Consumer Electronics Daily News

Shazam Launches On The BlackBerry Storm Smartphone

World renowned mobile music discovery application now available for the popular touchscreen smartphone

Shazam, the world’s leading mobile music discovery provider, announced the release of Shazam on the BlackBerry® Storm™ smartphone. Shazam, which has supported BlackBerry® smartphones since launching on BlackBerry App World™ on April 1, is now compatible with the award-winning BlackBerry Storm. The application features full SurePress™ touchscreen support and is available to BlackBerry Storm smartphone users in the U.S., UK and Canada.

“Since launching on BlackBerry this April, we have maintained our status as one of the most frequently downloaded applications on App World,” said Andrew Fisher, CEO of Shazam.

“BlackBerry Storm users have voiced their eagerness for Shazam and this type of demand highlights the worldwide popularity Shazam has achieved through our mobile music discovery application. We’re thrilled to continue delivering the applications and features our customers want.”

BlackBerry Storm smartphone users will be able to choose from a free, basic version of Shazam with limited functionality or a full-featured version for $4.99 or £5 (one-off fee depending on location). The full-featured version includes unlimited Tags, Tag charts, recommendations for similar tracks, biographies of artists, reviews of tagged music, discographies and the option to buy and share discovered music. Shazam is currently offering a free, seven-day trial of the full-featured version.

All of Shazam’s applications for BlackBerry smartphones are now available for download directly from Shazam’s mobile Website (by typing http://is.gd/IWHh in the BlackBerry browser) and on BlackBerry App World (www.blackbery.com/appworld).

About Shazam Entertainment

Shazam is the world’s leading mobile music discovery application - enabling consumers to experience and share music with others across mobile devices and the internet. Since its launch as the first mobile-specific service to help users discover new music seven years ago, Shazam has created a new way for users to connect to each other through their music tastes and preferences.

Headquartered in London England, Shazam’s solutions enhance the music strategies of more than 75 carriers across 60 markets globally, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Vodafone. It has deployed across multiple platforms such as iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Symbian and Java.

The Shazam Tag Chart, generated by the company’s mobile music recognition service, is constantly referenced by the music industry as a true indicator of market interest in pre-release material and a monitor of the hit potential of a track or artist.

Shazam’s successes have been recognised through numerous awards, including the Mobile Entertainment Award for Best Music Service Provider.

The Shazam name and symbol are trademarks of Shazam Entertainment Limited.

For more information visit Shazam.

VIZIOSoft Partners With MegaPath To Deliver Leading-Edge Voice & Data Services

Partner Leverages MegaPath's Duet Service to Provide Cost-Effective, Feature Rich VoIP Solutions for Small-to-Medium Sized Businesses

MegaPath, Inc., the leading provider of managed IP data, voice, and security services in North America, has announced that VIZIOSoft, a minority-owned company offering first-class, cost-effective e-commerce, IT outsourcing and enterprise VoIP solutions, is reselling MegaPath's Duet™ voice and data service to small-to-medium sized business (SMBs) customers.

“Our partnership with MegaPath enables us to deliver leading enterprise-class voice and data services that increase customer productivity and save money,” said Omar Akram, Co-founder and President of VIZIOSoft. “In addition, MegaPath's commitment to service is unparalleled. The installation team ensures that the integration is seamless and there's no impact to our customers' ability to maintain business as usual. For our SMB customers, this is a huge selling point.”

Duet is already at work for VIZIOSoft's customer Velocity Athletics, facilitating communication between its clothing production facility in the Philippines and the company's U.S.-based locations in Jacksonville, Fla. and Las Vegas. Duet also delivers enterprise-class capabilities, including key features that simplify call transferring and voicemail access that allow employees to perform as if they are in the same location.

VIZIOSoft also integrated Duet with Velocity Athletics' Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, so that customer contact information is always available when employees need it. By integrating Velocity Athletics' voice and data applications over a consistent solution, supported by T1 connectivity, VIZIOSoft and MegaPath are enabling the customer to increase productivity without increasing resources or overhead.

Ideal for SMBs, MegaPath's Duet supports analog lines, PRI and SIP Trunking, as well as the company's latest service, Duet with MPLS and Managed Security.

