Garmin-Asus releases more G60 details, adds M20 Windows phone
After last week's rollout of plans to re-launch a line-up of Nuvifone smart phones -- this time together with Eee maker Asus -- GPS specialist Garmin has teamed with its partner on a new Web site for Nuvifone.
In its first week online, the site contains more details, including pictures, on the Nuvifone G60 product mentioned last week, along with an early description of a Windows Mobile-enabled model known as the M20.
One less WMV customer: Verizon V Cast now powered by Real's Helix
RealNetworks announced yesterday that Verizon's V Cast Video service has transitioned over to the Real Helix media delivery system, in a move which puts Real in charge of two major carriers' multimedia platforms.
The short-form video on demand service has transitioned over to the platform upon which Cingular Wireless' Cingular Video was built. That service was later to be renamed "CV" (where "C" now stands for cellular) under the ownership of AT&T.
Report: Apple 'iTunes Replay' service rumored
Apple is rumored to be readying an on-demand video service that would let users stream iTunes Movie and TV show purchases directly from iTunes servers for playback. The speculation springs from a report in Apple Insider, which proposes that such a service would benefit users by eliminating the need for local storage of media files.
According to Apple Insider, Apple is now putting the finishing touches on "iTunes Replay" for inclusion in iTunes 8. But the report also noted that it appears undecided by Apple whether or not it plans to charge for the service. Apple Insider does not cite any sources at Apple as the basis for the report. When Betanews attempted to confirm this information with Apple today, spokespersons were not immediately available for comment.
T-Mobile G1 phones get GoTV music channels
Users of Android-based G1 phones on T-Mobile can now access mobile entertainment channels from GoTV Networks, Inc. The fare includes music performances, events, news, charts, and interviews across musical genres such as rock, country, and hip hop.
To access the GoTV channels, G1 users need to download a GoTV software application from the Google Android Market. The GoTV channels are also available in either streaming or on-demand formats from multiple video Web sites as well as from Apple's iPhone Application Store, AT&T, Boost Mobile, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless (including Alltel, and Virgin Mobile), GoTV said in a statement this week.
Microsoft hires another Yahoo exec for search
With Larry Heck going aboard Microsoft this week, Microsoft has hired yet another Yahoo executive in efforts to make a larger dent in the search engine market versus industry leader Google. At Yahoo, Heck was in charge of a laboratory that developed algorithms for more accurate searches and ad targeting.
Although Microsoft announced 5,000 job cuts a few weeks back, its search arm is still hiring, and at least three of its recent key hires are from Yahoo. Others from Yahoo include Sean Suchter, hired by Microsoft in November, and Dr. Qi Lu, appointed president of Microsoft's online services group in December. In a new job slated to start within the next few weeks, Heck will report to Satya Nadella, a senior VP in Microsoft's online services unit.
Microsoft: No free Win7 yet, but the option is left open
In a statement to Betanews this afternoon, a Microsoft spokesperson refrained from explicitly denying that it would offer Windows 7 as a free upgrade to some Vista owners.
"Microsoft often explores options with our partners to determine product offerings," the Microsoft spokesperson told Betanews. "We are not announcing anything new at this time."
Samsung plans Android phone for second half of 2009
Samsung has reportedly denied a rumored rollout of its first Android phone next week, saying instead that the phone looks likely for release in the second half of this year.
In an interview with the UK-based Guardian newspaper this morning, Younghee Lee, head of marketing for Samsung's mobile device division, reportedly said that, contrary to industry speculation otherwise, Samsung will not unveil a phone based on Google's Android platform at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.
Report: Hybrid movie and game Blu-ray discs coming to PS3
A report from Sony hardware marketing director John Koller yesterday points to the release of "dual format" Blu-ray discs this year. That is, they'll be both a full-length movie, and a complete associated video game title.
John Koller, Director of Hardware Marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment, told Videobusiness yesterday that they are "actively pushing" for combination movie/game Blu-ray discs on the PlayStation 3 console. "There are a lot of developers who say, 'We have this game based on a movie...wouldn't it be great to marry these concepts?' We will definitely see this stuff this year," Koller said. Thanks to the density of the medium, a full-length HD movie and associated PS3 game could easily fit on a single Blu-ray disc.
