Garmin-Asus, a co-branded alliance between Garmin® Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TAIEX: 2357), Garmin-Asus M10, a full-touch, all-in-one smartphone powered by the latest version of Windows Mobile from Microsoft Corp. The M10 keeps professionals connected with business and personal contacts, email, calendar and IM, in addition to featuring preloaded mobile navigation from Garmin. The M10 is expected to be available through carrier and retail channels in Asia and Europe in the first half of 2010.

The Garmin-Asus M10 runs the latest version of Windows Mobile. Windows Mobile 6.5.3 features upgrades that enhance user experience and provides access to Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which offers a vast number of Windows phone applications for download.

The M10 has a sleek design with a 3.5-inch WVGA display and a finger-friendly user interface. The Billboard feature displays the most important information so users can review all at one glance. An intuitive 3D Task Manager also allows users to switch easily between running applications. Keeping the phone responsive and the navigation smooth are 512 RAM and 512 ROM, while 4GB of Flash memory provides ample storage for multimedia and data.

The M10 is equipped with a 1500 mAh battery for hours of uninterrupted use, as well as a full QWERTY soft keyboard for speedy text input. HSDPA wireless connectivity and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) ensure that messages are sent and received quickly. In addition, the M10 can be synched to Microsoft Exchange® so that contacts, calendars and emails are always available and secure.

Recognizing that location is relevant to every aspect of every day, the Garmin-Asus M10 is designed with location information at its core and it delivers the most advanced location experience on a Windows phone. Navigation functions are linked to frequently used applications such as calendar, contacts, email, internet browser, and messaging; making an exceptionally intuitive and smooth navigation experience.

The M10 has advanced navigation features equivalent to a high-end Garmin nüvi such as lane assist with junction view that guides drivers to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit and realistically displays road signs. It also has highway mode that tells drivers the next three upcoming street exits so they can plan ahead*. The M10 is ready for automotive navigation out-of-the-box, and it includes everything a customer needs to use the device in a car, including a powered cradle and windshield mount.

The Garmin-Asus M10 boasts a range of social capabilities, including access to Facebook and Picasa Web Albums. It also places real-time information on connected services* such as weather, safety cameras, traffic, flight status, and fuel prices at users’ fingertips. In addition, the M10 is equipped with a high performance five mega-pixel camera that automatically geotags photos so that users will always know where they were taken and can easily share them with friends via Facebook and Picasa.

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone M10 is expected to be available through carriers and retail distribution channels in Asia and Europe beginning in the first half of 2010. Journalists should contact Garmin-Asus media representatives to arrange product demonstrations or interviews.

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Mobile World Congress in Barcelona: Leading Operators Unite to Unleash Global Apps Potential

Twenty-four leading telecommunications operators have formed the Wholesale Applications Community, an alliance to build an open platform that delivers applications to all mobile phone users.

América Móvil, AT&T, Bharti Airtel, China Mobile, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, KT, mobilkom austria group, MTN Group, NTT DoCoMo, Orange, Orascom Telecom, Softbank Mobile, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, SingTel, SK Telecom, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, VimpelCom, Vodafone and Wind are committed to create an ecosystem for the development and distribution of mobile and internet applications irrespective of device or technology.

Together, these operators have access to over three billion customers around the world. The GSMA and three of the world’s largest device manufacturers – LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson – also support this initiative.

The Wholesale Applications Community aims to unite a fragmented marketplace and create an open industry platform that benefits everybody – from applications developers and network operators to mobile phone users themselves.

The alliance’s stated goal is to create a wholesale applications ecosystem that – from day one – will establish a simple route to market for developers to deliver the latest innovative applications and services to the widest possible base of customers around the world. In the immediate future the alliance will seek to unite members’ developer communities and create a single, harmonised point of entry to make it easy for developers to join.

“The GSMA is fully supportive the Wholesale Applications Community, which will build a new, open ecosystem to spur the creation of applications that can be used regardless of device, operating system or operator,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSMA. “This approach is completely in line with the principles of the GSMA, and in fact leverages the work we have already undertaken on open network APIs (OneAPI). This is tremendously exciting news for our industry and will serve to catalyse the development of a range of innovative cross-device, cross-operator applications.”

Jonathan Arber, Senior Research Analyst at independent analyst house, IDC, said: “Attracting and retaining developers is vital for any application store offering to succeed. However, mobile application developers currently face a high level of fragmentation in the industry, in terms of both technology platforms, and individual operators’ working practices. Developers want to meet the largest possible addressable market, as efficiently and painlessly as possible, and the Wholesale Applications Community initiative can meet these criteria by providing a simple, single point of access to a large number of operator storefronts. The initiative should also help to drive uptake of existing, open standards among developers, operators and manufacturers, thereby reducing fragmentation and benefiting the whole industry.”

