NewTek Announces TriCaster Upgrade
Chaotic Launches Organized Play Program
Merchants of Brooklyn Now Available on Steam
iBuyPower Teams Up with Tiger
RuneFactory: Frontier Released for Wii
Proporta BeachBuoy Keeps Devices Dry
InteliCloud Announces Next Generation Internet Server
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for Wii Hits Retail Store Shelves
NVIDIA Provides Physics Technology for PS3
Turbine Releases 7th Upgrade for LOTR Online
Covad Certifies Cisco Unified Communications Series
Search Engine Optimization for Flash New from O'Reilly
VIA Rolls Out Peak HD Performance for Mini-Notebooks
Take the Green Your PC Earthay Challenge
O'Reilly Webcast with Dux Raymond Sy
New Wallace and Gromit Demo Available for Download
Carbonite Launches Online Backup Solution for Macs
Konami Gradius Rebirth Available on WiiWare
CEA Announces Mark of Excellence Award Winners
Majesco to Release Gardening Mama on March 31
Graphics Add-In Board Market Takes Hit in 4th Quarter
Final Fantasy Add-On to be Released March 23
RocketLife Wins Two DIMA Awards
ThrustMaster Announces New Gaming Bundle
Guitar Hero Metallica Tracks Take Center Stage on Xbox Live Marketplace
iLuv Debuts Earphones with Volume Control
mophie Introduces Juice Pack for iPod 
Nvidia Provides Physx Apps for Wii
Deke Mourns Loss of PhotoShop App in Song
VIA Unveils New Platform for In-Car PCs
O'Reilly Prepares for New Photoshop Webcast
Digital Foci Wins "Hot One" Award for Third Year in a Row
Free FileMaker Productivity Kits Available

NewTek TriCaster™ Upgrade 2.5 Increases Recording Fidelity and Supports Adobe® Flash® Media Live Encoder 3

Upgrade also offers streaming flexibility by adding H.264

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – March 18, 2009 – NewTek Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading video and 3D animation products, today announced the release of TriCaster™ Upgrade 2.5, a software update to its TriCaster BROADCAST™, TriCaster STUDIO™ TriCaster PRO™ and TriCaster portable live production systems. This upgrade adds the ability to record all video in the broadcast industry MPEG-2 Studio Profile, capturing with full 4:2:2 color sampling, which is important when recording chroma key footage. In addition, enhancements to the real-time MPEG2 encoding technology yield significant improvements in quality with a lower compression rate for broadcast quality video recording.

This upgrade keeps TriCaster on the cutting edge of live streaming technologies and improves the user experience for both live and on-demand content with support for Adobe® Flash® Media Live Encoder 3. It also offers a greatly enhanced user experience with H.264 streaming format, simultaneous streams at multiple bit rates and improved streaming quality at reduced bit-rates.

“This upgrade to the TriCaster family of products further solidifies NewTek's leadership position in the video production marketplace,” said Michael Kornet, chief marketing officer, NewTek Inc. “Now it is even easier to reach worldwide audiences with well-produced live content at an unrivaled price point.”

NewTek TriCaster Upgrade 2.5 also offers a customized Flash® streaming profile for easier Ustream connectivity.

“Ustream.tv shares NewTek’s belief that anyone with the desire to get content out to a wide audience should be able to pursue it without the traditional roadblocks of production costs and advanced technical experience,” said Brad Hunstable, founder and president, Ustream.tv. “We are confident that producers will see the many benefits of choosing Ustream.tv and NewTek for their streaming projects.”

TriCaster Upgrade 2.5 is available at http://register.newtek.com as a free download for TriCaster 2.0 users. This update, including all other 2.0 features, is available to TriCaster 1.0 users at http://shop.newtek.com, starting at US$495.

About TriCaster
With TriCaster, anyone can produce network-style live video, and distribute the event simultaneously to Web, video and projector. A single operator or small team can produce a live show while switching between as many as six cameras with two VCR’s, multi-channel effects and NewTek’s proprietary LiveSet™ virtual sets. TriCaster is used by sports organizations, broadcasters, schools, government agencies, corporate communications departments and others to provide a new level of extended programming and content to their audiences.

Pricing and Availability
The TriCaster family of products in NTSC is available in North America starting at US$3,995. The TriCaster family of products is available in multi-standard internationally beginning at US$5,995. Educational pricing is also available. For more information, please visit www.newtek.com or call NewTek Sales at 800-368-5441, international callers dial +1-210-370-8000.

About NewTek Inc.
Benefiting producers and artists with its cost-effective and ground-breaking technologies, NewTek Inc. is a leader in portable live production, video editing, 3D animation and special effects tools, including the TriCaster™ product line and LightWave 3D®. NewTek has won numerous industry accolades, including two Emmy® Awards. Clients include: Fox News, BBC, NHL, NBA Development League, MTV, VH1, the Steve Harvey Radio Show, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). NewTek products have been used in blockbuster films and television shows, including “The Dark Knight,” “Iron Man,” “300,” “Hancock,” “Tropic Thunder,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Lost,” “Fringe” and more. NewTek is privately owned and based in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, please visit: www.newtek.com.

About Ustream.tv
Ustream.tv is the live interactive video destination that enables anyone with a camera and an Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. In less than two minutes, you can become a professional broadcaster by creating your own channel on Ustream, live streaming content through your own site, empowering engagement with your audience and building your brand. Click here to start a broadcast now or learn more about broadcasting. www.ustream.tv.
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Paleo entertainment debut TITLE merchants of brooklyn now available on Steam

  

Independent Game Company Fuses Modern Mayhem with Ancient History in episodic first-person shooter

  

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – March 17, 2009 – Paleo Entertainment, an independent game company, today announces the first volume of its debut title, Merchants of Brooklyn, is to be available for download on the popular Steam platform.

 

 A unique project that merges frenetic combat in a massive vertical world, Merchants of Brooklyn is a dark tale of revenge and destruction presented in a unique graphic novel art style. Laced with humor and a twisted sense of history, M.O.B. offers a truly unique vision of a future where cloned Neanderthals roam the streets, and where society has urbanized toward the skies in colossal vertical settlements.

 

M.O.B. tells of a dystopian New York where environmental crisis has forced the population to literally inch closer to the sky through a massive network of bridges to avoid the toxicity of the surface. The violent change call for a new breed of laborer and modern science answered the call.  Society then witnessed the birth of new working class -- Neanderthals.  Physically powerful but mostly obedient, the Neanderthal population exploded and clogged the lower levels of the city where they were forced to fight in blood sports.

 

As Matteo, a Neanderthal fighter specially engineered for mental and physical superiority, players will blast their way through a sprawling dystopia where the glow of towering megastructures illuminate epic firefights and brutal hand-to-hand combat. Using a biomechanical arm made specifically for Matteo by a mysterious scientist, players will rip through hordes of ancient enemies, such as Neanderthal thugs, as well as futuristic foes, such as Hover Droids and security drones.

 

Built using the Crytek 2 engine, M.O.B. sets the stage for a brutal struggle between the past and future. Players will employ an arsenal of futuristic weaponry through the shape shifting biomechanical arm, as well as devastating melee techniques. Using everything at their disposal, players will explore the underbelly of future Brooklyn and begin their ascent to the higher levels. Players can also take the carnage online through various multiplayer modes, included in the first volume.

 

The first volume of Merchants of Brooklyn is RP (Rating Pending) by the ESRB (expected M - Mature) and is available as a PC download via Steam for $19.99. Paleo Entertainment will share development updates and product details on upcoming volumes in coming weeks.

 

More information can be found on the Paleo Entertainment site at www.paleoent.com.

 About Paleo Entertainment

Paleo Entertainment was established in 2006 as an independent video game development, production and distribution company for consumer video game products. Based in San Diego, California, Paleo Entertainment was founded by Troy Latimer to deliver video games with distinctive and unpredictable storylines utilizing the most advanced technology available. Building on the conflict between one of the world’s most successful extinct species, the Neanderthal, and their natural enemy, man, Paleo Entertainment is creating games that will bring the fight between those ancient foes back into the present day – and beyond.

 About SteamSteam is a leading platform for the delivery and management of PC games and digital content. With over 15 million active accounts and more than 450 games, plus hundreds of movie files and game demos available, Steam has become a frequent destination for millions of gamers around the world. For more information, please visit www.steamgames.com

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iBUYPOWER Teams up with Tiger Direct/CompUSA To Deliver Ultimate Gaming Value – Gamer Power 906

 

The Gamer Power 906 Features Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Processor, NVIDIA 9600GT, 1GB graphics card and a spacious 500BG HDD all for under $750 El Monte, CA – March 17, 2009 – iBUYPOWER, known for its innovative and powerful gaming PCs, is excited to team up with Tiger Direct to launch the new Gamer Power 906.  This system was designed enthusiasts looking for more power and crisp graphics without having to break the bank.  Equipped with iBUYPOWER’s standard silent cooling solution, the NZXT Alpha Chassis also provides a roomy interior which allows for easy future component upgrades. “We are excited to partner with Tiger Direct/CompUSA to launch the Gamer Power 906.” said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER.  “iBuyPower is dedicated to providing our customers with the best value on gaming systems in the industry. Our partnership with Tiger Direct/CompUSA provides us with just another trusted channel to deliver this value.” Aesthetically, the Gamer Power 906 is second to none with a clear side panel and preinstalled neon lights to show off the system.   The professional cable management system keeps the Gamer Power 906 organized, and helps provide the ideal airflow within the system. Equipped with iBUYPOWER’s standard silent cooling solution, the NZXT Alpha Chassis also provides a roomy interior which allows for easy future component upgrades. The Gamer Power 906 is available now at www.compusa.com and www.tigerdirect.com for $709.99. Customers with more specific gaming needs can configure a fully customizable system at www.iBUYPOWER.com. All iBUYPOWER systems also come standard with 1 year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. For additional information about iBUYPOWER please visit www.iBUYPOWER.com. About iBUYPOWER iBUYPOWER Computer is an enterprise in association with American Future Technology Corporation, AFT.  Both are located in Los Angeles County, the heart of Southern California. iBUYPOWER's mission is to provide a complete computing solution to meet the needs of the surrounding community and customers nationwide. Currently, the company's product lines include gaming desktops, gaming notebooks, workstations, media center PCs, peripherals and multimedia products. www.iBUYPOWER.com #  #  #

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MARVELOUS ENTERTAINMENT USA AND XSEED GAMES LAUNCH RUNE FACTORY: FRONTIER FOR WII

 

Popular Farming and Adventure Series Makes Its Home Console Debut

  

Torrance, Calif., (March 17, 2009) – Rune Factory: Frontier, co-published by Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games, ships to retail stores in North America today for Wii. Rune Factory: Frontier is the latest installment of the Rune Factory series and the first to be developed for a home console.

