Avanquest will extend its iPod-related software with release this week of iGadget ($29.95), a synchronization title enabling transfer of data and music between the digital audio player and a Macintosh PC. IGadget, plus 6 titles unveiled in Jan., including PodMediaCreator, DVD2Pod and PodPresenter, will be packaged in a freestanding display at OfficeMax in June-July as the retailer replaces some iPod accessories with related software, said Avanquest Publishing USA CEO Christina Seelye. Other retailers carrying the titles to varying degree include CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, Micro Center, Office Depot and Staples. One retailer Avanquest hasn’t landed is Apple itself. “Apple feels their stores exist to drive hardware sales of Apple products,” Seelye said. “Software as an accessory doesn’t necessarily drive more hardware sales. So they're not interested in devoting a significant amount of space to that segment. Apple will carry software if they find something they really need to have.” So far, the line’s top sellers have been DVD2Pod, designed for use with video iPods, and powerpoint- related Podpresenter, while content-related titles like iPocketBible were slower starters, Seelye said. Avanquest postponed delivery of other content-related titles after iPocketBible’s initial reception. “It could be that people just aren’t ready to have their iPod be a content provider for them yet,” Seelye said: “Maybe with iGadget, where you're actually getting content on your iPod and using it, people will get more comfortable in using it more for that purpose.” With release of Purple Ghost Software’s iGadget, Avanquest continues promotions that include offers of free software with iPod purchases or a second title free with a purchase. Fall promotions will extend the free software offer to purchases of speakers, cables and other iPod accessories, Seelye said. Meanwhile, Avanquest has brought its Bluesquad USA software download service on line. Bluesquad is based on BlitzBox, a German online service developed by Magnaways, which Avanquest purchased last year. Bluesquad features 250 titles from 100 developers priced $9.95-$99.95 with a heavy emphasis on utilities. Among possible Bluesquad promotions: is a gift card program, perhaps in place by fall, offering $20 in downloads, Seelye said. Avanquest’s push at retail comes as some retailers scale back on software to focus on larger publishers. Office superstores, for example, have cut space for software 20%, Seelye said. Avanquest markets about 350 titles from 150 developers. MS
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a June 2006 update on ACE e-Manifest: Truck which states that it will soon be mandatory for all carriers to file their manifest electronically to comply with the Trade Act of 2002's mandatory advance cargo (manifest) information requirements.
Bipartisan innovation legislation “will probably come through by the end of this Congress,” Digital Promise Project Exec. Dir. Anne Murphy said at a Capitol Hill briefing Tues. Enhanced R&D for high-tech teaching and training tools are an essential investment in maintaining America’s innovative potential and competitive edge, officials said. Sen. Dodd (D-Conn.) sponsored his chamber’s bill to establish a Digital Opportunity Investment Trust (DOIT) (S-1023). Rep. Regula (R-O.) sponsored the House version (HR-2512). Both bills await committee action, Murphy said.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)
The ongoing Qualcomm-Nokia battle is mostly saber- rattling by the handset maker over the extent of Qualcomm CDMA technology rights, industry players said. Qualcomm seems likely to benefit most from the dispute but the conflict could indicate shift in the manufacturing sector, they said. Nokia, not surprisingly, disagreed about Qualcomm’s chances.
Almost 69% of teens said if they had no Internet access outside school it would mean having a worse day, according to a Burst Media survey. About 37% of teens who go online from home, friend’ homes, libraries and other locations outside of school, say they spend 3 or more hours a day on the Internet. More than a quarter, (25.1%) said they spend one or 2 hours online, and 19.6% said they spend less than an hour a day online outside school. Respondents were asked what they're doing offline while online. Homework was cited by 48.9%. Other activities: Watching TV 33.8%), listening to the radio (21.4%), watching music videos (21.2%), sending text messages by cellphone (20.1%), talking on a cellphone (19%), talking on a land line (16.3%) and watching sports on TV (11.8%). Three of 5 respondents have visited a social networking website. Of those, 60.7% joined the site and created a profile. Half (49.3%) play online games and 47.1% download music. About 39% download video clips online.
On June 7, 2006 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources confirmed that the implementation of its Phase Four Enforcement policy is still scheduled for June 15, 2006. CBP has previously stated that it is implementing "Phase Four" enforcement guidelines for the 2002 Trade Act's mandatory advance cargo (manifest) information requirements for truck carriers.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a proposed rule to revise and update its regulations in 50 CFR Parts 10, 13, 17, and 23 that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
ORLANDO -- Sony’s LCoS-based SXRD technology occupies the high end of the firm’s TV line, but the goal is to migrate it to core rear projection TVs, sometimes substituting SXRD for LCDs, Sander Phipps, Sony’s display systems product mgr., told us at the Projection Summit here.
Government Telecommunications Inc. (GTI) is 1 of 2 firms to land a multiple-award, multiyear contract from the DoJ, it said. GTI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Applied Digital, got deals for telecom gear and services for 260-plus U.S. Attorney’s offices in every state and U.S. territory. An aggregate ceiling of $50 million on spending is specified for both contract recipients.