Archives

Nintendo Sets $249 Price, Nov. 19 Launch Date for Wii Console

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:33pm.
New York - Nintendo announced on Thursday that its next-generation Wii video game console will sell for $249 when it launches in North America on Nov. 19. The console will come with one wireless Wii Remote controller, one "Nunchuk" controller and a collection of five Wii Sports games on one disc.
tags: Games | Pricing | Tech | CE | Nintendo | Wii | Consoles |

Microsoft Details Wi-Fi Capabilities, Accessories for Zune Player

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:32pm.
Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft on Thursday provided additional information about its forthcoming Zune digital media player and content marketplace, including details on the wireless capabilities of the 30GB player. The Zune player will allow users to share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures over a Wi-Fi connection. Any track may be listened to up to three times over three days, after which time it becomes unplayable, although users may flag shared songs on their Zune at any point for purchase from the Zune Marketplace, which will offer both a la carte and subscription options.
tags: Tech | Music | CE | Microsoft | PMP | Zune |

Justice Dept. Urges Foreign Nations Not to Impose Regulations on Apple

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:30pm.
Washington - U.S. Justice Department antitrust chief Thomas Barnett has urged foreign governments not to impose regulations on technologies that could hamper innovation, citing as example Apple's dealings with foreign nations with regard to its iTunes store, Reuters reported.
tags: Tech | Music | Apple | CE | Commerce | iTunes | Regulation | DOJ |

Lead Bidder for Tower Records May Shut Retailer Down

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:28pm.
Sacramento, Calif. - Tower Records parent company MTS Incorporated announced on Wednesday that Great American Group has been selected as lead bidder for the bankrupt music retailer's assets. Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Great American Group is a provider of asset management, disposition and financial services -- an indication that Tower might be shut down entirely if the company's bid is successful.

Doritos Contest Asks Users to Create Ad to Air During Super Bowl

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:25pm.
Plano, Texas - Doritos announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Yahoo on a contest that asks consumers to create and shoot their own Doritos Super Bowl ad, with the winning ad to air during the football game telecast. Yahoo will accept 30-second submissions and post five finalist videos online in January, when online voters will help choose the winning user-generated Doritos ad to be featured during the Super Bowl. Each of the five finalists will also be awarded $10,000 cash.

Online Casino Golden Palace Invests in Gambling Tech Developer Zone4Play

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:24pm.
Wilmington, Del. - Zone4Play, a developer of interactive software and technology for the gambling industry, announced on Thursday that it has received an investment from online casino Golden Palace. Under the terms, Golden Palace will invest $600,000 in exchange for 20% of RNG Gaming, an indirect subsidiary of Zone4Play, with an option to purchase an additional 30% stake. RNG was created to develop and license Zone4Play's multiplayer Black Jack gaming technology, which will now be featured on GoldenPalace.com.

Yahoo Licenses Gemstar-TV Guide Interactive Program Guides

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:22pm.
Los Angeles - Gemstar-TV Guide announced on Thursday that it has signed a license agreement with Yahoo, granting Yahoo a license to use Gemstar's interactive program guides for its online services, including Yahoo Go TV. The agreement also includes promotion for TV Guide on the Yahoo network, as well as a patent cross-license between both parties.

MTV to Distribute Universal Music Videos, Programs on Mobile Services

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:21pm.
New York - Universal Music Group announced that it has signed an agreement with MTV Networks, under which MTV can create and distribute full-length music videos and original video programming for mobile devices featuring Universal artists. The mobile content and original programming developed by MTV Networks will be available via streamed and downloaded on-demand formats through MTV Mobile, VH1 Mobile, CMT Mobile and Logo.

Sonos Player Adds PC-Free Access to Real's Rhapsody Music Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:20pm.
Santa Barbara, Calif. - Digital music device developer Sonos on Thursday introduced its Sonos System Software 2.0 update, which enables downloading of songs and access to Web radio stations from its Sonos player through RealNetworks' Rhapsody service without the need for a PC. With the update, the Sonos player can now connect directly to a broadband connection. The offering also includes a 30-day free trial to Real's Rhapsody subscription service.

Universal Studios Taps I-play for Mobile Movie Clips Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:19pm.
Los Angeles - Universal Studios announced on Thursday that it has partnered with mobile entertainment distributor I-play to launch a mobile video service offering clips from Universal's movie library. Launching later this year in North America, the Mobile Moments channel will include on-demand clips from films such as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Animal House," "E.T." and "Sixteen Candles." I-play distributes mobile content through a network of over 120 carriers worldwide, including Sprint, Verizon and Cingular.

