Electronics retailers promise more action on warranties

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's three biggest electricals retailers have promised the competition watchdog they will improve the transparency of the extended warranties market to avoid a full-blown investigation by regulators. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said on Tuesday its third study in just over a decade of the 1 billion pounds a year extended warranties market found consumers may not be ...

Online gaming firm 888's full-year revenue up 26 percent (Reuters)

Reuters - British online gaming company 888 Holdings saw its full-year revenue grow 26 percent as the number of customers gambling on its websites grew, and the company said strong current trading continues into the first quarter.

Online gaming firm 888's full-year revenue up 26 percent (Reuters)

Reuters - British online gaming company 888 Holdings saw its full-year revenue grow 26 percent as the number of customers gambling on its websites grew, and the company said strong current trading continues into the first quarter.

Facebook governance a concern for California pension fund (Reuters)

Reuters - Facebook's corporate governance rules, which give shareholders little say in how the social networking website would be run as a public company, are raising the hackles of one of the largest U.S. investors, the California State Teachers' Retirement System.

Looking for work? There may be an app for that (AP)

AP - Looking for a promising career in a lousy economy? A new study suggests you're apt to find it in apps — the services and tools built to run on smartphones, computer tablets and Facebook's online social network.

Demi Moore attending celebrity-friendly rehab (Reuters)

Reuters - Two weeks after her hospitalization after a reported night of partying, Demi Moore has been placed in celebrity-friendly rehab facility Cirque Lodge in Utah -- and she has some noteworthy company in the form of Charlie Sheen's ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, Radar Online reports.

Liquid glasses and a new smartphone app could bring perfect vision to the third world (Yahoo! News)

Yahoo! News - The need is compelling: Over 1 billion people in the third world needÂ corrective eyewear but lack access to testing and glasses. The solution is spectacularlyÂ innovative: A $2 scope attached to aÂ smartphone tests for vision defects, and a new pair of …

Look out, Netflix: Redbox teaming up with Verizon to stream movies (Yahoo! News)

Yahoo! News - It's been a rough 12 months for movie rental giantÂ Netflix. The company sharply increased rates from $8 to $15, irking customers, andÂ announced plans to split into two confusing new entities, renaming its traditional DVD-by-mail service Qwikster. Netflix ultimatelyÂ abandoned its Qwikster …

Verizon to set up streaming service with Redbox (AP)

AP - Phone company Verizon Communications Inc. will challenge Netflix and start a video streaming service this year with Redbox and its DVD rental kiosks.

Kindle-wielding Amazon dips toes into physical world (Reuters)

Reuters - Amazon.com Inc is dipping its toes into the physical world as the largest online retailer offers more products in stores that may benefit from hands-on interaction with shoppers.

Why Are Digital Cameras Disappearing? (ContributorNetwork)

ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | According to Mike Tomkins of Imaging Resource, digital camera maker Canon is in a bit of a bind. Its high-end Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are growing in popularity, but compact cameras -- the basic point-and-shoot variety -- are starting to tank except in "emerging markets." Which is code for third-world countries, where most people can't afford SLRs anyway.

Cisco seen reporting solid second quarter (Reuters)

Reuters - A year after network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc unnerved investors with yet another weak quarterly outlook the company looks set to report a stable quarter buoyed in part by improving enterprise demand in the United States.

EE Times and EDN Announce the Finalists of the 2012 UBM Electronics ACE Awards Program

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM Electronics , the daily source of essential business and technical information for the electronics industry 's decision makers, today announced the finalists ...

Just Show Me: 3 great to-do apps for your Android phone (Yahoo! News)

Yahoo! News - Welcome toÂ Just Show Me onÂ Tecca TV, where we show you tips and tricks for getting the most out of theÂ gadgets in your life. In today's episode we'll show you three great to-do apps for yourÂ Android phone. To get started, download …

Shakespeare in Bits: Hamlet leads iOS Apps of the Week (Appolicious)

Appolicious - With Super Bowl Sunday having come and gone, you won’t see any football-focused apps in this week’s top selections. Instead there’s a little something for everyone. Apps for gamers, apps for fans of classic literature and even new interactive apps that might forecast the future of media as we know it. This eclectic selection should keep you busy for while. Besides, Spring Training starts in a few weeks anyway!

The rise and fall of HTC (Appolicious)

Appolicious - HTC was one of the first developers to get aboard the Android train. When Google first launched its original operating system a few years ago, HTC were there. This weekend, we learned that HTC reported a significant loss in the final quarter of 2011 and offered guidance that things might not get any better.

Verizon-Redbox deal adds to online video choices (AP)

AP - A new Internet streaming venture built around Redbox's DVD-rental kiosks adds to a crowded field of online video-viewing services dominated by Netflix.

