2009年3月31日星期二

Sony and Thinker Inc. Collaborate with Mars Snackfood U.S. to Roll Out Digital Signage Applications

"By leveraging FeliCa technology in a trade show digital signage application, we are able to enrich the user experience with client centric multiple migration paths to data of interest presented in a visually dynamic way," said Denise Mraz, president of Thinker Inc. "Our EventACCESS connects any registration and lead retrieval to FeliCa-enabled digital signage, messaging and reporting, and phase II will extend to the complete product offering and in several languages."
The chip combines processing, storage and communication functions, and can be implemented in a variety of form factors like cards, key chains and mobile phones. Deployed in Asia for more than ten years,
Sony VGP-BPL2A FeliCa technology has formed the basis for transportation access and merchant communities where customers can easily and rapidly purchase goods and services.
Mars Snackfood U.S. is the United States snack operations of Mars North America. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the United States, Mars North America includes food, snack and pet care segments, which are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Mount Olive, N.J., Mars North America employs more than 12,000 associates in the United States, with 54 facilities nationwide. Mars Snackfood U.S., headquartered in Hackettstown, N.J., includes some of the world's favorite brands such as DOVE Brand Chocolate, M&M'S Brand, MILKY WAY Brand, SNICKERS Brand, 3 MUSKETEERS Brand, TWIXBrand and more. Additional popular brands in the petcare and food segments for Mars North America include UNCLE BEN'S Brand, PEDIGREE Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS Brand Food for Cats.
LAS VEGAS, March 30, 2009 Sony VGP-BPL2C Electronics and Thinker Inc., an authorized FeliCa technology deployment channel partner, today announced that Mars Snackfood U.S. has joined the two companies in the development and implementation of a FeliCa-based digital signage and delivery portal solution for trade shows.
The Sony VGP-BPS2C-developed FeliCa microchip provides a fast, convenient and secure all in-one solution platform for multiple applications, including electronic pre-paid transactions, access, interactive signage, and membership or loyalty rewards systems.
"Thinker's iACCESS interactive touchscreen digital media portals with intelligent navigation technology combined with Sony VGP-BPS2B FeliCa's contactless transactional capabilities can encapsulate disperse technologies and offer an integral real time user experience, while seamlessly delivering a record of that experience to the relevant distributor," said Tim Lindner, director of strategic business development for Sony VGP-BPS2A FeliCa America.
Based in Las Vegas, Thinker Inc. is an end-to-end network provider of intuitive, intelligent navigation, combining a database with real-time business logic to streamline way-finding and provide internationalized content delivery within a digital portal both onsite and online.
"A typical trade show scenario included us explaining, showing, making a lot of notes, taking surveys, sorting leads and mailing tons of literature with follow up sales calls," explained Vinnie Rinaldo, customer events director for Mars Snackfood U.S. "The MarsAllACCESS digital application will provide a comfortable level of immersion for trade show attendees to shop and consider information in a non-intrusive manner, and our personnel can now focus on relationship building."

2009年3月27日星期五

Apple Australia fights trademark battle over 'MacPro'

Records from intellectual property agency IP Australia reveal the history of the trademark "Macpro". Apple had attempted to register the names "Macpro" and "Mac Pro" in May 2006, with the names covering a range of computer hardware, software and equipment such as mobile telephones, microprocessors, cables and modems.
The judge requested in a directions hearing today that information pertaining to the decision which had been made be provided to him so that he could come abreast of the main issues and decide which party was to lay their case before him first.
Apple A1078 is likely to once again argue its point that it was not responsible for the debt incurred by failed Apple A1148 reseller group, Buzzle Operations. Apple had attempted to recoup debts the company had incurred in buying supplies from Apple A1061 following its demise in 2001.
In a note to its 2008 financial statement submitted to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which showed it earned revenues of $1.6 billion from Australia, Apple acknowledged the upcoming date set for the case to be heard.
Apple had attempted to remove Wily from the liquidator role and to install KPMG — its own financial auditors — to handle the liquidation; however, in 2003 its attempt was rejected by a NSW Supreme Court judge, according to a report by IT channel publication, Australian Reseller News.
Although Macpro Computers had not filed a request to trademark Macpro, it claimed entitlement to it, since it had been actively using it as a trading for a lengthy period. The company was founded in 1983.
Apple filed an appeal in the Federal Court on 4 March of this year after a decision was met by IP Australia on Apple's application to the Macpro trademark which allowed Apple A1185 to use the trademark for some goods and services, but not all which it had requested.
Apple versus Buzzle, Wily In a separate, long-running legal battle, Apple Australia will shortly resume its fight against former reseller Buzzle Operations and its liquidator Andrew Wily. The court date for the hearing at the NSW Supreme Court is set for 27 April.
Wily and Buzzle Operations, which is still in liquidation, had served Apple with a statement of claim "alleging certain amounts are due to Buzzle by virtue of insolvent trading, voidable transactions and related party unfair preference", Apple A1008 Australia reported. The document also revealed that Wily and Buzzle Operations hope to recover $46.6 million from the iconic computer maker, plus damages, interests and legal costs.
Apple's Australian division is currently fighting legal action on two fronts, it was revealed today, with one Federal Court trademark action and a separate case resuming next month against its former reseller, Buzzle Operations.
By March 2001, though, the reseller had gone bust, with Apple alleged to have driven the company's demise by overloading it with Apple stock. Wily, a partner at Armstrong Wily, was appointed as the liquidator in 2001.
However three months later, on August 14, Apple's claim was opposed by the Melbourne-based computer supplier when its lawyers Blake Dawson filed a notice of opposition on the company's behalf.
Buzzle Operations was comprised of seven separate retailers which banded together in 2000 following the dotcom bust to list the company on the Australian Stock Exchange, hoping to raise $100 million in capital. The group aired its plans on an ABC documentary in 2000.
On 17 August 2006, Macpro Computers lodged an application for the word Macpro for computer hardware, software and computer consultancy services. The examination of this application has been deferred.
The thrust of Buzzle and Wily's legal argument is that Apple had breached Australia's Corporations Act by selling stock to the company while allegedly knowing it was insolvent.
In Federal Court, Apple today continued fighting the first tussle, arguing for ownership over the trademark name "MacPro" with Melbourne-based computer equipment supplier Macpro Computers.
Macpro Computers staff were unwilling to discuss the matter with ZDNet.com.au while Apple Australia's spokespeople were unable to be contacted at the time of writing.
Neither Apple nor Wily responded to ZDNet.com.au's calls.

