Consumer Electronics Daily News

Rdio Becomes the First Music Service to Offer Amazon Payments

Rdio, the unlimited, on-demand social music service from the founders of Skype, today announced the availability of Amazon Payments as an option for users to pay for their Rdio subscription. Amazon Payments is an easy-to-use and secure payment method that lets millions of Amazon customers use the payment information already saved in their Amazon accounts to pay for third-party goods and services like Rdio. Starting today, new and existing Rdio users can choose to pay for their recurring subscription costs with Amazon Payments.

"Millions of people have an Amazon account, so offering Amazon Payments is not just a win for Rdio, but also a win for our customers," said Carter Adamson, chief operating officer at Rdio. "Rdio is committed to growing our service offering by expanding to other platforms, enhancing features, and implementing innovative solutions like Amazon Payments so that our customers can focus on what is most important – playing, discovering and sharing music."

As a part of updated payment procedures on Rdio, all users will now be presented with the option of adding their Amazon Payments account as a payment method. New customers can immediately select Amazon Payments as their payment method while existing users may change from their existing method to Amazon Payments.

Amazon Payments will become the first alternative payment option on Rdio in addition to Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Novatel Wireless Named One of the Top Five Most Innovative Tech Companies in America by Forbes

Novatel Wireless, a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, references the Forbes article: Which Are The Five Most Innovative Tech Companies in America? naming Novatel Wireless as one of the Top Five Most Innovative Tech Companies in America.

The top five companies were identified as a list of the five companies from the tech sector that score highest on an objective basis based on online references as an innovator or prized for its new products.

Novatel Wireless designs and develops intelligent wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies providing wireless connectivity and has recently launched multiple 4G mobile broadband solutions and already won five industry awards, from Editors' Choice distinctions, to "Best of" lists, to awards at major wireless associations and tradeshows, including PC Magazine's Editors' Choice and CTIA Emerging Technology Awards.  Novatel Wireless' Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products, software, USB modems, embedded modules and smart M2M modules provide innovative anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises.

TMC and WiTricity Form Wireless Battery-charging Alliance

Toyota Motor Corporation has entered into a technological collaboration agreement with Massachusetts, United States based WiTricity Corporation concerning the practical application of automotive wireless charging systems and the promotion of their widespread use. TMC plans to participate in a WiTricity capital increase.

WiTricity's charging technology uses resonance, which allows charging without direct contact and is more efficient than electromagnetic-induction, another wireless technology-but one that requires contact-that is starting to come of age in mobile phone and other chargers. TMC believes that resonance wireless charging is suitable for automobiles and aims for its early practical use.

The collaboration is aimed to accelerate development and eventual implementation of wireless charging for automobiles. The charging of a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle could be as simple and convenient as parking near an embedded charger at a home or in a parking facility.

In the Toyota Global Vision announced in March, TMC expressed its commitment to leading the way to the future of mobility by integrating automobiles, homes and information technology. Wireless charging is just one of the many technologies TMC seeks to develop for the future.

Game On! Redbox Announces it WIll Offer Video Game Rentals Nationawide This June

Redbox, America's movie rental destination, today announced it will offer video game rentals at more than 21,000 redbox locations nationwide beginning June 17, 2011. Top video games will join new release movies for only $2 a day complementing $1 DVD and $1.50 Blu-ray daily rental prices. The announcement follows a test of video game rentals in select U.S. markets that began in August 2009.

Redbox, a Coinstar, Inc. brand, has tested video game rentals alongside movies at 5,000 redbox locations. "Redbox has rented more than one million video games in less than two years at these locations, underscoring the popularity of video game play in America," added Lowe.

Today, nearly 64 percent of people in the United States own a game console.
Upon launch, redbox will feature games across the three major console platforms: PLAYSTATION 3, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360. Video game titles will range from top releases to popular family and kids titles.

