New Otterbox Cases

Foolproof iPhone Protection: Introducing the OtterBox Maker Series

Nothing is more contagious than a trend and smartphone case manufacturer OtterBox® has set the trend for premium protection in the consumer electronics industry. Today, the Colorado company announces a one-day offering that brings the current DIY trend to Apple® iPhone® protection – introducing the OtterBox Maker Series™, a foolproof blueprint for iPhone 5 device fortification.

When it comes to iPhone protection, OtterBox is the natural choice. With a solid reputation for crafting the best cases in the industry, OtterBox lives on the cutting-edge of design. The new Maker Series allows the at-home handy worker to construct an iPhone 5 case that fits their fancy. A detailed design plan guides the user through the creation of a precision smartphone case made of wood. Simply download the plan, dust off the toolbox and whittle, cut, sand and stain away.*

“At the crossroads of mobile technology, protection and personality is customization,” OtterBox President and CEO Brian Thomas said. “Our consumers crave customization and the Maker Series is a platform for OtterBox enthusiasts to be involved in the design process and customize a unique, one-of-a-kind case. We hope this is a blueprint for success in smartphone case customization.”

For more information on the OtterBox Maker Series and to download a blueprint, visit

http://blog.otterbox.com/introducing-the-maker-series/**

Pentax Optio WG-10 Camera

We read this announcement on the Pentax Forum page.

The waterproof Pentax Optio WG-10 has recently hit the shelves in the US; it is now available online at Target.com, and it should soon be making its way to Target stores nationwide.  The WG-10 is a Target exclusive and will not be available through other retail outlets.

Available for just $179.99, the WG-10 is desgined to deliver exceptional outdoor performance at an affordable price.  You can take this camera just about anywhere thanks to its waterproof, coldproof, and crushproof design!

More Pentax news at: http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-optio-wg-10-now-available.html#ixzz2Pcsy1Zf2

Another MSFT Failure

It looks like MSFT has another hardware failure. Vendors like Dell, ASUS, Lenovo are offering steep discounts on the Windows RT tablets clearly indicating that they aren’t selling. MSFT, of course, hasn’t cut their prices because they remain blind to the obvious.

If you are one of the half-dozen or so people out there who actually wants to spend money on a Windows RT device go to Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples and Office Depot and see how the prices have dropped. Or, you can wait a few months for the fire sale and save even more!

Here’s what ComputerWorld has to say:

Though Microsoft has not publicly acknowledged the failure of Windows RT, there is already growing concern about the fate of the OS. IDC earlier this month said that Windows RT tablet shipments have been poor, and that consumers have not bought into "Windows RT's value proposition."

PC and chip makers have acknowledged poor adoption of the operating system. Nvidia's CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang, last month said he was disappointed with the poor response to Windows RT, and Acer executives have said that Microsoft needs to improve the usability of RT.

Kobo Tablet Sales

We have found out that Kobo has begun selling tablets on their web site again. Here’s the full article we found:

Kobo has begun selling its devices directly through its website in the U.S. and Canada instead of making customers in those countries go to third-party retailers, the Toronto-based company announced Tuesday.

Kobo makes four devices: The 5-inch Kobo Mini e-reader, for $79.99; the touchscreen Kobo Touch e-reader, for $99.99; the front-lit Kobo Glo e-reader, for $129.99; and the Kobo Arc Android tablet, for $199.99. Last year, the company stopped selling them through its website and only made them available through chains like Target and Best Buy as well as the independent bookstores that Kobo partners with through the American Booksellers Association.

A Kobo spokesman told me that last year, the company’s “top priority” was to “meet the demand of holiday shoppers around the world. As such, we paid close attention to our distribution channels to ensure that our retail partners were fully stocked for the busy buying season.We established a distribution process that runs very well, and were very happy with our end-of-year results, with Kobo’s E Ink eReader sales up nearly 150 percent in December. To further expand on our offerings and to provide customers with another place to purchase we are now offering our world-class devices and accessories through Kobo.com.”

Kobo says it has 13 million readers worldwide. The company launched in Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Africa and the Netherlands in 2012 and plans to head to Russia, India and China in 2013. In the United States, its share of the ebook market is small and lags behind Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Apple.

Lexmark Sells Their Inkjet Assets

We received this announcement this week. It sounds like Lexmark is doing what IBM did. IBM sold their PC business line to Lenovo, who actually made everything anyway, and Lexmark is selling their inkjet lineto Funai.

We asked our contacts at Lexmark for some insight and here’s what we heard back:

• We didn't just sell our inkjet technology and assets to anyone. Funai knows Lexmark very well and has worked with us closely since 1997. They are the right company to carry this inkjet business forward.
• Customer support (technical and warranty) for users of Lexmark inkjets remains unchanged and will not be disrupted during this transition.

