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New Ultra Slim, DivX(R) Certified 7'' Portable DVD Player Available from Astar Electronics; See the New DivX(R) Certified DVD Player at CES Booth Number 25530

Astar Electronics, a division of KXD Technology of Shenzhen, China, announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the introduction of its new Ultra Slim, DivX(R) Certified 7" Portable DVD Player (Model # PD 8800).

"This portable DVD player is the perfect travel companion for your personal entertainment," said Sid Pickup, Director of Marketing for Astar Electronics, Inc. "It has all of the of the features consumers are looking for and it fits neatly into its custom travel case."

Highlights of the new Astar PD 8800 include its DivX(R) certification, its ultra slim, top loading portable DVD player with built-in speakers and its 7" LCD screen. Additional features include 1440 x 234 resolution, a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, an access time of 12 ms and the ability to connect to a TV via the composite output. The PD 8800 also comes with AC & DC power adapters, AV cables, ear buds, a full function remote control, a rechargeable battery and a travel bag.

DivX(R) has become the new standard for digital video -- dubbed the "MP3 of video" for its remarkable compression and widespread popularity. DivX(R) video enables anyone, anywhere to create and enjoy DVD-quality digital video.

Astar Electronics will begin shipping its new Ultra Slim, DivX(R) Certified 7" Portable DVD Player in Q1 2006 with an MSRP of $149.99.

Astar Electronics is fully supported by KXD's new state-of-the-art 1.3 million square foot manufacturing facility in Shenzhen China, which is ISO 9001 certified, employs more than 3,000 people, has more than 30 production lines with TQM (total quality management) systems, and is currently capable of producing more than 16 million units annually. KXD Technology is one of the fastest growing manufacturers of CE Digital Entertainment products in China with 2004 revenues exceeding $239 Million (USD).

About Astar Electronics

Astar Electronics, a division of KXD Technology of Shenzhen China, offers a variety of innovative and high quality digital entertainment devices to the consumer electronics marketplace throughout North America. Current product offerings include LCD Widescreen HDTVs, DVD Players and Recorders, Portable DVD players and Home Theater (HTIB) Systems. The Company is headquartered in Baldwin Park, California. For more information, please call 626-851-2528 or visit http://www.astarelectronics.com.

Posted by Nana at 08:12 PM | Astar Electronics Introduces its new Ultra Slim DivX Certified 7" Portable DVD Player | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New Hard-Drive Personal Multimedia Recorder Features High-Speed Secure DIRECTV Transfers

At the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, Thomson introduced the LYRA X3000 Personal Multimedia Recorder, a stunning handheld multipurpose device that will soon feature secure high-speed video transfers from select DIRECTV digital video recorders. Along with this DIRECTV2Go capability, the pocket-sized LYRA X3000 by RCA allows for the direct recording of up to 40 feature-length films from multiple video sources without using a computer and is ideal for digital subscription music content - all in the palm of your hand.

"The LYRA X3000 morphs into a virtual VCR, utilizing MPEG4 technology, with the capability for both real-time recording from any analog source or high-speed transfer of digitized content, plus the advantage of DVD quality picture performance when outputting to a TV," said Thomson's Dan Collishaw, Chief Operating Officer of Thomson's Americas Audio/Video and Accessory businesses. "These features, along with remote control operation and programmability, make the LYRA X3000 an ideal entertainment complement for the next-generation DIRECTV digital video recorders (DVRs), scheduled for deployment in 2006. A convenient software upgrade, at no cost to the consumer, is all that is required for this remarkable DIRECTV compatibility," Collishaw added.

Although compact in size, the LYRA X3000 by RCA boasts a 3.6-inch TFT ultra-bright color LCD screen with 320 x 240 resolution. The lightweight portable entertainment device weighs under eight ounces and is only 3/4 of an inch thick. The LYRA X3000 features a replaceable lithium ion battery providing for at least four hours of constant video playback on one charge.

While the X3000 is a great portable solution, it also features a Home Theater Docking Base that can be connected to a home entertainment system. The Docking Base enables easy time-shift recording of TV programs from a tuning source such as the video output of a television or cable/satellite set-top receiver. With a composite video output the X3000 is capable of displaying high-resolution photos as well as video with DVD picture quality. The X3000 is ideal for watching video content transferred from a PC, or any other source, on a television.

The DIRECTV2GO compatibility further expands the LYRA X3000's capability for entertainment on the go. Digital quality content securely downloaded from compatible DIRECTV DVRs to the X3000 can be easily viewed on televisions located in other rooms. The device displays TV programs and program information in a format familiar to customers with these compatible DIRECTV DVRs. This will make it simple to navigate through the dozens of hours of DIRECTV programming that can be stored on the X3000's 20GB hard drive. A free software download is all that is required for DIRECTV2GO compatibility with the X3000.

