Bowers & Wilkins Launches PM-1 – A New Compact High Performance Two-way Monitor

Executive Summary:
 Two-way Compact Reference Monitor Priced Below 800 Series
 Carbon Braced Metal Dome Nautilus™ Tweeter
 Foam Damping Cap For Bass/Midrange
 Matrix™ Reinforced Cabinet
 Mineral Loaded Resin Baffle
 Oxygen Free Copper Terminals
 Mundorf M-Cap Supreme Oil Capacitors
 $2,800 / pr.
 Optional matching stands - $550 / pr.
 Shipping Late June 2011

N. Reading, MA—June 2011—Bowers & Wilkins’ 805s were the favorite “go to” product for a very long time for audiophiles considering a compact two-way speaker in the $2,500 - $3,500 price range, states Doug Henderson – Vice President Sales & Marketing. “When B&W upgraded the entire 800 series to Diamond status last year, we made Diamond more affordable than ever in the form of the 805D, but also vacated an important price point. Many dealers were quick to tell us that we needed to fill the gap.”

“Merely “filling a price-point gap” has never been B&W’s raison d’être, however. Our engineers were issued the challenge to develop a new reference standard at the $3,000 mark. I am proud to say not only did they rise to the challenge, but they surpassed all of our expectations by a wide margin! Introducing the Prestige Monitor 1, PM-1 for short.”

The PM-1 features several new technological innovations that account for unprecedented performance in its price range. At the top of the list is a new Carbon Braced Tweeter high frequency driver, which features an aluminum dome that has been strategically stiffened with a ring made of filament-wound Ultra High Modulus Pitch based carbon fiber. This construction technique pushes the breakup frequency of an aluminum dome up to 40kHz. Of course, these wavelengths are well above the limits of human hearing, but as with the 800 Series Diamond tweeters, the design provides a marked reduction in distortion at audible frequencies below 20kHz, and results in the sweetest sounding non-Diamond tweeter we’ve developed yet. As with the 800 series models, this tweeter is completely outboard the bass/mid enclosure in its own tapered tube housing.

Like the 800 Series Diamond tweeter, the drive unit also uses the same new surround material that gives wider dispersion at higher frequencies. This wider dispersion preserves the harmonic structure of instruments and voices and enables the listener to pinpoint the position of the performer with greater accuracy and stability.

Another component that has undergone substantial improvement is with the bass/midrange driver. Our Kevlar® cone driver is renowned for its ability to deliver clarity and detail at mid frequencies. New, though, is the Foam Damping Cap (FDC) in the center. Unlike the majority of dust caps, this mushroom-shaped device is a tight fit inside the voice coil former. The stiffness and resistance properties of the foam are adjusted to damp down the tendency of the coil former to go out of round under the influence of cone break-up modes. Damp the motion of the former and you also reduce the cone break-up with a commensurate reduction in sound overhang. This accounts for the desired “slam” without the unwanted bloom of lesser bass drivers. You will be surprised at the bass clarity and impact from such a compact speaker, I assure you.

No less attention has been paid to the crossover, which is critical to the overall balance and smooth response of the system. For the PM-1, we have taken a few leaves out of the 800 Series Diamond design book by adopting oxygen-free copper for the conducting path of the terminals and Mundorf M-Cap Supreme Oil capacitors in the minimalist crossover. The addition of oil reduces microphony effects inside the capacitor – the tendency that all components have to convert small mechanical vibrations into low-level electrical signals that can reduce clarity.

The cabinet itself is a work of art, with clear echoes of the 800 Series. At B&W we pioneered extreme cabinet bracing with the introduction of the original Matrix™ cabinet back in 1985. We have continuously evolved this design over the years and have developed cabinet designs that reduce mechanical vibration down to infinitesimal levels. The PM-1 is a superbly advanced example, using the latest generation of Matrix interlocking panels, curved cabinetry, and a mineral loaded resin baffle. Tap anywhere on the enclosure to prove to yourself how quiet it is. As you know, an inert enclosure translates directly to low coloration sound.

The PM1 offers a compelling blend of new technologies and features that have been adopted from the flagship 800 Series Diamond. The result is an exquisite two-way loudspeaker that is far more than the sum of its many impressive parts. We believe it will set the performance bar at its price tier higher than ever before, and allow listeners in smaller spaces or with budget constraints to experience much of our flagship 800 Series performance in a package that suits their needs.

The PM-1 is available in a Mocha Gloss finish with an optional matching stand. Suggested retail is $2,800 per pair. Stands are $550 per pair. Available late June 2011.

About Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is Britain’s leading exporter of loudspeakers, and is also the number-one imported brand in North America. Since 1966, B&W’s “Quest for Perfection” has resulted in a succession of technical loudspeaker innovations that have satisfied the world’s most demanding listeners. B&W’s rave reviews and universal acceptance as the monitor for classical music recordings have helped B&W become the dominant premium loudspeaker company throughout the world. www.bowers-wilkins.com
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Cricket Enhances its Smartphone Line-Up with the Samsung Indulge™

SAN DIEGO – June 7, 2011 – Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States1, today announced the launch of the Samsung Indulge™ (SCH-r915). The Indulge is the first Android device by Samsung to be included in Cricket’s dynamic line of phone offerings.

