Consumer Electronics Daily News

Hitachi GST Unveils Three Consumer Storage Solutions

Two Portable Drives and a Network Storage Adapter from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Gives Users Simple Ways to Share, Protect and Access Their Digital Content

As one of the world’s most recognized and trusted brands, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today unveiled three new consumer products following the acquisition of SimpleTech by Fabrik earlier this year. The new Hitachi branded products include the SimpleTOUGH™ portable USB drive, industry’s only water-resistant1 and shock-resistant2 external hard drive from a global hard drive manufacturer; the stylish and colorful SimpleDRIVE Mini™ portable USB drive; and the SimpleNET™ network storage adapter for easily sharing existing USB drive content over a home or office network. All SimpleTech external storage solutions now leverage Hitachi’s award-winning, reliable hard drives and strong global brand creating additional advantages for road warriors, prosumers, small office/home office (SOHO) users, or virtually anyone looking for a simple and reliable way to store, protect, and better manage their data.

“Today’s announcement further extends the Hitachi GST brand into the consumer market with the reliability, confidence and dependability you would expect from one of the world’s leading hard drive suppliers,” said Mike Williams, General Manager of Hitachi GST Branded Business. “Re-branding SimpleTech to the Hitachi brand is an important step in differentiating our solutions in the marketplace. We believe that given the global strength of Hitachi, the close relationships we have built with our end-users as SimpleTech, and the continued support of our retail and channel partners, we are well positioned to move our Branded Business and the industry forward.”

Hitachi SimpleTOUGH Portable USB 2.0 Drive

If you work hard or play hard, the Hitachi SimpleTOUGH is one of the world’s most rugged drives for protecting data in harsh environments. Designed for serious mobility, it is the only water- and shock-resistant external drive available today from a global hard drive manufacturer. Engineered to sustain a three meter drop (9.8 feet) and able to withstand the pressure of a one-ton class commercial truck3, the SimpleTOUGH drive can take on more falls, knocks and spills than any average external drive on the market. Besides that, it’s ready for the great outdoors. The Hitachi SimpleTOUGH drive includes a “never-lose” foldaway USB cable, ergonomic sides for easy carrying, and a cool topside LED for power status. But don’t be fooled by its handsome exterior. Not only is SimpleTOUGH rugged on the outside, it’s dependable and reliable on the inside. All SimpleTOUGH portable drives integrate Hitachi’s award-winning Travelstar hard drives, which can be found in virtually all top brand notebooks around the world. Known for its proven, dependable design, Hitachi Travelstar drives provide best-of-breed operating shock at 400G operating and 1,000G non operating shock, and feature the company’s TrueTrack Technology™, providing added data protection against rough handling. Packaged in one streamlined solution, the SimpleTOUGH portable drive by Hitachi is USB powered for on-the-go convenience. The manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing (MSRP) is $99.99 for 250GB, $119.99 for 320GB, and $149.99 for 500GB.

Hitachi SimpleDRIVE Mini Portable USB 2.0 Drive

Your belongings say a lot about your personality, so why should your hard drive look like a toaster? Show off your style with the Hitachi SimpleDRIVE Mini portable drive. Designed for an increasingly mobile world, the Hitachi SimpleDRIVE Mini portable drive is stylish storage made simple. It continues SimpleTech’s legacy of offering a unique contemporary design with multiple colors, while delivering streamlined, yet simple ways to store and protect your data. The SimpleDRIVE Mini uses dependable hard drives from Hitachi so you can rest assured that your data is stored on a leading hard drive. Depending on your mood, personal style or capacity needs, you have color choices of red wine in 250GB, blue dusk in 320GB or carbon fiber for a textured black look at 500GB. MSRP is $89.99 for 250GB, $109.99 for 320GB and $139.99 for 500GB. All SimpleDRIVE Minis are USB powered.

