Nokia revealed a new N-series phone in its Nokia World event in Barcelona. The new N-series flagship model N97 features a 3,5-inch touchscreen at 360×640 resolution, full QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and a hefty 32GB flash memory.
Nokia told that their first touch-screen QWERTY phone will enable easy access to social media and other web services. Adding to the already mentioned N97 will include A-GPS, standard 3,5 mm jack, FM transmitter, TV-out as well as HSDPA and WiFi connectivity.
“From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence,” said Jonas Geust, Vice President, heading Nokia Nseries. “Together with the Ovi services announced today, the Nokia N97 mobile computer adjusts to the world around us, helping stay connected to the people and things that matter most. With the Nokia N97, Nseries leads the charge in helping to transform the Internet into your Internet”.
N97 measures at 117,2 x 55,3 x 15,9 mm and 150 g. It will hit the stores during the first half of 2009 and the price before taxes is expected to be around 550 euros (approx. $690)
Result for: existence
One of the most recognizable names in music entertainment has maintained a “No Downloads” policy ever since Apple’s iTunes revolutionized purchasing music on the Internet. AC/DC does not support the download format, and definitely not Apple’s iTunes service. In Australia however, BigPond has added 16 AC/DC albums to its line-up, available in MP3 and WMA formats (some sell as WMA only).
“Since iTunes came into existence, we’ve actually increased our back catalogue sales without being on the site. We were sternly warned by our management team and our record label that the complete opposite would be the case,” Angus Young said in a recent interview.
“Maybe I’m just being old-fashioned, but this iTunes, God bless ‘em, it’s going to kill music if they’re not careful,” Brian Johnson told Reuters. “It’s a…monster, this thing. It just worries me. And I’m sure they’re just doing it all in the interest of making as much…cash as possible. Let’s put it this way, it’s certainly not for the…love, let’s get that out of the way, right away.”
According to AC/DC representatives, the “No Downloads” policy does not just apply to Apple, but to all other companies selling music on the Internet. BigPond music is selling 16 AC/DC albums at $16.50 a piece, but the new album will not be available on the service and no single tracks are available to download. “AC/DC Live” is the number 17 album for BigPond this week.
Result for: existence
Blockbuster has announced that it will finally be expanding its Blu-ray offering. Despite Blu-ray’s official launch in June 2006, the large rental service only began stocking the HD discs in July 2007 in limited offerings.
The company will now be expanding its Blu-ray offering from 1700 stores to 5000 stores within the United States and Canada. For those who use the online mail service, the company will offer Blu-ray as an optional default medium. In store, HDTVs paired with PlayStation 3 consoles will serve as demonstration kiosks.
Although Blockbuster has never specifically explained the low offering of Blu-ray films in its stores, the reason was most likely the existence of HD DVD, Blu-ray’s now obsolete format rival. Had tables been turned, Blockbuster could have been stuck with many discs with low resale value.
