Consumer Electronics Daily News

SuperTooth & VOXX Accessories Corp. Reach Distribution Agreement for Co-Branded Line of Portable Audio Accessories

Bluetooth expert SuperTooth (Booth # 1070 @ CTIA) has teamed up with audio specialist VOXX Accessories Corp. (Booth # 2630 @ CTIA) to roll out a co-branded line-up of portable audio accessories under the Acoustic Research brand name beginning with the launch of the ARS60 Bluetooth speaker.

The ARS60 is a $119 portable Bluetooth speaker kicking out 16 watts RMS audio power with two speakers in front and a bass reflex system on the back. The ARS60 streams music wirelessly from any cell phone, tablet, computer or mp3 player supporting Bluetooth A2DP. The rechargeable battery keeps music playing for 3-10 hours depending on the volume level per two-hour charge.

The ARS60 speaker is available in black or red on www.store.acoustic-research.com for $119.

Stick-N-Find Technologies Announces StickNFind for Mobile Enterprise Asset Tracking

Stick-N-Find Technologies, creators of StickNFind Bluetooth location stickers, today announce "StickNFind for the Enterprise" at CTIA 2013 in Las Vegas, Nev.

StickNFind's enterprise application leverages its proprietary technology to enable asset management, inventory control, shipping & logistics and can be used as security credentials. With StickNFind's SDK, organizations can develop their own applications and uses for the location sticker.

IDC predicts that more than 1.19 billion workers, 34.9 percent of the global workforce, will be using mobile technology by 2013.

"We are excited to be at CTIA to announce StickNFind adaptations for enterprise applications," says Jimmy Buchheim, Founder of Stick-N-Find Technologies. "With overwhelming positive feedback, we have engaged with organizations to leverage StickNFind for its enterprise uses. StickNFind is much more than just a fun consumer gadget. From inventory management, check in/out procedures and asset management, StickNFind effectively helps organizations manage and track their assets."

StickNFind for the Enterprise:

• Manage assets on the go - From an App on any iPhone, iPad and Android device supporting Bluetooth LE (Bluetooth 4.0).
• Scan what you need, faster than ever before - The StickNFind inventory application can pinpoint the location of items from several parameters. Search by sku, serial number or date added.
• Scan 5000 inventory items per minute – Track as many objects as you can view on the mobile application, tracking inventory, assets and much more.
• SDK/API availability - Make your own apps to use with the StickNFind stickers. The potential to create a tailor-made and streamlined asset and inventory management system is limitless.
• Security credentials - With unique identification numbers for each sticker, StickNFind can be used as a credential to enable access via Bluetooth to specifically connected devices.

Stick-N-Find Technologies is exhibiting at CTIA 2013, in Booth #7554, at the Sands Convention Center & Hotel. The show runs from May 21-23, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Synaptics ClearPad S7500 Brings Large, High-Performance Touchscreens to Notebooks and Tablets

Synaptics Inc. today announced the ClearPad^® S7500, the latest addition to Synaptics' industry-leading ClearPad line of clear capacitive touchscreen solutions. The ClearPad S7500 removes barriers to the adoption of large, high-performance touchscreens in today's mainstream notebook PCs and high-end tablets by offering a highly advanced, yet flexible and cost-effective, solution for screens up to 15.6".

To date, large capacitive touchscreens in notebooks and premium tablets have been difficult to implement, adding excess thickness, weight and cost to designs. However, as exciting new applications and operating systems, such as Windows 8 and 8.1, emerge with increasing focus on touch and pen capabilities, Synaptics eliminates these difficulties with a range of unique integration features only available with the ClearPad S7500.

ClearPad S7500 Key Benefits:

• Extreme Performance. The advanced touch controller silicon architecture and algorithms, along with high sensing channel count, enable the S7500 to provide the most accurate finger and small object detection on the market, along with faster report rates and superior noise resistance.
• Ultimate Flexibility. The S7500 accommodates a wide range of advanced touch sensor technology stackups, such as On-Glass-Solution (OGS) and Ultra-Thin Discrete, and is compatible with emerging sensor materials like metal mesh. This flexibility allows OEMs to add touch to their latest designs with little to no added thickness or weight, and minimizing added component and manufacturing costs. This design flexibility will support future generations as sensor technology continues to evolve.
• Active Stylus Tracking. Synaptics' active stylus technology enables finely detailed drawing and writing without compromising industry leading finger touch performance, and without the need for additional sensor hardware in the computing device.  The fine-tipped active stylus supports advanced features such as hover detection and pressure reporting to the host application, enabling very rich stylus usage models without adding cost, thickness, or manufacturing complexity to the device.
• Robust Performance. Advanced algorithms enable robust and accurate multitouch performance under a wide range of scenarios, such as in the presence of moisture or with gloved fingers.
• Easy Integration. A low-profile single-ASIC solution, the S7500 is designed for simple integration with very small discrete component requirements and minimal physical and electrical footprints. This also affords lower power consumption and a reduced total bill of materials for OEMs.

Voxiva Enhances Text4baby, Nation's Largest Mobile Health Program

 Voxiva, Inc.(SM) announced today that text4baby(SM), a service which provides pregnant women and new moms with critical health information, has introduced a wide range of new interactive features and evidence-based educational content. Since launch in February 2010, Text4baby has enrolled more than 550,000 expectant and new moms, and is recognized as the nation's largest mobile health initiative.

Text4baby, developed by Voxiva in association with the National Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition, is offered as a free service in partnership with founding sponsor Johnson & Johnson, CTIA - The Wireless Foundation and Grey Healthcare Group.  Pregnant women and new moms are able to receive free text messages with content timed to their due date or baby's birthday.

Text4baby subscribers can now access an interactive mobile website with educational content and informational videos covering topics from exercise during pregnancy to car seat safety. Content has been provided by partner organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the March of Dimes, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Subscribers are sent regular text messages with links to these resources so that the content is timed to the stage of their pregnancy or baby's development, and contains relevant and actionable information. 

Text4baby also includes a wide range of additional interactive features. For example, subscribers can reply "MORE" to a message to learn more about a specific topic; they can "LIKE" a message, giving Voxiva feedback on the program; and respond to questions about their insurance status so that messages can be tailored according to their health coverage. 

Additionally, text4baby subscribers can set reminders to receive text messages in advance of scheduled appointments with their doctors. In a California State University San Marcos National Latino Research Center and University of California, San Diego (CSUSM/UCSD) study, 65 percent of users reported that text4baby helped them remember an appointment or immunization that they or their child needed. The Alliance of Chicago Community Health Services (network of federally qualified health centers) found the percentage of missed appointments was lower among text4baby enrollees (N=917) compared to non-enrollees (N=1,647) when comparing the two patient populations at one point in time.

"Text4baby reaches hundreds of thousands of women with important pregnancy and baby care guidance, and these new features make the program even more personalized and relevant.  We are really pleased that the program has gained such broad appeal and is having an impact on its users," says Voxiva CEO, Justin Sims.

Voxiva has a wide range of consumer health programs.  Some are available free of charge to the public and others are available through health plans, helping them engage members and increase compliance with quality measures (HEDIS/EPSDT).  In addition to text4baby, Voxiva's programs support child health (text4kids), healthy living (txt4health), smoking cessation (text2quit) and diabetes self-management (care4life).

Cricket Announces Launch of the 4G Samsung Galaxy S4

Cricket Communications, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone builds on the success and innovation of its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S3, and provides a suite of new innovations that will change how customers interact with a smartphone. The Galaxy S4 uniquely makes advanced technologies and features easy to use by integrating them into the way individuals use their phones every day. The Galaxy S4 will be available at Cricket company-owned stores, dealers and at www.mycricket.com starting June 7, 2013 for $599.99 (MSRP).  Qualifying customers can put $54.99 down at purchase plus monthly payments.

“The Galaxy S4 redefines the smartphone and we are very proud to offer our customers the highest level of wireless technology on the market,” said Matt Stoiber, Senior Vice President of Devices for Cricket. “Cricket’s three smartphone rate plans start as low as $45 per month and give customers value-packed choices for the plan that’s right for them with unlimited music included.”

The Galaxy S4 is the first device to enable consumers to control the device with touchless features including scrolling or turning a page and viewing documents within a file folder or a link on a web page. It enhances memorable moments with innovative camera features that captures progressive action and easily removes unwanted people from the photo. The Galaxy S4 also enhances the TV watching experience with the new Samsung WatchON™ service that simplifies searching and recommends TV, movies and sports according to personal tastes. With WatchOn and the built in IR blaster, the Galaxy S4 also functions as a remote control for home theater equipment.