 

In Rune Factory: Frontier, play as the young, kind-hearted Raguna, a hero who always helps people in distress. Raguna arrives to the village of Trampoli in search of a missing girl, Mist, but soon finds himself living there for an indefinite amount of time. Within this new frontier, Raguna can pursue various trades including farming, forging, crafting and cooking, explore the town and dungeons, or adventure to the gigantic floating whale island that looms overhead.

 

As players continue working on their farm and interacting with the townsfolk, the village becomes more prosperous and will attract newcomers.  The various residents of Trampoli, from shopkeepers, tavern masters and craftsmen, are all ready to become Raguna’s friends, enemies and maybe more. With over ten different heroines to befriend, players are free to develop friendships and possibly even pursue a romantic relationship. Raise your ‘love level’ by giving presents and speaking with them often; eventually even asking for her hand in marriage.

 “[This title]  is without a doubt the most stylistic and visually pleasing modern version out there. The colors are soft, the village is filled with floating colored sprites, the architecture is impressively built, and the subtle terrain and water animations really flesh out the world.”—Mark Bozon, IGN Wii 

Rune Factory: Frontier features stunning graphics and takes full advantage of the Wii’s unique controls to fully immerse players in the Rune Factory universe. Rune Factory: Frontier incorporated an open-ended structure that allows players to choose the type of game they wish to experience. Whether it’s growing crops, expanding the town, fighting (or befriending) monsters or even falling in love, the experience is unique to each player.

 

Rune Factory: Frontier is rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and over by the ESRB and is available for the suggested price of $49.99. An official strategy guide is available from DoubleJump Books as an e-guide from their website. DoubleJump’s highly detailed guide is the perfect companion to accompany players on their adventures in Rune Factory: Frontier. More details are available on their website at www.DoubleJumpBooks.com/RuneFactory.

 

For more information on Rune Factory: Frontier, please visit: www.runefactoryfrontier.com.

 About Marvelous Entertainment USA: Marvelous Entertainment USA is a leading Japanese creator of interactive entertainment with such esteemed franchises as Harvest Moon, Rune Factory, Luminous Arc and No More Heroes under their corporate umbrella. More information on Marvelous Entertainment USA can be found at http://www.mmvus.com.  About XSEED Games:XSEED Games was formed in November 2004 by a small group of industry veterans led by president Jun Iwasaki with a common vision: to cross pollinate the avid gaming cultures of Japan and North America. Delivering unique, innovative titles across multiple platforms and genres, XSEED Games is dedicated to publishing products that appeal and enrich the North American market. More information on XSEED Games can be found at http://www.xseedgames.com.

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Proporta’s Beachbuoy keeps you safe and dry

 

Summer is quickly approaching (hoorah!) which means trips to the beach and holidays abroad, if you’re lucky. But whether it’s a desert island holiday, or just a trip to the local leisure centre, if you need to keep your devices dry this year, the Morfica Beachbuoy is perfect for you.

The Beachbuoy is guaranteed to be waterproof up to 5 metres/16 feet underwater and has been tested and approved by the British Standards Institute - BSI (IP57 and IP58). With this watertight protection, you can take your MP3 player to the beach or your PDA to the pool, and the Beachbuoy will keep your valuables safe and sound - and 100% dry.

The Beachbuoy measures 13.5 x 8.5 x 3.5cm (LxWxD), and is ideal for those who love spending their summers outdoors, or in the water, but still need their gizmos and gadgets close to hand. Enjoy.

P.S. If you are lucky enough to be jet-setting this summer, you might want to think about having your passport covered. Keep it safe from scuffs and bending with the stylish Proporta Passport Holder and be the envy of everyone in the departure lounge.

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InteliCloud Introduces ‘True’ Next-Generation Network Technology for Internet Service Providers

   NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 17, 2009 – InteliCloud, a developer and manufacturer of next-generation network equipment, today announced the availability of its first product, the InteliCloud 360, which re-imagines network infrastructure by tightly integrating off-the-shelf components with proprietary hardware and software into a single chassis, dramatically simplifying the operation, scalability and overall agility of the network.  Unlike the disparate and complex hardware and software pieces used in conventional virtualized network platforms, the InteliCloud 360 presents a converged Ethernet-based infrastructure capable of carrying a multitude of traditional services, such as voice, video and data, and next-generation Web 2.0 services all originating from a single network. The benefits of the InteliCloud 360 equipment for Internet service providers (ISPs) include a more than 60 percent reduction in power and space requirements, as well as a three-fold increase in the number of customers served per square foot when compared to today’s market-leading blade and rack mount servers.“What the iPhone did for mobile telecommunications, InteliCloud 360 is designed to do for the network,” said Ken Hubbard, president and CEO of InteliCloud.  “We developed the software and hardware together so they talk to each other more cohesively, opening up the capabilities and cost-efficiencies of a single chassis while reducing dependence on multi-vendor solutions.”“We believe InteliCloud has designed true next-generation network equipment that ISPs want -- installation and management simplicity coupled with unprecedented performance and cost savings,” Hubbard said.  To develop its network server, InteliCloud engineered six distinct technologies made up of several patentable hardware and software components in the areas of energy saving, management system and chassis design for optimum throughput and functionality.The InteliCloud 360 architecture features a unique patent-pending blade frame input/output structure that removes the 1:1 relationship between services and hardware, enabling all the hardware in the network and/or data center to be available for all services. By virtualizing the network and storage interfaces, an application can move without interruption from blade to blade and chassis to chassis throughout the network. Once the hardware is removed as a bottleneck, service providers can “stack” telephone service, videos, music and cellular service onto a single network, saving more than 50 percent of hardware costs by eliminating idle redundant equipment. “InteliCloud offered us the solution we were looking for,” said Vincent Hirth, CEO of VIRCAS, a provider of streaming High-Def video and IPTV solutions for TVs and PCs.  “Conventional architecture incorporating thousands of servers would’ve been far too costly and a load balancing nightmare.  We would’ve needed 2-3,000 dedicated servers to serve the U.S. alone. “We are currently testing a new media center product – introducing live TV, TV on demand, movies on demand and gaming on demand – for a cable channel client using just one percent of capacity on a single InteliCloud platform,” Hirth said.  “That’s the future for servers.”With its patent-pending line speed architecture, the InteliCloud 360 can meet the infrastructure, speed and bandwidth needs that customers are requiring from their Internet service, telecommunications, cable, satellite, online gaming, wireless and entertainment providers while addressing power consumption, real estate footprint and management issues.The InteliCloud 360’s technology-agnostic multipoint solution focuses on the four key elements of a network – processing, storage, communications and management.  The InteliCloud 360 is pre-integrated, easily plugging into existing networks or replacing older networks. All the hardware and software components are provided up front, which enables the InteliCloud 360 to support multiple critical services or applications as an integrated hardware platform.InteliCloud also provides a simple, common interface to manage the entire server’s simultaneously moving pieces. From a single pane of glass, the hardware, operating systems, virtual environments and applications can be managed and their interdependencies enforced. Software costs are reduced by removing the need for additional management software and other applications.The InteliCloud 360 will be sold by a direct sales team and through value-added resellers (VARs).  All InteliCloud products carry a three-year warranty. In addition, InteliCloud offers a flexible service-level agreement (SLA) program to meet the needs of its customers. For a white paper and additional information, please visit www.intelicloud.com. About InteliCloud

Founded in 2007, InteliCloud “green-fielded” a next-generation network platform that combines processing, storage and communications with intelligent management software to simplify the delivery of services across any network.   The resulting benefits of this re-imagined network includes a more than 60 percent reduction in power and space requirements, as well as a three-fold increase in the number of customers served per square foot when compared to today’s market-leading blade and rack mount servers. The company’s multipoint network solution can provide the infrastructure, speed and bandwidth customers are demanding from their Internet service, telecommunications, cable, satellite, online gaming, wireless and entertainment providers. For more information, please visit http://www.InteliCloud.com.