Music To Go

Compatible with both pay-per-song and subscription services, the LYRA X3000 can store hundreds of hours of mp3, Windows Media Audio, and Audible audio files - including those from popular PC-based subscription music and video services. ID3 tag song data with artist, album, song title and genre is displayed on the viewing screen. Music buffs can listen to their collection of mp3 files using one of nine playback modes, including normal play, shuffle and repeat, or by programming their own playlists. The X3000 comes bundled with earbud headphones, and also features a built-in speaker.

Photo Capability

Additionally, this versatile jukebox offers the capability to create slide shows with zoom and photo rotation, and users can add their own music for further enhancement. The X3000 can easily transfer digital photos from an SD memory card or compatible camera without needing a computer, or the consumer can move audio, video, and photos from a PC to the device with the built-in high-speed USB connection.

Other Key Features

An impressive package of convenience and performance enhancements optimize enjoyment of the LYRA X3000 including:

• Voice Labeling: enables recording of audio commentary to go with photos or images stored on the device's hard drive
  
• Auto Resume: remembers the track location and volume setting when the power is shut off and automatically returns to the location when the device is turned on
  
• Universal 3-Device IR Remote Control: allows user to operate the X3000 and other devices from a distance
  

The LYRA X3000 by RCA is available in January with a suggested retail price of $399.

Posted by Nana at 12:56 AM | Thomson Capitalizes on Portable Video Trends at CES 2006 With Launch of LYRA Personal Multimedia Recorder With DIRECTV2Go Capability | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Starz Entertainment Group Ignites Portable Internet Video Market With the Launch of Vongo Innovative Content Application Will Drive New Era in Portable Video

Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) today announced the premiere of VONGO -- a new video download application and service for broadband that delivers movies and other video content over the Internet for playback on Windows-based PCs, laptops, and select portable media devices, as well as on a TV.

"Vongo will provide the key content application that will drive a new era in portable video delivered over the Internet," said Robert B. Clasen, president and CEO of SEG. "By combining the wide array of programming choices on Vongo with a host of new portable media devices being announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show, consumers will be able to seize control of their video and watch whatever, wherever and whenever they want."

Vongo subscribers will have unlimited access to more than 1,000 movies and video selections, as well as a live, streaming Starz TV channel, for a monthly cost of $9.99. Members may download movie and video selections to three eligible devices of their choice per account, allowing for multiple viewing options and family enjoyment. Additionally, select popular pay-per-view titles are available for $3.99 per movie. Vongo is currently available for broadband subscribers in the United States at http://www.vongo.com/.

Starz also announced the first in a series of planned agreements that will extend Vongo's reach as the premier broadband entertainment service for consumers. Initial partners include Sony CONNECT and Microsoft. Sony CONNECT will make Vongo a cornerstone of its new CONNECT Video service, to be launched later this year. SEG worked with Microsoft to ensure that subscription video content from Vongo provides the highest-quality viewing experience on Windows-based PCs, laptops, and select portable media devices, as well as on a TV.

"Based on the evolution of the digital entertainment space, we believe that Vongo will be the critical component in a new entertainment ecosystem; combining services, Vongo's advanced user interface (UI) and a new generation of devices to offer consumers a truly unique offering," said Bob Greene, senior vice president, advanced services for SEG.

Vongo Leverages Starz Exclusive Movie Rights

As one of the largest content aggregators in Hollywood, Starz has access to thousands of theatrical films including first-run hits ("Hitch," "The Aviator," "The Incredibles," "National Treasure," "Kill Bill Vol. 2," "Finding Neverland") and classics ("Pulp Fiction," "Boyz N' The Hood," "Night of the Living Dead," "Good Will Hunting," "Hoosiers," "Dances With Wolves," "Annie Hall") for Vongo upon launch from many of Hollywood's biggest studios.

Greg Maffei, CEO-elect of SEG parent company Liberty Media Corporation dded "Liberty is excited about this new service from Starz, not only because of its potential revenue stream, but because it positions us as the content leaders in this new era of portable video and personal consumer choice. This re-defines what it means to 'go to the movies,' because with Vongo, the movies go with you. The lessons learned in developing and launching Vongo can apply to other segments of our company and to our sister enterprises both in the US and overseas."

Clasen added, "Critical to this service are the Internet distribution rights we have acquired from our studio partners. We share with them a concern about the piracy over the Internet and so have built in a robust digital rights management system to ensure that only those who are authorized to use this service will do so. We also believe that by providing a convenient, affordable and legal way to access the best of Hollywood we will ensure that consumers will be much less likely to try to engage in video piracy."