The Galaxy S4 combines the simple and visual interface introduced with the Galaxy Series Camera with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera to take professional looking photographs with a smartphone. The front-facing 2-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S4 allows consumers to capture special moments in unique and new ways with Dual Camera shooting mode. Dual Camera mode takes pictures with both the rear and front cameras simultaneously to enable the photographer to be in the photo as well

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is available on Cricket’s 4G LTEAndroid Muve Music Double Data service plans that offer, for a limited time, double the monthly full speed data allowance offered in 3G rate plans. The $50 4G LTE Android Muve Music Double Data Rate Plan allows 2GB of full-speed data; the $60 plan allows 5GB of full-speed data and the $70 plan offers 10GB of full-speed data.

The Galaxy S4 is also available on Cricket’s 3G all-inclusive smartphone rate plans start at $50 for unlimited talk and text plus up to 1GB of full-speed data per month. The $60 smartphone plan contains up to 2.5GB of full-speed data per month and the $70 smartphone plan offers up to 5GB of full-speed data per month. With the $60 and $70 plans, customers can use their device as a hot spot to power additional wireless devices.
Cricket 4G LTE service is now available in Philadelphia, Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, Corpus Christi and the Brownsville-McAllen-Harlingen market, Texas in addition to existing 4G LTE service in Las Vegas and Tucson. The company’s LTE service now covers approximately 21 million potential customers.

Promoting the Myth of the "Always Connected" Device

Airplane mode, long commutes, limits on data plans: they all belie the notion of devices with continuous, uninterrupted Internet connections. Yet many applications assume a permanent connection when delivering content to the user. When the Internet isn't reachable, an app will often simply notify the user of network issues, and then refuse to function until the connection is restored.

KitaroDB helps solve the problem by making it easy for developers to guarantee a consistent user experience. A light-weight, efficient, and extremely fast NoSQL database, KitaroDB lets app developers store cloud data in a palatable form, keeping it locally on the devices for later access when network connections might not be available.

Historically, application developers who worried about the "offline user experience" were often forced to implement time-consuming workarounds. Reformatting cloud data (from a web service, for instance) into rigid data structures and then pushing it into local relational databases was only the first step. Developers then had to contend with the problem of what to do next: either reverse the process and reassemble the data in a format that the application expected, or design a whole new set of procedures for dealing with the reconfigured data.

With KitaroDB, app developers can use a consistent API across multiple platforms, and quickly store the data with little or no modification to the original format. The result can be a significant increase in application usability with minimal effort.

KitaroDB supports key/value and intrusive key data stores, providing developers with the flexibility to pick the best data solution for each area of their application.

At the core of KitaroDB is the enterprise-class, B-tree Synergy DBMS database. Cross-platform and in continuous commercial use for more than 25 years, this database is developed and enhanced by KitaroDB's creator, Synergex International Corporation.

"What's amazing is that the same database engine that you use on the server actually fits comfortably onto a phone or tablet, and it's still lightning-fast and durable," says Tod Phillips, KitaroDB Product Manager. "Technically, the latest version [of KitaroDB] can handle records up to 2 gigabytes in length, and files up to 256 terabytes. But that's way too much for today's mobile apps and devices, and data sizes like that would only be used by the Kitaro server product. It's just cool to know the potential is there, in your hand, even if you'll never use all of it."

The KitaroDB SDKs are free for Windows Phone 8, Windows RT, and Win32/.NET, and can be downloaded from Microsoft's Visual Studio Gallery or directly from the KitaroDB website at www.kitarodb.com. A subscription-based server version is also available.

Nissan And Sony PlayStation Announce GT Academy Program For 2013

Nissan Americas and Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC revealed that the groundbreaking GT Academy televised competition will return for a third season in North America.  GT Academy 2013 will be the biggest yet, with more competitors than ever before anticipated. The preliminary online qualifying element of the competition will run from July 2 to July 30 on a demo of the just announced and all-new Gran Turismo^®6 (GT6™) game exclusively on PlayStation^®3. Pre-registration will be available June 11- July 2.

Six former winners of the competition are now competing in top-level racing for Nissan.

