Consumer Electronics Daily News

Jim Meyer Appointed CEO of SiriusXM

Sirius XM Radio today announced that James E. Meyer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  Meyer has served as the interim CEO since December.

"After a thorough search of excellent candidates, we are delighted to name Jim as the CEO of SiriusXM, where he will continue to lead a very strong executive team. Jim is a highly qualified leader and operator, and we look forward to working with him to build on SiriusXM's position as the innovator in audio entertainment," said Gregory B. Maffei, Chairman of SiriusXM.  "He has been a vital part of SiriusXM for close to a decade, and his extensive knowledge of SiriusXM's business and significant industry experience will be invaluable assets in the highly competitive market within which SiriusXM is thriving. Jim's leadership, strategic vision and operating focus are exactly what SiriusXM needs today and in the future."

"I look forward to leading SiriusXM," said Meyer. "SiriusXM is a great service with world-class programming that comes from teams of focused and motivated employees. I am honored to be working with our talented management team as we continue to deliver the best content and services to our subscribers nationwide and enhance value for our stockholders."

Meyer served as SiriusXM's President of Sales and Operations from May 2004 until his appointment as our interim CEO in December.  Prior to joining SiriusXM, Meyer was President of Aegis Ventures, a general management consulting company, and provided consultant support for SiriusXM.  Before Aegis, he held a number of senior management positions in consumer electronics, including the Senior Executive Vice President of Digital Media Solutions for Thomson, a worldwide leader in consumer electronics.

Zivix's Jamstik Provides Authentic Guitar Experience for all Mobile Devices

Zivix, LLC, a developer leveraging innovative technology through peripherals, real musical instruments and software, today introduced JamStik™, a portable, easy-to-use guitar-like instrument that brings the guitar's full expression to the digital world. The JamStik™ has real strings that users can pluck and strum, real frets, real action and the real "feel" of a traditional guitar. Based on the company’s multi-patented IR fingertip-sensing technology, JamStik delivers an authentic guitar experience in a mobile-friendly style and with mobile-friendly connectivity.

"Whether you play an instrument or simply listen, music is a unique universal language that brings everyone together. Our mission is to create a platform for making music that is more meaningful, accessible and fun for everyone," said Chad Koehler, Vice President at Zivix. “Current musical controllers are like toys; they don't allow for the freedom of original expression or for learning musical skills that are directly transferable to other instruments. JamStik makes music more accessible than ever before. Musicians and entry-level players alike can finally connect to the digital world and hear all the nuances of sound they expect from a guitar.”

Expressly designed for wireless attachment to the iOS world, JamStik has the ability to moves across multiple platforms, including all iOS devices, smart phones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles and future platforms such as smart TVs. JamStik also overcomes the limitations the iOS world imposes on guitars. For example, guitars are not as portable as mobile devices, and current ways of connecting them to mobile devices have certain challenges– including the requirement for a perfectly tuned instrument – that JamStik solves.

JamStik Complemented by Bundled Apps, MIDI Apps

Zivix has developed a suite of bundled apps that broaden the appeal and depth of JamStik:

• JamTutor is a truly interactive system that teaches entry-level guitar. Users can actually see where their fingers are on JamStik's frets, get instant feedback, and learn at their own pace.
• JamHero is an interactive game-like experience that lets users learn and play songs in the game-like tablature system.
• JamMix provides instant fun for both beginners and advanced players by enabling them to mix loops, sounds and instruments.

In addition, JamStik is MIDI compatible and works instantly with hundreds of MIDI-based apps such as Apple™ Garageband™. It overcomes the current limitations of app-based products for learning guitar and other musical instruments, making them more fun and more powerful because they are driven by a tactile controller rather than by a touchscreen.

Because JamStik employs optical sensors, it recognizes chords, notes and nuances with almost no latency, which is critical in musical applications. These analog sensors also provide a major advantage: they can capture various forms of musical expression such as string bending (changing a note's pitch by bending the string after it has been struck) that are essential to the nature of a real musical instrument.

