TWICE News

• New Wireless-Data Formats Debut At CTIA
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, April 3, 2007
  Orlando, Fla. — What’s next for CDMA carriers after launching CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev. A and for GSM carriers after launching HSPA (high-speed packet access)?
  
• Carriers Outline Music, Video, Data Plans
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, April 3, 2007
  Orlando, Fla. — Carriers’ priorities this year, based on announcements made at the CTIA show, include video calling, mobile TV, rollouts of high-speed data networks and taking Apple head-on in the MP3 phone category.
  
• Handsets Offer More Data Services
  
  By Joseph Palenchar, April 3, 2007
  Orlando, Fla. — Handset suppliers introduced more 3G W-CDMA phones incorporating high-speed HSDPA data technology, new smartphones and PDA phones based on the new Windows Mobile 6 OS, a palmtop Windows Vista phone, and some of the first phones that will operate in the new 1.7GHz and 2.1GHz bands set aside for cellular in the United States.
  
• Canon Tops Worldwide Digicam Market
  
  By Greg Scoblete, April 3, 2007
  Framingham, Mass — Canon retained its lead as the worldwide shipment leader in digital cameras, according to figures released by the research firm IDC.
  
• LG Mobile DTV System To Debut
  
  By Greg Tarr, April 3, 2007
  Chicago — LG’s Zenith Electronics unit and broadcast equipment manufacturer Harris have developed a system to extend over-the-air digital ATSC TV broadcasts for mobile reception.
  
• 8x8 Hits 7K Virtual Office Subs
  
  By Greg Scoblete, April 3, 2007
  Santa Clara, Calif. — VoIP provider 8x8 announced today that it had passed the 7,000 subscriber mark for its Virtual Office business phone service.
  
• Plextor Delivers USB-based HDTV Receiver
  
  by Doug Olenick, April 2, 2007
  Fremont, Calif. — Computer peripherals maker Plextor has introduced a USB-based device that can deliver over-the-air HDTV programming to any computer.
  
• Maytag Casts New ‘Ol’ Lonely’
  
  by Colleen Bohen, April 2, 2007
  Benton Harbor, Mich. — The Maytag Repairman has been recast following a nationwide search for the latest man fit to wear the blue uniform. Clay Jackson of Richmond, Va., will represent the new face of the brand, which was acquired by Whirlpool last year and, according to an announcement last fall, will be facing a series of rebranding initiatives into the next year.
  
• AQUOS Promo Targets Recycling
  
  By Greg Tarr, April 2, 2007
  Mahwah, N.J. — Sharp is using the spate of state and local TV recycling laws that are either in place or coming soon to a recycling center near you as a promotional opportunity for its big-screen AQUOS LCD TVs.
  
• Denon’s Baker To Head D&M’s Expanded Latin America Effort
  
  By TWICE Staff, April 2, 2007
  Mahwah, N.J. — D&M Holdings has selected Denon president Stephen Baker to head "a major expansion initiative" into the Latin American market.
  
• SunRocket Hits 200K Subscriber Mark
  
  by Greg Scoblete, April 2, 2007
  Vienna, Va. — VoIP provider SunRocket said today it had passed the 200,000 subscriber mark.
  
• Brightpoint Completes CellStar Acquisition
  
  By Colleen Bohen, March 30, 2007
  Plainfield, Ind. —Brightpoint has completed its previously-announced acquisition of virtually all of CellStar’s assets and liabilities related to its U.S. and Latin American businesses.
  
• SBCA Joins DTV Transition Group
  
  By Greg Tarr, March 30, 2007
  Washington — The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) said Friday that it has joined the Digital Television (DTV) Transition Coalition.
  
• CE Express Is Planning Cancer Bike Tour
  
  By Colleen Bohen, March 30, 2007
  Denver — The CE Express team of consumer electronics industry cyclists, spearheaded by CEDIA president Ken Smith, is planning its next “Tour for the Cure,” a bike tour to raise money for cancer research.
  
• Industry Searches For Profits Amidst The Pixels
  
  By Greg Scoblete, March 30, 2007
  Las Vegas — While digital print volume grows, suppliers at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) annual trade show, held here March 8-11, continued to express alarm that billions of digital images languish unprofitably on computer hard drives.
  
• Brand Source Turns Up The Heat In Cool Market
  
  By Alan Wolf, March 30, 2007
  Dallas — Brand Source/AVB, the $11 billion home products buying organization, is stepping up its advertising and marketing efforts to build brand awareness, drive traffic and increase market share amid a sluggish sales environment.
  
• Kaleidescape Wins CSS Suit
  
  By Greg Tarr, March 30, 2007
  Mountain View, Calif.— Video server manufacturer Kaleidescape, based here, has been found “in full compliance” with the DVD Copy Control Association’s (DCCA) license to the Content Scramble System (CSS).
  
• Panasonic Ads Pitch Plasma
  
  By Greg Tarr, March 30, 2007
    New York — Panasonic unveiled an expanded second-quarter advertising campaign that will use sports-centric TV spots designed to maximize the motion-resolution advantages of its plasma technology when watching action events, such as baseball games.
  
• Digital Frame Market Grew 400 Percent In 2006
  
  By Greg Scoblete, March 30, 2007
  Dallas — More than 1.7 million digital photo frames were sold in the United States in 2006, according to the research firm Parks Associates.
  
• In-Stat: 10 Million VoIP Homes
  
  By Greg Scoblete, March 30, 2007
  Scottsdale, Ariz. — More than 10 million U.S. homes have at least one active VoIP user, according to research firm In-Stat.