• MegaPath's MPLS with Managed Security - combines high-quality voice, security and performance. This integrated solution allows for the consolidation of all corporate communication functions onto a single private network with a single bill, providing significant cost savings over traditional, separate voice and data networks.
  
• MegaPath's Duet PRI and Duet SIP Trunking - are business-grade phone and Internet T1 services delivered over a private, all-optical MPLS network allowing companies to make the most of their existing digital or new IP PBX.
  
• MegaPath Duet analog service - is a cost-effective bundled offering that delivers full-featured, unlimited local and long distance business-class phone and Internet service delivered over a private, all-optical MPLS network.
  

“As one of the leading fully-managed services provider in the U.S., MegaPath's channel partners are a vital component of our business, and our relationship with VIZIOSoft further expands our ability to reach and support new SMB customers,” said Dan Foster, SVP of Sales at MegaPath. “Our goal is to provide customers with enterprise-class capabilities without the overhead, and VIZIOSoft's dedication to customer service is a perfect complement to the MegaPath philosophy.”

MegaPath's Channel Partner Program includes partners who share a dedication to customer satisfaction and providing services that meet business needs. The Company's program consists of four levels that include Referral, Advantage, Master and Reseller. 

For more information on MegaPath's Channel Partner Program.

Best Buy Releases First-Ever Portable HD Radio Receiver

Insignia™ HD Radio™ Portable Player Provides Digital HD Radio Broadcasting On the Go

Best Buy announced the launch of the Insignia™ HD Radio Portable Player, a first-of-its-kind product innovation, which is now available exclusively at Best Buy on July 12.

HD Radio technology is transforming the radio experience in ways never thought possible. It enables FM radio stations to broadcast their programs digitally, ensuring that listeners will experience clear reception with no audio distortion. Digital broadcasting allows listeners to access – for free – new HD Radio channels and more programming than ever before.

As the first-ever portable HD Radio player, the Insignia HD Radio Portable Player will make it easy for listeners to take the exceptional HD Radio experience on the go. The player offers new and extra FM HD Radio channels with crystal-clear, static-free sound, allowing listeners to take the ultimate sound experience to the gym or for a jog anywhere there is an HD Radio signal.

“The sound quality and LCD screen features of the Insignia HD Radio portable are phenomenal,” said Mike Dahnert, Insignia Portable HD Radio product manager. “Best Buy is proud to be the first to bring such a unique and quality product to our customers.”

“We applaud Best Buy for setting a precedent in the audio entertainment marketplace by offering the first-ever portable HD Radio receiver,” said Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio technology for AM/FM audio and data broadcasting. “With new HD2/HD3 digital channels, crystal-clear sound, no subscription fees, and now, thanks to Best Buy, the ability to take digital radio on the go, it’s a total win for the consumer and one more indication that the HD Radio momentum is continuing.”

The built-in, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery on the Insignia HD Radio Portable Player ensures long periods of continuous listening and entertainment, and a full-color LCD screen makes it simple to program your favorite preset stations at any time. A stylish armband and a 3.5 mm jack output make it easy to use the player on the go or in your car. Set up to 10 user-selectable preset memory channels to save and enjoy your favorite stations wherever you go.

For aditional information visit Best Buy.

BioAuthorize Launches Its New yadaBlackBook Application

BioAuthorize Launches Its New yadaBlackBook Application for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Enabling Users to Protect Their Contacts Using Their Voice

BioAuthorize Holdings, Inc. of Scottsdale, through its wholly owned subsidiary, BioAuthorize, Inc., received final approval from Apple, Inc. to launch its next application for the iPhone and iPod Touch, yadaBlackBook™, which allows users to protect and maintain as secret, the content of their contacts by using their voice to authenticate their identity. The application is offered through the Apple App Store at $3.99 per download.

“This application utilizes advanced voice biometrics to maintain the secrecy of your contact list with a solution that is needed by everyone using an iPhone or iPod Touch,” said BioAuthorize president and CEO Yada Schneider.

About BioAuthorize Holdings, Inc.

