Reprinted from a Gateway press release:

Gateway today announced its most diverse line of notebook PCs for sale at leading retailers across the United States. The new line of notebooks includes a broad range of thin-and-light models as well desktop replacement systems.

“Gateway’s new notebook lineup offers our customers the features they value without a price premium,” said Dan Stevenson, Gateway’s vice president, product marketing. “Our new offerings illustrate our dedication to collaborating with our retailers to develop products with a feature set that we believe will exceed their customers’ expectations.” Stephen Baker, The NPD Group’s director of industry analysis, stated, “Gateway has made significant in-roads in delivering quality products to retail in a relatively short time. Gateway’s strong brand name and loyal customer base has proven valuable in its new distribution.”

The new notebook PCs include many new models that have already begun appearing on retail store shelves. Highlights of the new line include:

Gateway 3018GZ: Ultraportable Widescreen Notebook Starts at Just $999
The Gateway 3018GZ notebook PC sports a sleek and attractive design that’s just 1.2-inches thin and weighs only 5.25 pounds. Even though it is extremely thin and light, it boasts features of much larger notebooks. It includes a 14.1-inch WXGA Ultrabright widescreen display, which provides maximum viewing area for movies, digital media, spreadsheets and other documents. Unlike most ultraportable PCs, the Gateway 3018GZ has a full-size keyboard, so it’s easier and more comfortable to use.

Thanks to its integrated 802.11g wireless and 10/100 Ethernet, the PC is ideal for students, small businesses and consumers who need a PC for computing and connecting to a network and the Internet in various locations. The PC also features an Intel Celeron-M processor, ample memory and a large hard drive. The system is ready to access and store digital media with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive and integrated 4-in-1 digital media reader that accepts Multimedia Card, Secure Digital, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro.

The Gateway 3018GZ has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of only $999.99.

Thin and Light Design with Premium Technology
Gateway has packed all the essentials of mobile computing into its new thin-and-light Gateway series PCs. The new notebooks — the Gateway 4024GZ and 4540GZ — weigh only 5.5 pounds and measure just over one-inch thin. Integrated 802.11g wireless connectivity allows users to connect to WiFi hot spots at hotels, convention centers and college campuses, as well as to wireless networks at work and home. Plus, Gateway customers can stay connected during long classes and meetings, thanks to the six-cell Lithium Ion battery that can deliver more than 4 hours of battery life on a single charge. The processor is optimized for mobile computing; the notebooks feature either an Intel Pentium-M or Intel Celeron-M processor depending on configuration.

Equipped with the latest technology that lets computer users enjoy digital media on the go, the new notebooks each boast a large hard drive, a multi-format DVD+/-RW drive, and a 4-in-1 digital media reader that accepts Multimedia Card, Secure Digital, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro. Also, the notebooks each have one IEEE 1394 and four USB 2.0 ports, so digital images from digital cameras and digital camcorders can be downloaded while on vacation or a business trip. The 15-inch TFT XGA Ultrabright display combined with Intel Extreme Graphics 3D results in bright, vivid images.

The new Gateway thin-and-light notebook PCs start at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,049.99.

Desktop Replacement Widescreen Systems Ready for Multimedia
Gateway’s new line of desktop replacement notebook PCs deliver desktop-class performance and features in the convenience of a mobile PC. Mobile computer users will appreciate that the models — the Gateway 7422GX and 7320GZ — deliver top-notch performance for productivity, digital media applications and gaming. The systems boast either a Mobile Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon 64bit 3400+ processor, depending on the configuration.

The new Gateway notebook PCs are ready for digital media with a large hard drive, one IEEE 1394 port and four USB 2.0 ports, as well as a six-in-one digital media reader that can access Compact Flash, Multimedia Card, Micro Drive, Secure Digital, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro. The Gateway 7422GX boasts the latest in optical technology: a double-layer DVD+/-R/RW multi-format drive that can store up to 8.5GB of data on double layer DVD media. The Gateway 7320GZ includes a DVD+/-R/RW multi-format drive. The impressive high-resolution Ultrabright WXGA 15.4-inch widescreen display shows data in a letterbox format — great for viewing large word processing or spreadsheet files, as well as viewing digital photos and web pages. The vibrant widescreen display is also great for watching popular DVD movies.

Graphics playback is enhanced with dedicated ATI Mobility RADEON 9550 graphics in the Gateway 7422GX, and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D in the Gateway 7320GZ. While the systems are great for fun and gaming, they are also ideal for productivity. They are broadband- and network-ready with 10/100 Ethernet, and come with integrated 802.11g wireless for connecting to a wireless network. Additionally, the full-size keyboard eases work and study time.

