Hot off the Word Processor!
Some Interesting new products Hit the Market. Or, "Hype - We've got Hype..." (note: most of these items are taken from company press releases or culled from other, similar sources. They're published for your information only and the claims are those of the manufacturers or their hypemeisters, not TechnoFILE - though we do manage to slip in the occasional snide remark - editor)
Future Shop Launches new ConnectPro Service
SIM2 expands leadership in the 1080p one-chip DLP market with the Grand Cinema HT3000 Series.
Sonance Introduces Extraordinarily Versatile Compact Amplifier
JL Audio and Hard Rock Park create a new ride experience.
SIRIUS Canada Exceeds 750,000 Subscribers
Meridian Amps Up Luxury Appeal
Adobe Releases Three New Public Betas
Future Shop Launches new ConnectPro Service
New ConnectPro Installation and Repair Services Helps Connect Technology Easily
(Burnaby, BC) July 15, 2008 - Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, is creating the ultimate service experience by helping connect people with technology with little effort. On July 18, 2008, Future Shop will launch its new ‘ConnectPro’ service, allowing Canadians the opportunity to work with experts to custom design and perfectly install their home theatre, computer service and car audio.
“When you buy a home theatre system or a computer, you not only want it to blend into the décor of your home but more importantly want all elements to performing correctly. That’s where our professional installation ConnectPro expert teams come in to help optimize your electronics and entertainment systems,” said Mike Chuback, Vice President Services and Retail Training, Future Shop. “Our customers are asking for help connecting their technology and want it to be easy.”
46 per cent of Canadians consider technology to be an important in home décor
The challenge with technology for today’s homeowners is really determining how important it is to your décor and how comfortable you are in installing it. In fact, a recent survey* commissioned by Future Shop, and conducted by AskingCanadians.com, indicated that 46 per cent of Canadians consider technology to be an important component of home décor. This survey also indicated that the biggest challenge Canadians face when installing their own technology is time constraints at 43 per cent followed by lack of skills at 41 per cent.
From HD set up and gaming to even more complex set ups such as connecting a computer from another room to the home theatre system, the Future Shop ConnectPro experts will synch them up seamlessly. While aesthetics plays a key role, it’s also important to ensure the system works perfectly with all its components - surround sound, in wall or ceiling speakers and mounting flat screens at the optimal height.
Connecting families
Technology has now become the social foundation of families, couples and singles alike. In today’s constantly connected life, families are learning to use technology to get closer and remain active. Whether it’s playing games, watching movies or listening to music, seize the moment and let technology not be something to stress about, but instead, be something that brings you together.
ConnectPro at Future Shop
Future Shop’s ConnectPro proudly believes in delivering professional service experience to every customer. ConnectPro experts help connect technology with Home Theatre Installation, Computer Services such as set up, network customization, repairs, and Car Audio Services. Future Shop’s ConnectPro expert teams are thoroughly trained with certification programs, training in customer service and product connectivity to deliver a first-class experience. Appointments can be booked in-store or by calling 1-866-4CONNECT. For more information on ConnectPro visit, www.futureshop.ca/connectpro (as of July 18).
About Future Shop
With 133 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells and host an online community forum for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshopforums.ca). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics (see www.futureshop.ca/green) and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profits organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/community).
SIM2 expands leadership in the 1080p one-chip DLP market with the Grand Cinema HT3000 Series
The Grand Cinema HT3000E projector completes first successful year in the Home Theater market
Pordenone, Italy – April 2008 – Building on its tradition of quality and innovation, SIM2 Multimedia, the leading manufacturer of home theatre projectors, has reinforced its leadership in the high-end 1080p single-chip projector market thanks to the very successful Grand Cinema HT3000E projector.
Since its introduction, the Grand Cinema™ HT3000 series has been met with positive customer reactions and has received many rave reviews by some of the most respected journalists in the industry.
"I'm impressed not only by its picture, but by the entire package, from the slick industrial design to the thoughtful setup and adjustment features. If you're planning a serious 1080p home theater and cost is no object, you owe it to yourself to check out the SIM2 HT3000," says Sound and Vision magazine (USA).
“Its superlative images rival those of many a three-chip DLP for colour realism, brightness and contrast. A landmark performer in every sense” says UK’s What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine.
Also, The Grand Cinema HT3000 projector made an impressive appearance on the “Something For The Weekend” TV show (UK); The presenters commented: "...it really is a most amazing picture...the ultimate boy's toy, it looks great, the picture quality is great... excellent!”
