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

T-Mobile starts rolling out a new store design in 400 stores across the US-- adopting the European design format from parent company Deutsche Telekom.

Now both European and American T-Mobile/Deutsche Telekom stores will share the same retail look similar to that of Apple Stores.

Lighting now comes through magenta LEDs, while hardwood covers the floors within an "interactive" shopping area replete with standing service counters and private seated service desks.

At the back is a 55" digital display (to which lies an uninterrupted travel path from the entrance), while vertical highlight panels carry information kiosks and video monitors.

The Deutsche Telekom redesign kicked off in European stores last year, and should continue rolling in stores old and new in about 65 markets within the next 2 years.

Watch T-Mobile Store Redesign

Park Associates says around 15-30% of W. European broadband households show interest in a TV Everywhere solution allowing them to view TV programming on multiple devices.

The UK shows most interest, with 30% of broadband households saying they are willing to pay more for such services-- with Spain and Italy following close behind.

The report shows around 30% of broadband households would switch to a provider offering free TV Everywhere, while 10-20% would consolidate mobile and internet services with a single provider to access TV Everywhere services.

Park Associates says providers can only charge extra fees for TV Everywhere "so long nobody else offers it for free"-- the prisoner's dilemma in economic action, basically.

Go Consumers in W. Europe Interested in TV Everywhere (Parks Associates)

Harman announces support for the Android Open Accessory Protocol-- meaning users can control Android smartphone and tablet content (such as music or navigation apps) through dashboard or steering-wheel controls.

All Harman infotainment platforms will support the Android Open Accesory Protocol, extending Android email and SMS support.

The protocol-- available in devices running Android 3.1 and as a software upgrade for Android 2.3.4 or later-- allows the connection of Android devices to either dashboard or rear-seat installations via USB.

The Android-supporting upgrade is available for all installations, making it usable in entry-level, mid-priced and luxury aotomobiles.

Go Harman Extends Android Support for Automotive Applications

GfK reports customer interest in internet radio devices in W. Europe is on the rise, with hi-fi and audio device sales and turnover growing throughout the territory.

Total W. Europe hi-fi and audio device turnover for the January-July 2011 period reaches €108M, with sales volumes doubling in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

Audio home systems account for 53% of all internet radio sales, while GfK says web-enabled single hi-fi components (receivers and tuners) are alsogrowing "significantly."

When it comes to portable devices, radios show strong performance with 23% in the fusion market.

Internet radio in general is becoming more popular with a vast amount of web radio content currently available-- Germany alone has over 3100 online radio stations, 84% of which being internet-only, according to a Bayrische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (BLM) study.

Meanwhile consumer interest grows further thanks to increasing mobile access (via smartphones and social networks) and internet radio aggregators, GfK says.

Go W. Europe: New Wave of Web Radio Devices (GfK)