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| CEA SmartBrief |
| November 3, 2009 |
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California moves closer to big-screen-TV power rules
California could roll out new guidelines for TV power consumption as early as Wednesday. "Imposing arbitrary limits deprives the consumer of buying the television they want, at a price that's affordable to each individual," said Douglas Johnson, CEA's senior director of technology policy. Bloomberg Businessweek (10/29)
Buzz builds around potential for ultra-high-definition TV
CE industry buzz is beginning to build around ultra-high-definition TV, or UHD. The next-generation technology ostensibly would provide video quality of as much as 16 times the resolution of today's top models along with 22.2 multichannel, three-dimensional sound, according to analyst Michelle Abraham of In-Stat. Marketnews Magazine (Toronto) (11/2)
Streaming video finds a friend in Blu-ray format
Companies that make or sell Blu-ray players are ramping up their efforts to market players that also enable the streaming of online video. Best Buy, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are said to be leading the trend. The Wall Street Journal (11/3)
Apple aims to extend iTunes success to TV
Apple is trying to round up programming support to offer a $30-a-month subscription-television service. The Wall Street Journal says Apple's "over-the-top" service in theory could rival cable television, given that it can offer programmers a base of 100 million customers through iTunes. The Wall Street Journal/Digits blog (11/2)
Other News
Marvell, E Ink team up on advanced e-reader technologies
Chip-maker Marvell Technology has formed an alliance with e-paper display technology developer E Ink to produce a platform for advanced electronic readers. The technology is said to be set for first-quarter 2010 release and will be used in devices such as the enTourage Edge and Spring Design's Alex reader. Reuters (11/2)
Sprint joins rivals in netbooks, brings WiMAX to more cities
Sprint Nextel has partnered with Dell to enter the mini-laptop market, the carrier said Monday, in a move that mirrors steps taken by rivals Verizon Wireless and AT&T as telecoms aim to branch out. Sprint will sell the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook, which will run on its EV-DO Rev. A network and cost $200 under a two-year package that starts at $60 a month. In an expected move, Sprint also expanded its WiMAX network as part of its Clearwire partnership with 4G services rolling out in 10 new cities, including Chicago, Dallas and parts of North Carolina. The Wall Street Journal/Digits blog (11/2) Network World (11/2) CEDMagazine.com (11/2)
Streaming-music service Spotify prepares U.S. invasion
Streaming-music service Spotify late this year or early in 2010 plans to enter the U.S. music market, the largest in the world. The Swedish-based service, which launched in late 2008, already boasts about 6 million users in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the U.K., France and Spain. Reuters/Billboard (11/2)
Other News
Best Buy shifts from DVD sales into movie downloading
Best Buy is joining forces with CinemaNow, an online video provider, to develop a service that allows consumers to download movies via the Internet. The service would be integrated into most devices that can be connected to the Internet and are sold by Best Buy, such as phones, computers, DVD players and televisions. The move is part of Best Buy's push into digital delivery. Los Angeles Times (11/3)
Redbox seals DVD-rental deal with Summit
Summit Entertainment has signed a two-year agreement to let Redbox rent, but not resell, its home-entertainment titles beginning Jan. 1. Redbox filed an antitrust lawsuit against Summit distributor Universal for refusing to let wholesalers offer new releases. The Hollywood Reporter (11/2)
Study: Online sales to increase 8% this holiday season
A new study from Forrester Research predicts that online sales this holiday season will increase 8% over last year, to $44.7 billion. The study reported that 94% of participants have made online purchases in the past three months and that 72% of e-tailers envision higher sales this year. "Despite the lingering effects of the recession, the online space remains the retail industry's growth engine," said Forrester's Sucharita Mulpuru. CNET/Business Tech (11/2)
Other News
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CEA needs your help urging the FCC to allocate broadband spectrum
For our nation to maintain its global leadership position in innovation and technology, we need more spectrum for wireless-broadband devices, applications and services. CEA has urged the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate spectrum for wireless broadband as a critical component of its national broadband strategy. As part of our advocacy efforts, we are asking CEA members to lend their company's name to our letter to the FCC. To support CEA's call for more spectrum, or for more information, please contact Jamie Hedlund or (571) 344-1583.
Receive trending industry-shipment volumes through 2013 for FREE
One of the many benefits CEA provides to its members is the five-year U.S. shipment forecasts. These consensus forecasts, produced twice a year, reveal the size and growth of a wide variety of electronics products. CEA's forecasts are developed using consensus methodology -- meaning CEA analysts produce the forecasts using direct input from its members, making the results an accurate reflection of the viewpoints of the industry itself. Participants in the forecasting process are eligible to receive the entire results free -- a $6,500 value. Call Steve Koenig, CEA's director of industry analysis, (703) 907-4317, or Chris Ely, CEA's senior research analyst at (703) 907-5241. Deadline for submissions is Friday, Nov. 20.
Calling all startups! Join the i-stage TechZone
The i-stage TechZone features the winner and finalists of CEA's annual i-stage competition, among the most jaw-dropping products, apps and services from other leading startups across the globe. This area on the show floor is specifically for products in their initial stages of development looking to gain exposure to press, investors and venture capitalists. Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your company's newest technologies. Contact Stacey Banchek at (703) 907-4319 for more information.
Judge the next generation in eco-design
Think you have a handle on all things green? Whether you're a designer, engineer or all-around sustainability savant, we welcome your enviro expertise in judging the 2010 Greener Gadgets Design Competition. Help us highlight a new class of standout sustainable products, from those that create their own energy to those that minimize the need for any electricity at all. You have between now and Nov. 13 to let us know why you're most qualified to give a green thumb up or down to entries in our third annual competition. Finalists will be acknowledged at the Greener Gadgets Conference in New York on Feb. 25. Think you've got a winning product? Enter today.
Emerging tech: Expectations for e-books to netbooks
This year marks a pivotal year, not only for the consumer-electronics industry as a whole, but for several new and emerging technologies. As Blu-ray, netbooks, e-books and LED gun for the mass market, how are they faring? What can they do to gain consumer attention Attend this webcast on Nov. 12 and learn the answers.
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