Gateway’s desktop replacement PCs start at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,199.99.

Gateway supports its Gateway line of notebook PCs with a limited warranty. For more information on Gateway products, customers can visit www.gateway.com or call 1-800-GATEWAY.

Reprinted from a SmartSound press release:

SmartSound Software, Inc., the leading provider of soundtrack creation technology for visual content creators, has announced that CyberLink is embedding its Quicktracks technology in its new PowerDirector 4 video editing software. CyberLink joins the growing list of top video editing companies that are turning to SmartSound to provide soundtrack creation solutions for their customers.

SmartSound’s Quicktracks technology is the driving force behind the MagicMusic feature inside CyberLink PowerDirector 4. This patented technology allows users to create soundtracks for their projects through SmartSound’s unique “block” method. All users need to do is select a song from SmartSound’s royalty-free music library and bring it into the timeline. The song is automatically rearranged into a complete soundtrack piece with a musical beginning and ending, that matches up with the on-screen visuals. These songs can fit any length needed, from a few seconds to several minutes.

Reprinted from a KWorld press release:

KWorld Computer Co. Ltd., manufacturer of a full line of multi-media processing equipment for the PC marketplace, announces the Video Magician, a hardware/software conversion system that turns any PC into a professional video editing station that rivals systems costing five to ten times more.

“We looked at what was currently missing from the marketplace before we developed the Video Magician “said Robert Chen, Vice-President of KWorld. “We’ve incorporated everything needed to capture, edit, enhance, and distribute video products without having to become a professional editor.” The result is a product with the quality and versatility to generate commercial video products and simple enough for the beginner to use.

Video Magician includes an internal PCI card, breakout box for easy audio/video connection, and a full complement of software that provides the system with TIVO type capture/viewing plus full featured video editing capabilities that rival products costing up to ten times as much.

Video Magician’s unique combination of complementary hardware and software represents a quantum leap upward in capabilities, cost, and simplicity by converting your PC into an audio/video media center system emulating the Windows Media Center Edition system. The PCI card and breakout box include a cable ready tuner giving it the ability to capture video from a variety of sources including broadcast TV, composite video, S-video, USB, and Fire Wire.

Bundled with Cyberlink’s Power Director 3 and Power VCRII software, the system offers professional quality video editing capabilities like store, edit, enhance, titling, sound effects, music, narration, special effects, transitions, and the ability to generate distribution products in all popular formats including CD, VCD, DVD, and the Web..

Minimum system requirements for the Video Magician include a Pentium III 800 PC with Windows 98se or higher, 128 meg RAM, a free PCI 2.2 slot, a graphics card that supports Microsoft DirectX 8.1 or higher, a SoundBlaster 16 compatible sound card, 1 gigabyte free hard drive space and a CD ROM for installation. CDR and DVD-R are required for burning and permanent storage of material.

The Video Magician ships with all A/V adapter cables and hardware for internal/external mounting of breakout box and an external IR remote control for control of all AV functions.

Reprinted from a Digital Hotcakes press release:

Digital Hotcakes, the leader in affordable professional motion graphics, announces the release of two new volumes to its Wedding Essentials line. Both volumes are individually unique and quintessential additions to any wedding videographer’s animation library.

Wedding Essentials Volume 3 is designed to save the editor time from start to finish. This volume provides beginnings and endings with clever intro and outro sets. Six sets in all, they not only save time but help build themes. Wedding Essentials Volume 3 also includes creative transitions and wipes, stunning overlays, and seamlessly looping wedding backgrounds. This volume contains 48 animations.

Wedding Essentials Volume 4 offers elegance and style with stunning satin and lace backgrounds in 15 different color sets, allowing the editor to give the bride her colors! Each color set includes a lace, drape, folds, and lower third animation. Colors range from soft pastels to electrifying jewel tones. This volume contains 65 animations.

As always, Wedding Essentials Volumes 3 & 4 are 100% royalty-free and are compatible with all popular video editing systems. All animations are digitally created for superior quality and all backgrounds loop seamlessly. Animations are descriptively named and each DVD package includes a printed thumbnail guide for time-saving quick and easy referencing.

Each volume is on three data DVDs as both real-time DV compressed AVIs and Quicktime movies. Overlays and wipes are provided as Quicktime PNG movies, chroma-key green AVIs, and targa image sequences. Wedding Essentials is available in NTSC and PAL. Also available on NTSC Mini-DV and PAL Mini-DV on master quality tapes. Animations loop one minute with countdown between each. Overlays and wipes are recorded with both black and chroma-key green backgrounds.

Digital Hotcakes Wedding Essentials Volumes 3 & 4 are absolutely indispensable.