The alliance plans to initially use both the JIL and OMTP BONDI requirements, evolving these standards into a common standard within the next 12 months. Ultimately, we will collectively work with the W3C for a common standard based on our converged solution to truly ensure developers can create applications that port across mobile device platforms, and in the future between fixed and mobile devices.

Link

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THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced plans to deliver its first demolition derby style party game, SpongeBob’s Boating Bash, in spring 2010. Currently in development for the Wii video game system, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo DSi, SpongeBob’s Boating Bash is a high energy and fast-paced video game that lets players compete as one of nine SpongeBob characters and “crash-n-bash” their way to victory within demolition arenas throughout Bikini Bottom.

The multi-player game allows up to four players to drive more than 100 customized boat mobiles, while trying to knock off and collect other boat parts in order to earn points and move up levels, and ultimately earn their boat mobile license.

After failing to pass Ms. Puff’s boat mobile driving class 78 times, SpongeBob SquarePants remains determined to finally earn a boat mobile license but is tricked into taking the wacky “Learn to D.R.I.V.E.” course offered to him by a shady shark named Seymour Scales. SpongeBob has no idea that the course literally will steer him in zany directions. SpongeBob’s Boating Bash will introduce an off-the-wall driving adventure that will have players swerving to avoid obstacles, crashing against other boat mobiles to win a race, all the while collecting boat parts to earn points. Driving behind the wheel of customizable boat mobiles, players will wreak havoc and demolish their opponent’s boats to ultimately be the last one standing.

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CM4 makes their debut in the gaming industry by designing premium products that enhance the user experience. CM4 Catalyst covers are made from carefully chosen materials that improve comfort and grip, while seamlessly integrating into contemporary lifestyles. Catalyst covers are available for Wii Remote with MotionPlus and Nintendo Pocket Case for Nintendo DSi, while Catalyst Slim Covers are offered for Nintendo DSi and Sony PSPgo.

Catalyst covers for Wii with MotionPlus have a concealed back zipper for easy battery removal, among their other features. The Catalyst Pocket Case for Nintendo DS has a built in hidden pocket that accommodates two game cartridges and one extra stylus without hindering game play. Finally, the Catalyst Slim Covers for Nintendo DSi and Sony PSPgo are sleek fabric-wrapped aluminum covers that make consoles playable within the cover and compliment on-the-go lifestyles.

In 2010, CM4 will launch a line of premium controllers that will change the paradigm of current cheap plastic offerings from third party brands. Inspired by the refinement and sophistication of luxury and performance auto interiors, these devices are the control surfaces – the cockpit for an elevated gaming experience.

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The new ASUS N Series is designed for audiophiles who desire multimedia entertainment while on-the-move. Powered by the new Intel® Core™ i3, i5 and i7 processors, the ASUS N Series is equipped with USB 3.0 connectivity capable of multimedia transfer rates of up to 5GB per second—up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0′s 480MB per second rate. USB 3.0 also features an interrupt mechanism which provides additional power savings compared to the polling method of USB 2.0. With 900mA support for high-power devices, USB 3.0 also shortens the charging duration significantly for USB-chargeable devices compared to the 500mA of USB 2.0.

Another highlight of the new ASUS N Series is SonicMaster audio technology. Developed by the highly-trained audio experts in the ASUS’ Research and Development team, SonicMaster audio technology fine-tunes noise balance, volume and dynamic sound ranges, while minimizing environmental interference and sound distortion along with enhanced sound separation. These solutions combine to provide users with greatly improved audio quality that brings multimedia events to life on their Notebooks.

Finally, the ASUS N Series features Video Magic software which boosts the resolution of conventional DVDs up to full high definition 1080p from the standard 480p, as well as naturalizing the color and brightness of the images displayed.

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MSI has unveiled the world’s first 3D All-in-One PC at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

Wearing comfortable wireless 3D glasses, users can have the ultimate life-like gaming experience and 3D HD movie experience from the comfort of home with the system’s stunning 24-inch display.

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Certain Acer Aspire-series Notebook Computers
Units: About 22,000
Manufacturer: Acer America Corporation, of San Jose, Calif.

Hazard: An internal microphone wire under the palm rest can short circuit and overheat. This poses a potential burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Acer has received three reports of computers short circuiting, resulting in slight melting of the external casing. No incidents occurred in the United States. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled notebook computer models are the Acer AS3410, AS3410T, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG. The computer’s screen size is about 13.3 inches measured diagonally. Not all units are affected. Consumers should contact Acer to determine if their unit is included in the recall.

Sold at: ABS Computer Technologies, D&H Distributing, Fry’s Electronics, Ingram Micro, Radio Shack, SED/American Express, Synnex Corporation, SYX Distribution, Tech Data Corporation and other retailers nationwide and Amazon.com from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $650 and $1,150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled notebook computers immediately and contact Acer to determine if their notebook is affected and to receive a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Acer toll-free at (866) 695-2237 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acer.com.