Home Cinema Choice magazine (UK) writes, " Superb all-round performance; easy to set up; runs quietly…” and grants the HT3000 the Reference Status and Best Buy Award.
The ‘full’ High Definition HT3000E sets the standard for 1080p single chip DLP projectors. It features Texas Instruments’ ingenious BrilliantColor™ technology and the equally impressive Unishape™ lamp technology. And thanks to its use of 10-bit video processing it is capable of displaying an astonishing one billion colors. The design utilizes the latest DLP® chipset from Texas Instruments, the high-spec 0.95 1080p DMD, this is partnered with the company’s proprietary ALPHAPATH™ light engine to create images of exceptional clarity on-screen.
For more information visit: www.SIM2USA.com
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing:
$17,495 with T1 lens
$18,495 with T2 lens
About SIM2 Multimedia
SIM2 Multimedia is the worldwide leading manufacturer of award winning home theater products and leading provider of high-end large screen systems (for control rooms, information, communication, and simulation) and professional projection systems for E–cinema applications. Over the years, SIM2 has gained in reputation meeting the industry's demands for new emerging technologies, offering high-quality and reliable products with the very latest performances. Products are designed and manufactured in Italy. The company has a world-oriented marketing policy with a direct presence in Italy (headquarters), Germany, UK, China, and USA (sister companies) and in over 45 countries worldwide through qualified distributors.
Sonance Introduces Extraordinarily Versatile Compact Amplifier
Advanced Digital Technology and Unique Adaptability Highlight Tiny Design
San Clemente, CA-June 19, 2008-Sonance, the originator of architectural in-wall loudspeakers and the market leader in numerous custom-installation products, has introduced the new Sonamp ASAP3D SE power amplifier which answers a multitude of integration challenges with unparalleled performance and efficiency.
The ASAP3D SE combines high-performance stereo power with signal-switching and control facilities that set a new standard for system versatility. The amplifier is designed to automatically switch a pair of loudspeakers between two different input sources, such as a whole-house audio system and a TV or iPort™ music system for the Apple iPod® which gives designers and installers unprecedented flexibility in system conception and layout. The ASAP3D SE automatically overrides a whole-house system whenever the local source is turned on, using one of several different trigger-and-sensing methods. But while this is the most common scenario it is far from the being the only one: the application possibilities in sophisticated multiroom and media systems are unlimited.
The Sonamp ASAP3D SE exploits IcePower® digital-amplifier technology, the most efficient and advanced power amplifier topology ever developed, to deliver 25 watts per channel to 8Ω loads, and an even more impressive 50W into 4Ω-both full-band (20Hz-20kHz), at less than 0.25% THD. IcePower delivers truly high-end listening quality as well as significant energy savings over conventional amplifier designs, and produces very little waste heat, an important but oft-overlooked consideration in selecting a whole-house amplifier.
Along with its impressive sound quality, the new Sonance ASAP3D SE provides a variable-level mono line output, allowing simple connection of a local subwoofer with no additional component or processor, which can be a vital advantage in achieving truly high-performance sound in individual rooms or zones. Additionally, the ASAP3D SE incorporates Sonance's hallmark BBE™ Sound Enhancement audio processing, which improves musical and vocal presence and detail, especially at lower listening levels-benefits that can prove particularly valuable in typical multiroom installations.
"Sonance has employed all of our extensive experience working with leading custom-installers in the development of the ASAP3SE," says Ari Supran, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Sonance. "We know better than anyone what experienced integrators need. The ASAP3D SE is engineered to be a custom installer's dream, a product that addresses a wide array of challenges, problems, and applications better than anything else on the market."
In addition to its exceptional audio performance, the ASAP3D SE features a collection of signal inputs and outputs, and control, power, and triggering options that truly set it apart. The first key to its extraordinary adaptability is its unique input facilities. There are two sets of speaker-level inputs, House, and Local, as well as line-level Local inputs. House or Local can be selected automatically by the presence of an audio signal at either Local input; by current-draw when a component (such as a television) connected to the ASAP3D's AC outlet is powered on; by a +12V trigger signal at the Sonance amp's trigger input; or via a command received by its fully integrated infrared capabilities. Consequently, the ASAP3D SE can serve a room or zone in both a whole-house and multiroom systems, and for a local source or system, such as a television or TV and DVD player pairing.