 

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KONAMI SHIPS PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009 FOR Wii™ TO RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDE World's Best-Selling Soccer Video Game Franchise Also Available On Next-Gen, Current-Gen and Hand-held Systems

 

EL SEGUNDO, CA - March 17, 2009 -- Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Pro Evolution Soccer™ 2009 (PES 2009) for Wii™ has shipped to retail stores nationwide.  Already available on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii owners now have the ability to experience Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 with exclusive co-op play and much more!  As one of the premier soccer games on the market, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 for Wii offers an authentic soccer experience, incredible realism, and exciting new gameplay. Featuring real players, a large variety of licensed teams and a number of professional arenas, gamers will be able to re-create the excitement surrounding the world's most popular sport. As in previous releases, the ball is treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots completely controlled by the player.  An updated AI system ensures that teammates will be constantly seeking the best field position, making intelligent moves on both offense and defense. Unique to the Wii version, players can easily move their players on the pitch using intuitive controls, enabling a variety of offense patterns on the fly. Dribbling control has also been enhanced, and a number of subtle moves have been added to bypass defenders in order to move the ball down the pitch. For the first time, to further the gameplay's realism, the Wii version now features the acclaimed 'Master League Mode' where players can complete a squad with real players based on transfers, blending real soccer strategy with real soccer fun. Utilizing the Wii capabilities, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has exciting new online features and customization options. Featuring a co-op play that supports up to 4 players, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 has a greatly improved online mode that can support up to eight players competing online simultaneously, using two consoles and with four players per Wii console. Anything up to four against four is allowed online, while offline allows for four players simultaneously. Based on controller preference, players can choose from the nunchuck and Wii Remote, the horizontal Wii Remote or the Classic controller. In addition, this version offers the Edit Mode where players can create badges, kits and soccer stars from scratch. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 offers gamers the ability to compete as the world's best players as it is the only game on the market to have the UEFA Champions League Mode. Additionally, Argentinean forward Lionel Messi and one of Mexico's finest soccer players, Andres Guardado will be the faces of the latest version of the multi-million selling Pro Evolution Soccer series. Messi is regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the modern game as this 21-year-old is an ever-present fixture on both the Argentinean national team and his club team, FC Barcelona. Guardado, known for his renowned play on the Spanish professional club team Deportivo de La Coruña and for the Mexican national soccer team, has developed a large and loyal fan base worldwide. Taking the commitment to Latin America one step further, Konami has also invited two renowned Latin narrators into the Pro Evolution Soccer family, adding to the impressive roster of different language narrations. Well-known soccer analysts Luis Garcia and Christian Martinoli will be the Spanish commentators in the game, allowing players to listen to the personalities they have grown accustomed to while watching their favorite teams. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is now available on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Windows PC, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Wii™. For more information on Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and other Konami products, please visit the company website at www.konami.com. About Konami Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.                                                        All copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used under license. © 2008 Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP® system - Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately). Online play requires internet connection and Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) (each sold separately). The Online icon is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Media Contacts: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Jay Boor                                                                                                    (310) 220-8147                                                                     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Bender/Helper Impact  Marisa Gross/Audris Rumaldo (212) 689-6360                         This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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NVIDIA PROVIDES PHYSICS TECHNOLOGY FOR PLAYSTATION®3

 

 SANTA CLARA, CA—MARCH 17, 2009—NVIDIA^® Corporation today announced that it has signed a tools and middleware license agreement for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc (SCEI).  As a result, the NVIDIA® PhysX^® technology SDK (binary) is now available to registered PS3 developers for free download and use on the SCEI Developer Network. 

The NVIDIA PhysX software development kit (SDK) consists of a full-featured API and robust physics engine, designed to give developers, animators, level designers, and artists unprecedented creative control over character and object physical interactions by allowing them to author and preview physics in real time.

 

“NVIDIA is proud to support PLAYSTATION 3 as an approved middleware provider,” said Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology at NVIDIA. “Games developed for the PLAYSTATION 3 using PhysX technology offer a more realistic and lifelike interaction between the games characters and other objects within the game. We look forward to the new games that will redefine reality for a new generation of gamers.”

 

The source code PhysX SDK for PS3 and all major gaming platforms are available for license directly from NVIDIA. For more information on licensing PhysX SDKs or NVIDIA PhysX technology, please visit: www.nvidia.com/physx.

 About NVIDIA

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the GPU, a high-performance processor which generates breathtaking, interactive graphics on workstations, personal computers, game consoles, and mobile devices. NVIDIA serves the entertainment and consumer market with its GeForce^® products, the professional design and visualization market with its Quadro^® products, and the high-performance computing market with its Tesla^™ products. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.

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TURBINE uNVEILs VOLUME ii, bOOK 7: LEAVES OF LÓRIEN FOR THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™

Best Overall Game of 2008* Introduces New Content Update for Subscribers

WESTWOOD, MA – March 17, 2009 - Turbine, Inc. announced the details of the latest major update for subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ (LOTRO).  Book 7: Leaves of Lórien is the latest of Turbine’s frequent and substantial updates to the Best MMORPG of 2008^**.  Book 7 delivers the next installment to the epic story for Volume II of LOTRO, a new 12-player raid, major gameplay enhancements, the Spring Festival and access to the full region of Lothlórien.  Book 7: Leaves of Lórien will be available to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online on March 17, 2009 in North America and March 24, 2009 in Europe.  “The launch of our first expansion, Mines of Moria, has been a huge success and has firmly established the game as one of the premier MMOs in the world,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online.  “For nearly two years LOTRO has been one of the fastest growing games in the industry and with Book 7 we continue to expand the world with the expansion of Lothlórien, the legendary home of Galadriel and the elves and the introduction of new tools and improvements based on player feedback including a new Quest Guide and an enhanced new player experience.”NEW FEATURES IN BOOK 7: LEAVES OF LÓRIEN:Ø  The Epic Journey Continues – The first update to Volume II, Book 7 will take LOTRO’s unique storytelling to a new level as it introduces a new reputation faction, the reclusive elves of Lothlórien.  Players will need to gain their trust in order to continue their adventure. After earning their favor, players are reunited with the Fellowship and begin a series of quests to root out the Orc influence within Moria ending with a climactic battle against the forces of Mazog and an audience with Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel back in their kingdom of Lothlórien. Ø  New 12-player Raid – Book 7 introduces Strange Happenings, a new quest arc that begins deep within the Waterworks of Moria.  Players will need to team up to unravel a mystery surrounding a newly revealed source of corruption in Moria, engaging in a fierce battle with another monstrous threat to Middle-earth.  Ø  New Gameplay Enhancements – LOTRO continues to augment its award-winning experience for players with major improvements such as new daily solo quests for crafters that are very useful and fun and a significantly revamped new player experience for the Dwarves, Elves and Man races.  Book 7 also introduces the new Quest Guide, a new set of features designed to make navigating through Middle-earth easier and more fun including a display of quest locations on both the mini-map and main map.  The Quest Guide will launch in Beta with the introduction of Book 7.Ø  Celebrate the Spring Festival! – The Spring Festival returns to Middle-earth from March 24^th to April 7^th.  The world will explode in celebration as the free people of Middle-earth ring in the season with special decorations, festive costumes and special quests including a challenging new hedge maze.   The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before.  The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition, which includes the original game, The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and Mines of Moria (Volume II) is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America.  For more information or to download a free trial, visit www.lotro.com.About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator, operator and publisher of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities.  Turbine is the largest privately-held online gaming studio in North America and was recently chosen by AlwaysOn as one of the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies, a power list of the top private emerging technology companies in digital entertainment and media.  The company has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online™ and Asheron's Call®.  For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.About Codemasters
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains operations in the US, Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. More information about the company and its products is available online at www.codemasters.com. About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien’s works for more than 30 years.  Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.###*MMORPG.com 2008 Reader’s Choice Awards
** 1UP 2008 Reader’s Choice Awards“The Lord of the Rings Online,” “Shadows of Angmar,” “Middle-earth,” “Mines of Moria,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

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Covad Certifies Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series

for New Integrated Access Service

 San Jose, Calif., – March 17, 2009 – Covad Communications Company, a leading national provider of voice and data communications, today announced it has certified Cisco® Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business for its new Covad Integrated Access service.  “Covad and Cisco have a longstanding relationship working together to meet the voice and Internet needs of small business customers,” said Jake Heinz, vice president and general manager, Covad VoIP.  “Covad has certified the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business after thorough testing and has found it to work well with our new Covad Integrated Access service.” Covad Integrated Access service is an affordable, all-in-one phone and Internet service that allows businesses with up to 35 employees per location to simplify their operations with a combined phone and Internet service with one bill from a single vendor with one contact for support.  Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business combines voice, data, video, security, and more into one easy-to-manage solution.  Small business users get an advanced communication system that expands as their business grows and changes, with minimal capital expense.  Features include: ·         Eight or more IP phone station support ·         Four trunks·         Optional T1/E1 voice interface (PRI and CAS)·         Integrated voicemail·         Automated attendant·         Basic call center capability·         Music on hold·         Optional wireless access·         System management In addition to those great features, a robust set of unified communications functionality, automated attendant and integrated voicemail are included and enabled via the Cisco Unified Communications 500 platform. “Small businesses looking to simplify and better manage their unified communications will know that Covad is working with Cisco's industry-leading equipment to deliver a fully-managed Internet and voice solution,” said Mark Monday, vice president, Small Business Solutions Business Unit, Cisco.  “We welcome the opportunity to help Covad business customers lower costs and increase productivity by using managed services based on Cisco solutions."  Covad Integrated Access service is delivered over a powerful voice-optimized T1 line and works with customers’ existing phone systems so businesses can leverage their equipment investment while saving money and simplifying operations.  Covad Integrated Access now also utilizes SIP trunking and supports a wide range of IP, digital and analog PBXs.  Covad, a member of the Cisco Powered Program, recently launched Integrated Access service into its indirect sales channel with an innovative online quote and order system that streamlines the pre-qualification and speeds the sales process.  “It is a tremendous help to partners that Covad has put the quoting and ordering tool directly in our hands,” said Omar J. Qawiyy, Communications Consultant, Mid Atlantic Data Systems, Inc.  “Covad has also found the right scale for small businesses by allowing customers to start with just four phone lines and add new lines one by one.” Integrated Access service uses Covad’s voice-optimized technology to dynamically allocate bandwidth for voice and data.  By always prioritizing voice traffic and automatically allocating all remaining bandwidth to data traffic, it provides maximum call quality and data throughput. 