This latest smartphone addition brings the best of both worlds to Cricket customers in the form of a large, 3.5 inch display and a slide-out Qwerty keyboard. In addition, the Indulge is powered by a 1GHz processor and Android 2.2 with Samsung TouchWiz 3.0. Cricket’s fourth Android smartphone also includes great features like a 3MP camera/camcorder, music player/microSD slot, stereo Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a large 1500mAh battery. The Indulge features all of the popular Android apps like Gmail, YouTube and Google Search, plus Android market which now features more than 200,000 applications and games.

“Cricket customers have really taken to smartphones and we are evolving our portfolio to meet their needs by offering smartphone features at varying price points,” said Matt Stoiber, vice president and general manager devices for Cricket. “Our customers love to text and surf the web, especially using social media applications and want an Android experience with a touchscreen and a QWERTY keyboard. And the Indulge delivers with a blazing fast 1GHz processor, vivid display and a slide-out keyboard.

At a value price of $329.99, the Samsung Indulge is available in Cricket branded retail stores, dealers and at www.mycricket.com. The Samsung Indulge is offered on Cricket’s all-inclusive $55 Android plan, which provides users with unlimited talk, text, 411 information, navigation, international text, unlimited picture and video messaging, nationwide data services on the company’s reliable all 3G network, and more.

For more information about Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, please visit www.mycricket.com.

June’s Headphone of the Month Delivers Clear Communications and Sound Quality for Apple iPhone and other mobile devices: The Sennheiser MM 60 iP

The Sennheiser MM 60 iP is the Headphone of the Month for June, 2011

OLD LYME, Conn. – June 6, 2011 – Audio specialist Sennheiser announced that its MM 60 iP, a lightweight Open-Aire™ stereo headset with outstanding sound reproduction, is "Headphone of the Month" for June 2011. "Headphone of the Month" is a monthly promotion designed to encourage music lovers to experience the authentic sound of Sennheiser.

During the promotion period, customers can purchase a MM 60 iP headset from an authorized Sennheiser dealer and receive a $15 rebate. For more information on the promotion, visit the Headphone of the Month website at http://www.sennheiserusa.com/hotm. New headphone specials will be offered at the start of each month.

The MM 60 iP enhances great music and makes every call an effortless experience. Lightweight and extremely comfortable, the state-of-the-art headset can be used with all generations of Apple iPods and portable audio devices featuring a headphone plug.

MM 60 iP features:

Superior dynamic range and bass response for outstanding sound reproduction
Highly intelligible speech transmission for crystal-clear conversations via the in-line microphone
Answer or end your calls with a touch of a button on compatible devices
Award-winning, foldable design that’s ideal for travel
Comfortable, lightweight headband and ear-cushions
Classic, comfortable on-ear design
3.5 mm, 4-pole jack connects to any iPhone/iPad, MP3 player and other mobile devices
2-year warranty


To learn more about Sennheiser's headphone of the month program, please visit http://www.sennheiserusa.com/hotm.


About Sennheiser
Sennheiser is a world-leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is now a global brand represented in 60 countries around the world with U.S. headquarters in Old Lyme, Conn. Sennheiser's pioneering excellence in technology has rewarded the company with numerous awards and accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy, and the Scientific and Engineering Award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

You can find all the latest information on Sennheiser by visiting our website at www.sennheiserusa.com

OWC MERCURY EXTREME PRO 6G SSD NOW OFFERS INDUSTRY’S FIRST 5 YEAR WARRANTY FOR SANDFORCE® BASED SSD

Designed & Built in the USA – High Performance Consumer/Prosumer 6Gb/s SandForce Processor-Based SSDs Offer Enterprise Level Warranty

June 6, 2011 Woodstock, IL -- Other World Computing (OWC®) http://www.macsales.com, a leading zero emissions Mac® and PC technology company, today announced that the OWC Mercury EXTREME™ Pro 6G SSD line is the industry’s first SandForce processor-based 6Gb/s SATA Revision 3.0 SSD offering an enterprise-class level 5 year warranty.

Designed & Built in the USA - Highest Quality Components Ensure Longest Reliability

Designed and built in the USA, the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD is backed by OWC’s industry leading warranty coverage because OWC SSDs utilize Tier 1/Grade A synchronous NAND flash. Built for high performance use in consumer/prosumer single drive production workstations and multi-drive RAID 0/1/10/SPAN configurations, the highly reliable OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSDs continue OWC’s history of offering the first Solid State Drive 30 day money back guarantee in the industry.

Five Year Warranty Covers All OWC Pro 6G SSDs

OWC is also retroactively extending two additional years of warranty coverage to owners of the Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G who purchased their drive beginning mid April 2011 when it was offered with a three year warranty. “We’re very pleased to offer the industry’s longest warranty coverage on the latest and fastest SSD data interface and make it retroactive on all purchases of our Extreme Pro 6G SSD,” said Larry O’Connor, Founder and CEO, Other World Computing. “By building OWC Mercury SSDs with the best components and engineering processes available, we can offer consumers the best pre and post purchase assurances for the ultimate in SSD ownership confidence.”

