Wrap Up The Holidays With Last-Minute Gifts At Macy’s

Macy’s Makes Last-Minute Gift Shopping Easier than Ever with Grab and Go Gifts, Extended Store Hours and Special Deals

Gifts Arrive In the Nick of Time with Fast Shipping Solutions

It’s beginning to look a lot like … you waited until the last minute. Eight tiny reindeer aren’t coming to the rescue, but Macy’s has it covered with unique and thoughtful last-minute ideas from ultra-luxe to gifts under $100, $50 or $25 to make everyone believe their special gift was wrapped and sitting under the tree weeks ago. Whether you’re looking for something sparkly from the Forevermark Tribute™ Jewelry Collection or scoring an out of this world gift like First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” exclusive hot sauce pack and gear from the hit Complex Networks series, Macy’s makes finding great gifts on every budget so easy that they’re sure to get everything on the “what they really, really want” list.

When the elves have left the building, Macy’s is here to help wrap it up fast with extended store hours, fast shipping solutions and special deals. To ensure everyone’s checked off the list, Macy’s will open early and close late until Dec. 24, check your local store for up-to-date hours.

• On Dec. 21, grab your wallet and dash to your local Macy’s, the first 250 shoppers in-store will receive a free $10 Macy’s Reward Card.
• Orders placed by Saturday, Dec. 21 with standard shipping or by noon EST on Sunday, Dec. 22 with express delivery will arrive by Christmas.
• Orders placed by 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 can be picked up in-store by 6 p.m., just in time for Christmas morning!

STORY at Macy’s

Faster than you can call on Dasher, Dancer or Prancer, score the perfect gift from STORY at Macy’s. “Home for the Holidays STORY,” the latest theme at the narrative-driven concept store inside Macy’s locations nationwide, features more than 900 unique presents from 200 small businesses. Experience this editorial-inspired living gift guide and discover a wonderland of gifts for everyone on the list in the ultimate home setting. From grooming kits and whimsical games to food-themed finds and rock music inspired collectibles, STORY at Macy’s gifts add wonder and merriment to any holiday celebration. Visit STORY at Macy’s at select locations or shop a highlight of gifts online at macys.com/STORY.

Discover a selection of gifts including:

Macy’s has you covered with unique and thoughtful last-minute gifts in every price range this holiday season; Luckies Of London Pocket Tin Speakers 2.0, $34.00 (Photo: Business Wire)

• Streamline Let it Melt! Snowman
• Harry Barker Plaid Chicken Flavored Biscuit Tin
• Quotable You Rock Scented Candle
• Julie Mollo Martini Clutch
• True Brands Admiral Rosewood Flask by Viski
• Luckies of London The Pocket Tin Speakers 2.0
• We Took To The Woods In The Glen Bark Candle
• Suck UK Mini Desktop Cork Globe
• Gingko Flip Click Clock

And We Are Off!: November Retail Sales Kick Off Holiday Season With 2.1 Percent Growth Over Last Year and More Spending to Come

Thanksgiving weekend draws nearly 190 million shoppers, spending up 16 percent

Retail sales in November, and especially around the Thanksgiving/Black Friday period are some of the most important sales data in all of retail. And this year’s numbers are even more important than ever before.

Per the analysts at the National Retail Federation, retail sales in November increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over October and were up 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year, marking the first half of the holiday season with billions of dollars in shopping left to be done. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

“November showed modest growth on the surface, but you have to remember that the late timing of Thanksgiving delayed the beginning of the busiest portion of the holiday season and pushed Cyber Monday’s billions of dollars of retail sales into December,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “These numbers are more about the calendar than consumer confidence. Consumer spending has been solid, and there’s still a lot of spending to be done. With strong employment and higher wages, we’re on track for a strong holiday season.”

Kleinhenz noted that the year-over-year comparison was challenging because November 2018 was up an unusually strong 4.7 percent over the year before. But December 2018 was down 0.2 percent from the year before, making it likely that next month could show a strong comparison.

In addition, many consumers began their shopping early this year, with some starting before November. NRF surveys showed that 39 percent planned to begin by Halloween, and that consumers on average had completed 52 percent of their shopping as of the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

“Whether they’re looking for something unique on Main Street, making a trip to the mall or clicking from the couch, this is when holiday shoppers shift into high gear.” – NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay

NRF’s forecast predicts that holiday retail sales during November and December will increase between 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent for a total of between $727.9 billion and $730.7 billion.

November’s results build on October’s increase of 0.2 percent month-over-month and a strong 4.1 percent year-over-year. As of November, the three-month moving average was up 3.3 percent over the same period a year ago, compared with 4.2 percent in October.

NRF’s numbers are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which said today that overall November sales – including auto dealers, gas stations and restaurants – were up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from October and up 3.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Specifics from key retail sectors during November include:

• Online and other non-store sales were up 7.2 percent year-over-year and up 0.8 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Sporting goods stores were up 4.3 percent year-over-year but down 0.5 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Grocery and beverage stores were up 4 percent year-over-year and up 0.3 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Furniture and home furnishings stores were up 1.4 percent year-over-year and up 0.1 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• General merchandise stores were unchanged year-over-year but up 0.1 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Building materials and garden supply stores were down 1.2 percent year-over-year but unchanged month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Electronics and appliance stores were down 1.7 percent year-over-year but up 0.7 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Health and personal care stores were also down 1.7 percent year-over-year and were down 1.1 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.
• Clothing and clothing accessory stores were down 2.9 percent year-over-year and down 0.6 percent month-over-month seasonally adjusted.

And the good news, such as it is, continued into the proceeding Thanksgiving Day weekend. A record 189.6 million U.S. consumers shopped from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, an increase of 14 percent over last year’s 165.8 million, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics said.

“Americans continue to start their holiday shopping earlier in the year, and Thanksgiving is still a critical weekend for millions,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Whether they’re looking for something unique on Main Street, making a trip to the store or searching for the best deals from their mobile device, this is when shoppers shift into high gear. With the condensed holiday season, consumers are feeling the pressure to get their shopping done in time. Even those who typically wait until the last minute to purchase gifts turned out in record numbers all weekend long.”

2019 Holiday Gift Guide: Mark Your Calendars! Best Buy Unveils 12 Days of Deals

Starting today, daily deals will be revealed on some of the hottest tech brands including Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Google and more. Featured offers are guaranteed to be lowest price of our season.

Can’t think of a great gift idea? Questioning whether you’re actually getting the best deal? Best Buy is solving both problems.

Staring today, Best Buy kicks off 12 Days of Deals, where each day we will reveal a new set of offers available that day only. Select featured deals are guaranteed to be our lowest price of the season and are specifically tailored for anyone on your shopping list. From Apple lovers, to teens, to foodies, we have our lowest prices of the season on the hottest tech products as well as a great lineup of tech accessories for everyone on your list.

For example, today’s 12 Days of Deals starts with Gifts for Families and will include offers on the tech every family is hoping for this year including:

• Just $329.99 for a Samsung 55” Class Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR (save $50)
• Just $99.99 for a Samsung 9.6-inch Galaxy Tab E, 16GB (save $100)
• Just $479.99 for a Harman Kardon 330W Soundbar with 8-inch Wireless Subwoofer (save $320)
• Just $29.99 for a Samsung 9W Qi-Certified Fast Wireless Charging Stand for iPhone/Android (save $30)
• Just $109.99 for a Samsung 860 EVO 1TB Internal SATA Solid State Drive (save $60)

Afraid of being left out in the cold? Visit BestBuy.com now to discover each day’s gift list. Or let the savings come to you and sign up for text alerts when each day’s deals go live. You can sign up for alerts for individual days or choose to be alerted each day of the sale automatically.i Best Buy’s 12 Days of Deals themes include:

• Monday, Dec. 9: Gifts for families
• Tuesday, Dec. 10: Gifts for him
• Wednesday, Dec. 11: Gifts for her
• Thursday, Dec. 12: Gifts for foodies
• Friday, Dec. 13: Gifts for gamers
• Saturday, Dec. 14: Gifts for Apple lovers
• Sunday, Dec. 15: Gifts for teens
• Monday, Dec. 16: Gifts for tech lovers
• Tuesday, Dec. 17: Gifts for the home
• Wednesday, Dec. 18: Gifts for under $100
• Thursday, Dec. 19: Stocking stuffers
• Friday, Dec. 20: Gifts for everyone

The savings aren’t limited to products. During 12 Days of Deals, current Total Tech Support members save 50 percent when they give the gift of Total Tech Support. Not a member? Join today and save 50 percent on a gift membership. Total Tech Support provides unlimited support for all your tech and appliances, no matter where they were purchased. A yearly membership is $199.99. For more information, visit www.BestBuy.com.

Free Shipping and Store Pickup:

• Free Next-Day Delivery: Best Buy customers will get Free Next-Day Delivery on thousands of items on BestBuy.com. And through Christmas Day, customers also get free standard shipping on everything at Best Buy—all season long—with no minimum purchase or membership required.
• Store Pickup: It’s the fast, free and secure option for people who shop online and want to pick up at a nearby Best Buy store. Orders placed with Store Pickup are ready within an hour.
• Same-Day Delivery: Best Buy offers Same-Day Delivery in nearly 40 U.S. metro cities for orders completed online before 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. on Sundays)
• Curbside: Grab your tech without getting out of your vehicle. It’s a great option in the snow-prone areas. Curbside is currently available in select markets across the country, with even more stores on the way.

i Texts are automated and consent is optional, not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Get a message for each day you select. Terms and Privacy Policy at www.BestBuy.com/mobilefaqs apply. For help, text HELP to 22891. To opt out, text STOP to 22891. If you opt in again after replying STOP to 22891, you’ll receive the new days you select plus the days you selected in previous opt-ins.

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year 2020: PANTONE® 19-4052 Classic Blue

A Reassuring Presence Instilling Calm, Confidence, And Connection

Tapping into sight, sound, smell, taste, and texture Pantone makes PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue the first multi-sensory Color of the Year in the company’s history.

Pantone, provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions, today announced PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue, as the Pantone® Color of the Year for 2020; a timeless and enduring hue elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation from which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year 2020: PANTONE® 19-4052 Classic Blue

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Imbued with a deep resonance, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

The Color of the Year selection process requires thoughtful consideration and trend analysis. To arrive at the selection each year, Pantone’s color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even up-coming sporting events that capture worldwide attention. For 21 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. Past selections for Color of the Year include:

• PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral (2019)
• PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet (2018)
• PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery (2017)
• PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity and PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz (2016)
• PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala (2015)
• PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014)
• PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)
• PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
• PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
• PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)
• PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009)
• PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)
• PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007)
• PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006)
• PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005)
• PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004)
• PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003)
• PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002)
• PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001)
• PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000)

The color selected as the Pantone Color of the Year 2020 was taken from the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors Color System, the most widely used and recognized color standards system for fashion, textile, home, and interior design.

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser-like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.

As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection. Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction. Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced.

“The Pantone Color of the Year highlights the relationship between trends in color and what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time, a color that reflects what individuals feel they need that color can hope to answer.” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions, designers and brands should feel inspired to use color to engage and connect. The Pantone Color of the Year selection provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design, reflecting the Pantone Color Institute’s year-round work doing the same for designers and brands.”

To fully bring to life the true meaning of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, Pantone has translated PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue into a multi-sensory experience. By extending the sensory reach of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, Pantone is hoping to reach a greater diversity of people to provide everyone with an opportunity to engage with the Color of the Year 2020 in their own unique way.

“As we all head into a new era, we wanted to challenge ourselves to find inspiration from new sources that not only evolve our Color of the Year platform, but also help our global audiences achieve richer and more rewarding color experiences,” added Pressman. “This desire, combined with the emotional properties of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, motivated us to expand beyond the visual, to bring the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year to life through a multi-sensory experience.”

