Dueling forecasts on consumer tech spending

Techstination, your destination for gadgets and gear.     Dueling forecasts on consumer tech spending in the U.S..    The Consumer Technology Association says AI and gaming are likely to push that spending up by a modest 1 percent this year.    The new AI powered laptops and a boost in gaming services are helping there according to the CTA.   Meanwhile…Circana, a company that advises on the complexity of human behavior, is now forecasting a two percent decline in U.S. consumer tech sales this year.    It says while unemployment remains low and real wage growth has been positive, high credit card debt and mortgage interest rates are straining consumer finances.    But there are areas of optimism there too…including consumer interest in those new AI PCs.     We’ll be talking more about those coming up.