Since its inception in Europe in 2008, GT Academy's acclaimed virtual-to-reality competition has attracted over two million entries, with gamers and motor sport fans battling it out on Gran Turismo for the chance to become real Nissan racing drivers. For the past two years in North America, more than 450,000 online gamers have competed. Six former winners of the competition, which now runs globally in Europe, the USA, Germany, Russia, and the Middle East and South Africa, are now NISMO Athletes competing in top-level racing for Nissan.

"We are turning out some genuinely fast racing drivers."

Nissan's Director of Global Motorsport, Darren Cox, revealed the plans for GT Academy 2013 today. Speaking at the Silverstone Circuit, during an event at which the latest version of the famous Gran Turismo game was announced, he said: "Every year of GT Academy has provided excitement and firsts, and 2013 will be no exception. The selection process and driver development program are now so robust that we are turning out some genuinely fast racing drivers. At its core, GT Academy remains a highly-accessible route into professional motor racing for people who would otherwise not have the opportunity. Unearthing genuine driving talent from the world of gaming is a real example of digital age performance and the innovation for which Nissan is famous. We are predicting that more people than ever will enter the competition this year on the stunning new GT6 demo."

"The challenges... are designed to improve people's race craft before they even make it to driving real cars."

Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital, explained: "GT Academy is a fitting platform for the Gran Turismo community to preview GT6 for the first time, as we aim to bring the worlds of virtual and reality closer than ever. We are very proud of this partnership with Nissan, and we have aimed to make a very appealing and accessible competition featuring a range of their cars. The challenges, even at this early stage of the competition, are designed to improve people's race craft before they even make it to driving real cars. We have also incorporated the Silverstone circuit for the first time in Gran Turismo. This should ensure that competitors will arrive at Race Camp better prepared than ever."

With the online qualification rounds offering a sneak preview of Gran Turismo 6, and the NISMO athletes blazing a trail in motorsports around the world – including Spaniard Lucas Ordonez (2008 winner) and England's Jann Mardenborough (2011 winner) racing at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours for Nissan – this season sets the stage for the most talent-stacked competition ever. North America's 2012 champion Steve Doherty is competing in a Nissan GT-R in the Blancpain Endurance Series abroad. With that foundation of racing success, the entry levels for this year's video and on-track driving skills competition are expected to reach an all-time high.

How it Works

The format of GT Academy North America has the 32 fastest PlayStation gamers from across the continent compete in the national finals at a location to be announced soon. Once 16 finalists advance, the action will then make the transition from the virtual world to real Nissan sports cars in the intense televised final at Silverstone Circuit, now the established home of the GT Academy Race Camp.

The winners of each of the GT Academy competitions will then be put through an incredibly intensive and thorough driver development program, rated among the best in the world, in order to qualify for the ultimate competition prize - a full season racing a Nissan GT-R GT3 NISMO in a top-level championship.

How to Enter

Details of how to enter GT Academy 2013 can be found on various platforms including: https://www.facebook.com/GTAcademyNA,http://us.gran-turismo.com and www.twitter.com/GTAcademy.

Perfect World Unveils New 3D Fantasy MMORPG "Holy King" in its Pipeline

Perfect World Co., Ltd., an online game developer and operator based in China, today unveiled its new 3D fantasy MMORPG, "Holy King," in its pipeline.

Adapted from the popular online novel of the same name, "Holy King" will run on Perfect World's proprietary "Echo" game engine. The game's vivid graphics and grand scenery will present players with an immersive fantasy world. Featuring a fantasy setting and fierce battles, "Holy King" blends various refreshing gameplay features entertaining players with the ability to devour all things as they progress in the game, a wide variety of profession combinations to choose from, flexible transformation abilities, and the opportunity to experience battles in different forms including vigorous fighters when alive and soul fighters after being slain. The special combination of the mysterious fantasy world and exciting battles will deliver an unforgettable gaming experience to players.

Mr. Robert Xiao, Chief Executive Officer of Perfect World commented, "Our new 3D fantasy MMORPG, 'Holy King,' is another proprietary work that our talented staff created, from its initial design to its research and development phases, with dedication to prioritizing players' needs. We hope the game will provide players with new exciting game content and an enhanced gaming experience."

Toshiba's Next-Generation NAND Chips: Smaller, Faster, Stronger

Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., (TAEC) today announced that the company has developed second generation 19 nanometer process technology that it will apply to mass production of 2-bit-per-cell 64 gigabit NAND memory chips later this month.

