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Certified to military specs, Verizon's latest Push to Talk flip-phone is ruggedized against shock/vibration, dust, high or low temperatures, and altitude. It's also waterproof in up to one meter of...

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The Topspin blog has a story of one of the bands they've worked with, a lesser known act called Fanfarlo, that was able to reach some specific goals in promoting itself and building up its fan base, while getting many to commit to paying. From that, the post discusses a four step "formula" that the band used for success (listed here with my summary):

1. Don't suck: something that often gets lost in these discussions. The music still does need to be good. All of these business models are that much harder if the music isn't any good and fans don't like it. Playing good music is a definite first step.
2. Get others to introduce you to their audience: This is another good point. I've been talking to some musicians lately, who were trying to understand how to best apply some of this stuff, and I often suggest looking for other, more well-known acts, that the band can work with to get some sort of endorsement, or "opening" slot on a tour (or even just a gig) as a way of reaching more fans. The Topspin post points out that some people assume that this is the real story behind the success of Fanfarlo, but the numbers don't bear that out. It probably accounted for approximately 30% of the band's sales. Not shabby, but hardly the only reason for the band's success.
3. Make those audiences an offer they can't refuse: In this case, the band offered a download of their album, plus four bonus tracks for $1 for a limited time. Yes, all of the songs combined for a dollar -- not each of them for a dollar apiece. While I normally support just giving away the music for free, I can see a reason to offer them all for a dollar in some situations. In this case, it gets more people to commit to the music and the band, but at a price that is much easier to deal with. I'm still not convinced that $1 is better than free, but it sure beats regular album prices. While this offer was for a limited time, after it was over, the band still offered the download cheaply ($6).
4. Repeat: This is another important one. We keep hearing bands put in place business model promotions that are one time deals, rather than a fully thought-out continuous and ongoing business model. By repeating the process, not only can a band keep making money, but it lets them iterate and experiment, and find out what works (and what doesn't.).

In this case, it looks like things definitely worked. It was able to get 15,000 new fans on its mailing list, with a rather stunning 13,000 of those buying something (but fans just want stuff for free, right?). Of those who simply viewed the download offer, an amazing 22% made a purchase. That's an insane conversion rate. Also 30% of the download buyers came back and bought a physical product later (CD, vinyl or special edition).

All in all, yet another successful example of a band figuring out ways to connect with fans while giving them a reason to buy.

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True, it's just an ordinary netbook from an ordinary company, but the Gateway LT2106u is now official and brings with it a contractual obligation to Verizon Wireless in return for a discount off the claimed $500 retail price. Just don't get too excited about your new found frugality since you'll still be forking over monthly access fees as high as $60 per month for 5GB of data. The netbook itself packs 3G data (presumably via Qualcomm's world-wide Gobi) and the usual N270 Atom proc, 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 display, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, WiFi, and up to 6 hours of battery life if you shut everything down but the 3-in-1 memory card reader. Available October 4th for $150 after mail-in rebate.

Filed under: Laptops

Verizon's Gateway LT2106u 3G netbook is working for the weekend originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Call it a cool idea, call it ridiculous, call it a one-off novelty -- whatever the case, Verizon's unique Razzle will be hitting stores next week. The PCD-sourced handset is Verizon's branded version of the TXT8030 and features a totally unique twisting bottom half with stereo speakers and music controls on one side and a full QWERTY keyboard on the other. This is a truly low-end handset on account of its 1.3 megapixel camera and forgettable 2.2-inch display, but on the plus side, it's got microSD expansion and GPS -- and there's the nice little bit about the price, too, which comes in at $69.99 on contract. It'll be available to order from Verizon's web store starting the 6th, while brick-and-mortar locations pick it up "later this month."

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Verizon Razzle starts twisting on October 6 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple bought its own mapping company, Placebase, in July, according to an article in Computer World. Apparently that’s part of Apple’s plan to put some distance between it and its one-time buddy, Google.