Classic Blue in Fashion

PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a poised and self-assured blue hue elegant in its simplicity. Genderless in outlook and seasonless in endurance, this foundational anchor shade enables color mixes throughout the spectrum, as well as making a strong statement on its own. Emblematic of heritage but at the same time highly contemporary, versatile PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue takes on distinct appearances through application to different materials, finishes and textures from shimmering metallics, lustrous sheens and high-tech materials to hand crafted looks and more fragile fabrics.

Classic Blue in Beauty

In the ultimate display of personal expression, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue makes a dramatic statement for eyes, nails and hair in a variety of finishes from glittery and glam to dusty matte.

Classic Blue in Home Décor

Offering the promise of protection PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a pervasive favorite for home. Creating a stable foundation from which to build, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue injects creative confidence into interiors, transforming a space through unique color combinations and tonal statements. Easily applied across so many different materials, textures and finishes, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a dependable blue that can take you in different directions expressing tradition and elegance as well as unexpected boldness.

Classic Blue in Graphic Design and Packaging

Because of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue’s relation to the sky at dusk, something we see every day, it maintains a perception of dependability and constancy. A color we respond to viscerally as being trustworthy, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is an ideal shade for many applications of graphic design. This is especially true for packaging where PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue conveys the message of honesty, credibility and reliability that today’s consumers are connecting to.

Nordstrom Introduces Best Gift Ever! At Nordstrom NYC

The Ultimate Destination For Unique Holiday Gifts Curated By Olivia Kim And Special Celebrity Guests

This Holiday season, Nordstrom presents Best Gift Ever!, a singular gift shop at Nordstrom NYC featuring unique and bespoke gifts curated by Olivia Kim, VP of Creative Projects at Nordstrom. Best Gift Ever! is the shopping destination for everyone on your gift list. With prices ranging from $5 stocking stuffers to a $9,500 custom Rolex to a $27,000 African safari, the shop includes a wide array of gifts including art, collectibles, stationery, fashion accessories and apparel,jewelry, ceramics, apothecary and fragrance, tech, toys, experiences and much more.

The Best Gift Ever! shop was designed and built in collaboration with USM Modular Furniture, founded by legendary Swiss architect Fritz Haller
and will be live throughout the holiday season through to Sunday, December 29th on the first level of Nordstrom NYC with a selection of products also available to shop online at Nordstrom.com.

To help bring the shop to life, Kim enlisted a group of special curators to share their gifting picks and donate personal, pre-owned items to the shop. Featured curators include Mary J Blige, Grace Coddington, Barbie Ferreira, Bill Nye, RuPaul, Amy & David Sedaris, and Chloë Sevigny. Each curator developed a list of hand-picked gifting recommendationsfor customers to browse. Customers will also have the chance to shop one-of-a-kind gifts, like an illustration that David Sedaris hung in his office; a set of Steiff stuffed cats from Grace Coddington’s personal collection; earrings worn by Mary J. Blige on tour; one of Bill Nye’s signature bow ties from his closet; an afternoon tea with Chloë Sevigny, as well as other unique items, special to each curator.

The Best Gift Ever! Shop at Nordstrom NYC

Proceeds from these one-of-a-kind gifts will benefit New York City based charitable organizations supported by Nordstrom, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

Caran d’Ache Color Pencil Set (Grace Coddington)

Capresso Electric Tea Kettle (RuPaul)

In addition to Olivia Kim sharing her own personal curation, she has invited a group of friends to compliment the offering with their own favorite items, including a blend of notable New Yorkers and industry tastemakerssuch as creative director Jen Brill, stylist Mel Ottenberg, designer Simone Rocha, and DJ Stretch Armstrong.

Lagos Diamond Color Necklace (Mary J Blige)

One-of-a-kind Ashley Williams Tiara (Olivia Kim)

“The holidays can be a hectic and stressful time and we wanted to make holiday gifting fun for all. The curators that we have brought together are a diverse group of talented people that I have long admired, each with a distinct personality and eye – their pooled creativity has truly made this a unique shop,” says Kim. “This is our first holiday season at Nordstrom NYC and we wanted to create a shopping experience that stands out. We are so excited to introduce some of our friends to our customers and give them the rare opportunity to treat themselves and their loved ones to these meaningful, one of a kind items. We hope that everyone who visits the shop will walk away with that perfect, unexpected gift that inspires a sense of surprise and discovery.”

Score Incredible Deals With Macy’s 2019 Black Friday and Cyber Week Specials

Get a head start on select savings with Macy’s Black Friday Preview beginning in stores and online on Thursday, Nov. 21

Doorbusters begin on Wednesday, Nov. 27 with Black Friday deals continuing through Saturday, Nov. 30 in-store and on macys.com

Plus, find the best Cyber Monday savings in-store and online from Sunday, Dec. 1 to Monday, Dec. 2 with Daily Deals continuing through Saturday, Dec. 7

Win the holidays this year with Macy’s and the best Black Friday and Cyber Week specials on the hottest items of the season. From buzz-worthy gifts for everyone on the list to amazing deals on fashion for the whole family, fine jewelry, tech, beauty and home, the ultimate one-stop shop for holiday gifting has everyone covered.

With a broad assortment of offers across favorite brands, these limited-time deals will begin in stores and online on Thursday, Nov. 21 with a special Black Friday preview and carry through Cyber Week (Sunday, Dec. 1 to Saturday, Dec. 7). Be sure not to miss the unbelievable selection of doorbuster items, with major savings or free after mail-in rebate.*

“Black Friday and Cyber Week mark the true start of holiday shopping for many of our customers,” said John Harper, Macy’s chief stores officer. “Macy’s is pleased to offer the very best gifts and holiday entertaining must-haves at unbelievable prices with multiple days to save. Our curated assortment of deals, both in-store and online, are sure to help shoppers find the perfect gift at the best price this season.”

Find amazing deals for the whole family this Black Friday at Macy’s; Charter Club Cashmere Sweaters For Her, $39.99. (Photo: Business Wire)

Black Friday Preview

For shoppers looking to get a head start on saving, Macy’s Black Friday preview will offer a selection of Black Friday Doorbusters from Thursday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 26 including:

Find amazing deals for the whole family this Black Friday at Macy’s; Sealy Posturpedic Lawson Queen Mattress, $747.00. (Photo: Business Wire)

• 50 to 60 percent off outerwear for the family
• 65 percent off Effy jewelry
• 60 to 65 percent off select Damask and Hotel Collection for the home
• $39.99 women’s Charter Club cashmere sweaters
• $19.99 women’s boots
• 60 percent off Carter’s and First Impressions

Find amazing deals for the whole family this Black Friday at Macy’s; Diesel Little Daddy Watches For Him, $199.00. (Photo: Business Wire)

Black Friday Specials

Begin the savings with doorbusters on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and kick off Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving Day with most stores open at 5 p.m. through 2 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29 from 6 a.m. through 10 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 30 from 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. Store hours vary by location. Go to macys.com and click on stores to find local information. Customers can shop online all day from the comfort of their couch at macys.com and on Macy’s mobile app. For more information on Black Friday and Cyber Week deals, store hours and shipping, visit www.macys.com/blackfriday.

Find amazing deals for the whole family this Black Friday at Macy’s; Dyson Big Ball Multi-Floor Vacuum, $229.99. (Photo: Business Wire)

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the great deals available on Black Friday, while supplies last:

For Him, Her and Home

• $29.99 diamond earrings with any purchase of $50 or more
• 30 percent off select dresses
• 50 percent off select designer brands
• $19.99 and under Family Pajamas
• $7.99 small kitchen appliances after $12 mail-in rebate
• $99.99 select suits, sport coats and overcoats for him
• $39.99 Charter Club cashmere sweaters
• 60 percent off select women’s designer coats
• 40 percent off select boots and shoes for her
• 50 percent off select men’s loungewear
• 50 percent off select designer handbags
• 60 percent off select kids’ styles
• $15.99 select kids’ puffer jackets
• 60 percent off select diamond studs and earrings
• $15 select MAC lipsticks
• Extra $100-$200 off select Dyson vacuums
• $15 men’s or women’s five-piece fragrance box
• $10 beauty products from brands like Clinique, Too Faced, Benefit, Urban Decay, and more
• $124.99 Nespresso bundle machines
• 65 percent off select barware and dinnerware
• $29.99 select Created for Macy’s 1200-thread count sheet sets in queen or king size
• 60 to 65 percent off select luggage

2019 Holiday Gift Guide: Nintendo Switch Bundle With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Highlights Nintendo’s Black Friday Offers

Offers on Nintendo Switch, Games and Accessories are a Great Value for Families

As the holiday season approaches, families are looking for ways to spend more time together – shared experiences that create long-lasting memories. This Black Friday, Nintendo is offering a bundle that will provide those memories right out of the box! Starting on Nov. 28, select retailers will offer the bundle, which includes a Nintendo Switch system and a download code for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game, at a suggested retail price of only $299.99*. That’s the price of a Nintendo Switch system with a game for no extra cost!

With the multiplayer fun of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and two Joy-Con controllers included with the Nintendo Switch system, families can open the bundle and start playing together right away.

Starting on Nov. 28, select retailers will offer a bundle, which includes a Nintendo Switch system and a download code for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game, at a suggested retail price of only $299.99. (Photo: Business Wire)

In addition to the bundle, several Nintendo Switch games will be available at a suggested retail price of only $39.99 each – that’s $20 off their regular suggested price. This software offer begins on Nov. 27 at participating retailers. Players looking to explore fantastic worlds or engage in some friendly competition with family and friends can take advantage of the $20 discount on games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Party, Splatoon 2, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Mario Tennis Aces and Kirby Star Allies, among others.

“With Nintendo Switch, parents are not just giving a gift to their kids – they are providing fun for the whole family who loves to play together,” said Nick Chavez, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Families who have been waiting to pick up a Nintendo Switch system have the perfect opportunity on Black Friday to take advantage of one of our many offers and add some Nintendo fun to their holiday plans.”

Additional Black Friday offers include a pair of Joy-Con controllers (Gray or Neon Red & Neon Blue) at a suggested retail price of $59.99 ($20 off), and the Poké Ball Plus accessory to use with the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! games (sold separately) at a suggested retail price of only $19.99 ($30 off). The Joy-Con offer starts on Nov. 27, with the Poké Ball Plus promotion beginning on Nov. 28 at participating retailers. For a full list of offers and participating retailers, visit https://happyholidays.nintendo.com/deals/.

Nordstrom Kicks Off The Season Of Giving

The Very Best Gifts Along With Convenient Services To Make Gifting Easy, Nordstrom Is A One-Stop Holiday Destination For Customers

‘Tis the season for cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks and gift-giving, and Nordstrom is excited to offer customers the very best gifts for everyone on their list, along with services to make gifting easy and fun. With curated product in-store and on Nordstrom.com, Nordstrom has thousands of gifts for everyone at every price point, making the season of giving a little more convenient and a lot more joyful.

Nordstrom Corporate logo

“We’re thrilled to welcome the holiday season and provide customers with a single destination to find gifts for their friends and family,” said Jamie Nordstrom, president of stores. “We know this can be a busy and stressful time of the year, and we hope to provide great gifts at a range of price points coupled with convenient services to take the guessing out of gifting so our customers can spend more time doing the things they love.“

Nordstrom Kicks Off The Season Of Giving

THIS IS GIVING

• 
  Gift Guides: This holiday season, Nordstrom.com has gifts for everyone with a curated selection of exclusive, unique and tried-and-true items from brands customers know and love. From festive candles, to the perfect winter jackets, Nordstrom makes it easy and stress-free to shop the best gifts by recipient, price or category.
• The Gift Shop: More than 70 Nordstrom stores will feature “The Gift Shop” – an all-in-one shop for the perfect gifts at accessible prices, including $22 cozy hats, $16 candles and $12 tote bags. The Gift Shop will also include new-to-Nordstrom brands like DECIEM, Compartés Chocolatier and Joya Studio.
• Nordstrom Rack Gift Shops: Nordstrom Rack will offer in-store gift shops to make it easy for customers to shop its top giftable items by recipient and price point during the holiday season. Nordstrom Rack will also launch ‘Holideals‘ beginning December 8, which will feature a series of specially priced items available for a limited time.
• Pop-In@Nordstrom: Celebrate the holidays with the latest iteration of Pop-In@Nordstrom featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang along with hundreds of uncommon gifts. Featuring 1,000+ items, the shop will also feature a wide range of gifts at every price, such as home décor, health and wellness, travel, tech, beauty, accessories and much more.

