Consumer Electronics Daily News

Seagate's DAVE Offers Wireless Storage for Cell Phones

Seagate Technology took the wraps off its Digital Audio Video Experience (Say hello to DAVE) technology this week, giving a name to the wireless storage project first unveiled at the DEMO 2007 Conference (known at the time as Crickett).

According to Seagate, the DAVE platform is an enabling technology that delivers 10-20 GB of wireless storage in an accessory smaller than many common slim-line mobile phones. Using either a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection, the storage device can give users quick and easy access content from any wireless-enabled device -- such as digital files, music collections or video.

What's more, the mobile storage platform is open source, enabling third party software developers to create new applications for the mobile phone utilizing the hard drive's capacity and performance. The DAVE technology is offered to telcos and mobile handset OEMs for sale under their respective brand names.

"Mobile telephony is undergoing a multimedia revolution, and the DAVE mobile content platform will provide even more fuel for the growth of new music and video services over mobile networks," said Patrick King, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Seagate's Consumer Electronics Business Unit. "Products using DAVE technology will enable digital content, whether for business or entertainment use, to be stored, moved and connected in ways never before possible. "

For more information, click here.

XM, Toyota Extend Partnership

XM Satellite Radio and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. have extended their agreement to include factory-installed XM satellite radios in Toyota and Lexus vehicle models through 2017. According to XM, Toyota's annual factory production of XM-equipped vehicles is expected to exceed one million by 2010.

"We're pleased to extend our agreement with Toyota through 2017, making XM available as the sole provider of factory-installed satellite radio for one of the world's largest and most successful auto manufacturers," says Nate Davis, President, XM Satellite Radio. "XM looks forward to broadening our reach to millions of loyal Toyota and Lexus customers."

Factory-installed XM is a standard feature on the new 2007 Lexus LS 460 L, and also available in the 2007 LS 460, as part of several navigation packages. Later this year, Lexus will provide factory-installed XM as standard equipment on the upcoming luxury hybrid, LS 600h L.

For more information, click here.

HD DVD, Blu-ray Ready PowerDVD Ultra Now Available

CyberLink Corp. has updated its popular PowerDVD software with a Vista-ready HD DVD and Blu-ray version with optimized hardware acceleration for graphics processors, and compatibility with leading HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc drives.

New features for PowerDVD Ultra include:

• Support for HD DVD and Blu-ray disc playback on a variety of drives, including the Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD external drive.
• Optimized performance for playback of high-definition video content on graphics cards featuring NVIDIA PureVideo, ATI Avivo and Intel Clear Video technology.
• Support for new next-generation disc features such as like Picture-in-Picture movie mode, networking, interactive BD-J and iHD features, bookmarks and advanced disc navigation.
• 6.1-channel surround sound, ensuring compatibility with home theater audio systems and audio expansion of up to eight channels.
• Support for double-layer HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

“CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra prepares consumers for the huge next wave of PC-based entertainment: high-definition content delivered on HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs,” says Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “In doing so CyberLink is offering a totally new experience, with even more ways to access and interact with movie content, as well as new support for audio technologies that help users maximize use of their home theater audio hardware.”

CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra English version is available immediately for $99.95. For more information, click here.

Canon HD Camcorder Offers First Motion Picture Frame Rate on Consumer Camera

Canon is rolling out the next generation of HD camcorders for consumers -- the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. The camcorder includes a 10x HD video zoom lens with Super Range Optical Image Stabilization and a Canon True HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor, giving it the ability to record in true 1080 high definition video.

"This HV20 HD Camcorder dramatically raises the bar for consumer camcorder capabilities, and will no doubt be the model of choice for discerning video enthusiasts who accept nothing less than premium quality equipment to capture and preserve their memories," states Yuichi Ishizuka, Senior Vice president and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The HV20 also includes an Advanced Accessory Shoe capable of accommodating such additional components as select external video lights or directional microphones. It comes complete with microphone and headphone input terminals with manual level control for professional quality audio recording and a 24p Cinema Mode -- the frame rate of motion pictures -- to impart a film-like look to the video. The HV20 HD Camcorder also features an HDMI terminal for quick and easy one-cable transport of the High Definition video signal to a HDTV.