About Covad

Covad is a leading national provider of integrated voice and data communications.  The company offers DSL, T1, broadband wireless, and voice-optimized access directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers, value-added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups in the small and medium-sized businesses market.  Many of the nation's top carriers, Internet service providers, and resellers rely on Covad to power their high-speed broadband solutions.  Partners benefit from Covad’s streamlined provisioning and ordering systems, scalable, cost-efficient support infrastructure, and the only facilities-based, next-generation wireline and fixed wireless broadband network.  Covad broadband services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 58 million homes and businesses.  Covad is located at 2220 O’Toole Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131.  Telephone: 1-888-GO-COVAD. Website: www.covad.com.

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Search Engine Optimization for Flash--New from O'Reilly

Best Practices for Using Flash on the Web

Sebastopol, CA—Here's a question for a modern world: If a SWF falls onto the Web and there's no search engine to crawl it, does it make a sound? Or, put another way, why produce all that jazzy artwork and animation, if no one can find your Adobe Flash and Flex applications on the Web?Indeed, for years the major misconception is that Flash-based applications are SEO-unfriendly and can't be indexed by search engines. And that's the myth Flash expert Todd Perkins dispels in this highly anticipated new Adobe Developer Library book, Search Engine Optimization for Flash (O'Reilly, $29.99).In his affordable new book, Perkins demonstrates precisely what you can do to make your site fully searchable no matter how much Flash it contains. You'll learn best practices for using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build sites with Flash that will stand tall in search rankings. Concise, to the point, and clearly written, Search Engine Optimization for Flash shows you how search engines work, what constitutes a search-engine-optimized (SEO) site, and what to watch out for in the way of SEO pitfalls.With this book, you will:

• Know what content is searchable, and why metadata, keywords, and links are so important
• Learn how to place HTML content in your Flash applications
• Create an SEO website by connecting Flash to JavaScript and CSS
• Work effectively with SWF
• Object by understanding its capabilities and limitations
• Discover the advantages of using the Adobe Flex framework for SEO

Search Engine Optimization for Flash is what you need to stay competitive. It's the first and most authoritative book on how to optimize Flash content for search engines and makes for an indispensable resource if you develop with Flash and want to be sure your audience can easily find your site.Todd Perkins is an Adobe Certified Flash Instructor, and has written three books on Flash and has recorded over a thousand movies of Flash training. He also works as a consultant and web developer.Additional Resources:
For more information about the book, including table of contents, index, author bios, and cover graphic, see: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596522520 Search Engine Optimization for Flash
Todd Perkins
ISBN: 9780596522520, 278 pages, Book Price: $29.99 USD, £22.99 GBP
PDF Price: $23.99 USD
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
 About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.

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VIA Surfboard Rolls Out Peak HD Performance for Mini-Notebooks

VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design offers a highly power-efficient, ready-to-build solution to give system developers a head start in the mini-notebook market

Taipei, Taiwan, March 17, 2009 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design - an ultra-compact mainboard incorporating the VIA C7-M ULV processor, the brand new VIA VX855 unified IGP chipset, and advanced VIA multimedia and connectivity silicon, that has been specifically designed for easy integration into devices targeted at the rapidly growing mini-notebook market.

Unveiled today at the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar (GMB) Tech Forum Spring in Shenzhen, China - an event bringing together a host of PC manufacturing and infrastructure partners focused on delivering affordable, power efficient mini-notebooks to global markets - the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design will not only reduce development time and costs for system manufacturers, but offers the latest advancements in ultra-mobile technology including smooth playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video and outstanding 8-channel HD audio.

While consumers have been quick to endorse the mini-notebook form factor and the convenience provided by its connectivity and web surfing capabilities, the rise of HD video has resulted in a growing demand for better visual computing from ultra-mobile products.

The VIA Surfboard C855 meets this demand by providing flawless playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video, which along with support for internal display resolutions of up to 1366 x 768 pixels and external display resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 pixels, the latest high definition VIA Vinyl Audio, and a wide range of connectivity options, allows for a rich on-the-go multimedia experience.

"A key advantage of the VIA Surfboard C855 is the head start it affords mini-notebook system developers or those seeking to enter the market," said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Not only is VIA in the unique position of being able to offer customers a complete, ready-to-build solution, but the new board's HD capabilities mean VIA-based mini-notebooks will provide a superior multi-media entertainment experience."

For more details on the VIA GMB Tech Forum Spring, please visit the VIA website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/company/events/2009gmb-techforum/

About the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design
Designed for 10-12"-screen mini-notebook devices, the powerful, feature-rich yet highly power-efficient VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design comes with a VIA C7-M ULV processor supporting an 800MHz FSB, combined with the VIA VX855 media system processor with its support for a wide range of digital media technologies and I/O appropriate for the mini-notebook market.

The advanced graphics experience of the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design is powered by the high performance VIA Chrome9 HCM IGP offering support for hardware acceleration of the widest variety of leading video standards including H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1 and WMV9, which significantly reduces the workload and power consumption of the processor and enables high bit-rate HD video playback while utilizing less than 40% of CPU resources.

The latest high definition audio is supported through VIA Vinyl 8-channel HD audio, and a rich range of connection options includes support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G for unparalleled flexibility.

More information about the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design may be found on the VIA website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/surfboard_c855/index.jsp

About the VIA GMB Alliance
Launched in Shenzhen, China, in October 2008, the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar Alliance was established as part of VIA's long-term commitment to inspire innovation in mobile computing devices by sharing its leading-edge technology and expertise in power efficient x86 processor platforms.

Leading Chinese manufacturers are participating in the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar, as well as infrastructure partners such as American Megatrends (AMI), InnoLux, ITE Tech, PQI, SanDisk and TD Hi-Tech.

A key focus of the VIA GMB Alliance is to bring innovative mobile computing devices such as mini-notebooks to fast-emerging markets around the world, as well as within China. These markets are among the fastest growing in the world and are developing a keen appetite for mobile computing.

Further details on the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar may be found on the VIA GMB website at:
http://gmb.viatech.com/


About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

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support.com Kicks Off 30-Day Countdown to a Healthier Planet

with “Green Your PC” Earth Day Challenge

Free Facebook App Lets Users Reduce Their Carbon Footprint, One PC at a Time

REDWOOD CITY, CA, March 18 , 2009 —With millions of Americans doing their part to go green this Earth Day, support.com®, the remote technology service company that makes owning and maintaining technology pain-free, is kicking off a 30-day “Green Your PC” challenge to help people do their part in improving the environment by simply optimizing their home PC’s energy settings.  In time for Earth Day on April 22, support.com is making it easy for computer owners to “green” their PCs by downloading a simple Facebook application that sets a computer’s power settings optimally to save electricity. Consumers can run the program, encourage friends to do the same, and then compete to see who can influence the biggest savings.The application, which is guided by recommendations from Energy Star and Carbonfund.org, tracks a consumer’s daily savings in trees, CO2 and barrels of oil, and multiplies it for the number of friends they have invited who also use the program.  By inviting more friends, consumers move up the ranks, while watching their energy savings add up. The application is available at   http://apps.facebook.com/greenyourpc.“Unlike other Facebook applications that just encourage people to spread green messages in the virtual world, this Facebook application lets you make real-world changes that impact your carbon footprint,” said Anthony Rodio, Chief Operating Officer of support.com. “In the next 30 days leading to Earth Day, consumers who want to make a difference are encouraged to use our Green Your PC application and share the program with friends and family. Together, we can watch as our collective actions have a growing positive impact on our environment.”According to Carbonfund.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally, efforts to reduce electricity use to the level set by the “Green Your PC” app, if applied to 100,000 computers and monitors, would save more than 11 million pounds of C02 emissions annually compared to computers that do not have their hibernate or standby functionality enabled.  That is equivalent to the emissions from burning 13,000 barrels of oil, while the positive impact on the environment would be similar to planting 1,000 acres of trees.About SupportSoft and support.comsupport.com, a leading provider of remote technology services, wants to fundamentally change the way people fix technology problems.  Previously, a computer meltdown meant pleading phone calls to tech-savvy friends and family, a trip to the computer store or a long wait for a technician to arrive.  support.com’s suite of tools mean a qualified Solutions Engineer can diagnose and repair most technology problems quickly over the phone, typically for less than the cost of in-store or in-home service.  Additionally, support.com’s services can happen while you watch, so they are ideal for people who are concerned about privacy and security.   The company behind support.com is SupportSoft, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRT), which provides software and services that make technology work. SupportSoft's solutions reduce technology support costs, improve customer satisfaction and enable new revenue streams for companies reaching 50 million users worldwide. SupportSoft, the SupportMan Logo and support.com are trademarks or registered trademarks of SupportSoft, Inc. or its affiliates in the US and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.Back to Top

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DATE Friday, April 10   TIME 10:00am PT   HOW TO JOIN Register now and we'll send you a reminder! Meeting link: oreilly.com/go/pmdashboard   WEBCAST How to Build a Project Management Dashboard with SharePoint   PRESENTER Dux Raymond Sy author of SharePoint for Project Management   Join us for this free, live webcastMicrosoft SharePoint technologies provide a collaborative framework to enhance project management processes, team collaboration, and information management. The ability to deliver relevant project reports on key metrics such as schedule, budget, and performance can contribute to project success. In addition, participants will learn how to: Display relevant project reports with custom views Develop visually relevant key performance indicators (KPI) using out of the box tools and third party products Automate status reporting with SharePoint alerts The primary audience for this workshop includes project managers, project teams and executives whose organizations have already adopted SharePoint for project management and would want to enhance its project reporting capabilities. Attendance is limited, so register now. We'll send you a reminder before the webcast. And please feel free to share this invitation with others.Date: Friday, April 10 at 10 am PT Price: Free Duration: Approximately 60 minutes To register: oreilly.com/go/pmdashboard Questions? Please send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it About Dux Raymond Sy With over 15 years of experience in Information Technology, Dux Raymond Sy has earned a reputation as among the leading experts in leveraging technology to enhance project management. He is currently a managing partner and the chief evangelist of Innovative-e, Inc., a Microsoft-certified, business technology consulting and services company that serves startups to Global 50 clients.As a thought leader in maximizing project team collaboration, he is focused on empowering organizations on how to leverage the benefits of collaborative tools with quantifiable goals such as: Increasing productivity and efficiency, decreasing collaboration redundancies and streamlining electronic communications. In addition, he is Bamboo Nation's resident project management expert.A sought after trainer for Learning Tree International, he has developed and facilitated management and technology training to government organizations, Fortune 500 companies, non-profit institutions in the United States, Bahamas, Barbados, China, the United Kingdom and the Philippines and regularly writes about project management, SharePoint and globalization at MeetDux.com.