Nordstrom Kicks Off The Season Of Giving

Publishing Giant Condé Nast Announces New Global Leadership Structure

U.S./New York-based Condé Nast and London-based Condé Nast International Are Integrated as One Global Team. New Consumer Marketing Function to Bring Focus on Direct-to-Consumer Efforts With Unified Commercial Team to Better Serve Global Clients’ Holistic Needs

New Leadership Structure is Expected to Help Further Turn the Financial Ship Around As Company Moves Beyond Closing and Selling Off Magazine Titles, Layoffs and Consolidation of Workforce Across All Titles

Long expected, Condé Nast yesterday appointed a new global leadership team designed to accelerate the company’s evolution into a 21st-century media company. The new organizational structure, which combines Condé Nast and Condé Nast International into a unified global team, was created with several guiding principles in mind, including the preservation of local editorial voice and authority, an enhanced focus on the consumer, unification of the company’s ad and commercial sales functions to reflect clients’ local and global needs and the development of new ways to share capabilities and best practices across the company.

Condé Nast is a global media company, home to iconic brands including Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Glamour, AD, Vanity Fair, and Wired, among many others. The company’s award-winning content reaches 84 million consumers in print, 367 million in digital and 379 million across social platforms, and generates more than 1 billion video views each month. The company is headquartered in London and New York and operates in 32 markets worldwide including China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico & Latin America, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, the U.K., and the U.S., with local license partners across the globe. Launched in 2011, Condé Nast Entertainment is an award-winning production and distribution studio that creates programming across film, television, social and digital video and virtual reality.

“One of my top priorities has been to define our organizational structure so that we can take full advantage of our unique growth opportunities and exceptional content around the world,” said the recently-appointed CEO of Condé Nast, RogerLynch “I’m confident that our new global structure will better enable us to collaborate across teams and markets and, ultimately, deliver unparalleled experiences for our consumers and clients.“

The new structure is as follows:

Global Content Functions:: Anna Wintour, U.S. Artistic Director, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue U.S. and (newly-appointed) Global Content Advisor, will continue in her role as U.S. Artistic Director and Editor-in-Chief of Vogue U.S., and will add Global Content Advisor and oversight of Vogue International to her responsibilities. In her expanded role, Wintour will advise the executive leadership team on global content opportunities and act as a resource to editors-in-chief and editorial talent worldwide.

Oren Katzeff, President of Condé Nast Entertainment (CNE), will expand the company’s digital video, film and television operations to create best-in-class video content experiences for audiences worldwide. The company has been increasing its focus on video content and currently generates 1.1 billion video views per month. Under Oren’s leadership, CNE will now be the core of our global network of video teams, supporting the growth of our video businesses in all markets.

David Remnick, Editor-in-Chief of The New Yorker, will also continue to report directly to Lynch.

Global Operations Organization: Wolfgang Blau, President, International & Chief Operating Officer will oversee all non-U.S. markets, as well as selected global strategic functions, including Product & Technology, Data, Licensing, Global Editorial Operations, Business Development, and Delivery & Business Transformation. This organization will ensure day-to-day operational excellence and capability sharing across the business.

Global Commercial Organization: Pamela Drucker Mann, Global Chief Revenue Officer & President, U.S. Revenue, will lead a new global revenue organization that brings together the company’s U.S. and international ad sales, creative and agency, B2B marketing and client service capabilities. Jamie Jouning, promoted to Chief Client Officer, will report to Drucker Mann and oversee key global accounts, multi-market deals, and central digital ad operations. Drucker Mann will define ad sales and ad product strategies globally, and work closely with Jamie and the central team and commercial leads in the company’s worldwide markets to drive overall ad, agency, and B2B revenue and share best practices.

Consumer Marketing Organization: Condé Nast is creating a new consumer marketing organization that will be led by a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and will bring added focus to the company’s direct-to-consumer efforts. As the company expands its consumer offerings, this team will be charged with developing best-in-class capabilities and consistency across consumer experiences on every platform. The team will also be responsible for consumer revenue, with a core focus on subscriptions and memberships. In addition, the team will have responsibility for global brand management, consumer research, and insights and global audience development, ensuring a data-driven approach to the company’s efforts. The search for a CMO to lead this new organization will begin immediately.

Corporate Functions: The company is also globalizing its three corporate functions to leverage skills, expertise and standardize processes and best practices: People, Finance and Communications. The company will begin an immediate search and selection process for these and other open roles. Until new leaders are identified, teams will maintain their existing reporting lines and responsibilities.

“We’re bringing added focus to our direct-to-consumer efforts and will build a new consumer marketing function that will be charged with developing best-in-class subscription and membership capabilities, and maintaining the authenticity of our iconic global brands,” Lynch continued. “And by transforming our sales organization into a unified global team, Condé Nast will be better positioned to serve the holistic needs of our clients around the world and make it easier for them to do business with us.“

The new structure and appointments take effect immediately.

Smart & Blue Unveils 3 New Smart Shower Products plus First International Availability at CES 2017 in Las Vegas

In the run-up to CES 2017 in Las Vegas, French Eco-Tech company Smart & Blue today announced three new HYDRAO smart showerhead products, the much-awaited international availability of its products, plus new industry awards. Smart & Blue is an innovation leader in smart solutions for water conservation. Headquartered in Grenoble, France, the company was founded by founder Gabriel Dell Monica in 2015. The company now employs 10 people directly.

The new HYDRAO Loop and First smart showerheads and HYDRAO Drop smart shower light bring innovation, color, enjoyment – and now French design chic – to the bathroom. They are designed to increase awareness of water usage and encourage reduced water and energy consumption. HYDRAO First will be the first product to become available internationally – starting tomorrow.

Smart & Blue Founder Gabriel Dell Monica

The designs of HYDRAO Loop and Drop have already won two new CES Innovation Awards: HYDRAO Loop in the Smart Home category and HYDRAO Drop in Tech for a Better World category.

THREE NEW SMART SHOWER SOLUTIONS

HYDRAO Loop: a combination of advanced Smart & Blue technology innovation with French luxury design to bring smart-shower capabilities to stylish, modern bathrooms.

HYDRAO Loop smart shower set (Photo: Business Wire)

HYDRAO Loop Hand shower

HYDRAO Drop: adds smart-shower water saving capabilities to an existing shower. It is simple to install, and has a flexible arm that can be positioned to illuminate any shower surface or water jet.

HYDRAO Loop on a showerhead

HYDRAO First: a fun, educational and affordable smart hand shower. Launched in France at the end of 2016, HYDRAO First is available internationally from Jan. 4th 2017.

HYDRAO First is a LED-illuminated showerhead that brings color and enjoyment to families, while educating users on water usage.

SMART-SHOWER INNOVATION WITH LUXURY DESIGN

DESIGN INNOVATION AND WATER EFFICIENCY: Both HYDRAO Loop and Drop benefit from a new miniaturized version of Smart & Blue’s patented smart shower technology, allowing users to benefit from a sleek, streamlined design, with no compromise to HYDRAO’s water conservation guidance. Also new is the ability to allow individual users to monitor their own personal usage and savings – on either one or multiple HYDRAO smart showers.

New smart water pressure innovations also let users enjoy an enhanced shower experience, even at low pressure levels.1 These enhancements include increased energy efficiency for the internal turbine, new water pressure regulation capabilities and an innovative aerated water flow feature. Together they ensure optimum water flow and lighting intensity, while decreasing overall water consumption.

For professional customers, the fully modular, interchangeable design of HYDRAO Loop and Drop allow for design customization. Smart & Blue smart shower technology can also be integrated into own designs.

2016 Black Friday Report: Target Reports Strong Start to Black Friday in Stores and Record-Breaking Online Sales

Savings To Continue With New Discounts And Unprecedented 15 Percent Off Two-Day Sale In Stores And Online This Sunday And Monday

Target Corporation today reported a strong start to the holiday shopping season. Millions of guests visited Target stores across the country and www.Target.com, which had its biggest day ever and experienced double-digit growth, to save on Black Friday deals, including the retailer’s lowest prices ever on select items.

Target Holiday Black Friday 2016 (Image courtesy of Target)

“Shopping at Target has become an annual Thanksgiving tradition for millions of our guests, and we’re thrilled at the response we’ve seen this year. We had a record-breaking day on Target.com and traffic to our stores was strong,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, who greeted shoppers at the Jersey City Target store in N.J. on Thanksgiving and who rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of Kids Day earlier this morning. “This year, we doubled down on offering guests an incredible assortment at outstanding prices. Based on early results, it’s clear that our deals are cutting through. We expect this momentum to continue throughout the weekend and into next week as we offer Target’s guests a truly unprecedented opportunity to save 15 percent off nearly everything online and in our stores this Sunday and Monday.”

Target Holiday Black Friday 2016 (Image courtesy of Target Corporation)

Black Friday Pre-Sale and Thanksgiving Day Shopping

On Wednesday, guests started their shopping early with Target’s Black Friday pre-sale on Target.com. New this year, Target’s guests could take advantage of pre-sale deals in stores via Cartwheel, resulting in the biggest day ever for new users of the popular savings app. Early on Thursday morning, the savings continued as Target offered guests access to nearly all of its Black Friday doorbuster deals on Target.com. Target.com had a record-breaking day, with traffic and sales eclipsing 2015 Cyber Monday, driven largely by doorbusters in electronics. Target also saw an increase in guests shopping via mobile, contributing to more than 60 percent of the retailer’s online sales. Top performing Black Friday deals at Target include:

• TVs were a top seller, with more than 3,200 TVs sold every minute in the first hour of store opening.
• Apple products were among the most popular deals, with guests taking advantage of savings on the iPad Air 2, iPad Pro and Apple Watch Series 1.
• Popular gaming systems included Xbox One S and PlayStation 4. Target sold half a million video games within the first hour of store opening.
• Wearables saw a 50 percent sales increase, including the Fitbit Charge HR.
• Top-selling toys included LEGO, NERF, Our Generation and the Jetson V6 Hoverboard, which sold out in minutes on Target.com.
  

  (Image courtesy of Target Corporation) 

• Target sold five times more wireless headphones this Black Friday compared to last year, including the popular Powerbeats Wireless In-Ear Headphone 2.
• Robotic vacuums, including the Hoover Quest 700 Robotic Vacuum, generated 10 times the sales compared to last year.
• Sales for family sleepwear were nearly double compared to last year, driven by a 30 percent off savings plus an additional 15 percent off in stores with Cartwheel.
• And, the 3-foot stuffed bear for $10, a surprise hit from last year, sold out quickly in stores across the country.

The Savings Continue, Including 15 Percent Off in Stores and Online

Three, Two, One…Holiday! Amazon.com Launches Black Friday Deals Store and Curated Holiday Gift Guides

This Holiday Season, Customers Can Enjoy More Deals Than Ever Before On Everything From Hd Tvs To Stylish Kitchen Staples To Some Of The Most Popular Toys Of The Year

To Help Customers Find The Perfect Gift For Everyone On Their Shopping List, Amazon Offers Curated Holiday Gift Guides For Electronics, Home, Handmade, And Other Categories

Alexa, What Are Your Deals? New This Year, Prime Members Can Use Alexa Voice Shopping To Shop For Almost Anything, Including Exclusive Deals For Customers With An Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire Tv, Or Fire Tablet

Amazon.com has announced the launch of its Black Friday Deals Store and more than a dozen curated holiday gift guides, officially marking the start of the holiday countdown. Customers can enjoy tens of thousands of deals this holiday season on Amazon.com, with new deals as often as every five minutes on everything from HD TVs to stylish kitchen staples to some of the most popular toys of the year. In addition, Amazon offers curated holiday gift guides to help take the guesswork out of shopping for loved ones and make it easier for customers to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list.