Fastest SSDs on the Market

With prices starting at $297.99, for consumers with a Mac or PC with the SATA Revision 2.0 (3Gb/s) data bus or the latest SATA Revision 3.0 (6Gb/s) interface, the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD offers the highest bandwidth potential with near bus saturating speed when installed in either interface. OWC benchmark testing confirms the Pro 6G SSD delivers up to 284MB/s sustained reads and 266MB/s writes in the SATA Revision 2.0 300MB/s max speed bus. Taking advantage of the SATA Revision 3.0 interface’s maximum bandwidth of 600MB/s, the Pro 6G SSD provides up to 559MB/s sustained reads and 527MB/s writes.

No Degradation in Data Transfer Speeds

Unlike other SSDs that offer fast read/write performance during first initial uses, but can then experience significant write speed degradation over repeated, long-term usage, independent tests by leading drive performance experts confirm the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD’s ultra-efficient Block Management & Wear Leveling technologies are able to eliminate virtually any reduction in data transfer speeds over heavy long-term usage of the drive and without dependency on OS TRIM management. StorageReview awarded it ‘Editor’s Choice’ because it “cranks out chart topping scores throughout testing.” Barefeats called the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD “the fastest drive we’ve tested to date” and MacPerformanceGuide said “never before seen drive speeds….awesome!”

Up To 100X Greater Data Protection

By utilizing SandForce DuraClass™ technology, the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G is able to provide up to 100X higher data protection than ordinary SSDs as well as leading enterprise class hard disk drives. By combining the highest level of Error Correction Code (ECC) and SandForce RAISE™ (Redundant Array of Independent Silicon Elements) technology along with 7% over provisioning, the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G provides RAID-like data protection and reliability.

Three Capacity Models Available Starting From $297.99

Ideal for use in demanding performance-intensive applications such as Audio/Video editing, HD-video, digital photography, professional music, and graphics, the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G line is qualified for use in consumer/prosumer single drive production workstations as well as multi-drive RAID 0/1/10/SPAN configurations, and is available with pricing starting at $297.99:

· OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G 120GB SSD - $297.99
· OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G 240GB SSD - $569.99
· OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G 480GB SSD - $1279.99

For more information on the OWC Mercury EXTREME Pro 6G SSD line, including Reseller inquiries, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Mercury_Extreme_Pro_6G/

The Most Comprehensive SSD Line For Macs And PCs

As the most comprehensive U.S. manufacturer of industry leading SandForce® processor based SSDs available today, OWC offers additional Mercury brand name SSDs for nearly every Mac and PC produced over the past decade in capacities from 40GB to 480GB starting from $99.97. For more information on the complete OWC Mercury Pro SSD line, including expert reviews and user comments, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/

For more information on the OWC catalog of over 2,900 performance upgrades and accessories for Macs, PCs, and iDevices, visit: http://eshop.macsales.com/

About Other World Computing (OWC)

Other World Computing (OWC) has been providing quality hardware products and support to the computer industry since 1988 and features one of the largest online catalogs of computer, iPod®, iPhone®, and iPad® enhancement products through its e-commerce portal www.macsales.com. As a member of the Apple Developer Program, OWC also provides extensive US based technical support for Macintosh users around the world as well as Internet access via www.fastermac.net and www.owc.net.

OWC’s industry awards and recognition include: Crain’s Chicago Business 2009 “Fast 50” List of 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the Chicago Area; Inc. 5,000 “Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies in America” list honoree 2007-2010; Reseller Ratings Elite Member 2009 & 2010; Better Business Bureau Top Rating of A+ 2010; Reflex Packaging Commitment to Excellence Recycling Award 2009; Computerworld Magazine Top Green-IT Companies for 2008; and McHenry County Economic Development Corporation 2008 Business Champion Award.

In March 2010, OWC’s corporate campus was designated as LEED® Platinum by the Green Building Certification Institute (http://eshop.macsales.com/green/index.html). Platinum is the highest achievable LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program level, which began in 1998. Out of more than 14,000 LEED projects engaged worldwide since the program's inception, OWC is one of less than three hundred to achieve the Platinum standard. In September 2010, OWC’s headquarters earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® rating for building operations that perform in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. For more information, see www.macsales.com.

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T-Mobile USA and Samsung Mobile Introduce Two New Feature-Rich and Budget-Friendly Android™-Powered Handsets

Expected to become available this month, the Samsung Exhibit™ 4G and Samsung Gravity™ SMART will each deliver on-the-go entertainment and connectivity for less than $100



BELLEVUE, Wash., and DALLAS — June 2, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. 1, today announced the upcoming availability of two new feature-rich Android™-powered handsets, the Samsung Exhibit™ 4G and Samsung Gravity™ SMART, each less than $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a qualifying rate plan on a two-year agreement.



“The Samsung Exhibit 4G and Samsung Gravity SMART will expand T-Mobile’s product portfolio to include two affordable options for customers who crave rich connectivity and unique entertainment experiences,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “T-Mobile is continuing to help families easily make the move to smartphones with these new Android-powered handsets, together with data plans as low as $10 per month, all running on America’s largest 4G network™.”