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New Wallace & Gromit Game Demo Now Available, Series Premiere Coming March 24

 

Limited-time preorder offer begins today: save 25% and get two free games

  

SAN RAFAEL, CA, March 16, 2009 – Interactive entertainment pioneer Telltale, Inc. and Aardman Animations are announcing that Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, the new comedy game series based on the colorful claymation duo, will premiere for PC on March 24. The digitally-distributed four episode series of Wallace & Gromit adventures will be delivered monthly from http://www.telltalegames.com. The series' Xbox LIVE® Arcade debut will follow soon.

 

In Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, the world of West Wallaby Street comes alive in four brand new stories you can play. Like the films, each Wallace & Gromit episode finds the earnest inventor and his faithful canine companion embarking on ambitious new ventures laced with unexpected (and always amusing) complications. Players will experience all of their favorite elements from the acclaimed Wallace & Gromit films: imaginative storylines; warm, character-based humor; creative contraptions; physical comedy; and a distinct visual style. A demo that showcases both Wallace and Gromit as playable characters can be downloaded exclusively from Yahoo (http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/wallace-and-gromit/) and FilePlanet.com today. Starting tomorrow, the demo will be available from Telltale's website and mirror sites around the web.

 

For PC, Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures is available as a downloadable, four episode bundle from Telltale's website (http://www.telltalegames.com/wallaceandgromit). In the March 24 premiere episode, "Fright of the Bumblebees," Wallace & Gromit are struggling to find success with a honey business plagued by giant problems. Subsequent episodes, scheduled for May, June, and July, will take the duo from an underground beach resort to a sprawling carnival to a country club hiding an age-old mystery.

 

In a special preorder offer, which starts today and will run through March 23, customers can get the full, four episode series on PC for just $26—a 25% discount off the regular $34.95 price. Customers who preorder will also receive two free bonus episodes, one from Telltale's acclaimed second season of Sam & Max (named Adventure Game of the Year by PC Gamer, IGN, and Adventure Gamers) and one from Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (runner-up for IGN's Adventure Game of the Year award).

 

To take advantage of this limited-time offer or to view the latest game trailer, visit the official Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures website at www.telltalegames.com/wallaceandgromit.

  About Wallace & Gromit

Wallace
An endearing and affable inventor. Ever enthusiastic, Wallace's hair-brained, over-ambitious, yet well intentioned ideas consistently get him and his faithful hound into trouble. A definite penchant for cheese and crackers, not to mention fashionable knitwear!

Gromit
Wallace's long-suffering loyal pooch. Gromit cares greatly for Wallace even though he's often railroaded into his master’s mad-cap plans. Though cultured and sensitive, preferring order and the quiet life, Gromit displays amazing courage and heroism when it comes to getting his master out of self-made scrapes. Always showing astonishing initiative, Gromit is definitely the intelligent one of the pair.

About Telltale, Inc.

Telltale is a pioneer of new forms of interactive entertainment that build upon strong foundations in traditional and new media. Founded in 2004 by video game industry veterans with decades of experience, Telltale has quickly become the leading online episodic gaming publisher and developer, delivering award-winning interactive experiences that showcase engaging stories, compelling characters, and rich worlds. Telltale has created a regular, ongoing schedule of established online episodic series across all major gaming and entertainment platforms and channels.

Telltale's games include the award-winning Sam & Max episodic series; Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, the first episodic series for WiiWare based on the Homestarrunner.com Flash cartoons; and Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, coming soon to Xbox Live Arcade and PC. Telltale also has created games based on television's popular CSI series in partnership with Ubisoft, and on Jeff Smith's epic Bone graphic novels. Telltale has built a robust digital distribution channel at www.telltalegames.com, and also publishes its games with select partners.

About Aardman

Aardman, based in Bristol (UK), co-founded and run by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, is a world leader in animation. It produces feature films, television series and television commercials for both the domestic and international market. The studio has won over 400 international awards including 4 Oscars®.

Aardman's multi-award winning productions are novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm that reflects the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the very special people who make up the Aardman team. The studio's work is often imitated and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning and amusing independent and commercial productions. www.aardman.com

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Carbonite Launches Online Backup Solution for Mac Users

Automatic, set-and-forget online backup solution now available on Mac OS

 BOSTON – March 16, 2009 - Carbonite, Inc., the leading provider of online backup to consumers and small businesses, today launches Carbonite Online Backup for Mac. The product offers unlimited, automatic online backup for Intel-based Macs with OS 10.4 or 10.5. “Our beta users were thrilled with Carbonite’s simple set-and-forget online backup solution for the Mac.  Now it’s available to everyone and we’re confident that Carbonite for Mac will become the Mac user’s favorite way to protect their data,” said David Friend, co-founder and CEO of Carbonite. “Thanks to the fine work of the Mac fanatics in our engineering team, we now have a service that combines the robustness, scalability, and maturity of our back-end storage systems with the elegance and beauty of a Mac interface. ” Carbonite has backed up more than 25 billion files, and backs up more than 100 million new files every day.  Carbonite Online Backup installs with just a few clicks and runs quietly in the background, continually backing up the irreplaceable files on a computer. It is completely automatic – once installed, Carbonite finds new and changed files and continues to back them up whenever the computer is connected to the Internet. Data is encrypted before leaving the local computer and is transmitted to Carbonite’s secure data centers using HTTPS (SSL) for total privacy. For $54.95 per year, Carbonite subscribers get unlimited backup space, so they’ll never outgrow their Carbonite subscription. A free trial is available at www.carbonite.com. Carbonite Online Backup for Mac contains a number of product features to meet the needs of all types of users.   Easy InstallCarbonite Online Backup installs quickly and easily. The application is fully integrated with the Mac OS and works quietly in the background without impacting system performance. By default, Carbonite backs up the irreplaceable files in all users’ folders, including the desktop, documents, and pictures folders.  Mac users can check the status of their backup by opening the Carbonite Preference Pane through System preferences. Under the Backup tab, users are able to see colored dots on every file and folder indicating whether or not the file is included in the backup and if that backup is up-to-date.  Easy RestoreIn the event of data loss, Carbonite makes it easy to recover files. Individual files and folders can be restored directly to a Mac through Carbonite to the original location, the desktop, or another location selected by the user. There’s no delay, no need to have DVDs or hard drives shipped in the mail.  For a full restore, there is a Restore Assistant that will guide Mac users through the process.    Easy on your bandwidthCarbonite Online Backup for Mac uses powerful lossless compression to minimize the impact on  Internet speed.  Carbonite automatically adjusts its bandwidth requirements for other tasks running on a Mac, so users never even notice Carbonite is working in the background.  If the user has multiple Macs sharing one Internet connection, they can switch to low-priority mode to ensure that Carbonite doesn’t interfere with the Internet usage of other computers.    Remote Web AccessJust last week, Carbonite unveiled the addition of remote file access to its basic service. Carbonite subscribers can log on to their account from any browser on any kind of computer and immediately download files that are backed-up with Carbonite.   About Carbonite Carbonite launched its Online Backup service in May 2006. Carbonite's industry-first offer of unlimited backup space for a flat, low price revolutionized the market for consumer and small business backup services. Since 2006, the company has backed up more than 25 billion files, has restored more than 2 billion lost files for its customers and has a large data center where capacity is measured in petabytes. There are Carbonite users in more than 120 countries. Founded in 2005, Carbonite believes that computer users should not have to think about backup. The company's mission is to provide an affordable, reliable, secure and easy-to-use solution for the mainstream computer user. Carbonite is available to consumers and small businesses through numerous channels, including its corporate Web site, major US retailers and international distributors. For more information, please visit www.carbonite.com. Back to Top

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KONAMI ANNOUNCES GRADIUS REBIRTH™ NOW AVAILABLE ON WiiWARE™ Take Aim for the Top Online Leaderboards Score in this Instant Classic Arcade-Style Shooter

 

El Segundo, Calif. - March 16, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Gradius ReBirth™, the latest entry into the Gradius game franchise, is now available for download on WiiWare™. Making its original debut in arcades in 1985, the Gradius franchise is reborn in this latest addition to the arcade classic franchise. Gradius ReBirth enables players to blast their way through many levels full of alien space ships and other space creatures in this action packed side scrolling shooter. Gradius ReBirth features a robust arsenal of upgradable space-aged weaponry that will aid players in their challenging missions to defeat the alien hordes.  Watch out for the epic boss battles as they will test your shooting skills in classic, retro arcade style. Players will be able to post their high scores to worldwide leaderboards and see where they rank against all the other Gradius ReBirth players.  Rated "E for Everyone" by the ESRB, Gradius ReBirth is now available for download on WiiWare at an MSRP of 1000 Wii Points™. Wii Points can be purchased through the Wii Shop Channel. Users will need a high-speed Internet connection to access the Wii Shop Channel. For assets and never-before-seen gameplay footage, please visit: http://www.konami.com/downloads/.   About Konami Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com. KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.