“Customers love discovering the best deals on the most sought-after products, and our Black Friday Deals Store and curated Holiday Gift Guides offer them a place to do just that – plus enjoy the most convenient shopping experience with tons of super-fast shipping options,” said Doug Herrington, Senior Vice President of North American Retail at Amazon. “This holiday season, we’re offering more deals than ever before and – for the first time ever – giving Prime members an opportunity to use Alexa voice shopping for purchasing their holiday gifts hands-free. They can make purchases simply by asking Alexa-enabled devices, like the new Echo Dot, while relaxing at home with family and friends.”

Black Friday Deals Store

Available at www.amazon.com/blackfriday, the Black Friday Deals Store is the leading deals destination for customers with tens of thousands of deals, and new deals as often as every five minutes, now through December 22. Customers can enjoy more deals than ever before this holiday season, including low prices on top gifts such as electronics, toys, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, and more. In fact, Amazon is offering up to 20 compelling Deals of the Day in a single day. Some examples of the great deals Amazon customers can take advantage of this holiday season include: $20 off the Kindle Paperwhite, savings on an LG 55” 1080p Curved Smart OLED TV, and up to 40% off select Magformers toys.

Electronics Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/electronicsgiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Electronics Gift Guide features more than 500 of this year’s hottest technology products all in one convenient location. Enthusiasts can explore new releases such as 360-degree cameras and buzz-worthy gifts like virtual reality headsets and 3D printers. The Electronics Gift Guide also features innovations from up-and-coming startups in the Amazon Launchpad program. Customers can browse more than 10 categories, including smart home, home entertainment, music, wearables, photography, gaming, gadgets and gizmos, and more. The Electronics Gift Guide also includes expert reviews and product demonstration videos to help customers find the perfect gift. And shoppers looking for budget-friendly gift ideas can find top gifts under $100.

Home Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/homegiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Home Gift Guide is a curated list of more than a thousand of this season’s must-have products for the home. Filled with gift ideas for indoors and outdoors, customers can easily discover presents for everyone on their list, including cooks, bakers, home decorators, arts and crafters, smart home tech lovers, pets, backyard enthusiasts, kids and more, curated by experts in the industry such as Smitten Kitchen and Design*Sponge. Holiday decorators and party planners will find everything they need to set a festive scene at home. Customers can also shop the latest trends in the Home Gift Guide, including copper appliances, rose gold cutlery, and handmade ceramics, as well as browse products that are new this holiday season, including the KitchenAid Mini, NEST Fragrances Classic Candle (Hearth), Petcube Play Wi-Fi Pet Camera, and Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum.

Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/handmade, the Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide offers customers curated lists of genuinely handcrafted items sold directly by artisans. Featuring products for her, for him, and for kids, as well as handcrafted stocking stuffers for friends and family, the Gift Guide makes finding the perfect holiday present easier than ever. Heading into this holiday season, Amazon customers visiting the Handmade at Amazon store will see hundreds of thousands more handcrafted items, thousands of which are eligible for Free Two-Day Shipping with Amazon Prime. For shoppers looking for a personal touch, over half of the items listed on Handmade have options for customer personalization. With handcrafted items in categories from toys and games, to home décor, handbags and accessories and kitchen and dining, Handmade at Amazon is a one-stop-shop for artisan-crafted gifts this holiday season.

Top Trend in Holiday 2016 Lighting: Points of Light LED Lightshow

Outdoor decorating is easier and more stunning than ever before in 2016 with the new Points of Light LED LightShow from the leading holiday lighting industry innovator, Gemmy Industries.

Points of Light LED LightShow (PRNewsFoto/Gemmy Industries)

The Points of Light LED LightShow (MSRP $34.98) sets up in minutes – simply stake it into the ground or set it up with a tripod, plug it in and switch it on – to transform a yard, home or event space into a holiday winter wonderland.

Points of Light offers 12 color combinations from white to multi-color options, including 98 separate lighting effects from static to falling animation in three speeds of fading effects. Points of Light also incorporates safe and energy-efficient LED technology.

“Our Points of Light LED projection is the easiest way to create maximum lighting impact with minimal effort,” said Gemmy Industries Vice President of Product Development Steven Harris. “Whether creating a magical starry sky, a winter snowfall or a brilliant color display, Points of Light is a customizable and innovative way to illuminate your holidays.“

Each energy-efficient Points of Light unit can create a 50-foot wide display. The projector includes a remote control for easy on/off and to change lighting effects.

Points of Light is presently available exclusively at Walmart stores and at www.Walmart.com. For more information, go to www.LEDPointsOfLight.com.

Build-A-Bear Workshop® Debuts Scented Sweet Hugs Furry Friends And 2016 Share Your Heart Program

New Furry Friends and Accessories Arrive to Kick off Partnership for Save the Children

“As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world’s most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.”

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., an interactive destination where guests can create personalized furry friends, has introduced a new collection of scented, make-your-own Sweet Hugs gifts just in time for Valentine’s Day. The new Build-A-Bear Workshop Sweet Hugs Heart Bear, Sweet Hugs Swirl Bear and Sweet Hugs Pup have candy-scented fur made possible by Celessence™ Technologies microencapsulation, a license of Genius Brands International, which uses touch to release an irresistible fragrance. The more you hug them, the sweeter they smell.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has introduced a new collection of scented, make-your-own Sweet Hugs gifts just in time for Valentine’s Day. The new Build-A-Bear Workshop Sweet Hugs Heart Bear, Sweet Hugs Swirl Bear and Sweet Hugs Pup have candy-scented fur made possible by Celessence(TM) Technologies. (PRNewsFoto/Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.)

Each Sweet Hugs friend can transform into a unique, huggable Valentine with the addition of a Build-A-Sound® recordable chip featuring a personalized message, plush conversation hearts, and customized clothing.

From sweet scents to sweet dreams, the new Build-A-Bear Workshop 2 Fun 2 Sleep slumber party line includes new furry friends, a make-your-own Rainbow Hugs Stuffable Pillow, plus matching pajamas for kids and furry friends.

Build-A-Bear Workshop guests with a sweet tooth can also indulge in an assortment of all-natural, premium chocolate bars from PRAIM Group, Froose co-branded fruit snacks, Clever Cookie iced and mini cookies, as well as new co-branded NECCO® Sweethearts® candies.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is starting the New Year in yet another sweet way by inviting guests to support Save the Children through the company’s Share Your Heart program in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. From now through March 2, Build-A-Bear Workshop guests can share their heart by donating to Save the Children‘s Journey of Hope program in stores or online at www.buildabear.com.

Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, they are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Their pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm; and their advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves.

Launched in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Save the Children’s Journey of Hope program empowers children of all ages to identify their own strengths, build coping skills, self-esteem and overall resilience. The program has since been delivered to more than 85,000 children in the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain,New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The Build-A-Bear Foundation will match all U.S. guest donations up to $100,000. At Build-A-Bear Workshop U.K. and Canadalocations, guests can purchase a purple satin heart, $1 of which will be donated to Save the Children.

“We want to make it easy for guests to start the New Year on a positive note by sharing their hearts and doing something good for others,” said Gina Collins, chief marketing officer, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. “We believe all children deserve a chance at a great future and our partnership with Save the Children will help young people in the Journey of Hope program to thrive.”

At all Build-A-Bear Workshop locations, guests can fill out a special Share Your Heart card to send positive thoughts and encouragement to children in the Journey of Hope program.

“Following disasters and other traumatic experiences, children often struggle to move forward, and they need support to develop coping skills and strategies to deal with their emotions in healthy ways,” said Natalie Vega-O’Neil, Save the Children’s acting vice-president for U.S. Programs. “With the support of Build-A-Bear Workshop, we will work with communities to build on children’s strengths and resiliency as we expand the program and reach even more children in need.”

For more information, visit www.buildabear.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

 

National AIDS Memorial Grove Announces Recipients of 2015 Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship

$40,000 In Scholarships Awarded To Six Young Leaders Fighting The HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Through Program Sponsored By Unitedhealthcare And Wells Fargo

The National AIDS Memorial Grove has awarded six outstanding undergraduate students each with a Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship for their commitment to active roles of public service and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The National AIDS Memorial received the honor of being designated the official national AIDS memorial in 1996, in large measure because of the leadership of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi who helped pass legislation that was signed into law by President Bill Clinton, elevating the Grove to join the company of the nation’s other 43 federally designated memorials. The National AIDS Memorial is located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at the corner of Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drives.

Manuel Venegas, Abdon Orrostieta, Eric Ciasullo and Chanel DeLaney (PRNewsFoto/National AIDS Memorial Grove)

The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship, named in honor of AIDS educator, activist and reality television pioneer Pedro Zamora, who passed away more than twenty years ago from an AIDS-related illness, has helped support the education of young people who today are engaged in a variety of HIV-related work in their schools, communities and chosen academic fields. The scholarship program began in 2009 and is funded primarily through grants provided by UnitedHealthcare, Wells Fargo and Project Inform.

This year marks the largest distribution of funds from the program with a total of $40,000 awarded to six undergraduate students, two of whom are two-year scholarship recipients with $5,000 awarded in 2015 & 2016. The six recipients will each receive $5,000 to support their educational goals as they continue to provide much needed leadership and community service in HIV/AIDS public awareness and prevention, public policy, and treatment and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Chanel DeLaney, Mark Ng greet scholarship recipient Abdon Orrostie (PRNewsFoto/National AIDS Memorial Grove)

“We are pleased to see the growth of the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship and see first-hand how our support is helping the next generation of leaders who are actively engaged in AIDS-related work,” said John Cunningham, executive director of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. “This couldn’t be done without the strong support and funding from UnitedHealthcare, Wells Fargo and Project Inform.”

The scholarships recipients are from six states and include:

Raymond Jackson is working on his associate’s degree in Business Administration at Essex County College in Newark, N.J. Raymond’s goal is to work with the Centers for Disease Control in their Global Health Economics Department, the financial resources to help individuals in third world countries with HIV/AIDS. In addition, he is working as a peer educator at Project (WOW), where he has the opportunity to share his personal story of living with HIV and educate his peers of the importance of protecting themselves.

Adrian Nava is a second-year recipient and third-year student at the University of Denver. He plans on completing his bachelor of arts in International Studies and Sociology. Adrian plans on working in the nonprofit sector, focusing on health and access to health services for LGBT people and people of color. Adrian has worked in the sexual health field for five years and continues to do work around sexual health at state and national levels.

Uzo Okoro is a senior at Brown University in Providence, R.I., majoring in Public Health. Upon graduation, she will attend The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University to pursue her medical degree. Uzo was selected by the nonprofit group Advocates for Youth to be a Youth Ambassador for NYHAAD (National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day) to promote a message of prevention, treatment, care and youth empowerment. She also uses events, forums and social media to amplify the voice of HIV+ survivors. At Brown University, she is a lead coordinator of the Sexual Health Awareness Group (SHAG), where she participates in sexual peer education.

Abdon Orrostieta is a two-year scholarship recipient and junior at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. He volunteers with Latino Salud, a nonprofit community- and minority-based HIV agency that provides HIV rapid testing and linkage services making Ryan White support and other medical services accessible to HIV-positive individuals. He is also a member of the Health Awareness and Prevention Society, which promotes increased awareness and healthy living through education and prevention, and plans to incorporate what he has learned through his involvement with HAPS and Latino Salud into his future professional endeavors.

More than Two Dozen Policymakers, Regulators To Speak at CES 2016

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, announced that 27 international, federal, state and local government officials will speak at CES 2016®. Among the policymakers delivering remarks or speaking on panels: Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta, every member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Michelle Lee, Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Mark Warner (D-VA), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and France’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, Emmanuel Macron. In total, more than 160 top policymakers, regulators and staff are expected to attend. Owned and produced by CTA, CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology.

“CES has become a must-attend event for government officials who sit at the intersection of public policy and  technology,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. “CES is the ideal gathering place for policymakers and regulators to engage with the tech companies and entrepreneurs driving innovation and the global economy. As an industry, the tech sector understands the importance of showing government officials how emerging and disruptive technologies are improving our world and changing the way we live and work. And we understand the need to explain that pro-innovation policies allow for the next generation of tech breakthroughs.”

