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Sony has just announced that they will be working together with four other companies in Japan; Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd., Gourmet Navigator Inc. and Tanseisha Co. Ltd. Each of the companies will be performing different necessary aspects of the project at hand, it is intended that together these companies will be able to establish a type of partnership.

This venture is one that would allow them to focus on the promotion and use of FeliCa cards, which are used primarily when it comes to ticketing or transactions of electronic money.

In Japan, the major trend going on is to have one’s FeliCa card put into their cell phone.  When cell phones are equipped with the FeliCa cards designed by Sony, they are able to be scanned in order to allow easy and effortless data transfers, this turns one’s cell phone into a type of e-bank.

The partnership will not be officially established until January 2008 and the startup capital is estimated to be approximately 400 million yen, or just over 3.5 million U.S. dollars.  Sony will be absorbing the majority of this investment with a 60 percent stake.

While the FeliCa card is not yet a major hit yet within the United States, it has seen a great deal of action in other areas of the world.  Since 1996, Sony has managed to ship more than 250 million FeliCa cards, primarily in Japan and Asian countries such as China and Singapore.

After the announcement of this partnership, the Japanese-based shares of almost all of the companies involved in the collaboration increased.

Via [News.com]

The Nintendo DS Platform has a number of great games out and just in time for the holidays!  By the end of the year, there will have been more than 400 games released for the DS, which can make shopping for the DS a little difficult.  If you are shopping for a DS gamer and need some suggestions on what to purchase, here are some of the top games you might want to consider!

Some of the classic games, which are those that were released as far back as November 2004 (when the DS was launched) but still offer loads of entertainment for those who might have missed getting any of them, include NEW Super Mario Bros., Pokemon: Diamond Version and Animal Crossing Wild World.

Here are some options for DS games that are targeted specifically for children who own the DS.  These include Chibbi Robo: Park Patrol, Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck (featuring Daffy Duck), and the adventure game Touch Detective 2 ½.

Meanwhile, when shopping for individuals that are specifically interested in adventure or role playing games, gift-buyers might want to consider Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Luminous Arc or Rune Factory.  Some of the most likely RPG games to drawn gamers in, each of these has a different and separate type of RPG world to display.

And since DS games are not just appreciated by younger audiences,  Dementium: The Ward, Ultimate Mortal Kombat and LifeSigns: Surgical Unit are some great options for mature players who are interested in adventure, fighting or simulation games, respectively.

For some more in depth information regarding the games mentioned above check out our sister site Gamertell.

Nokia actually has a very extensive time line.  Dating back to the early 1980’s, the company now known primarily for their cell phones believes that by knowing the past of Nokia, it will be possible to more successfully create the future.

The first generation analog created with it the Mobira Senator, which was used by individual ambulance personnel during the ambulance strike in the early 1980’s.  It was followed by, among others, the Mobira Talkman, the Excell PC105, and 5 different Technophone models which rounded out the 1980’s.

Generation digital phones started rolling out by Nokia between 1993 and 1994.  Nokia’s 232 phone was actually used by Alicia Silverstone in the film “Clueless”.  In 1996, the hit movie “The Matrix” also featured Nokia’s 8110 phone.  A number of stylish phones were put out during this time period, which were appreciated by consumers even if they were not placed in films.  These included Nokia’s 2190, 2180, 6130 and 6190.

Just before 1998, the 2.5G phones were beginning to be created and introduced to the world market.  This generation of phones included the 6162, the 9110 Communicator, the sturdy and reliable 3210 and the Nokia card phone 2.0.

The dawning of the new millennium also saw the dawning of many new Nokia phones.  These featured the 6280 New York phone, Nokia’s 7380 Paris phone and the N91 Nemo phone.

Over the last 20+ years, Nokia has come a long way and the future seems to be wide open as far as possibilities go for the cell phone creators. Nokia still today has some very desirable phones on the market.

Read [NewLaunches] Image [Product Timeline]

With many different companies clammering to get involved in the video download game, it can be difficult to see, at first, what sets SyncTV apart from the rest of its peers.  As a spinoff from Pioneer, SyncTV actually does have key characteristics that set it apart and make it stand out from the more familiar household names, such as Apple, Amazon and NBC.

