Filed under: WIRELESS
Although users may be wary of them, mobile ads are coming into their own, with AOL, Yahoo!, and Google all making big moves in this burgeoning ad segment, according to this article. (CNNmoney.com/Business 2.0 5/30)
Palm is expected to introduce Foleo, a Linux-based device designed as a smartphone companion that will have a full-size keyboard, a large screen and the ability to sync with a smartphone, according to industry reports citing a leaked Palm news release. (CNET 5/30)
Mobile-phone manufacturers are trying to increase the value of their devices: By offering “sideloading,” or the ability to add content directly to devices, manufacturers are selling computing power and applications that do not need to be downloaded from a wireless-network provider. (Los Angeles Times 5/29)
Cello, viola, clarinet … cell phone? Musicians around the world are using cell phone tones in their music, including an entire concertino played last fall in Chicago. While Samsung may not be the 21st-century Stradivari, musicians are happy using the devices to create unique tones and sounds. (The Wall Street Journal 5/29)
Filed under: GAMING
GAMING
Action director John Woo is attached to direct and produce the feature film Ninja Gold for Fox Atomic, according to The Hollywood Reporter, based on a video game currently in development from Warren Spector, creator of games Deus Ex and System Shock. The story revolves around a centuries-old bloodline of Ninjas, the Yakuza, the Russian mob and stolen gold from South Africa.
Nintendo Wii was once again the top-selling game console last month in the U.S., according to industry analysis by NPD Group. Wii sold 360,000 units, followed by 174,000 for Xbox 360 and 82,000 for PlayStation 3. (Yahoo!/newsfactor.com 5/29)
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY
A tabletop computer dubbed Microsoft Surface allows users to interface via a touch screen to access a variety of media. The technology, which effectively turns a conventional tabletop into an interactive surface, also can read bar codes and is expected to make its debut in hotel lobbies, restaurants and retail outlets. (The New York Times 5/30, USA TODAY 5/29)
Numark’s TTUSB turntable lets vinyl users rip and tag their vintage collections into their new-age digital libraries. The belt-driven turntable uses a USB cable to create either Mac or PC music files. (The Edmonton Journal (Canada) 5/30)
Filed under: MISC
MISC
Disney claims that “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” set a record for worldwide box-office sales with a $404 million take from May 23 through Monday, topping the $382 million of Sony’s “Spider Man 3.” Sony is accusing Disney of including seven extra days of sales in its total. (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=aAVx.fQUM5Xc 5/29)
Filed under: MISC
The Universal Music/Bertelsmann BMG Music Publishing merger was approved by the European Commission, with the condition that the rights to several song copyrights be sold off including the catalogs of Justin Timberlake, Kaiser Chiefs and R. Kelly. The EU’s executive arm is concerned that Universal will exert too much control over the online and mobile music market otherwise. The acquisition will make Universal the largest music publisher by market share, followed by EMI and Warner Music.
Filed under: TECHNOLOGY
A new Gartner study reveals that features such as GPS and access to low-cost e-mail helped drive worldwide PDA sales up 40% for the first quarter of 2007. The top manufacturers included Research in Motion, Mio Technology and Samsung. (InfoWorld/IDG News Service 5/23)
Later this year, Hewlett-Packard will introduce what it calls “HDTV 2.0″ — a new line of flat-panel, networked televisions meant to serve as the hub for all of a household’s digital entertainment. The sets will also include HP’s own MediaSmart software for third-party movie downloads. The TVs will sell at a higher price than normal HDTVs. (Dealerscope 5/2007)
Intel’s prototype for a new mobile computer code-named Metro includes several innovations that allow it to weigh in at 2.25 pounds, while being just 0.7 inches thick. The device would be marketed to high-end consumers looking to make a fashion statement with their laptops. BusinessWeek has an exclusive look at the prototype. (BusinessWeek 5/24)
Filed under: GAMING
Sony’s 80GB version of its PlayStation 3 gaming system may be marketed to the U.S. and other markets, despite earlier reports that stated the console was only scheduled for release in
South Korea. “We make such decisions depending on the needs of the market, and every country is different,” a representative for Sony, Satoshi Fukuoka, said. (TechNewsWorld/Associated Press 5/23)
Gaming retailer GameStop reported first-quarter profit gains thanks to increased sales of titles for the Nintendo Wii and the PlayStation 3. (The Dallas Morning News/Bloomberg 5/23)
