Microsoft Announces Pricing for Windows 7 Family Pack
July 31, 2009 by Doug
Filed under PC Software, Software
Microsoft announced the “family pack” option for Windows today, which will allow users to upgrade three PCs to the Home Premium edition of the operating system for $149. MS reinterated the upgrade from XP or Vista to Home Premium for individual users will be $119.
MS also announced the Microsoft Anytime Upgrade option. Anytime allows users to move from one version of Windows 7 to another for a discounted price. Moving from Windows 7 Starter to Home Premium will run you $79.99, while the move from Home Premium to Professional will be $89.99. And for those of you that want it all, the move from Windows 7 Professional to Ultimate will cost $139.99.
Twitter Gets Most Email Marketing Links
July 31, 2009 by Laura
Filed under News, News/Events
Email Data Source has announced that Twitter has officially become the most linked to social media outlet in email marketing campaigns.
“In the data Email Data Source has been tracking, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of email marketing campaigns that contain links to Facebook and Twitter,” said Bill McCloskey, chairman and co-founder of Email Data Source. “In fact, starting in 2009 twitter.com and facebook.com have become the two most prominent linked to sites in all of email marketing.”
To date in 2009 the number of campaigns with Twitter links has grown to 41,399 and 41,052 for Facebook. Twitter officially passed Facebook and became the most linked to social media outlet in March of 2009. During March, Email Data Source recorded 4,408 email campaigns which linked to Twitter and 4,292 email campaigns with links to Facebook.
Since March, Twitter has continued to dominate the email marketplace by being the most prominently linked to website, and the gap between Twitter and Facebook has grown. In June, Twitter was linked to in 9,506 campaigns and Facebook was linked to in 8,636 campaigns.
The first email campaign with a link to twitter.com tracked by Email Data Source was in 2007, and for all of 2007, there were a total of 215 email marketing campaigns that linked to the site. During that same year, there were 729 campaigns that linked to Facebook. In 2008, the number of campaigns containing Twitter links grew by 1081% (to 2,540 campaigns) and 1635% (to 12,650 campaigns) for Facebook.
For more information, including which companies use links to Facebook and Twitter, visit the Email Data Source blog at http://blog.emaildatasource.com.
Apple Releases iPhone OS 3.0.1-Security Patch for SMS
July 31, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
Apple has today released iPhone firmware v3.0.1, following reports at the Black Hat conference of a security issue involving SMS messaging. The bug allows maliciously-crafted text messages to remotely disable or control an iPhone, enabling a hacker to execute code without alerting the owner.
The firmware update can be downloaded through iTunes via the “Check for Update” button.
GameStop and Real Partner on Casual Digital Store
July 31, 2009 by Doug
Filed under PC Games, Video Games
GameStop has announced the launch of GameStop’s Casual Digital Store at www.gamestop.com/casual.
The GameStop Digital Store is powered by RealNetworks. Casual customers will be treated to money-saving offers, free trials and streamlined search and checkout capability. To help kick-off the new Digital Store, customers can receive 50-percent off select casual games for a limited time. In addition, the store also features the new “Casual Lounge,” which is a way for gamers to connect with GameStop’s experts and make more informed decisions through editorials describing new releases.
“As the leading video game and entertainment software retailer, we continuously look for ways to bring our passion for gaming to the customer visiting us online,” said Tony Bartel, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing. “The new Casual Digital Store accomplishes this goal by appealing to an ever-expanding customer demographic looking for value in addition to trusted guidance to ensure they receive the best gaming experience possible.”
Bartel said customers will continue to have the ability to download core PC games coupled with the new ability to pre-order select PC game titles to guarantee they will be among the first to receive them. The first titles available for digital pre-order include: Section 8 from SouthPeak Interactive; Dragon Age from Electronic Arts; and Red Faction Guerrilla from THQ.
New Content for Mir II
July 30, 2009 by Laura
Filed under PC Games, Video Games
Gamepot today revealed a massive new content update for Mir II: The Legend Continues (Mir II), its free-to-play, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The fresh assortment of content includes 16 new diverse maps, 15 challenging never-before-seen bosses, and several new unique items in the Cash Shop; add all of this to the game’s existing 400 monsters, 500 maps and four diverse clans, and players are in for a hefty content treat. The update goes live in conjunction with a newly redesigned Mir II website and forums.
