Toysrus.com will start selling Video Game Enhancer (VGE) from Nuwave Technologies in time for holiday season, companies said Wed. VGE is Nuwave’s proprietary videogame console accessory that video enhancement technology company says visibly improves graphics of videogames when displayed on TV. Company says patented integrated circuit chip technology of VGE adjusts black level, chroma, clarity, intensity, luminance, noise reduction. VGE is compatible with all major consoles, including Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s systems, Sega’s Dreamcast, Sony’s PlayStation platforms. Nuwave said VGE was being sold in more than 2,300 retail locations in U.K. and U.S. including Electronics Boutique, Gamestop, J&R Music & Computer World.
InFocus reported 3rd quarter net income shrank to $2.7 million from $16.7 million year as projector maker took $6.1 million charge to cover layoffs in U.S. and Norway and merger- related expenses. Revenue slid 3% to $180.2 million.
In long-awaited comment from CD co-licensor Philips Wed., company told us music discs that impose playback restrictions in interest of copy prevention can’t be called Compact Discs without violating its trademark.
Consumer electronics industry is lightly regulated and would prefer to stay that way, although industry groups recognize some regulation is helpful. Regulatory mandates could prove greater challenge than that faced by heavily-regulated industries such as telecom, industry officials said. Phone company faces regulation from states and federal agencies such as FCC, but because of global reach of consumer electronics, industry faces regulation from agencies worldwide, EIA Senior Vp-Govt. Relations Brian Kelly said. Consumer electronics is becoming more regulated and “biggest piece is going to be the environment… as environmentalists become more active on telling manufacturers how to build machines lead-free and mercury-free,” he said. Kelly predicted World Trade Organization (WTO) eventually would take lead in environmental mandates due to pressure from European Commission, Japanese govt. and, to lesser degree, U.S. govt.
Toshiba and Matsushita will combine LCD manufacturing operations in most recent instance in wave of mergers that has roiled display business as manufacturers seek to cut costs. Toshiba will hold 60% stake in venture, Matsushita 40%. Alliance, which is scheduled to formally debut in April, extends agreement announced earlier this year under which companies were building $1 billion LCD plant in Singapore. They said they would aim for profit in fiscal year starting in April and target sales of $2.8 billion. Venture will encompass Toshiba’s low- temperature polysilicon LCD business, which recently unveiled 14.1” model as well as organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology. In addition to Singapore plant, joint venture will operate Toshiba LCD plant in Fukaya, Japan, as well as Matsushita factories in Ishikawa and Uozu. Not part of agreement are plasma display panels (PDPs), which Toshiba already sources from Matsushita for 42W and 50W models. In forging alliance, Toshiba- Matsushita joins NEC-Mitsubishi and LG Electronics-Philips in merging LCD operations in effort to better compete in price- driven market that has seen retail prices for desktop PC monitors drop below $500. NEC also sources some LCDs from Taiwan manufacturer Chi Mei Optoelectronics. Matsushita and Toshiba also established joint venture for buying parts and materials for CRT production. Company will make bow in April and will be based in Osaka, Japan. Agreement follows Matsushita’s signing in Sept. of 3-year cooperation agreement with Thomson in for CRTs.
Problems continued mounting Tues. for Sirius Satellite Radio, which announced resignation of CEO David Margolese. Meanwhile, another senior executive confirmed company would miss its Dec. commercial launch target.
Epson reduced price of its PhotoPC 3100Z digital still camera $200 to $599. Three-megapixel model incorporates company’s Print Image Matching technology that Epson said allowed user to produce “best possible prints by ensuring that digital cameras and printers work perfectly together.” Digital Print Order Format function allows photographer to “mark” images on memory card by scrolling through images on LCD panel. As photos are viewed they can be selected for printing by pressing button on camera, once for single print or multiple times for more than one. Camera and Stylus Photo 785EPX ink jet printer -- reduced last week by $50 to $199 -- were company’s first products to feature that technology.
Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Hollings (D-S.C.) would like more feedback from CE industry and other affected sectors before introducing his bill to require CE devices to include copyright protection, with technology standards mandated by govt. “The chairman wants to enter into a public dialog” with all parties, his spokesman said Tues., process that could include tentatively scheduled Oct. 25 hearing.
Retailers attending PlayDate product showcase in N.Y. expressed confidence Tues. that upcoming holiday shopping season would be strong one, helped in large part by videogame category.
Ubi Soft Entertainment will publish Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for Game Boy Color to coincide with movie’s DVD release this fall under agreement announced Tues. with Disney Interactive. In separate announcement, Ubi Soft said it would develop gaming titles for PlayStation, Game Boy Advance and GameCube based on Bear in the Big Blue House TV series under license agreement with Jim Henson Co. Ubi Soft has 4 years to develop games based on show’s characters and environments, and exclusive publishing rights for 3 years thereafter.