A full listing of all government officials speaking at CES 2016 conference sessions follows:

Tuesday, January 5

Hyperdata and the Mobile Future
Peter Marx, CTO, City of Los Angeles

Roadmap to FDA Approval: What You Need to Know

Bakul Patel, associate director for digital health, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, FDA

Wednesday, January 6

FAA Press Conference featuring CTA, 3D Robotics, DJI and Google

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta

SuperSession: Insights with the FTC and FCC 

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler

SuperSession: An Inside Look: Industry Innovators and Government Join Forces

Tom Kalil, deputy director for policy, White House OSTP

U.S. CTO Megan Smith, White House OSTP

Internet of Things: Myriad Benefits and New Challenges 

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)

Alan Davidson, director of digital economy and senior advisor to the secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

FTC Commissioner Julie Brill

Germany’s State Secretary for Justice and Consumer Protection Gerd Billen

When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies

Ann Barron Di Camillo, director of US-CERT, Department of Homeland Security
2016 Preview: FTC and FCC Commissioner Roundtable 

FTC Commissioner Julie Brill

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny

FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel

Cyber Security Starts at the Top

Suzanne Spaulding, under secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Thursday, January 7

Beyond Smart Cities: The Future of Urban Mobility 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx

Innovating Privacy: New Frameworks for Changing Technology

FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen

SuperSession: Global Innovation

France’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, Emmanuel Macron

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

Rules for Drones: Best Policies and Practices

Marke “Hoot” Gibson, senior advisor, UAS Integration, FAA

Managing Low-Altitude Airspace for Safety and Privacy

Parimal Kopardekar, Ph.D., principal investigator, Unmanned Aerial Systems Traffic Management (UTM), NASA Ames Research Center

LIT Reception and Dinner

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval

Friday, January 8

What’s Next for Patents? Promoting Innovation and Preventing Abuse

U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) 

Michelle Lee, Under Secretary, U.S. PTO

CES 2016: A Star-Studded Show

Celebrity Guests To Promote Latest Innovations And Trends At Global Stage For Innovation

CES® 2016 will feature Hollywood stars, professional athletes, TV personalities and celebrity chefs discussing and promoting technology that is revolutionizing the way consumers live, work and play. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ – formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® – CES 2016 is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, and will run January 6-9, 2016, in Las Vegas, NV.

YouTube vloggers turned entrepreneurial powerhouses, Justine Ezarik, aka iJustine, and Joey Graceffa, will serve as Ambassadors for the Entertainment Matters Program at CES. Presented by Variety, Entertainment Matters is the CES program designed to help the Hollywood community navigate the most influential technology show in the world.

TV/ radio host, producer and entrepreneur Ryan Seacrest will participate in a headliner conversation with Bob Pittman, chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia during the Entertainment Summit, presented by Variety, on Thursday, January 7, from 2:15-2:45 PM in the LVCC, North Hall, Room N258.

The C Space Storyteller conference track features actor, entrepreneur and radio/ TV personality Nick Cannon and celebrity Chef Morimoto. Morimoto will share his story on Tuesday, January 5, from 2:45-3:15 PM, while Cannon returns to CES on Wednesday, January 6 from 4-4:30 PM to reveal how digital media has influenced his brand and enabled career-changing opportunities. Both events will take place in ARIA, Level 1, Pinyon 5.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and studio analyst for Turner Sports Shaquille O’Neal, will participate in the Tech Investing in Sports conference as part of the Sports Business Forum, presented by Turner Sports. The session will be moderated by CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin on Thursday, January 7, from 11:30 AM-12:10 PM in Venetian, Level 2, Hall D. O’Neal will also participate in the NBA on TNT Live Broadcast with host Ernie Johnson, and fellow analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. The broadcast will take place on Thursday, January 7, from 4-5 PM in Venetian, Level 2, Hall D and is open to all CES attendees.
 
The Sports Business Forum also will host The Commissioner’s Panel on Sports and Technology. Robert Manfred, commissioner of the MLB, and Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, will participate in a discussion moderated by Turner Sports studio host Ernie Johnson on Thursday, January 7, from 9-9:40 AM in Venetian, Level 2, Hall D.

Under Armour will host a plethora of athletes and Olympians at their booth (Sands, Hall C, #74316) including: Tony Romo, Michael Phelps, Buster Posey, Cal Ripken Jr., Georges St-Pierre, Deion Sanders, Nastia Liukin, Jake Dalton and Brandon Wynn.

The founder of The Chopra Foundation, Dr. Deepak Chopra, M.D., will participate in Harnessing the Power: Precision Medicine and Genomics, part of the Digital Health Summit, presented by Living in Digital Times. The session runs Thursday, January 7, from 1:45-2:45 in Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4303.

ABC’s Shark Tank and CEO, FUBU and Shark Branding Daymond John is among the panelists in the Making Disney Magic: Connecting Digital and Physical Worlds SuperSession, presented by the Consumer Technology Association, on Thursday, January 7, from 1-2 PM in LVCC, North Hall, Room N257.

Actress and singer Christina Milian will be at Monster’s booth (LVCC, Central Hall, #9405) on Friday, January 8, from 12-3 PM to discuss her relationship with Monster and her latest endeavors.
 
Retired NBA players Larry Johnson and Larry Nance, and retired Vincentian-American NBA player Adonal Foyle will all make appearances at ZTE’s booth (LVCC, South Hall 3, #31706) between Wednesday, January 6 and Friday, January 8.  The NBA National Championship trophy will also be on display at ZTE’s booth all day Thursday, January 7.

Celebrity magician Penn Jillette is partnering with Withings to discuss his recent weight loss – not with any of his famed magic tricks but with a strict diet, exercise and use of several smart, connected devices from Withings. Jillette will reveal his secrets at Withings’ booth (Sands, Hall C, #74300) on Thursday, January 7, at 11 AM.

Hell’s Kitchen Season 10 finalist Chef Dana Cohen will present a cooking demonstration at Haier America’s booth(LVCC, Central Hall, #12814) every hour from 10 AM-4 PM Wednesday, January 6–Friday, January 8.

NFL legend and FitStar personal trainer Tony Gonzalez will be at FitBit’s booth (Sands, Halls C, #74108) for photo opportunities on Wednesday, January 6 from 1:30-2:30 PM.

Actress, best-selling author and activist Jenny McCarthy will conduct a live broadcast of her Sirius XM show followed by an autograph session at FCA’s Uconnect booth (LVCC, North Hall, #3534) on Thursday, January 7, from 1-3:30 PM.
 

CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for almost 50 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. And because it is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM – formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® – the technology trade association representing the $285 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, it attracts the world’s business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry’s most relevant issues are addressed.

Jlab Audio Debuts Flex Over-Ear Studio Headphones

JLab Audio, an award-winning designer of personal audio (Earbuds, headphones and Bluetooth speakers), has released a revolutionary new design for studio-style headphones – the Flex Headphones – featuring Form-Fit™ Earcups ergonomically shaped to the natural outline of the ear that twist and swivel to the whims of DJs, gamers and audiophiles. With a perfectly molded stainless steel metal headband lined with an ultra-plush 1/2-inch wide Cloud Foam™ cushion these headphones can be worn non-stop for hours and hours. The inside of the earcups are molded impeccably to the ear and reinforced on the outside with iodized alloy for ultimate resilience and vigorous use. This one-of-a-kind shape, combined with a 3/4-inch thick cushion earcup is so comfortable that JLab Audio is offering a 100 percent satisfaction money-back guarantee as well as a lifetime warranty on these rocking headphones.

Jlab Audio Debuts Flex Over-Ear Studio Headphones

The Flex Earcups swivel 100 degrees so DJs can flip the earcup to one ear for spinning tracks, while listening to the crowd in the other ear. The earcups also tilt 20 degrees for a plush, customized fit suited for long-term studio use. The Flex Headphones are ideal for audiophiles, gamers, or for anyone wearing headphones for long periods of time.

Form-Fit™ Earcups ergonomically shaped to the natural outline of the ear that twist and swivel to the whims of DJs, gamers and audiophiles.

JLab Audio incorporated premium materials within an affordable price of $ 69.99 for the Flex Headphones. Weighing approximately a half-pound, the Flex Headphones are lighter than most over-the-ear headphones and have industrial grade hinges to collapse the headphones into the palm of the hand or to store in the included carrying case. JLab Audio’s award-winning sound completes the package. C3™ (Crystal Clear Clarity) technology delivers a clean, crisp, immersive sound with vibrant highs, mids and drop-it-like-it’s-hot bass through pristine high performance neodymium backed 40mm drivers.

“A blend of a DJ-inspired and studio headphones, Flex is the most comfortable, versatile pair of headphones we’ve ever made,” said Win Cramer, President, JLab Audio. “The custom shape of the Form-Fit Earcups is different than any of the round shaped headphones out there.”

JLab Flex Over-Ear Studio Headphones Product Specifications includes:

– Stainless Steel Metal Headband with 1/2 inch Plush Cloud Foam™ Cushion

– 3/4 inch Cloud Foam™ Earcups with Eco Leather™

– Universal Mic with Track Control

– Carrying Case

– .52 pounds, 7.25 inches x 7 inches

– Patented C3™ (Crystal Clear Clarity) sound technology

– 40mm neodymium drivers

– JLab Audio’s world-class service and

– JLab Audio’s Limited Lifetime Warranty

To see a side-by-side competitor comparison of the FLEX Headphones and more info visit: http://www.jlabaudio.com/FlexHeadphones. The new JLab Audio Flex Headphones are now available at www.jlabaudio.com.

How Was Your Force Friday?!

Well, it has begun. With Force Friday!, Disney/Lucasfilms has opened the merchandizing floodgate to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys, collectibles, gadgets, and more from the upcoming, sure-to-be-a major blockbuster film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With merchandizing announcements from a wide range of partners, here is just an abbreviated list of all the marketing partners and their wares.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Kylo Ren Force Friday Poster

(STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & (TM) Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Fun Lights-&-Sound Vehicle Models for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ – New from Revell. Snap-Together Vehicles for Ages 6+ Also Feature Moving Parts from Wings to Landing Gear

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ – Vehicle Models New from Revell. Now available at Target. (PRNewsFoto/Revell Inc.)

What’s almost as much fun as watching the Empire and the Resistance duke it out in a galaxy far, far away? Building plastic models that let you simulate the action – and now kids can do precisely that with Revell‘s just-released vehicle assortment of snap-together, interactive model kits from the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” movie set to hit theaters December 18.

Each of the Revell SnapTite(R) Build & Play(TM) model kits has 15 to 20 pre-decorated parts with no need for glue, paint or tools, takes roughly 30 minutes to assemble, and can keep kids engaged for hours after the last piece is clicked into place. (PRNewsFoto/Revell Inc.)

Revell’s first four kits in the series deliver hyper-realistic replicas of the new movie’s Millennium Falcon(TM), Poe’s X-Wing Fighter(TM), Resistance X-Wing Fighter(TM) and First Order Special Forces Tie Fighter(TM) – complete with moving parts like retractable landing gear, open/close cockpit hatches, wings that open into attack mode, and even battle action lights and sounds. (PRNewsFoto/Revell Inc.)

Aimed at ages 6 and up, the first four kits in the series deliver hyper-realistic replicas of the new movie’s Millennium Falcon(TM), Poe’s X-Wing Fighter(TM), Resistance X-Wing Fighter(TM) and First Order Special Forces Tie Fighter(TM) – complete with moving parts like retractable landing gear, open/close cockpit hatches, wings that open into attack mode, and even battle action lights and sounds.

Each of the four SnapTite® Build & Play(TM) model kits has 15 to 20 pre-decorated parts with no need for glue, paint or tools, takes roughly 30 minutes to assemble, and can keep kids engaged for hours after the last piece is clicked into place. They are also the first to use Revell’s new DuraMod(TM) snap design, an innovation in the model market highlighted by extra durability, easy handling and assembly, a high level of detail, and interactivity not available in traditional models.