Starz Entertainment Group is the exclusive subscription provider of first-run, classic and favorite films from leading Hollywood studios including Walt Disney Pictures, Miramax Films, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Tri-Star, Screen Gems, Revolution Studios and more. Select recent films are available exclusively from Universal Pictures and New Line Cinema and library and classic titles are provided by a wide array of Hollywood studios. Clasen concluded, "Vongo subscribers have full access to the very best content from Hollywood's biggest studios. Our breadth of subscription movie content is unmatched anywhere on the Internet."

In addition to the movies available as part of the subscription service, Vongo will offer subscribers and non-subscribers alike access to pay per view movies for $3.99 per film. Offering PPV titles in the earlier release VOD window will broaden the range of movies offered on the service and give consumers greater selection and choice.

"Exclusive -- and virtually unlimited -- access to 800-1000 movies per month is the programming foundation of the Vongo service," said Greene. "Adding a PPV option will bring consumers even more movies and will do so sooner as a result of the earlier window from Hollywood. With concerts, extreme sports, and in time, TV series, we see an opportunity to bring additional value and enjoyment to Vongo members, but subscription movies will remain the driver of the service. Vongo will expand significantly its non-movie content in time as we listen to feedback from our members and the content community."

Additional programming available to Vongo subscribers includes full-length music concerts ("INXS: Live Baby Live," "The Hives: Live in Las Vegas," "Prince - Sign 'o' the Times," "The Who: Live in Boston," "Brian Wilson: On Tour"), and Extreme Sports ("Warren Miller's Cold Fusion," "Real Action Sports," "Ride Guide"). At launch, Vongo will offer a live, East Coast feed of the Starz TV channel in its "Watch Live Now" category, with an eye towards adding other television-based content, including series in the future.

"Movies, sports and news are the main drivers for Internet content. So far, sports and news have found an opportunity to distribute content via the Internet, but due to the Hollywood rights issues, subscription movie content has been slower to come to market -- until now," said Greene. An important strategy in the development of Vongo is to engage in a number of strategic alliances with technology, media and device companies in order to extend the reach of Vongo as far as possible. "When we started working on this product 18 months ago, we reached out to industry leaders to engage them in the development of the service," said Greene. "By providing the critical content element, we are helping to create an entire ecosystem of products and services that will provide consumers with unmatched convenience and flexibility. These systems will be easy to use in multiple different settings."

Vongo Looks to Microsoft for Security and Portability -- Where Do You Vongo?

Starz is using Windows Media technologies to power the Vongo service for their ability to provide subscribers with the highest-quality playback experience, whether enjoyed at home on a Windows-based PC or on the go using eligible portable media devices or laptops.

"This is a significant development in the enjoyment of Internet-delivered video content," said Greene. "We believe the ability to easily, securely and legally move Vongo content to the TV and portable devices will be key drivers for Vongo's 'video on the go' consumers -- particularly as those important segments of the marketplace develop."

"With Vongo, Starz brings a wealth of premium and exclusive television and feature film content to hundreds of millions of Windows users," said Blair Westlake, corporate vice president of the Media, Content & Partner Strategy Group. "Powering Vongo with our Windows Media technologies not only gives consumers the best-quality video, but also gives them the flexibility to enjoy their content when and where they want, at home or on the go."

"The combination of Vongo's programming and Microsoft's digital rights management system and media player software has produced the catalyst for this new era of personal video," said John Pollard, senior director in the Mobile & Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "With this new service consumers have greater freedom to choose what they want to watch from anywhere at anytime."

Sony CONNECT with Vongo for Distribution

"We are very pleased to be working with Sony CONNECT," said Greene. "Our visions about video delivery over broadband are very much aligned, and we are excited about the marketing opportunities that Sony CONNECT will bring to the table."

In addition, Starz has partnered with a host of other providers in the development of Vongo. "We have built Vongo from scratch in partnership with 'best of breed' vendors and partners," Greene noted. "With Sony CONNECT, Microsoft, and other key alliances to be announced soon, we present the first examples of the broadband-delivered video ecosystem we have built around Vongo to catalyze the development of this marketplace."

Complements and Expands Core Business

Greene concluded that research conducted by SEG over the past year demonstrates that an Internet service will not cannibalize existing distribution systems including cable, satellite, and telco services. "Vongo expands the pie, as approximately 70% of Starz Ticket customers were not subscribers to Starz and approximately 50% were non-premium subscribers altogether. We developed Vongo so that we could provide our existing affiliates the ability to offer great movies directly to their broadband customers. We will work with them to find ways to offer Vongo, including packaging high-speed broadband connections with Vongo to attract even more consumers to this new way of accessing and enjoying content."