Creative Debuts Widescreen ZEN Vision Portable Media Player

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:18pm.
Milpitas, Calif. - Consumer electronics developer Creative on Thursday introduced a new widescreen version of its ZEN Vision portable media player. The Creative ZEN Vision W features a 4.3-inch display, and supports the recently launched Amazon.com Unbox movie download service. The device is available now in 30GB ($299) and 60GB ($3.99) models.

PassAlong Adds Gracenote Song Data to Mobile Music Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:16pm.
Franklin, Tenn. - PassAlong Networks, a provider of a digital music download services, said on Thursday that it has added Gracenote's song identification technology to its PassAlong Mobile service for wireless, mobile and home connected media devices. The PassAlong Mobile service allows consumers to download tracks from mobile entertainment stores, and also share music recommendations between wireless devices.

Destiny Media Launches Commercial Digital Music Service in Canada

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:14pm.
Vancouver, Canada - Destiny Media Technologies on Thursday launched Canada's first online commercial music service, the Promo Only Digital Download Service (PODDS), which will deliver tracks to radio disc jockeys and other commercial establishments. The service is the first to be approved by the Canadian Audio-Video Licensing Agency, which represents Universal, Warner Music and EMI in Canada. Aside from PODDS, it is not legal for DJs to rip CDs to a computer or use consumer download services to source music for public performance. In addition to new singles, PODDS will offer rare remixes, extended mixes and other content from major and indie labels.

THX Introduces Certification Program for HD Displays

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:13pm.
Denver - THX Ltd. on Thursday announced the introduction of a performance benchmark and certification program for high-definition displays. The THX Certified Display program will cover LCD, Plasma, DLP rear and front projection, LCoS, SED, Laser and other emerging applications. "Regardless of whether the product is an LCD display or 7.1 surround sound system, THX certification is about accurately representing sound and visuals the way filmmakers, TV directors, musicians or game developers envisioned," said Richard Dean, THX vice president of technology development.
tags: Video | Tech | HD | CE | THX | Displays |

iLoad Plus Transfers Cable/Satellite Box Content Directly to iPod

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:08pm.
Campbell, Calif. - Wingspan on Thursday introduced its iLoad Plus, a device that transfers audio and video content from a cable or satellite TV set-top box directly to an iPod or USB drive without a computer or Internet connection. Programs may also be scheduled for recording and played back on the iPod or a television. Campbell, Calif.-based Wingspan's original iLoad product copies CDs to an iPod without the need for a computer or Internet connection.
tags: Video | Tech | TV | Music | iPod | CE | Cable | Wingspan |

Majesco to Digitally Distribute PC Games Using Valve's Steam

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:06pm.
Edison, N.J. - Video game publisher Majesco on Thursday announced a deal with developer and game technology firm Valve, to distribute Majesco PC game titles using Valve's Steam broadband gaming platform. Initial titles offered through Steam will include "BloodRayne 2" and "Advent Rising" ($19.99 each) and "BloodRayne 1" ($9.99). Developer Double Fine Productions' "Psychonauts" will be offered via Steam in early October.

Electronic Arts Details In-Game Soundtrack for "The Sims 2 Pets"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:05pm.
Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts on Thursday announced the list of tracks that will comprise the in-game soundtrack to its "The Sims 2 Pets" title. In addition to theme and mode music composed by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh, the game will feature music from artists including The Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Cut Copy and Something for Rockets. The game will ship to retailers on Oct. 17 for PlayStation 2, PSP, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, DS and the PC.

Boost Mobile to Distribute Vivendi Games Mobile Titles

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 14, 2006 - 12:03pm.
Los Angeles - Vivendi Games Mobile announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with virtual mobile network operator Boost Mobile, to offer a number of Vivendi mobile game titles to Boost Mobile customers. The agreement covers titles including "Black Hawk Down," "Empire Earth," "Navy Battle," "SWAT Force" and "The Legend of Spyro."

Search Numbers

Authored by Jay Baage on September 14, 2006 - 11:35am.
Search Numbers

Latest Search Numbers: Google Climbs Back Above 60%

Authored by Bill Tancer on September 14, 2006 - 11:33am.
Last month Hitwise released the latest numbers on executed searches by search engine. A lot of attention was paid to Google's slide in August below its high north of 60%. As we stated in our post last month, August's dip was likely a short term phenomenon.