 

New Service Helps Sell Used Hardware

Direct Textbook, a college textbook buy-sell-rent search engine, today announced the launch of Flipsy.com, a free web service that helps consumers sell used iPhones, iPads, video game consoles and books for the highest possible prices. Flipsy.com lets users instantly compare real-time buyback and trade-in offers from dozens of buyers, so it's easy to see which company has the best device buyback deals.

Flipsy.com users can sell their old devices immediately or sign up to be alerted when offers meet their price points. Consumers can also set their own prices to sell in the Flipsy.com marketplace.

"U.S. consumers are sitting on billions of dollars in used iPhones, iPads, video game consoles and other devices, and many don't know what their old devices are worth or where to sell them. Flipsy.com bridges the gap between sellers and buyers by helping sellers instantly identify the best offer for their old devices," said Morgan MacArthur, Flipsy.com Chief Technology Officer. "Flipsy.com is the fastest and easiest way to get the most cash out of old iPhones, iPads, video game consoles and books."

Flipsy.com users can instantly compare prices for iPhones, iPads, books, Xboxes, Nintendo Wiis, Sony Playstations and even older gaming systems such as N64 and SEGA Game Gear. To cash in, users select their device, mark its condition and features, then compare price offers from a buyer list that includes Amazon, Technollo, BuyBackWorld and Ebay. If they like an offer, they can click "sell" to complete the sale on the buyer's website. Payments are made via check, PayPal or store credit, depending on the buyer and offer.

Sellers can also compare trade-in value versus private party market value, based on real-world private party sales data aggregated from popular online marketplaces such as Craigslist. An iPhone 4S 16GB in good condition, for example, can net$200 or more on the trade-in block; but it might be worth twice as much if sold via private party.

Automatic email price updates alert sellers when offers increase, and users can alternatively set their own prices and sell to other consumers in the Flipsy.com marketplace.

"It's a tough economy and people are on the lookout for fast and easy ways to turn their old stuff into cash, but that doesn't mean they should sell for less than their items are worth," said MacArthur. "For those with used iPhones, iPads, video game consoles and books, Flipsy.com is the quickest way to get fair market value and sell for the most possible cash."

For more information, visit www.Flipsy.com.

Cricket Announces Social Media Contest Finalists

Cricket Communications today announced the selection of nine finalists for its Muve Music Social Media Correspondent Challenge, co-sponsored by HTC. The fan selected final three will win a trip to one of the most popular music festivals and trade shows of the year in Austin, Texas. To find the ultimate music fans, Cricket and Muve Music partnered with three lifestyle, culture and music blogs: Brooklyn Vegan (Pop/Rock), The Smoking Section (Hip-Hop/R&B), and Remezcla (Latin). To help fans decide who are the best social correspondents for the job, six finalists will post a playlist, an album review and a video interview to Cricket's Facebook page and three contestants will post the same information on Cricket's MiCricket.com Facebook page where fans can vote on their favorite. Fan voting starts February 21 and runs through March 1st.  

With coast to coast representation and a wide range of music interests, the reporting will be as interesting and varied as the fans themselves. The finalists are from Los Angeles, New York, Norton (MA), Atlanta, Minnesota, Miami, Louisiana and Charlotte (NC). They're listening to a variety of artists including Black Keys, Skrillex, Drake, Frank Ocean, Bob Marley, Billy Joel, Miguel, J. Cole, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Muve First artist ZZ Ward, Destiny's Child, No Doubt, Lila Downs , Mana, Ana Tijoux, 3BallMTY and more.

In addition to the trip, all three winners will receive an HTC One SV loaded with Muve Music to help them capture stories and report about one of the most talked about new music experiences in the world.  Social correspondents will be asked to visit the tradeshow and report on the action inside the convention center such as the Muve Music booth as well as events outside of and around the convention center such as concerts and blogger showcases.

How to get Muve Music
Muve Music is included in Cricket's unlimited nationwide music, talk, text, and data rate plans at no additional cost. Cricket offers Muve Music on a range of smartphones, including the recent addition of the HTC One SV. Starting at $50 per month, Muve Music is included in Cricket's 3G or 4G LTE unlimited nationwide talk, text, and data plus music plans. Muve Music customers get unlimited full track downloads, ringtones and ringback tones all for one low monthly rate plan, they will never pay per song and the music service is built in to Cricket's no contract rate plans- so the music is free.   