He also noted that Starz Ticket, launched in 2004 with RealNetworks Inc., will continue as a service, but that the focus for Starz will be on Vongo. "Starz Ticket on Real Movies provided us with a great chance to see how the market would react to broadband delivery of video. We learned an enormous amount in a real world environment and have incorporated all those lessons into the new Vongo service."

Vongo is available in the United States in beta form beginning today at http://www.vongo.com/. The product will be showcased for interested media at CES in partner booths as well as at the Digital Media Experience at the Bellagio hotel on Jan. 4th from 7 - 10 p.m.

Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) is the largest provider of premium movie services in the United States. SEG offers 13 digital movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® channels with approximately 14 million and 25 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment Group airs more than 750 movies per month across its pay TV channels and is a forerunner in offering its subscribers advanced services such as Starz HDTV, Starz On Demand® and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, http://www.starz.com/.

Posted by Nana at 07:33 AM | Starz Entertainment Group Launches Vongo Video Download Application And Service | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last week Apple launched the revolutionary iTunes® Music Store in Australia, giving Australian music fans the same innovative features, breakthrough pricing and seamless integration with iPod® that have made iTunes the world’s most popular music jukebox and online music store. The iTunes Music Store is now available in 21 countries and features the most music of any digital music store in Australia with over one million songs from major and independent record labels and over 1,000 music videos. Priced at just A$1.69 per song, A$3.39 per video and with most albums at A$16.99 including GST, the iTunes Music Store in Australia is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online.

“We’re thrilled to bring the revolutionary iTunes Music Store to Australia,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “iTunes features the largest catalog of local and international music in Australia with over one million songs, enabling music fans to purchase their favorites with one click and have them automatically sync to their iPod.”

Exclusive music featured today includes tracks from Australian artists Missy Higgins, Bernard Fanning, Paul Mac, Evermore, Gyroscope and The Dissociatives. Extensive catalogs are available from Australian greats INXS, Hunters & Collectors, Paul Kelly and Slim Dusty. In addition, there are iTunes Originals from local heroes Spiderbait and international stars R.E.M., Alanis Morissette, LL Cool J, PJ Harvey and Sting. International exclusives include Madonna’s entire catalog, digital box sets from U2 and Stevie Wonder, albums with digital booklets from Jack Johnson and Elvis Costello and more exclusives from Black Eyed Peas, Tiesto, Bloc Party, Elbow, Hayley Westenra and Jamie Cullum. Exclusive videos include U2, an online Beastie Boys exclusive and an extensive Madonna catalog. The iTunes Podcast Directory features over 25,000 Podcasts, including featured Australian Podcasts from ABC, Triple J, Triple M and SBS Radio.

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Stores feature the same groundbreaking personal use rights, giving users the ability to play songs on up to five personal computers, burn a single song onto CDs an unlimited number of times, burn the same playlist up to seven times and listen to their music on an unlimited number of iPods.

Get the new iPod®

Posted by Nana at 04:01 PM | Apple iTunes Music Store now available in Australia | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Get ready for Mobile TV networks as early as next year. Mobile phone giant Nokia has announced it expects to see mobile TV networks up and running by mid 2006. This will finally mean the ability to watch live TV on your cell phones.

The technology is currently being piloted in 40 markets around the world, and Nokia plans to make the technology a standard feature on its mobile phones. Expect to either pay-per-view or on some kind of flat rate. I also expect there may be instances where you may get free access in exchange for viewing ads.

Posted by Nana at 04:00 PM | Nokia says: Expect Live Mobile TV on your cellphone by mid 2006 | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Apple's new Fifth Generation iPod Now Plays Music, Photos & Video

Apple has introduced the new iPod®, featuring a gorgeous 2.5-inch color screen which can display album artwork and photos, and play stunning video including music videos, video Podcasts, home movies and television shows. The new iPod holds up to 15,000 songs, 25,000 photos or over 150 hours of video and is available in a 30GB model for $299 and a 60GB model for $399, with both models available in stunning white or black designs.

“The new iPod is the best music player ever—it's 30 percent thinner and has 50 percent more storage than its predecessor—yet it sells for the same price and plays stunning video on its 2.5-inch color screen,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Because millions of people around the world will buy this new iPod to play music, it will quickly become the most popular portable video player in history.”

The new iPod plays music, audiobooks, audio Podcasts, video Podcasts, home movies, music videos and popular television shows like “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives.” The unrivaled combination of iPod and iTunes® 6 now provides customers with a seamless experience for buying, managing and playing video as well as audio content, including over 2,000 music videos, six short films from the Academy-Award winning Pixar Animation Studios, and five television shows from ABC and Disney Channel, including the immensely popular “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives.”