Hitachi SimpleNET USB Drive Network Adapter

Not only is Hitachi GST delivering simple ways to store and protect your content, it is extending the value of your new or existing USB drive with SimpleNET. The Hitachi SimpleNET is a small network adapter that allows you to share and access existing USB hard drive content over a home or small business network. Simply plug a USB hard drive into SimpleNET and then plug SimpleNET into an Ethernet network. It’s that easy. The USB drive appears as a drive on the network so you can easily share your pics, flix, tunes and docs with everyone on your network. With no proprietary formats or reformatting of the drive required, you can easily hot swap your USB drive between your computer and the Hitachi SimpleNET device at any time. The SimpleNET solution is easy-to-install and easy-to-use for Mac, PC and Linux users, and you can even connect up to two USB drives at once. MSRP for the SimpleNET adapter is $79 MSRP.

For additional informtion visit Hitachi GST.

Starz Entertainment To Join Comcast’s On Demand Online Trial

Adds 300 Movies and Original Programming with More to Come, Including HD; Available Online at No Additional Charge to Starz Subscribers

Starz Entertainment, LLC, which operates 16 premium movie channels including the flagship Starz and Encore brands, and Comcast Corporation have together announced that selections from the programmer’s vast lineup of premium content will be available online to Comcast Starz subscribers as part of Comcast’s On Demand Online trial. On Demand Online is a new service that will significantly expand the number of top-rated TV choices available online at no additional charge to cable customers. The trial will initially make 300 movies and other original programming available to Starz subscribers in standard definition, with HD versions and more content added in coming months.

Comcast’s Starz subscribers participating in the trial will have online access to a wide array of programming including:

• Contemporary feature films such as Hancock, Vantage Point, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Wall-E, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Step Brothers, National Treasure: Book of Secrets; Pineapple Express, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Righteous Kill, No Country for Old Men and Enchanted.
• Starz original series including “Crash”, “Head Case”, and “Party Down”.

Customers will be able in many cases to see the movies and originals online as soon as they premiere on the standard Comcast video on demand service and before they air on the linear channels. The content will be initially accessible on Comcast.net and Fancast.com.

“At Starz our goal is to allow subscribers to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want,” said Starz Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Myers. “We are delighted to join with Comcast in this trial of Comcast On Demand Online. Comcast, with its existing base of millions of Starz subscribers, robust plant and strong commitment to on demand will be a terrific partner to help explore the new world of Internet video distribution.”

“Starz Entertainment brings some of the most popular contemporary feature films to television and we are pleased to partner with them to bring their exclusive content online to consumers for the first time ever at no additional charge to our existing Starz customers,” said Matt Bond, Executive Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast. “The addition of Starz premium content to On Demand Online’s quickly growing line-up demonstrates the programming industry’s desire to meet consumers’ increasing demand for content online.”

Starz’ participation in Comcast’s technical trial comes on the heels of last month’s joint announcement between Time Warner Inc. and Comcast which introduced a set of principles called “TV Everywhere.” Developed by the two companies, the principles are designed to serve as a framework to facilitate deployment of online television content across the industry in a way that is consumer friendly, pro-competitive and at no additional cost to subscribers.

Comcast will begin its technical trial of On Demand Online with approximately 5,000 customers from across the U.S. in the coming weeks – the first national trial of its kind. A major focus of the trial is to test the Company’s new “authentication” technology, which will allow customers to receive the same content online for free that they subscribe to on TV. The service will utilize a simple log-on system for streaming content and, in the future, will allow for download content to go. The On Demand Online service will roll-out in phases, adding new features, functionality and content over time to provide consumers with a new way to watch television.

On Demand Online is part of Comcast’s Project Infinity, the company’s long-term vision to give customers an ever growing amount of video content on multiple platforms, whenever they want.

For more information visit Starz & Comcast.

ArcSoft Announces Support Of ATI Stream On SimHD

Video upscaling technology employs ATI Stream technology to balance CPU and GPU usage while optimizing video viewing experience

ArcSoft, Inc. announced that its in-house upscaling technology, SimHD, now supports ATI Stream. This collaboration simply brings standard-definition video to near high-definition quality in real time with an unsurpassed speed.