First Tablet Built on Android 3.0, Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi, Available with Sprint on May 8 for $599.99

First device to feature Android software built specifically for use on a tablet,
delivers a powerful multi-tasking experience, making it easy and fast to surf the Web, watch videos and play games with a PC-like experience

As the first device to feature Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), as well as a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display and 1GHz dual-core processor, Motorola XOOM™ Wi-Fi will be available from Sprint beginning on Sunday, May 8, for $599.99. Android 3.0 is the version of Android designed specifically for tablets and features innovations in widgets, multi-tasking, Web browsing, notifications and customization.

With a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, Motorola XOOM delivers exceptionally fast Web browsing performance and supports a Beta of Adobe Flash Player 10.2, downloadable from Android Market, enabling the delivery of Flash-based Web content, including videos, casual games and rich internet applications.

Motorola XOOM also features two cameras, a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera with flash that can capture HD video and a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for Google Talk™ with video chat. Motorola XOOM can also display content on any HDMI®-equipped HDTV (HDMI cable sold separately).

With its large touchscreen display, Motorola XOOM makes it easy to stay connected from anywhere using personal and Exchange corporate email. It also offers access to more than 3 million Google eBooks and apps from Android Market, making it an ideal e-reader.

Motorola XOOM also features the latest Google Mobile services including, Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction.

Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi will be available through Sprint Direct Ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Web sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Sprint Business Sales, beginning on Sunday, May 8, for $599.99.

Elite Partner GSX to Launch New Products at BlackBerry World

BlackBerry Elite Partner GSX Solutions, the global leader in proactive, consolidated monitoring and analysis of enterprise collaboration environments, today announced the showcasing of new products at BlackBerry World 2011, including a live demonstration of the latest features in the new GSX Monitor & Analyzer by Steve Bystran, GSX SVP - Global Sales & Business Development.  A silver sponsor of the event, GSX Solutions is among an exclusive group of Elite Partners in the BlackBerry Alliance program, comprised of technology and brand leaders that develop and promote their solutions to reach millions of BlackBerry users worldwide.

"Our practical BlackBerry World demo will show how enterprises can compete and win by taking control of their BES messaging and collaboration environments," said Steve Bystran. "You will learn how GSX Monitor & Analyzer provides a comprehensive real-time view of your whole communications environment, including mobility. This enables your enterprise to be more proactive, and drill down to get the details you need to monitor and manage real world user experiences."

"GSX Solution's exciting launch follows two recent announcements from BlackBerry, honoring us with the BlackBerry EMEA Innovation award for Service Excellence, and admitting us to Elite Membership in the BlackBerry Alliance Program," said Eileen Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President for Customer Delivery and Product Management. "Our top tier membership translates into advantages such as product development and marketing support, which help our products become more readily accessible and improve the user experience." Fitzgerald concluded, "As the award and membership both serve as a testament to our advanced solutions, GSX is proud to showcase the flagship GSX Monitor & Analyzer at BlackBerry World 2011, to preview the extension of our monitoring and reporting to key configuration items in the BES infrastructure, including new alerts for BES 5 HA environments. We are also excited to offer a sneak preview of a Change Management Module that will be part of future GSX Monitor & Analyzer releases."

King.com Launches Miner Speed iOS Version - Brings Popular Game to iPhones and iPads Across the Globe

Leading social games company, King.com, today announced that it will now begin offering its popular games on mobile devices, starting with Miner Speed on iOS (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch). Miner Speed is King.com's popular jewel switcher game that sees over 50 million gameplays per month across its Facebook and King.com platforms. In the new mobile app, users will be able to play with friends via Facebook Connect, or offline to hone their skills for tournament gameplay on Facebook or King.com.

Additional games will be announced in the coming months across the iOS and Android operating systems for both mobile and tablet devices. Miner Speed is an addictive game that challenges users to switch the jewels to increase their multiplier by making big combinations. Users that quickly match as many jewels as they can, have the best chance of getting the highest score possible.

Miner Speed for iOS is free and can be downloaded at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miner-speed/id423520924?mt=8. Users can get a feel of what their fingers will expect when playing Miner Speed by viewing the promotional video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoQAYyVJ2Bg&hd=1

To become a part of the King.com community and get a taste of some of the world's most popular games, please visit us at www.king.com or http://apps.facebook.com/king_com/.