Five additional Star Wars SnapTite kits will be released in October for ages 8 and up. That will be followed in November with Revell’s introduction of The Master Series(TM) consisting of three classic Star Wars paint and glue kits from Fine Molds(TM) for serious Star Wars model enthusiasts. The Master Series(TM) Fine Molds line will include1:48 scale X-Wing(TM) fighter and Tie(TM) Fighter and 1:72 scale Millennium Falcon(TM) models with piece counts up to 900, providing the highest degree of detail of any model kit available.

All Revell Star Wars models for “The Force Awakens” are designed with the same computer data used to create the movie props, resulting in strikingly accurate facsimiles of the vehicles that moviegoers will experience on the big screen. All four kits are available at both Target and Toys R Us stores, at $19.99 each. Batteries are included.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Full Cast Poster

The Force is Strong with Kay® Jewelers as it Launches the Star Wars(TM) Collection

Kay® Jewelers will launch of the Star Wars(TM) collection. Available at Kay® Jewelers stores nationwide and online at Kay.com beginning Friday, September 4th, the Star Wars collection is being introduced as part of the popular Charmed Memories® collection, which features hand crafted charms that allow guests to celebrate special moments, interests and passions.

The Force is Strong with Kay(R) Jewelers as it Launches the Star Wars(TM) Collection. (PRNewsFoto/Kay Jewelers)

The collection features some of the most popular Star Wars characters, including Darth Vader, R2-D2 and the storm troopers, as well as iconic quotes and themes from the films on stylish charms that can be combined to create a unique bracelet or added to an existing one to reflect one’s fandom of the film series. While launching as part of Charmed Memories®, the Star Wars collection will be expanding into other fine jewelry categories at Kay® later this year.

“Star Wars is one of the most beloved brands of all-time and we are thrilled to be able to bring it to the fine jewelry category,” said Stuart Lee, Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Kay® Jewelers. “One of the most exciting things for us in launching this program was the unique challenge of offering a collection that the fans, who are so knowledgeable and passionate, will truly appreciate. We are confident that we did just that with this collection and we can’t wait to share all of the exciting news we will have as we expand the program moving forward.“

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Stormtroopers “Force Frida” Poster

Walt Disney Records Announces Star Wars: The Force Awakens Original Motion Picture Soundtrack From Oscar®-winning Composer John Williams

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 4. SOUNDTRACK SET FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 18

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS logo (PRNewsFoto/Walt Disney Records)

Five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams has recorded the score for the original motion picture soundtrack Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The soundtrack is available now for pre-order at http://smarturl.it/swtfadme. Lucasfilm and J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.. The soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on December 18, 2015. For more information on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, please visit http://www.theforceawakens.com.

VTech’s InnoTab® MAX Gives Kids an Edge in Learning as They Head Back to School

Award-Winning Tablet Offers Best of Both Learning Worlds, Combining VTech®’s Extensive Expert-Supported Library with Android Learning Content

As kids head back to school and the focus naturally shifts from summer fun to education, parents are looking for ways to help their children succeed and give them a learning advantage. VTech®, a pioneer in children’s learning tablets, offers a powerful and versatile 7″ tablet that can supplement children’s learning: its award-winning InnoTab® MAX (Ages 3-9 years, $99.99).

The InnoTab MAX features a powerful dual-core CPU with up to six times the processing power of previous generations, High resolution 7″ multi-touch screen, a built-in rechargeable Lithium battery and VTech Kid Connect, which allows children and parents to exchange voice and text messages, photos, drawings and fun stickers in real time between the tablet and a smartphone. Additional features include apps such as My Magic Beanstalk, Movie Maker, Art Studio and Wonder Cam MAX; a huge existing library of age-appropriate apps plus hand-picked Android learning games, progressive learning content that adapts to a child’s skill level, Kid-safe Wi-Fi and Web Browser so kids can explore online games, videos, and websites that have been pre-selected by Vtech, Parental Controls which allow parents to manage their child’s apps, web access and tablet time and a progress log so parents can follow their child’s learning development.

“InnoTab MAX exceeds the expectations parents have when selecting a learning tablet for their child,” said William To, President, VTech Electronics North America. “Our research shows that parents look for a tablet that is durable and can meet their child’s needs for several years, as well as offer a variety of educational software and apps at the best value, and InnoTab MAX delivers all these features and more.“

Because VTech knows parents also value educational content to complement classroom learning, consumers will receive a free educational bundle containing 8 apps, along with one free Toca Boca app, after they register their tablet on the Learning Lodge® app store. Parents can choose a bundle that focuses on a single subject area such as Language Arts or choose a bundle that covers a variety of skills appropriate for their child’s grade level.

Consumers also have access to more than 850 educator-supported VTech and Android apps, including hand-picked Android learning games and age-appropriate learning software and content through the Learning Lodge. The apps, featuring a well-rounded curriculum of language arts and reading, math, science, social studies, problem solving and creativity, have been reviewed by VTech’s Expert Panel, made up of top educators from key knowledge areas, so parents know their child is getting learning content that is kid-friendly and educator-approved.

THE ACADEMY LAUNCHES “ACES” AS GLOBAL DIGITAL PRODUCTION AND ARCHIVING STANDARD

Color management and image interchange system targets production, mastering and long-term archiving of motion pictures. ACES Logo Program encourages industry-wide adoption.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces the launch of the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a free, open, device-independent color management and image interchange system that offers a critically needed global industry standard for motion picture and television production.

From image capture through editing, VFX, mastering, public presentation, archiving and future remastering, ACES enables a consistent color experience that preserves the filmmaker’s creative vision.  It addresses and solves a number of significant production, post-production and archiving problems that have arisen with the increasing variety of digital cameras and formats in use, along with the surge in the number of productions that rely on worldwide collaboration using shared digital image files.

ACES Logo. Image courtesy of the Academy

 

“A decade ago, the Academy recognized the need for a new set of infrastructure standards as the industry moved from film to digital,” said Richard Edlund, Academy governor and founding member of the Academy’s Science and Technology Council.  “We made a deep commitment to the effort – coordinating hundreds of top industry scientists, engineers and filmmakers on years of research, testing and field trials – so we’re both proud and excited to launch ACES 1.0 as the first production-ready release of the system.”

The Academy is simultaneously launching the ACES Logo Program to encourage consistent, high-quality implementations of ACES concepts and technical specifications throughout the industry.  Initially focused on production and post-production equipment such as cameras, color correctors, displays and visual effects and animation software, the Logo Program is the first step toward enabling facilities and productions to take full advantage of ACES benefits.  There are 22 leading companies already in the Logo Program: ARRI, Assimilate, Autodesk, Canon U.S.A., Codex, Colorfront, Deluxe Media Creative Services, Digital Vision, Dolby Laboratories, FilmLight, FotoKem, The Foundry, FUJIFILM North America, Light Illusion, MTI Film, Panasonic, Pomfort, Quantel, RED Digital Cinema, SGO, Shotgun Digital and Sony Electronics.

ACES has been used on scores of film and television productions to date, including such features as “Chappie,” “The Lego Movie,” “Big Eyes,” “Elysium,” “Oblivion” and “Chasing Mavericks.”

As part of the ACES launch, the Academy will be exhibiting at the 2015 NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show, April 13–16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in booth C9132.  The Academy also will make two ACES presentations: the first as part of the Technology Summit on Cinema, and the second in conjunction with NAB’s Creative Master Series.  Science and Technology Council Managing Director Andy Maltz will make the Summit presentation “The Academy Color Encoding System (ACES): A Digital Production Infrastructure Standard,” covering the science, engineering and practical application of ACES, on Saturday, April 11, at 4:15 p.m.  The panel session “Coming to You Live: ACES 1.0,” with top industry professionals discussing how ACES helped them successfully manage complex cinematography, visual effects and color correction issues on a variety of motion picture and television projects, will take place on Tuesday, April 14, at 3 p.m. For more information about ACES or the ACES Logo Program, visit Oscars.org/ACES.

KitchenAid Launches Magnetic Drive Blender And New Business Unit

In a move that could prove transformative for the fast-growing premium blender category, KitchenAid has introduced a first-of-its-kind Magnetic Drive Blender for home use (at the 2015 International Home and Housewares Show (in Chicago, Ill.) and launched a newly formed global business unit that will focus entirely on blenders. The new KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Blender, dubbed Torrent(TM), uses an interlocking magnetic drive system, instead of a traditional coupler mechanism, to power its blades and safely secure its jar.

KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Torrent Blender, Candy Apple Red

KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Torrent Blender, Onyx Black

KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Torrent Blender, Sugar Pearl Silver

The new blender uses magnets to secure the pitcher to the motorized base and drive the blades, resulting in an easy front-load, slide-in design. Helpful pre-programmed, hands-free settings for juices, soups and sauces, milkshakes, and icy drinks and smoothies take the guesswork out of blending and remove the need to constantly monitor the blender. Features also include variable speed controls and a pulse setting for added flexibility in a range of blending tasks.

A thoughtfully located ingredient feed on the top of the blender allows for the addition of ingredients at any point during the blending process, while an intuitive Intelli-Speed® Control system automatically optimizes blade speed to efficiently complete blending tasks like crushing ice or pureeing vegetables.

The KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Torrent(TM) blender features a powerful 1.8HP motor capable of tackling homemade nut butters and icy drinks. It also incorporates the brand’s exclusive Diamond Blending System with patented stainless steel blades and a diamond-shaped pitcher that creates a powerful vortex for thorough and efficient blending. All high performance KitchenAid blenders, including Torrent(TM), will be assembled at the brand’s Greenville, Ohio manufacturing plant, which is expanding to accommodate growth in the brand’s global small appliance business.

“We wanted to launch the new business unit with a product that had never before been available for consumer use,” says Kay Oswald, global business unit director for KitchenAid Blenders. “Thoughtful marketing partnerships coupled with a blender offering unprecedented performance will ensure that KitchenAid becomes a leader in the premium blender category.”

“The blender is not only powerful but also exceptionally easy to use compared to traditional models,” said Beth Robinson, senior manager of brand experience for KitchenAid. “The ability to add ingredients, select a program button and walk away make this product an incredible game-changer for the home blending experience. With its sleek design and wide array of blending tasks, the Torrent(TM) blender was designed to be a versatile statement piece for the kitchen counter”

 

The KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Torrent(TM) Blender will be available this April in Candy Apple Red, Frosted Pearl, Onyx Black and Sugar Pearl Silver at a suggested retail price of $599.99.

The 2015 Architectural Digest Home Design Show Expands to Two Locations; Delivers New Programming, Special Events, and Installations

All Images by SocialShutterbug.com

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show, the premier U.S. luxury design fair, is set to run from March 19–22, 2015, at New York City’s Piers 92 & 94, 55th Street and Twelfth Avenue. The show is produced by Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI), a division of Vornado, in partnership with Architectural Digest and co-sponsored by The New York Times.

Panoramic View at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

 

The show explores the world of design through inspiring installations, high-caliber programming, exciting special events, and more, (featuring more than 400 premium brands and covers a range of categories including: furniture, accessories, art, kitchen and bath products, flooring, rugs, carpets, electronics, ceramics, stone + tile, wall covering, lighting, outdoor products, building products and more). The show, open to both the design trade and consumers, has expanded this year, taking over adjacent spaces Pier 92 and Pier 94, together with DIFFA’s (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) showstopping DINING BY DESIGN. Popular areas such as Furniture & Furnishings, MADE, the SHOPS, and reFRESH will each feature a notably larger roster of new talent in addition to returning exhibitors like Scavolini, Ligne Roset + LV Wood, Orley Shabahang, PELLE, Asher Israelow, and Calico Wallpaper.

Design Trade Day at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Design Trade Day at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Design Trade Day at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Design Trade Day at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Butterfield Cafe at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Caliber at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Lori Morris Design at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Natuzzi at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

New York Times Design Series at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Palo Samko at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Relaxing in the Foley&Cox Lounge at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Sub Zero Wolf at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

The Schoolhouse Gallery at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Think Fabricate at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Tucker Robbins at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Voutsa at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Show highlights include:

• Exhibitions by a diverse range of 400+ brands in the luxury home market— from Fortune 500 companies to artisanal studios.

