register |
login
| search members submit a classified | request a media kit
connecting people & knowledge
ArchivesElectronic Arts Pays $15.6 Million to Settle Overtime Pay Class ActionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:44am.
Redwood City, Calif.-- Video game developer and publisher Electronic Arts announced on Thursday that it has paid $15.6 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by current and former employees, who argued the company did not provide adequate overtime pay. Under the settlement, some 200 EA production workers who were not previously eligible will be reclassified as eligible for overtime pay, but will no longer receive stock options, EA spokeswoman Trudy Miller told the Associated Press. The lawsuit was originally filed in July 2004, following the publication of a widely-publicized online journal deriding the company for its work environment and compensation policies. A separate class action lawsuit, brought by a group of engineers working for Electronic Arts, is still pending.
AOL to Acquire Blogging Company Weblogs Inc.Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:43am.
Dulles, Va. - In a deal that will add 85 new topical websites to its fold, America Online said on Thursday that it has agreed to acquire blogging company Weblogs Inc., which has offices in Santa Monica, Calif. and New York City, for an undisclosed sum. The deal is AOL's third acquisition this year, following the acquisitions of Wildseed and Xdrive in August. Two-year-old Weblogs Inc. operates a media network of 85 blogging sites covering a range of subject matters. The company features more than 100 independent, freelance bloggers producing over 1,000 blog postings weekly. The company claims to have over 30 million monthly web page views and 25 million monthly RSS page views. AOL plans to integrate the content throughout its core service, as well as its network of properties, such as Moviefone, AOL Music and Netscape. Under the deal, Weblogs Inc. will become a stand-alone subsidiary of AOL, operating with full editorial control and independence.
Aussie High Court Rules PlayStation "Mod Chips" LegalAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:40am.
Sydney - Australia's highest court has ruled that "mod chips" for Sony's PlayStation 2 video game console, which can alter the device so that it plays imported or pirated games, are legal, Australian IT reported. The unanimous ruling from the High Court follows an appeal won by Sony before the full bench of the Federal Court. The High Court invalidated Sony's claim that its regional coding on the PlayStation 2 constitutes copyright protection, which was then being circumvented by the mod chips; the court reasoned that since no unauthorized copy of the game is created using the mod chips, no copyright infringement had occurred. The court ruling will create some confusion in Australia, where the government recently agreed to amend copyright laws in the country to outlaw the underlying technology behind mod chips. PlayStation 2 mod chips are illegal in the U.S. under the anti-circumvention clause of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and were ruled illegal in the U.K. in July 2004, where Sony has since successfully litigated against several mod chip suppliers.
EU Names Neil Barrett as Trustee to Monitor MicrosoftAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:38am.
Brussels - The European Commission announced that it has appointed Neil Barrett, a computer scientist at Cranfield University in the U.K., as the trustee who will ensure that Microsoft complies with a recent antitrust ruling against the U.S.-based software giant. In a landmark decision last year, the Commission ordered Microsoft to sell a version of its Windows operating system in Europe without Microsoft Media Player. Barrett's job will be to make sure that new versions of Windows sans Media Player do not impose "any commercial, technological or contractual terms" that would make it less attractive than Windows with Media Player. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said Barrett would report directly to her on Microsoft's progress -- or lack thereof. In the latter case, Microsoft could be fined as much as 5% of global sales for every day it does not comply.
Report: 63% of U.S. Households Will Have HDTV Sets by 2010Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:36am.
New York - High-definition television will make great strides over the next five years, with market penetration growing from 21% at the end of 2004 to 2010, when 70% of all televisions sold will be HDTV sets, and 63% of U.S. households will own an HDTV set, according to a report from JupiterResearch. "After a slow start, HDTV is beginning to generate real consumer appeal. We attribute this to the increase availability of HD content as well as the growing number of HD sets available at retail," said JupiterResearch associate analyst Joni Blecher. The report also forecasts that LCD flat screen and projection display sets will make up the majority of U.S. sales by 2010. "With prices dropping, greater prominence in the retail channel and the impact of the FCC's digital tuner mandate on manufacturers, we are forecasting a steady increase in HDTV unit sales over the next five years," said JupiterResearch senior vice president David Schatsky.
