Today Polk Audio, a Directed Electronics Brand announced a new brand entity called “Polk Audio Designs.” The new mark will be used for products aimed at the general population, such as iPod accessories, radios, audio systems and other mass-appeal products. Polk Audio Designs products will be distributed through existing Polk Audio dealers and/or a wider network of retailers. Products designed for the audio enthusiast market will continue to be branded Polk Audio and distributed through Polk’s network of value-added retailers. Polk Audio Designs products will aim to offer the best possible sound quality and value in their respective categories. MarketWatch
Archive for March, 2007
Polk Audio Launches new iPod Audio systems
Friday, March 16th, 2007Palms casino releasing performances on iTunes
Thursday, March 15th, 2007he Palms Casino Resort today announced that it has teamed up with iTunes to offer music fans “Live from Las Vegas” performances including exclusive audio and video available for purchase on the iTunes Store ( www.itunes.com). The brand new $80 million concert theater The Pearl at The Palms ( www.palmspearl.com) is set to make its grand debut with a performance by Evanescence on March 17. “Evanescence: Live from Las Vegas” will be available exclusively on iTunes in the coming weeks including extended song lists and behind-the-scenes interviews for purchase and download.
Flash based Video IPod Could Shake Up Memory Market
Thursday, March 15th, 2007A UBS analyst said today that indications point to Apple using a different type of memory in its next video iPod, a switch that would significantly affect suppliers Sandisk and Marvell.
UBS analyst Alex Guana said Apple could be working on 16GB and 32GB models of their video iPod that use NAND flash memory, as opposed to hard disk drives, or HDDs. He explained in a client note that a NAND-based video iPod would help increase demand for the memory and drive up its value. Sandisk has been hurt recently by gluts in NAND inventory that sapped prices. Forbes
iPhone Multi Touch Tech May Propel Apple Growth
Tuesday, March 13th, 2007UBS analyst Ben Reitzes feels the multi-touch display technology in Apple’s (Nasdaq: AAPL) Latest News about Apple iPhone will be integrated into the Mac and iPod, amounting to a “Mega-Platform” that can propel Apple growth for years to come. Apple may start introducing multi-touch technology in other products as early as 2008.
“We expect multi-touch to be prevalent in Apple’s major hardware products within three to five years — making its way into touch-screen Macs next year,” he said. “We also expect new touch-screen video iPods, ultra portables, more phones and possibly even TVs in the future.” The multi-touch Mega-Platform could add US$1 to the company’s annual EPS (earnings per share) during fiscal 2009. Reitzes is excited about the prospects for Apple in 2007, and is anticipating the release of the iPhone, Mac OS X 10.5, new Macs and new displays in June.
Has Apple become America’s best retailer
Friday, March 9th, 2007Apple has created a retail space that matches their products on the cool factore. You get to shop in pure retail bliss with an excellent customer experience. Apple has been producing an amazing $4,032 per square foot compared to Saks at $362 per Sq Foot and Best Buy at $930. Next in line would be Tiffany & Co bringing in $2,666 per square foot. But Apple is eating everyone’s lunch.
“I started to get scared,” says Jobs. Looking angularly trim in his trademark mock turtleneck and jeans (shopping, one is reminded, has never been integral to his lifestyle), Jobs is describing what he saw circa 2000. The company was increasingly dependent on mega-retailers – companies that had little incentive, never mind training, to position Apple’s products as anything unique. “It was like, ‘We have to do something, or we’re going to be a victim of the plate tectonics. And we have to think different about this. We have to innovate here.’”
The leap into retail, though, would be from a standing start. “We looked at it and said, ‘You know, this is probably really hard, and really easy for us to get our head handed to us.’ So we did a few things. No. 1, I started asking who was the best retail executive at the time. Everybody said Mickey Drexler, who was running the Gap.” Drexler agreed to join Apple’s board. Next, Jobs went looking for the one right person to run Apple retail. The answer was Ron Johnson, then a merchandising chief at Target who was pushing that company’s hugely successful foray into affordable design.
Humor The Onion writes Apple Unveils New Product Unveiling Product
Wednesday, March 7th, 2007At a highly anticipated media event Tuesday at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs introduced a new Apple product he said would “revolutionize” the process of unveiling new products throughout the world.
“In 1984, Apple introduced the Mac,” Jobs said to an overflowing crowd as an image of the first Macintosh computer was displayed on a giant screen behind him. “We changed the face of the music industry with the first iPod in 2001. And in January, we showed off the revolutionary new iPhone. Today, Apple is releasing a piece of innovative new technology that will forever change the way innovative new technology is released.” The Onion
Apple iTunes is showing love for indie movies
Friday, March 2nd, 2007Apple has added movies from two indipendent companies. Apple has not yet commented on the release of indie content in iTunes. The snowboarding movie “That” from Forum Snowboards and movies from Studio 411 are available now. While these independant films seem to focums on sporting themes, other indie producers are sure to dying to get their films on iTunes. Anyone still has the capability to release video content for free via podcasts in iTunes. This does not allow them to charge for the content if its in the podcast section. “That” is currently being sold for $1.99 while other movies in this section are selling for Apples standard $9.99 movie pricing. Variety
Multiple patents from Microsoft point to a Zune Phone
Friday, March 2nd, 2007
zune phoneMicrosoft has been dening the existence of a ZunePhone, but the buzz is that the phone will be launched some time this year. And if you take all the patents Microsoft’s filed lately and look at them through a ZunePhone lens, you’ll see that there’s even more evidence to prove that it’s coming.
Among the patents that Mad4Mobiles found are speech enhancement/filtering, an on-screen keyboard, capacitance touch slider, contact display, health monitoring, clamshell form factor, and remote control of playback on a remote device.
Music From All EA Games available on iTunes
Friday, March 2nd, 2007Electronics arts puts some of the best sounding music in their games, which will now be available on iTunes. Music from games like Madden NFL, Burnout, Need for Speed and many others will be available. Every song that can be heard in these games can now be purchased via iTunes as well as exclusive mixes. EA Music
TomTom DUO to have iPod integration
Thursday, March 1st, 2007
TomTom is clearly the leading GPS device. Electronista is reporting a FCC filing revealing the TomTom DUO, a “handheld [that] would have support for a unique USB docking station in the style of a car stereo’s faceplate, allowing direct control of iPods.” The DUO will also offer Bluetooth and FM transmitter. The device is expected to be officially revealed at CeBIT expo in Germany next month.