The deal wasn’t announced, evidently because the purchase price was so small that it wasn’t a financially material event for Apple. Writer Seth Weintraub figured it out because he saw that chief executive of Placebase, Jaron Waldman, is now head of the Geo Team at Apple. Placebase had mapping software that was similar to Google Maps.

Fortunately for Apple, it didn’t have to pay billions for Placebase, as Nokia did for Navteq. But Apple is smart to believe that mapping technology could be critical for its future as it offers services where location-based information is increasingly relevant. And since Google is the primary backer of the Android operating system, it’s better for Apple not to be dependent on Google Maps.

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Windows Mobile 6.5 phones arrive next Tuesday, and as rumored, the HTC Imagio will be amongst them. It has a 3.6-inch screen with TouchFLO 3D UI, dual CDMA/GSM compatibility, and is Verizon's first...

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Those Imagio rumors have proven to be deliciously correct, with Verizon officially announcing the beastly Windows Mobile 6.5 set for availability on October 6 -- the first day 6.5 devices will officially be available anywhere. HTC's latest CDMA device features a spacious wide VGA display clocking in at 3.6 inches, a 5 megapixel autofocus cam, quadband EDGE plus HSPA 2100 for when you're looking for a little connectivity abroad, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the very latest iteration of TouchFLO 3D featuring social network integration, but the most interesting feature might be its support for MediaFLO-based VCAST TV -- a first for HTC and Windows Mobile. Interest parties need only wait until next Tuesday to latch onto an Imagio online, while retail stores will be taking delivery on the 20th of the month -- either way, you'll be paying $199.99 on contract after rebate.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

HTC Imagio launches on Verizon: WinMo 6.5 and VCAST TV on October 6 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MG Siegler / TechCrunch:
Cry Us A River: Timberlake Bails On His Own SF Party To Go Dress Up As Sean Parker  —  So, Justin Timberlake was supposed to be at a party tomorrow night in San Francisco.  The “special, private celebration” was in honor of the company Particle (which counts Timberlake as its lead investor), which recently launched its Robo.to service.

Technology tech, Technology

At least 200 are dead after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia.

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This is totally out of left field, but TmoNews (which tends to have a pretty solid track record when it comes to all things T-Mobile) is claiming that "select" G1s will be receiving Android 1.6 "Donut" starting... well, right about now. So much for any lingering worries that the first retail Android device was being left high and dry, eh? If everything goes well, the rumor goes on to say that myTouch 3Gs would be getting their own over-the-air upgrade in about 24 hours -- and like the 1.5 update before it, it'd likely be a staggered rollout to make sure that T-Mobile doesn't brick a bazillion phones in one fell swoop. Any G1 owners out there seeing anything yet? This sounds awfully quick, especially considering that the Dev Phone 1 just took delivery of 1.6 a handful of hours ago -- but hey, if it's true, we like T-Mobile's hustle.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Android 1.6 getting pushed to G1s starting tonight, myTouch 3Gs in a day? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An anonymous reader writes "Consortium members read like a Whose-Who in technology research for the Battery 500 Project which aims to use nanotechnology to extend the range of all-electric cars 200 miles beyond the 300-mile range of gasoline powered cars. IBM, the University of California at Berkeley and all five of our U.S. National Labs are collaborating to make the 500-mile electric car battery. Within two years, they promise to have a new kind of battery technology in place for the 500-mile electric car. If that happens, then I predict a mass exodus from gasoline to electric powered cars that will make the Toyota Prius look like a fad."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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An anonymous reader writes "Consortium members read like a Who's Who in technology research for the Battery 500 Project which aims to use nanotechnology to extend the range of all-electric cars 200 miles beyond the 300-mile range of gasoline powered cars. IBM, the University of California at Berkeley and all five of our US National Labs are collaborating to make the 500-mile electric car battery. Within two years, they promise to have a new kind of battery technology in place for the 500-mile electric car. If that happens, then I predict a mass exodus from gasoline to electric powered cars that will make the Toyota Prius look like a fad."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Network World welcomes Global Knowledge Training as a contributor to Cisco Subnet. Global Knowledge is offering a free Cisco training course worth up to $3,495 to be given to one lucky Cisco Subnet reader. What's more, the winning reader can choose any five-day (or shorter) Cisco course in the United States from the Global Knowledge catalog. Training is offered in hundreds of U.S. cities.

