Consumer Electronics Daily News

Stitcher Launches Web Bundle, Hits 8 Million App Downloads

Stitcher, a mobile leader in on‐demand news, entertainment, sports and talk radio today launched a new set of web offerings to enable seamless listening across multiple platforms. Stitcher launched a fully featured web app, along with a player widget, that allows for distributed listening across the web.

The web app is a completely redesigned web based version of Stitcher built on HTML5 and optimized for the Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari Internet browsers. The web app syncs with the native mobile apps, and will pull in all your custom stations and allow you to pick up where you left off listening in a particular show. Stitcher’s player widget is the first Internet browser audio player designed specifically for talk. Launch partners using Stitcher’s player widget include AP, The Wall Street Journal and CBS Radio News.

“Stitcher users listen in their cars, at home, at work, in the gym and want a seamless driveway-to-desktop listening experience across devices” said Noah Shanok, CEO of Stitcher. “As a mobile first company we are coming full circle, embracing the consumer need to have a great device agnostic experience anywhere they are.”

The Stitcher web app will include all the features that has propelled the mobile app to grow its audience to more than eight million downloads, including:

• Smart Discovery. Listeners can discover new shows they’ll like based on prior listening activity. Smart Station draws from more than 10,000 shows and fine-tunes recommendations as users provide input.
• On-demand listening. Get breaking news and your favorite episodes from Stitcher’s catalogue of more than 10,000 shows without the need to download or sync. You’ll always be up to date with the latest episodes and trending stories.
• Customized stations. New users can create their own customized station, while current Stitcher mobile users can log in and instantly access where they left off listening.
• Facebook sharing. Listeners can connect their Facebook accounts to seamlessly share their favorite shows with friends.

The Stitcher player widget works on any web platform – including WordPress – and can be arranged to play a single episode or a full playlist. The player widget features analytics to help media partners and podcasters increase a show’s reach via Twitter and Facebook with built-in sharing. Listening statistics also count towards the Stitcher List rankings that highlight the most popular, trending and shared episodes every week to listeners within the app.

The widget is now available in three sizes (140x84, 220x154 and 300x180) and will be automatically updated with enhancements and bug fixes.

The Stitcher Web App can be accessed via any desktop browser by visiting Stitcher.com/webapp.

The Stitcher app is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Nook and Kindle Fire devices and can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play stores.

Adesso Launches Compagno 3S Bluetooth Keyboard with Carrying Case for Samsung Slate PC

Adesso Inc., a leading manufacturer of computer input peripherals, today announced the release of its new Compagno™ 3S Bluetooth® keyboard and carrying case for Samsung Slate PC XE700T1A series, WKB-1000SB. Available at several retailers, Adesso’s WKB-1000SB has a MSRP of $89.99.

The Adesso Compagno 3S Bluetooth keyboard and case are the perfect companions for the Samsung Slate PC XE700T1A. The ultra slim aluminum base keyboard is built with scissor-switch keys, which offer the same great tactile feel as a laptop and have a near-silent response. While protecting your Slate PC from the unexpected, the contemporary faux leather case (that accompanies your keyboard) provides multiple viewing angles for easier typing, Internet browsing, and video viewing. The design of the Compagno 3S case also converts into a standalone case, which allows you to store the stylus inside the case as well as connect to your slate PC dock instantly.

The WKB-1000SB features the following:

• Ultra-slim (1/4" thickness) stylish aluminum keyboard
• Detachable Bluetooth® keyboard allows users to work freely for up to 30 feet
• Scissor-Switch Keys offers the same great tactile feel as laptop and faster key response
• Easy Dock Access without removing the Slate PC from the case
• Multiple viewing angles so you can easily answer emails, browse the Internet, or watch videos
• Rechargeable Polymer battery and Power ON/OFF switch
• Stylus Holder stores the stylus or pen inside the case as your perfect companions

Adesso’s various product lines are available through Ingram Micro, Synnex and D&H direct vendors, eRetailers, including AMAZON, Buy.com, PC Mall, CDW, Insight, Newegg and TigerDirect. In addition, they are also available at retail stores, such as Micro Center, Fry’s, CompUSA, CDW, PC Mall and PC Connection.