Toshiba has used the new generation technology to develop the world's smallest 2-bit –per-cell 64 gigabit NAND memory chips, with an area of only 94 square millimeters. Using a unique high speed writing method, the next generation chips can achieve a write speed of up to 25 megabytes a second  - the world's fastest class in 2-bit-per-cell chips.

Toshiba is also developing 3-bit-per-cell chips by using this process technology and aims to start mass production in the second quarter of this fiscal year. The company will initially introduce 3-bit, multi-level-cell products for smartphones and tablets by developing a controller compatible with eMMC, and will subsequently extend application to notebook PCs by developing a controller compliant with solid state drives (SSD).

NAND flash memory is an essential component of a diverse line-up of consumer products, including memory cards, smartphones, tablets and notebook PCs, and is increasingly deployed in enterprise products, including SSD for data centers. Looking to the future, Toshiba will continue to promote product innovation and development as a leading company in the market, able to respond to a wide variety of clients' needs.

Sony Mobile's Xperia Tablet Z Now Available Worldwide

Sony Mobile today announced that Xperia Tablet Z - the world's slimmest, lightest premium Android tablet - is now available to buy across the globe through Sony's retail and operator partners as well as online channels. The multi-award winning product - which recently picked up a Red Dot Design Award 2013 - has received the largest number of pre-orders of any Sony tablet to date.

Xperia Tablet Z captures the very best of Sony's technology, design, connectivity and entertainment in a premium high-performance water-resistant tablet. It's incredibly slim and lightweight and includes Sony's stunning and now familiar OmniBalance design that perfectly complements its smartphone sibling - the smash hit Xperia Z. Xperia Tablet Z is available in black or white finishes and in 4G or WiFi versions.

"Xperia Tablet Z has received an incredibly positive response since it was announced and this is demonstrated by the strong pre-orders the product has received," said Tomokazu Tajima, Senior Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. "We believe we have created the ultimate tablet experience and one that is uniquely Sony. Who else would design a tablet that can be used as a media center, a TV remote control - as well as sync seamlessly with Xperia Z and be submerged for 30 minutes underwater!?"

Xperia Tablet Z is also the best connected tablet available and continues Sony's unique one-touch function story using NFC. No other company is making it easier to enjoy content between multiple products such as TVs, speakers and smartphones than Sony.

A number of companion accessories are also available from Sony Stores and registered retailers including a charging cradle, an LCD screen protector and stylish leather carrying cover that comes in black, white or red.

Sony Launches 4K Ultra HD TV Marketing Campaign

Sony has started promoting its new 4K Ultra HD TVs, which begin shipping this week. The marketing campaign features Garth Davis, who most recently co-directed Jane Campion 's critically acclaimed miniseries Top of the Lake. After seeing Sony's amazing 4K picture quality on a Sony 4K Ultra HD TV at the Sundance Film Festival, Davis was inspired to make a 4K film to allow viewers to see deeper into his imagination. Working alongside Academy Award winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda, ASC, the commercial spot encompassing Davis' vision was shot on the Sony F65 and F55 professional 4K cameras. Native 4K footage from the shoot will be showcased at retail next month.

"The Sony 4K Ultra HD TV really is a new way of looking at things, a new visual language. There is so much detail, it's almost like you can walk into the picture," said Davis. "One of the things unique to the TV is color. And the story we've been creating for this project is about celebrating color in lots of ways. With Sony 4K we are working at the highest end of technology and creativity."

"It is so nice to have a larger color gamut to work with in 4K," added Miranda. "You can extract more information and show what you may not have seen before on a TV. Working with Sony 4K truly opens up the possibilities."

 

A broadcast spot starts airing this week nationally, accompanied by digital, print and radio ads, mobile media and experiential events as well as retail point-of-purchase and interactive displays. Sony will also spread the word about the new 4K Ultra HD TVs through social networks, email, direct mail, and free standing inserts.

"The campaign calls out the enhanced quality of anything one would watch on a Sony 4K TV with a picture that is four times clearer than full HD," said Patrick Bewley, Vice President of Brand Experience & Visual Design at Sony Electronics. "It's the highest resolution, most immersive experience Sony has ever created, and in order to experience it, you must see it in person to believe it."

