SanDisk launches $50 Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, makes for a cheap workout date

SanDisk Introduces Sansa(R) Clip Zip(TM) MP3 Player
Stylish, Feature-Rich Player Delivers Affordable On-The-Go Music Experience

MILPITAS, Calif., Aug 24, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Packed with features, including a larger color screen, compatibility with all major music formats, a stopwatch, an FM radio, voice recording capability and a microSDHC(TM) card slot for extra storage

--Successor to one of the best-selling sub-$50 MP3 players in the United States

--Available now in the United States and Canada; coming soon to Europe

SanDiskCorporation /quotes/zigman/54370/quotes/nls/sndk SNDK +0.87% , a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today introduced the Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player, the latest addition to the popular Sansa(R) Clip family. The Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player is perfect for active music fans looking for a feature-rich, easy-to-use player at a great value.

"The Sansa Clip family ranks among the most popular sub-$50 MP3 players in the United States, and now we've made it even better," said Tom Bailey, senior director, AV retail, SanDisk. "Our tiny Sansa Clip Zip packs big features that few other MP3 players in its class can match."

Major Music Enjoyment

The Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player offers rich sound quality and is compatible with all major music formats, including the AAC codec (DRM-free iTunes compatible). The player's new 1.1-inch LCD color screen offers 83 percent more viewing area than previous models. Its updated graphical interface displays album art and makes it easier than ever for consumers to navigate songs.

Features for Consumers

The Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player offers extra features that consumers want in an MP3 player, including:

-- microSDHC card slot lets consumers instantly expand the player's storage capacity--up to 32 additional gigabytes(2) (a maximum of 8,000(3) songs total between the internal and external memory).

-- Easy compatibility with all major music, audio book and podcast formats, including MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AAC and Audible files.

-- Optimized for use with Rhapsody, eMusic and Napster music services.

-- More colors--red, blue, black, orange, white, grey and purple.

Reliable Workout Partner

The Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player includes a new stopwatch for timing laps and an FM radio for tuning into stations at the gym or on the go. Thinner and lighter than before, the player weighs a little more than half an ounce (15.8 grams) and is about the same size as a matchbox (2.25 x 1.42 x 0.58 inches). The compact player features a durable design that is perfect for hands-free listening.

Convenient Travel Companion

With up to 15 hours of battery life(1), the Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player lets consumers enjoy music during long trips away from home while conserving their phone or tablet's battery. The player slips easily into any piece of luggage or clipped onto a piece of clothing. It includes a built-in microphone with voice recording capabilities and uses a micro-USB connector, the popular charger used for many mobile devices today--so travelers can pack one less cable.

Pricing and Availability

The Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player comes in capacities of 4GB (storing up to 1,000 songs(3)) and 8GB (storing up to 2,000 songs(3)), carrying MSRPs of $49.99 and $69.99. The player is available now in the United States and Canada, and will reach Europe next month.

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Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES THE LUMIX GF3X, THE COMPANY'S SMALLEST COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA COMPLETE WITH A NEW RETRACTABLE POWER ZOOM, LUMIX G X LENS

Panasonic's New Premium LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm Lens Features a Retractable Design to Achieve Ultra-High Mobility and Stunning Photo Quality

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) – Panasonic today announces a newly designed and innovative LUMIX G "X" lens that retracts to help minimize its size, without compromising its focal length or image quality. Panasonic's new premium LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) lens, will be available with the company's smallest and lightest compact system camera as a lens kit option in the DMC-GF3X model. With electric-powered zoom operation, the retractable Power Zoom H-PS14042 lens is extremely compact, approximately 26.8mm in length, and weighs approximately 3.35oz, offering ultra-high portability.

Panasonic's new premium LUMIX "X" Series of lenses, including the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S., offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm) suitable for a wide range of scenes, such as dynamic landscape to portrait. Also announced today is another LUMIX X lens, the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. Crystallizing Panasonic's optical technologies, the LUMIX X lenses feature superb image rendering for lifelike textures, crisp edge-to-edge contrast, a unique Nano Surface Coating to help minimize ghosts and flaring in natural settings with remarkable transparency.