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Kodak’s heritage of “you press the button, we do the rest” continues with advanced capture settings and sharing features in its Spring 2010 product lineup.

The new KODAK SLICE Touchscreen Camera (US $349.95 MSRP) takes sharing to a new level by uniting the power of photography with the rich experience of sharing memories. The sleek and stylish camera has the ability to store up to 5,000 pictures in HD resolution. Consumers can easily sort through thousands of pictures by person, place, date, or occasion in order to locate and share a collection of treasured moments with the onboard KODAK SLICE Search Feature and Face Recognition feature.

Link

The new KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera (US $199.95 MSRP) lets you share like never before. The powerful Share Button makes it easy to tag pictures directly on the camera for effortless e-mailing and uploading to popular sharing sites like KODAK Gallery, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. Pictures can also be tagged to email to the new KODAK PULSE Digital Frame.

Link to Kodak EasyShare M580 14MP

The new KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera (US $149.95 MSRP) is a rugged, durable and pocket HD video camera with an appetite for adventure. The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera is waterproof up to 10 feet and features built-in software and USB cable output so users can edit and easily share with family and friends through sites such as YouTube and Facebook.

Link to Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera

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The IdeaPad U1 is industry’s first hybrid PC for consumers.

The IdeaPad U1’s unique design is engineered to provide consumers with two PCs in one device – each with its own processor and operating system – that work together and independently as either a clamshell laptop or a multitouch slate tablet.

The IdeaPad U1’s fashionable scarlet red exterior has a footprint just smaller than a piece of notebook paper and is paired with an equally impressive 3.8 pound thin and light design. With its unique detach-and-converge design, users can easily remove the screen to instantly switch from clamshell mode into a multitouch slate tablet. When the IdeaPad U1 is in its traditional clamshell form, the system boasts an 11.6 inch HD LED screen and runs Windows 7. When the 1.6 pound, multitouch screen is removed, it becomes an independent slate tablet with a powerful ARM processor, running Lenovo’s customized Skylight operating system.

Leveraging the benefits of both CPU, the two devices can synchronize to work as one with the ability to share battery power, 3G wireless, data and documents. In this way, the base laptop system can serve as a hub and docking station and the slate tablet as a mobile device. The two PCs have been engineered to work together and independently through Lenovo’s Hybrid Switch technology that enables seamless toggling between the two processors. For instance, users can surf the Web in laptop mode and then continue from the same point without interruption if they detach to tablet mode.

Lenovo’s hybrid notebook also features a customized “Me” centric tablet interface for comfortable landscape and portrait viewing. Users can switch between a six-section display and a four section display. U1’s six-section screen display is designed to enhance the mobile internet experience by letting users easily multitouch access multiple Web-based applications at once such as email, calendars, RSS readers and social networking Web sites. The four-section screen display option is perfect as a media center on the PC such as photos, music, videos and to view/edit documents.

The IdeaPad U1’s laptop and tablet modes each support more than five hours of 3G Web browsing and 60 hours of 3G standby. In addition, the U1 comes with integrated video camera and two stereo speakers with integrated microphone with echo cancellation make this the ideal PC for users who need flexibility but do not want to compromise features or functionality.

The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook will be available June 1, 2010, with an estimated retail price of $999.1

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Panasonic and Skype today announced a collaboration that will enable consumers to make voice and video calls over SkypeTM on Panasonic’s line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs planned for launch in spring 2010.

This collaboration takes Skype to another platform, in addition to the computer and the mobile phone, which is the technology heart of the home, the television. Skype on your VIERA delivers many familiar Skype features including:

* Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls
* Calls to landline or mobile phone at Skype’s low rates
* The option to receive inbound calls via a user’s online Skype number
* Skype voicemail, if you have it set up
* Being invited to participate in voice conference calls with up to 24 other parties

To conduct a Skype video call on a VIERA CAST HDTV, a specially-designed high-performance Panasonic camera, which is sold as a separate accessory, is simply plugged into the television. The camera includes a special microphone system that can easily pick up sound from couch-distance. Plus, it will deliver up to 720p high definition video quality depending on the consumer’s internet bandwidth.

Panasonic’s VIERA CAST feature has been widely acknowledged for its distinctive internet application, allowing the consumer to view targeted sites on a large HDTV, rather than a small computer screen. VIERA CAST requires no external box or PC. VIERA CAST is accessed via a single button on the television remote control and there is no fee to use the VIERA CAST functionality (some VIERA CAST services such as VOD have a separate fee structure).

Skype joins a growing list of web-based offerings on Panasonic’s VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs including Amazon Video On Demand, YouTubeTM, Picasa Web AlbumsTM, Bloomberg News and weather information.

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