Pioneer Pumps out More Sound with New Line of TS-A Series Speakers and Champion Subwoofers

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. yesterday released its new lines of automotive TS-A Series speakers and Champion Series subwoofers that deliver exceptional sound quality and performance. Pioneer’s new TS-A speakers feature a new Multilayer Mica Matrix Cone, lightweight dome midrange for brighter vocals, and a new aggressive cosmetic design. For powerful bass reproduction, the 2013 Champion Series subwoofers incorporate the newest technologies including a prism patterned IMPP Composite Seamless Cone, new drive cone construction, and improved flange assembly for maximum installation flexibility.

The design of the front grill covers of the new TS-A speakers are inspired by the faceplates of Pioneer’s 2013 single CD players. Available in 5-1/4”, 6-1/2”, 4” x 6”, 6” x 8” and 6” x 9” sizes to fit most vehicle applications, each speaker is aimed at providing loud and clear output for any type of music. Their sound quality results from a newly integrated Multilayer Mica Matrix Cone that is 30 percent lighter than similar Polypropylene cone designs, while providing increased accuracy, clarity and sensitivity. Although lightweight, the cone’s high-density structure handles high levels of power and reduces unwanted flexing to produce a richer mid-bass response.

Models TS-A6995R, TS-A6985R, TS-A1685R and component speakers offer new midrange and tweeter diaphragms with a higher sensitivity that helps to deliver an extended upper frequency range. The entire line of TS-A speakers can produce as much as two decibels higher output than competitive models with the same input power. The lightweight midrange design generates brighter vocals and midrange frequency response.

The TS-A speaker line-up is made up of the following models with suggested retail price starting at $80: TS-A1305C (5-1/2” component set), TS-A1605C (6-1/2” component set), TS-A6995R (6” x 9” 5-Way speaker), TS-A6985R (6” x 9” 4-Way speaker), TS-A6975R (6” x 9” 3-Way speaker), TS-A6965R (6” x 9” 3-Way speaker), TS-A1685R (6-1/2” 4-Way speaker), TS-A1375R (5-1/4” 3-Way speaker), TS-A1675R (6-1/2” 3-Way speaker), TS-A6885R (6” x 8” 4-Way speaker) and TS-A4675R (4” x 6” 3-Way speaker).

For clean and powerful bass reproduction, Pioneer offers a new line of Champion series subwoofers consisting of the TS-W260S4 (10-inch), TS-W260D4 (10-inch), TS-W310S4 (12-inch) and TS-W310D4 (12-inch). Available in 10- and 12-inch versions and with dual or single 4-ohm voice coils, Champion subwoofers feature a new prism patterned seamless cone for strength and durability. The new cone design produces more air movement without unwanted flexing or “buckling” effects that can create distortion.

The new cone design is further reinforced by a new dual-layer Elastic Polymer Surround technology that is light and flexible yet dramatically more durable, resulting in a subwoofer that can reliably provide strong bass output.

Internal components of the subwoofer were also improved by using a four-layer copper voice coil with an aluminum former that improves heat dissipation for higher input power handling and increased reliability. Additionally, the subwoofer design incorporates air vents in the metal basket construction below the spider to help further cool the voice coil.

The Champion series subwoofers will be available in November with suggested retail prices of $100 (TS-W260S4), $110 (TS-W260D4), $120 (TS-W310S4) and $130 (TS-W310D4).

New Series of Pioneer GM-D Amplifiers Pack More Power and Punch

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. yesterday unveiled its new line of high-efficiency “GM Digital” series Class-D automotive amplifiers, consisting of the GM-D8604 4-channel model and GM-D9601 and GM-D8601 mono models. Pioneer’s digital amplifiers can produce the same power output as conventional amplifiers more than twice their physical size through improvements in their Class-D amplifier technology and design. The new amplifiers feature an extremely compact chassis for maximum installation flexibility, a new industrial cosmetic design, balanced audio inputs for improved sound quality and higher power output compared with previous models.

“We’re continuing to improve on the technology in our Class-D amplifiers because they’re ideal for automotive applications where high space and power efficiency are essential,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “The new GM-D amps can produce more power in the same size footprint as last year’s models while maintaining the same great sound quality.”

