New Kiosks Let Consumers Download To SD Memory Cards
NCR and Mod Corp. are changing the way consumers purchase, rent and play entertainment titles on electronic devices with a digital download kiosk pilot program. The kiosks enable consumers to choose from over 1,000 movie titles and download the title to a secure digital (SD) memory card.
The pilots, being conducted in BLOCKBUSTER locations, are the first step in an ambitious initiative to leverage new portable digital storage technology. The NCR and MOD Systems enable consumers to download movies, TV shows, music, books, games and other digital content outside of the home, and then play them on home TVs computers, and other mobile devices.
The MOD Retail Digital Content Distribution System helps retailers bring an expansive library of digital content into their stores and sell it in convenient concierge and self-serve models via the NCR kiosk. Anthony Bay, CEO of MOD Systems, said, “We have been working with studios and retailers to make it easy for consumers to access and download digital content from kiosks in a wide variety of locations outside the home.
SanDisk SlotMusic Cards On Display At Retail Outlets
SanDisk, the global leader in flash memory cards, is displaying its slotMusic™ entertainment cards at mobile retail outlets across the U.S. SanDisk slotMusic offerings give consumers the ability to instantly load their favorite artist's album onto a mobile phone or other microSD™ compatible device for a fast and convenient listening experience.
The new slotMusic cards will be merchandised at Best Buy Stores, Best Buy Mobile stand-alone stores as well as Cricket phone stores.
“With their knowledgeable staff and vast selection of compatible phones, mobile retail stores allow consumers to experience how fast and easy it is to load slotMusic cards into their phone,” said Hugh Cooney, Senior Director, Business Development, SanDisk.
Sprint Stores Open Dedicated Sustainability Display Area
All Sprint-owned retail locations are now featuring a dedicated environmentally-responsible section that highlights eco-friendly products and accessories such as the SOLIO Solar Charger and carrying cases made from recycled materials. Sprint also will implement a new sustainable design blueprint for all future Sprint-owned retail stores .
New and refurbished stores will implement sustainable design elements consistent with LEED design standards, and will include energy-efficient lighting, low water usage plumbing fixtures and low VOC paint and carpet. These energy efficiency upgrades are expected to reduce the carbon footprint of each store by 19,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents.
Verizon Opens First LEED Certified Wireless Retail Store
Verizon Wireless’s first store to seek LEED certification for commercial interiors recently opened for business in Casper, WY. Gruskin Group, an integrated design firm, worked with Verizon Wireless’s internal corporate design team, as well as Paladino & Co., the team’s sustainability consultant, to design the 3,479 sq. ft. Casper store with the goal of achieving a LEED Gold rating.
“We evaluated every material that went into the prototype with the goal of developing a dynamic retail environment that reduces its impact on the environment,” said Kenneth Gruskin, Principal of Gruskin Group. “Our intent was to demonstrate that ‘green’ stores could be built without significantly increasing the cost of the project, or impacting the customer experience or look and feel of the Verizon Wireless brand.”
“Our new, green store provides plenty of space for both shopping and customer service, in keeping with our commitment to deliver innovative voice and data plans, and the best possible wireless experience,” said Melanie Braidich, Regional President of Verizon Wireless.
Barnes & Noble Displays Eco-Friendly Magazines
Barnes & Noble stores are partnering with Green America’s Better Paper Project and Next Steps Marketing to promote magazines using recycled paper on special magazine racks.
The objective is to increase visibility and sales for magazines that have made the commitment to print on recycled paper. The magazines participating in the promotion include: Tricycle, Mother Jones, Natural Home, Make, Miller-McCune, Mothering, VegNews, Grit, Stanford Social Innovation Review and The American Prospect.
“These magazines are testament that environmental and fiscal responsibility can go hand in hand,” said Máire Walsh, director of client services at Next Steps Marketing, (www.nextstepsmarketing.com) which conducted this promotion on behalf of Green America’s Better Paper Project.
AT&T Opens Its Largest High Tech Store
AT&T has unveiled a redesigned two-story high tech wireless store in New York City’s Times Square. The new 6,000 sq. ft. store is five times bigger, and has an innovative design including AT&T’s first ever “Customer Education Center.”
The first floor has large video screens of today’s most sought after wireless devices and applications. The second floor concourse features information stations; tables with touch screens for a hands-on experience, and a large education center that will provide training for today’s advanced wireless data products and services. Other special features of the store include: Five interactive, bilingual information centers, three Experience tables with large touch screens, and three kiosks with quick and easy self service options for billing and customer support.