“We’re extremely proud of the loyal community Mir II inspires and we take their feedback to heart,” said Thomas Lee, senior director of marketing and business development, Gamepot USA, Inc. “The new bevy of additions to the game and the website promise enhanced gameplay we’re sure will thrill existing members and newcomers alike.”
Mir II is a 2D, top-down game combining player versus player (PvP) and player versus environment (PvE) combat. The story centers on an epic war between the two monster tribes of the land, the Oma and the Neru, and the four groups of heroes that defend it. Players can choose from any of these four classes – Assassins, stealth attackers with magic attacks; Taoists, mentally disciplined martial artists; Wizards, mages with an arsenal of spells at their disposal; and Warriors, fighters with admirable strength and stamina – when creating their characters. Like any classic MMORPG, players develop their character’s skills and abilities by battling monsters, story-based quests and teaming up with friends for dungeon adventures. This retro style of gameplay is combined with a robust array of social features to keep Mir II at the cutting edge.
Gamepot is devoted to monthly content updates for Mir II, which gives players an ever-expanding world to explore. Gamers can also look forward to monthly events, both in-game and on the web, including fan art competitions, costume contests, tournaments and more. For additional information or to sign up to play Mir II, please visit the new website at http://mir2.gamepotusa.com.
Klipsch Releases Image S2 Headset and Earbuds
Klipsch has announced the release of their Image S2m in-ear headset. Compatible with virtually all phones that have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, the Image S2m features a compact in-line microphone that lets you answer or end calls with the touch of a button. This button also lets you track forward and track back as well as play and pause songs on the iPod classic 120GB, iPod nano 4th generation (video), iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod shuffle 3rd generation and iPhone 3G S.
“Not only do you get our stunningly precise sound and stellar comfort with the S2m, this affordable headset simplifies busy on-the-go lifestyles—you can take calls while commuting or exercising without skipping a beat,” said Don Inmon, Klipsch director of marketing and product development for personal audio. “And with Wi-Fi access, you can even use the S2m to place free Skype calls—a really great benefit for iPhone and iPod touch users.”
Durability is a major concern when it comes to headphone and headset cables so Klipsch has gone to great lengths to ensure the S2m cables are robust as well as discreet. The company has added strain relief at every cable connection point to help prevent wire damage, while also putting them through extensive “real world” testing. And because many phones have side-mounted headphone jacks, the S2m employs a right-angled plug that swivels to avoid the damage that’s often associated with straight plug designs. It’s also a feature that lets your phone fit comfortably in your pocket.
The Image S2m utilizes the company’s exclusive oval ear tips that are designed to provide comfortable long-term wear. Unlike circular-shaped designs that put stress on the pressure points inside the ear, Klipsch’s oval ear tips naturally fit the contours of the ear canals. These ear tips also offer superior passive noise-cancellation, blocking out almost all ambient noise and providing excellent bass.
“Once you have the right fit and seal, these headsets are virtually impossible to feel,” said Mark Blanchard, senior acoustic design engineer for Klipsch and inventor of the company’s oval ear tips. “When we began studying three-dimensional ear impressions, it was discovered that nearly everyone has an oval-shaped ear canal. We couldn’t believe that no one else had yet considered the anatomical shape of the ear canal when designing in-ear headphones.”
Blanchard also mentioned that when you wear Klipsch headphones or headsets, you don’t need to turn up the volume as loud because a good seal dramatically reduces background noise—a feature that could definitely help preserve your hearing.
Available in a piano black finish, the Image S2m comes with a two-year warranty and includes a cloth carrying pouch as well as small, medium and large ear tips. Priced at $59.99 (U.S. MSRP), the S2m will be available for purchase at klipsch.com, InMotion and Amazon in August.
Klipsch is also realeasing the Image S2 headphone. The Image S2, priced at $49.99, is the company’s most affordable pair of headphones to date, with the most expensive design being $349.99. The S2 uses the same proprietary oval ear tips as its pricier predecessors, continuing the company’s extreme comfort with superior noise isolation story.
“People have less discretionary income these days. Therefore, we felt it was necessary to develop reasonably priced, high-performance headphones that go above and beyond what you’d expect from the stock earbuds that come with your MP3 player,” said Don Inmon, Klipsch director of marketing and product development for personal audio.
