http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/photography/christopher-radko-adds-72-new-traditional-designs-to-mid-year-collection.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/photography/christopher-radko-adds-72-new-traditional-designs-to-mid-year-collection.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Each year in January and June The Christopher Radko Collection introduces a much-anticipated comprehensive selection of new styles, much to the delight of its broad base of worldwide collectors.

For more than 23 years the Christopher Radko name has symbolized the Standard of Excellence within the giftware industry as the unparalleled producer of the finest European-made glass ornaments.

The seasoned design team of Radko Artists, who combined have more than 33 years of tenure designing glass ornaments for Christopher Radko, work tirelessly focusing on market trends and innovative design techniques to ensure that each collection created is worthy of the "Radko" name.

This year's introductions are reminiscent of Radko's long heritage and harkens back to collections of yesteryear. Exquisite artistry highlighted by classic holiday themes, intricately hand-painted details and generous embellishments all combine to create a truly inspired collection.

The collection comprises 11 trend-setting designs exclusively available to gift stores. A special re-coloration of one of Radko's most popular styles is available in 7 individually-styled color stories, while the charming Little Gems collection adds 17 new styles and the Glorious Christmas category expands with 37 brand new designs all available for delivery this holiday season.

"The Christopher Radko design team has created a collection that renews its heritage and solidifies the brand's prized placement within the giftware industry," said Heather Shepardson, CEO of Rauch Industries.

"With the introduction of 72 new styles, we are honored to continue offering collectors the most exquisite and unique collection of hand-made European glass ornaments in the marketplace."

Christopher Radko's 2008 Mid-Year Collection debuted to acclaim at The Dallas Gift and Home trade show in June and the enthusiasm followed at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Up next, the 2008 Radko collection can be viewed at The Seattle Gift Show in August.


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http://www.fashion-accouterment.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/how-tvs-will-get-much-much-flatter.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/how-tvs-will-get-much-much-flatter.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Organic light-emitting diodes--OLEDs--employ a thin layer of organic material that emits light when electricity passes through it. OLED displays need no backlight, so they're ultrathin and flexible. They are also brighter, cheaper to manufacture, and more environmentally friendly than plasma displays or LCDs. Over the next few years, OLED will be coming to a boob tube near you, and later maybe to the walls of your house, or even the windshield of your car.
Thin and Rich
When Sony showed off its 27-inch active-matrix OLED flat panel at last January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, you could hear jaws dropping. A contrast ratio of a million to one, with pure blacks, blinding whites, and brilliant colors; no problems with viewing angles or ambient light; faster response times than LCDs; and low energy consumption--all on a pane of glass thinner than a Bic pen.
"OLEDs...reproduce the exact colors a movie maker intended," says Barry Young, OLED expert for DisplaySearch. "LCDs [and plasmas] can't produce 100 percent of the grayscales in the original image...; OLEDs can.”
Right now, only one model is available: Sony's XEL-1, which measures 11 inches diagonally, costs $2500, and has a short useful-life span.
But the XEL-1 is mostly a proof-of-concept item, says Young. OLEDs using newer materials are proving more robust, and eventually they'll long outlast plasma and LCD sets, he adds.
This year, the flat-panel industry woke up and smelled the diodes. Samsung SDI--the world's largest maker of OLEDs for cell phones and portable media players--is pumping half a billion dollars into new manufacturing plants. Epson, LG, Toshiba, and other major manufacturers of OLEDs are following suit.
Janice Mahone, vice president of technology commercialization for Universal Display, says that consumers should start to see OLED panels in the 20-to-30-inch range in 2009. But it's likely to be two years or more before OLEDs can compete with LCDs on price.
A Flat Future
OLED isn't the only promising new TV technology. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)--LED-powered displays that employ millions of microscopic shutters to control light passing through them--use less power than OLEDs, but they trail OLEDs in development.
Mahone admits that LCDs have lots of life left, and manufacturers--who are loath to cannibalize their LCD sales--will likely try to keep OLED prices high for several years. In the long run, though, OLED sets will become cheaper to produce, thanks to having less electronics.
"You could have a paper-thin, wall-size OLED that displays video, shows photographs, or provides ambient light with a flick of a switch," says Mahone. Transparent OLED technology could provide the same instant control for the windows in your room or for a heads-up display on the windshield of your car.
If you're planning on buying a big-screen TV set this year, it won't be an OLED. But your next TV after that one very well could be--if it isn't built into the walls of your next house.


