Archives

Date

Apple Releases Flash Memory-Based iPod Shuffle Digital Audio Player

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2005 - 10:49am.
San Francisco -- Apple Computer on Tuesday introduced the iPod Shuffle, a new digital audio player that has no visual display and features flash memory-based storage rather than the hard drives found in its popular iPods. Apple will sell a $99, 512MB version that holds up to 120 songs and a $149, 1GB version that holds 240 songs. "iPod shuffle is smaller and lighter than a pack of gum and costs less than $100," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "With most flash-memory music players users must use tiny displays and complicated controls to find their music; with iPod shuffle you just relax and it serves up new combinations of your music every time you listen." Apple also announced that it has partnered with automakers Mercedes-Benz USA, Volvo, Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari to offer auto iPod connectivity kits in 2005. Apple said that it sold over 4.5 million iPods during its most recent fiscal quarter, which includes the 2004 holiday shopping period.
tags: Apple | Releases | Flash Memory-Based iPod Shuffle | Digital Audio Player |

Yahoo Launches Desktop Search Tool

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2005 - 10:46am.
Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Yahoo on Tuesday became the latest Internet firm, following Google and Microsoft, to introduce its own desktop search application, a downloadable program that enables users to search through the documents, e-mail, multimedia and other files stored on their PCs. The free public beta test of Yahoo's desktop search tool was launched with technology it acquired from Pasadena, Calif.-based X1 Technologies in December. It includes a sorting function that allows users to launch searches by typing only one or two letters of a search term into a search box. "The beta lets us explore the abundance of opportunities to linking up users' personal data as it exists on Yahoo to their desktop search experience," Bradley Horowitz, director of Yahoo's media and desktop search, told CNET News.com. "It will expand in short order." Both Google and Microsoft have launched desktop search applications in a bid to expand the lucrative search market beyond the Web, where Google currently reigns.
tags: Launches | Yahoo | Desktop Search Tool |

Navarre Acquires Japanese Anime Distributor FUNimation for $100 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2005 - 10:44am.
Minneapolis -- Navarre Corporation, a publisher of video games and other entertainment software, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired FUNimation Productions, a leading distributor of Japanese animation and children's entertainment in the U.S., for over $100 million in cash and over 1.4 million shares of Navarre. Texas-based FUNimation distributes home video and arranges U.S. TV licensing for brands including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu Yu Hakusho, Beyblade and Cabbage Patch Kids. In 2003, FUNimation saw sales of $81.6 million and net income of $30.5 million. Minnesota-based Navarre's products include video games developed by its Encore subsidiary, in addition to PC software, music CDs and DVD video. "The FUNimation acquisition is consistent with our overall business strategy and will significantly increase our publishing offerings, establishes long-term relationships with new vendors and customers, and solidify our position as a premier provider of published and licensed home entertainment products," said Navarre's chief operating officer of publishing and licensing, Cary Deacon.
tags: Navarre | Acquires | FUNimation | Japanese Anime Distributor |

Report: Online Retail Spending Jumps 29% During '04 Holiday Season

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2005 - 10:41am.
South San Francisco -- Retail spending by online consumers grew by 29% this holiday season, surpassing market researcher comScore's initial expectation of 23-26% growth, the firm said on Monday. Online consumers spent $15.8 billion on non-travel items during November and December, helping drive the total online spending in 2004 to a record level of more than $117 billion, up 26% from 2003. "While it's clear that a broad range of online merchants saw a strong season, multi-channel retailers were standouts this year," said Dan Hess, the senior vice president of industry analysis at comScore Networks. "Many of the nation's leading retail brands flexed their muscle this season, with strategies including faster delivery options, significant site redesigns and effective cross-channel promotions."
tags: Reports | Online Retail Spending | Jumps | Holiday Season |

Mobile Video Developer Hantro Secures Additional $5.2 Million Investment

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 11, 2005 - 10:39am.
Helsinki -- Hantro Oy, a Finland-based provider of video enabling technology for mobile handsets, announced this week that it has secured a further $5.2 million investment. A group led by CapMan, Nexit Ventures and Menire led the round. Hantro said it would use the investment to strengthen its position in the global marketplace. "Throughout the last year, it has been increasingly obvious that video services are forming a central part of the network operators' strategies for increasing average revenue per user (ARPU)," said Hantro founder and CEO Eero Kaikkonen. "Whilst we have heard some mention of proprietary formats for video compression, it is clear that the preference is for standards based technology, such as MPEG4 Simple Profile, H.263 and MPEG4 AVC / H.264." Hantro's current customers include Nokia, Agere, Freescale, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Alcatel, Quanta and Mtekvision.
tags: Investment | Mobile Video Developer | Hantro |