For more information, click here.

Sony Profits Dip 5% on PS3 Costs

Sony is pointing the finger at its PlayStation 3 launch costs as the culprit for a five percent drop in group net profit during the last three months of 2006. Sony's profit for the time period was $1.3 billion.

The company has been plagued by PS3 delays and component shortages, ultimately selling a little over 600,000 PS3 in the United States since the mid-November launch.

While the company said the group net profit decrease was unexpected, they have raised their earnings forecast for the fiscal year (which ends in March) because of booming Christmas sales of other core consumer electronics -- flat-panel TVs and digital cameras, the AP reports. The company now expects an annual net profit of $903 billion, but from an earlier projection of $657 billion.

For more information, click here.

Apple Adds Color to Shuffle Line

Apple unveiled new colors for the iPod Shuffle line today -- pink, green, blue, orange and silver -- available immediately. The postage stamp-sized 1GB MP3 player is still $79, and comes complete with integrated clip for easy carrying, and a set of headphones.

For more information, click here.

New Age Signs Distribution Agreement With Samsung

New Age Electronics, Inc., has announced a new partnership with Samsung to distribute a portion of the company's line of office products including printers, copiers and fax machines. According to New Age, the agreement reduces Samsung's time-to-market, maximizes product shelf life and increases profit margins with an even more streamlined supply chain process.

Imaging dealers, and VARs within the business and document solutions market will greatly benefit from the expanded line, the company said in a statement announcing the deal.

"Samsung chose to partner with New Age due to their extensive and successful track record of servicing the document solutions industry," says Doug Engberg, Senior National Sales Manager for ITD Samsung. "In addition, New Age's vendor managed inventory, forecast-based model and dedicated account management will strengthen our overall position with dealers."

For mroe information, visit www.newageinc.com.

Kingston DataTraveler Bumped to 2GB

The DataTraveler ReadyFlash USB 2.0 Flash drive from Kingston Technology Company, Inc., is now available worldwide.

Designed specifically for Windows Vista-based systems, the drive is enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost, Vista's USB utility that it possible to use Flash drive or Flash-based memory card as an additional source of DRAM for processing data and applications. The DataTraveler ReadyFlash was designed and tested by Kingston based on precise performance requirements outlined by Microsoft to meet ReadyBoost specifications.

"Kingston is dedicated to providing our customers with memory solutions based on the latest technologies available such as Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system," says Mark Akoubian, Kingston Product Manager. "We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to help users of Windows Vista maximize the features and performance of the operating system," continued Akoubian.

The flash drive is available now through Kingston's global channel of distributors, resellers, e-tailers and retailers in 1 and 2 GB capacities. For more information, click here.

Almo Expands Partnership with Panasonic

Almo Corporation has expanded its Panasonic partnership to include five additional states in its exclusive distribution territory. Dealers in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas will now benefit from Almo’s regional sourcing model, as Panasonic consumer electronic products will be available to these dealers through Almo’s southern region distribution centers, providing one to two-day shipping service.

“In March of 2006, we chose to focus on our core competencies of manufacturing and branding excellence, and allowed our dealers to benefit from Almo’s core competency - distribution excellence,” stated Ed Wolff, Panasonic’s Vice President, Distribution Sales. “This model has been successful for the dealers, providing them with excellent delivery and service. Therefore, we’ve once again expanded our long-standing relationship with Almo.”

Dealers in the southern region now have access to Almo's:
• Regional warehouse locations.
• Rapid delivery nationwide.
• Same day order processing and shipping.
• Drop-ship capabilities.
• Extended floor plan terms up to six months.
• Online specs, inventory, pricing and ordering.
• A dedicated, experienced sales representative.

"A Just In Time inventory strategy has been implemented by most dealers and retailers to improve their return on investment by reducing inventory and its associated costs," says Warren Chaiken, Almo President. "By integrating this inventory model, retailers are able to minimize ordering/setup cost and holding costs while optimizing order quantity, lead time, and number of deliveries."

For more information, visit www.almo.com.