The second key is the ASAP3D SE's extensive infrared (IR) facilities. These include standard 4-IR wire input, dual mini-jack emitter outputs, and a 2-wire IR Bus connection for linking IR commands to additional ASAP3D SE's units in additional rooms or zones. IR commands can select between the House and Local inputs if desired as the only trigger method. Even better, the IR capabilities include fully variable volume control, muting, and BBE on/off, empowering the amplifier to serve a room or zone with nothing more than a local or remote source signal, for even greater flexibility in system layout. The amplifier's IR paths are fully compatible with OptiLinQ® emitters, allowing third-party control signals to pass on to intended components.
The ASAP3D SE is an ultra-compact two-channel power amplifier engineered to EIA-standard "half-rack" dimensions (9.5" W x 1.75" H x 12.5" D) and is compact enough to be comfortably hidden behind a flat-panel TV. With its unequalled combination of high-performance amplification, versatile connection and command options, and ultra-compact, scalable size, the Sonamp ASAP3D SE will truly be the Swiss Army-amp of the custom installation world. Add in its very accessible pricing, and the Sonamp ASAP3D SE is sure to be a smash hit with custom-install pros around the world.
Availability: Now
Suggested Retail Price: USD $399.00
About Sonance
Headquartered in San Clemente, California, Sonance was founded by Scott Struthers and Geoff Spencer who introduced the world's first in-wall loudspeaker system to the consumer-electronics market in 1982. With distribution in 45 countries around the world, Sonance remains at the forefront of technology by offering innovative design solutions that harmoniously blend sound with designs favored by leading custom integrators, architects, interior-design professionals, and design-conscious clients throughout the world.
About BBE Sound, Inc.
Founded in 1985, BBE Sound, Inc. develops advanced audio-enhancement technologies for the professional audio and consumer-electronics markets. The world's leading consumer-electronics manufacturers feature BBE technologies in products such as televisions, mobile electronics, telephones, automobiles, computers and personal audio systems, and they proudly feature the BBE Sound trademark, which is recognized around the world as an indicator of superior sound quality. Music and sound experts depend on BBE Sounds' advanced hardware products and High Definition Sound technology to allow their full creative and musical expression to reach the ears of their audiences. The BBE brand is synonymous with the finest in sonic accuracy and musical realism, and the prestige and distinction associated with the BBE brand has become a primary benefit that BBE licensees enjoy. Based in California, the company has offices in Japan, Korea, China and Europe. For more information about BBE Sound or BBE technologies and products, visit www.bbesound.com.
JL Audio and Hard Rock Park create a new ride experience.
Miramar, FL-June 13, 2008-Hard Rock Park, a 55 acre Rock n' Roll theme park in Myrtle Beach, SC, officially opened to the public on June 2, 2008. This brand new park features over 50 attractions for rockers of all ages, including live shows, thrilling rides, restaurants, live musical entertainment and more. The Park, which expects to draw 3 million visitors annually, turned to JL Audio in their quest to create an entirely new performance benchmark for on-board audio in four of its key attractions. The goal was to immerse riders with clean, powerful sound that would rival a live concert.
According to Andy Oxenhorn, President of JL Audio, "This has been such an exciting project because it combines great music and top-flight audio quality to energize the experience of these incredible attractions. The rides at Hard Rock Park will expose millions of music lovers to the quality of JL Audio products and will encourage them to look into our mobile, marine, and home audio products."
Three of the JL Audio-equipped attractions honor legendary rock bands: Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and The Moody Blues. A fourth ride pays homage to the "British Invasion" of the 1960's. Each attraction will thrill riders visually, viscerally and audibly, thanks to high-power JL Audio amplification and speaker systems built into the ride's vehicles.
Led Zeppelin-The Ride is Hard Rock Park's signature rollercoaster, rising 155 feet into the sky (15 stories tall) and boasting six breathtaking inversions, the largest of which is a 120-foot loop. The thrilling drops and loops are all synchronized to Led Zeppelin's classic hit "Whole Lotta Love," creating a truly revolutionary, adrenaline-pumping experience for its riders. Each train features over 2000 watts of JL Audio power driving thirty-two component speaker systems (one for each rider)! The Moody Blues Nights in White Satin-The Ride offers a mind-bending indoor journey, choreographed to a special version of the band's symphonic rock masterpiece. The music has been re-orchestrated specifically for Hard Rock Park by Justin Hayward, who originally composed the song more than 40 years ago. The ride incorporates sights, sounds, smells and tactile techniques that immerse riders of all ages. The audio portion of the multi-sensory experience is delivered by on-board JL Audio component speakers and amplifiers.
Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane"-Hard Rock Park's longest rollercoaster ride belts out the Eagles' hit "Life in The Fast Lane" during a classic "runaway mine-train" experience. Each train accommodates 24 people and features over 2000 watts of JL Audio power driving a JL Audio speaker in front of each seat to provide an amazing, immersive sound experience.
