TWICE News

• TiVo Alliances Take Aim At Cable Services
  
  By Greg Tarr, March 2, 2009
  Alviso, Calif. — TiVo announced a pair of deals Monday aimed at bringing increased interactive functionality and cable compatibility to its next-generation HD DVR products.
  
• HP Expands Retail, Home Print
  
  By Greg Scoblete, March 2, 2009
   Las Vegas – Hewlett-Packard will seek to drive demand for its print products by linking with a number of entertainment brands to offer photo merchandise that blend an individuals photos with licensed content.
  
• PMA News: Samsung Promises Interchangeable Lens Hybrid
  
  By Greg Scoblete, March 2, 2009
  Las Vegas - Samsung promised a new "hybrid" interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C-sized image at the PMA show.
  
• Pioneer Could Re-Purpose Kuro Brand
  
  By Amy Gilroy, February 27, 2009
  Long Beach, Calif. — Pioneer Electronics USA acknowledged the difficulty of exiting the plasma TV market, and said it is looking at offering the Kuro brand in other product areas.
  
• Readies Touch Pro2 PDA Phone
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, February 27, 2009
  Bellevue, Wash. — HTC’s plans for global summertime availability of its Touch Pro2 PDA phone includes the U.S. market, a spokesman said.
  
• Nationwide Promotes Merchandising, Marketing Execs
  
  By TWICE Staff, February 27, 2009
  Winston-Salem, N.C. — Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) announced several key appointments and promotions to its merchandising and marketing departments as part of a “restructuring plan.”
  
•  Retail Stock Prices Correlate With Customer Satisfaction: Study
  
  By Alan Wolf, February 27, 2009
  Update! Ann Arbor, Mich. — Customer satisfaction can not only increase brand loyalty, it can also boost a retailer's stock price, the University of Michigan said.
  
• Cobra Reports Q4 Loss, Expects Profitability
  
  By Amy Gilroy, February 27, 2009
  Chicago — Cobra Electronics reported a $20.8 million net loss for the fourth quarter due to a write-down of $20.1 million triggered by the falling price of its stock, but said it expects to be profitable this year.
  
• Dell Profits Decline
  
  By Doug Olenick, February 27, 2009
  Round Rock, Texas — Dell reported a massive drop in net income for its fiscal year and fourth quarter, but still managed to stay in the black.
  
• Stringer Adds President’s Role
  
  By Greg Tarr, February 27, 2009
  Tokyo — Sony Friday added the role of electronics president to the responsibilities of its CEO Howard Stringer, expanding his control over the electronics business in the face of a worsening economic outlook.
  
• 'Designing Spaces' To Feature Home Theater
  
  By TWICE Staff, February 26, 2009
  Pompano Beach, Fla. — To celebrate its 100th episode, the producers of “Designing Spaces” will focus on home theater in this week’s episode.
  
• CasaTunes Expands Custom, PC-Based Multiroom Audio
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, February 26, 2009
  Ft. Collins, Colo. — CasaTools has begun shipping the $1,199-suggested CasaTunes XLe and the $2,199 CasaTunes XLe Music Server products for larger homes, multi-home dwellings and offices.
  
• New eBook Store Debuts For Phones
  
  By Amy Gilroy, February 26, 2009
  Toronto — A new digital book store that works with many leading mobile phones launched today by Indigo Books & Music, the leading bookstore in Canada.
  
• Vestalife Expands iPod-Docking Selection
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, February 26, 2009
  Studio City, Calif. — Vestalife is expanding its range of iPod-docking speakers systems to four models and adding its first two digital picture frames for Sept. 1 availability. 
  
• MERA Elects Vogel As Director
  
  By Amy Gilroy, February 26, 2009
  Oswego, N.Y. — The Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) announced the election of Barry Vogel, its current president, to the post of executive director. He replaces Jim Montoya, 64, who passed away in November
  
• Best Buy To Pick Up Circuit City Sales: NPD
  
  By Alan Wolf, February 26, 2009
  Port Washington, N.Y. — Best Buy will pick up the bulk of Circuit City’s estimated $9 billion in CE sales once the bankrupt chain shuts its doors, a report by The NPD Group suggests.
  
• Energizer Woos OEM Use Of New Zinc Air
  
  By TWICE Staff, February 26, 2009
  St. Louis —Energizer has slated a series of seminars for OEM designers to promote the use of its new Zinc Air Prismatic battery, which sports an extremely thin form factor, in future devices
  
• Sears’ Q4 Sales, Earnings Stumble
  
  By Alan Wolf, February 26, 2009
  Update! Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings said falling consumer confidence took a toll on its business in the fiscal fourth quarter, sending sales and earnings lower.
  
• CEA Washington Forum To Be Held April 21-23
  
  By TWICE Staff, February 26, 2009
  Washington — The CEA will honor Congressmen Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) during its annual Digital Patriots Awards dinner.
  
• Wilson Taps DSI For Cell-Amp Sales
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, February 26, 2009
  St. George, Utah — Wilson Electronics has expanded distribution of its in-home cellular amplifiers and antennas to include DSI, the largest national distributor of DirecTV service.