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| March 1, 2006 • Vol.3 Issue 3 | |
CE News | |
 TUI Gives Readers One-Touch Access To Podcasts  Somatic Digital (www.somaticdigital.com), a developer of Touch User Interface technology, has announced that publishers can now link podcasts to the printed page because of enhancements to its BookDesigner software. Through sensors embedded in books and catalogs, TUI lets readers retrieve digital content stored on hard drives, the Internet, or optical media. Not only do products that incorporate TUI benefit hearing- and visually-impaired students, but they also offer another way for marketers and publishers to reach customers. For instance, customers could download a publisher's or retailer's podcast to their computer or MP3 player through the use of Bluetooth technology and then listen to it at their convenience—all initiated through the touch of a paper icon. Jason Barkeloo, president of Somatic, says he envisions many uses for this technology, such as in cookbooks and repair manuals. MICROSOFT PACKAGING Gets Eco-Friendly  The world’s biggest software maker is helping the environment in a big way. Microsoft has phased out the use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) packaging for its products in favor of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a chlorine-free plastic commonly found in recyclable bottles, jars, and milk cartons. As of Jan. 1, at least 25% of the PET content Microsoft is using in its packaging is recycled. All-Digital TV Broadcasts Will Be Law In 2009 Analog TV broadcasts will be history come Feb. 17, 2009. That’s the new deadline set by the U.S. Senate for TV stations to complete the transition from analog to digital broadcasts. The bill also provides $1.5 billion in converter box vouchers to assist the 21 million U.S. homes that use neither cable nor satellite TV. Switching to all-digital broadcasts will free parts of the radio spectrum, much of which will be auctioned off by the government for at least $10 billion. The rest will be allocated for improving communications among emergency services, such as fire departments. The original transition date Congress set was for the end of 2008, but the new deadline is the result of a compromise reached between the House of Representatives and the Senate, which had backed an April 7, 2009, deadline. Dell Recalls Laptop Batteries  Dell is recalling batteries installed in about 22,000 notebooks the company sold from October 2004 to October 2005, saying that they are susceptible to overheating and posing a fire risk. If you bought a Dell notebook during that time, Dell encourages you to call (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or log on to www.dellbatteryprogram.com. At press, time Dell says it had received three reports of batteries overheating and damaging furniture and other personal property; there have been no reported injuries to date. First HD Radio Receptor Debuts  With all the attention satellite radio has been getting, it’s easy to overlook HD radio. Now that the first HD radio receptor has hit the market, though, that may change. The Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio HD ($499; www.bostonacoustics.com) employs HD technology from iBiquity Digital. This tabletop model lets you tune in to high-definition radio broadcasts and multicasting, where available. The compact, platinum-colored system comes with two speakers, an input for MP3 players and other devices, 20 AM/FM presets, and a sleek remote control. Hundreds of AM and FM stations across the United States broadcast in high definition. To find an HD station in your area, click the map at www.ibiquity.com/hdradio/hdradio_hdstations.htm. Yamaha, Radiosophy, and Polk Audio are expected to release their own HD tabletop radios this year, according to the iBiquity Web site. marketplace
Source: Lyra Research Reasons For Holiday Online Shopping tidbits Visa USA’s SpendTrak report says that consumers spent more than $500 million online on Cyber Monday (the first Monday after Thanksgiving) alone using Visa cards, a 26% increase from the same day in 2004. |
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