The Image S2 is a moving coil design with controlled damping, allowing it to deliver smooth, full-bodied sound that is similar to a balanced armature. From heart-pounding bass to spine-tingling guitar riffs, the S2 delivers strikingly realistic sound through the use of a customized 5.8 mm moving coil driver in each ear piece. According to Inmon, these drivers, which were optimized by the Klipsch engineering team, dig deep into the musical spectrum with a level of dynamic detail that many loudspeakers can’t produce.
“We’ve been in the audio business for over 60 years and are continuously finding ways to value engineer our products without compromising our audiophile heritage,” said Inmon. “And our S2 is no exception—it is a superior performer at an everyday price point.”
The Image S2 features a piano black finish and includes three different-sized oval ear tips (small, medium and large) and a cloth “Snap-tite” carrying pouch. It carries a two-year warranty and works with the iPod, iPhone and other portable devices that feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. It will be available for purchase at klipsch.com, Amazon and InMotion in August.
Apple Releases a New, Larger Time Capsule
July 30, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, Mac Hardware, Networking
Without fan fair Apple has released an upgraded Time Capsule router/drive unit. The new unit, priced at $499, now stores 2TB of information. The old top of line unit, 1TB option, has been reduced in price to $299.
Features of the combination router and network storage device are otherwise unchanged.
MetroPCS Announces Enhanced Services
July 30, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones
MetroPCS today announced the addition of new features to its existing service plans they claim will save their wireless customers even more money beginning August 1, 2009.
MetroPCS’ $40 plan will include MetroPCS Unlimited Nationwide service for talk, text and MetroWEB and its flagship $45 plan will now include unlimited email, navigation and social networking applications. MetroPCS’ $30 and $35 local unlimited plans will now include caller ID and call waiting. The $50 plan continues to offer smartphone customers complete HTML Web browsing and enterprise wireless email, at significantly less cost compared to other carriers’ data packages. For more information on MetroPCS’ new rate plans and features, please go to www.metropcs.com.
“We continue to be the leader in providing affordable, and now more valuable, unlimited wireless service. The natural evolution of the wireless industry is to provide more value for less money,” said Roger D. Linquist, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of MetroPCS. “Our $45 flagship plan will give customers exactly what they are looking for – an incredible number of valuable features for virtually half the price of post-paid national wireless carriers.”
Smartphone Growth Encouraging, Yet Cell Growth Will Shrink in 2009
July 30, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones, News, News/Events
The worldwide mobile phone market recorded another quarter of year-over-year decline in the second quarter of 2009 (2Q09) per IDC.
According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, handset vendors shipped a total of 269.6 million units worldwide, down 10.8% from 302.2 million units in 2Q08. The second quarter results are an improvement from the 17.2% decrease seen during 1Q09, but ongoing challenges stemming from the economic crisis remain a factor to watch.
“The challenges from the previous nine months – aggressive channel destocking, foreign exchange volatility, and uncertain demand – continued to plague the mobile phone market in the second quarter, but were not as severe as before,” says Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team. “Those vendors who were able to adjust quickly were rewarded with greater shipment volumes. Although this tested the handset vendors’ abilities to hit a moving target, customers reaped the benefits of lower-costs, even on key high-end devices.”
For the full year, IDC believes that the market will decline 13%, with the market outlook for 2009 remaining relatively consistent among the top vendors. The small signs of improvement were centered around consumer demand for high-end handsets and the manufacturers’ ability to shift portfolio to meet these needs.
“Among the big handset vendors, Nokia, Samsung, Research In Motion, and Apple, all beat expectations for smartphones within the second quarter,” said Ryan Reith, senior research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. “This demand for high-end mobile phones has created a price war among large mobile operators and handset vendors. Apple’s price cut on the iPhone 3G reflects a trend we expect to continue in the upcoming quarters, and one that will effectively maintain competitive pricing within mature markets.”
Apple’s MobileMe iDisk App For IPhone Ships
July 29, 2009 by Doug
Filed under Applications, Cell Phones
Apple’s MobileMe iDisk application for iPhone, which has been been a promised feature since Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in early June, is now available for download from the App Store. The application allows MobileMe members to easily browse and view files stored on their iDisk, Quickly access recently viewed files, access public folders and share files with others via integrated e-mail links.
While your iPhone or iPod Touch can now more easily view supported file types- iWork, Office, PDF, QuickTime stored on your iDisk- files over 20MB may not be viewable.
The app is free and Apple has posted a video overview of the new MobileMe iDisk application.