“The Samsung Exhibit 4G and Samsung Gravity SMART are two examples of Samsung’s commitment to delivering quality smartphones at a variety of price points,” said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung Mobile. “The Samsung Exhibit 4G shows Samsung’s dedication to delivering premium entertainment content, while the Samsung Gravity SMART builds on the success of our Gravity line of phones with premium messaging options, both at an exceptional value.”



Samsung Exhibit 4G

One of the fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G Network™2, the Samsung Exhibit 4G is a full-featured, touch-screen device that does not compromise on rich entertainment capabilities. Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and equipped with a speedy 1GHz processor, the Exhibit 4G delivers a full entertainment package to the palm of your hand at blazing fast speeds.



Through the delivery of faster speeds comes an enhanced viewing experience when enjoying live and on-demand channels from preloaded T-Mobile® TV, including free programming from select stations like ABC News Now, FOX Sports, PBS Kids and Azteca America. Customers also have the option to rent or purchase their favorite movies and TV programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which features a robust collection of new releases and TV shows. In addition, the Exhibit 4G offers hours of amusement with preloaded family favorites such as Bejeweled® 2, Hasbro’s SCRABBLE (in U.S. and Canada only) and Doodle Jump.



Becoming available in two color finishes — violet and black — the Exhibit 4G is the perfect companion for someone looking for their first, or next, Android smartphone. With theoretical peak download speeds of 21Mbps, capturing and sharing memories via email, social networks or video is quick and easy. The Exhibit 4G comes equipped with a 3-megapixel camera with flash and a camcorder, as well as a front-facing camera with video chat pre-installed, enabling customers to virtually connect with friends and family via T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi.



Samsung Gravity SMART

As the first Android-powered handset in the successful Gravity product lineup, running on Android 2.2 Froyo, the Samsung Gravity SMART is perfect for T-Mobile customers who are looking for an affordable, yet functional messaging device. Built to deliver a premium messaging experience, the Gravity SMART comes equipped with Group Text™ and combines a spacious, horizontal, four-row, slide-out, QWERTY keyboard with a 3.2-inch touch-screen display featuring Swype™ for easy text input, even with the keyboard closed. In addition, pin it notes enables customers to pin important messages to Gravity SMART’s home screen for quick reference.



Keeping in touch with friends and family is easy and fun with the Gravity SMART, which features integration with popular social networking sites and a full HTML Web browser for posting and viewing status updates. The Gravity SMART also includes a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash, digital zoom and a camcorder for capturing photos and videos.



The Samsung Exhibit 4G and the Gravity SMART offer access to more than 200,000 applications available on Android Market™ and full integration with Google Mobile™ services.



Availability

The Samsung Exhibit 4G and the Samsung Gravity SMART, both exclusively from T-Mobile, are expected to be available to T-Mobile customers in June. Customers can visit http://samsung.t-mobile.com/exhibit-4g for more information on the Samsung Exhibit 4G or http://www.t-mobile.com or http://www.samsung.com/newsroom for more information on the Samsung Gravity SMART.



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Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. Bejeweled is a registered trademark of PopCap Games, Inc. SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro and used with permission. Doodle Jump is a registered trademark of Lima Sky, LLC and used with permission.



1 No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics Q4 2010 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Report.



2 With theoretical peak speeds of 21 mbps, the Samsung Exhibit 4G will be one of T-Mobile’s fastest available smartphones. T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere; see coverage details at T‑Mobile.com. 4G used in connection with the Exhibit 4G product name refers to the fact that the Exhibit 4G is designed with HSPA+ technology.



About T-Mobile USA

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the end of the first quarter of 2011, approximately 128 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.6 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+/HSPA+42. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.



For more information about T-Mobile’s 4G products, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

V-MODA and HBO® Partner to Create “V-MODA for True Blood” Line

Sexy, stylish headphones for those whose lives begin at night


June 1, 2011 – Hollywood, Calif. – V-MODA, the music lifestyle brand that pioneered the fashion headphone category, and HBO, America’s most successful premium television company, today announce their partnership to establish a collection of headphones that embodies the spirit of the award-winning series, True Blood®. Scheduled to launch this summer, the “V-MODA for True Blood” collection offers six models ranging from ear buds to headphones, including a brand new style specifically crafted for this line. The “Hearwear” is tailored to the tastes and sensibilities of the millions who identify with True Blood's alluring, sexy style.


In V-MODA, Chief Visionary Officer and DJ, Val Kolton, created a lifestyle brand that naturally aligns with True Blood’s sexy night life. True Blood fans, music lovers, night-dwellers and artisans alike will be drawn to the headphones’ almost immortal durability, made possible by V-MODA’s MaterialEDGE military-tough testing processes and over four years of quality engineering. The product line’s timeless materials – metal plates, Kevlar-reinforced cables and luxurious fabrics – ensure functionality that, like True Blood’s vampires, can span years without signs of deterioration. And most importantly, each product has been masterfully tuned alongside legendary musicians, producers and DJs to deliver “supernatural” sound.