The GM-D9601 and GM-D8601 mono amplifiers are designed specifically to power large subwoofers that can produce low bass frequencies that are often missing in most vehicles. Both models feature 1-ohm stability, allowing them to deliver extreme power and high current in a wide variety of connectivity configurations, from a single subwoofer to multiple subwoofer applications. The larger GM-D9601 can deliver up to 1200 Watts (1-ohm) of RMS power while the GM-D8601 produces up to 800 Watts (1-ohm) of RMS power. Both units feature selectable bass boost at 0dB, 6dB, or 12dB at 50Hz.

The 4-channel GM-D8604 amplifier complements the mono amp models by providing ample power for speakers that reproduce a wider frequency range. The 4-channel model can produce up to 100 Watts x 4 (4-ohm) RMS power, 150 Watts x 4 (2-ohm) of RMS power, or 300 Watts x 2 (4-ohm bridged) RMS power when configured to play in 2-channel mode. The 4-channel model features speaker level inputs and a built-in low pass or high pass crossover with a frequency slope of 40-500Hz, making it easy to add on to any system.

All three amplifiers utilize a very small, compact chassis ideal for applications with limited space. Each unit has been cosmetically redesigned with a new, more durable industrial design that utilizes perforated aluminum die-cast heat sinks to provide maximum heat dissipation.

The GM-D8604, GM-D9601 and GM-D8601 will be available in November with suggested retail prices of $220, $280 and $200 respectively.

Apple Sells Out of All iPad Mini Models

Apple has sold out of its initial inventory of all iPad Mini models just three days after the new device became available for pre-order online.

The shipping times for all three Wi-Fi versions of the black and white iPad Mini have now been pushed back to two weeks, indicating that the initial stock is sold out. The LTE-enabled iPad Mini models have not yet gone on sale.

Apple worried some investors with its decision to the price the new 7.9 inch tablets starting at $329, significantly more than competing tablets like the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, but the sales so far suggest that demand for the iPad Mini is strong even with the higher price.

This story originally reported on Mashable.

mophie Debuts White Juice Pack Powerstation Collection for Holiday

mophie™ yesterday released a white version of its juice pack powerstation family, including the original powerstation, mini and duo. The external battery packs deliver a compact and lightweight mobile power solution for the iPhone, iPad and iPod, wrapping gotta-have-it extra "juice" in a clean new color.

"mophie is committed to designing products that are as good looking as they are functional, and the addition of a white powerstation line delivers on both levels," said Ross Howe, vice president of marketing. "The original, duo and mini powerstation enable consumers to do more with their mobile devices on one charge in a crisp white color that never goes out of style."

Specific features and benefits of the duo, powerstation and mini include:

• powerstation duo
  • Retails for $99.95
  • 6000mAh capacity battery
  • Charging output of up to 2.1 amps
  • Capable of switching between 500mAh, 1A and 2.1A charge
  • Dual USB outputs allows for simultaneous charging of two devices
• powerstation
  • Retails for $79.95
  • 4000mAh capacity battery
  • Charging output of up to 2.1 amps
  • Capable of switching between 500 mAh, 1 A and 2.1 A charge
  • powerstation can simultaneously charge a device while also recharging its own battery
  • Charges all generations of the iPad, iPhone and iPod
• powerstation mini
  • Retails for $59.95
  • 2500mAh capacity battery
  • Provides more than 150 percent extra battery life for an iPhone
  • Special 1.0 amp high-output battery allows for ultra-fast charging
  • Slim profile

All members of the juice pack powerstation family in white are now available at www.apple.com and will be in Apple Stores nationwide beginning Oct. 31. For additional information regarding the mophie juice pack line of products, please visit www.mophie.com.

Cricket Introduces the HTC Desire C — Premium Design Taken to a New Level

Cricket Communications today announced the availability of the HTC Desire C. This premium designed, yet affordably priced smartphone is the latest device to join Cricket’s growing and dynamic smartphone line-up.

Featuring Beats Audio™ technology, The HTC Desire C allows users to hear their music just as the artist intended and will enhance the enjoyment of Cricket’s award-winning Muve Music service. The Desire C features a rich and powerful studio-quality sound experience that is enabled through the combination of optimized Beats Audio and amazing hardware. This integration enables a clear audio experience to customers no matter if they’re listening to music or playing a game.

The HTC Desire C also enables easy management of customers’ professional and personal lives allowing for seamless sharing of the moments that shape them. It is available with HTC Sense 4.0 integrated with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Packing a powerful battery and offering access to thousands of apps, games and movies – available through Google Play – users will always be connected and entertained whether at work, home or on the move.