2009年3月26日星期四

Toshiba's Turn to Reshuffle at the Top

On Mar. 18, Toshiba's president, Atsutoshi Nishida, said that he would step down in June after a four-year run. Nishida will become chairman and pass the company's top executive post to Sasaki, a former nuclear researcher and his hand-picked successor. Nishida said he offered the job to Sasaki, a senior vice-president, two weeks ago. "For a moment, I was hesitant," the 59-year-old Sasaki told a packed conference room at Toshiba's Tokyo headquarters. "There's a huge amount of pressure involved in taking over during this very tough period."Analysts have expressed worries about the company's balance sheet. That's been a recurring theme sinceToshiba Satellite P30 Series bought a controlling stake in Westinghouse from British Nuclear Fuels in late 2006. In a report earlier this month, Goldman Sachs (GS) noted that Toshiba won't likely have trouble finding short-term financing, but it will need to raise cash and lower its debt soon. Toshiba says it's counting on earnings improvements for help in fixing its balance sheet. "We think Toshiba urgently needs to strengthen its finances," wrote Goldman analyst Ikuo Matsuhashi.
Nishida said he regretted that the global financial crisis had derailed his plans to stabilize Toshiba's profits. But he dismissed the notion that he was stepping aside because of the company's recent woes. "As president, I am responsible for the good and bad results of this company," Nishida told reporters. "But that responsibility had nothing to do with this change of management."Three years ago, as head of Toshiba Satellite P35 Series ' s (TSBAa.BE) power business, Norio Sasaki orchestrated the tech conglomerate's $5.4 billion acquisition of Westinghouse's nuclear-power-plant business. Now, as Sasaki prepares to take over the president's post, he will have to show the same willingness to take chances as he tries to help overhaul the company after its biggest-ever expected annual loss.Toshiba Satellite P305 Series is the latest Japanese tech company to reshuffle its top management in an attempt to regain profitability. Earlier this week, Hitachi (HT.BE) replaced its top brass with a more seasoned group of executives to try to pull the company from a nearly $8 billion loss predicted for this fiscal year. Last month, Sony (SNE) CEO Howard Stringer picked a younger team of executives to lead an overhaul of the tech giant's core electronics business and catch up to more nimble software-savvy companies like Apple (APPL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Microsoft (MSFT), and Nintendo (NTDOY.BE).
You can't blame Sasaki. He inherits the task of turning around a $68 billion tech behemoth that makes everything from memory chips, mobile phones, and refrigerators to nuclear reactors, medical CT scan machines, and elevators. In January,Toshiba Satellite R10 announced a plan to cut costs by 15%, lay off 4,500 temp workers in Japan, and move chip production to countries where labor costs are lower.Sasaki's selection highlights the ascendancy of the company's power and infrastructure division, which he has led. The unit is the company's second-largest, behind electronics, and it's diverse: It has technology for nuclear and thermal reactors, mobile-phone base stations, electrical transformers, and CT scan equipment. In the first nine months of the fiscal year, the unit accounted for a third of overall revenues and was alone among business units in posting an operating profit. In the past decade, electronics and NAND flash memory chips have driven Toshiba's growth, but those units have lost their sparkle. The power and infrastructure unit's strong results will likely buy Sasaki's new team some time as they figure out how to revamp the electronics and semiconductor divisionsneeded soon: more cash, less debtLike many of Japan's tech manufacturers, Toshiba Satellite R15 got blindsided by a strong yen and a sharp slowdown in demand for consumer electronics and tech parts worldwide. In January, the company lowered its annual earnings forecast to a net loss of 280 billion yen ($2.84 billion) for the fiscal year through Mar. 31 from its previous prediction of a profit of 70 billion yen. The loss would be its largest since Toshiba began releasing earnings six decades ago. (Recent news reports have suggested Toshiba could record an operating profit; the company has said the reports aren't "based on any announcement by Toshiba.")