Maximum RPM!-Located in the "British Invasion" portion of the Park, this amazing attraction seats riders in Mini Coopers, each equipped with six JL Audio speakers and one 600 watt amplifier, taking them on a wild rollercoaster experience. The attraction includes an amazing Ferris-wheel-type structure that lifts the cars and riders into place for the initial drop.
Each of the four attractions will display signs with the announcement that JL Audio is the exclusive sound system of the ride.
About JL Audio (www.jlaudio.com)
Headquartered in Miramar, Florida, JL Audio is a high-end mobile, marine, and home
audio company hat has been manufacturing high-quality audio solutions for discriminating
listeners for nearly two decades where the company has earned worldwide acclaim
and achieved significant market share. JL Audio products are sold exclusively by
specialty retailers throughout the U.S.A. and distributed in fifty-eight countries
around the world. Recipient of numerous awards and accolades, JL Audio loudspeakers,
amplifiers and subwoofers have been awarded fourteen U.S. patents for innovative
audio technology.
About Hard Rock Park (www.hardrockpark.com)
HRP Myrtle Beach Operations, LLC, is designing, developing, and constructing; and
will own and operate Hard Rock Park, an approximately 55-acre rock n' roll theme
park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina under a long term license agreement with hard
Rock International. HRP Myrtle Beach Operations LLC is a Partnership between the
executive management team of Steven Goodwin, Felix Mussenden and Jon Binkowski,
who designed and developed the park's concepts and will be responsible for building
and operating the park; FHTP, LLC, a group of prominent local investors and community
leaders and a joint venture led by real estate developer Ziel Feldman and Amnon
Bar-Tur, Managing Member of SafeHarbor Holding, LLC; from New York and Africa Israel
Investment and Polar International Real Estate from Israel.
Meridian Amps Up Luxury Appeal
Meridian Audio Ltd., the British company whose uniquely stylish, technologically sophisticated audio and video designs are legendary among knowledgeable AV fans and system-designers, is taking an increasingly active role in courting the design-savvy, upscale consumer. For one example, Meridian will participate in the upcoming Digital Downtown show in New York City, an exclusive free event open to the public from June 12-14 at the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan. At Digital Downtown (Booth #166), Meridian will highlight the stunning new F80 all-in-one entertainment system engineered in cooperation with legendary automaker Ferrari. Meridian will also be informing show visitors about its more “traditional” music and audio-video system solutions.
According to Meridian America president Walter Schofield, outreach of this type is increasingly necessary thanks to his company’s unique status. “Meridian enjoys the enviable position of being perceived as both a “luxury’ brand with exceptional industrial design, and as a serious cutting-edge innovator,” said Schofield. “While in many cases these two appear mutually exclusive, they are inextricably joined at Meridian, and indeed their harmony defines our company’s very beginnings. Over the years we’ve done a great job reaching the ‘technology-first/enthusiast’ consumer; now we’re broadening our efforts to claim mind-share of the high-net worth individual focusing on the design and style side—but with an unvarying commitment to the benchmark performance standards that have been Meridian’s from the very first.”
Another important factor in Meridian’s increasing visibility as a luxury-tech brand is its recent, highly successful association with the Muse Consortium, a group of investors assembled by movie producer Arnon Milchan of Regency Ventures (Pretty Woman, L.A. Confidential and many others) that includes Swiss luxury-goods Richemont Subsidiary Columbus VC (Cartier, Panerai, Montblanc, IWC, Van Cleef & Arpels to name a few) and the principals of the Trian Fund Group and Consolidated Media Holdings. “The Muse Group provides Meridian with unparalleled expertise in establishing luxury brand awareness and building value among the very top tier of consumers, the most quality- and performance-conscious of all,” said Schofield. “Since this is precisely where Meridian thrives, the association is fostering powerful growth through new marketing initiatives, both for our core products and the newer, more broadly appealing creations like the F80.”
From the very beginning, with products like the world’s first high-end CD player, the team instantly established new standards for both visual design and audio excellence, standards that Meridian continues to advance to the present day. The new F80 encompasses 30 years of Meridian innovation representing the past, present and future. Its performance and design are second to none defining a new era for Meridian.
Meridian’s offerings also include digital theatre systems deliver breathtaking high-definition images and stunning surround-sound. The company has become a leader in the reproduction of the auditory and visual ‘clues’ that help create an image of such integrity and purity, as if you hear them through the ears of the record producer or see them through the eyes of the film director.