New Smartphone Designed for Connected Cars

Israeli telecommunications company Accel Telecom has launched VOYAGER, a connected-car smartphone device. VOYAGER is the first standalone connected-car smartphone that can be easily installed in any car and operates using an existing phone number via a twin-SIM. 

The device combines Android-based smartphone technology with an HSUPA Qualcomm module to deliver a driver-centric device that ensures safer calling, easy navigation via a dedicated Waze launcher key and multiple car-focused applications.

VOYAGER is designed to enhance safe driving with hands-free dialing, dedicated large physical keys, crystal clear, echo-free sound quality and an in-car 3G WiFi hotspot connection among the many core features. VOYAGER also connects to the car's on-board diagnostics to allow car diagnostics, fleet management applications and more.

"Our user-friendly, cost effective and secure Carfone devices have seen substantial market success," said Accel CEO Marc Seelenfreund. "We expect strong demand for the new generation VOYAGER Connected Car Smartphone device in both European and US markets in line with recent industry reports and our own research with industry influencers."

Mobile Messaging on the Upswing

 Mobidia Technology, Inc., a provider of mobile analytics, today released new insight into mobile usage of messaging and VOIP applications. Mobidia's data highlights the continued and growing importance of these applications to smartphone and tablet users and the opportunity for mobile operators and application vendors in the global, but very fragmented marketplace.

Over the past year, there has been a substantial increase in activity in the mobile messaging and VOIP space with upstarts such as WhatsApp making significant market share increases and disrupting the European texting business, and Facebook launching dedicated mobile messaging apps. Established apps and services such as China's Tencent and Microsoft's Skype continue to release new functionality and push into new markets.  And many mobile operators, including T-Mobile, Vodafone, and Telefonica, announced, launched, or grew propriety and joyn-based solutions in the space. Options for subscribers will increase throughout 2013, yet the leading options will vary widely depending on country or geography.

An analysis of Mobidia's data on messaging and VOIP apps highlights the following trends:

• Mobile messaging applications and VOIP applications are popular among smartphone users in established and developed countries. In many locations, penetration rates of 60 to 95 percent are common.
• The market for mobile messaging and VOIP is highly fragmented with hundreds of applications available and often 10 to 20 applications showing significant usage for a given geography or country.

"The mobile messaging and VOIP app market is going to see a lot of activity in the next 12 to 24 months as upstarts, traditional app vendors, and operators battle to drive their growth and work to establish or maintain their leadership in the space," said Chris Hill, Vice President of Marketing at Mobidia. "Mobidia's data can provide unique and valuable insight to companies that are building, launching, or investing in these specific applications."

For more information about Mobidia's mobile data, please visit Mobidia's website, where you will find detailed whitepapers, or Mobidia's Blog for periodic updates on data and analysis of mobile usage.

Hasbro, Gameloft Offer Virtual Pets to Girls

Gameloft  and Hasbro, Inc. have unveiled a new digital integrated play feature, available today in the LITTLEST PET SHOP game app on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android. This fun, innovative feature will allow players to collect a virtual version of the toy pets they've purchased directly on their smartphone or tablet and unlock extra virtual bonuses. The virtual pet collection feature is a supplement to the LITTLEST PET SHOP game application, which offers a fully immersive and entertaining experience in the LITTLEST PET SHOP world.

The result of a collaboration between branded play leader Hasbro and Gameloft, this new feature will allow users to interact with their toys and the digital game on smartphones and tablets in brand-new ways. Each new LITTLEST PET SHOP pet purchased in stores will come with a special pet token inside the package that can be scanned from within the game using the camera on the smartphone or tablet. Players will receive gifts to use in the game for each special token they scan. Each token is unique to the pet purchased at retail. There are over 100 special tokens to collect.

The new virtual pet collection feature will allow players to complete their pet collection and to bring their pets with them wherever they go.