BioAuthorize Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiary BioAuthorize, Inc. (www.bioauthorize.com), is a hi-tech biometric technology company which has developed a technology solution for e-commerce transactions related to the delivery of voice-enabled payment solution process to merchants and their customers for Internet purchases and the developer of the yada™ line of products for both the iPhone and the Blackberry handheld personal electronic devices.

For additional information visit BioAuthorize.

Introducing AmazonWireless – A New Amazon Web Site Offering Cell Phones & Service Plans

Easy-to-Use Web Site Guides Customers Through the Purchase Process; Rebate-Free Shopping and FREE Two-Day Shipping on All Phones

Amazon.com, Inc. has announced the beta launch of AmazonWireless, a new Web site offering cell phones and service plans, easy shopping without rebate hassles and FREE Two-Day Shipping on a broad selection of phones from AT&T and Verizon Wireless. In addition to expanding selection and adding carriers during the beta test phase, Amazon will be testing different features and gathering input from customers to ensure the best possible customer experience.

“We've taken our eight years’ experience selling cell phones to create a new site that makes a potentially confusing transaction much easier for customers,” said Paul Ryder, vice president of Consumer Electronics for Amazon.com. “The step-by-step purchase process on AmazonWireless makes it easy for customers who already have a plan to upgrade their phones. If you want to establish new cell phone service, we’ve made it simple to find the right phone, service plan and options for your needs. We’ve also eliminated the technical jargon and frustrating rebate paperwork that customers often face when buying a phone.”

AmazonWireless currently offers more than 120 phones, including a great selection of smart phones and the latest models for shoppers on a budget. Customers can shop for phones by carrier, phone feature, price, color and brand. The site’s shopping cart guides customers through each stage of the purchase process, where customers will find familiar Amazon features like bestseller lists, detailed product descriptions and customer reviews.

AmazonWireless is owned and operated by Amazon.com. Customers shop securely with their Amazon.com accounts and benefit from Amazon’s world-class service and security. All phones purchased on AmazonWireless are eligible for FREE Two-Day Shipping.

For additional information visit AmazonWireless.

Inlet Technologies Announces Support For Live Streaming To Apple iPhone

Latest Release of Inlet’s Spinnaker Includes Adaptive Streaming Support, Multi-encoder Synchronization and Audio Enhancements

Inlet Technologies, the leading provider of live streaming and on-demand solutions for digital media, announced today that the company is one of the first encoding technology providers to publicly demonstrate and support live streaming to the Apple® iPhone™. Inlet was the first to showcase iPhone streaming at Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference last month in San Francisco.

Using iPhone OS 3.0 and the latest release of Inlet’s SpinnakerTM live streaming solution, real-time streaming of live sports, news or other events can now reach an iPhone. Additionally, capabilities similar to Apple’s Stream Segmenter will be built directly into Spinnaker, simplifying the customer’s workflow and eliminating additional hardware from the system. The level of interoperability provided by Spinnaker allows content creators to stream live to the iPhone in popular formats including H.264 video and HE-AAC audio. These new advances enable any broadcaster, sports league or entertainment provider to deliver live content to the iPhone with a minimum of effort.

“We are proud to add this to a long list of industry ‘firsts’ from Inlet. By supporting live streaming to Apple’s iPhone, Inlet is once again at the forefront of the digital media revolution. The iPhone is clearly a pervasive consumer device, offering compelling opportunities to reach viewers,” said John Bishop, senior vice president of strategy and business development, Inlet Technologies. “This also reflects our continued commitment to helping companies increase the reach of their content, in any format to any screen, through intelligent media infrastructure solutions.”

Inlet’s Spinnaker family of live streaming appliances delivers stunning picture quality (in HD or SD), allowing content creators to offer viewers a “living room” experience over the Web. Spinnaker supports all of the major formats, including H.264, VC-1, Silverlight and Flash VP6, and allows content creators to stream multiple formats simultaneously from one source. Spinnaker is ideal for live sports, as it can create real-time highlights without the need for additional file preparation. Users can switch between multiple games or multiple camera angles during a single event. URLs or captions, such as scores and statistics, can also be inserted directly into the live stream. Spinnaker also offers calendar-based scheduling (ideal for recurring events), 24/7 reliability, and is designed to be used remotely, in fleets, or locally.