"Panasonic continues to innovate in digital photography by offering advanced features in small and compact bodies, thus addressing the consumer's need for camera equipment to be lightweight and easy to carry," said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With the new LUMIX X Series of premium lenses, we do not sacrifice size for quality and Panasonic still offers top-of-the-line image quality for our G Series, but in a smaller design that makes it extremely mobile."

With the LUMIX GF3X, the camera and lens combination can achieve Light Speed AF of approximately 0.1 second – making it an extremely quick and high-performing digital camera. The LUMIX GF3X with the new 14-42 PZ lens also features POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), to make it easier to shoot clear photos even in low-lit situations. The convenient zoom lever on the lens barrel gives users a stable way to zoom. Manual focusing is also available with a manual focus lever for even more precise control.

The LUMIX GF3, like all the LUMIX G Series of Compact System Cameras, captures high-quality photo images with real-to-life details through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction. With its stunningly small compact profile, the LUMIX GF3 boasts high-speed, precise Contrast AF system and quick response times. The LUMIX GF3 is also capable of 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition video in the AVCHD format.

The LUMIX GF3X will be available in a black body and black lens or a silver body and silver lens kits options in October 2011 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $749.99. The new LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) lens will also be available separately for an SRP of $399.99 and will be compatible with the DMC-G3, DMC-GF3, DMC-GF2 with a firmware upgrade. For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

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Canon launches PIXMA MG6220 and MG8220 photo printers, trees fear for lives

Canon U.S.A. Announces Two PIXMA Wireless Photo All-In-One Printers For High-Quality Printing From Almost Anywhere
Featuring Brilliant Image Quality and Software Upgrades to Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Full HD Movie Print

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 23, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the addition of the PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 All-in-Ones to the Company's line of Wireless1 Photo All-In-One models with the ability to print, copy and scan images and documents. These beautifully designed, affordable printers are compatible with many of the popular wireless devices on the market today for easy printing from almost anywhere. Additionally, consumers can unlock their creative printing side with the significant software upgrades to Easy-PhotoPrint EX and Full HD Movie Print2.

As an industry leader in innovative printing, Canon has designed the PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printers to print from nearly any screen whether on a cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The Canon Easy-PhotoPrint mobile app, for use with compatible Android and Apple smartphones and tablets3, has also been upgraded allowing users to print pdfs directly from compatible wireless devices. Furthermore, users can scan documents on the printer to be sent directly to a compatible wireless device.

With the newly developed Canon PIXMA Cloud Link, printing images and documents is easier than ever. Exclusive to these two PIXMA printer models, is the ability to print select Google Docs? and Gmail? attachments from any accessible device, further adding to their wireless versatility4. For registered users of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY or Picasa Web Albums, users can wirelessly access their photo albums directly through the printers without the use of a computer5 and all users will have access to exclusive printing templates including stationery, envelopes, memos, calendars and many others.

The PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printers are 802.11n Wi-Fi certified allowing for a faster network transfer rate. Wireless networks can be set up with the press of one button when using a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). In addition, Canon offers its award-winning service and support online for all users looking to set up any of the new Wi-Fi products at, www.usa.canon.com/wirelesshelp. Here, customers have access to manuals and video tutorials to assist in setting up a Wi-Fi device.

"Technology is changing at such a rapid pace that manufacturers need to continually upgrade features to help ensure the needs of the consumer are being met," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "We feel the upgrades made for these two PIXMA All-in-One models provide consumers with a host of new features without forgoing our high-quality output."

With Canon's ChromaLife 100+ ink system6, the PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printers utilize six individual ink tanks to produce superb results in both color and black and white. The inclusion of the gray and photo black ink provides the photo enthusiast with the opportunity for a black and white photograph to be printed with high accuracy.
Unlock the Creative Side

For the Canon PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO models, Easy-PhotoPrint EX has been upgraded to help spark creativity when customizing and personalizing memorable images with new Fun-Filter Effects such as Fish-Eye, Miniature and Toy Camera. In addition, there is an option to change the focus of the image to have it appear softer and blur specific aspects of the background, similar to an effect which was previously only capable when using an SLR camera. These printers can also print directly on CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs for further personalization of media while creating fun photo projects at the same time.

