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TECHNOLOGY by Marauder

TECHNOLOGY

Blockbuster, which is facing competition from the likes of Netflix and AppleTV in the online-movie space, has announced that it is developing its own set-top box. The device, which will stream Blockbuster’s Web-based MovieLink service, is expected to be available for the holiday season. Electronista (11/10)

Circuit City‘s bankruptcy filing may be good news for rival Best Buy, which will face diminished competition for consumers’ electronics dollars. But, according to this article, it is not good news for consumer-electronics manufacturers, who now will have less leverage with retailers such as Best Buy. The New York Times (11/10)

MyFC is a fuel cell company that is showing prototypes of fuel cells that could be built into cases a la the Mophie. The cells run on small hydrogen packs and can fold over surfaces. They could even be embedded inside cellphone bodies. (http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/11/11/bendable-ultra-thin-fuel-cells-coming-soon 11/11)

The consumer-spending forecast may be lackluster for this holiday season, but among those who are looking to make CE purchases, more shoppers are leaning toward Dell and Apple products, according to a ChangeWave Research survey. “It’s not easy to increase market share in one of the worst spending environments in years,” said research director Paul Carton, although Apple is drawing attention from consumers, with one-third of respondents saying they plan to buy an Apple laptop in the next 90 days, which is up from 29% in September. CNNMoney.com/Fortune (11/10) , CNET (11/10)

Reports of Dell’s developing a digital music player apparently were greatly exaggerated. In a blog posting, the company put the kibosh on the rumor, adding that “our strategy focuses on content offerings and delivery platforms that mix Zing software, remote access and pre-configured media bundles across all of our devices, including licensing agreements with entertainment distributors.” Reuters (11/11)

BlueKey Wireless Technologies has introduced the BK-UNV01 module, a device that allows Bluetooth-equipped cell phone users to control home electrical systems. The unit, which retails for just under $500, features seven programmable relays that can control nearly any low-voltage device. CEPro.com (11/10)

Blu-ray will be on an upward swing in the U.S. over the next two years, at which time 50% of households will own a Blu-ray player, according to Singulus Chief Executive Officer Stefan Bauster, who does not expect Germany to reach the same penetration level until 2011 or 2012. Blu-ray sales are on pace to reach $409.4 million in 2010. CEPro.com (11/10)

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