"We're proud to have implemented a gaming experience in our digital Littlest Pet Shop app that goes beyond rendering the toys in the game. Not only does our game offer players a fully immersive experience in the Littlest Pet Shop world, but it also gives their toy pets an added value that will complement the game on smartphones and tablets," states Karine Kaiser, VP Marketing & Licensing at Gameloft. "Our partnership with Hasbro is a win-win situation. Each side brought their expertise-physical toys on one hand and the digital gaming world on the other-to create a rich and original product."

"Through the companion app girls can immerse themselves into the digital Little Pet Shop world and continue to build their pet collections virtually," explains Samantha Lomow, Hasbro, SVP Global Marketing. "We are expanding our digital activations with the a whole new level of integrated play and creating a way for new and existing fans to explore a whole new Littlest Pet Shop."

For more information on the companion app and the availability of toys with a special token, visit: http://www.gameloft.com/lps

VTech Introduces Children's Tablets

VTech® announces the InnoTab® 2 Baby and InnoTab® 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet. Currently on display at the 2013 American International Toy Fair, VTech's InnoTab range offers children a tablet that opens up a world of educational content across the widest variety of curricula, from downloads to software cartridges, combining innovative technology with a developmental learning tool that grows with a child and makes learning fun. By providing children with quality educational activities for each age and developmental stage, parents can track their child's progress through the online Learning Lodge™, offer encouragement to their children and share in their pride when they reach new learning milestones. The InnoTab product range includes:

InnoTab 2 Baby
InnoTab 2 Baby is the first tablet designed with a growing child in mind, with special content geared towards even the youngest of learners, starting at 12 months. This tablet includes content specifically for infants, including Baby Sign Language, with 100 popular signs, baby's learning games, photo slideshows featuring zoo, sea and forest creatures, and much more. It also comes with a soft, removable gel bumper that helps protect the InnoTab 2 Baby from drops and tumbles, and has multiple activities geared towards infants and toddlers, including a simple Noah's Ark e-book, sing-along nursery rhyme songs, and drawing and coloring activities. With an extensive software cartridge library and compatibility with all InnoTab content on VTech's Learning Lodge™, the InnoTab 2 Baby grows right along with a child. The InnoTab 2 Baby is an investment in a child's future, and will expand with them as they learn and grow.  Ages 12 months-9 years, MSRP: $89.00.

InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet
VTech's InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet offers children their very own tablet that opens up a world of educational content across a wide variety of curriculums, from downloads to software cartridges, combining innovative technology with a developmental learning tool that grows with a child and makes learning fun. Featuring a secure wireless connection to VTech's comprehensive app store, the Learning Lodge™, parents can easily browse and download a variety of content, from learning games and e-books to music and videos, in line with their child's stage of development, as well as with their age and interests. Children can also explore this content, pick their favorites, create a wish list and send the list right to their parents' e-mail. This content includes popular characters such as Mike the Knight™, Team Umizoomi™, Dora the Explorer™, Thomas & Friends®, Angelina Ballerina®, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, Sesame Street and more. Parents can track their child's progress through the online progress log, offer encouragement and share in their pride when kids reach new learning milestones. The InnoTab 2S lets parents rest assured that their children are embarking on a fun, educational learning experience. Ages 3-9 years, MSRP: $99.99.

Samsung Announces the Availability of WB250F and DV150F SMART CAMERAs

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced the availability of the first two models in the highly anticipated SMART CAMERA 2.0 line-up. The WB250F long-zoom model and DV150F with the popular DualView form factor – which both offer sophisticated Wi-Fi connectivity for photo sharing, backup and an extensive range of other features – are available now at retailers across the country.

SMART CAMERA 2.0, initially announced at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show in January, is the evolution of Samsung’s leadership in connected cameras and focuses on ease of use with touch LCD screens and an all-in-one mobile app. Aimed at smartphone users yearning for better imaging performance, the new user interface combines touch-typing and big screen functionality for quicker editing and uploading to devices and social media networks. A new feature, AutoShare, automatically backs up images and video to a smartphone or connected tablet device as they are taken, which means that files are stored safely on the go. In another SMART CAMERA 2.0 improvement, the Samsung SMART CAMERA App merges Remote Viewfinder, MobileLink and AutoShare into a single app. Smartphone and tablet users can download the app to their Android or iOS device to connect with Samsung’s SMART CAMERAs via a Wi-Fi connection and edit, share and back-up images with ease.