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CEA ANNOUNCES 2009 MARK OF EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Awards Honor Industry Leaders in Custom Home Electronics

Arlington, Va., March 16, 2009 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® has announced the winners of the 2009 Mark of Excellence Awards, presented by CEA’s TechHome Division. The winners were recognized at an awards dinner on March 13th at the tenth annual Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

CEA’s Mark of Excellence Awards honor outstanding innovation and achievement in custom home electronics products, services and installation technologies. Award entries were reviewed by a panel of industry experts and submitted in Supplier, Training and Support and Systems Integrators categories. These leaders are instrumental in shaping the future of the connected home.

Ian Hendler, director of business development, Leviton, was also honored as the recipient of this year’s TechHome Leadership Award in honor of his significant contributions to the growth and success of the TechHome industry. Hendler’s participation in tech home training initiatives includes leading seminars and discussion groups at the International CES, EHX and other industry events. He has also authored content for Wiley Publishing’s popular title, “Smart Homes for Dummies” and trade articles on various topics. This award honors Hendler’s industry dedication and service.

New this year for the Mark of Excellence Awards, each category included a Platinum and Gold award recognizing outstanding achievement in the industry. In order to receive a platinum and/or gold award the entries had to receive an exceptionally high score from the judges. In some cases, judges did not grant a gold award in certain categories.

The following are the winners of the 2009 Mark of Excellence Awards:

Mark of Excellence Winner photos are available online: www.CE.org/MarkofExcellence.

About EHX and CE Pro:
Electronic House Expo, a Tradeshow Week magazine Fastest 50 event for five years running, is the fastest growing trade event of the $13 billion custom electronics industry. Produced by CE Pro Magazine, EHX is held twice annually and sponsored by CEA's TechHome Division. CE Pro is the leading content provider for the custom electronics industry, and EHX brings together this same dynamic audience of custom electronics integrators, retailers and allied trades to interact with leading suppliers of audio/video entertainment, digital convergence, networking and communications, comfort and control, and security and electrical products. For more information, visit www.ehxweb.com and www.cepro.com.

About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,200 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Digital Patriots Dinner
  April 22, 2009,  Washington, DC
• CEA Washington Forum
  April 22-23, 2009,  Washington, DC
• LA Games Conference
  April 28-29, 2009,  Hollywood, CA
• CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase
  June 2-4, 2009,  Santa Clara, CA
• Digital Downtown
  June 10-12, 2009,  New York, NY
• 13^th Annual CEO Summit
  June 17-20, 2009,  Dana Point, CA
• 2009 SINOCES
  July 9-12, 2009,  Qindao, China
• 2009 CEA Industry Forum
  October 18-21, 2009,  Phoenix, AZ
• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
  November 10, 2009,  New York, NY

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MAJESCO ANNOUNCES MARCH 31st RELEASE DATE FOR 'GARDENING MAMA'

Cooking Mama's First Brand Offshoot Will Launch in Time for Spring    

EDISON, N.J., March 16, 2009 - Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced that Gardening Mama for Nintendo DS™ will ship on March 31st. Developed by Cooking Mama Limited, the team that created the award-winning Cooking Mama franchise that has sold 3.7 million units domestically, Gardening Mama stars the iconic culinary cutie in the first ever gardening game.  Gamers anxious to get growing can download a playable demo currently in approximately 10,000 Nintendo kiosks at major retailers nationwide.

Gardening Mama transforms the stylus into a universal gardening tool that players will use to plant, nurture and harvest 37 different varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Gamers can manage their garden through the seeding, blooming and maturation phases, and then produce items from the plants they've grown. A robust multiplayer mode lets up to four friends compete to grow the biggest harvest and Treasure Box mode lets players share items they've grown with online friends. In addition, players can change Mama's outfit to their liking while customizing the screen design to their preference.  

Gardening Mama will launch March 31st for a suggested retail price of $29.99. To watch the gameplay trailer and learn more, please visit the official site at www.gardeningmama.com.

About Majesco Entertainment Company
Majesco Entertainment Company is a provider of video games for the mass market.  Building on 20 years of operating history, the company is focused on developing and publishing a wide range of casual and family oriented video games on leading console and portable systems. Product highlights include Cooking Mama™ and Cake Mania®2 for Nintendo DS,™ and Cooking Mama World Kitchen and Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 for Wii™. The company's shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: COOL.  Majesco is headquartered in Edison, NJ and has an international office in Bristol, UK.  More information about Majesco can be found online at www.majescoentertainment.com.

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 Graphics AIB Market Anything But Spared in Q4'08,
Reports Jon Peddie Research

TIBURON, CA - March 16, 2009 -The market for graphics add-in boards (AIBs) proved anything but impervious to the downward pull of fourth quarter's economic collapse, according to a new report from market analysts at Jon Peddie Research (JPR). Markets in every corner of the economy - and every corner of the globe - contracted, and the AIB market was no exception. But that's really an understatement, as the AIB market took a substantially bigger beating than the closely related markets for PCs and workstations, as OEMs and the channel curtailed new orders and ran down inventories.If there were many holiday buyers out shopping for a game card among the several new high-performance price-competitive offerings from market leaders Nvidia and AMD, well the results didn't show it. The grim numbers for the quarter read as follows: 15.2 million units shipped, representing a 42.7% decline (year-over-year), accounting for $2.5 billion in revenue, reflecting a similar 43.8% decline in revenue.

Desktop AIB market results	Q2'07	Q3'07	Q4'07	Q1'08	Q2'08	Q3'08	Q4'08
Units	21.20	25.84	26.51	24.40	19.78	21.92	15.20
Growth - year-to-year	7.6%	19.1%	25.9%	18.1%	-6.7%	-15.2%	-42.7%

Table 14 AIB market value history, by quarterOne bright spot: AIBs fending off IGPs in a downturnConsidering that the majority of graphics cards ship to customers in systems from PC and workstation OEMs, the AIB market's ugly drop raised an interesting question: why were AIBs down 43%, when PCs and workstations were down more in the neighborhood of 10%? Was it more evidence of the inroads made by chipset-integrated graphics processors (IGPs), stealing away potential AIB customers? Not so, reports JPR. While the big picture still indicates the IGP taking a bigger share over time - today in chipsets, and tomorrow in the CPU - it didn't take a bigger share of desktop graphics market in Q4'08. On the contrary at 40.6%, the IGP's share was remarkably consistent with what it commanded in Q4'07 (40.2%). Tapping inventories exaggerate lossesRather than blaming further IGP encroachment for the exaggerated quarterly decline in AIB shipments, Jon Peddie Research points instead to the reliance of OEMs and the channel on existing inventories. In any industry where deep inventories can act as a buffer between supply and demand, the extent of the impact during a downturn is likely to be more pronounced. Deeper inventories are a safety valve, making it a lot easier for buyers to stop buying - at least for the short term - while allowing them some time to sort out the situation and determine how to properly adjust orders to meet the new, lower run-rate. Drain down inventory for a bit to keep orders filled near term, and build it back up later when the coast is clear. Such appears to be the case for graphics AIBs in Q4'08, taking what might have been just a poor quarter and turning it downright ugly.Pricing and AvailabilityThe Q4'08 edition of Jon Peddie's Market AIB Report is available now in both electronic and hard copy editions. The report provides an in-depth look at the PC graphics market and includes unit shipment and segment market share data, and trend analysis.The annual subscription price for Jon Peddie's AIB report is $6,000 including four quarterly issues, and single issues are available for $2,000.

About Jon Peddie Research

Dr. Jon Peddie has been active in the graphics and multimedia fields for more than 30 years. Jon Peddie Research is a technically oriented multimedia and graphics research and consulting firm. Based in Tiburon, California, JPR provides consulting, research, and other specialized services to technology companies, including graphics development, multimedia for professional applications and consumer electronics, high-end computing, and Internet-access product development. Jon Peddie's Market Watch and AIB report are quarterly reports focused on the market activity of PC graphics controllers for mobile and desktop computing.Back to Top

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SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES PURCHASE DATE OF NEW CONTENT FOR FINAL FANTASY XI

Award-Winning MMORPG’s New Add-on Scenario will be Available for Purchase March 23rd

 LOS ANGELES (March 13, 2009) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix®  interactive entertainment products in North America, today announced that the first in a series of three previously announced add-on scenarios for their MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game, FINAL FANTASY® XI, will be available for purchase on March 23, 2009. This add-on scenario, titled “A Crystalline Prophecy™ – Ode of Life Bestowing,” will be available exclusively for online purchase through the PlayOnline® Viewer, and will be priced at $9.99. After purchase, FINAL FANTASY XI players will have access to this new content following the release of the upcoming version update in early April 2009.  Creation of these three upcoming content packages is led by Masato Kato, who created the stories and scenarios for FINAL FANTASY XI, and its first expansion pack, Rise of the Zilart®. Two additional add-ons, “A Moogle Kupo d’Etat™ – Evil in Small Doses” and “A Shantotto Ascension™ – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born”, will be released later this year.  STORY A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life BestowingOne day, a giant crystal appeared in the skies above Jeuno, triggering a series of unexplained happenings across the land. Now, adventurers will set forth to unravel the mysteries of this primordial crystal that holds the secret of Vana’diel’s past. Accommodating players in North America, Europe and Japan, FINAL FANTASY XI is the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game capable of simultaneous multiplayer cooperation across three different platforms. Now in its sixth year of service, FINAL FANTASY XI has a robust community of 500,000 subscribers from around the world. The series continues to evolve and expand, offering newcomers and fans alike an immersive, engrossing and engaging universe to traverse, defend and explore.  For more information about FINAL FANTASY XI, please visit the official website: http://www.finalfantasyxi.com.Profile of Masato KatoMasato Kato served as director and scenario writer on titles including Chrono Trigger®, Radical Dreamers, Xenogears® and Chrono Cross® for Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix) and oversaw the initial plot conception and event direction for the original FINAL FANTASY XI and the Rise of the Zilart expansion. Since leaving Square in 2002, Mr. Kato has worked on a number of titles and continues to pursue his unique design vision. About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises — FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 47 million units worldwide — under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