ATI Stream technology enables graphics processors (GPU) to work seamlessly with the central processor (CPU), to accelerate applications. The result is balance enhanced platforms capable of running demanding computing tasks faster than ever without sacrificing performance.

“The complicated calculation conducted during real time upscaling has always been challenging,” said George Tang, ArcSoft Vice President and General Manager of Video and Home Entertainment Group. "With ATI Stream, SimHD is able to take advantage of GPGPU, performs much faster during playback while presenting the ultimate video quality to users.”

“SimHD shows how AMD’s state of the art ATI graphics processing technology is not just limited to gaming,” said Godfrey Cheng, Director of Technical Marketing for Graphics Products at AMD. “Equipped with TotalMedia Theatre and an ATI Stream compatible graphics card, anyone can experience their movies in near-HD quality.”

TotalMedia Theatre with support for ATI Stream technology is available for OEM licensing now and will be ready for consumers by the end of June. For more information about SimHD, visit www.arcsoft.com/intouch/simhdstreampr.

For information visit ArcSoft.

Topaz Labs Releases Fusion Express Plug-In For Aperture

New Software Grants Aperture Compatibility to Topaz Photoshop Plug-Ins

Topaz Labs releases the long-awaited, Aperture-friendly Topaz Fusion Express for Mac. Topaz Fusion is an Aperture plug-in that allows Topaz Photoshop plug-ins to be imported into Aperture, providing Aperture users with the same image-editing capabilities and features that Photoshop users currently enjoy.

Topaz Fusion Express is changing the way that photographers process their images. Fusion Express brings the simplicity and vibrancy of Topaz plug-ins and fuses them with Aperture, giving photographers total control over their workflow. “Previously, Aperture users have not been able to use Topaz plug-ins, or have had to go through the process of exporting images into Photoshop to edit them, then import them back into Aperture,” says Eric Yang, Marketing Manager of Topaz Labs. “With Fusion Express, Aperture users can now run their Topaz plug-ins in Aperture without interrupting their workflow.”

Topaz Fusion Express provides users with direct access to the Photoshop bundle plug-ins: Adjust, DeNoise, Simplify, Clean 2 and DeJPEG, in a convenient and efficient form. Fusion Express is available free of charge to all Topaz users. For more information visit the Topaz Fusion webpage at http://www.topazlabs.com/fusion.

For additional information visit Topaz Labs.

Joybook Lite T131: BenQ Does Light Right with New 13.3” Netbook

BenQ is bringing more enjoyment and quality to the lives of today’s on-the-go Internet generation with the official launch of their latest ultra-portable netbook, the 13.3” Joybook Lite T131.  At a petite 1.8kg (3.97lbs.), the T131 effortlessly enables multimedia/Internet entertainment to become a take-anywhere companion for consumers of all age groups.  Everyday digital fun – such as web browsing, video chatting, email, IM, home/office networking, games, and movies – is brought in-hand and on-demand with an eye-pleasing 13.3” super-enhanced UltraVivid™ screen, AMD’s® next-generation Yukon mobile platform, integrated microphone and fun-packed webcam, and WiFi connectivity.

"This newest netbook from BenQ reflects the personality and lifestyle of the Internet adventurer – spontaneous, resourceful, daring, and capable of handling whatever comes its way,” said Peter Chen, General Manager of BenQ’s Technology and Product Center.  “Visuals are exhilarating and performance is without hesitation, ensuring pure and uncompromised mobile enjoyment of the digital age.”   