About Meridian
From a compact stereo system to a bespoke home theatre installation, from a complete system to individual components, award-winning Meridian systems are at home in any environment and are ideal for such varied locations as a luxury apartment, a super-yacht or even a personal jet.
Meridian is a multi-award winning company gaining much critical and industry acclaim as a world-leader in audio reproduction winning over 135 awards for 156 products/innovations to date including the coveted British Design Council Award for Outstanding British Products an unprecedented three times in addition to many other international accolades.
Founded in 1977 by audio engineer Bob Stuart and industrial designer Allen Boothroyd, Meridian Audio Limited design and manufacture from their headquarters in Huntingdon, near Cambridge. The company’s local modern production facilities are purpose-built for the manufacturing of the highest quality consumer audio and video products, distributed in 56 countries including the UK, USA, Russia, China, India, Middle-East and Japan.
For additional information on Meridian’s full line of audio and video products, visit www.meridian-audio.com.
Adobe Releases Three New Public Betas
Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Soundbooth Now Available on Adobe Labs
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 27, 2008 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today gave a sneak peek at three applications from the next release of Adobe Creative Suite, its award-winning collection of graphic design, Web development and video editing applications. The company released public beta of new versions of Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks and Adobe Soundbooth as free downloads on Adobe labs. Once downloaded and launched, the betas will be active for 48 hours after which time only Creative Suite 3 customers will have an extended ability to use the betas until the next release of Creative Suite becomes available.
The Dreamweaver beta for Web design and development, the Fireworks beta for prototyping, and the Soundbooth beta for audio creating and editing, demonstrate the direction that Adobe Creative Suite is taking with features and technologies that will simplify and streamline design and development workflows across all media. The betas also offer users the opportunity to give Adobe feedback for further product development.
"Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Soundbooth are the major applications we're unveiling as public betas before the next release of Creative Suite," said David Burkett, vice president of product management for Adobe Creative Suite. "This early release software gives our loyal customers a taste of the radical workflow enhancements that we have in store, as we redefine how designers and developers collaborate to deliver stand-out digital experiences."
"We're excited to begin formally developing within the new Creative Suite environment," said Matias Penela, director of technology for AgencyNet. "Adobe is providing the strongest and most efficient workflow to date. With a plethora of new and improved tools for each software title, our day-to-day development can be more effective and we'll be further empowered to push the boundaries of creative design and technical innovation for our clients."
The Dreamweaver public beta includes a new Related Files Toolbar and Code Navigator feature that allows users to dive deeply into complex pages that include HTML files, links to JavaScript documents and integrated XML data. Users can see related files in the Related Files Toolbar and with Code Navigator make changes to code that appears in various parts of a document just with one update. The update to Dreamweaver also features a new Live View Mode, which is based on the open source rendering engine Webkit. It enables users to see content in real-world, real-time environments without having to leave Dreamweaver to preview in a browser. This feature also gives users the ability to freeze JavaScript language to debug interactive pages as well as view and interact with Flash content.
New features in Fireworks beta include a new user interface that is now consistent with other applications within the Creative Suite making it easier for users to switch between applications that now have a universal look and feel. In addition, Fireworks beta now allows users to export design comps as high fidelity, interactive, and secure Adobe PDF documents for enhanced client communication. Fireworks beta is also now compatible with Adobe AIR, HTML, Adobe Flash and Adobe Flex Builder so users can create their design once and deploy to whichever application platform is required by clients.
The Soundbooth beta showcases a host of new features for creative professionals to complete their audio production tasks more efficiently, including the new multiple track support which allows users to edit multiple audio clips on a number of tracks, and the new ability for users to match volume levels across audio files. Also included is the capability to preview MP3 compression settings before saving them and a new speech recognition technology that lets users create transcripts of dialogue tracks quickly and search them for words and phrases within a timeline.
Availability and System Requirements
The Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Soundbooth betas, once downloaded and launched, will be active for 48 hours after which time only CS3 customers will have extended access. Using their CS3 product serial numbers, users will have the exclusive ability to unlock the betas and use them for free until the next version of Creative Suite becomes available. Beta access will give users an opportunity to deliver feedback, via Adobe Labs, for future product development. Dreamweaver and Fireworks betas run on multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista and Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later on PowerPC G5 or Intel-based Macintosh systems. The Soundbooth beta runs on all those systems except for PowerPC-based Macintosh systems. The betas can be immediately downloaded from Adobe Labs at www.labs.adobe.com .
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com .
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