In addition to support for streaming to Apple’s iPhone, Spinnaker also includes support for other adaptive streaming protocols, including Microsoft Smooth Streaming and Adobe Dynamic Streaming. Other updates include multi-encoder synchronization and numerous audio enhancements. For more details on this latest release of Spinnaker, visit http://www.inlethd.com/?q=products/spinnaker.

For more information visit Inlet Technologies.

Audio-Technica Introduces Improved ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint® Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Audio-Technica has announced the introduction of its ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, which have the same 85% noise-cancellation but incorporate improvements from the previous model to offer better sound quality, comfort and convenience.

The ATH-ANC7b delivers superior audio performance, with a smoother, more natural tonal balance. The headphones provide clear, high-resolution sound, with impactful bass, a detailed midrange, extended treble and accurate imaging.

The earcups have been redesigned for greater comfort, feature generously cushioned padding and fit easily over any ear. In addition, the ATH-ANC7b is supplied with 1.6 m (5.2') and 1.0 m (3.3') detachable cables, and offers easier battery access.

The ATH-ANC7b employs exclusive QuietPoint active noise-cancellation technology that eliminates up to 85% of outside noise. A miniature microphone in each earcup detects environmental noise, and a corresponding sound-cancelling signal is applied. The headphones are ideal for use with the Apple® iPod®, iPhone™ and iPod touch® portable music and DVD players, laptop computers, in-flight entertainment systems and other devices.

The ATH-ANC7b utilizes large-aperture 40 mm drivers for a wide 10 – 25,000 Hz frequency response. The headphones have extremely high 109 dB sensitivity to provide generous volume from any music source. The ATH-ANC7b also works when the noise-cancelling function is turned off, and operates in passive mode without batteries.

The headphones fold for storage and come with two detachable cables, a 1/4-inch adapter, an airline adapter and a hard, durable carrying case.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b QuietPoint active noise-cancelling headphones will be available in August 2009 at a suggested retail price of $219.95. They will be available online or in stores at the Apple Store®, Electronics Expo and other Audio-Technica authorized dealers.

Celebrating 47 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is renowned worldwide for a broad range of consumer and professional audio products, including high-performance headphones, microphones, wireless systems, turntables and phono cartridges. Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica designs and manufactures products that set quality, durability and price/performance standards for major concert tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate and government facilities, theaters, house-of-worship venues, and consumer applications.

For additional information visit Audio-Technica.

Audioboo Integrates SpinVox Across Its Audio Recording And Broadcasting Platform

API Brings Automatic Speech to Text Conversion to iPhone Podcasting and Twitter Posting

Audioboo, which aims to become the `Twitter of the spoken word` through its audio recording and broadcasting platform, and SpinVox, the global leader in voice to content messaging, have announced the SpinVox API (Application Programming Interface) will be used to automatically convert speech to text across Audioboo’s applications - including iPhone podcasting and Twitter posting.

Audioboo was established in March 2009 and already more than one Audioboo audio recording (boo) is being made every five minutes. The Audioboo.fm website is attracting more than 100,000 unique users, RSS and iTunes links every week with over 1,000 hours of audio having been uploaded by the more than 30,000 registered users.

Audioboo CEO, Mark Rock, says: “The deal with Spinvox is of immense importance to Audioboo as we roll out both our API and business model. With the Audioboo API, any developer will be able to build their own mobile and web applications to record to Audioboo and SpinVox integration will be an important addition to that which we can deliver simply and quickly through the SpinVox API.”

“On a wider scale, we have already begun to roll out Audioboo Pro accounts for media companies,” he continues. “These increase the recording time available and add a variety of web-based tools - such as moderation- to help companies manage content. SpinVox integration will be an additional feature for Audioboo Pro, allowing journalists a simple way to record draft articles and have them automatically converted to text and sent to their news desks.”

ITV.com has already used the Pro account for the FA Cup Final, Radio 1 for their Big Weekend event and 6Music with Adam & Joe for Glastonbury 2009.

Christina Domecq, SpinVox co-founder and CEO, says: “Audio has been so ignored for so long, and now Audioboo is doing something fresh and new with it and growing fast as a consequence. Automatically turning their audio input to text will take them to the next stage.”