Full HD Movie Print2 software has been enhanced as well to produce clearer images of frames from videos captured on compatible HD Canon EOS and PowerShot Digital Cameras. Users can easily tell the story of videos from memorable events, frame by frame in a more unique way than before by merging multiple images into one final shot, capturing nearly every portion of the action. There is a new layout feature as well for printing up to 72 individual images on one sheet of paper.
Intelligent to the Touch

The PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printers come equipped with the Intelligent Touch System which helps improve not only ease-of-use but productivity. With back-lit touch sensitive buttons, the light-guidance system eliminates buttons not in use to help reduce opportunities for mistakes. The responsive capacitive touch technology, which picks up on electricity in the users' body when a finger glides across the touch surface, is designed to provide seamless navigation through menus and other desired commands.
Canon PIXMA MG8220 Wireless Photo AIO printer

Designed with the photo enthusiast in mind, the PIXMA MG8220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printer is ideal for the user not yet ready for a professional printer but who still values high-quality results. The PIXMA MG8220 can produce a 4" x 6" borderless photo in approximately 20 seconds7 utilizing a variety of fine art type papers. This new PIXMA photo printer will also deliver output at approximately 12.5 ipm for black-and-white documents and approximately 9.3 ipm for color8. In addition the printer has a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi9. This printer is also the only current Canon PIXMA model with a Film Adapter Unit for easy converting of older slides and negatives to digital. For easy viewing of images and menu options, a 3.5-inch LCD has been included along with Advanced Media Handling options such as Auto Duplex copying, printing and a two-way paper feed, helping reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a project.

The PIXMA MG8220 will have an estimated selling price of $299.9910.
Canon PIXMA MG6220 Wireless Photo AIO printer

The Canon PIXMA MG6220 Wireless1 Photo AIO printer is perfect for the user interested in high-quality results at a more affordable price. Featuring a 3.0-inch LCD screen and similar Advanced Media Handling options as the PIXMA MG6220 Wireless Photo AIO printer, this model can also produce a 4" x 6" borderless photo in approximately 20 seconds7. Additionally the PIXMA MG6220 has a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 2400 dpi9. This new PIXMA printer delivers output at approximately 12.5 ipm for black-and-white documents and approximately 9.3 ipm for color8.

The PIXMA MG6220 will have an estimated selling price of $199.9910.
Canon CREATIVE PARK

Extend creativity beyond just photos and document by visiting Canon Inc.'s CREATIVE PARK website at www.canon.com/c-park. The site offers free 3-D paper craft projects, scrapbooking templates and embellishments, novel greeting cards, and educational materials. As an added bonus with the purchase of select PIXMA printers, consumers will be provided with exclusive printable content through CREATIVE PARK PREMIUM11. This content includes post cards, albums, and many more projects including paintings by artists such as Norman Rockwell.
CANON iMAGE GATEWAY

CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is an exclusive online photography resource and service for owners of registered qualified Canon products. Camera owners who have registered a qualifying Canon camera via their Canon Account can upload and share up to 2GB of photos with friends and family. Members also gain access to informative photography-related articles on topics such as macro shooting, portrait photography, printing tips and print projects to get the most out of their photos. Owners of registered qualifying printers can use their photos to create greeting cards, calendars and much more with Print Projects! Printer members are provided with a wide array of helpful articles to enhance their experience with their Canon printer and to help them create inspiring projects. The Video Podcast Service - available for owners of registered qualifying camera and video products - enables those members to upload videos to be shared and viewed, which can also be used with the Apple iTunes? application and downloaded to access on a compatible Apple iPod or iPhone mobile device.

