtech/pdf/reports/AR2012_eng.pdf|publisher=VTech|pages=16–19}}</ref>