Flexibility is a big advantage with the SyncTV system since it works on many different types of operating systems and computers, including Windows, Linux or Macs. When the time comes that portable media players that are compatible with SyncTV are released, individuals will be able to watch SyncTV programing on ten different devices.

The initial cost may be a turnoff to some, as SyncTV charges between $2 and $4 for each channel an individual subscribes to, but there are key characteristics to note that would help consumers feel more comfortable with paying that price.  One, the person pays their monthly fees for their channels, they have unlimited access to those channels.  On top of that, they will be able to access not just a few shows, but potentially entire season of series.

Right now, however, SyncTV is facing one of the most common video download issues for these types of companies.  There is a distinct lack of available content.  While Showtime is currently working with SyncTV (and who doesn’t love Michael C. Hall’s portrayal of a serial killer in Dexter?), there are not yet any other big names siding with SyncTV.

Via [DownloadSquad]

As the PSP gaming console is determined to be a big hit this year, it will be equally important to provide the gamers on your holiday gift list with games that are just as exciting as the Sony console.

When it comes to strategy and RPG games, Jeanne D’Arc is a top contender.  Prior to the release of this game, there was a notable lack of strategy games for the PSP.  With a unique fantasy twist, Jeanne D’Arc is based loosely on the heroine of the past, Joan of Arc.  Another great strategy RPG game to consider would be Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.

If the gamer on your list is more into horror or thriller games, Silent Hill: Origins may be just what you are after.  The first Silent Hill game made for the PSP, it is a comfort to know that all the characteristics which made the Silent Hill franchise such a success on other consoles are still present and accounted for in the PSP version.  Manhunt 2 is another action game that may interest PSP owners and gamers.

For those players focused on Action, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters is a can’t-miss.  Loaded with fun and wild weapons, Ratchet and Clank travel around the galaxy, mini-games and solid mechanics help to ensure that this game will appeal to virtually any PSP player.  Sid Meier’s Pirates is another Action themed PSP game that may be a great selection for the Action obsessed on your holiday list.

With such diverse options for the selection of PSP games this holiday season, it is possible - and enjoyable - to find the ideal PSP game choice for any PSP owner.

For some more in depth information regarding the games mentioned above check out our sister site Gamertell.

Despite the fact that the name is a complete mystery even to many of the employees that are working on it, Google has created a unique intranet for their workers to take part in during the day.

Moma, the intranet portal designed by Google, is a space designed with a simple goal in mind.  Moma seeks to accurately organize the information found by Google and make said information comprehensible and useful to those internet users that rely on Google for their search queries.  Available to office workers employed by Google, the connection to the Google intranet comes installed as a standard feature on laptops handed out to employees working for the company.  However, the employee is required to provide account credentials in order to successfully authenticate their sign-in.

Moma has been said to go back as far as 2005, but the beginning versions were not very aesthetic.  Though it was valuable to those who were hungry specifically for data, Moma at this time was messy to sift through and aesthetically challenged.  The inside of Google, Moma allows those employees using it to find specific information, as well as information pertinent to specific employees, meeting room availability, maps of buildings and much more.

Published by Google in their Enterprise Blog, a screenshot of Moma in action shows the functionality available through Moma.  While there is a “Universal Search” that can be utilized, there are also ways to narrow down the search.  Some of these search categories that allow specification include “Tech”, “Official” and “Community” results.

Via [Blogoscoped]

Shopping for gamers can always be a bit difficult if the shopper is not familiar with the available platform games and the specific tastes of the individual.  However, with this helpful guide, shoppers can manage to wrangle up a great holiday gift for any Xbox 360 gamer on their list, getting by knowing only the basics about the types of games the individual gift recipient enjoys.

When shopping for Xbox 360 players, it is important to look at what has happened this year (2007) with Microsoft, since this will help to determine what games are available, how sought after specific games are or have been, and what games are exclusive to the Xbox 360.

After 2 years, Microsoft has made a number of strides with the Xbox 360 console.  Not only outselling PS3 games in Japan, but also managing to make a profit for the first time, gamers of the Xbox 360 platform are likely to love game gifts this season.

Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV are some great action games that are doing well with the Xbox 360.  Not only that, but Microsoft has managed to nab exclusive rights to the latest installment of the Grand Theft Auto series.  If your gift recipient is one who appreciates tactical maneuvers or car chases and action, these are going to be some potential gifts to consider.

