Consumer Electronics Daily News

'QuickCam Communicate STX' Provides VGA Quality, One-Click IM Access

Logitech is now shipping the QuickCam Communicate STX, a sleek webcam that offers up VGA quality video and enhanced performance in low-light conditions. The STX captures still images at 1.3 megapixels, has an integrated microphone, creates email-ready video and one-click access to popular IM applications.

The webcam features a VGA CMOS sensor with a resolution of 640x480 and is fully compatible with Windows Live Messenger and Skype for quick videoconferencing .

For more information, visit www.logitech.com.

HD-VMD Joins Next-Gen Format War

As if the alphabet soup that is the next-generation, high-definition DVD format war was not convoluted enough, a newcomer is making waves with a HD-capable disc that could provide cheaper and faster integration than Blu-Ray and HD DVD.

While Blu-Ray and HD DVD utilize blue lasers to write enormous amounts of data onto a single disc, HD Versatile Multilayer Discs (HD VMD) from New Medium Enterprises are built upon red laser technology, the current standard for DVDs. However, HD VMDs provide for far more layers than current-generation DVDs, thus creating enough space (a projected capacity of up to 100GB per disc) to support high-definition content.

According to NME, the discs can be produced far cheaper than Blu-Ray and HD DVD, and the technology for reading those discs is already affordable as it is essentially identical to current-generation DVD players.

Production delays, technical glitches, high implementation costs and the confusion of two competing next-gen formats have stalled early Blu-ray and HD DVD adoption and made it difficult to project a clear winner for the successor to standard DVDs. According to NME, the market is ripe for their technology, which has already garnered significant interest from manufacturers and video production houses in Asia.

For more information, visit www.nmeinc.com.

Costco Testing Home Installations

Costco Wholesale Corp., is testing a new in-home installation service for electronics purchased at some of its Southern California stores in an effort to cut down on product returns, the company announced today.

Costco will offer customers the opportunity to have their big screen TVs, stereos and computer purchases delivered and installed through a "concierge" service. The company has struggled with a high number of returns on sophisticated electronics, Reuters reports, and says the high return rate is significantly impacting margins.

For more information, visit www.costco.com.

Blue Laser Shortage Dogs Blu-Ray, HD DVD Production

DigiTimes is reporting that a serious shortage of blue laser diodes is crimping production of Blu-Ray and HD DVD drives, forcing manufacturers to cut the number of available pre-Holiday units and severely crippling the ability for either format to make significant gains the next-generation DVD format war.

The shortage comes as a result of manufacturers' inability to improve yield rates, DigiTimes reports, and has been compounded by the fact that Sony has "suspended shipments of blue laser diodes to other customers," in an effort to guarantee supply for the upcoming PlayStation3. Only Nichia, Sharp and Sanyo continue shipping the diodes.

For more information, click here.

Vista Pre-Orders Pop Up on Amazon

Pre-orders for Windows Vista are now available through Amazon.com. While Microsoft's flagship product is not shipping until at least next early 2007, the Vista Basic Home version can be pre-ordered through the online retailer for $199. Home Premium is $239, Vista Business is $299 and Vista Ultimate is $399.

According to the Seattle Times, Microsoft has not confirmed pricing for any version of the new operating system, despite the posted Amazon figure. Amazon representatives told the press that its pricing structures for all products, from books to audio to software, are negotiated with manufacturers--i.e, Microsoft, even if not commenting publicly, worked with Amazon to set the $199 price tag.

The online retailer also says Vista purchases through Amazon will be available by January 30, to which Microsoft responded that it is "not providing specific guidance on the availability date for Windows Vista yet," the Times reports.

For more information, visit www.amazon.com or www.microsoft.com.

GM, OnStar to Offer Turn-By-Turn Navigation

General Motors announced today that for 2007, the company will fundamentally change drivers’ access to navigation by offering more than two million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada with the first factory-installed, fully-integrated off-board GPS navigation system – OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation.

The navigation program will be standard for the first year on nearly all Buicks and Cadillacs sold, and a $100 upgrade on many other GM vehicles.

According to GM, customer demand for in-vehicle navigation systems in their vehicles is rapidly rising. Moreover, J.D. Power and Associates estimates that 1.2 million 2005 model year vehicles in the U.S. were equipped with factory-installed navigation systems, a 41 percent increase over 2004.

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows a consumer to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to the customer’s vehicle through their OnStar system. Audio directions are then automatically played through the vehicle’s stereo as they are needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. 

For more information, visit www.onstar.com.