Packing the latest mobile technology into a neat, eye-catching design, HTC Desire C’s vibrant 3.5-inch HVGA full touch display makes it easy to browse the Web, view photos or connect with friends and family. For customers who like to share personal experiences with their social network, HTC Desire C’s 5 megapixel camera/camcorder and instant sharing capabilities will allow them to post any moment, seconds after it was captured.

Through HTC Desire C’s deep integration of Dropbox and 25GB of free online space, users also have the freedom to securely back-up, browse and share thousands of photos, videos and documents, whether stored locally or in the cloud.

The HTC Desire C is available at a suggested retail price of $179.99 now at Cricket company-owned stores, dealers and at www.mycricket.com. The HTC Desire C can be activated on one of Cricket’s three monthly smartphone service plan options starting at $50 per month. All Cricket plans, including smartphone service plans, feature all-inclusive pricing with no service fees and no overage charges. For customers, that means a predictable monthly bill, regardless of increasing usage, offered at a price point that fits into a value conscious budget.

Muve Music

Muve Music, now included in Cricket’s unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data plus music Android rate plans at no additional cost, provides customers exclusive access to artist commentary, music and video through Muve Music’s monthly artist programs. With the ever-growing Muve Music song catalog, customers can choose from millions of songs featuring the hottest artists from thousands of record labels, which are distributed through Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music and global rights agency Merlin, as well as independents IODA, and INgrooves.

Nikon Introduces a 70-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens That Delivers Consistent Superior Rendering That Focuses From Infinity to Close-up

Nikon Corporation will delight the world of photography with the latest addition to the telephoto zoom lens family: the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR. Compatible with the Nikon FX format, it covers the 70-200mm range of focal lengths with a fixed maximum aperture of f/4.

The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR joins the ultra wide-angle AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR and normal zoom AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR in f/4 maximum aperture lens series that forms the core of NIKKOR FX-format lenses.

Despite covering the 70mm to 200mm range of focal lengths, it boasts a closest focusing distance of approximately one meter, as well as consistently superior rendering with focusing from infinity to close-up, making it an excellent lens for a wide variety of scenes. Its compact size and light weight make it portable, offering a practical choice for hand-held shooting wherever needed. It adopts a number of exclusive Nikon technologies including Nano Crystal Coat that prevents internal reflections that cause ghost and flare, a built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) system that provides camera shake compensation equivalent to a five-step increase in shutter speed, and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing.

With the release of the new Nikon D4, Nikon D800 and D800E, and Nikon D600 FX-format digital-SLR cameras in 2012, Nikon continues to develop high-performance NIKKOR lenses that make the most of the superior resolution and image quality offered by these cameras. Nikon will continue to respond to the demands and expectations of the photographers for more advanced photographic capabilities by releasing highly functional, high-performance lenses to expand and strengthen the NIKKOR lineup.

• AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR primary features

• A 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens compatible with the FX format that offers consistently superior rendering with focusing from infinity to close-up.
• Built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) offering camera shake compensation equivalent to a five-step increase in shutter speed for effective hand-held shooting in a variety of situations.
• Nano Crystal Coat, which effectively prevents the internal reflections that cause ghost and flare.
• A Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing.
• Equipped with two focus modes: A/M (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual focus).
• Macro photography possible with a closest focusing distance of 1 m.
• Smaller and lighter than Nikon's previous 70-200mm lens, yet still capable of the superior image quality, performance, and overall quality expected of a NIKKOR lens.
• Autofocus supported when a teleconverter offering 2x magnification is used with the lens on a D4, D800, D800E, or D600 offering f/8 support.

GoPro Globally Launches HERO3, World’s Most Versatile Life-Capture Camera

GoPro, maker of the world’s most versatile cameras and enabler of immersive life-experience capture and sharing, announces global availability of its new line of next generation HERO3 cameras. Debuted earlier this month to global media, the HERO3 is now shipping worldwide and is available in three models.

GoPro’s flagship model, the HERO3: Black Edition, is the most advanced GoPro camera ever. With no expense spared in its development, the HERO3: Black Edition is 30% smaller, 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than previous models. Wearable, gear mountable, and waterproof to 197’ (60m), the HERO3: Black Edition is capable of capturing ultra-wide angle HD video at 1080p-60 frames per second (fps), 1440p-48 fps, 720p-120 fps, 2.7Kp-30 fps and 4Kp-15 fps.