Other games that left Sony to partner up with the Xbox team include Ace Combat 6, Final Fantasy XI and the to-be-released games Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4.  If you are looking to purchase any of these games, it is important to be aware that the only platform they will be available on is the Xbox 360.

For some more in depth information regarding the games mentioned above check out our sister site Gamertell.

TVTonic is a unique new innovation that allows users to watch subscription channels or podcasts on one’s own personal computer. Great for all kinds of lifestyles, TVTonic allows individuals to not only subscribe, but also view and manage any of the many podcasts that also simultaneously support RSS enclosures. The exclusive access channels that TVTonic users have access to are supplied to TVTonic users free, which adds to the appeal of the product.

Users also have the option of watching while signed online or while remaining offline and is designed specifically to be used with either a remote control, mouse or a keyboard.  Optimized for Windows Vista or the XP Media Center platforms, TVTonic also requires Internet Explorer version 6 or higher.

Because video files can take up large amounts of space on an individual’s computer, TVTonic is advantageous in the manner in which it allows individuals to control how much disk space each channel takes up.  This is accomplished through simple user graphs and charts.

Advertiser supported, TVTonic costs users nothing but allows them a number of unique benefits.  Nonetheless, there are no pop-up ads or ad-ware that would make the TVTonic application less attractive to potential users.  There are commercials that are played between selections, much as there are commercials played intermittently on cable news or viewing channels.  In fact, with video feeds, news and other great options, TVTonic is bound to be a great new wave in broadcast media and information absorption by subscribers.

Via [TVTonic]

Google Gadgets is the mini-application created and toted by Google offering a wide variety of content to their users.  Quick access to items such as news feeds and individualized to-do lists, Google Gadgets have quickly become a great innovation that individuals rely on in their day-to-day life activities.

Now, using Google Gadgets has become even easier for Mac and PC users. Mac users can now conveniently run their Google Gadgets along with their Apple Widgets in Dashboard.  Running these applications side by side allows users to have the same items on their Mac, iGoogle pages and the ever-helpful Google Desktop Sidebar.  This helps users to create a centralized and exceptionally efficient Dashboard area on their computers.  For example, some aspects that can be capitalized upon from the Dashboard with the Gadgets include YouTube, the video site owned by Google, Virtual Flower Pot and the Weather Globe, which is a unique and interesting 3-D weather sphere that appears in the Dashboard to show users different weather conditions.

As developers create one particular gadget to work with both Mac’s and PC’s, the advantages are many.  With just one simple click, users are now able to install upwards of hundreds of Google Gadgets.  Better still, these can be run in the Dashboard of Mac computers and will also have the potential to allow individuals utilizing the Google Gadgets to enhance their own personal web sites.

Via [News.com]

GPS device makers TomTom and Garmin have had to endure a long and drawn out rivalry, however there is an additional company that could give both Garmin and TomTom a cause to be alarmed. Nokia Corp. has also been working to establish themselves within the GPS market. However, certain new developments have paved the way for TomTom to potentially put an end to these rivalries once and for all.

Garmin had proposed a buy-out of $3.3 billion for Dutch mapmaking company Tele Atlas NV. Recently, they withdrew their bid. Officials explained that the bid was an attempt to keep its two major rivals, Nokia Corp. and TomTom, from gaining control of the two major map and globe rivals, which featured the Tele Atlas NV company as well as Navteq Corp.

The withdraw on the part of Garmin clears the way for TomTom to enter the picture and negotiate with Tele Atlas NV. Previously, TomTom had offered more than $2 billion for the Dutch company, which led to the higher offer of $3.3 billion from Garmin, which they ultimately determined was a price that they could not follow through on.

Meanwhile, Navteq Corp. has formed a relationship with the Garmin. This relationship stands to secure maps for all of new Garmin devices through the year 2015.

While Garmin may have found a way to ensure they are not eliminated any time soon, Garmin has only been able to negotiate a partnership with Navteq Corp., which would end potentially in 2015, while TomTom is situated in a position to completely buy out Tele Atlas NV. Future events will help to determine how much damage the takeover of Tele Atlas NV by TomTom could cause. Until then, Garmin seems content to focus on their relationship with Navteq Corp.

Via [CE Daily News]