The new iPod combines all of the ground breaking features that have made the iPod the best music player in the world with revolutionary new features such as the ability to view video content on a larger stunning color display. The new iPod features Apple’s innovative Click Wheel for precise, one-handed navigation and the portable design is ideal for putting music, Podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows in a pocket for on-the-go viewing. iPod users can also watch their video content and slideshows of their photos on a television via optional Apple accessories.

Featuring seamless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, Podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, music videos and popular television shows onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The 30GB model features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback and the 60GB model features up to 20 hours of battery life for music playback.*

Pricing & Availability
The new iPods will begin shipping next week for a suggested retail price of $299 (US) for the 30GB model and $399 (US) for the 60GB model through the Apple Store®, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod models include earbud headphones, USB 2.0 cable, case, dock insert and a CD with iTunes for Mac and Windows computers.

Optional accessories designed for the new iPod include: Universal Dock for $39 (US), giving users easy access to a USB port for syncing, IR support to work with the Apple Remote and a variable line out and S-video connections for integration within the living room; Apple Remote for $29 (US), providing wireless integration to the Universal Dock and quick and easy access to controls from across the room; Apple iPod AV cable for $19 (US), enabling television viewing of video content in full-screen; the iPod Camera Connector for $29 (US); and Apple Socks for $29 (US) providing six vibrant color socks to dress up and protect your iPod.

iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.

* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; video capacity is based on H.264 750-Kbps combined with 128-Kbps audio; and photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

Posted by Nana at 11:40 AM | Apple Unveils the New iPod Video | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Three Handheld Styles Play Music, Store Photos, and Display TV Entertainment, Anywhere

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service announced today the rollout of its PocketDISH(TM), a new line of portable media companions. Enhancing the most on-the-go lifestyles, the handheld PocketDISH downloads and plays thousands of MP3s, stores and displays photos and is one of the industry's first video players. PocketDISH gives TV viewers the ability to take their favorite sitcoms, reality shows or even last night's game with them to watch anywhere.

The sleek, silver PocketDISH is available in three models: two portable media recorders and a portable media player.

With the choice of a crystal-clear 2.2-inch, 4-inch or 7-inch LCD screen, PocketDISH is one of the most advanced portable media devices available and provides consumers the ultimate convenience in how they watch television. Compatible with most TVs and consumer electronic devices on the market today, the units can download or record content from a PC or Mac, digital cameras, mass storage devices, as well as other video or audio sources such as DVD players, camcorders and VCRs. DISH Network customers will enjoy a special feature of ultra-fast video transfer speeds when attaching PocketDISH to select DISH Network digital video recorders (DVRs) via a USB 2.0 connection. For instance, an hour of DISH Network programming can be transferred to the PocketDISH hard drive in about five minutes.

"DISH Network is expanding its leadership role in digital video recording by giving consumers portability," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies Corporation. "With PocketDISH, we are again changing the way people watch television. More versatile than ordinary portable DVD or MP3 players, PocketDISH makes it convenient for users to watch popular TV shows or listen to the latest music downloads anywhere."

Every PocketDISH comes complete with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to four hours of video and 12 hours of music playback. Stereo headphones, USB cables, adapter cable, A/V cables, an AC/DC power adapter and a carrying case are standard.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the three models:

Posted by Nana at 02:33 PM | DISH Network Introduces PocketDISH Portable Media Companion (PMC) | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Apple today introduced the iPod® nano, a revolutionary full-featured iPod that holds 1,000 songs yet is thinner than a standard #2 pencil and less than half the size of competitive players. The iPod nano features an ultra-portable, lightweight design with a gorgeous color screen, Apple’s patent pending Click Wheel and the ability to hold 1,000 songs or 25,000 photos. iPod nano works seamlessly with the iTunes® Music Store, the world’s number one digital music service. The iPod nano is available immediately in a 4GB model priced at just $249 and a 2GB model priced at just $199, with both models available in stunning white or black designs. “iPod nano is the biggest revolution since the original iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod nano is a full-featured iPod in an impossibly small size, and it’s going to change the rules for the entire portable music market.”

iPod nano is the perfect combination of innovative design, storage capacity and ease of use. Thinner than a standard #2 pencil and weighing only 1.5 ounces, iPod nano comes in two models—the 4GB iPod nano holds up to 1,000 songs and the 2GB iPod nano holds up to 500 songs. iPod nano features Apple’s innovative Click Wheel for precise, one-handed navigation, and its ultra-portable design fits into even the smallest pocket making it easy to take iPod nano to the gym, in the car, traveling, commuting or anywhere you go.

