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Main Stories
o Nokia Reports 400,000 N-Gage Video Game Phones Sold in 2 Weeks
o MPAA Eases Ban on "Screeners;" Will Allow VHS, Maybe Low-Res DVDs
o Report: U.S. Internet Population Surpasses 150 Million for First Time
o Nintendo Buys 2.6% Stake in Video Game Developer Bandai
o Report: European Online Advertising to Recover this Year
o RealNetworks to Launch Rhapsody Music Download Service in Europe
o Report: Europeans to Spend $876 Million on Mobile-Software Downloads
o DSL Equipment Maker 2Wire Buys Digital Media Software Firm Sugar Media

o Briefly Noted: Apple - iTunes for Windows 4.1.1, RealNetworks - Motorola, Gemstar-TV Guide International - Insight Communications, Disney Mobile - Sprint PCS, NDS - The Acotel Group, OverDrive - publishers, Archos - customizable MP3 players, Match.com - MSN, ClearSky Mobile Media - Chippendales, Babel Media - Tira Wireless, Plextek - Gametrac, Interplay, Electronic Arts, Konami, Chartwell, CMP Books - Digital Media Academy

Helsinki, Finland -- Cell phone maker Nokia on Wednesday said that it has sold 400,000 of its N-Gage hybrid cell phone/handheld video game in the device's first two weeks of availability. Nokia said that sales have been strongest in Europe and Asia, and that males in their 20s and 30s have thus far been the primary N-Gage purchasers. The company also said that its N-Gage Arena, an online multiplayer community for owners of the device, is now averaging 5,000 sessions daily. "For a global number it's not a huge quantity," Harris Nesbitt Gerard financial analyst Edward Williams told Reuters. "Their market is going to be best in regions like Europe and Asia where sales to consumers is strong. In the United States, Nokia will still need to address issues such as the high price."
http://makeashorterlink.com/?A29412D46
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/031022/eu_fin_com_sweden_nokia_n_gage_2.html
http://www.n-gage.com
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o MPAA Eases Ban on "Screeners;" Will Allow VHS, Maybe Low-Res DVDs

Los Angeles -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has decided to ease its controversial ban on the distribution of "screener" copies of Oscar-hopeful movies by studios to voting Academy members, The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday. Under a tentative deal reached with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, studios will distribute numbered, encoded VHS videotapes to the 6,000 or so members of the Academy who vote on the Oscars. The MPAA is also reportedly considering allowing low-resolution DVDs, which yield poor-quality copies. Any Academy member who allows a screener to be pirated and distributed would face possible expulsion from the Academy. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) opposed the decision, in part because it excludes distribution of screeners to its members, who vote on the group's own SAG Awards.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M6A425D46
http://www.mpaa.org/jack/2003/2003_09_30a.htm
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o Report: U.S. Internet Population Surpasses 150 Million for First Time

San Bruno, Calif. -- In September, the total number of U.S. Internet users passed the 150 million mark for the first time ever, according to new figures released by comScore, a provider of Internet audience measurement services. Also, the total amount of time spent by Americans on the Internet grew by 3% in September, even though the month was a day shorter than August. "In September, a number events impacted Americans' use of the Internet, including Hurricane Isabel, the kickoff of the NFL season and students returning to school," said Peter Daboll, the president of comScore Media Metrix. "That this medium has now crossed a threshold of 150 million users is a reminder that while it continues to mature, the web also continues to expand its reach among the total U.S. population every day."
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?id=359
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o Nintendo Buys 2.6% Stake in Video Game Developer Bandai

Tokyo -- In a bid to help ensure a greater number of game titles for its GameCube and Game Boy Advance, Japanese video game firm Nintendo has purchased a stake in fellow video game developer and toymaker Bandai. With its purchase of 1.28 million shares, Nintendo now owns 2.6% of Bandai, but told the Associated Press it has no plans to launch a takeover of the company. Tokyo-based Bandai also said toymaker Mattel has sold part of its stake in the company. Bandai has released video games based on popular toy franchises including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/031022/japan_nintendo_1.html
http://www.nintendo.com 
http://www.bandai.com
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o Report: European Online Advertising to Recover this Year

London -- Western Europe's Internet sector is beginning to recover, with online advertising set to post double-digit growth for the first time in three years, according to new study by Zenith Optimedia and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). Online advertising is set to grow by 10.2% to more than 886 million euro ($1 billion) in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands -- currently the Top Six markets in Western Europe. The study also predicted that online advertisers would spend more than 1.25 billion euro ($1.46 billion) in Europe by 2007.
http://www.pwcglobal.com 
http://www.zenithmedia.com
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o RealNetworks to Launch Rhapsody Music Download Service in Europe