A hybrid interface with a touch LCD screen and five-way navigational keys give users control to adjust the WB250F to their preferences, and also features full manual (P/S/A/M) modes. Shutterbugs can be sure they’re capturing everyone at their best, with the Best Face feature, which automatically selects the best facial expressions from a burst shot. SMART Mode and Motion Photo features allow users to shoot like the pros and achieve full creativity under any condition. And with Wi-Fi capabilities, users can share high-quality photos quickly and easily. The durable, pop-up flash on the WB250F can be titled forward to backwards to create more flattering flash photography—and the flexibility is sure to impress gadget lovers. The camera is available in four sleek colors: white, cobalt black, gun metal and red.

The DV150F combines Samsung’s unique DualView technology in the form of a 1.48” (38mm) front LCD screen for easy self-portrait taking, with Wi-Fi connectivity at the touch of the Direct Link button, that makes sharing and storing photos simple and easy. Creativity is king with the DV150F thanks to a variety of fun features such as Smart Filter 3.0, Motion Photo and Magic Frame for producing artistic and unique photos that beg to be shared instantly. Child Mode displays colorful animations on the DualView front screen to keep children focused at the lens while capturing memories. The DV150F packs a 16.2 Megapixel CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom with an F2.5 25mm bright lens into a small, aluminum body. Plus, in three stylish colors: cobalt black, white, and plum the DV150F is a great camera for snapping photos on-the-go.

The WB250F (MSRP: $249.99) and DV300F (MSRP: $149.99) are now available from authorized Samsung retailers and at www.Samsung.com. 

SquareTrade Urges Device Defense During Super Bowl

 As America prepares for Super Bowl XLVII, new research from SquareTrade^® reveals that 23 million Americans have damaged their cell phone or tablet while caught up in the passion of a sporting event.  With the action expected to be fast and furious this Sunday, SquareTrade is urging all fans to take extra care with their devices to avoid some of the most common spectator mishaps.

According to the study, Ravens fans are most at risk for a fumble, showing themselves to be 14% clumsier than 49ers fans.  27 percent of Ravens fans have had a cell phone accident in the past 12 months compared to just 23 percent for those rooting for the 49ers.

The top 5 sporting spectator gadget accidents revealed by the SquareTrade survey are: 

1)   The standard drop: device dropped from hand – 33 percent
2)   Liquid drops  -most common of which are toilet drops, sweat and water spills – 18 percent
3)   Beer drops - devices dropped in beer –13 percent - it's more common than you would think! 
4)   Passion drops: devices thrown in anger or excitement - 12 percent
5)   Bar drop: devices falling from a bar or table - 8 percent

"Given the tweeting, texting and photographing in arenas, stadiums, living rooms and local sports bars across the nation, we weren't surprised to learn that one in ten Americans has damaged their phone during a game," commented Ty Shay , SquareTrade's Chief Marketing Officer. "But the prevalence of Passion and Beer Drops caught us by surprise, and speaks volumes about the passion Americans have for football and other sports. "

To boost fans' device defense, SquareTrade offers the following tips for an accident free Super Bowl:

1)   Keep your phone at hand but not in hand – like the precious TV remote find a place that is close to the couch and easy to find 
2)   Count to ten after all suspect calls or player mistakes 
3)   Never use or take your device to the bathroom 
4)   Consider using hands-free beer hat dispensers 
5)   Protect your phone and promote your team with football phone covers

For those not heeding this advice, help is still at hand. If you experience a Super Bowl phone fumble, share your story at the SquareTrade Facebook page to win a chance to receive a replacement device: http://www.facebook.com/SquareTrade

SquareTrade works with leading online and in-store retailers to offer uniquely customer-friendly technology protection plans to protect thousands of consumer electronics and appliances including smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, video game consoles and digital cameras. SquareTrade consistently receives high rankings for superior customer service and its five-day service guarantee.