Mouser Electronics to Support New U.S. Anti-Counterfeit Law

DALLAS and FT. WORTH, Texas, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mouser Electronics , Inc., regarded as a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, ...

Symantec warns of mutating malware in Android Market (Appolicious)

Appolicious - The world of mobile device malware is getting a little more dangerous with the announcement from tech security company Symantec that it has discovered malware programs that mutate every time they’re downloaded.

Evi attempts to fill Siri void for non-4S users (Appolicious)

Appolicious - I opted to skip upgrading to iPhone 4S, but that decision cost me access to an app I quite liked: Siri Assistant. With Siri’s much-lauded integration into the 4S, users on aging devices might feel abandoned when it comes to artificial intelligence. Enter Evi; a 99-cent app for iPhone and iPod Touch that aims to fill the void Siri has left.

Tip for Valentine’s Day: Women Want Electronics

As sweethearts make plans for their sweeties this Valentine’s Day, they would be wise to think about buying electronics instead of traditional gifts for the women in their lives. A

PARC Continues Momentum in Printed Electronics—Creating New Partnerships and Markets

PARC, a Xerox company, today announced continued momentum in the printed and flexible electronics industry. With a strong presence at 2012FLEX and an ecosystem of clients and partners that help bridge the gaps in moving from concept to market, PARC is poised to advance novel materials, process technologies, printed building blocks, and systems.

Fresh iPhone Apps for Feb. 6: Vanity Fair Hollywood, Game Your Video, Tank Battalion Blitz, Order Up!! To Go (Appolicious)

Appolicious - It’s almost time for this year’s Academy Awards, so get primed up for your Oscar ballot with Vanity Fair Hollywood, an app full of information about the nominees so you can make informed picks. After you’re done thinking about the best in Hollywood, you can make videos of your own with effects app Game your Video. In games, we’ve got Tank Battalion Blitz, a top-down tank battling game that includes offline and online multiplayer play. After that, there’s Order Up!! To Go, a time-management restaurant game that uses gesture controls for your cooking.

The Carnage In Japan's Electronics Industry

Conserving cash that is needed to strengthen R&D and launch new products is not to be criticized. It may also be the only option given that investors are beginning to think the unthinkable about Japan's formerly world-beating electronics industry.

TiVo shares appear to be discounted: report (Reuters)

Reuters - TiVo Inc is trading at a compelling discount and could be a possible acquisition target by Microsoft or Google, Barron's financial newspaper reported on Sunday.

Carnage in Japan's Electronics Industry: Is the Unthinkable now Thinkable?

A few posts ago I wrote that ?winning? in global auto industry competition is a ?must? for Japan?s auto makers. But can Japan afford for its legendary electronics companies to lose? Alarmingly, this unthinkable thought is becoming thinkable. The real question now is whether such a disaster is inevitable.

'Proposed electronics cluster may attract Rs 500 cr investment'

The proposed electronics product and component manufacturing cluster, the first of its kind, is expected to receive an initial investment of Rs 500 crore, a top industry official said today.

THQ misses Street on weak game sales, cuts forecast (Reuters)

Reuters - THQ Inc's cut its annual earnings forecast on Thursday and told investors it would become a much smaller video game company with half the volume of sales next year.

Take-Two quarterly revenue falls on NBA video game (Reuters)

Reuters - Take-Two Interactive's third-quarter revenue missed Wall Street expectations after the video game maker sold fewer copies of its basketball video game, "NBA 2K12", than expected.

Interlink Electronics, Inc. Announces the Resignation of Steven Leone

Interlink Electronics, Inc. , announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer Steven P. Leone effective January 30, 2012.

Review: Square gets 'Final Fantasy' back on track (AP)

AP - The "Final Fantasy" franchise, now in its 25th year, has one of the most enthusiastic fan bases in all of video games. And those fans made their voices heard after the 2009 release of "Final Fantasy XIII," which jettisoned some of the series' long-standing features in exchange for a more streamlined, action-packed narrative.

Methode Electronics, Inc. and SBE, Inc. Announce Marketing and Technology Partnership

Methode Electronics, Inc. and SBE, Inc. announced today a marketing and technology partnership. As part of this agreement, SBE, Inc. will provide leading edge film capacitors with the highest performance for electric vehicle and energy conversion inverters and systems.

Viacom 1Q earnings shredded by 'Rock Band' (AP)

AP - Viacom Inc., the owner of Paramount Pictures, MTV and Comedy Central, on Thursday posted a 65 percent drop in net income for the latest quarter, as it took a charge related to the "Rock Band" series of video games.

Zynga shares soar on Facebook connection (Reuters)

Reuters - Zynga shares jumped as much as 22 percent on Thursday in the first trading session after Facebook revealed it made 12 percent of its revenue last year from the video game publisher.