• More than a dozen new complimentary panels and talks by leading talents in 21st-century design, including a keynote presentation by Architectural Digest Editor in Chief Margaret Russell and the celebrated New York Times Design Series.

• New international exhibitors from the Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, and France.

DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN table viewing at Pier 92 at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2014: Ralph Lauren

 

• MADE—a juried show-within-a-show featuring artists and designers with limited-edition, custom, and one-of-a-kind objects and furnishings— welcomes 69 new exhibitors. It will be a showcase of talent from around the country (Austin, Brooklyn, Detroit, Nashville, Providence, Seattle, and more) and around the world. An expanded Los Angeles contingent at MADE will include Eric Trine, Parachute Home, Wolfum, 100xbtr, Brendan Ravenhill, Ria Leigh, Elyse Graham, BROOK&LYN, Mimi Jung, and Lewis Mauk. Additionally, more than 30 businesses exhibiting are women-owned or -run.

KitchenAid® Craft Coffee Line Brings The Coffeeshop Experience Into Home Kitchens

New Stand Mixer Color Dazzles at International Home + Housewares Show 2015

KitchenAid continues to bring the coffee house experience into the home with three new additions to its Craft Coffee portfolio: the Siphon Coffee Brewer, Precision Press Coffee Maker and Burr Grinder. Inspired by the careful technique and precision of baristas, the brand’s newly expanded line of brewers offers a range of craft brewing methods celebrated within coffee house culture. Beginning with the Pour Over Coffee Brewer and Pro Line® Series Espresso Maker and the forthcoming new products, consumers can bring a range of barista techniques that deliver nuanced flavors, aromas and expert consistency of a high-end craft coffee house into their kitchens.The new additions to the line were formally introduced at the 2015 International Home and Housewares Show, presently happening in in Chicago, Ill.

Available now, the KitchenAid® Pour Over Coffee Brewer– having earned a Home Brewer Certification from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which enforces some of the country’s toughest guidelines on home coffee brewing equipment– emulates the technique of an expert barista with a pre-infusion stage that pours just enough water to wet the coffee grounds, then pauses long enough to allow the fresh coffee to “exhale” before the final brewing stage. This technique creates the “bloom” that marks a great cup of pour over coffee, without the need to watch, wait and hover over the cup.

The brewer also boasts a carefully designed shower head that fully saturates the fresh grounds, and an intermittent brewing cycle that mimics the natural pauses in a handmade pour over brew. In addition, it features multiple brewing temperature settings calibrated for both light and dark roast coffees, and an adjustable cup setting that optimizes the brew for different batch sizes.

KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer

KitchenAid Pro Line Series Manual Espresso Maker – Empire Red

“French press is a popular coffee brewing technique known for resulting in rich, full bodied flavor,” notes Beth Robinson, senior brand experience manager for KitchenAid. “The features built into this new coffee maker help optimize flavor without requiring the skills or tools of a barista.”

The forthcoming KitchenAid® Siphon Coffee Brewer,  available in Onyx Black, Silver and Slate, reimagines the theater of classic vacuum pot brewers with modern engineering, simple setup and fewer parts, combining the richness of total-immersion brewing methods with the clean flavor profile of filter-brewed coffee, all without the need for an actual filter.  The new KitchenAid® Siphon Coffee Brewer features vacuum technology that fully immerses the grounds in water to create a more complex flavor profile. The new brewer uses vapor pressure to create a vacuum and draw hot water from the carafe, up through a stainless steel siphon tube, and into the upper brew unit. Here, the grounds are fully immersed and evenly saturated with hot water, extracting the coffee’s full range of flavors. When the brewing temperature is reached, the heat turns off and vacuum is lost, causing the freshly brewed coffee to stream down through a reusable stainless steel mesh filter and empty back into the carafe.

KitchenAid Siphon Coffee Brewer – Onyx Black

The brewer is constructed of premium glass with stainless steel accents. An included reusable stainless steel filter is simple to clean and eliminates the waste disposable filters create. A strong magnetic interlock system secures the top and bottom carafes together to ensure a tight seal for brewing, while a dual-purpose lid sits on top of the unit during brewing and can then be conveniently attached to the carafe for pouring. An angled cleaning brush makes the unit easy to clean between uses.

“Making siphon-brewed coffee by hand is a complicated process requiring precise timing and frequent temperature adjustments over an open flame,” said Robinson. “Our new brewer eliminates this tedious process with simple setup and fewer parts, while maintaining the unmistakable flavors of siphon-brewed coffee. Despite its ease of use, the brewer provides coffee lovers with a rich sensory experience. Watching the brew method, enjoying its complex aromas and tasting the end product make for a very satisfying ritual.”

World’s First Mechanical Smart Watch and Graphene-based Thermometer By by Linktop Technology to be presented at CES 2015

Linktop Technology is introducing its mechanical smart watch and Graphene-based products cloud thermometer to the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada (January 6–9, 2015). Founded in 2003, Linktop Technology specializes in developing and manufacturing telecommunication devices such as wearable technology, mobile healthcare, internet and mobile intelligent terminals such as smart watches, luggage trackers, health monitors, wireless thermometers, children’s safety wristbands and pet trackers. Since 2005, the company have been recognized as a high-tech enterprise for three consecutive years in Xiamen, were appraised as Key High-tech Enterprise of Xiamen in 2008and are one of the few Qualcomm-licensed companies in China.

Linktop’s mechanical smart watch is more than a watch. It puts a transparent color TOLED display above the mechanical dial. The transparent display is sleeping if not activated so that to conserve the battery life, which enables the standby time of the display is long to 30 days. Meanwhile, the mechanical dial keeps telling wearers the time even the display’s battery runs out. Connected with smartphone by using Bluetooth 4.0, U2 will keep the wearer informed of what happens in their smartphone in real time. The watch will notify the wearer about all incoming calls, SMS, email, facebook and twitter or other applications’ notification anywhere anytime. It is also a remote control for smartphone so that to take a picture and control the music player. Besides, the U2 watch can keep track of the wearer’s activity. It will tell the running steps, distance and calories burnt.

World’s First Mechanical Smart Watch and Graphene-based Thermometer presented at CES 2015 by Linktop (PRNewsFoto/Linktop Technology Co., Ltd)

Linktop Technology is the world’s first company that uses Graphene for fast and accurate heat conduction in a groundbreaking and original body temperature thermometer. Graphene is well known for its unique structure and physicochemical properties and is the strongest, thinnest and most conductive material in the world. By adding Graphene, Linktop cloud thermometer can get the measurement data very quickly, which far surpasses other thermometers in the market. Digital Thermometer will finally replace all Mercury Thermometers.

Linktop cloud thermometer is especially designed for kids. With the high accuracy, it is able to detect any little change of the kid’s body temperature. As a matter of fact, it can 7*24 hours continuously monitor the kid’s body temperature and alert the parents immediately when there is an anomaly in the temperature. Its slim and lightweight design ensures no unpleasant body sensation when wearing it. The device is connected to smart phones (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth 4.0, and the users can read real time measurement data from an easy to use but highly sophisticated app. Users can also share the data with others by uploading them to the cloud.

During CES, Linktop will present many more new and innovative products, such as a Kid safety GPS watch, 6 in 1 Health Monitor etc and welcome media, dealers, distributors and other professionals to visit their booth #43009 in Westgate.

LG To Unveil First Mega-Capacity Refrigerator With Double Door-in-Door(TM) At CES 2015

LG Electronics (LG) today announced plans to introduce its first double Door-in-Door Mega-Capacity Refrigerator (Model LPXS34886C) in 2015. The award-winning “door-in-door” concept pioneered by LG is among the highlights of cutting-edge refrigerator innovations to be unveiled at the 2015 International CES® in Las Vegas next week. (Visitors to LG’s booth at CES 2015 (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall #8204) can personally experience LG’s newest home appliances for themselves.)

LG Mega-Capacity Refrigerator with Double Door-in-Door(TM) (model LPXS34886C) (PRNewsFoto/LG Electronics, Inc.)

LG Mega-Capacity Refrigerator with Double Door-in-Door(TM) (model LPXS34886C) (PRNewsFoto/LG Electronics, Inc.)

This new model, which is expected to be ENERGY STAR® certified, has two independent Door-in-Door(TM) compartments, giving you the ultimate in convenience — better organization and easy access — while maximizing conservation of cold air. The right Door-in-Door(TM) is accessible from both the outside with a simple push of a button as well as from the inside, making it easy to load with often-used items like snacks, drinks, lunches and more. The left Door-in-Door(TM) provides additional easy access storage space via a trigger on the bottom of the door. By utilizing LG’s innovative Door-in-Door(TM) feature without opening the entire refrigerator, cold air loss is reduced by up to 47 percent to help keep food fresh longer.(1)

Expertly crafted, the refrigerator also features contour processed, tempered glass that has been applied over curved glass. Black patterned finishing provides a stylish design that is both aesthetically pleasing and leaves the outside fingerprint and smudge resistant so it always looks its best. The refrigerator is also equipped with EasyLift Bins, which allows users to adjust the height of the internal compartments to accommodate large or oddly-shaped bottles.

The LG Mega-Capacity Door-in-Door((TM)) refrigerator also offers Smart Diagnosis(TM), which allows call center representatives to quickly diagnose problems over the phone. LG’s Smart Diagnosis(TM) smartphone app (2) even allows homeowners to record and analyze signals from the refrigerator for immediate advice on repair options.

LG Electronics, Inc.is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing 82,000 people working in 119 locations around the world. Its subsidiary, LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company is a global leader in home appliances, air conditioning and air quality systems and works to create total solutions for the home with its industry leading core technologies (encompassing innovative and thoughtfully designed products, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cooking appliances, vacuum cleaners, built-in appliances, air conditioners, air purifiers and dehumidifiers).

1)  Percent reduction in exchange rate of air between opening the door-in-door compared to one French Door for 10 seconds. Results based on testing of comparable model with same LG(®) Door-in-Door(TM) design. Results may vary by models and the duration of time the door remains open.
(2)  Available only on Android smartphones.

 

Toshiba to Showcase World’s First Ultra HD 4K Laptops at 2014 International CES

New Tecra W50 and Satellite P50t to Feature Ultra HD 4K Resolution Displays, Taking Laptop Visuals to a Whole New Level

Toshiba Also Introduces the First Chromebook with 13-Inch Screen

CES 2014, LVCC Central Hall Booth #10926 – Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., is showcasing the world’s first laptops featuring Ultra HD 4K displays during CES 2014. The Tecra W50 mobile workstation is ideal for engineers and 3D designers and the Satellite® P50t for professional photographers, graphic designers and 4K movie enthusiasts. Both laptops will be available for purchase in mid-2014.

Toshiba Tecra W50

“As a leader in Ultra HD, we are leveraging our 4K TV expertise to deliver a display capable of four times the resolution of Full HD to provide smoother images with astounding details”

“As a leader in Ultra HD, we are leveraging our 4K TV expertise to deliver a display capable of four times the resolution of Full HD to provide smoother images with astounding details,” said Carl Pinto, vice president of marketing and engineering, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. “We have applied years of experience and engineering resources to bring Ultra HD 4K technology into our premium laptops for consumers and businesses so they can usher in the next generation of content creation and consumption.”

Toshiba Satellite P50t

The 15.6-inch diagonal displays1 of the Tecra W50 and Satellite P50t deliver native 3840 x 2160 resolution at 282 PPI. To further enhance the viewing experience, the displays are also color calibrated with accurate color gamut and feature wide viewing angles.

Tecra W50

A portable powerhouse built for the most intensive visual and engineering tasks, the Tecra W50 mobile workstation features a 15.6-inch diagonal Ultra HD 4K display, plus unsurpassed durability and one of the thinnest, lightest designs in its class at less than six pounds. The Tecra W50 features high-precision performance for today’s most demanding tasks – including SolidWorks® and AutoCAD® – with a full-voltage 4th generation Intel® Core™ processing technology2.