Best Buy Stores To Offer Fitness Products
Select Best Buy locations have introduced new health and fitness selections with more than 30 feet of technology devices organized by popular activities such as running, walking, swimming, and yoga, as well as fitness equipment in some locations. “We’re constantly looking for the most innovative solutions to address our customer’s lifestyle needs,” said Steve Trier, Sr. Director at Best Buy. “With health and fitness, we’re matching the right combination of gear with experienced BlueShirts and Geek Squad to help them manage and stay motivated by their fitness routines.”
From creating a home gym complete with a TV and surround sound to downloading workout data to the home computer, Best Buy’s health and fitness products connect technology and workouts. Health and fitness shelves at these stores are stocked with heart rate and workout monitoring watches, pedometers, and conditioning accessories; customers can also try out elliptical machines, stationary bikes and treadmills.
Sprint Redesigns Accessory Packaging For Eco-Conscious Consumer
Sprint has launched environmentally friendly packaging for its extensive wireless accessory line. Accessories sold at Sprint retail stores will be packaged within a fully recyclable casing that is 20 to 40% smaller than previous accessory packaging - which Sprint estimates will save 647 tons of waste annually. The new accessory packaging is expected to result in a 35% reduction in accessory packaging costs.
Additional highlights of Sprint’s new accessory packaging include: The packaging clamshell replaces PVC with PET 1, a more recyclable and environmentally friendly material. Soy and vegetable-based inks replace petroleum-based ink, reducing the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
“Sprint is proud to launch more sustainable packaging for our accessories,” said Ralph Reid, Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Sprint. “As we introduce greener products, it only makes sense to implement more eco-friendly solutions for Sprint packaging.”
Sprint Redesigns Accessory Packaging For Eco-Conscious Consumer
Sprint has launched environmentally friendly packaging for its extensive wireless accessory line. Accessories sold at Sprint retail stores will be packaged within a fully recyclable casing that is 20 to 40% smaller than previous accessory packaging - which Sprint estimates will save 647 tons of waste annually. The new accessory packaging is expected to result in a 35% reduction in accessory packaging costs.
Additional highlights of Sprint’s new accessory packaging include: The packaging clamshell replaces PVC with PET 1, a more recyclable and environmentally friendly material. Soy and vegetable-based inks replace petroleum-based ink, reducing the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
“Sprint is proud to launch more sustainable packaging for our accessories,” said Ralph Reid, Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Sprint. “As we introduce greener products, it only makes sense to implement more eco-friendly solutions for Sprint packaging.”
Dell Is First In PC Industry To Add Renewable Bamboo To Packaging Portfolio
Dell is shipping its Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and Mini 10v netbooks in packaging made from bamboo, a highly renewable material that serves as an alternative to molded paper pulp, foams and corrugate often used in packaging. Dell is using the material for the product cushions cradling the Mini inside an outer box made from 25 percent post-consumer materials.
“The use of bamboo for electronics packaging is new, but its viability as a great packaging material can’t be ignored,” said Oliver Campbell, Dell’s Senior Manager of Packaging Worldwide. We’re actively working to integrate this and other innovative, agricultural materials into packaging for products across our portfolio.”
THQ & THQ*ICE Launch Collectible Prepaid Cards
As part of the official launch of free-to-play MMO Dragonica Online, THQ Inc. and THQ*ICE have debuted a new line of collectible prepaid cards available at participating retailers nationwide.
The Dragonica Online prepaid card series will come in values of $10 and $25. The first element series to launch, the Water Series, the Fire Series, and the Earth Series, will each include four different collectible cards, each depicting key characters and scenarios from the game. Fans who purchase a $25 card receive a secret bonus item when they redeem the cards for ICE Cash. ICE Cash is the in-game, virtual currency that can be used to purchase items that customize a player’s Dragonica Online gameplay experience.
Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver Plays Music Wirelessly From An iPhone Through A Home Stereo
With the new Belkin Bluetooth Music Receiver, you can wirelessly play music from an iPhone or iPod touch through a home stereo system.
It frees you up from being tied down to docks and wires, and puts total control of your device in your hands so you can change tracks without ever getting up from your couch.
iGo Unveils Transportable Outlet-Charge Anywhere
iGo, the leading portable power solution provider, unveils a new travel-friendly charger, the iGo Charge Anywhere. The new iGo Charge Anywhere is a wall charger that also has an internal battery, allowing users to charge devices in any location, with or without an outlet. iGo is compatible with almost every mobile and gaming electronic device on the market.