A svelte 320mm(W) x 240mm(D) x 28mm(H) (12.6” x 9.45” x 1.1”) form belies the considerable capabilities of the T131 netbook.  The large 250-nit CCFL screen is super-charged by BenQ’s exclusive UltraVivid Technology, Display Brilliance Enhancement Film (DBEF™), and a low-reflectivity, anti-glare coating that keeps movies, games, office applications, and Internet activities lookin’ great wherever you go…from bedroom to sidewalk café.  HD audio, VoIP, and smart noise suppression and echo cancellation also promote spontaneity by ensuring video web chats with friends and video conferencing with business clients are always clear-sounding.  Also uncharacteristic of the netbook’s compact size and modest price tag is a big 320GB hard disk drive, high-resolution 1.3MP webcam featuring fun WebCam® Companion®, two built-in speakers, integrated microphone, and high-speed WiFi.  Likewise unexpected in this diminutive netbook is a generously-sized keyboard featuring isolated “Chiclet” style keys for easier, less error-prone typing.  An SD/MMC card reader and two USB ports further testify to the T131’s well-thought engineering.

For additional information visit BenQ.

The Battle For The Pacific Has Begun, EA’s Battlefield 1943 Is Now Available

Full Downloadable Game Available for Only $15; Trial Version Available for Free

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, today announced that Battlefield 1943™ is now available on Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace and will be available tomorrow on the PlayStation®Network. Battlefield 1943 is an all-new download-only multiplayer action game that brings DICE’s first-class WWII action to gamers for just $15 or 1200 MS Points. Gamers can get a taste of the epic large-scale battles by downloading the free trial version on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network.

Battlefield 1943 is a critically-acclaimed First-Person Shooter (FPS) multiplayer game that GamePro magazine describes as “a triple-A title at a quarter of the price” and GameSpot says is “a rock-solid value at $15.”

Battlefield 1943 introduces two thrilling new modes where 24 players can compete across four classic WWII Battlefield maps: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Coral Sea. These maps are inspired by the award winning Battlefield 1942™ game, but have been redesigned and reengineered using the DICE Frostbite™ engine allowing players to rain havoc and destruction via land, sea or air. The free trial version will feature Wake Island and give players the freedom to choose from the full arsenal of weapons and vehicles on both sides of the battle, either the US Marines or Imperial Japanese Navy.

The Coral Sea map will be unlocked as part of a worldwide community challenge, where players will work together to reach 43M kills on both Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network. The official countdown begins on July 10, 2009 at 19:43 GMT.

“We are excited to witness the intense battles that are going to take place on these tropical Pacific Theatre maps, ripping them to shreds and leaving nothing but debris behind,” says Gordon Van Dyke, Producer on Battlefield 1943. “Reliving these classic maps with the DICE Frostbite engine’s destruction capabilities and full FPS gameplay ups the ante on what can be done in downloadable games. We’re proud to be able to provide this experience to shooter fans for just $15.”

For more information visit EA or Battlefield 1943.

Miniweb And Bristol Interactive Combine To Bring High Definition & Access To Internet Video Content On The TV

New, all-in-one, LCD Freeview television provides the best of broadcast programming with Internet TV & radio, video-on-demand and interactive information services

Bristol Interactive Technology, the television manufacturer and Miniweb, the Interactive Service Provider today announced the integration of Miniweb’s interactive software within a new range of Bristol HD ready digital televisions. The Bristol devices have been designed to provide UK consumers with exciting, enhanced viewing services, using Miniweb’s TV software and interactive platform technology that enables a converged broadband video and Freeview entertainment experience.

“TV viewers are increasingly aware of online content such as catch up TV services and user generated content. They expect to be able to access these directly from their TV, instead of using their PC or having to buy a set-top box,” says Paul Fellows, CEO, Bristol Interactive Technology. “Our partnership with Miniweb makes it easy for viewers to enjoy the best of broadcast digital TV services and online video on the same TV screen. Now viewers can simply connect a Miniweb equipped Bristol television to their broadband connection, gaining immediate access to millions of hours of internet video enabled by Miniweb’s internet gateway and services software. It’s the seamless integration of TV, community and online services combined with ease of use which makes this solution so special and attractive for TV viewers.”