“The Toshiba Tecra W50 mobile workstation, with the Kepler-based NVIDIA® Quadro® K2100M GPU and 2GB of dedicated video memory, delivers uncompromised performance and rich visual experiences for graphics-heavy applications that creative professionals demand,” said Shawn Worsell, product line manager for the Quadro Professional Solutions Business at NVIDIA. “With the addition of an integrated 4K display, this is an ideal machine for designers, engineers and digital content professionals looking to be productive, and stylish, anywhere.”

STREAMZ Introduces World’s First Smart Streaming Headphones

 STREAMZ™, a Mozaex® spin-off company, announced today it has released the world’s first smart streaming headphones called STREAMZ™. STREAMZ ($549 MSRP USD) are breakthrough headphones that allow you to play music and audio from multiple sources, including onboard stored music, streaming online radio, streamed phone music, plus audio from your TV, movie, and game player.

STREAMZ – WORLDS FIRST ANDROID 36GB WIFI STREAMING SMART HEADPHONES. (PRNewsFoto/STREAMZ)

STREAMZ was founded with the goal of introducing wearable entertainment or “exotainment” products that dramatically simplifies and enhances people lives and entertainment experience. STREAMZ Headphones, are the first “smart headphones” that allow people to listen to high fidelity music and audio from multiple audio sources without requiring a separate music player. STREAMZ plays audio from online streaming music services, stored music, smartphones, gaming consoles, PCs and AVRs.

The company will be demonstrating STREAMZ and their BLUWAVS 7.1 HDMI Surround headphones during the 2014 CES Expo, held in Las Vegas from January 7–10, booth #54009 (inside the iLounge of the LVH Hall).

With its built in Android processor, WIFI, Bluetooth, and storage, STREAMZ simplifies and enhances the entertainment experience when enjoying streaming or stored music, movies, games and TV shows.

“When it comes to entertainment there is only one thing more valuable than free, and that is simplicity,” said STREAMZ CEO Douglas Kihm. “You no longer need to bother with a separate player since it’s all built inside. Many people don’t want the hassle of carrying, connecting, and draining the battery of their phone or music player. STREAMZ replaces multiple headphones so that you can enjoy all of your entertainment from any device with one simple-to-use pair of headphones.”

STREAMZ makes listening to any source of music and audio fast and easy. STREAMZ incorporates both Smart WIFI and Bluetooth interfaces that auto detect and connect to your WIFI internet hotspot, a Bluetooth device such as a Smartphone, or with an optional module your Bluetooth enabled AVR receiver.

With STREAMZ, people can now enjoy the ultimate in simplicity and uncompromised sound quality. STREAMZ are based on patent-pending Smart Headphone technology that uniquely delivers higher fidelity music and audio than traditional headphones. STREAMZ are the first headphones to incorporate a music player, a 48 kHz/16 bit CD quality Digital Analog Converter (DAC) plus individual 3 Watt vibration drivers and 160 mWatt dynamic amplifiers.

With its built-in DAC and AMP, STREAMZ delivers CD quality sound with optimum dynamic range, equalization, and amplification which results in incomparable clarity and fidelity. The two vibration speakers uniquely deliver high power and low frequency range audio that you can literally feel.

Since most phones and mobile music players have sub-par quality DACs and amps, they are unable to play true FLAC, ALAC, and WAV CD quality music without adding cumbersome external components. To address this problem, the company built the finest quality audio components inside the headphones.

Traditional headphones require an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your head and ears to achieve optimum sound quality. STREAMZ’s vibration speakers achieve the same or better sound quality than traditional headphones with little or no head pressure being applied, which results in exceptional comfort. The four speakers are arranged as bi-amped, two-way speakers with two vibration speakers, and two 50mm dynamic speakers. STREAMZ has soft over the ear leather cushions with collapsible frames and are designed for active, mobile use.

STREAMZ Patent Pending Technology Addresses a Unique Fast Growing Premium Niche Market

STREAMZ addresses an un-served market in the “premium” ($100+ USD) headphone niche, where people want simpler “in-line play controls” to listen to their music, wherever they are and from any device. The market for headphones continues to experience high growth, especially in the premium sector. Global headphone sales in 2013 were $7B (USD) with a growth of 20 percent per year. According to The NPD Group’s Retail Tracking Service, “U.S. sales of premium stereo headphones ($100+) grew 25 percent in units in Q1 2013 year-over-year, accounting for 95 percent of the revenue growth for the total headphone market.”

According to NPD , “more than one-in-three premium buyers cited in-line play controls as ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important in their decision to buy…“. As Ben Arnold, director of industry analysis at NPD explains, “Consumers are looking for ways to get the best audio experience no matter where they are or what device they are using.” Continued Arnold, “In fact, features designed to enable easier mobile playback are impacting premium headphone purchase decisions more heavily.”

STREAMZ meets these needs with the ultimate in simplicity, in-line controls, device compatibility and quality.

“STREAMZ is 30 years in the making since founding my first company in 1983,” explained Kihm. “We are all visionaries of sorts here at STREAMZ, with a passion to invent and share something amazing with consumers and other developers who share in our desire to design products that will make people’s life simpler and more entertaining. To that end we plan to release a STREAMZ App Software Developers Kit (SDK) on Kickstarter along with a specially priced development model of STREAMZ. We anticipate that the SDK will spur the development of dozens if not hundreds of new STREAMZ Smart Headphone Apps, including voice activated Apps and interactive social and informational Apps.”

An SDK and a Kickstarter STREAMZ for App Developers Will Soon be Announced soon.

CES 2014: TI innovation shapes the future of consumer electronics

Texas Instruments plans to demonstrate several of its new products in action at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas, that are shaping the future of personal electronics. From wearables to automotive infotainment systems to intelligent display to advancements in health technology, TI’s advanced analog semiconductors and embedded processors power nearly every type of electronic device a person touches.

Consumer electronics are becoming more sophisticated and feature-rich. As a result, the need for technology advancements that enable longer battery life, real-time connectivity, and smaller, smarter, more efficient electronics will continue to increase. TI will showcase dozens of product demonstrations in its TI Village (#N115-N118) that will help meet these needs, including:

• Automotive: From curved screen, free-form infotainment display, and advanced driver assistance systems, to wireless connectivity, power management and solutions for hybrid/electric powertrains, TI is changing the way the industry thinks of automotive innovation.
• DLP® display: TI’s DLP Pico™ technology enables a big screen viewing experience from the smallest devices. Broad ranging intelligent display applications incorporating DLP Pico will be demonstrated, including near eye display, augmented reality, handheld mobile products, ultimate big picture entertainment products, and interactive surface computing.
• Across the board:
  • The Internet of Things (IoT): From smart watches, fitness gadgets and entertainment devices to connected lighting, home automation applications and more, TI is helping manufacturers connect more for the growing Internet of Things.
  • HealthTech: Showcasing the latest advancements in health, fitness and medical imaging technology, TI’s components help enable live-saving devices and wearable health monitors that allow individuals to take charge of their wellness.
  • Wireless power/energy harvesting: Advancements in wireless power and energy harvesting technologies are helping to power the IoT, as well as relieve dead battery anxiety that consumers often experience with portable electronics.
• Audio: TI products help bring sound to life by enhancing quality and clarity for all types of audio systems. TI will show advancements in streaming audio, sound enhancement and system integration.

TI will also be showcasing its latest and greatest technologies inside end equipments at Pepcom’s Digital Experience! at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on Monday, Jan. 6, from 7-10:30 p.m.

LG Announces Advanced Audio Video Lineup with Convenient Smart Features and Explosive Sound

With Newest AV Products, LG to Offer Breathtaking Auditory Experience, Enhanced Versatility and Stylish Aesthetics

LG Electronics (LG) today announced its U.S. audio video lineup which will be showcased at next month’s 2014 International CES® (booth #8204). The premium selection of products offer consumers solutions with rich, deeply satisfying sound along with the plethora of convenient smart connectivity features*.

Combining Smart TV with Astonishing Sound
LG has expanded its offerings in the emerging SoundPlate Category with an all-in-one home entertainment unit, (model LAB540W). At a mere 39.5mm high, this stylish device is space efficient and can be placed directly underneath a variety of 32- to 55-inch class TVs to minimize clutter. The new model is equipped with a robust 4.1 channel, 320W sound system and an external wireless subwoofer.

The SoundPlate can also serve as a connectivity portal and features a built-in 3D Blu-ray player along with LG Smart TV functionality, transforming any flat screen TV into a Smart TV with powerful sound performance. Additionally, customers can wirelessly stream music to the LAB540W from a compatible smart phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Streaming High Quality Music to Multiple Rooms
LG extended its audio lineup to include a versatile home audio system with a selection of networkable wireless speakers. LG’s Multi-Room Speaker System provides a great solution for consumers by allowing them to wirelessly stream audio files from their compatible smartphones, tablets, or computers to multiple speakers simultaneously. Several speakers can be set up in any combination of rooms, connecting an entire house under a single system.

The embedded network technology makes it possible to choose between playing the same song throughout the home (Party Mode), or different songs through each speaker (Personal Mode). LG developed a downloadable app to turn a smartphone into an easy-to-use master control unit with an interface that lets users seamlessly stream locally saved music or audio from online sources. Overall clarity is enhanced by a dual-tweeter arrangement and 24 bit/192kHz offers studio-like sound quality. The two speakers in the lineup include:

NP8740 – 70W Speaker, with built-in Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth enabled and MESH network  capable.

NP8540 – 40W Speaker, with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth enabled and MESH network capable.

Compelling Audio Sophistication in Minimalist Design
LG refreshed its Sound Bar options for 2014 with two new models that are the perfect complement for a wide variety of TV sizes and styles. The NB5540 is LG’s flagship model with an aesthetic meant to match LG’s modern thin-bezel TVs. The system features 4.1 channels and a powerful 320 watts output and a wireless subwoofer. Despite its low profile body, the NB5540 delivers rich, room-filling audio thanks to two forward-facing and two rear-facing channel configuration. The unit will employ a Hi-Fi DAC and Analog Class D amp to ensure superior HD audio quality, minimizing the loss of detail and producing clean, natural sound.

For easy connectivity, it supports HDMI with Audio Return Channel (ARC), and is also Bluetooth enabled, facilitating wireless audio streaming from compatible smart devices such as a Smart TV or smartphone.

Also key to the 2014 bar lineup is the NB3740A, which offers consumers premium streaming content from embedded partners including Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, Pandora and vTuner*. It is also a 4.1 channel, 320W system that features HDMI/ARC and Bluetooth connectivity.

Winning Track Record
The 2014 lineup includes a number of other premium products to deliver convenient wireless connectivity and an unforgettable auditory experience. LG will introduce three new Blu-ray Disc players in 2014. The flagship model (BP740) will offer a range of comprehensive Smart features via Built-in Wi-fi capability. Content options include premium services such as Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Netflix and YouTube as well as web browsing*. It will also include the LG Magic Remote, enabling customers to navigate the system with easy pointing and-wheel based actions. A unique convenience feature called Private Sound Mode 2.0 will allow users to route the sound from either disc-based or streaming media straight to a compatible Bluetooth headphone or smart phone so content can be enjoyed without disturbing others. Additional Blu-ray players in the U.S. lineup include:

BP540 – Full HD 1080p 3D Network Blu-ray Player features LG Smart functionality*, Private Sound Mode 2.0 and built-in Wi-Fi capability.

BP340 – Full HD 1080p Network Blu-ray Player with a streaming content suite consisting of Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, CinemaNow and Pandora* as well as built-in Wi-Fi capability.

For consumers looking for a more powerful audio experience, LG’s also created a 500W Home Theater System in 2014 (model BH5140S). With a streaming 3D Blu-ray player included, it is another all-in-one solution offering augmented sound and numerous content options that consumers have come to expect.

*Smart devices include certain HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players and Network Home Theater Systems. Internet connection and certain subscriptions required and sold separately. Content and services vary by product and are subject to change without notice. Designs, features and specification subject to change without notice