The most fashionable and wearable iPod ever, the iPod nano features optional accessories including lanyard headphones, which integrate the headphone cables into the lanyard, so users can wear their iPod nano around their neck without dangling headphone cables. For customers looking to personalize their iPod nano with colors, an optional set of iPod nano Tubes in pink, purple, blue, green and clear offers fashionable protection in a sheer casing while enabling full operation of all functions including the Click Wheel. Optional armbands available in gray, pink, blue, red and green allow users to wear their iPod nano as the ultimate fashion and sports accessory.

iPod nano features the same 30-pin dock connector as the iPod and iPod mini, allowing it to work effortlessly with a wide range of over 1,000 accessories developed for iPod, including home stereo speakers and iPod car adapters for an incredible music experience at home or in the car.

Featuring seamless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, iPod nano includes Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads a user’s digital music collection, photos or Podcasts onto iPod nano and keeps it up-to-date whenever iPod nano is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer using USB 2.0. With its stunning, high-resolution color screen, iPod nano allows users to display album art while playing music, view photo slideshows or play games in full color. iPod nano features up to 14 hours battery life* and completely skip-free playback, as well as new stopwatch, world clock and screen lock applications.

Pricing & Availability
The 4GB and 2GB white and black models of iPod nano for Mac or Windows are available worldwide immediately for a suggested retail price of $249 (US) and $199 (US) respectively, through the Apple Store,

Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. All iPod nano models include earbud headphones, a USB 2.0 cable and a CD with iTunes for Mac and Windows computers.

New optional accessories designed for iPod nano with the following suggested retail prices include: Lanyard headphones for $39 (US), armbands in five colors each for $29 (US), dock for $29 (US) and a set of iPod nano Tubes in five different colors for $29 (US) and will be available within the next 30 days.

iPod nano requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.4 or later and iTunes 4.9 (or later); or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 4.9 (or later).

Posted by Nana at 11:16 PM | The new iPod nano from Apple | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

MSN Video Downloads Delivers Food Network, FOX Sports, Children's Programming, News and More for Portable Media Centers and Select Smartphones and Pocket PCs

Since the launch of the Microsoft® Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center last fall, more than 20 new content partners, including CinemaNow Inc., MLB.com, MSNBC.com, MSN Music, MTV Networks Music, Napster Inc., SnapStream Media Inc. and TiVo Inc., have agreed to make video available online specifically formatted for Windows Mobile-based multimedia devices.

"The launch of Portable Media Centers in 2004 began a new era of portable entertainment, and today's announcement solidifies the continued momentum we've seen for portable video," said John Pollard, director of Windows Mobile Applications and Services Marketing at Microsoft. "With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads helps bring this vision to life, allowing people to take their favorite television shows with them whether they are on the train, waiting for a doctor's appointment, or keeping the kids occupied in the back seat of the car."

"Readily available digital video content remains a key driver for the portable multimedia player market," said Josh Martin, associate research analyst at IDC. "The proliferation and growth of video service providers will serve to fill the existing video content void and increase adoption of portable multimedia players such as Windows Mobile-based devices."

MSN Video Downloads: Keeping People Informed and Entertained Anywhere

MSN Video Downloads is available in the United States today at http://www.msnvideodownloads.com. A one-year premium membership to the MSN Video Downloads service with access to all available videos is $19.95 (U.S.). In addition, people can access a limited amount of free content without a paid membership.

The MSN Video Downloads service is designed to keep people better entertained and informed, wherever and whenever they want. With great content provided daily, such as sports highlights, news headlines, children's programming, music videos, independent films and comedy shows, MSN Video Downloads is one of the first online video download services dedicated to portable entertainment. In its debut, the MSN Video Downloads service was previewed at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

People subscribing to the premium service will be able to select the content they want to receive from the Web site. Digital videos are downloaded daily to a Windows Media® Player 10 library, ready to be synchronized with Portable Media Centers and other devices. The video content is compliant with PlaysForSure (TM) devices that play video, and is optimized for Portable Media Centers and compatible with Smartphones and Pocket PCs that support Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.

New with the final launch of the service is the ability to select the specific content downloaded to the subscriber's Windows® XP-based PC each day. Subscribers can also activate a new automatic deleting feature that specifies how long video from the MSN Video Downloads directory will remain on their PC, thus avoiding a large backlog of clips.