For additional information visit Audioboo or SpinVox.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G With Google Now Available For Pre-Sale For Current T-Mobile Customers

Nationwide Retail Availability for the Highly Anticipated Smartphone Begins Aug. 5

T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced today the beginning of its special pre-sale program for existing customers who want to be among the first to get their hands on the much-anticipated T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G. Beginning today, current T-Mobile customers can visit www.T-MobilemyTouch.com to order the company’s latest Android™-powered device, and be the first to put their own personal touch on myTouch 3G.

Existing customers who order the device during the pre-sale period from July 8–28 can qualify for myTouch 3G delivery before the national retail launch. T-Mobile today announced national retail availability of the device will begin on Aug. 5.

T-Mobile once again has partnered with Google to deliver a rich mobile experience that includes one-touch access to the Google™ mobile services that millions use every day including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. Designed by HTC, T-Mobile myTouch 3G boasts a sleek and lightweight look and feel, a full touchscreen and virtual keyboard, and new features that allow customers to truly make their phone their own, inside and out.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our customers that a deeper level of personalization matters to them,” said Denny Marie Post, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “That is why we placed so much emphasis on breaking the mold with myTouch 3G: to provide customers with boundless ways to make their phone a true expression, and extension, of themselves.”

On the inside, myTouch provides customers with the ability to richly personalize the entire theme of the device with new widgets, icons and wallpapers, which can be added directly on the homescreen. Android Market™ also boasts thousands of applications that can deliver further customization to customers based on their personal passions and preferences. In addition, starting next month, T-Mobile will launch a new application within Android Market called AppPack that will highlight a variety of noteworthy applications to help customers further personalize their myTouch 3G, manage their T-Mobile accounts and help make the most of their T-Mobile experience. Some of the recommended applications will include Sherpa™, imeem mobile and Movies by Flixster, plus T-Mobile applications including myAccount, myFaves®, HotSpot Locator and Visual Voicemail.

On the outside, a variety of accessories and pre-designed shell patterns will soon be available for myTouch, at retail and online. For true individualization, customers will also be able to design a unique shell using a dedicated Web site. Shells will be able to be customized in a variety of ways, including uploading a personal photo, graphic design, or selecting text, shapes, icons or logos. The final design is custom-printed onto the shell, then shipped.

In addition, an entire ecosystem of accessories will be available for myTouch from gel skins to device cases to wrist straps to covers. Five distinct accessory packs, including a music bundle with portable speakers and a fitness pack that includes a fitness belt and arm band, allow customers to further match the phone to their unique lifestyle.

For more information visit T-Mobile.

SoundGate iO CONNECT Integrates Car Audio Devices

The SoundGate® iO CONNECT™ integrates portable audio devices into any existing car stereo system simply by utilizing the provided 3.5mm minijack plug. It provides a cost-effective, great-sounding solution to music integration on the move, making any trip more exciting with crystal-clear sound quality from the driver or passenger’s personal playlist.

The iO CONNECT is perfect for classic-car owners who seek a stealth audio system and no source unit cluttering a dash. It is compatible with all iPods® and iPhone™, all MP3 players and mobile phones with 3.5mm minijack sockets, or any portable media player, DVD player, or laptop with a headphone socket. It also works with navigation units with 3.5mm line-out sockets. 

Using the small, 60-watt Class D amplifier installed behind the dash, iO CONNECT helps intensify the audio from any car DVD system as well. It also provides a Ghost Mute feature that allows voice instructions from satellite navigation units through any two speakers while retaining source audio in the other speakers. And it’s all managed with iO AudioSense technology (patent pending) that automatically switches between connected devices and the original audio source. 

iO CONNECT includes a ground-loop isolation chip that guarantees no interference and utmost sound quality from the stereo system.

SoundGate integration products and KICKER® audio systems, divisions of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc. ®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized dealers worldwide, and also through selected Original Equipment Manufacturers. Consumers needing more information on SoundGate, KICKER, or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit brand websites at www.soundgate.com or www.kicker.com. SoundGate authorized dealers are listed under the Dealer Locator at soundgate.com.

For more information visit KICKER.