“Adding Miniweb’s interactive functionality to Bristol’s range of flat screen, HD ready TVs provides consumers with the simplest and most powerful way to benefit from and enjoy a fully converged broadcast and broadband experience on the main screen in the house,“ says Andrew Carver, CEO, Miniweb Interactive. “Providing a converged viewing experience in the home is the biggest advance since the introduction of colour TV. Miniweb provides viewers with access to enhanced and relevant online content to complement the TV channel being watched. Together with Bristol Interactive, we’re making it easy for viewers to enjoy a new TV experience allowing them to choose the best mix of broadcast and broadband delivered video content to suit their viewing preferences – all from the comfort of their sofa without the need for a PC or additional set-top box.”

For more information visit MiniWeb & Bristol.

eMachines Introduces Contemporary Desktop PCs & Matching Widescreen Display In Luminous White

eMachines has introduced all new, luminous white mini-tower PCs and matching monitor, bringing a fresh new look to PC computing.

Sporting a bright and shiny white design accented with green LED lighting, the eMachines ET1300-02, ET1810-01 and ET1810-03 desktop PCs all deliver solid performance and expansion capabilities in a fresh new alternative design. Bundled with a matching keyboard and widescreen display with built-in speakers, they’re a smart addition to any room in the house.

“Consumers on a budget looking for a solid performing PC will find some great choices in the new eMachines line-up,” Glenn Jystad, senior manager, desktop products, eMachines. “Our new mini-towers provide the horsepower and technology needed for today’s applications at a very reasonable price, and are stylish and compact as well.”

With prices ranging from $299.99 to $449.99, the new eMachines PCs are ideal for a wide range of uses and applications. They include AMD or Intel processors and 2GB or 3GB of DDR2 memory, providing solid performance for back-to-school, home office or general home use. Consumers doing photography, video and casual gaming will appreciate the crisp, vibrant images NVIDIA graphics brings to their digital entertainment.

With 160GB or 320GB hard drives, there’s plenty of storage for managing movies, music and photo libraries. A conveniently located media hub on the front of the PC makes it easy to connect peripherals and to transfer data from cameras, flash drives and other devices.

Complementing the new PCs is the eMachines E182H wm 18.5-inch widescreen LCD display. Perfectly matching the new desktops’ vivid white exterior, it delivers crystal clear visuals and high definition audio through built-in speakers. With 720p high definition support, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and quick 5ms response time, the E182H wm display provides a first rate and immersive digital experience for gaming and watching movies.

The 1366x768 resolution and 300 cd/m2 brightness further enhance the visual performance. It also includes a VGA input for stunning visual quality and is VESA compatible for multiple mounting options, whether on a desk or on the wall.

For more information visit eMachines.

Maloof Money Cup Makes Its Videogame Debut In The Critically Acclaimed Skate 2

Compete in the World’s Greatest Skateboarding Event with Skate 2’s Latest Downloadable Content

Electronic Arts Inc. has announced that starting July 9 gamers can download and compete in Skate 2’s Maloof Money Cup Pack, based on the largest pursed event in the history of professional skateboarding. The pack will be available in the PLAYSTATION® Store for $3.00 and on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for 240 points in North America.

“Skate 2 has been embraced by the gaming and skateboarding community across the globe, making it the perfect stage for the Maloof Money Cup’s videogame debut,” said Joe Maloof, President of Maloof Companies. “Now players everywhere can experience the world’s greatest skateboarding championship and revel in the high-stakes excitement of the competition for themselves.”

Skate 2’s Maloof Money Cup Pack will feature separate gameplay events both online and offline – freeskate, single player vert and street contests that put gamers against world class pros, and an online mode in which gamers will be able to compete against their friends in new activities and challenges for bragging rights. Xbox 360 gamers get an added bonus as there are 250 achievement points up for grabs.