Consumers can see and experience the new Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs at a Sony Store or Magnolia Home Theater at Best Buy.

The focus on 4K is the first piece of a year-long campaign that showcases emerging and established collaborators who have been inspired by Sony technology to create unique and unforgettable stories and Sony brand experiences. All aspects of this campaign were developed with the support of Sony Electronics' advertising agency 180 Los Angeles.

About Sony's XBR 4K Ultra HD TV Series

Joining the 84-inch XBR-84X900 in market since November 2012, the new XBR-55X900A (55-inch class – 54.6" diag.) and XBR-65X900A (65-inch class-64.5" diag.) models include the following features:

• Images become lifelike with a resolution of four-times that of Full HD TV (3840 x 2160 pixels)
• All content is viewed at the highest resolution possible with upscaling to near 4K with Sony's proprietary 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine
• All colors, including difficult blues, greens and reds, are delivered naturally and accurately through Triluminos display quantum dot technology
• An immersive picture draws in viewers with blacker blacks and excellent contrast produced with dynamic edge-lit, LED backlighting
• Amazing sound from the integrated 65 Watt, front-facing, magnetic fluid speaker system complements the stunning picture
• A cinematic experience is brought to life through Full HD 3D capabilities with passive glasses
• Entertainment choices are endless with Wi-Fi connectivity, including access to the full Sony Entertainment Network suite of services

For more information, visit www.sony.com/4ktv.

zNitro Presents Innovative and High-Quality Electronic Device Protection at CTIA 2013

zNitro (znitro.com), a Clear Protector company, announced the launch of an exclusive lineup of Nitro accessories for consumer electronics at CTIA 2013. zNitro will be displaying its collection of accessories at Booth 7163 in the Sands Exposition and Convention Center during this Las Vegas event scheduled for May 21-23, 2013.

The zNitro lineup includes:

• Nitro Glass: Now with an oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, these Hammer Tested and tempered glass next generation screen protectors shield phones and tablets from everyday damage. The new and innovative coating resists fingerprints and smudges while providing the same crisp, clear screen that is visible on an unprotected device. Nitro Glass has a hardness rating of 8H out of 10H ensuring that a device will be protected no matter the drop or potential damage.
• Nitro Charge:  Listen to and charge devices while still enjoying the excellent quality and value of zNitro products. Each Nitro Charge kit comes with a USB wall and car charger, Apple® 9 pin, Apple® 30 pin, Micro USB and 3.5 mm headphones so the consumer on the go can get the most out of their devices.
• Nitro Retract: Unlike any iPad® case ever seen before!  With a patent pending retractable shoulder strap, these stylish cases protect the Apple® iPad® from damage, dust and dirt. The shoulder strap is strong, durable and tangle resistant which gives the user the ability to wear the case over the shoulder or across the body. This unique case demonstrates the ability to transform into an easel position for the easy viewing of devices. Nitro Retract is available in onyx, rustic, claret, grenadine, bubblegum and slate green.
• Nitro Shield: The most advanced film protector available! Nitro Shield is designed to be exceptionally smooth so that finger drag and screen distortion are eliminated. At just 2 millimeters thick, 1/3 of the national standard, this protector looks and feels just like glass. The material eliminates any possibility of the "orange peel" effect.
• Nitro Carbon: The new style of scratch proofing! Nitro Carbon protects electronics with a light reflecting texture that has the look and feel of carbon fiber. Support a favorite team or show school spirit with the selection of ten different colors. Each Nitro Carbon is custom designed and, if it is ever removed, there will never be any sticky residue.
• Nitro Accessories: zNitro provides the consumer with a wide array of high-quality cases and bumpers designed for today's most popular cell phones and tablets. Cases and bumpers come in a large selection of colors.

Z², the fighting robot, is back by popular demand and will make an appearance at CTIA 2013. He provides entertainment to watchers by performing kicks and dropping elbows onto a device that is protected with zNitro products. Watchers will observe that through all of Z²'s extravagant MMA inspired movements the device will remain unbroken and unscratched. 

 

Laura Blackmer Joins Sharp Electronics As Senior VP Of Sales

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, announced today that Laura Blackmerwill be joining SIICA as its new Senior Vice President, Sales. In this position, Blackmer will report directly to President Doug Albregts and will be primarily responsible for directing the strategic growth and profitability of Sharp's Business to Business (B2B) operations with respect to achieving the objectives of increasing sales, market share and maintaining high levels of profitability.

"We're thrilled to have Laura join our team as the Senior VP of Sales," said Doug Albregts, President, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "She brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise that will strengthen our efforts in becoming a best-in-class partner organization and further expand our relationships with both dealers and end customers."

Laura Blackmer comes to SIICA from Intermec, Incorporated where she spent more than three years as the company's Senior Director of North America Channel Sales. While at Intermec, she was responsible for all sales reported through each of the company's operational channels. Prior to that, Blackmer served as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Onforce, Incorporated, preceded by nearly two decades in sales and executive management at Hewlett-Packard Corporation. During her tenure at HP, she held the positions of Vice President, Sales, Commercial Channels; Director of Business and Segment Management, Solutions Partners Organization; Vice President, Small Medium Business, Customer Solutions Group, Americas; and Vice President, Commercial Channels, Imaging and Printing Group, Americas. Blackmer brings strong leadership and a proven track record for developing and executing successful operating plans across all channels and platforms. 

"Sharp is a high-profile brand, globally recognized for its products and innovations, and I'm very excited for the opportunity to join the B2B organization," said Blackmer. "Sharp has a history of establishing high standards and attaining its objectives, so I look forward to the unique challenge of creating and executing strategies that further accelerate the brand in the market."

Magisto Launches on Google Chrome's New Packaged App Platform

Today at Google I/O, Magisto, the automatic video editing solution that turns everyday videos and photos into movie magic, announced several new points of integration with Google, including launching on Google Chrome's Packaged App Platform.

As one of a group of select apps from around the world, Magisto is newly available as a native Chrome application (Chrome Packaged App) on the Google Chrome Developer Channel (v.28 of the Chrome browser). The Magisto Packaged App will function more like traditional desktop software with powerful functionality that works offline. For example, users will quickly be able to process very large videos regardless of whether they are offline or online.

"The value of the mobile ecosystem is growing, but not necessarily in the way people think," said Oren Boiman, CEO of Magisto. "People are looking for quality over quantity at this point. Quality as in apps that work as well as traditional software, but with the flexibility and ease of cross platform use – movement across native applications, mobile, and the traditional web. Magisto embraces this shift as a company and continues to build experiences that fluidly span desktop and mobile devices." 

Magisto, along with other participating applications, will be available to the general public as a native Chrome app later in the year. To access the Magisto Chrome Packaged App first download Google Chrome Canary at http://bit.ly/VDIn5D. Visit http://bit.ly/15MP9PK to download the new Magisto Packaged App. For all others using Chrome, the existing Magisto app can be downloaded in the Chrome Web Store http://bit.ly/YVZGoA.

Magisto today also announced integration with Google+ Sign-In App activities. The integration will provide Magisto users with a stronger, more seamless user experience across desktop and mobile. The addition of Google+ Sign-In capabilities in Magisto will allow users on the traditional web to remotely trigger a download of the mobile app onto their Android devices with one click.

In addition, when users search for Magisto or other participating apps on Google, popular and aggregated user activity will be displayed to the right of search results. The results will include links that lead inside the apps, offering up the top mobile content to Google users.

With eight million downloads on Android and iOS, Magisto saw one million downloads in the month of April.

Gameloft Announces its First Three Games with Google Play Game Services

Gameloft® today announced that three of its popular games will be made compatible with the newly announced Google Play game services from Google. Google Play game services will enhance the Android gaming ecosystem, bringing global leaderboards, achievements, and advanced social features. Gameloft's popular FPS, "Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour," is the first Gameloft title to receive these new features, and is available today on the Google Play store. "Dungeon Hunter 4" and "Asphalt 7: Heat" will also be updated with Game Services in the coming weeks.

"Working closely with Google, we have leveraged these new tools to enhance the game experience for our millions of Android players," says Baudouin Corman, Vice President of Publishing for the Americas. "The new Google Play game services give players more options to connect with their friends and share their gaming experiences. We're thrilled to be part of the launch."

Google I/O attendees can get a first glimpse of the new versions of "Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour" and "Asphalt 7: Heat" on the show floor. The two titles, with Google Play game services integration, will be showcased at a Gameloft kiosk during the event.