When One Core is Not Enough

PDFPrintE-mail

LG Optimus wXLG launches the first dual-core processor smartphone, the 4" LG Optimus 2X.

The Optimus carries NVidia's Tegra 2 chip and runs at 1GHz clock speed. The extra juice proves handy for HD video playback, recording and HDMI mirroring via DLNA.

It comes with with 2 cameras (8 megapixel on the back paired with 1.3 megapixel up front), 8GB on-board storage (expands via microSD card slot) and micro-USB port.

Android 2.2 powers the device. LG says it shouldrelease upgrades to Gingerbread (Android 2.3) in due course.

Go LG Optimus 2X

Designer iPod Nano to Watch Conversions

PDFPrintE-mail

Luna Tik Tik TokDesign house Minimal (whose clients include Microsoft to Nike) turns its attention at iPod Nanos to wristwatch conversion.

After all, it was Steve Jobs himself who suggested the Nano could be used as a timepiece.

The company offers 2 products-- Tik Tok and Luna Tik.

The Tik Tok is a simple plastic design into which users snap the Nano. The player can be easily popped out by pushing through a hole in the back.

The Luna Tik, on the other hand, is a permanent solution. It comes as a conversion kit with x2 separate stainless steel pieces forming a case. Once the Nano is in place, users screw the 2 pieces together with the included rubber straps.

Go Tik Tok and Luna Tik

EU Fines LCD Makers €648 Million for Cartel

PDFPrintE-mail

It's the stuff that Hollywood could turn into a film...

In 2001-2006, Taiwan makers met at least 60 times in various hotels around Taipei...they had a name for these meetings: The Crystal Meetings.

Crystal, probably as in "It's crystal clear to us that we can control LCD prices if we just have a monthly chat in a private room..."

Samsung and LG of Korea and Taiwanese firms AU Optronics, Chimei InnoLux, Chunghwa and HannStar ...they met and conspired during 4 years to set prices, (including price ranges and minimum prices), share future production planning, capacity utilisation, and discuss other commercial conditions.

Yes, they knew it was illegal, says the EC. The investigation gathered by the Commission shows the Asian companies were aware they were breaking competition rules and took steps to conceal the venue and results of the meetings.

The EC, apparently, somehow got the upper hand with Samsung because Samsung folded and coughed up the whole deal. For ratting out the others, Samsung got its fine dropped.

EC Fines

LG Display also received a full reduction of fine for its participation in the cartel in 2006, as it was the first company to bring forward evidence showing the cartel continued after 2005 ("partial immunity.")

Some others had their fines reduced according to how much cooperation was demonstrated during the investigation (i.e., they incriminated themselves nad the others...)

Two of the companies (Which two? We don't know but we can guess...) actually claimed an inability to pay. The EC rejected both claims ( Returned with a small Post-it note that had only "LOL" written on it. OK, we just made up that part. But this whole story is a matter of public record.)

They say any publicity is good publicity...so if Hollywood gets a hold of the script, will help LCD sales?

Go EU Fines LCD Makers €648 Million for Cartel

Kaleidescape's Cinema One, an Out-of-the-Box DVD Movie Server

PDFPrintE-mail

Call it a Kaleidescape-for-All as Kaleidescape launches Cinema One, an out-of-the-box DVD movie server that provides instant viewing and management of your customer's movie collection.

This is the company's first system priced below £4200 MSRP, as Cinema One hopes to bring the Kaleidescape experience to a broader set of customers.

Cinema One is a single component movie server capable of storing 225 DVDS or 2500 CDs - but installs as easily as an ordinary DVD player. Linus Wong, Director, Product Marketing at Kaleidescape tells us Cinema One is based on and replaces the Kaleidescape Mini System.

It's ideal for the retail market, in his opinion, because it eliminates the need for storage configuration.

But there's more to this story than widening the market and price point (although scaling technology down to a 40-50% reduction is impressive).

Cinema One creates a new market by meeting the needs of parents with young children by automatically switching to a simplified user interface when the Child Remote is used.

CinemaOne

"We have found that families tend to have the largest collections of DVDs, since most children’s content is in that format," says Kevin Dawson, MD of Dawsons Group, a leading high-end custom audio and video retailer in UK for residential and marine projects for over 30 years. "Cinema One is an excellent fit for this market since it enables even toddlers to select and start their own movies – without the delays and complexity caused by menus, trailers, and advertisements."

Wong tells us the interface is so well-done for kids that 2- and 3-year olds can navigate their favorite films. While toddlers can find and play their own movies, parents have complete control over available content and access.

Go Kaleidescape Cinema One

Orange Shows New Megastores in France

PDFPrintE-mail

In the French cities of Lille and Lyon, Orange opens two operator stores, with over 400 m² dedicated to service and the customer experience.

Refering to their newest outlets as "the biggest telecom operator stores in Europe", Orange pioneers a new store concept, putting service at the heart of the customer experience. At least 20 sales staff and 12 techs are on site.

You could call this approach "Apple à l'Orange." These stores, like Apple stores, are service-centric, expansive, and loaded with customer comforts. Quite a change from the typical "squeezed" operator shops where you go to buy a handset or pay your landline bill and feel like you are in a kiosk.

Orange megastore

The Orange megastore wants to encourage visitors in a  “voyage of discovery” and...

•    Take it easy in the wifi lounge so they can “recharge their batteries”
•    Test  Orange products, with full connectivity and unrestricted access
•    Explore four Specialist Areas (TV, music, sport and games)
•    Experiment with tomorrow’s tech in an Innovation Space
•    Deal with usage issues at the “service bar”: product configuration, customer service, express exchange,  diagnostics, device recycling...
•    Take advantage of “private lessons” (training, demonstrations, interactive learning tools...)
•    Find solutions for business needs in the Pro Space
•    Enjoy a vibrant environment with activities and events

Designed by Malherbe Design and Orange, the megastores meet the standards of the WWF's environmental charter.

“At our new megastores, our customers are plunged into the heart of a new and sometimes surprising world. We wanted this exceptional piece of design to focus on comfort, with its fundamental link to the essence of service. We want to be more than a telecoms operator; we want to be a service operator, to be the “personal trainer” in our customers’ digital world,” declares Delphine Ernotte, Executive VP, Orange France.

Go Orange megastores

Page 896 of 993