The Maloof Money Cup presented by etnies and Monster Energy boasts the largest purse in the history of professional skateboarding with nearly $450,000 in cash and prizes. The three-day competition and festival takes place July 10-12, 2009 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., during the opening weekend of the OC Fair. All attendees can ride the virtual course for themselves in the Skate 2 booth, located near the front of the festival, where the Maloof Money Cup Pack will be available for playing.

Skate 2 ups the ante in delivering all the grit, creativity, and culture of skateboarding with all-new tricks that allow players to skate it their way – both on and off the board. Gamers can create their own epic skate spots which can then be shared and experienced by others around the world. The game also features a revamped Thrasher Hall of Meat mode that will have players spending countless hours pulling off bone-crushing wipeouts and bails.

Skate 2 is developed by Black Box, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio in Burnaby, British Columbia. The game is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB and 16+ by PEGI.

For more information visit EA or Maloof Money Cup.

Sun Microsystems Unveils VirtualBox 3.0 With Powerful New Server Virtualization Features

New Capabilities Span Desktop-to-Datacenter Workloads; Sun VirtualBox Sets New Marks With Unprecedented Market Uptake of Desktop Virtualization Software

Sun Microsystems, Inc., today announced a significant new version of Sun^TM VirtualBox^TM, its high performance, cross-platform virtualization software. VirtualBox 3.0 is capable of creating and running multi-processor virtual machines that can handle heavyweight server-class workloads, and also delivers enhanced graphics support for desktop-class workloads, reinforcing VirtualBox's position as one of the world's most popular virtualization platforms. 

Many multi-threaded server-based workloads, such as database and Web applications, can benefit from Symmetric Multiple Processing (SMP) systems, which contain multiple CPUs. VirtualBox 3.0 can now support virtual SMP systems with up to 32 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) in a single virtual machine. With this major enhancement, VirtualBox software can be used to run not only desktop workloads on client or server systems, but also demanding server workloads.

“The rapid evolution and proliferation of VirtualBox software continues,” said Jim McHugh, vice president of marketing, Datacenter Software, Sun Microsystems. “With each new version, VirtualBox software delivers more innovation, performance and power. And as virtualization continues to gain momentum in the market, the world's developers and IT decision makers are turning to VirtualBox en masse.”

“VirtualBox is a key embedded technology in our Business and Disaster Recovery product line. The great new SMP capabilities in the VirtualBox software allow us to build even more powerful products satisfying our most demanding customers,” said Akash Saraf, CEO of Zenith Infotech.

A key component of Sun's industry-leading desktop-to-datacenter virtualization portfolio, VirtualBox software has been rapidly growing in popularity, surpassing 14.5 million downloads and 4 million registrations worldwide, as well as more than 25,000 downloads a day. A mere 50 megabyte download, VirtualBox software is incredibly compact and efficient and installs in just a few minutes.

New server features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Up to 32 vCPUs per guest to accommodate heavyweight data-processing workloads.
  
• Hypervisor enhancements for SMP to enable optimum performance.
  
• Updated API platform designed to be the basis of the community-driven VirtualBox Web Console project, which is coming soon to allow IT administrators to manage their datacenters from a Web console. This project is based on the popular Python language.
  

New desktop features of VirtualBox 3.0 software include:

• Microsoft Direct3D support for Windows guests, which enables graphically intensive Windows applications, like computer modeling, 3D design and games software, to run in a virtual environment.
• Support for version 2.0 of the Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) standard. As a result, high-performance Windows, Linux, Solaris(TM), and OpenSolaris(TM) graphical applications, which typically use graphical hardware acceleration, are able to run applications like Google Earth and CAM-based software on VirtualBox software.
• Support for a wider range of USB devices, including storage devices, iPods and phones.

Pricing and Availability

VirtualBox software is free of charge for personal use. For wider deployments within an organization, Enterprise subscriptions are also available, starting at $30 (USD) per user per year, which includes 24/7 premium support from Sun's technical team. Discounts are available based on volume. 

For more information visit Sun Microsystems.