On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Will a white knight in the shape of entrepreneur Clive Coombes save at least part Comet from the brink-- or will the beleaguered retailer simply close all stores and call it a day?

The news of a potential Comet saviour comes from The Sun. Coombes is a consultant at turnaround specialist CC Business Angels, and has a team of "private individuals" using a company called Meridian Wholesale to buy up to 180 Comet stores.

Comet administrators Deloitte confirm talks with Meridian are taking place, but apparently a staff letter from Deloitte administrator Chris Farrington admits the chances of an "acceptable offer" are slim.

Farrington also says Deloitte is already "taking the necessary steps to best realise the remaining stock and exit from all the remaining stores.”

The Razer Orochi mobile gaming mouse gets a hardware refresh-- the latest version carries "the most precise laser sensor ever outfitted in a gaming mouse" and an improved set of batteries.

According to the company the laser is coupled with a 6400 dpi 4G sensor, all the more accurate to "take out the competition with deadly accuracy."

Wireless connectivity comes through Bluetooth 3.0 and wired use is also available. Powering the mose are x2 AA batteries promising up to 30 hours of continuous gameplay or 3 months of conventional use.

The Orochi looks ideal as a stocking filler for your more game-oriented customers and should be available now.

Go Updated Features on Razer Orochi Mobile Gaming Mouse

As Microsoft soldiers on towards the domination of the global living room, The Verge reports the company should fire another salvo come 2013-- a low-cost "Xbox TV" STB device.

Apparently, according to "multiple sources familiar with [Microsoft] plans" the Xbox STB will provide access to 360 entertainment services and aims at a more mainstream consumer base.

It should run on core Windows 8 components as an "always on" device and support casual games, rather than full Xbox titles.

Adding further grist to the rumour mill, the Verge also says the STB is just part of a "broader effort"-- one stripping down Xbox architecture in order to make it run on different devices, such as tablets or web-connected TVs.

When contacted Microsoft simply states "we are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention."

The above rumours of course follow all the by now familiar hearsay on Apple taking on TV, which analysts suggest will also hit the market next year.

Go Microsoft "Xbox TV" Device Due 2013 (The Verge)

The days of oversized mobile devices are clearly here to stay-- Samsung reports global Galaxy Note II sales reach 5 million just 2 months after the launch of the 5.5-inch device.

The massive stylus-packing smartphone-tablet hybrid is popular across all territories, including EMEA, and sales show no sign of slow down so far, the company states.

Apple even includes the Galaxy Note II in its latest US patent suit against Samsung, together with Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Rugby Pro and Galaxy S III Mini. You know, because winning $1.05 billion is not enough for the iPhone maker.

The success of the the Galaxy Note II (whose 2011 predecessor was something of a market dark horse) is a far cry from the pre-smartphone days of the mobile market, where small was desirable. Nowadays big is beautiful, or at least profitable-- and for those of us with larger paws, that might be a good thing...

Go Galaxy Note II Global Sales Exceed 5 million

Go Apple Adds 6 Samsung Products to California Lawsuit (FOSS Patents)