Archive - Nov 20, 2006 | Digital Media Wire

Real Demand for Sony’s PlayStation 3 will be Revealed After Black Market Cools

Authored by Scott Goldberg on November 20, 2006 - 7:20pm.

In limiting its launch to 400,000 units, Sony’s PlayStation 3 faced the issues one might expect: a shooting in Connecticut; a robbery in El Grove, CA; a brawl in North Riverside, IL; and many other incidents around the country. Some would say the countless stories of customers camping in places less than ideal for such an activity (ever been to Wisconsin in late November?) is indicative of the demand for the device, which will go head to head with the Wii (debuting yesterday) and Xbox 360 this Christmas. Whether the demand is real or not will be proven in the weeks ahead, because it’s likely many of the launch customers camped solely for the price a PS3 is currently fetching on the black market.

Comcast to Sell Broadband Access Service on Amazon.com

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:56pm.

Philadelphia - Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider, announced on Monday that it has opened an online store on Amazon.com to sell its broadband Internet service and related offerings. Comcast added that it will provide a $100 Amazon.com gift certificate to customers who sign up for its high-speed Internet service through the 2006 holiday season.

Gemstar-TV Guide Licenses Program Listing to Fox Sites

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:55pm.

Los Angeles - Gemstar-TV Guide International, a provider of electronic program guides for digital TV services, announced on Monday that it has signed agreements to syndicate its program listings to Fox Interactive Media's FoxSports.com and IGN Entertainment, and expand its deal with Fox Television Stations. The agreements allow Fox to use Gemstar's program guides on its websites and mobile portals.

eMusic Details Promotion for 100-Millionth MP3 Download

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:53pm.

New York - Digital music service eMusic said on Monday that it has hired recording artists Barenaked Ladies to write and record a personalized song about the eMusic subscriber who downloads the 100-millionth track from the service, expected to come in the next few weeks. The subscriber who downloads the 100-millionth MP3 from eMusic's service will also receive a free premium subscription for life.

Limelight Networks to Provide Content Delivery for Current TV

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:52pm.

Tempe, Ariz. - Limelight Networks announced on Monday that it will provide its content delivery network services to Current TV, the pro and amateur video network co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore. "Our users are hooked on viewing and voting. The success of an online video community is absolutely dependent on the quality of the video experience," said Smith Forte, vice president of online for Current TV. "Limelight Networks enables us to consistently deliver high-quality video content to our community, regardless of site traffic or video size."

Fabrik Debuts Storage Service for Photos, Videos, Music

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:50pm.

San Mateo, Calif. - Fabrik on Monday announced the commercial launch of its service that allows users to upload, store and embed streaming music playlists, slideshows with images and music, video players and other media without joining a public community. The free basic service allows users to share files up to 1GB in total size, while premium, subscription-based accounts allow for up to 100GB of storage, for 49 cents per gigabyte per month.

Ticketmaster Introduces Gift Card Program

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:49pm.

West Hollywood, Calif. - Ticketmaster on Monday introduced a new Gift Card program, which will allow consumers and corporate buyers to purchase gift cards redeemable for tickets to various participating events. The gift cards will be available in denominations ranging from $25 to $250 and will have no expiration date.

TV News Website IBCToday.com Adds Fox News Videos

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:47pm.

New York - Online TV news syndication service Internet Broadcasting Corp. announced on Monday that it has signed an agreement to offer content from Fox News. Under the deal, Montreal-based Internet Broadcasting's IBCToday.com will include up to 40 Fox international and U.S. national news, business and entertainment video stories each day. IBC also has similar agreements with Associated Press TV and the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

Discovery Website Adds AFI Filmmaking Course for Classrooms

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:46pm.

Los Angeles - Discovery Education's online unitedstreaming service on Monday debuted an online application developed by the American Film Institute to help teachers use filmmaking as a method to engage students in the learning process. "Lights, Camera, Education" was previously only available through training workshops run by AFI.

3UK Replaces Musiwave with Groove Mobile as Mobile Music Partner

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:44pm.

Bedford, Mass. - Mobile music service provider Groove Mobile announced on Monday that it has been selected to power the mobile music download service for wireless network operator 3UK, replacing Musiwave as 3UK's mobile music service partner. Groove said its service provides enhanced handset support, as well as the ability to purchase tracks from a PC and for dual download to PC and mobile phones. Massachusetts-based Groove Mobile also powers mobile music services for Orange, Telnor and TMN in Europe.

Jamster to Offer WeeWorld Cartoon Avatars for Mobile Phones

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:39pm.

London - Mobile entertainment publisher Jamster, a unit of VeriSign, announced on Monday that it has partnered with WeeWorld, to bring the company's cartoon-like personalized avatars to mobile phones. Under the deal, Jamster users can now create customized WeeWorld avatars for use as wallpapers, screensavers and caller ID images on their mobile phones.

Verizon Wireless Debuts New PC Software for Mobile Music Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:37pm.

Basking Ridge, N.J. - Verizon Wireless on Monday introduced a new PC application for subscribers to its V CAST Music mobile music service. Developed by Smith Micro Software, the free Music Essentials Manager application allows users to download and manage their music, as well as transfer music files from PCs to mobile phones.

WildTangent Adds Sponsors to Pay-for-Play Game Sessions

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:36pm.

Redmond, Wash. - Online casual games publisher WildTangent said on Monday that a number of new advertisers have signed on to sponsor its pay-for-play game sessions, allowing gamers to play for free in exchange for viewing ads. The company's WildCoins let gamers pay as little as $0.25-$1.50 per session to play online game titles; these games can now be played for free if gamers choose to instead view ads from partners including Discovery Networks, Sony Pictures, Acuvue, Suzuki Motors and Warner Bros. Redmond, Wash.-based WildTangent claims 6.5 million unique gamers per month.

Electronic Arts Ships "Superman Returns: The Videogame"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:34pm.

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts on Monday shipped its "Superman Returns: The Videogame" title for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance to retailers. Developed at EA's Tiburon Studio, the game features the voices and likenesses of actors from the Warner Bros. Pictures film including Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and Parker Posey.

Video Repurposing Equipment Firm RipCode Raises $7 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:31pm.

Dallas - RipCode, a maker of video equipment that aims to accelerate the repurposing of mobile TV, video on social networks and studio-based productions, announced on Monday that it has raised $7 million in its first round of venture capital financing.

Liberty Media Invests in Korean Online Virtual Pets Game "GoPets"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:27pm.

Seoul, Korea - GoPets, a Korea-based operator of an interactive 3D online world for virtual pets, announced on Monday that it has received an undisclosed sum as a strategic investment from Liberty Media.

Mobile TV Chipmaker Newport Media Raises $30 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:25pm.

Lake Forest, Calif. - Newport Media, a developer of mobile TV chips, announced on Monday that it has raised $30 million in its third round of venture capital financing, led by new investor DAG Ventures.

Mobile Video Dating Tech Firm Mobestar Acquires Mobile Life

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:23pm.

London - Mobestar, a developer of mobile video technology, announced on Monday that it has acquired the assets of U.K.-based Mobile Life Consulting for $664,000.

Akamai to Acquire Nine Systems For $160 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 20, 2006 - 6:20pm.

Cambridge, Mass. - Akamai Technologies said on Monday that it will acquire San Diego-based Nine Systems for $160 million in cash and stock.