Here’s the announcement:

Funai Electric Company, Ltd. (TSE/OSE 6839) today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Lexmark International, Inc.'s (NYSE: LXK) inkjet-related technology and assets for approximately $100 million (approximately JPY 9.5 billion).

Upon closing of the transaction, Funai will acquire more than 1,500 inkjet patents, Lexmark's inkjet-related research and development assets and tools, all outstanding shares and the manufacturing facility of Lexmark International (Philippines), Inc., and other inkjet-related technologies and assets. Through this transaction, Funai will acquire the capabilities to develop, manufacture and sell inkjet hardware as well as inkjet supplies. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close within the first half of 2013.

As an OEM manufacturer, Funai has manufactured inkjet hardware for Lexmark since 1997 and the companies have established a strong relationship over that time.

The acquisition of the inkjet-related technology and assets will enable Funai to launch new inkjet hardware and supplies under Funai's own brands. Funai has established a strategy to develop and grow its inkjet printer business by introducing Funai's own inkjet printers and supplies into the market. With the inkjet patents, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and comprehensive R&D capabilities, Funai will be able to accelerate the expansion of its inkjet business.

For Lexmark customers and distributors, there will not be a disruption of service or support as they continue to work directly with Lexmark. Funai will become a manufacturer of Lexmark's aftermarket inkjet supplies. Lexmark will continue to support its installed base of customers in the sale of aftermarket inkjet supplies and will continue to provide customer technical and warranty support.

Goldman, Sachs & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Lexmark on this transaction.

"This transaction provides us with a crucial and tremendous opportunity to enhance our office solution business," said Funai president and chief executive officer, Tomonori Hayashi. "Funai and Lexmark have developed a great partnership, and we are glad to take over Lexmark's inkjet-related technology and assets. The acquisition of the inkjet-related technology and assets enables Funai to start and grow our own inkjet business. Funai will benefit from the strong inkjet business platform that Lexmark has established."

"As we continue our transition to becoming a leading end-to-end solutions provider, this transaction essentially completes our exit from the ownership of inkjet-related assets, although we will continue to support our existing customer base with the sale of inkjet supplies," said Paul Rooke, Lexmark chairman and chief executive officer. "Funai has been a trusted partner of Lexmark's since 1997, and I am fully confident in Funai's ability to deliver high-quality inkjet supplies for Lexmark."

iFruit Mea Culpa

Tim Cook, the CEO of the iFruit company, recently apologized to the entire nation of China. His exact words were: “We are aware that a lack of external communication in this process has lead to the speculation that Apple is arrogant, does not care or does not attach importance to consumer feedback. We express our sincere apologies for any concerns or misunderstandings this gives consumers.”.

What on earth was he apologizing for and why? It turns out that there was an “impression” that the iFruit company didn’t treat the Chinese market with the same level of respect that they expected. Apple will now improve their tech support level in order to appease the Chicoms.

With the price of iFruit stock in the tank they must do everything possible to keep sales up and if that means groveling before a major market then they will do it. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Can you picture Steve Jobs kowtowing to any market anywhere? I certainly can’t.

Vizio Computers

VIZIO recently announced the pricing and availability of its spring 2013 line-up of Windows 8 PCs, equipped with 10-finger capacitive touch displays on every new model and supported by outstanding picture quality and rich audio. With select models now available for pre-order at VIZIO.com and on sale at MicrosoftStore.com, each Thin + Light and All-in-One model offers seamless touchscreen technology, powerful performance and premium entertainment enhancements for the ideal interactive Windows 8 experience.

Offering the top-of-the-line quad-core processors from both AMD (A10 APU) and Intel® (Core™ i7), the VIZIO Touch PC line-up boasts optimal performance in an exquisitely designed, premium PC. Highlighted by 15.6" Full HD (starting at $1,189.99) and 14" HD+ (starting at $1,089.99) screen sizes, VIZIO's Thin + Light Touch models showcase an ultra-thin profile, multi-gesture touchscreen and increased battery capacity. A standard voltage quad-core processor enables the Thin + Light Touch to perform like a desktop, but is conveniently mobile thanks to an ultra-thin chassis.

The All-in-One Touch PCs are also now available to consumers, offering 24" (starting at $1,279.99) and 27" ($1,549.99) screen size options. With stunning, Full HD 1080p touchscreen display, enhanced 2.1 audio system with subwoofer, remote control and dual HDMI inputs, the VIZIO All-in-One Touch PC delivers world-class entertainment and performance. An alluring design with sleek lines, wireless keyboard and multi-gesture touchpad, the All-in-One Touch is a marriage of beauty and functionality.