Flash Creator, About.com Founder Launch Brightcove Internet TV ServiceAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:34am.
Cambridge, Mass. - A group of technology veterans including Macromedia Flash creator Jeremy Allaire, About.com founder Scott Kurnit, and Lycos general counsel Andrew Feinberg have announced the launch of Brightcove, an Internet TV service designed to let video creators post their content online and set up means of generating compensation and syndication. Massachusetts-based Brightcove will not charge producers for uploading their content, but will receive a share of the advertising and other fees generated by the videos; producers may also opt for ad-free video, in which case they will be charged according to the bandwidth used for traffic they generate. "We are committed to transforming the distribution of video and TV programming through the Internet, and we have assembled a team that has the skills and experience to make that vision a reality," said Brightcove founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire.
Report: European DVB-H Mobile TV Revenue to Hit $8.3 Billion in 2011Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:32am.
London - The digital video broadcasting (DVB-H) standard for delivering mobile TV to cell phones will gain momentum in Europe by 2008, and grow to reach $8.3 billion in annual revenues by 2011, according to a report from market research firm Frost & Sullivan. Ambiguities regarding spectrum allocation are expected to be worked out by manufacturers, who are forecasted to begin DVB-H mobile TV trials by 2008. While initial pricing may be kept lower to attract new customers, by 2010 European service providers are expected to be offering mobile TV for between $8.50 and $15 per month. "By 2011, video services like downloading would be used as a sales channel for specific video content while DVB-H takes over as the primary channel for mobile video services," said Frost & Sullivan analyst Pranab Mookken.
Tiger Telematics Confirms Oct. 22 U.S. Launch for GizmondoAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:25am.
Jacksonville, Fla. - Tiger Telematics, the developer of the Gizmondo multi-functional handheld video game system, announced on Thursday that it will release the Gizmondo in the U.S. on Oct. 22. "Contrary to rumors in the marketplace we are not delaying the scheduled USA launch, we are committed to the October 22, 2005 release date, and the product will be available in all 50 states well in advance of the Christmas retail season," said Tiger Telematics chairman and co-founder Carl Freer. The device has been on sale in the U.K. since March, and Tiger on Thursday said that it has added Play.com and Maplin to its network of U.K. retail partners. While the first-generation Gizmondo features a 2.8-inch screen, the company has already announced plans for a widescreen version that will bring its screen size more in line with the rival Sony PSP.
Google Local Integrates Google Maps ServiceAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:22am.
Mountain View, Calif. - Google on Thursday officially launched its Google Local service, having merged the technologies behind its Google Local and Google Maps services. Google Local will offer information such as integrated local search results, Yellow Page directories, and driving directions that include Google's satellite imagery. "Users will be able to go to one location to find all the local and mapping information they need," said Marissa Mayer, Google director of consumer Web products. "Whether it's directions to the nearest pharmacy or reviews of nearby dim sum restaurants, we will continue to develop innovative technologies that enrich our users' lives."
MLB to Offer Live Spanish Audio in Dominican Republic, Puerto RicoAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:21am.
New York - Major League Baseball Advanced Media announced on Thursday that it will provide live Spanish-language streaming audio of the 2005 MLB playoffs and World Series for mobile subscribers in the Dominican Republic and Puetro Rico. The MLB's new media unit partnered with Berkeley, Calif.-based MobiTV to offer the streaming audio through the company's own site, and also via Verizon Dominicana.
New "Doctor Who" Episodes Coming to UMD for Sony PSPAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:18am.
London - 2Entertain, an entertainment media distributor jointly owned by BBC Video and Woolworths, announced that it plans to offer the updated production of the classic U.K. sci-fi TV series "Doctor Who" on UMD format for Sony's PSP handheld. The first three episodes of the series will go on sale on UMD later this month.
Maclean's Launches Digital Magazine with Zinio SystemsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:16am.
Toronto - Canadian news and public affairs magazine Maclean's announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Zinio Systems to launch of a digital edition of the magazine. San Francisco-based Zinio will publish a version of Maclean's in PDF format that is an exact replica of the print edition.
RapidSolution Launches PodSpider Podcast PortalAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:13am.