2009年3月25日星期三

Battery adds depth

"Both players will add experience and depth to our roster," said Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser.
"Matt has been a solid defender in our league for a long time and knows the league as well as any player out there," Anhaeuser said. "Matt's big and he's physical, and in this league you need a player like that in the middle. He versatile and he still has the pace to play outside if needed."
"Yoshi will bring an attacking flair and some excitement to our wings," Anhaeuser said. "He has some crafty dribbling ability that should cause some problems for opposing teams."
The Charleston Acer Aspire One Series Battery signed veteran defender Matt Bobo and Japanese midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake for the upcoming USL First Division season.
A veteran defender, Bobo, 31, played 79 games for the Silverbacks, recording two goals and two assists. Prior to Atlanta, Bobo played with the Richmond Kickers and the Milwaukee Wave United, where he was a member of the championship team in 2002.
Reach Andrew Miller at and check out the Sony VGP-BPS2A Battery blog 'Sony VGP-BPS2C Battery Shots' at
A native of Mie Prefecture, Japan, Yoshitake comes to the Sony VGP-BPS5 Battery after spending the last two seasons with the Tokyo Verdy 1969.
Bobo has spent the last three years with the Atlanta Silverbacks, while Yoshitake comes to the Sony VGP-BPS3 Battery from the Japanese club Tokyo Verdy 1969.
Prior to joining Tokyo Verdy 1969, Yoshitake played for Yokohama FC from 2000-06. Yoshitake's career J-League totals include 150 games played with 15 goals and 10 assists.

2009年3月23日星期一

Engineers Double Life of Alkaline Batteries Longer-Lasting Battery

But now, engineers are unveiling a new battery -- called Oxyride -- that boasts almost double the power and life of regular batteries.

"If something lasted twice as long, that maybe means I'll have half as many worries," Stein says. And for him, using it may mean not missing any more great shots.

A Dell Latitude D630 battery continually produces new electrons at the negative terminal from a series of chemical reactions. So the battery essentially acts like a pump, pulling electrons from the negative end of the conducting wire and pushing them into the positive end. A battery only holds a certain amount of reactants, and once those are used up, there can be no more chemical reactions, and the battery is dead.

"If you use this battery in a digital still camera, you'll receive -- minimum -- twice as many photos as compared to alkaline batteries," Brian Kimberlin, of Panasonic Battery Group in Secaucus, N.J., tells DBIS.

BACKGROUND: Matsushita Electric Industrial has developed a battery that delivers 1.5 times the power of a regular alkaline Dell Inspiron 1520 battery, and is cheaper than the lithium batteries used in many electronics devices.

Using a finer, more concentrated material inside the battery, engineers have developed a way to fit more electrolyte -- a key ingredient for carrying electricity -- into the same size battery cell. The new battery is packed with more power and longer life.

By packing Dell Inspiron 6400 batteries with twice as much energy-storing material, engineers have developed a new generation of alkaline batteries that can double the battery life of your MP3 players, digital cameras, and other gadgets. The new batteries also produce a higher voltage -- so flashlights shine brighter, and camera flashes recover quicker.

HOW IT WORKS: Any battery converts chemical energy into electricity. There are two ends, called terminals: one is positively charged, while the other is negatively charged. Opposite charges attract. So when these two ends are connected by a metallic wire, electrons will flow from the negatively charged terminal to the positively charged one. This flow makes an electric current in the wire. The current can be used for power, simply by attaching a light bulb, for example.

We live in a digital world, relying on IBM ThinkPad Z60t batteries to power everything from laptops to digital cameras and MP3. Standard batteries drain under the strain. Now engineers have developed a longer-lasting battery just for these digital demands.

The Oxyride battery is also ideal for music players and digital games. It hits the shelves this summer, but will cost about 20 percent more than regular alkaline batteries.

ADVANTAGES: The voltage of a battery varies depending on the kinds of metals and chemicals used. Duracell and Energizer brands use alkaline combined with zinc and manganese oxide. Laptop computers and cell phones use lithium-ion HP Pavilion dv2000 batteries. Oxyride batteries maintain higher voltage and output longer because they use oxy-nickel hydride, along with finer grain graphite and manganese dioxide. The company has figured out how to blend these ingredients so more can be stuffed inside a battery. An Oxyride-powered digital camera, for example, can take twice as many pictures as one powered by a standard lithium battery.

Ben Stein likes catching picture-perfect moments on his digital camera but has one big frustration. "The battery life is not reliable," he says. "I never know when it's going to die."

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

The new battery also produces a higher voltage. With it, flashlights shine brighter, and camera flashes recover quicker.

Kimberlin says, "We're putting a little more juice in the battery, and the components are stronger and better."