Fresh iPhone Apps for Feb. 2: Spice Invaders, Ghost Trick, Awesome Land, Reckless Racing 2 (Appolicious)

Appolicious - It’s the week’s big day for games, and we’ve got quite a few great ones on offer today. Spice Invaders is a robust tower defense title with tons of content and an eight-player multiplayer mode, while Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective puts players in the role of a ghost trying to solve his own murder by manipulating objects. Awesome Land is a side-scrolling platformer that puts a leather jacket and an attitude on Mario, while Reckless Racing 2 brings some quality top-down racing action to the App Store.

Sony cuts annual digital camera, PS3 hardware forecasts (Reuters)

Reuters - Sony Corp on Thursday kept its annual LCD TV sales forecast unchanged but cut its forecasts for digital camera and PlayStation 3 hardware sales.

NASA Launches Facebook Game to Test Space Program Knowledge (Mashable)

Mashable - How much do you know about the NASA space program, Earthling?

Android gaming gets its own Humble Bundle with big savings on games (Appolicious)

Appolicious - The Humble Bundle, a charity offering pay-what-you-want video games, has made a pretty big splash in the indie PC games scene over the past few years. Now it’s making its way to Android.

Android gamer communities on the rise, attracting corporate attention (Appolicious)

Appolicious - Android game popularity may be decreasing in lieu of entertainment apps, but an emerging trend for mobile gaming communities may offer the best of both worlds. There’s growing expectations for Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE games and community to be made available on the Android platform, following in Sony’s footsteps with their cross-platform strategy for the PlayStation Network. Others are looking to Android as an extension for gaming communities, including Steam.

Gaming firms 888, Caesars extend licensing deal to U.S. (Reuters)

Reuters - 888 Holdings Plc said a unit of private equity-owned Caesars Entertainment Corp extended its UK software licensing agreement with the British online gaming company to the United States.

Triple Town developer files lawsuit against alleged App Store copycat (Appolicious)

Appolicious - When it comes to the video game world, it’s nearly impossible to discuss a game without talking about all the other titles that came before it. Every game on the market, be it store shelves or the iTunes App Store, has built off the foundations of games that have come before, and that creates a tough spot for many game developers. At what point does a game stop building off another title’s ideas or being “inspired” by another work, and start being theft of an idea?

IGT Is Betting Online Big-Time (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - Slot-machine maker International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT - News) looks poised to jump on the bandwagon of companies that are increasing their stake in online gaming. The company plans to acquire Double Down Interactive, one of the biggest virtual casino operators on Facebook.

Same Sex Romance Comes to a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Newsarama.com)

Newsarama.com - Same-sex relationships are coming to the "Star Wars" universe, courtesy of video game developer BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts' new massively multiplayer online role- playing game (or "MMORPGs" or "MMOs" for short), "Star Wars: The Old Republic," and the decision is getting people talking.

Nintendo chief promises to do Wii U launch right (AP)

AP - Nintendo's chief is determined to get right the launch of its next game machine, Wii U, set for this year's holiday shopping season, and acknowledged Friday some mistakes with selling its 3DS handheld.

Fresh iPhone Apps for Jan. 27: Frequency, Steam Mobile, RAGE HD update, Baseball Superstars 2012 (Appolicious)

Appolicious - Start your weekend with all the best videos the Internet has to offer with Frequency, an iPad app that makes finding and organizing great videos from all over the place a snap. It’s our top Fresh App today, followed by Steam Mobile, an iOS app that ties to the popular digital video game download portal and lets you impulse-buy during Steam’s crazy game sales no matter where you are. A big update with new levels to RAGE HD tops off our games picks for this weekend, followed by a new, free edition to the Baseball Superstars series from Gamevil.

Nintendo Announces Online Gaming Network (Mashable)

Mashable - Nintendo users will finally soon have an online experience on par with Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. At least that's the message from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who broke the news in a meeting with investors yesterday shortly after the company released its quarterly earnings. Iwata's presentation explained that the Nintendo Network would encompass the company's next generation of products, including the portable 3DS and the Wii U console, to be released later this year. The network won't just be a place where users can play games against each other online -- Iwata said it would also offer full downloads of game titles, some add-ons and access to other digital content. That would be a big upgrade from the limited network connectivity that currently exists on Nintendo's hardware.

Nintendo sees profit next year, but shares tumble (Reuters)

Reuters - Nintendo President Satoru Iwata dismissed the idea that the age of the dedicated handheld games device was over and said he aimed to return the company to substantial profit in 2012/13, after it warned of its first ever operating loss this year.

Nintendo sees first annual loss, cuts 3DS forecast (Reuters)

Reuters - Nintendo Co Ltd posted a sharp drop in quarterly profit and forecast a bigger-than-expected full-year loss, its first at an operating level, as it battles a strong yen and its games devices lose ground to gadgets such as Apple's iPhone.