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ROCKETLIFE WINS TWO DIMA 2009 

INNOVATIVE DIGITAL PRODUCT AWARDS

 

Wins Awards for RocketLife Touch & RocketLife Mobile

March 20, 2009, Folsom, CA – RocketLife (www.RocketLife.com), the inventors of award-winning new media technologies, announced today that it has won two DIMA 2009 Innovative Digital Product Awards for RocketLife Touch™ and RocketLife Mobile™.  The awards were announced on March 2^nd at the Photo Marketing Association Show (PMA), held in Las Vegas.   RocketLife Touch & RocketLife Mobile RocketLife Touch is an exciting new photo creation and merchandising product for the next-generation touch screen experience for kiosks at retail sites, photo lounge kiosks, and touch screen computers.  RocketLife Mobile revolutionizes the way people share photo experiences, bringing new patent-pending technologies, such as GPS, iPhone Express instant photo updates, 3D merchandising, and more to mobile devices so customers can instantly share, re-arrange, view and buy products real-time anywhere they go.   

RocketLife Touch and RocketLife Mobile were chosen from hundreds of digital products on display at Sneak Peek 2009 during PMA.  The award is sponsored by the Digital Imaging Marketing Association^® (DIMA^®), a PMA^® member association in Jackson, Michigan.  DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards recognize products or services utilizing new technologies and/or applications that make the product either distinct or the first of its kind.  The product or service must be available within 90 days of PMA 09 to qualify for the DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award.  Winning products were selected by a panel of digital imaging editors to receive the prestigious DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award.  The awards are given to products or services utilizing new technologies and/or applications that make the product either distinct or the first of its kind.

 

Companies were asked to submit entries for their product/service to allow a panel of industry press to evaluate the products and services for the DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards. All entries were evaluated based on the following questions:

1: Why is this product/service considered innovative?2: What sets this product/service apart from its competitors? 3: How does this product/service benefit its user?  “We are honored to win 2 prestigious DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards for our ground-breaking RocketLife Touch and Mobile products,” said Michael Moore, CEO of RocketLife.  “With these products, RocketLife provides a more personal ‘touch’ experience and interactive mobility options with instant results through RocketLife’s 3D Digital Merchandising technology.” RocketLife Touch and RocketLife Mobile utilize patent-pending technologies, such as the ultra-fast import of hundreds of photos, multi-layered photo themes with new enhancements, Smart Arrangement Technology, and 3D Digital Merchandising, expanding RocketLife to a variety of new venues and environments for rich photo product creation, from stunning collage prints and posters to professional designed lay-flat photo books. RocketLife Touch is available immediately for photo kiosks and computer touch screens.  RocketLife Mobile will be available in Q2 initially for the iPhone.   For more information, see www.RocketLife.com.

ABOUT ROCKETLIFE LLC

Personalized Technology Designed for the Customer

RocketLife LLC is an outstanding showcase of teamwork; endowed with the spirit of imagination and decades of creative and programming expertise.  With divisions in California and Florida renowned for marketing and technical innovation, RocketLife is the beneficiary of three decades of pioneering market-making technologies, giving people the ability to create and share stories with unparalleled quality and impact.

Between their divisions, teams, and outstanding and creative individuals, RocketLife has been at the cutting edge of media, messaging, and technology.  Efforts in pioneering video and software technology have earned prestigious awards, including three primetime Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development.  The team has invented and shipped over one hundred different products to well over a million customers.  Their experience and creativity in personalized messaging has resulted in rewarding partnerships with top name companies.

 To take RocketLife for a spin, visit www.RocketLife.com.

 

 

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Thrustmaster Announces New Gaming Bundle Featuring the T.16000M Joystick and Tom Clancy’s H.a.w.x.™ game For PC by Ubisoft® Exclusive bundle combines Total PRECISION with EXCEPTIONAL AERIAL COMBAT MISSIONS New York, NY -  (March 20, 2009) — Thrustmaster, the innovative PC and console accessory brand from the Guillemot Corporation, is pleased to announce the launch of a limited edition pack for PC in the U.S. featuring the aerial combat game Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.™ by Ubisoft® and the highly acclaimed Thrustmaster T.16000M joystick.  This hot new bundle is now available for $79.99 SRP at Amazon.com, Dell.com, Buy.com and Microcenter and more information can be found at www.thrustmaster.com “By Bundling the T.16000M joystick with Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.™, Thrustmaster guarantees total immersion in the world of aerial combat.  Our joystick and this game are ideal companions and perfectly adapted for another” says Winn Keaten, U.S. Marketing Manager for the Thrustmaster brand.

The T.16000M features a default configuration for Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.™ allowing you to just plug and play instantly without any setup. As soon as you open the box you will be drafted into an elite fighter squadron, ready to handle any of the game’s 50 available planes. The latest innovation in the Thrustmaster joystick range, the T.16000M features their new proprietary HALLEFFECT ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY™ (H.E.A.R.T.) which provides surgical precision while gaming. This technology relies on 3D Hall Effect magnetic sensors located on the T.16000M stick. The resulting precision is 256 times greater than most current systems, with over 16,000 different values per axis! Designed with three separate parts, including two removable parts and one rotary component, The T.16000M is fully ambidextrous and suited for both left-handed and right-handed joystick users. The joystick also features a wide hand-rest that alleviates gaming fatigue when multiple missions are consecutively played and the weighted base ensures full stability during quick manoeuvres, such as Cobra-style pursuits or Kulbit attacks. All of the game's essential features are pre-allocated to the joystick's 16 action buttons. The E.R.S. (Enhanced Reality System), the central innovation in Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.™, can be activated or deactivated with the simple push of a button.  The E.R.S. provides pilots with radar and missile detection, crash protection, damage assessment features and much more. From newbie’s to seasoned veterans, all pilots using this controller will become fearsome fighters. The T.16000M + Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X.™ PC limited edition bundle is now available exclusively in the U.S., at the suggested retail price of $79.99. To discover the Thrustmaster complete product range visit www.thrustmaster.com

 

About Ubisoft: Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has teams in 28 countries and distributes games in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2007–08 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of 928 million euros. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com. Thrustmaster: Guillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and controllers. The Group offers a diverse range of products under its Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently represented in 11 countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Hong-Kong, Romania and Italy, and distributes its products in over 30 countries worldwide. The group's mission is to design high-performance and user-friendly products to improve the satisfaction of users of interactive digital entertainment solutions.  www.guillemot.com © 2009 Guillemot Corporation S.A. Hercules and Thrustmaster® are registered trademarks of Guillemot Corporation S.A. All other registered trademarks and commercial brands are hereby acknowledged and remain property of their respective owners. Illustrations not binding. Contents, designs and specifications are liable to change without prior notice and may vary according to countries. © 2009 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. H.A.W.X, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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GUITAR HERO® METALLICA® DEMO TAKES CENTER STAGE ON XBOX LIVE® MARKETPLACE

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

iLuv Debuts iEP505 Premium Earphones with Volume Control Precision Engineering Brings Superior Sound PORT WASHINGTON, NY – (March 19, 2009) - iLuv, the leader in innovative audio solutions, announces today the immediate availability of iEP505 Premium Earphones. The perfect match for true music lovers on looking for sound reproduction that closely resembles a live performance, these precision-engineered earphones are the result of meticulous attention to detail from the streamlined, ergonomic exterior to the technological mastery of the speakers inside. They feature drivers that create a balance of high and low frequencies for superior sound and a light, comfortable, sound isolating design. The iEP505 not only brings the concert directly to your ears, it practically puts you on stage with the musicians themselves. The iEP505 earphones are available now in black for MSRP $49.99 at www.i-luv.com. Starting in April, the iEP505 earphones will also be available in White, Blue, Pink and Red. “Our new Premium precision crafted earphones are perfect for music lovers looking to upgrade their headphones” says James Browning, Sr. VP of Operations for iLuv. “We are proud to add a premium sound isolating designed earphone option to our line of audio solutions.”

