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Home Entertainment

26 June 2008

Bluraymods.com is advertising a completely region free Panasonic DMP-BD30. The modified player will automatically play DVD's from all regions and Blu-ray Discs from regions A, B and C using a manual switch. Bluraymods.com also claims that the player will continue to work with future firmware updates.

Bluraymods.com wants €499 ($781US) for a premodified unit. This is pretty steep, considering the DMP-BD30 normally lists for only $499. However, you can save some money by modifying your player yourself as the mod kit costs only €69 ($109US) by itself. Bluraymods.com also has mod kits for other players, including the Sony BDP-S300, Samsung BD-P1400 and Pioneer LX-BD70. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

26 June 2008

At a recent Tokyo news conference, Sony CEO, Howard Stringer, unveiled the company's new corporate strategy. Sony plans to raise its return on equity to 10 percent in three years which would bring its profitability closer to levels at Samsung. To do so, the company will improve the operations of its TV business and expand its PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses. Sony also expects its game division to become profitable by the end of the fiscal year and will be launching a video distribution service on its PlayStation Network this summer.

Sony today presented a series of new initiatives designed to build on its previous three-year revitalization plan and to position the company as the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment. In particular, the company will focus on strengthening core businesses, enhancing network initiatives and leveraging international growth opportunities to build for the future and drive further growth and profits. In addition, Sony announced the following key mid-term goals:

• Expand our PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses,” joining LCD TVs, digital imaging (digital cameras and camcorders), game and mobile phones and raising the total number of “trillion yen businesses” to seven.
• Ensure that 90% of our electronics product categories are network-enabled and wireless-capable by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 (“FY2010”).
• Roll out video services across key Sony products by FY2010, starting with the summer 2008 launch on the PLAYSTATION®Network.
• Double annual revenue from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries to 2 trillion yen by FY2010.

It will be interesting to see if Sony can pull all of this off. If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

26 June 2008

Back in January, Matsushita Electric announced that it would be changing its company name to 'Panasonic Corporation'. The name change has now been approved by the company's shareholders and will go into effect on October 1, 2008.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Matsushita [NYSE symbol: MC]), best known for its Panasonic brand products, today announced its shareholders approved a proposal to change the company's name to "Panasonic Corporation" at its 101st Annial Shareholders Meeting that was held today. The change will become effective from October 1, 2008. The name change will also take effect for some of the group companies currently using the names Matsushita or National. The shareholders of each of these companies approved that this move would also become effective from October 1, 2008. In addition, Matsushita announced its ticker symbol change on the New York Stock Exchange from "MC" to "PC" as of October 1, 2008.

The brand changeover from National to Panasonic to be phased-in across Japan commencing October 1, 2008 has started earlier than the original plan, expected to complete within fiscal year 2010 ending March 2010. Currently, the National brand is used for home appliances and housing equipments in Japan.

If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Flash Memory

25 June 2008

Imation sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of its new paperclip-sized Atom Flash Drive. The ultimate in data storage portability, the Atom measures less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighs in at less than an ounce.

Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, continues to deliver the ultimate in flash drive technology and design with the availability of its smallest USB flash drive in the United States, the Imation Atom Flash Drive. Featuring a unique ultra-compact design, performance and high storage capacities, combined with password protection, partitioning software, and Windows(R) Vista ReadyBoost compatibility, the Atom Flash Drive is an essential and secure portable storage accessory for those transporting their digital life.

Roughly the size of a paperclip, the Atom Flash Drive is the smallest among Imation's flash drives, measuring less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighing less than an ounce. The ultra-compact and unique design allows users to attach the drive directly to other mobile devices making it easy to manage and transfer digital files. A sleek black and aluminum finish make it a stylish and professional choice for professionals on the go.

The Imation Atom Flash Drive is available now in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $17.99 to $99.99, based on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Imation's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software

25 June 2008

Corel announced today that Lenovo has chosen to bundle WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory with its new line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers. With this software, consumers will be able to use Lenovo's desktop computers to author and play back Blu-ray videos and movies.

Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Corel® WinDVD® and DVD MovieFactory® are bundled with Lenovo’s new consumer line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc® desktop computers.

With Corel’s award-winning WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory, the IdeaCentre can now author and play back Blu-ray Disc movies and video with the latest high-definition effects including Dolby® Digital and DTS® Surround Sound.

“We are pleased Lenovo has selected WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory for its new consumer desktop series,” said James Carrington, Senior Director, OEM and Strategic Product Marketing at Corel. “An increasing number of consumers are making the switch to HD, and with Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers, users will find a superior HD authoring and playback experience for their home movies, as well as state-of-the-art viewing for the latest Hollywood releases.”

If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

24 June 2008

Brando 2.5 & 3.5inch SATA HDD Dock With USB Hub @Madshrimps
HTC Touch Diamond @Hardware Zone
OCZ EliteXStream 800W Power Supply @Phoronix
Razer Lachesis High Precision 3G Gaming Mouse @Futurelooks
Samsung SC-HMX10A HD Solid State Memory Camcorder @Tweaknews.net
Sapphire PURE Hybrid Crossfire 780G Motherboard @Hi-Techreviews.com
XFX GeForce GTX 260 XXX Edition @TweakTown

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Optical Storage

24 June 2008

Memorex sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of their SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs. This new recordable DVD media features embedded software that automatically finds the photo and video files on your PC and then backs them up onto the very same disc.

Consumers will use their digital cameras more than ever this summer to capture memories and thrilling moments from family vacations, backyard get-togethers and warm weather activities. Memorex, the leading brand of optical media at U.S. retail and a portfolio brand of Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN), offers Memorex SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs, an easy and hassle-free way to back up those precious summer pictures and safeguard them against heartbreaking loss due to PC crashes. Available now, the discs are record-once DVDs with embedded software that automatically finds, organizes and backs up photo and video files on PCs and connected drives. The software is auto-launching and requires no installation, making SimpleSave a totally new way to back up content with almost no effort required.

Memorex SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs will be available this summer at Fry’s Electronics and OfficeMax stores. This discs come in packs of five with slim storage cases for a suggested retail price of $14.99. If you'd like to read more, Memorex's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

24 June 2008

DigiTimes is reporting that Asustek's OEM contract with Pioneer will expire in July. Instead of renewing, Pioneer has been expanding the production capacity of two of its own factories in southern China. As a result, Asustek may close or sell off its optical disc drive business.

Asustek Computer's contract for OEM production of optical disc drives (ODDs) for Pioneer will expire in July 2008, and the Taiwan-based vendor of motherboards and PCs may dispose of its ODD business by closing the business unit or selling it, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

While Pioneer has been Asustek's largest OEM client of ODDs, the Japan-based vendor has been expanding its ODD production capacity at its two factories in Dongguan, southern China, the sources pointed out. In addition to half-height and slim-type ODDs, the two factories began to produce Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo drives earlier this year, the sources indicated.

Lets hope that Asustek doesn't pull out of the optical disc drive business altogether. While some of their more recent drives have had their share of issues, they've come up with some pretty unique designs over the years. Anyway, if you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Software

24 June 2008

Nero announced today that Packard Bell has chosen to bundle Nero 8 Essentials with their latest line of PCs and laptops. Here's part of their press release:

Nero, creators of liquid media technology, today announced that through a new cooperation, Packard Bell has chosen to bundle Nero 8 Essentials with their latest line of PCs and laptops.

Nero 8 Essentials offers users the latest digital media technology designed for ease of use with user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features. Users can create and manage their digital media projects with the latest state-of-the-art tools for burning, copying, and ripping their personal audio, video, and photo content.

“Nero is pleased that Packard Bell has decided to bundle their leading-edge PCs and laptops with Nero 8 Essentials,” said Patrick Peeters, General Manager EMEA, Nero AG. “Our software solutions are created specifically for users looking to live the digital life and maximize their digital content. Packard Bell creates outstanding hardware for the same user-focused reason, making this an ideal cooperation.”

If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment