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Apple Sells 1 Million Songs in One Week Through New iTunes Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:11am.
Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple Computer announced on Monday that it sold over one million digital songs through its iTunes Music Store during its first week of operation. The service offers Mac users the ability to purchase and download 200,000 songs for $0.99 each. "In less than one week we've broken every record and become the largest online music company in the world," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Apple said it will add another 3,200 songs to its online catalog tomorrow. "Our internal measure of success was having the iTunes Music Store sell one million songs in the first month. To do this in one week is an over-the-top success," said Doug Morris, CEO of major record label Universal Music Group. Apple also reported taking orders for over 110,000 of its new third-generation iPods since their launch a week ago, as well 20,000 in-store sales of the devices over the weekend.
tags: Apple | iTunes | Musics |

RealNetworks Launches Mobile Content Streaming Subscription Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:11am.
Seattle -- Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks on Monday announced the launch of its RealOne Mobile Media Guide, a wireless streaming media subscription service. The service will offer content from providers including Capitol Records, CNET Radio Direct, FoxSports.com, iFilm, NPR, the PGA Tour, Sporting News Radio, Triggerstreet.com and Virgin Records. The service is currently is available on Nokia's 3650 and Pocket PC devices, with devices from Siemens and Samsung supporting the service expected to be offered in the U.S. later this year. Seattle-based RealNetworks also announced its RealOne Mobile On-ramp, a program that enables content providers to deliver programming to millions of consumers via their mobile phones and PDAs. The program aids providers in encoding their content in bitrates available over 2.5G mobile networks.
tags: RealNetworks | Mobiles | Subscription Service |

FT: Vivendi Looks at Plan to Avoid $2 Billion in Taxes

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:09am.
Paris -- Vivendi Universal is studying a plan to sell and buy back parts of its U.S. entertainment business to avoid U.S. tax liabilities of up to $2 billion, according to a report in Monday's Financial Times. The idea of a sale and repurchase is an effort to avoid break-up liabilities Vivendi would face if it split up the subsidiary combining Universal Studios, television and theme park assets. U.S. tax authorities and regulators would probably not endorse such a scheme. Vivendi declined to comment on the FT report.
tags: Vivendi | Taxes | FT |

Tapwave's "Helix" Handheld Game to Target Older Audience Than Game Boy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:07am.
Los Angeles -- Tapwave, a developer of multi-functional handheld video game devices, on Monday announced the launch of Helix, its first product, Reuters reported. The handheld device, which runs on the PalmOS operating system and includes Palm's organizer features, also plays full-motion video and MP3 music in addition to games that will be developed by firms including Activision, Infogrames and Midway. Tapwave says it will target mobile gamers 18 years to 34 years old who have "graduated" from Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, which currently dominates the market. Tapwave has not yet announced pricing or launch date details for the Helix. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2684640
tags: Helix | Handheld Game | Tapwave | Game Boy |

Disney to Launch "Toontown" Online Multiplayer Game for Kids in June

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:07am.
North Hollywood, Calif. -- Disney Online, a unit of Walt Disney Internet Group, announced on Monday that it will launch "Toontown Online," which it says is the first massively multiplayer 3D online game for kids and families, on June 2. The $9.95 monthly service will be available as a download, and will also be sold at retail beginning in September via a Disney specialty card powered by AT&T Prepaid Web Cents technology. The game features special communications software that will let kids chat with one another in a safe online environment. "Toontown Online" was developed by Disney's Virtual Reality Studio, using its proprietary PANDA3D network game engine. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030505/55247_1.html
tags: Games | Internet | Disney | Multiplayer | Toontown |

Video Networking Equipment Firm SkyStream Networks Raises $25 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:06am.
Sunnyvale, Calif. -- SkyStream Networks, a provider of advanced video networking technologies, announced on Monday that it has secured $25 million in private funding. The investment was led by 3i U.S.; other investors included IVP, Mayfield and Norwest Venture Partners. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based SkyStream provides networking hardware platforms for service providers like telephone companies and global satellite operators, which cost-effectively deliver cinema-quality video and broadband services. Its customers include EchoStar, BT, Clear Channel Worldwide and Sony. The company will use the additional funds to bolster its corporate operations and product development as it moves toward profitability. http://www.skystream.com/press/2003/050503-ss_secures.stm
tags: VC | Video | SkyStream |

Interactive TV Firm GoldPocket Acquires U.K.-Based WatchPoint Media

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:05am.
Los Angeles -- GoldPocket Interactive, a producer of two-way interactive TV programming, announced on Monday that it has acquired U.K.-based WatchPoint Media, a developer of interactive TV authoring software. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The purchase marks Los Angeles-based GoldPocket's entry into the European market, where it will have headquarters in London overseen by Matt West, WatchPoint's vice president of sales and marketing. WatchPoint's StoryTeller allows content producers to create interactive TV applications that may be easily published to multiple platforms. GoldPocket has produced and delivered more than 4,000 hours of iTV programming for major networks and media companies including CBS, PBS, Fox, Sony and The WB. http://www.goldpocket.com/corporate/interactive.aspx?pageID=20&newsID=56
tags: TV | U.K | Interactive | GoldPocket | WatchPoint Media |

Electronic Arts Gets "Superman" Game License; Announces New "Sims" Title

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:03am.
Redwood City, Calif. -- Independent game developer Electronic Arts announced on Monday that Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics have awarded the company the worldwide interactive rights to develop games based on the legendary comic superhero, "Superman." Under the multi-year agreement, Redwood City, Calif.-based EA will publish games for all platforms based on the upcoming Superman feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures -- as well as any sequels -- in addition to Superman comics and animated television programs. "We are extremely excited about creating a whole new look and feel for the universe of Superman characters," said EA president and COO John Riccitiello. Separately, Electronic Arts on Monday announced that it will release "The Sims 2," a sequel to the best-selling PC game of all time, in early 2004. The game, which features more life-like Sims, all-new gameplay, and the addition of genetics, where the DNA of Sims passed down through generations, is currently in development at EA's Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Maxis Studio. http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030505/55329_1.html
tags: Games | Electronic Arts | Title | Superman | Sims |

Stealth-Mode Digital Video Developer KMV Raises $18 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:00am.
Austin, Texas -- KMV Technologies, a developer of "next-generation video communication products and services," on Monday announced that it has raised $18 million in its first round of venture capital financing. The round was co-led by Austin Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners and Redpoint Ventures. The stealth-stage company, founded in January 2003, is currently developing digital videoconferencing technology. The new funds will enable the company to expand its engineering and marketing teams, as well as bring the first release of its products and services to market.
tags: VC | Digital Video | Stealth-Mode | KMV |

Game Developer Activision Announces Three-for-Two Stock Split

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:00am.
Santa Monica, Calif. -- Video game developer and publisher Activision announced on Monday that its board of directors has approved a three-for-two split of its shares. The split is payable on June 6, 2003, to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2003. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision said the stock split will be accomplished through a 50 percent stock dividend, providing shareholders with one additional share of common stock for every two shares they hold.
tags: Games | Activision | Split | Three-for-Two |