The following programming will be available on MSN Video Downloads:

• MSNBC.com. News and business headlines updated throughout the day, as well as segments from "Today"
• BreakTV. Behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews with television's hottest celebrities
• COOKIE JAR Entertainment Inc., a global producer and marketer of children's entertainment, offering children's programs such as "Paddington Bear," "Animal Crackers" and many other popular kids' television series
• DIY Network. Videos about home improvement, crafts, hobbies, indoor-outdoor living, and kitchen and bath remodeling
• FINE LIVING TV Network. Inspiring programs featuring travel destinations, mind and body enrichment, ideas for entertaining and home design as well as videos for automobile enthusiasts
• FOX Sports. In-depth news, analysis and unparalleled national and regional coverage of the National Football League, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, and select college basketball and football highlights, as well as FOX Sports Net original programming including "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and "Beyond the Glory"
• Food Network. Fun and interesting videos featuring grilling tips, ideas for entertaining, healthy eating, quick-and-easy recipes and pop-culture food specials
• Fun Little Movies. Specializing in original, live-action comedy content; new "Fun Funny Phone Films" including the following series: humorous headlines in "Comedy USA," sci-fi parody "Spacey Movie," and the "Mini-Bikers," where little people on little motorcycles fight crime, a little at a time
• Headliners Entertainment Group Inc. (OTCBB:HLEG), the operator of Rascals Comedy Clubs, presenting a selection of comedy clips from Rascals Comedy Classics, including performances from popular stars such as Tim Allen, Rosie O'Donnell, Drew Carey and Ray Romano; only Rascals can bring viewers comedy superstars, before they were stars, and the breaking stars of tomorrow, today
• Home & Garden Television (HGTV). Selected programs featuring remodeling, home-building, design and decorating, kitchen and bath to enhance a home's curb appeal
• IFILM. Movie trailers, viral videos, short films and other IFILM-exclusive content
• TotalVid. Deep selection of action sports clips including surfing, snowboarding, skiing, windsurfing, street racing, kiteboarding, skateboarding, climbing, kayaking, off-road, Moto X, mountain biking, inline skating, BMX and more
• Want Media. Music videos, live concerts, Broadway shows, extreme sports and motor sports programs, full-length films from independent filmmakers and underground cinema

The following are content partners for Windows Mobile-based devices:

• ATI Technologies
• BreakTV*
• CinemaNow Inc.
• COOKIE JAR*
• DIY Network
• FINE LIVING TV Network*
• Food Network*
• FOX Sports*
• Hauppauge Computer Works Inc.
• Headliner Entertainment Group*
• HGTV*
• IFILM*
• MediaPass Network LLC
• MLB.com
• MSN Music
• MSNBC.com*
• MTV Networks
• Napster
• NVIDIA
• Pinnacle Systems Inc.
• SnapStream Media Inc.
• TiVo Inc.
• TotalVid*
• Want Media*
• watchmusichere.com

About Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers reduces the complexity and constraints that hobble the flow of personal and business communications while also enabling people to enjoy rich media experiences. With Windows Mobile, individuals and organizations are empowered to achieve their productivity goals and also realize the excitement of the digital lifestyle -- from music and memories to television, movies, gaming and communication. More information can be found at http://www.windowsmobile.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, MSN, Windows Mobile, Windows Media, PlaysForSure and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Posted by Nana at 02:19 PM | Microsoft Launches New Online Video Service for Windows Mobile-Based Devices (Portable Media Centers) | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So the long awaited Sony P2P is finally out. Our main interests in the PSP is for its abilities as a portable media center or PMC for video, music, and a bit of gaming, as well as its place in home entertainment systems. Until we have more to report in this area, here's a collection of articles that will bring you up to speed on the PSP. More links coming soon. Also if you have a resource that needs to be added, let me know.

PSP 101: Everything you need to know about the PlayStation Portable

Sony PSP First Thoughts Review (pics)

Photo Essay: Fans Wait Out Sony's PSP

Sony gets it right with new PSP

PlayStation Portable Has Miles to Go

Sony's PSP: A Review

You’ll never look at handheld gaming the same: Sony PSP

Sony put 1 million PSPs on sale for the North American launch.

Posted by Nana at 04:12 PM | First Looks at Sony's New PSP | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

ARCHOS, the pioneer and technology leader in pocket-sized audio and video digital media solutions for consumers, announced today the availability of the industry's first 100-gigabyte(1) portable video player (PVP) and recorder (PVR) with the Pocket Video Recorder AV4100, a complement to the ARCHOS AV400 line.

With the AV4100, consumers can enjoy a tremendous 100-gigabyte capacity model to pack even more television shows, movies, music, photos and data for the ultimate handheld entertainment experience. The AV4100 delivers advanced multimedia features including recording and scheduling capabilities, full audio recording and playback, photo viewing, and data storage in a large-capacity, handheld device.

The AV4100 experience starts in the living room where you can record television shows and movies directly from a TV, VCR, cable set-top box or satellite receiver with a convenient TV Cradle. At the same time, the AV4100 takes personal entertainment enjoyment far beyond the living room, where consumers can watch videos and view photos on a large color LCD screen, listen to and record music, and transfer photos from a digital camera and data files from a PC or Macintosh.