Global Knowledge offers one of the largest networks of Cisco certified training partners in the world. Every course follows the Cisco Official Curriculum and is taught by a Cisco Certified Trainer. This competition closes October 31, so don't delay, answer the easy trivia question below and enter for a chance to win a free Cisco training course.

QUESTION TO ENTER TO WIN A FREE TRAINING COURSE FROM GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE:  According to Global Knowledge trainer Dennis Hartmann, what does the acronym SRST stand for?  (Hint, answer is also posted somewhere on the Cisco Subnet home page.)

How to enter to win: Answer the above trivia question correctly, e-mail your answer to Julie Bort at jbort@nww.com and your entry will be entered into a drawing to win a free Global Knowledge Training training course of your choosing, of a duration of five days or less. In the e-mail, please include the answer to the question above, your name, your job title, your U.S. address and your daytime telephone number. Please write: "Global Knowledge Cisco August competition" in the subject of your e-mail. Full competition rules below.

 EXTRAS: * Enter to win free books and other goodies from Cisco Subnet. See the main Cisco Subnet page for details.* Visit the Cisco Subnet page for daily news, blogs, more contests and security alerts.* Subscribe to the Cisco Subnet RSS feed to learn of more news and contests as we post them.* Follow Cisco Subnet on Twitter

Competition rules:

1. No purchase necessary. All entrants must be 18 years of age. This offer is void where prohibited or restricted by law, and subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

2. Network World, Inc., will begin accepting e-mail entries on the date that Cisco Subnet makes the trivia question available. One entry per individual.

3. To enter by e-mail, participants must respond to the Global Knowledge competition by midnight, October 31, 2009 (PT). No entries will be acknowledged or returned, and all entries become the property of Network World. Network World is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, incomplete or misdirected entries. All such entries will be disqualified.

4. The Global Knowledge training giveaway closes at midnight, October 31, 2009 (PT). One winner will be picked at random from the entries with the correct answers. The winners will be notified after the close of the competition at a date determined by Network World. All winners notified must RSVP by the date indicated in the e-mail sent by Network World. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the Prize. Answer to the trivia question will be published on Cisco Subnet, along with the name of the winner. The winner must register for the course within 90 days of receiving the notification e-mail.

5. The odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.

6. PRIZE: One (1) "Global Knowledge Training" training course of the winner's choosing, of a duration of five days or less. (Course listings can be found here.) No remainder credit will be given if the winner chooses a course that is of a duration of less than five days. Should the winner choose an onsite course, the winner is responsible for his/her own transportation to and from the training facility, and for his/her own accommodation. The winner is also responsible for his/her own food throughout the duration of the course/stay. The winner is responsible for the purchase of additional course materials and for exam payments/costs. The winner must register for the course within 90 days of receiving the notification e-mail.

7. No substitution, transfer or assignment of the Prize is allowed, except that Network World reserves the right to award a prize of equal or greater value in the event of unavailability. The Prize is not transferable for cash.

8. Network World, its parent, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, assigns and licensees, advertising and promotion agencies and the employees of each shall have no liability in connection with any tampering, hacking, computer virus, bugs, worms, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this contest, nor in connection with unavailable network connections; failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transactions; online failures; hardware, software or other technical malfunctions or disturbances; or any other communications failures or circumstances affecting, disrupting or corrupting the contest in any manner.