London -- RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology, has announced that it will throw its hat into the ring with U.S.-based Apple Computer and Roxio by bringing its own music downloading service to Europe, Reuters reported on Wednesday. RealNetworks' new Rhapsody service should be up and running by the second quarter of next year, the company said. The news means that RealNetworks will soon be competing with a slew of other industry backed services such as those offered by HMV and Virgin MegaStores, not to mention Microsoft's MSN and Tiscali.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?P2D036C46
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o Report: Europeans to Spend $876 Million on Mobile-Software Downloads

Helsinki -- According to a new report conducted by Gartner and commissioned by Nokia, European consumers will spend roughly $876 million this year downloading software for their mobile phones. Nokia's Lea Myyrylaiken said that the figure was especially significant when considering that it represents only half of total downloads this year, since the other half were free. According to the report, most downloads were for ringtones, logos and screensavers. Pointing out the fact that only 1 in 5 people downloads anything, and that only 1 in 30 downloads anything besides ringtones, logo and screensavers, Myyrylaiken said that there was "still a lot to play for."
http://www3.gartner.com/Init 
http://www.nokia.com
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o DSL Equipment Maker 2Wire Buys Digital Media Software Firm Sugar Media

San Jose, Calif. -- In a move to offer DSL service providers an integrated platform to deliver voice, data and entertainment services, 2Wire, a maker of DSL gateways, said that it will acquire San Francisco-based Sugar Media, a developer of digital media software platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Brian Sugar, the founder and CEO of Sugar Media, will become the vice president of media products for 2Wire. Brian Hinman, the CEO and founder of San Jose, Calif.-based 2Wire, said that the deal will help his company take advantage of "a significant market opportunity for broadband-enabled home entertainment platforms."
http://www.2wire.com/pr/pr102003.html

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(Cupertino, Calif.) Apple Computer tomorrow will release an update for its recently released version of iTunes for Windows, which has already been downloaded over 1 million times. The new version will reportedly fix problems some users had when their PCs froze after installing the software. "A few customers reported conflicts with specific PC configurations and we quickly updated the iTunes software in response," Apple said in a statement published by CNET News.com. "iTunes 4.1.1 addresses an isolated incompatibility with Windows 2000 and older third-party CD burning software, as well as problems caused by corrupt MP3 files on some users' PCs."
http://news.com.com/2100-1040_3-5095039.html

(Las Vegas) RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology, announced on Wednesday that cell phone maker Motorola will incorporate its RealOne Player into select handsets, with an initial focus on Linux-based handsets for the mass market consumer audience. Motorola will also distribute the RealOne Player and RealNetworks' subscription services through its HelloMoto.com portal. The first Motorola phones with the RealOne Player will become available in the first half of 2004.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/cgw030_1.html
http://www.realnetworks.com 
http://www.hellomoto.com

(Los Angeles) Gemstar-TV Guide International, a provider of electronic program guides for digital television services, announced on Wednesday a licensing and distribution agreement with cable TV operator Insight Communications. Insight will extend an existing agreement to use Gemstar's program guides, adding guides for its video-on-demand service, high definition (HD) programming, and digital video recorder (DVR) functionality. In addition, Los Angeles-based Gemstar received a license for Insight's SourceSuite interactive program guide technology.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031022/225419_1.html 
http://www.gemstartvguide.com 
http://www.insight-com.com

(Las Vegas) Walt Disney Internet Group announced on Wednesday that it is developing character voice ringtones, based on Disney/Pixar characters including Mickey, Goofy, Pooh, Buzz Lightyear and Stitch. Disney Mobile will launch the ringtones, which will sell for $2.50 each, for Sprint PCS Vision customers by the end of the year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031022/225227_1.html
http://mobile.disneyinternational.com

(Las Vegas) NDS, a provider of interactive TV and pay-TV technologies, has partnered with The Acotel Group, a provider of multimedia platforms and applications to mobile network operators and media companies, to jointly develop interactive TV services and digital rights management systems for mobile phones. The companies said potential applications include pay-per-view movies and sports, and direct interaction with live TV programs via mobile phones.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031022/225364_1.html 
http://www.nds.com 
http://www.acotel.com

(Cleveland, Ohio) OverDrive, a provider of digital library services and e-books, announced on Wednesday that over 150 new publishers have joined its Digital Library Reserve, and will provide libraries with e-book versions of their titles to loan out to patrons. New partners include Microsoft Press, Merriam-Webster, Barnes & Noble Digital Publishing, Tyndale House, Zondervan, Multnomah, Rough Guides, RosettaBooks, Peanut Press and others. E-books checked out through libraries using Cleveland-based OverDrive's system will automatically expire and check themselves back into the collection so others may access them. OverDrive also offers e-book titles from Time Warner, HarperCollins Perfectbound, McGraw-Hill and Scholastic.
http://www.overdrive.com