Survey Reveals U.S. Gamer Market is Diversifying

For years, game developers and marketers have focused only on two types of videogame players: hardcore gamers and casual players. But a recent survey from Parks Associates shows that the gamer community has diversified to include six distinct groups and, most importantly, a new middle market has emerged, all with different motivations, gaming behaviors and spending patterns.
Traditionally ignored by marketers, the three segments Social Gamers, Leisure Gamers and Dormant Gamers account for 53 percent of the Internet gamer population and 56 percent of the retail revenue, according to Parks Associates.
Power Gamers represent 11 percent of the gamer market but account for 30 cents of every dollar spent on retail and online games. Social Gamers enjoy gaming as a way to interact with friends. Leisure Gamers spend 58 hours per month playing games but mainly on casual titles. Nevertheless they prefer challenging titles and show high interest in new gaming services. Dormant Gamers love gaming but spend little time because of family, work or school. They like to play with friends and family and prefer complex and challenging games. Incidental Gamers lack motivation and play games mainly out of boredom. However, they spend more than 20 hours a month playing online games. Occasional Gamers play puzzle, word and board games almost exclusively.
It may be difficult to quantify motivation and attitude, but that is what determines how a gamer spends time and money on gaming activities and services. Leaving out gaming expenditures frees marketers from current business models and allows them to explore new ways to reach highly motivated gamers that aren't spending much on gaming.
For more information, visit www.parksassociates.com.

LCD Making Inroads Against Plasma in Big Screen TV Market

Plasma televisions are rapidly approaching the 100-inch mark and as they do, the luxury TV market once dominated by giant plasma displays is facing stiff new competition from LCD TV manufacturers.

According to BusinessWeek, 70-inch LCD displays from Samsung and other high-end LCD manufacturers are bringing stiff competition to the luxury market this holiday season, with high-definition, quality manufacturing, lower prices and other advantages over traditional plasma TVs. Samsung, Sony and Sharp as also said to be readying LCD displays topping 82-inches, a territory that is currently home to only plasma.

But plasma manufacturers are ready for the fight, including Matsushita Electric Industrial, which is now taking orders for a 103-inch plasma display, starting at $51,000.

While it's too early to determine which technology will dominate the high-end, high definition television market, the rivalry is boosting market share for both and pushing the envelope for TV sizes in all price categories, DisplaySearch reports. According to the research firm, the average digital television set sold today is between 30 and 40 inches. However, with ever-growing high displays and the move from an analog to digital broadcast signal in the coming years, the average set size will jump to above 50 inches in a few short years.

"The size of people's walls has become the only limiting factor for screen size," BusinessWeek reports.

For more information, visit www.displaysearch.com or www.businessweek.com.

Nite Ize's 'Tooth Ferry' Protects Bluetooth Headsets

Nite Ize, Inc., introduces the market’s first line of mobile device holsters specifically designed to accommodate owners of Bluetooth-enabled mobiles. With the Bluetooth headset market’s growing mass appeal, the new Clip Case Plus Phone Holster provides a secure place to store their Bluetooth wireless headsets.
No longer needing to stuff Bluetooth wireless headsets into pant pockets, the holsters feature the Nite Ize Tooth Ferry™ feature, which is a universal wireless headset holder that locks in any brand of Bluetooth headset.

For more information, visit www.niteize.com.

Interview: Dr. Sven Prüser Previews CeBIT 2007

Dr. Sven Prüser, head of the Hannover Messe International Division, gives us a preview of CeBIT 2007 and the growing presence the consumer electronics industry will play at next year's show.

What major trends can we expect to see at CeBIT 2007?

From 15 to 21 March 2007, all sorts of new technologies relating to the rapidly converging worlds of work and life will be on show at CeBIT under the slogan Digital Solutions for Work and Life. Visitors can expect to encounter a whole range of exciting themes at CeBIT 2007, such as IPTV, Ethernet, cell phone TV, VoIP, and cell phone navigation systems. Other hot topics include intelligent living, HD DVD, Blu-ray, HDTV, multifunctional consoles, and digital imaging. The forthcoming CeBIT will also look at the trends in RFID, SOA, security/mobile security, open source, and content management. Promising developments such as eHealth and geoinformation systems will also be reflected at CeBIT. CeBIT is the only forum that shows how digital solutions for work and leisure are really converging, starting with business software and equipment through home and office communication solutions to digital lifestyle. This is CeBIT's major strength. As a business exhibition, it is both an important marketplace and point of orientation for the wholesale/retail trade, SMEs, and large companies.

CeBIT is the best-known market for IT technology, how important are consumer electronics?

Consumer electronics are part of the digital environment and have represented a key element of the CeBIT portfolio for many years. Companies such as Deutsche Telekom, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp have been taking part in CeBIT for several years. CeBIT's big plus point is that companies don't just showcase CE products, but also present technologies and solutions that have emerged from the convergence of consumer electronics with information and communication technology. For example, smartphones have, for some time, been more than simply an entertainment gadget, becoming part and parcel of professional life and even gaining popularity among executives. Telematics and navigation systems have spread beyond the transport sector and route planning and now help people find their local bars.

What can I do to prepare for a visit to CeBIT?

Deutsche Messe AG's CeBIT Web site can be found at www.cebit.de and contains all the latest information on the event, such as the display program, congresses, and events. The CeBIT Web site also tells you all you need to know about opening times and admission prices, accommodation, rail and flight travel details, and information on what Hannover and the surrounding area have to offer. In the six weeks or so leading up to the fair, visitors to the website can also use the exhibitor and product search function to find out about the companies taking part and what products will be on display. Hyperlinks will provide direct access to the websites of the individual companies taking part. This service is available all year round.