Buzztime and Buffalo Wild Wings Enter Into Master Services Agreement

NTN Buzztime, Inc., the leading digital interactive restaurant and bar entertainment network, today announced its multi-year partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., the national sports grill and bar known for its New York-style chicken wings.  Buffalo Wild Wings will utilize Buzztime's out-of-home interactive technology to enhance their Guest experience in their 750 restaurants in 45 U.S. states.

"The agreement with Buffalo Wild Wings allows us to bring additional entertainment and marketing value to their Guests and business partners," said NTN Buzztime CEO, Michael J. Bush.  "Buzztime delivers unique entertainment designed to retain customers and drive new traffic to restaurants – which is critically important in this tough economic environment.  In fact, research has shown that Buzztime players spend more money and stay longer than the average customer."

"Buzztime creates a social community within the restaurant. It's fun to see how a tough trivia question can get friends, family, and even strangers talking," added Brandon Jones, Midwest Regional Manager for the Mike Jones Franchise Group which just opened its 23rd Buffalo Wild Wings in December.  "Buzztime provides excellent entertainment and generates a more competitive environment during our slow periods."

For the most up-to-date information on NTN Buzztime and its restaurant and bar games, please visit www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. For more information on Buffalo Wild Wings, please visit www.BuffaloWildWings.com.

ComponentOne Launches CTP of Windows Phone Controls for Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Toolkit

ComponentOne, a leading component vendor in the Microsoft Visual Studio Industry Partner program, today announced its CTP release of Studio for Windows Phone,  a suite of controls designed to enhance the rich user experience of the Windows Phone 7.

The Studio for Windows Phone CTP is likely to offer its users a sense of confidence given it supports the Metro UI design and interaction guidelines as specified by Microsoft. Taking a look at the line of controls, the CTP offers data visualization tools like Charts, Maps, and navigation controls, like CoverFlow, to just name a few.

Each control is identified to be compliant and optimized for Windows Phone operating system and marketplace, which will allow the CTP users to deliver rich business and enterprise applications to the phone efficiently and quickly.

The signup for ComponentOne's CTP is open and may be found at http://www.componentone.com/wp7 and registration will include special Windows Phone 7 communication from ComponentOne and early access to the RTW, which the company has slated for fall of 2011.

Royal Wedding Live on iPad & iPhone, Kings & Queens App

One of our finest historians transforms his acclaimed history of the British Monarchy into a remarkable, fully integrated, high production app which includes live TV coverage of the Royal Wedding

In a world first, HarperCollins and TradeMobile, together with celebrated historian David Starkey, bring history to the iPad and iPhone with a truly interactive high production values app based on his latest book CROWN AND COUNTRY.

Spanning two thousand years of the British Monarchy right up to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, David Starkey's Kings & Queens App enables users to explore the monarchy's roller-coaster history in unprecedented detail and with stunning clarity and colour.

Here, as never before, is a personal history class from one of the country's greatest history teachers. Available for use on iPhone and iPad, this highly interactive app transforms David Starkey's brilliant overview of the history of Britain through her kings and queens from the printed page to the handheld device. The app features:

- Multiple navigation pathways enabling users to browse through timelines, tap into family trees and explore maps and historical themes.

- Extensive and exclusive video, allowing users to watch and listen to David Starkey at the same time as dipping in and out of the abridged text of CROWN AND COUNTRY.

- A live stream of Sky TV coverage of the Royal Wedding available on the day.

- Curatorial input from historical experts and educational specialists from the British Library and the British Museum.

- Lavish illustrations, including high resolution images of monarchs and their times.

- Innovative technology that offers users a uniquely interactive multi-layered reading experience.

- Feature TV commentary on all aspects of the Royal Wedding, from why fashionistas love Kate Middleton to how to be the perfect wedding guest.

Available in Apple's App store from 21 April, 2011 for an introductory price of GBP1.79

From GBP3.99 after 30 April 2011