“The fantastical world of True Blood speaks to the vision and values of the V-MODA Tribe,” says Kolton. “Our products have been carefully crafted for those whose style and sophistication have evolved through the ages. With each season, more and more people have found it impossible to resist the allure of True Blood and we think the same will be true of the new “V-MODA for True Blood” line. Like the show, it’s boldly seductive.”

“Music is a very integral part of the story telling for all of our programming, especially True Blood,” stated James Costos, vice president Licensing & Retailing, HBO. “So it made sense for us to partner with V-MODA which is an extremely forward-thinking music accessories company. In addition, their brand mirrors the edgy, provocative qualities that are so closely associated with the show.”

Arriving in time for the show’s fourth season premiere on June 26th, the “V-MODA for True Blood” line will be unveiled and available at select retailers, including V-MODA.com, Amazon.com and the HBO Shop® (at 42nd St. & 6th Ave or online at store.hbo.com).

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ABOUT V-MODA:

V-MODA is the true music lifestyle brand that is distinguished by its fashion-forward design, unparalleled quality and unequivocal passion for music and materials. Led by professional DJ and Chief Visionary Officer, Val Kolton, V-MODA products blend the spirit of Italian design, the essence of music, and the charisma of Hollywood. Together with the world’s most influential producers, musicians and DJs, V-MODA is constantly challenging the norm and forging the remix revolution. For more information, please visit V-MODA’s website, www.v-moda.com.

ABOUT HBO LICENSING & RETAIL:
HBO Licensing & Retail officially licenses the HBO® brand for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines inspired by the network’s award-winning programming. With products created around classic series like the The Sopranos® and Sex and the City® to current hits like True Blood® and Entourage®, items include fashion apparel, jewelry, digital and CD soundtracks, games, books as well as exclusive, premium collections in partnership with upscale, designer brands. Merchandise can be purchased in retail stores nationwide, at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City. HBO Licensing & Retail products are also sold internationally across Europe, Asia and Australia.

Kingston Digital Transforms iPad, iPhone and iPod touch Storage Capabilities

New Wi-Drive Stylishly Delivers Wireless, Portable and Shareable Storage

COMPUTEX Taipei and Fountain Valley, CA -- (June 1,, 2011) -- Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the sleek and functional Wi-DriveTM, built to address the ever-increasing storage needs of Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch® users (www.kingston.com/flash/wi_drive.asp). Wi-Drive, a wireless, portable storage solution, allows users to expand the number of documents, images, music and video files they can access from Apple devices. The combination of this storage expansion, file sharing and a rugged portable form factor makes it a perfect companion device

Wi-Drive, along with its app from the App Store SM, allows users to stream videos, access music or share files with other Apple device owners. The distinctively designed, pocket-sized Wi-Drive utilizes Flash-based technology to store data from USB-compatible PCs. These files are then easily retrieved via Wi-Drive’s built-in wireless signal without requiring cables or an Internet connection. Three users can work simultaneously with different file types from a single Wi-Drive without any performance disruption.

“Wi-Drive is an ideal solution for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users who feel confined by their current storage capacity,” said Andrew Ewing, Flash memory business manager, Kingston. “Wi-Drive allows Apple device owners to wirelessly manage document and media files, and choose to share them with others, while on the go for work or pleasure. This unique functionality, combined with the durability of a Flash-based device, will satisfy both casual users and the most discerning technophiles.”

To begin using Wi-Drive with any of the compatible Apple products, users simply drag and drop files from their PC to Wi-Drive via USB cable, similar to a typical USB Flash drive data transfer. Users then download the Wi-Drive application from the App Store before connecting the Wi-Drive to their device. A video with a demonstration of the solution is also available here: www.kingston.com/flash/wi_drive.asp

Kingston offers Wi-Drive in both 16GB and 32GB sizes and the product will be available for purchase in late June 2011.

Kingston Wi-Drive Features and Specifications:

· Capacities*: 16GB, 32GB

· Dimensions: 121.5mm x 61.8mm x 9.8mm

· Operating Temperature: 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C)

· Storage Temperature: 14°F to 185°F (-10°C to 70°C)

· Wireless Network Interface: Wi-Fi 802.11g/n with wireless security (WPA/WEP)

· Rechargeable Battery: up to four hours of continuous use

· Cable: Mini-USB to USB cable included. User can upload files and content from their PC/Mac to the Wi-Drive using the USB cable

· Portable: Uses Flash-based technology for durability and reliability

· Convenient: pocket-sized for easy transportability

· Simple: just plug into a USB port

· Guaranteed: one-year warranty

· App: downloadable at Apple’s App Store

· Compatible with: iPad, iPhone 3G/3GS/4, iPod touch (3G is limited to iOS 4.2.1+)

· Configurable APN (access point name) and Key functions to connect to Wireless Access Point (Internet Connection)

· Supported File Formats:

· Audio: AAC, MP3, WAV

· Video: m4v, mp4, mov, Motion JPEG (M-JPEG), AVI

· Image: jpg, bmp, tiff

· Document: pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, txt, rtf, xls

* Some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. For more information, please consult Kingston’s Flash Memory Guide at Kingston.com/Flash_Memory_Guide.