Karlsruhe, Germany - German software developer RapidSolution on Thursday launched its PodSpider portal, a podcast search engine the company says beats Apple's own podcast directory. PodSpider provides access to over 20,000 English-language podcasts.
Activision, id Software Ship "Doom 3," Plan "Wolfenstein" for Xbox 360Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:10am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game publisher Activision on Thursday shipped "Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil" for the Xbox to retailers. The third title in the franchise, which recently spawned a motion picture spin-off, was co-developed by id Software and Nerve Software. Separately, Activision said id Software will offer a new title in its popular "Wolfenstein" franchise for Xbox 360 and the PC. The unnamed title is currently in development at Raven Software, under executive production by id Software; Activision has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the game.
2K Games Ships "Conflict: Global Terror"Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:08am.
New York - 2K Games, a unit of publisher Take-Two Interactive, announced on Thursday the release of its "Conflict: Global Terror" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox and the PC. The "M" for Mature-rated title is the latest installment in the "Conflict" game series.
tags: 2K Games | Conflict: Global Terror |
Vodafone to Distribute Electronic Arts Mobile GamesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:05am.
Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with wireless carrier Vodafone, which will bring EA's library of mobile games to Vodafone Live subscribers in Europe, Egypt, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Titles under the agreement include "FIFA 06 Mobile," "The Sims 2" and "Need for Speed Most Wanted"; EA expects to offer 15-20 mobile games in Europe by the end of 2006.
GarageGames to Release "Marble Blast Ultra" for Xbox 360 Live ArcadeAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:02am.
Eugene, Ore. - Independent game publisher GarageGames announced on Thursday that it will publish a version of its "Marble Blast Ultra" online multiplayer game for the Xbox 360. The title will be made available at the console's launch via download through the Xbox Live Arcade online game service.
Jamdat Launches Mobile "Tetris" Game in JapanAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 9:00am.
Los Angeles - Wireless entertainment publisher Jamdat Mobile on Thursday announced the launch of its mobile "Tetris" game in Japan. The company partnered with Japanese distributor G-Mode for the launch; the mobile "Tetris" is also available in the U.S., the U.K., Spain, Germany, Brazil and Korea.
Nokia N-Gage Academy to Instruct on Mobile Game SharingAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 8:58am.
Espoo, Finland - In an effort to educate consumers on available technology, Nokia has launched an online campaign that will let users download a mobile mini-game for free and send it to another compatible Nokia phone. The N-Gage Academy, named for Nokia's N-Gage hybrid cell phone/mobile game deck, will support transfer of the mini-game by WAP/GPRS settings, or by downloading the game to a PC by Bluetooth or memory card.
Entertainment Software Assoc. Launches Kids' Charity Auction on eBayAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2005 - 8:55am.
Washington - The Entertainment Software Association announced that it will hold its sixth-annual video game industry charity auction to benefit children's charities on eBay, from Oct. 7 to 14. The auction will be held in conjunction with the ESA's charity fundraising dinner on Oct. 18, "Nite to Unite for Kids," which will honor director George Lucas, also the founder of game developer LucasArts. Items available on the eBay charity auction include a PlayStation 2 signed by the cast of the TV show "Alias"; a life-sized statue of the character Master Chief, from "Halo 2"; and two passes to the E3 Expo and either Sony's or Nintendo's traditionally lavish convention parties.
|
Upcoming DMW Events
Jan. 9, 2009 | Las Vegas www.digitalmediainsider.com 
Feb. 25-26, 2009 | New York www.digitalmusicforum.com 
March 24-25, 2009 | Los Angeles www.televisionconference.com Events Calendar Submit a Speaker To receive event updates & announcements: 
DMW 100 Financial Index
Twitter Updates from JayNavigationUser loginAds |
Daily Newsletter and NetworkingLatest Top Stories
Latest Briefly Noted
Twitter Updates from NedOur Sponsors
PollOur PublicationsOther Ads |
Recent comments
6 hours 31 min ago
7 hours 14 min ago
1 day 3 hours ago
1 day 3 hours ago
1 day 14 hours ago
1 day 17 hours ago
1 day 18 hours ago
1 day 22 hours ago
2 days 1 hour ago
2 days 2 hours ago