(Irvine, Calif.) Consumer electronics firm Archos on Wednesday released a new line of portable MP3 players that can be customized to suit individual preferences. Both the $250 GMINI 120 and $350 GMINI 220 offer MP3 and WMA recording and playback. Optional add-ons for the devices include an audio/voice recorder, photo wallet, interactive music composer software, and an FM tuner remote control.
http://www.archos.com

(Dallas) Online personals provider Match.com said on Wednesday that it has expanded its partnership with Microsoft's MSN, and will now power the Dating & Personals section throughout the MSN network. Dallas-based Match.com currently claims over 857,000 paying subscribers and more than 18 million members.
http://msn.match.com

(Orlando, Fla.) ClearSky Mobile Media, a provider of wireless entertainment content, said on Wednesday it has partnered with Chippendales Entertainment, LLC, and will offer photos, greeting cards, horoscopes and other services to owners of color-screen phones in the U.S., Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.
http://www.clearskymobilemedia.com 
http://www.chippendales.com

(Brighton, England) Wireless application developer Babel Media has signed a key agreement with Tira Wireless to allow mobile games developers and publishers to convert mobile software applications for different handsets. Babel will add Tira's "Jump" mobile application to its range of localization and testing services, before launching them with carriers including Vodafone. U.K.-based Babel Media set up a testing unit in India earlier this year and is now working on more than 140 handsets in 11 languages, including models by Nokia, Motorola, Sharp, Siemens and Sony Ericsson.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?H28651C46 
http://www.babelmedia.com 
http://www.tirawireless.com

(Cambridge, England) Design consultancy Plextek announced that it has signed a multi-million dollar deal to act as design authority for Gametrac Europe. Plextek's work includes the Gametrac games console due to be launched in the U.K. next year. The GSM mobile console includes 3D gaming, SMS text, MP3 music, MPEG-4 video playback and a digital camera.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y39644C46 
http://www.plextek.com 
http://www.gametrac.com

(Irvine, Calif.) Video game publisher Interplay Entertainment announced on Wednesday that its "Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel" title for PlayStation 2 and the Xbox has gone gold, and will be available at retail by Nov. 27.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031022/dew005_1.html
http://www.interplay.com/fbos

(Redwood City, Calif.) Electronic Arts announced that it has shipped "Bionicle" for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube, its collaboration with LEGO Interactive based on LEGO's Bionicle line of toys and feature-length film. The game was developed by U.K.-based Argonaut Games and is being co-published by Electronic Arts and LEGO Interactive. A PC version is due out on Oct. 28.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031020/206135_1.html 
http://www.ea.com 
http://www.lego.com/interactive 
http://www.argonaut.com

(Redwood City, Calif.) Game developer Konami Digital Entertainment America announced that it shipped over 1 million units for the launch of its "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance. The game is based on a license of the animated children's TV program and toy line from Mirage Licensing and 4Kids Entertainment. Konami also announced the release of "Castlevania: Lament of Innocence" for PlayStation 2. The game, which was first released in 1986 for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) was developed in-house and features the artwork of Ayami Kojima and a musical score composed by Michiru Yamane.
http://www.konami.com/usa/press/tmnt102103.html
http://www.konami.com/usa/press/lament102103.html

(Redmond, Wash.) Game publisher Microsoft Game Studios announced that it has released "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" for the Xbox. The title features online multiplayer gaming, accessible through Microsoft's Xbox Live online game service.
http://www.microsoft.com/games

(Calgary, Alberta) Canadian online gaming developer Chartwell on Wednesday released V1.0 of its Wireless Gaming Suite for Java-enabled mobile phones. Initial titles bundled in the suite include wireless versions of baccarat, multi-hand blackjack, casino war, slots and video poker.
http://www.chartwelltechnology.com

(Lawrence, Kan.) Publisher CMP Books and the Digital Media Academy, a national digital media technology training company for educators, announced on Wednesday a jointly produced book series for educators teaching digital media courses to students in kindergarten through college. The textbooks will focus on topics including Web design, video production, 3D, digital publishing, motion graphics and game design. The companies plan to publish four titles in 2004, including "Digital Media in the Classroom" and "Cinema 4D: The Artist's Project Workbook."
http://www.cmpbooks.com 
http://www.digitalmediaacademy.com

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