Kingston Wi-Drive

Part Number
Capacity and Features
MSRP (U.S. Only)

WID/16GZ
Wi-Drive 16GB
$ 129.99

WID/32GZ
Wi-Drive 32GB
$ 174.99

About Kingston Digital, Inc.

Kingston Digital, Inc. ("KDI") is the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world's largest independent manufacturer of memory products. Established in 2008, KDI is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.kingston.com or call 800-337-8410.

Editor's Note: For additional information, evaluation units or executive interviews, please contact David Leong, Kingston Digital, Inc. 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, Calif. 92708, 714-438-1817 (Voice). Press images can be found in Kingston's press room at www.kingston.com/press/default.asp

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Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. All rights reserved. All other marks may be the property of their respective titleholders.

Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Zoom’s R8 Gives You Total Production to Go

Portable, powerful 8-track recorder with built-in stereo mics provides the ultimate mobile music production studio

Hauppauge, NY – June 1, 2011 – Zoom’s all-new R8 is the perfect tool for capturing audio on-the-go. It combines four production tools in one compact, versatile device. In addition to being an 8-track playback/2-track simultaneous recorder that utilizes SD memory, the R8 is an audio interface, a control surface and a pad sampler.

“The R8 will fit in a guitar case, for a flexible, multi-track solution,” says James Tsaptsinos, Samson’s VP of Sales. “More than ever before, Zoom users have all the tools necessary to create studio-quality recordings on-the-go.”

With a sampler function that consists of eight voices, the R8’s built-in drum sounds can be triggered using eight pads to assign sounds to each track and create loops. You can also use the unit’s drum machine to create original backing beats, or simply output a metronome for tempo control. Not only does the R8 offer over 500 drum patterns to work with, it also includes a 2GB SD card containing 500MB of drum loops recorded by Big Fish Audio.

The R8 comes with a 2GB SD card and supports up to 32GB SDHC cards for a maximum of 100 track hours. Using SD media for recording not only makes the R8 lighter and more portable, it also ensures increased reliability with no concern for a crashing hard drive.

Take your R8 into your studio and record additional tracks using its USB audio interface. Then when you’re ready to mix, use the R8’s control surface capabilities to manage each function of your favorite DAW software. Choose from over 140 built-in studio effects to enhance your recording and use the pro-quality mastering effects to complete that studio sound.

With the new R8 from Zoom, versatility, control and comprehensive features come together in a single device that fits in a guitar case.

To request additional information about Zoom, please contact PR Representative Brad Hobbs at (305) 576-1171 x19 or by e-mail at bradhobbs@maxborgesagency.com.

About Zoom Corporation:
Zoom is renowned all over the world for its recording and guitar effects gear. Headquartered in Tokyo, Zoom has continuously created a diverse line of original, innovative audio products from effect processors, to rhythm machines, samplers and recorders. Samson Technologies is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Zoom products. Samson is based in Hauppauge, New York. zoom.co.jp / samsontech.com

Optoma PK301 Pico Projector Review

The world of displays has come along way. In the business world, if you wanted to show a presentation to clients, you used a huge CRT projector. Then things started to get smaller. Projectors started to get smaller and smaller. Now, for business presentations, the small pico projectors are about as small as a Cracker Jacks box, and easily fit into your briefcase or laptop bag. Up for review is the Optoma PK301.

The Optoma PK301 is not just for the business user. Just how salesman used their business projectors for presentations during the week, the also took them home and used them to watch a movie on the wall on the weekends. The Optoma PK301 is also great for entertainment use, and not just for the business user. As many guys will take their PS3 or XBox 360 to their buddies house to play games? Now it is that much easier. Instead of bringing over their gaming system and having to hook it up to the TV, now it is much easier. With the Optoma PK301, all you need is your source material, such as a PS3 or Blu-Ray player, a couple of empty power outlets, and an empty wall to project onto.

It's features and specs include:

Projection Type DLP®
Resolution Native WVGA (854 x 480)
Maximum Resolution WXGA (1280 x 800) through VGA adapter; HD (1080i) through HDMI
Brightness 50 ANSI lumens Bright mode (with AC power adapter or optional extended power battery pack); 20 ANSI lumens STD mode
Contrast Ratio 2000:1 (Full On/Full Off)
Light Source LED (RGB); Estimated life of over 20,000 hours
Throw Ratio 1.8:1 (Distance/Width)
Projection Distance 8” to 189”
Image Size (Diagonal) 5” to 120” (16:9 native)
Aspect Ratio 16:9 native; 4:3 compatible
Battery (Standard) Li-ion Rechargeable (3.7V, 1410mAh)
Battery Life (Standard) Up to 1 hour in 20 lumen mode (standard); Over 5 hours (optional extended power battery pack)
Displayable Colors 100% NTSC Color Gamut
Audio One 0.5-Watt Speaker, Headphone-Out
Computer Compatibility WXGA, XGA, SVGA, VGA, VESA, PC and Macintosh Compatible with included VGA adapter
Video Input Compatibility NTSC, PAL, SDTV (480i), EDTV (480p), HDTV (720p, 1080i)
Memory 28 MB internal; microSD slot supports up to 16 GB SDHC
Video File Compatibility AVI, MOV, MP4, 3GP (Common video formats are converted using Optoma Pico Video Encoder*)
Image File Compatibility JPEG, BMP (PowerPoint files are converted using Optoma Pico Video Encoder*)
I/O Connectors 24-pin Universal Port, 2.5mm jack AV Input (Composite Video and Stereo Audio-In), Micro USB, Mini HDMI, microSD socket, 3.5 mm Audio-Out jack, DC Input jack
Weight 8 oz (227g) with standard battery
Dimensions (W x H x D) 4.7” x 1.2” x 2.7”; (120.1 x 29.7 x 69.8mm)
Warranty 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor, 90 Days on Battery
Standard Accessories Power Adapter, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, Male USB Cable, Standard A/V Cable (RCA to Mini-Jack), Universal to VGA Cable, Bag
Optional Accessories iPod Kit with A/V Connector, Universal to Component Cable, Universal to Female USB Cable, Additional Standard Battery, Extended Power Battery Pack, Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable,Remote Control

Quality appears to be very good. The Optoma PK301 was packaged very well. Accessories include power adapter w/AC plug, VGA cable, USB male cable, bettery, and AV cable. Quality of construction, and fit and finish appear very good. I'm in awe that a projector can be this small. And based on the specs, that it can throw such a big picture, and as bright as it is. Well, let's see how good it really is.

Ease of use is really good. While on owners manual is provided, it really was simple to go into the menus and make any neccessary adjustments. The menus include sections for:

Brightness Modes- Bright, Movie (enhanced color), Standard, and Economy.
Projection Modes- front desktop, rear desktop, front inverted, and rear inverted.
Aspect Ratios- 4x3, 16x9, and auto.
Contrast- Allows adjustment to contrast.
H. Position- adjusts the horizontal position.
V. Position- adjusts the vertical position.
Phase- adjusts the phase to match that of the computer's graphics card.
Frequency- adjusts the timing to that of the graphics card.
Source- VGA, Composite, Component, HDMI, microSD, USB, and internal memory.
Material- Photos, presentation, and video.

Making some adjustments and tweaks in the menus did improve thte picture. But even at default out of the box settings, the image was good. You could be happy with the image, and not feel the need to make any adjustments in the menu. But if you do want to try, they are there.

I was surprised at the quality out of such a little package. Saturation was good. And while the image was a bit soft, it was sharp enough. Both motion picture and animation looked good. It reminded me of the quality of entry level projectors several years ago. That may not sound like much of a complement, but they did have good images. And a good image coming out of a size this small........WOW!


I got an image 47" wide from 92" away. Color uniformity was good, and the screen appeared evenly lit. Contrast again was good. With the lumen rating, I was not expecting much. With the lights off, the 47" picture looked good. And it was bright enough to be enjoyable. Turning the lights on really did washout the image. It was viewable, but barely. But the fact is.....it was still viewable! And with only 50 lumens! It even worked well up to my 100" fixed mount Elite Screens EZFrame screen. But while it worked well in a dark room, the larger the image, the more washed out it will look in a well lit room.

I was surprised at the preformance of this little Optoma Pico projector. It is built well, with great specs, and it all came together to give a good looking picture. I was not expecting a picture this good out of such a little package. And one of the best things is it even uses LED for lighting, so no need to replace expensive bulbs. Based on it's features, quality, and performance, the Optoma PK301 has earned our Highly Recommended Award. At an MSRP of $399.99, it is a real bargain. And the iPod Connection Kit is a perfect accessory for it at only $39.95. Now you can watch movies on the go in a big way. For more info and complete specs, check out their website at http://www.optoma.com/.

Onkyo Debuts the World's First Nine-Channel Home Theater Receiver with DTS Neo:X™ Technology

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (6/1/11) – Onkyo, a brand renowned worldwide for quality home entertainment technology, has introduced the world's first home theater receiver to feature DTS Neo:X™ multidimensional audio technology, delivering a highly realistic sound experience for consumers. The remarkable DTS Neo:X technology, as implemented on the new Onkyo TX-NR1009, enables customers to employ up to nine loudspeakers with distinct direction clues that enhance the height and space dimensions of a home theater room beyond the capabilities of current seven channel systems—creating a lifelike 3-D soundscape.

The Onkyo TX-NR1009 is a THX Select2 Plus Certified, 9.2-channel, network-capable home theater receiver that, in addition to DTS Neo:X, includes several audio and video upgrades compared to last year's TX-NR1008 model. These include Marvell Qdeo™ and IDT's HQV® Vida™ video upscaling and processing circuits, and Audyssey's MultEQ XT audio room correction.

"Onkyo's application of DTS Neo:X allows the top-tier enthusiasts to significantly expand their home theater system's sound stage with new combinations of channels," said Paul Wasek, the marketing manager of Onkyo USA. "When combined with its new higher resolution video capabilities, the TX-NR1009 becomes a powerful tool that far exceeds the capabilities of our competitors’ offerings even at several times the price."