The AV400 line presents many new features unseen in other PVPs today, including a sleek and small design, removable battery for extended life (20-gigabyte version), TV Cradle, external speaker for enjoying music and video without headphones, best video playback quality(2), and a built-in Compact Flash reader for transferring photos directly from digital cameras. These features make the AV4100 a uniquely powerful device, yet slim, light and easy to use.

ARCHOS Recognized for Leading the Industry in Innovation

Today, ARCHOS is the only company with a 100-gigabyte PVP and recorder, the only to enable video recording and scheduling directly from any standard video source, and the first to introduce a portable video recorder and player with wireless capabilities in its newly-released PMA400. The ARCHOS product line has received numerous industry awards and reviews based on the products' sleek designs, compact yet functional form factors, and ease of use. The AV420 received the CNET Editor's Choice selection, the top award in the Video category by the CES 2005 "Technology is a Girl's Best Friend" Awards, and a CES 2005 "Innovations Award."

AV4100 Pricing and Availability

The AV4100 model will be in stores worldwide by the end of February with a suggested U.S. retail price of $799.95. Additional product information and add-on accessories are available at www.archos.com.

About ARCHOS

Established in 1988, ARCHOS is the technology leader in pocket audio/video products and has a long history of inventing state-of-the-art devices for people on the go. In 2000, ARCHOS opened the mass market of pocket-sized MP3 players based on a hard disk with the Jukebox 6000. In 2002, ARCHOS launched the first portable video player, the Jukebox Multimedia. The company's "AV" line of pocket-sized audio/video recorders and players has revolutionized how today's consumers enjoy their music, photos and videos anywhere, anytime. ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia and more information is available online at www.archos.com.

Posted by Nana at 11:45 AM | Archos Introduces the First 100-Gigabyte Portable Video Recorder (PVR) and Player with New AV4100 | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Video Without Boundaries, Inc., a pioneer in the emerging broadband media device market, today is announcing the development of the MediaREADY Flyboy(TM) Personal Media Player. The MediaREADY Flyboy™ is an ultra-slim portable MPEG4 media player and recorder capable of carrying hours of video and music and thousands of pictures. The product will be on display at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas being held January 6th - 9th, 2005. The Video Without Boundaries demonstrations will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall 1 Booth #20343.

According to a recent Jupiter Research survey, 51% of consumers would watch movies on a portable media player. 55% of them are interested in watching TV shows on such a device. That compares with 79% of consumers who like the idea of listening to music (a la Apple Computer's iPod). For these consumers, the MediaREADY Flyboy™ comes exactly at the right time.

The Linux-based MediaREADY Flyboy™ Portable Media Player allows you to record up to 80 hours of video, store over 200,000 digital pictures, or hold up to 740 hours of music on its 40 GB hard drive and enjoy it all on the move. The Flyboy has an easy to watch 3.5 inch LCD screen with built-in speakers. The internal USB 2.0 hard drive allows your Flyboy to receive files from a connected MediaREADY™ 4000, MediaREADY™ 5000 or PC. The MediaREADY Flyboy™ has a $349 MSRP and is scheduled to hit retail shelves in early 2005.

"According to a report from In-Stat/MDR, the market for these devices is projected to grow 700 percent in 2004, and a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 179 percent through 2008 is also expected," commented Jeffrey Harrell, CEO and President of Video Without Boundaries. "This latest research shows that consumers are interested in having more than just audio on the go. Our MediaREADY Flyboy™ takes your video, music, pictures, and data and gives them wings!"

MediaREADY Flyboy(TM) Highlights:

• MPEG4 Video Player/Recorder --
  Record up to 80 hours of video on your Flyboy and watch it on a 3.5 inch LCD screen or connect it to a TV for convenient playback. Supports RealOne player.
  
  
• MP3 Player -- Hold up to 740 hours (12,000 songs) of MP3 music. You can transfer your entire MP3 collection in no time at all via USB 2.0 connection.
  
  
• Digital Picture Storage -- Store over 200,000 digital pictures (1600x1200 pixels). View your pictures on the LCD screen or throw them up on Grandma's TV via RCA output. Includes 3x zoom functionality.
  
  
• Digital Voice Recorder -- Record meeting notes, to do list or a jam session with the Flyboy's built-in microphone.
  
  
• Data Storage Center -- When connected to other MediaREADY™ devices or a PC, the Flyboy is an external hard drive for transporting and storing data files. Built-In Speaker and
  
  
• Earphone output -- Whether you want to entertain your neighbors or keep it private, the Flyboy lets you plug in your earphones or crank it up over your built-in speakers