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Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/music/lg-to-use-dolby-mobile-audio-system-in-cell-phones.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/music/lg-to-use-dolby-mobile-audio-system-in-cell-phones.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The two companies have reached a deal that will make South Korea's LG the first cell phone maker to incorporate the Mobile version of Dolby's system into its handsets. Dolby Mobile is an audio processing system tuned to match the processing and audio capabilities of cell phones.
As cell phones have gotten more complex in recent years, a lot of effort has been spent improving the screens but relatively little work has been done on the audio systems. While most phones today feature an MP3 music player it's been more or less an after thought in many handsets, but with more and more people using the function a richer, deeper, better sound could become a key selling point.
LG is currently the fourth largest cell phone maker in the world with an 8.2 percent share of the market in the first three months of this year. It shipped 24.4 million handsets during the quarter on strength from emerging markets and its domestic market in South Korea. But shipments slipped in Europe.
The first LG phones with Dolby Mobile are due out in the fourth quarter of the year. The company plans to build the technology into high-end multimedia handsets.


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www.electronics-in-china.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/nintendo-software-makers-target-ds-game-piracy.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/nintendo-software-makers-target-ds-game-piracy.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The group filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court against the five on Tuesday, which are accused of importing a device called the "R4 Revolution for DS." The small device fits into the DS's cartridge slot and allows games stored on a Micro SD card to be played on the DS. It can be used to play both homebrew and hacked games on the DS, but it's the latter that Nintendo singled out in its statement detailing the lawsuit.
That this is a fight against illegally copied and downloaded software is underlined by the presence of most of Japan's biggest software makers alongside Nintendo in the suit, including Atlus, Capcom, D3 Publishers, Hudson, Koei, Namco Bandai, Square Enix, Sega, Taito and Tecmo.
The device, which has the nickname "Magicon," can be picked up in Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district and costs generally less than ¥5,000 (US$46.33), although that price might climb if it becomes difficult to acquire.
Of the five companies targeted by Nintendo, a check of their Web sites on Wednesday revealed none appears to be selling the device at present.


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Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/sony-samsung-look-to-upgrade-hd-television.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/sony-samsung-look-to-upgrade-hd-television.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Wireless streaming high definition is difficult for electronics manufacturers to produce because the signal has to be compressed for transmission in order to be broadcast. This compression often results in loss of picture quality on the screen. However, Amimon's foray into the field has shown enough promise that major manufacturers feel confident using it as the basis of their initiative, according to the Associated Press.

Consumers who currently have a tangle of wires running from the television to a blu ray player to a gaming console can look forward to having the jumble reduced. Because WHDI transmits wirelessly, that mess might soon go away.

Amimon's chips for WHDI get around compression problems by separating the important parts of transmitted data from less important parts, AP reports. By focusing on the things that are crucial to the viewing experience -- the components of the video image -- from the less important ones -- color variations -- the signal degrades less over distances than previously.
Televisions with Amimon's chips are expected to hit store sometime next year and will costs customers approximately $100 more than before.

Consumers who think wireless HD television is the next step in the evolution of TVs have something to look forward to. The consortium of major manufacturers means that the technology will come along and likely drop in price as it matures, allowing couch potatoes everywhere to eliminate a nest of wires while still enjoying clear images.



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www.electronics-in-china.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/networking/india-to-become-a-manufacturing-hub-for-fashion-and-luxury-goods.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/networking/india-to-become-a-manufacturing-hub-for-fashion-and-luxury-goods.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Inaugurating the function to launch the FICCI Lifestyle Forum here, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said: “Education and employment will spawn such an initiative and I can envision fashion institutes from the West bringing their best practices to India. Business schools such as ESSEC of France have already initiated programmes with IIM Ahmedabad as FICCI did with SDA Bocconi of Italy and the National Institute of Design.”