Pricing and Availability
Wedding Essentials series is offered at $119 per volume or $349 for the whole set! They can be purchased directly from Digital Hotcakes. For more information, visit our web site or call 318-603-0236.

Reprinted from a Gateway press release:

Gateway today launched its new line of eMachines desktop PCs, available now at leading retailers.

The family of PCs includes the new eMachines T3624, offered at the low price of only $359.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. Other highlights include the eMachines T5026, which includes an Intel Pentium 4 519 (3.06GHz) processor at just $599.99, and the eMachines T3958, which offers a double layer DVD+/- multi-format drive at only $499.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

The eMachines line of value-based PCs is ideal for families, students, home-based professionals and small businesses. The systems provide the latest features and solid performance at a range of price points to ensure that consumers get the most for their money.

“This new eMachines desktop PC line up is defined by the great value it provides our customers,” said Greg Memo, Gateway’s senior vice president, products & operations. “The PCs deliver the unique combination of relevant technology and great features at very affordable prices. In addition, we ensure a great customer experience by delivering top quality products combined with industry-leading service and support.”

The new eMachines PC lineup includes extras that make them ready for connectivity, productivity, and the most popular digital media hobbies like music downloading, digital photography and digital video editing. Each of the new PCs can easily access digital content and connect to digital devices with ample USB 2.0 ports. Plus, several models include 8-in-1 digital media readers and the latest DVD-+/-RW multi format drives. The PCs are all network- and broadband-ready with integrated 10/100 Ethernet. Each comes with a 56K V.90 modem.

The new eMachines line of desktop PCs includes:

PC buyers on the most limited budget can get a great entry-level system that can handle productivity tasks like word processing, email and Internet browsing. Priced at just $359.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, the eMachines T3624 comes with a large 60GB hard drive, an Intel Celeron D 330 (2.66 GHz) processor, 256MB of DDR SDRAM expandable to 2GB, and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D. It also comes with a 48X-max CD-RW drive and six USB 2.0 ports for connecting peripherals and digital devices.

Priced at just $399.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, the eMachines T3828 desktop PC gives PC buyers a solid foundation for tackling everyday computing tasks. It offers a boost in performance with mainstream technology, including an Intel Celeron D 335 (2.80GHz) processor, a large 80GB hard drive, 256MB of DDR SDRAM expandable to 2GB, and Intel Extreme Graphics 3D. Unlike most other $399 systems, the eMachines T3828 offers technology that lets consumers do more with digital media including the system’s DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive and 8-in-1 digital media reader.

The eMachines T3958 includes more technology extras than ever at this price — including a 16X DVD+/-RW multi-format drive at just $499.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. The DVD+/-RW drive lets consumers easily store digital video and photos onto versatile DVD media. Also, the drive uses new double-layer DVD technology to give PC users up to 8.5GB of data on double-layer DVD media — that’s twice the space for their digital photos and video. Accessing and storing digital media is made even easier with the system’s 8-in-1 digital media reader and large 80GB hard drive. The new PC also features an Intel Celeron D 340 (2.93 GHz) processor, Intel Extreme Graphics 3D and 512MB of DDR SDRAM, expandable to 2GB.

The eMachines T5026 delivers premium technology and extra processing power for the latest digital media hobbies, gaming and other advanced applications. Powered by an Intel Pentium 4 519 (3.06GHz) processor, the eMachines T5026 features 512MB of dual channel memory that is expandable to 4GB and a huge 160GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM hard drive. Accessing, storing and sharing digital media is easy with the system’s two optical drives — a double layer DVD+/-RW multi-format drive and a CD-ROM drive — as well as the 8-in-1 media reader, seven USB 2.0 ports and three IEEE 1394 ports. Graphics are vibrant and crisp with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with Direct X 9 support. The eMachines T5026 is priced at only $599.99.

The new PCs come with an array of software, so customers can enjoy their PC right out of the box. Each of the PCs comes with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2, Microsoft Works 8.0, Microsoft Money 2004, Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Media Player 9, AOL 9.0 with a 3 month membership and a 90-day trial subscription to Norton Antivirus. Additionally, the eMachines T3828 comes with Cyberlink PowerDVD, while the eMachines T3958 and T5026 also come with Cyberlink PowerDVD and Nero 6 Suite.

Complementary eMachines monitors are sold separately with prices starting at $119.99 after $50 mail-in rebate.

The award-winning line of eMachines PCs is supported by Gateway’s top-notch service and support programs. In the January 2005 issue of PC World, eMachines was recognized by the magazine and its readers for having the highest overall service and reliability scores of all U.S. PC makers surveyed.