Analyst: Global economy hits US broadband uptake hardest
It's widely known that the US is playing catch-up with the rest of the world, especially Western Europe and Southeast Asia, in the field of broadband adoption. But a report released by iSuppli yesterday suggests that the rate of US broadband uptake acceleration dropped in 2008 for the first time.
While 6.5 million new broadband subscribers were added in the US during 2007, according to iSuppli principal analyst Steve Rago, only 3.5 million were added in 2008. The entry of telcos, such as Verizon (FiOS) and AT&T (U-verse) to the mix of broadband and TV service providers for many US customers, helped keep that number from falling even further, the firm estimates, but only because customers were investing in the TV service first, and broadband as a piggy-back.
Sprint: Palm Pre to get real MMS, Exchange support
The addition of technical specifications to Sprint's Web site for its upcoming Palm Pre confirms a few features we didn't even see demonstrated at CES last month. One very important feature is support for Microsoft Exchange direct push e-mail, enabling businesses with Exchange Server 2003 or XS 2007 to make their investments in Pre right away.
The other -- which will delight many and maybe even wrinkle some iPhone fans' noses -- is native support for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Sure, iPhone users have told us, you can send and receive MMS messages...through an almost Clintonian definition of "can." Almost every time you see a headline proclaiming the iPhone now has MMS, the story boils down to "Kind of..." which assumes you download someone else's app, that your recipient downloads the same app, and that Apple doesn't make you jump through hoops to do it. No hoops from Palm or Sprint, apparently, if these technical specifications just published are accurate.
Pioneer to exit plasma displays, lay off 10,000 workers
Hit by expectations of further financial losses, Pioneer Corp. has announced 10,000 job cuts, plant closings in the US and UK, and plans to leave the plasma display market.
With demand falling for both its plasma displays and car electronics equipment, the Japanese electronics maker now predicts that its net loss for the current fiscal year ending in March will total ¥130 billion ($1.4 billion), in comparison to a previous estimate of ¥78 billion.
Ballmer writes Congress in support of stimulus package
The public printing of the latest version of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly known as the "stimulus bill"), breaks down a $7 billion allotment for investment in the US' broadband infrastructure:
For an amount for `Broadband Technology Opportunities Program', $7,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of the funds provided under this heading, $6,650,000,000 shall be expended pursuant to section 201 of this Act, of which: not less than $200,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries; not less than $250,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service; and $10,000,000 shall be transferred to `Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General' for the purposes of audits and oversight of funds provided under this heading and such funds shall remain available until expended.
Sirius XM is in play, at least in the press
In the absence of hard information on a big business topic, it isn't exactly true to say the press always resorts to speculation. In many cases, parties that are incidentallly related to the topic -- and who may wish to be not so incidental in the near future -- often plays into the press' need to have some substance with which to fuel the story, in exchange for a little spotlight.
In the case of Sirius XM Satellite Radio, nothing is being said officially by either the broadcaster or by the company said to be in talks with it to help it through a trio of huge, pending debt obligations, satellite TV provider (also Sling Media parent, and one-time parent of Dish Network) EchoStar. But just like during last year's Microsoft + Yahoo takeover bonanza (the result of which, you'll recall, was less than nothing), folks who want to be involved -- and who may have an interest in appearing to show up legendary Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin -- are making it least appear as though the radio company is in play.
Verizon ingeniously foils Alltel's 'My Circle' plan after all
Fans of the soon-to-be-defunct Alltel Wireless "geeks in shirts" advertising campaign will remember the debut of the 2006 "My Circle" calling plan, where subscribers could choose 10 friends or family members to include in their "calling circles." Folks who were a little older than the guys who appeared in the "Food Court" ad from that campaign -- which helped establish Alltel's entire marketing focus thereafter -- will recall that "calling circles" wasn't a phrase coined by Alltel.
It was MCI that established "calling circles" in 1991, in a breakthrough marketing campaign called "Friends & Family" that helped save the company during its landmark long distance battles against AT&T, and which established database marketing as a serious tool and even a competitive weapon.
Sega and its new trademarks: What's its game?
Sega Sammy is closing many of its remaining Japanese arcades, and Sega of America announced nearly 30 layoffs last month. So why would Sega Corporation be registering new arcade-hardware-related trademarks?
A report earlier this month in Siliconera noted that the company has trademarked two names, "Ringedge" and "Ringwide," along with a new circular logo featuring rings. The trademark application states that the new names will be used for arcade game boards, standalone video game machines, and/or arcade game machines with built-in screens.
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