Dr Ashwani Kumar said, skill integration with French ateliers and craftsmen to bring international expertise would help develop synergies with brands as well as generate employment. “We encourage this move towards skill integration and invite India indigenous brands to seek the right expertise, finance and skill integration from Western ateliers.”

He said, culture, craft, design and creativity, textiles and gems have been been India’s traditional heritage. It is recognised that India has pockets of lifestyle skills such as Jadau jewellery from Jaipur, the Kutch craft from Gujarat and diamond cutting from Surat. The Government of India will encourage these crafts to get corporatised and organised to spawn an indigenous lifestyle industry, he said.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar noted that India was fast moving away from being a backwater to ‘handmade-handcrafted in India’ tagline becoming solicited. “Our Ministry will support this initiative with business to business delegations of the FICCI Lifestyle Forum to hubs of fashion and lifestyle in France, Italy and the UK.”

Earlier, the Minister released the FICCI-Yes Bank report on ‘India as a Manufacturing Hub for Global Fashion and Luxury Goods.

Mr. Ness Wadia, Chairman, FICCI Lifestyle Forum, pointed out that the luxury brands should view the Indian market from two perspectives. One, skill transfer from luxury ateliers to Indian craftsmen and developing brand synergies with India, and two, policies conducive to enabling opening of doors to single brand retail and eventually multi-brand retail.

This will bring in its train employment and development of technologies in supply chain management and luxury retail management Eventually, this will be a catalyst for the development of Indian indigenous luxury brands for global fashion and luxury goods market, as interactive exchanges become more deep-rooted.

Mr. Jerome Bonnafont, Ambassador of France to India, said if India were to develop its luxury industry, it would do well to attract foreign brands. He, however, underlined the need for cent per cent assurance on quality, protection of Intellectual Property and know-how and high respect for corporate social responsibility.

Mr. Nick Steyn, Director, Walford Wilkie, London and Mr. Mehul Choksi, MD, Gitanjali Lifestyle & Co-Chairman, FICCI lifestyle Forum, shared their perspectives on brand creation and brand narrative where consistency in the quality of the messages and its position held the key.

Mr. Varun Tuli, President, Yes Bank, presented the findings of the FICCI-Yes Bank report. The need of the hour, he said, was for industry players to create a sophisticated business model supported by financial and legal footings, and for the government to develop the requisite infrastructure and offer the right incentives.


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www.fashion-accouterment.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/music/is-apple-thinking-about-ditching-intel-chipsets.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/music/is-apple-thinking-about-ditching-intel-chipsets.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 This does not mean that Apple would stop using Intel CPUs, just its chipsets which usually controls everything else in a computer. AppleInsider even throws out there that Apple may have its eye on a new set by Intel-rival AMD which includes faster integrated video, Hyperflash I/O and support for Hybrid Hard Drives (regular hard drives with flash components means to load faster). Imagine that, Intel chips and an AMD chipset.
Apple could also possibly design its own custom chipset. The company used to have customized chipsets before its transition to Intel processors in 2006.
Any new architectural changes would supposedly take place in Apple’s upcoming notebook overhauls due this fall. These new notebooks could be radically different with elements such as glass trackpads, according to Computerworld. But that report also says Apple may use Centrino 2.
Apple seems to be in the mindset that it has a winning product with its Mac line, now it just wants to speed things up. Its upcoming new operating system, OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, is apparently not going to be that different from OS X 10.5 Leopard, it is mainly designed to run quicker and more smoothly with lighter-weight apps.



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www.1topsupplier.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/canon-eyes-40%25-rise-in-india-revenue.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/canon-eyes-40%25-rise-in-india-revenue.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 "Canon intends to achieve a 40 per cent increase in revenue by the end of this year at Rs 700 crore," Canon India President and Chief Executive Officer Kensaku Konishi said, adding the company hopes higher sales in its camera business.
Canon has printers, camera and camcorders, IT peripherals, copiers and software solutions.
The company reported a 38 per cent growth in 2007 to achieve a turnover of Rs 510 crore.
It expects 30 per cent of its revenues from the sales of cameras, 20 per cent from printer and IT peripherals business, 10 per cent from software service and 40 per cent from the copier business.
To boost its business, Canon had already set up four exclusive retail outlets for the consumer and business segment entailing an investment of Rs 8 crore.
"This is a new concept and the first of its kind in India, the first showroom was set up in Gurgaon. We will come up with another two stores in Mumbai by the end of this year," Konishi said.
Canon had opened two retail showrooms in south India named 'Image Lounge' offering wide range of products like printers, camera, camcorders, scanners, projectors and the all-in-one printers all under one roof.
To cater to the business class, Canon had launched a 'Business Solutions Lounge' showroom. This would offer products like multi-functional devices, large format graphic machines, scanners, colour networked copiers, print and scan solutions all under one roof.