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mophie Debuts Juice PackTM for iPod Touch 2G Ergonomic ‘Made for iPod’ Case/Battery Extender Now Available for $99.95 at mophie.com Los Angeles, CA – March 19, 2009 – mStation | mophie announces the immediate availability the latest Juice Pack which is designed to offer second generation iPod Touch users twice as much time to watch, rock, surf and send.  The juice pack is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery in the form of a non-slip, soft grip case and offers the following fantastic features… Battery Extender and Case in One – The juice pack is an official “Made for iPod” Apple certified accessory that offers the convenience of an extended battery and the protection of a case, all with an ergonomically designed, soft-touch, non-slip rubberized finish.  It comes charged up and ready to go straight out of the box. Pass-Through Design – Included USB cable enables you to simultaneously charge and sync with iTunes without having to remove it from the juice pack. The pass-through headphone jack ensures that you’ll always be connected to your music. Advanced Battery Technology – Intelligent power distribution instructs the iPod Touch to always drain out the juice pack first.  When you’re done with the Juice Pack , simply detach and you still have a fully charged iPod.  Highly condensed lithium polymer battery delivers an incredible amount of juice in a small form factor and features built in overcharge, short circuit, and temperature protection. 4 Light LED Battery Status Indicator – Integrated LED status indicator tells you exactly how much juice is left and also displays how much time remains during the charging process Full Charged Juice Pack  give users more than twice the power – Audio Playback – Up to additional 42 hours Video Playback – Up to additional 7 hours “We’re proud to now offer users of the iPod Touch 2G a convenient and ergonomic extended battery to ensure their favorite videos and tunes never run dry” says Ross Howe, Sales and Product Development Director for mStation | mophie.  “Our mission is to keep every last iPod/iPhone enthusiast charged up at all times which is now possible with our latest addition to the Juice Pack family.” The mophie Juice Pack  for iPod Touch 2G is available now online and in stores at an MSRP of $99.95.  For more information on the mophie Juice Pack please visit http://www.mophie.com/pages/information About mStation | mophie mStation is consistently praised for its ability to create quality products with innovative Industrial Design. mStation’s flagship brand, mophie, is an iPod accessory company with a wide array of award-winning cases.  Their products can be found in Apple Stores and major retailers worldwide. Media Contact: Matt Shumate Account Supervisor Max Borges Agency (305) 576-1171 x15 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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NVIDIA BECOMES A NINTENDO WORLDWIDE THIRD PARTY TOOLS PROVIDER WITH PHYSX SDK FOR WII

The NVIDIA PhysX software development kit (SDK) consists of a full-featured API and robust physics engine, designed to give developers, animators, level designers, and artists unprecedented creative control over character and object physical interactions by allowing them to author scalable physics in real time.

The PhysX SDK for the Wii, and all major gaming platforms, are available for license directly from NVIDIA. For more information on licensing PhysX SDKs or NVIDIA PhysX technology, please visit: www.nvidia.com/physx.

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the GPU, a high-performance processor which generates breathtaking, interactive graphics on workstations, personal computers, game consoles, and mobile devices. NVIDIA serves the entertainment and consumer market with its GeForce^® products, the professional design and visualization market with its Quadro^® products, and the high-performance computing market with its Tesla^™ products. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit www.nvidia.com.

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Deke McClelland is Singing in the Droplets
--O'Reilly Media Alert

The Droplet Song--The Next Hilarious Music Video Now on dekePod

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New VIA In-Vehicle Platform for Driving Next-Generation Car PCs

VIA IVP-7500 board with advanced multimedia features offers sy stem integrators
the perfect in-vehicle PC platform

Taipei, Taiwan, March 19, 2009 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today released the VIA IVP-7500 board, the first in a series of dedicated x86 in-vehicle platforms for developers of car PCs and intelligent transportation devices.

The continued evolution of the PC as a multimedia playback device for audio and video entertainment means that car owners are now demanding access to their digital media library whilst on the road. In-vehicle PCs offers access to intelligent global satellite positioning services for accurate location tracking, route planning and navigation.  

Today's cutting-edge consumer can employ in-car mounted cameras for video assisted parking and highway surveillance recording, while commercial customers can have access to license plate recognition, fleet management, digital tachograph, odometer and security applications.   

Designed from the ground up for the rigours of in-vehicle computing, the VIA IVP-7500 is a versatile, scalable and highly power-efficient processor platform with strong multimedia performance. Customers have the option of fanless designs implementations for industrial and grade stability. The flexible VIA IVP-7500 measures 114mm x 185.5mm and can be employed in a variety of dashboard implementations, including one or two DIN designs as well as discrete, in-seat and headrest designs.

"Intelligent transportation devices are making the transition from an enthusiast to mainstream audience," said Daniel Wu, Vice President, VIA Embedded, VIA Technologies, Inc. "The VIA IVP-7500 carries our expertise in developing stable, compact, energy-efficient systems to this high-growth sector, bringing with it faster product development cycles and the flexibility to offer consumers more than just a car PC."

About the VIA IVP-7500 Board
The VIA IVP-7500 is powered by a fanless 1.0GHz VIA Eden processor and supports up to 1GB of DDR2 system memory. A range of display technologies are supported including an LCD (TTL) panel interface, TV-out and VGA outputs and camera ports including A/V (via mini-USB) and V-CAM for monitoring applications.

Storage includes IDE 1.8" hard drive support with FFC cable and SD card support. HD audio is provided with optional SPK (R+L) and Mic-in connectors.

Communications technologies include a GPS module with IPEX antenna, an FM stereo transmitter and Bluetooth. Two USB 2.0 ports plus a COM port are included as well as an infra red adapter for hands-free applications.

VIA is currently offering samples of the VIA IVP-7500 board to project customers. For more information please visit:  



About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

 

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If you cannot read the information below, click here.

DATE Thursday, April 9   TIME 10:00am PT   HOW TO JOIN Register now and we'll send you a reminder! Meeting link: oreilly.com/go/shootingdigital WEBCAST Shooting Digital: What are YOU missing?   PRESENTER Mikkel Aaland author of Photoshop CS3 RAW and Photoshop Lightroom 2 Adventure Join us for this free, live webcastThe modern digital camera is a powerful tool, capable of far more than the camera of yesterday. And yet many of us only see the familiar and are blind to the new. What are YOU missing?For example:• Almost all digital cameras provide dynamic user control over ISO and the sensitivity of the sensor. When did you last exercise this control?• A digital image is only as good as the optics used to make it. Have you ever considered using imaging software to get rid of chromatic aberrations, or distortion?• Does your digital camera lack a good wide angle of view? Do you know how easy it is to take multiple images and stitch them together with software to create stunning panoramas?• Have you ever panicked when you saw your camera's white balance setting was all wrong? Do you know how easy it is to correct this imbalance with software, especially if you are shooting RAW?• Have you used your digital camera's video features, and if not, why not?• Are you aware how easy it is to add GPS tagging to your digital images, even if your digital camera doesn't offer this option?In this webcast we will look at some commonly forgotten or unknown features of digital cameras and imaging software, then open the discussion to your experiences with the known and unknown world of digital photography.Attendance is limited, so register now. We'll send you a reminder before the webcast. And please feel free to share this invitation with others.Date: Thursday, April 9 at 10 am PT Price: Free Duration: Approximately 60 minutes To register: oreilly.com/go/shootingdigital Questions? Please send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it About Mikkel Aaland Mikkel Aaland is an award-winning photographer, workshop leader, and best-selling author of Shooting Digital, Photoshop RAW, Photoshop Lightroom 2 Adventure, and many more digital photography books. Since 2001 Aaland has been a regular guest on G4's Call For Help TV Program with Leo Laporte. In 2003 he was a guest columnist for newsweek.com. In 2004, Shooting Digital was named the best "Digital Photography" book of the year by the Designer's Bookshelf.Aaland has been a pioneer in digital photography, an interest that dates back to a 1980 interview he conducted with Ansel Adams. When Aaland asked Adams what he would be pursuing if he were just starting out, Adams discussed at length his fascination with digital photographs of the planets. Aaland has pursued this new technology since its infancy. During the 1980s he reported on digital photography as west coast editor of the Swedish FOTO magazine, and wrote a column on the subject for American Photographer magazine. Aaland is one of the few original Adobe Lightroom's alpha and beta user, and he served as an unpaid advisor on the project for over a year.

You are receiving this message because you expressed interest in hearing about O'Reilly Webcasts. For assistance, or if you no longer wish to receive notifications about O'Reilly Webcasts, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . O'Reilly is a registered trademark of O'Reilly Media, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. O'Reilly Media, Inc. 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472   (707) 827-7000

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DIGITAL FOCI “IMAGE MOMENTS” WINS

“HOT ONE” AWARD FOR 3rd YEAR IN A ROW

Image Moments 6 (model IMT-063), along with its larger sibling, Image Moments 8 (model IMT-083) with its larger 8-inch 800x600 resolution screen, are based on a proprietary operating system with advanced functions not found on other digital photo frames.  Highlighted features of the Image Moments line include:  folder structure browsing that supports playback of photo/music/video collections organized into unique folders; support for playback from multiple memory sources at the same time (internal memory and any inserted memory card); and the capability to select a subset of photos for a customized slideshow.  Image Moments also features a Playlist feature that lets users create, edit, and sequence playlists directly on the device without taking up any extra memory space with a new firmware update to easily add an entire selection of multiple photos to a Playlist.  For more information about the Image Moments firmware update, visit: http://www.digitalfoci.com/support.html.

Digital Foci helps consumers manage and enjoy their digital content collection easily.  The company enhances people’s lives by allowing them to seamlessly move digital photos, video, and music from one place to another. With Digital Foci products, consumers are able to enjoy any of their digital content on any device without ever worrying about format compatibility.  Digital Foci products include digital picture frames, photo displays, storage devices, and card readers for transfer, storage, and management optimized for any setting where you choose to enjoy your digital content.  

Digital Foci (pronounced “foe-sigh”) is the plural form of the word “focus” and symbolizes the many distinct points where light and sound converge and diverge.  It is at these digital focus points (or foci) where you view and share your digital pictures, watch your digital video, listen to your digital music, and access your digital files.

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Free FileMaker Business Productivity Kits For FileMaker Pro 10 Users Now Available 

Popular FileMaker Pro Database Business Productivity Kits 

Give Small Businesses a Competitive Edge

FileMaker, Inc. develops award-winning database software. Its products include the legendary FileMaker Pro product line for Windows, Mac and the Web, and the new Bento personal database for Mac. FileMaker Pro won 52 awards, more than its next eight competitors combined, from 2003-2009 in the U.S., and a total of 134 awards worldwide during this time. Millions of customers, from individuals to large organizations, rely on FileMaker, Inc. software to manage, analyze and share information. FileMaker, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apple Inc.