9. All entrants agree to permit Network World to publicize their entry on its Web site and in other media, and use their entries for Network world marketing/advertising materials in all media and in perpetuity and for any and all purposes. Furthermore, upon submission, entrant waives any and all right to his/her right to privacy or publicity in connection with the entry. By entering, entrants agree to the use of the winner’s name and likeness for purposes of advertising and promotion without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Network World, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability or injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with participation in this contest or acceptance or use of any prize.

10. Winners agree that their name, likeness and voice may be used by Network World for advertising and promotional purposes without compensation

11. Employees of Network World, its parent, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, assigns and licensees, advertising and promotion agencies, and the families of each are not eligible.

12. Network World reserves sole, final and binding judgment as to all matters concerning the contest.

13. Any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by arbitration. Any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this contest but in no event attorneys’ fees. Participants shall be bound by these Official Rules.

14. Any tampering with the contest in any matter is prohibited. Tampering includes, but is not limited to, preventing the submission of some or all entries, submitting more than one entry per individual per book, or otherwise compromising the integrity of the contest in any manner. Network World reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether the contest has been tampered with. Network World reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who it suspects or has found, in its sole discretion, to have tampered with the contest, submitted multiple entries or submitted entries using any automated means.

15. Network World reserves the right to prosecute any individual suspected or proven to have deliberately tampered with the contest.

16. Network World is not responsible for unavailable network connections; failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transactions; online failures; hardware, software or other technical malfunctions or disturbances; or any other communications failures or circumstances affecting, disrupting or corrupting the contest in any manner.

17. If Network World determines, in its sole discretion, that technical difficulties or unforeseen events outside Network World's control compromise the integrity or viability of the contest, Network World reserves the right to void the entries at issue and/or terminate the relevant portion of the contest.

18. To obtain the name of the winner, as well as a copy of the rules, send a request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: "Network World-Global Knowledge October training giveaway contest" c/o Cheryl Crivello, Network World, 492 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701.

19. The Sponsor of this contest is Network World, 492 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 01701.

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Google made two significant enhancements to Google.com on mobile phones on Wednesday.

The first, history sync, now makes it possible to carry over a record of your search queries when you switch between mobile and desktop versions of Google.com. Dubbed "Personalized Suggest," Google will now remember your searches and will add them into the list of search suggestions you see as you type into the search bar. The new feature saves you from browsing through your history to repeat a query.

Of course, you do have to be logged into Google for this to work, and you've got to have Web History switched on. Enable it on a phone by selecting "save searches" in the Settings menu on Google.com. At launch, the feature is only available in the US on Android, iPhone, and Palm WebOS phones.

The second addition today similarly gets the mobile and desktop versions of Google.com talking to one another. Google has redesigned local search to make finding places of interest while on the mobile Google site much more finger-friendly. Click or tap "Local" on the mobile browser and you'll see a start screen with categories you can browse to find restaurants and other businesses nearby, similar to what you can do on Google Maps. You'll need to have the My Location feature enabled.

There's also a category for viewing the points of interest that you starred as favorites on a Google Map. Starring essentially bookmarks the location's Google Place page. Bookmarking isn't anything new, but the browsable layout is relatively new to Google, which generally favors bare links to graphical enhancements. This treatment has the mobile Google site looking like a mobile hotspot-finding app you might find in an on-phone app store. We have to say, it's a nice change.

The rejiggered Local Search kicks off in the US and China, with support for more regions in the works.

Technology tech, Technology

We've already seen plenty of leaked info about HP's upcoming Core i7-based dv8, but nothing beats an official specs page on a company's own server for proof, does it? Looks like this 18.4-inch monster will pack a 1.6GHz Core i7 processor (we're guessing that's the baseline speed, as Intel's Turbo tech will boost the max speed of a single core far higher), 4GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT230 graphics, and a LightScribe Blu-ray burner. Oh, and it'll weigh nearly nine pounds -- but that's a small price to pay, right?

[Thanks, Alexi]

Continue reading HP dv8 specs page goes live, confirms Core i7 processor

Filed under: Laptops

HP dv8 specs page goes live, confirms Core i7 processor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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