Above All Advertising, has introduced the Indoor FlexBlade® advertising banner. Designed to be the most cost-effective, high quality, durable signage solution, the Indoor FlexBlade is ideal for use in stores, trade shows and corporate events. Gary Aires, CEO, Above All Advertising, said, “While other companies have tried to create a similar product, no other indoor signage flag system comes complete with a self-contained stand.” The Indoor FlexBlade features a proprietary composite pole system and three legs that screw into the pole base. The parts can be broken down, and are designed for easy storage and travel. For more information, contact Above All Advertising, 6980 Corte Santa Fe, San Diego, CA 92121; (Tel) 866-552-2683; (Web site) www.abovealladvertising.com
Digital View has added an interactive, anti-theft cradle to its range of ViewStream media player accessories. The Anti-Theft Cradle offers an effective mechanism for demonstrating high value items in open display. The items are attached to a flexible recoiling security lead using high-power magnets. The display item rests neatly into a holster cradle. The cradle is programmed so that when the display item is picked up, it outputs an interactive command that changes the content on a Digital View ViewStream™ or VideoFlyer™ digital media system. If the coil is cut or the magnet broken, a high volume alarm sounds. For more information, contact Digital View, 18440 Technology Dr., Morgan Hill CA 95037; (Tel) 408-782-7773 (Web site) www.digitalview.com
LEGO Experience Goes On National Tour
LEGO Systems has launched The LEGO Experience, a national tour visiting fairs, festivals and air shows throughout the U.S.. The LEGO Experience lets children and adults immerse themselves in the best that the LEGO brand has to offer, from hands-on building fun to family building games to video games and inspiration models.
The LEGO Experience features activity tents where families have a world of possibility at their fingertips: Welcome Tent: families start their LEGO Experience with an overview of the activities; Mash-Up Centerpiece: LEGO Master Builders create a LEGO CITY; Family Building Challenge: every member of the family is invited to go head-to-head with other families in fun games and timed building challenges; Construction Zone: families are invited to create custom models to add to a LEGO Cityscape; Discovery Zone: a showcase of what the LEGO brand has to offer. Interactive game stations let families plug into blockbuster LEGO video games.
ESPN’s ‘NBA On ESPN RV Tour' Hits The Road
The “NBA on ESPN RV Tour,” an experiential marketing promotion for ABC and ESPN’s NBA coverage, is continuing its national road trip, now into its third consecutive NBA season. The RV, in which ESPN personalities "travel" to games in ESPN's NBA on-air promotions, will be on-site at more than 20 regular season NBA games this season, the NBA All Star Weekend and the NBA playoffs.
“The NBA on ESPN RV tour allows us to truly connect with NBA fans both online and on site at the games,” said Jeffrey Gonyo, Senior Director, Marketing, ESPN. “And with the goal of the campaign to drive tune in, our TV audience for the past two seasons continues to rise and we hope to ride that wave of momentum.” The promotion is executed for ESPN by rEvolution, a Chicago, IL-based sports marketing agency.
BEST BUY And EA Sponsor G3: Games, Gear & Gadgets National College Tour
Best Buy and EA have launched the “Best Buy G3: Games, Gear & Gadgets,” video game college tour to reach thousands of videogame enthusiasts at major colleges and universities nationwide. The game technology tour will feature the latest new videogames, game technology and digital music.
G3 reaches the core of the young adult game-playing audience - college students. These early adopters and game enthusiasts will get the first opportunity to play several newly released titles on Tour. The G3 Tour is now gaining traction with the world's most successful Video and PC companies as a cutting edge showcase for new products and technologies. The College Tour will showcase the interactive Best Buy LCD Gamers Lounge where students will be able to check out great games and new digital music technology demonstrations. The G3 Tour will also be featuring many of the hottest new Wii titles.
Panasonic Tour Will Showcase 3D For The Home
Panasonic is conducting a nationwide truck tour, which will give the public their first look at Panasonic’s Full HD 3D Home Theater System. The Full HD 3D system utilizes Plasma technology and a prototype Blu-ray Disc player to deliver true 1080p Full HD 3D entertainment. A key goal of the Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Theater Tour is to help consumers understand 3D TV technology.
The Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Theater Tour will be powered by three custom-built, expandable tractor trailers, each of which will house a Full HD 3D Home Theater environment. Each of the trucks can accommodate between 25 and 35 people per demonstration. The Tour will visit corporate headquarters of retailers, trade shows, industry conferences, universities and athletic events.
Bob Perry, V.P., Panasonic Consumer Electronics, said, “Through our Full HD 3D Home Theater Truck Tour, consumers will, for the first time, have a chance to experience the immersive world of Full HD 3D TV for themselves, and we have no doubt that they will love what they see.”
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