The HERO3: Black Edition can also capture 12MP photos at a staggering rate of 30 photos per second. Built-in Wi-Fi, GoPro App compatibility, and the included Wi-Fi Remote (normally a separate $79.99 accessory) make the HERO3: Black Edition a powerful and versatile solution for capturing and sharing immersive and engaging footage of your favorite life experiences.

Whether worn on the chest while skiing, mounted to a motorcycle to record a spirited ride, or worn on the head to document the birth of a first-born child, the HERO3: Black Edition captures stunning hands-free footage of your life experiences with professional quality normally seen only in professional productions.

Collectively more professional athletes, filmmakers, and creative artists are using GoPro than any other camera in the world to capture everything from competition footage to television commercials to feature-length films. As a result, GoPro has captured 95% of the global wearable camera market and over 32% of the global small form-factor video camera market, making GoPro’s HERO line of cameras the best selling small video cameras in the world.

The HERO3: Black Edition is available for US $399.99 and includes GoPro’s Wi-Fi Remote accessory, normally a separate US $79.99 accessory, at no additional cost.

The HERO3 also is available in identically sized HERO3: Silver and White Editions, all sharing the same iconic look of the HERO3 and all sharing the same built-in Wi-Fi technology:

The HERO3: Silver Edition shares the same high performance 11MP photo, 1080p-30 fps and 720p-60 fps features as the best-selling HD HERO2 camera it replaces, yet it has built-in Wi-Fi and is 30% smaller and 25% lighter. The HERO3: Silver Edition retails for US $299.99.

The HERO3: White Edition shares the same high performance 5MP photo, 1080p-30 fps and 720p-60 fps features as the Original HD HERO camera it replaces, yet it also has built-in Wi-Fi and is 30% smaller and 25% lighter. The HERO3: White Edition retails for US $199.99.

The HERO3: Black, Silver and White Edition cameras are available at retailers around the world and at GoPro.com.

Introducing Greentoe.com: A New Ecommerce Marketplace Where Consumers Buy Products At The Price They Want To Pay

Greentoe.com, a next generation ecommerce marketplace where users name their price, launched today. Consumers can shop for and place offers on a variety of new products, including cameras, TVs, home audio equipment and other consumer electronics. Geared toward consumer goods, Greentoe.com creates a new online shopping experience by putting shoppers in the driver’s seat during retail transactions. Users place an offer on a product and Greentoe.com automatically alerts their vast network of certified retailers who are waiting to accept the offer and make the sale. 

“We designed Greentoe.com to deliver an ecommerce experience that’s unlike anything on the Internet today, with the retailers coming to the buyer, instead of the other way around,” said Joe Marrapodi, CEO of Greentoe.com  “Today’s launch marks a shift in the way we shop, giving consumers a better way to get a great price on the products they want, all from a source they can trust.”

How it Works for Consumers

The Greentoe.com experience begins with consumers searching the site to find the product they want to buy. Each product page provides full color images, detailed specs, user reviews, as well as expert reviews from sites like CNET, PC Magazine and Wired magazine. 

When the user is ready to place an offer, Greentoe.com provides two important tools to help eliminate the guesswork when calculating the best offer price. First, the product page provides real-time pricing data from around the web, revealing the lowest online price for the item. Second, the site gives the user a "Recommended Offer Price", one that Greentoe.com calculates to be within a reasonable range for retailers to accept.

Once the consumer places an offer on an item, Greentoe.com digitally notifies its vast network of certified retail partners. The first retailer to match the offer makes the sale. After the offer is accepted, the shopper is notified by Greentoe.com and is provided with retailer and tracking information.  

 Greentoe.com’s model is as useful to retailers as it is to consumers – small and mid-tier retailers may find it cost prohibitive to build and market a robust, reliable online shopping experience and can now leverage Greentoe.com’s infrastructure, technology and security to make new sales, expand their customer database and reduce inventory. 

Greentoe.com is a free service for consumers and currently sells consumer electronic products including cameras, TVs, home audio equipment and computers. In the coming months, Greentoe.com will expand its product offerings beyond consumer electronics into a variety of verticals.