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

Blockbuster announces its expected recapitalisation strategy, filing for bankruptcy protection - just a month before the 25th anniversary of its first store opening.

The move ends a rental video era Blockbuster dominated. Services such as Netflix, Redbox and TV-on-demand took over marketshare.

Blockbuster plans to reduce its $1 billion of debt by swapping debt for equity. The reorganized Blockbuster's bondholders hold about 80% of the company's senior notes.

The company's 3000 U.S. stores and business will continue operating. Operations outside of the U.S. are not part of the reorganisation.

Blockbuster's largest creditors include the Bank of New York Mellon and movie studios.

Go Blockbuster Files for Chapter 11

Vogels' BaseCover fixes to an iPad’s back and comes with an aluminium receptor which connects to other mounts for walls, desks and cars.

For example, the WallMount is a small button mount which can be screwed to any wall. Once secured, the iPad can be fully rotated.

The TableStand holds the iPad on any surface in portrait or landscape mode.

The CarMount fixes to the headrest for use by backseat passengers.

The starter kit includes BaseCover and WallMount, and the other mounts sell separately.

Go Vogels Mount and Cover

In its ConsumerScape 360 survey IDC reveals U.S. CE Market has been hit hardest by economic downturn. U.S. households are projected to spend 17% less in 2010.

This is the largest decline from the 20 countries surveyed.

The survey divides CE consumers into six distinct categories. In the U.S. the largest two categories are low income buyers who will either buy when the price is right (Savvy Sale Shoppers) or have little interest in CE (Disengaged Functionalists). The number of Disengaged Functionalists is also higher in the U.S. (34%) than the rest of the world (16%).

Michael DeHart, director of ConsumerScape 360 says U.S. consumers are extremely price sensitive, but also tend to buy higher-end devices. The IDC believes important opportunities exist in U.S. in notebooks, PC peripherals, smartphones, and HDTVs.

BRIC markets are expected to lead the CE recovery, with spending gains of over 20% year after year.

Go IDC ConsumerScape 360

Philips introduces what EISA describes as Europe's most eco-friendly LED TV set. The 42" Econova boasts a record low consumption at 40w in eco-mode.

It's a slim profile HD set with a built-in 20W sound system.

It also comes with a solar recharged remote control.

Also included is a table top stand that doubles as a wall mounting solution.

Philips says it makes the set from at least 60% recycled aluminium and uses recyclable material for the packaging.

Go Philips Econova