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RIM launches new BlackBerry Curve (video)

BlackBerry Curve 9350 Debuts Sept. 9 for Just $79.99 from Sprint

Stunning new BlackBerry Curve 9350 is fast, affordable, easy-to-use, full-featured and socially connected

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The next generation of Research In Motion's (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) popular BlackBerry? Curve? series of smartphones, the stunning new BlackBerry Curve 9350, comes to Sprint (NYSE: S) on Friday, Sept. 9, offering the latest BlackBerry operating system – BlackBerry? 7. The new BlackBerry Curve 9350 is a fast, affordable, easy-to-use, full-featured and socially connected smartphone that is as beautiful as it is functional.

The slim and stylish smartphone will cost just $79.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 and be available in all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and web sales (www.sprint.com). Sprint Business customers may qualify to get BlackBerry Curve 9350 for $49.99 (excluding taxes) on a business account with a new line or eligible upgrade and new one- or two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1.

"It is exciting to see the BlackBerry Curve line continue to evolve, building upon past success," said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. "This latest iteration offers the recognizable form factor our customers have come to enjoy, while adding powerful new features and innovative apps of BlackBerry 7 to deliver the smoothest and fastest BlackBerry Curve experience to date."

The BlackBerry Curve 9350 smartphone offers a full QWERTY keyboard and trackpad for easy one-handed navigation and keeps users connected by allowing them to easily share moments through pictures and videos via MMS, as well as by instant message with world-class IM services like BBM? (BlackBerry? Messenger). With easy access to social networking sites like Flickr?, MySpace and Facebook?, this smartphone provides smooth integration to keep users up to speed on what's happening in their personal and professional lives.

Key features include:

BlackBerry App World?, the official app store front for BlackBerry smartphones offering customization, fun and productivity
Near Field Communications (NFC) support for a secure exchange of information between NFC-enabled devices over a very short distance
5MP camera with HD video capture, flash and zoom
512MB RAM
2GB microSD card included, with support for up to 32GB microSD card
BlackBerry PlayBook support with BlackBerry Bridge? (BlackBerry Bridge is available as a free download on BlackBerry App World)
DataViz Docs To Go? Premium suite preloaded, for editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files from anywhere
Wi-Fi? (802.11 b/g/n)
Bluetooth? 2.1+EDR support

Smoother and Faster with BlackBerry 7

With BlackBerry 7, the BlackBerry Browser is significantly enhanced to provide a faster and more fluid user experience and includes optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

Building upon the Universal Search feature introduced in BlackBerry 6, BlackBerry 7 expands the capability to include voice-activated search. This new capability makes it easier and more convenient to search for content on the smartphone or web.

BlackBerry 7 also integrates BlackBerry? Balance?, which separates personal content from corporate content, giving users the freedom and flexibility to use the smartphone for personal email, Facebook?, Twitter?, multimedia, games and other apps, while satisfying the very real need for corporate data to be highly secure and manageable. BlackBerry Balance works in conjunction with BlackBerry? Enterprise Server 5.0.3, which provides a number of unique IT policy controls, such as wiping only corporate data or blocking work-related content and apps from being copied or forwarded to personal contacts.

BlackBerry Curve 9350 requires activation on one of Sprint's Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $40 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB web or $10 per month versus Verizon's 450-minute plan with unlimited text and 2GB web. (Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges.)

Sprint was unbeaten among major wireless carriers for customer satisfaction according to results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index. In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint was also the number one most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, during the last three years, according to the survey.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

1The American Express Prepaid Reward Card ("Card") provided in connection with this Rebate offer is a prepaid Card that is usable only at U.S. merchants that accept American Express Cards. Some limitations apply. Offer valid only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Card is not redeemable for cash (except where required by law) and does not provide ATM access. Use of Card constitutes acknowledgement that it is given as a reward and no consideration, value, or money has been paid by the holder to American Express in exchange for this Card. USE OF CARD IS SUBJECT TO THE CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT. SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, A $3.00 MONTHLY FEE WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST CARD BALANCE, STARTING SIX MONTHS AFTER CARD ISSUANCE. Card expires six years after the date of issuance if not depleted before. For BALANCE, customer service and Cardholder Agreement, visit americanexpress.com/sprint or call 1-866-608-3756. Card issued by AEPCMC under license from American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation, Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

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