24 October 2007

YouTube NZ Launched


Today (24 Oct 07), YouTube has launched local channel in New Zealand.

The YouTube NZ page features localised search and homepage and will highlight videos relevant to the NZ market.

It's great news for kiwis. Not only because we can access local content more easily on YouTube,
but also shows the global brands are paying more attention on localisation rather than US centric.

Check out - http://nz.youtube.com/

11 October 2007

Intel to Ramp Up Online Ads


Intel starting next year, will require its “Intel inside” marketing partners to devote to online marketing at least 35% of the ad dollars Intel provides to computer makers through its co-op program. Among the companies in Intel’s program are technology giants like Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba.

Intel is also changing the media outlays for its own ads to more than 50% online in another two years, from about 15% two years ago. Intel spends about $300 million a year worldwide on its own advertising. So about $150 million will go online every year from Intel.

The reason, according to Intel executives, is that research shows consumers are already turning more to the online media when they consider buying products like those with Intel CPUs, which include desktop and notebook computers.

A survey of how consumers are influenced in their buying decisions, which Intel undertook this year, showed that three or four out of the top five sources have something to do with the online media.

Spending on ads in the online media in the United States has been growing rapidly as Americans alter the way they consume media. In the first half of 2007, Internet ad revenue totaled almost $10 billion, the IAB and PWC reported last week, an increase of nearly 27% from the same period a year ago.

Sony PlayStation 3 40GB vs. 60GB


Sony is launching a new cut-down version of PlayStation 3 in Europe, US, Australia, Japan and some other countries in Asia and Africa (haven't heard about New Zealand yet). The price for the 40GB cut-down model will be JPY39,980 (NZ$446). The 60GB PS3 will also drop to JPY54,980 (NZ$614).

What're the differences between the cut-down version and the current one? Obviously, the cut-down model has a 40GB hard drive instead of the current 60GB one (40GB will be big enough for me). The 40GB PS3 cannot play PlayStation 2 games (I won't play PS2 games on PS3 anyway). The number of USB connectors has also been halved to 2 (it doesn't matter to me).

The 60GB PS3 package with 2 games and 2 controllers is still selling at NZ$1,199 in New Zealand. I'm waiting for the price to drop. But if the 40GB version arrives here, I'll definitely opt for it.

Check out more quality photos about the PlayStation 3 40GB.

03 October 2007

New Microsoft Zune MP3 Player [video]

The first generation Zune MP3 player didn't come to New Zealand, hope the new one will.

02 October 2007

First Look of the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV


Sony will announce its 11" OLED TV on 1st December 2007. It's only 3-mm thin and has 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio! You're right, it won't be cheap. The price will be US$1,740 (NZ$2,275) - that's about NZ$207 per inch of the OLED.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X


Tired of computer toys? Let's have a look at a bigger toy - the official photo of the new Lancer Evolution X.

Check out more quality photos of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.