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www.electronics-in-china.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/us-jewellery-designer-unveils-expansion-plans-into-mumbai.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/us-jewellery-designer-unveils-expansion-plans-into-mumbai.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
During the event, the eco-friendly jewellery designer will also be co-sponsoring an educational seminar with Clark McEwen of Gemesis who will explain The Past, The Present and The Future of lab-made diamonds in the jewellery industry.

As wealth grows in areas such as India, China and the Middle East, Renaissance Diamonds continually seeks opportunities for their laboratory-created diamond jewellery collections. These countries find lab-made diamonds extremely attractive because it offers affordable luxury to a rising class of new, wealthy consumers.

The Renaissance jewellery collections offer diamonds that are amongst the rarest, vivid and unique colors, have the benefit of being eco-friendly, and are at very reasonable price points.

“The India International Trade Show continues to amaze exhibitors as the growth they have shown year after year is incredible. The wealth and stability the country has experienced is creating a huge demand for fine laboratory-created diamond jewellery,” said Neil Koppel, President and CEO of Renaissance Diamonds. “Our office in Mumbai will help retailers bring these amazing lab-made diamonds closer to the consumers as demand continues to grow.”

The educational seminar by Renaissance Diamonds and Gemesis is scheduled to take place on August 10th – 12:30 to 2 PM at the India International Jewellery Show. The seminar will include discussions on what lab-made diamonds are and how they are grown, plus identification and lab certification. Experts will also review the common misconceptions of these diamonds and what business prospects the future holds for these precious gems.


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www.fashion-accouterment.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/technology/mobile-phones/mobile-executives-spar-over-iphone.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/mobile-phones/mobile-executives-spar-over-iphone.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Talking only about two weeks after the introduction of Apple's iPhone 3G and the App Store, where third-party software for it is offered, heads of some software companies reported huge numbers of downloads and proclaimed a new day on the mobile Internet. The jury is still out on whether the open-source phone platforms coming from Google and the Symbian Foundation will be able to match Apple's success, according to the panelists at the TechCrunch Mobile Web Wars event in Menlo Park, California, on Friday afternoon.
Nearly 1 million Facebook users have downloaded the social-networking company's application to their iPhones, according to Jed Stremel, director of mobile at Facebook. And Loopt, a location-based social-networking startup, reached 100,000 iPhone downloads only about a week after the App Store opened. The average iPhone user also is 47 times as active on Loopt as those on other types of phones, said Loopt cofounder and CEO Sam Altman.
Most of the software CEOs expressed interest in developing for Android but are wary that it will go the way of Java, with too many different versions to adapt to.
"I need Android like I need a hole in the head," said Pandora's Conrad, picturing it as "another OS platform that sits on top of buggy firmware, with devices with hundreds of manufacturers, with different characteristics."
Loopt's Altman said one valuable feature of Android is the ability to have tasks run in the background. He praised the openness of Android, which will allow Loopt to create a contact list with live location information, something that would not be possible on the closed iPhone environment. Whether Android's open-source model will work out well is uncertain, but it should become more clear pretty quickly, Altman said.
"I would guess a month post-launch of Android, you will have a feel of how much people are going to follow the spirit of one stack that works with everything," Altman said.
As for Symbian, Nokia's Rivas emphasized that the transition to the open-source platform won't happen overnight. But he acknowledged that there is another major step Nokia has to take to generate interest at the software epicenter of Silicon Valley.
"Once I have a collection of phones here in the U.S. market that you guys are willing to hit, suddenly the whole value proposition changes for you," Rivas said.
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Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>