Brian Towne, executive vice president and chief operating officer of DTS, Inc., commented, “As the world’s first commercially available receiver to harness the power of Neo:X technology, the TX-NR1009 marks an integral milestone in our journey to take 3-D audio from concept to reality. We’re proud to take this step with Onkyo, knowing its customers will benefit from the superior audio afforded by the market’s most flexible AVR. This product integration further demonstrates DTS’ commitment to delivering solutions that push home entertainment to new levels and also accommodate new emerging content delivery platforms—so consumers can enjoy a fully-immersive and authentic 3-D audio experience.”

DTS Neo:X is the industry’s first 2.0/5.1/6.1/7.1-to- 9.1/11.1 conversion technology within a single algorithm. On the TX-NR1009 it offers a number of different ways to set up the speakers in a 9.1-channel home theater system. A basic 5.1-channel set-up can be complemented by one of three different arrangements: (1) the addition of surround back- and front-height speakers to bring out ambient, non-directional sounds; (2) adding surround back- and front-wide speakers to provide a more expansive soundstage; or (3) adding front-height and front-width speakers to create an immersive space without needing to install rear speakers. With Neo:X technology, consumers will experience a natural and spacious surround soundscape unlike anything else on the market.

On-board video processing on the TX-NR1009 is handled by two highly advanced technologies: HQV® Vida™ VHD1900 and Qdeo™ technology by Marvell. Vida offers upscaling of all 480i/p, 576p, and 720p video sources to high-resolution 1080p. Qdeo, meanwhile, performs full 4K (3840 x 2160) upscaling of 1080p sources. The Vida processor incorporates Auto HQV™ and HQV StreamClean™ to enhance video images in real time and eliminate noise in compressed video. With multi-cadence tracking, expanded 12-bit color processing, and four-field motion-adaptive de-interlacing, Vida optimizes the quality of both standard- and high-definition video images. On the TX-NR1009 also supports independent ISF calibration for optimum video performance.

Like most new Onkyo receivers, the TX-NR1009 includes extensive networking capabilities with an Ethernet connection plus front and rear USB ports for digital storage devices and Onkyo's optional wireless USB LAN adaptor, the UWF-1. Direct digital connection for iPod/iPhone is available through the front panel USB. This receiver is certified for Windows 7 and DLNA, and can playback a wide variety digital audio file formats via a home network or USB devices, and it is capable of wireless connectivity via Onkyo's optional UFW-1 wireless USB adaptor. It supports MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, OggVorbis, AAC, and LPCM files. An iPod or iPhone can also be connected using and optional dock connected via Onkyo's proprietary Universal Port. This U-Port can also be used for an optional HD Radio Tuner and forthcoming wireless devices. The network connection provides Internet radio and streaming music services, with preformatted service packages for Mediafly, Pandora®, SlackerTM, Napster, Rhapsody®, vTuner, SIRIUS XM Internet Radio®, and Last.fm.

The Onkyo TX-NR1009's powerful 135-watts per channel amplifier section easily achieves THX-Select2 Plus Certification. Each of the nine amplifier sections employ the company's low-negative feedback Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT), three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry, and the High Current Power Supply (HCPS) uses a massive transformer. In addition, TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs are used on each channel to ensure that all digital signals are converted perfectly to analog sound.

The Onkyo TX-NR1009 uses several different audio processing technologies to help improve the room acoustics and to enhance the ambience dimension of the listening experience. The new Audyssey MultEQ XT room-correction technology allows full spectrum acoustic measurements from multiple locations. Audyssey Dynamic EQ® provides loudness correction and Audyssey Dynamic Volume® to maintain optimal listening level and dynamic range. For home theater enthusiasts who wish to explore expanded ambience with height and wide loudspeakers, they have the option of using Audyssey DSX high or wide channels, or Dolby ProLogic IIz height channels. The receiver also includes Dolby Volume processing technology to optimize the sound for any listening level.

The TX-NR1009 has one front- and seven rear-panel HDMI inputs, dual HDMI outputs with lossless audio processing using Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ decoding. There is also a full complement of legacy analog and digital connections, including multi-channel audio, stereo, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a phono input. There are two component video inputs, plus composite/S-Video inputs for four devices. It also has a nine-channel multichannel analog preamp output for possible use with a separate component power amplifier.

The TX-NR1009 has a bidirectional, preprogrammed, and customizable RI remote control. When connected to the Internet, it maintains up-to-date RC control codes for connected devices. With the receiver's Overlaid Graphical On-screen Display, users can speed through on-screen setups while still viewing their program. The remote also includes Macro presets for four activities. Additionally, the receiver has bi-directional Ethernet and RS232 ports for control, IR input and output, two 12-V triggers, firmware updates via Ethernet and USB, GUI Navigation via HDMI, powered Zone 2, and Zone 2/3 preouts.

The Onkyo TX-NR1009 will be available from Onkyo dealers in June with suggested retail price of $1,399.

Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

DTS and the Symbol are registered trademarks, and DTS Neo:X is a trademark of DTS, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.