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January 18, 2013

News covering the consumer electronics industry

Today's Digital Pulse

China's JK Imaging debuts camera under Kodak brand
JK Imaging has introduced the Kodak S1 camera, its first model to carry the Kodak brand, which the Chinese company has licensed. The mirrorless camera has interchangeable lenses and is expected to have Wi-Fi connectivity, while featuring an image sensor made by Sony. Electronista (1/18)

CE in the Home

Open-source XBMC app can now run on Android devices
The open-source XBMC multimedia application, which runs on the Boxee Box, the Xbox game console and other products, is now available in a "fully functional" and "end-user friendly" version for Android-based devices, according to the XBMC team. XBMC debuted a video to highlight the Android release. Ars Technica (1/17), Engadget (1/18)

Mobile Electronics

Autonomous vehicles inch ahead
The era of cars that don't need people to drive them is coming along, but don't expect to be able to buy such a vehicle for years or even decades, these articles note. Audi and Toyota Motor have demonstrated prototypes of driverless vehicles, while Google has been testing such technology since 2009. National Public Radio/All Tech Considered blog (1/17), The Wall Street Journal (1/17)

Tech News

Imangi will stick to freemium for Temple Run sequel
Imangi Studios' sequel Temple Run 2 has ambled to the top of the App Store free charts. The developer is still relying on the in-application purchase monetizing model. The original game was downloaded 170 million times, with 15 million daily active users. "Freemium has really caught on as something that has resonated with players. Freemium games tend to make more revenue per download than an equivalent product," developer and Imangi co-founder Keith Shepherd said in an interview. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)/Tech Now blog (1/17), The Wall Street Journal/Digits blog (1/17)

Intel reports lower profits
Intel says its profits were down 27% in the fourth quarter and down 15% for 2012, although both figures beat analysts' estimates. The company said its data-center unit was a bright spot, with sales up 6%. The Wall Street Journal (1/17), ITWorld.com/IDG News Service (1/17)

RIM puts physical keyboard on back burner for developers
Another indication that Research In Motion's BlackBerry 10 platform will focus mainly on touch screens: Developers have not yet received prototypes with a physical keyboard after receiving touch-screen models several months back, they say. "You can’t build a smartphone without a touch screen anymore. But you can’t expect your loyal user base to stick with you if you take away why they’ve stuck with you," said Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics. Also, RIM will hold another "port-a-thon" for developers today in which the company will pay $100 for any application successfully submitted to RIM's app store within a 36-hour period. Bloomberg (1/17), ZDNet (1/18)

Retail Trends

Amazon makes it easier for Apple users to buy music
Users of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch can buy music from their gadgets via Amazon's MP3 mobile website, the company says. "Since the launch of the Amazon Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod Touch, a top request from customers has been the ability to buy music from Amazon right from their devices," Amazon Music Vice President Steve Boom said. The Wall Street Journal (1/17)

Consumer reviews carry more weight with shoppers, study finds
Consumer reviews of electronics can influence purchase decisions more than reviews by experts and professional critics, according to Weber Shandwick. More than three-quarters of consumer electronics shoppers said they give more credence to consumer-generated reviews, the firm reported. Bazaarblog (1/17)

CEA Zap

Video: Catch up on 2013 CES keynotes and more
The 2013 International CES featured a range of incredible keynotes and through-provoking conference sessions. We're sharing videos from all of our keynotes and many of our conference sessions. Check out CESTV. See Dr. Paul Jacobs from Qualcomm discuss the "Born Mobile" generation. Hear from CNET what the future of technology innovation will look like with insight from industry experts like Mark Cuban. Watch these free videos and more on CESTV.

Did you miss the trending topics at 2013 CES?
What’s trending? This is the big question everyone is asking at the world's largest annual innovation event. Check out the "What's Trending" YouTube channel filmed live at 2013 CES from the Samsung Smart Studio right on the show floor. For more coverage of the 2013 International CES, follow us on Twitter- @intlCES and use our official hashtag #2013CES.

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