The company’s extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading. Additionally, Gateway offers a pro-active service tool called BigFix at no charge on all eMachines systems. With the customer’s permission, BigFix identifies and sends messages offering upgrades to enhance the performance or capabilities of the PC.

Gateway supports its eMachines line of PCs with a standard one-year limited warranty. For more information on eMachines products, customers can visit www.emachines.com.

Reprinted from an Apple press release:

Apple today announced iLife ‘05, the must-have upgrade to Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications, featuring major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand and including the latest version of iTunes. iLife ‘05 continues to lead the industry with the most innovative and comprehensive suite of software for organizing, editing and sharing digital photos; creating stunning digital movies and DVDs; and purchasing, managing and creating digital music.

"iLife ‘05 is far beyond anything available on a PC, and is a must-have upgrade for every Mac user," said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. "If you have a digital camera, digital camcorder or create music, iLife ‘05 is built for you."

iPhoto 5 adds advanced editing tools so you can perfect your photos without ever leaving iPhoto, including controls to set exposure, black and white points, saturation, tint, temperature and sharpness, while also showing users a histogram and providing the most intuitive way ever to straighten photos. iPhoto 5 adds support for uncompressed RAW photos throughout the entire application so that high-end users can exploit all the image data their cameras can capture. iPhoto 5 includes a new advanced slideshow builder which allows users to easily apply effects, transitions and durations to each individual slide. iPhoto 5 features an entirely new way to create affordable hardcover and softcover photo books, now starting as low as $3.99. iPhoto 5 lets users choose from stunning new book layouts, all featuring double-sided printing, and easily place and rearrange their photos until perfect, then order their book online right from within iPhoto 5. With iPhoto 5, Apple is also cutting the price of individual 4×6 prints in half, from 39 cents to just 19 cents each.

With iMovie, Apple revolutionized movie-making by allowing anyone to import and edit digital video on their Mac. Now iMovie HD leads the revolution again by allowing users to capture and edit stunning High Definition Video (HDV) from the new generation of HDV camcorders. iMovie HD also includes Magic iMovie, the easiest way ever to make a movie. With just a few clicks, Magic iMovie automatically imports your video into separate clips, adds titles, transitions and music, all in one step. iMovie HD imports video from HDV and standard DV camcorders, and from video cameras that generate MPEG-4 video.

iDVD 5 includes 15 amazing new themes featuring moving drop zones that can display video clips or photos in motion across DVD menus, just like the latest Hollywood DVDs. iDVD 5 also features OneStep DVD, which lets users create DVDs by simply plugging in a DV camcorder and clicking a button. iDVD 5 now supports all single-sided DVD formats including -R, +R, -RW and +RW with a compatible Apple SuperDrive.

GarageBand put a complete recording studio on a Mac. GarageBand 2 adds 8-track recording, so users can record an entire band at once, plus pitch and timing correction to quickly fix those tracks that don’t sound perfect. GarageBand 2 now displays and edits musical notation in real time for people who know how to read and write music or want to learn. With Apple’s growing family of GarageBand Jam Packs, including the latest, Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra, GarageBand users can create professional sounding music in their favorite genre.

iLife ‘05 also includes iTunes 4.7.1, the latest version of the world’s best digital music jukebox software with the iTunes Music Store inside. iTunes provides seamless integration with Apple’s complete family of popular iPods, including the new iPod shuffle. With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online.

Pricing & Availability
iLife ‘05 will be available in the US on Saturday, January 22 and worldwide on Saturday, January 29 for a suggested retail price of $79 (US) through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The iLife ‘05 suite of applications will be included with all new Macs, and an iLife Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchase a new Mac on or after January 11 that does not include iLife ‘05 for a shipping and handling fee of $19.95 (US). Jam Pack 4: Symphony Orchestra is sold separately and will be available in the US on Saturday, January 22 and worldwide on Saturday, January 29 for a suggested retail price of $99 (US) through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iTunes version 4.7.1 is currently available as a free download at www.apple.com.

iLife requires Mac OS X v10.3.4 or later, QuickTime 6.5.2 or later, a Macintosh computer with PowerPC G3 (400 MHz or faster), G4, or G5 processor, 256MB or more physical RAM (512MB recommended) and a 1024×768 or larger display. A 600 MHz G3 processor or faster is required for GarageBand. A G4 or G5 processor is required for GarageBand software instruments and advanced iPhoto editing. An Apple SuperDrive or 733 MHz G4 processor is required for iDVD and a compatible SuperDrive is required to burn DVDs. High definition video requires Mac OS X v10.3.6, a 1 GHz G4 processor or faster, and 512 MB of RAM. RAW requires Mac OS X v10.3.6 and a supported RAW compatible camera. iPhoto books and prints are available in the US, Canada, Japan, and select European countries.