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Trendnet launches its TEW-648UBM-- a small 150Mbps Wireless N USB adapter. It measures only 1.5 x 1.9 x 0.7 cm.
The adapter is ideal for laptops. Once plugged into USB port the adapter extends only 0.8cm from the machine's edge.
Trendnet says its device is the only product in its class with a WPS button. Users press the compatible router's WPS button and then the adapter's button, before confirming connection.
The Italian kitchen product company introduces its Alessi Tab, an Android-based tablet.
Unlike most tablets, the Tab comes in a digital photo-frame angular shape (making it stand upright) ideal for tables and countertops. It has a 10.1" touchscreen, 1GB internal memory, wifi connection and integrated camera/microphone.
The Tab's form factor combined with the Android OS makes it a potential home installation "remote control".
Alessi includes a number of apps for news, weather forecasts, recipes and timers.
Go Alessi Tab
Metro AG expands towards Chinese territories as it plans to opens more than 10 CE stores in Shangai by end 2012. The first Chinese Media Markt (or "Wan De Cheng") will open on Nov. 17.
It will also open more than 100 stores in China by 2015, benefiting from the populous country's demand for TV sets and laptops.
Media Markt/Saturn faces stagnating retail sales in its native Germany. The CE division's earnings (before interest and tax) are down by 1.3% in 2010-- due to costs to enter the Chinese market and the introduction of own-label products.
Revenue is up by 6.4%, thanks to this year's World Cup.
The group's Chinese entry faces competition from domestic chains (like Gome and Suning) as well as Best Buy's partnership with Jiangsu Five Star Appliance.
Fnac wants to generate half its sales outside of France by 2015, says CEO Christophe Cuvillier.
The French retailer is set to expand outside of its home territories-- in North Africa and South America. Its first Morocco outlet will open in 2011, together with more shops in Brazil.
Fnac gets two-thirds of all revenue in France.
By end 2010 Fnac will open its 20th Spanish shop and its 10th in Brazil. This year already saw Fnac store openings in Brussels, Florence and Leiria.
Fnac international sales are up by 8% in Q3, while French sales gain 1%. Sales in Brazil grow by 19%, and may overtake Spain as the retailer's biggest international market.
IBM seeks to cut device power consumption by 90%-- thus reducing vampire energy, power used while equipment is turned off.
Development is underway on a transistor to regulate energy usage more tightly. This will prevent energy use while devices are left plugged into electrical outlets. Reducing power consumption in products with transistors (laptops, smartphones) will help reduce users' energy bills.
In a Bloomberg interview, IBM says CE and IT energy use will double by 2022 and triple by 2030.
Products with the new transisters will be out in 2015 "at the earliest", the company continues.
Reducing mobile device power needs may allow use of alternative power sources such as solar.
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