This issue's lead story:

Sony PS3 Japan Launch Hits Software Glitches
Nov 14, 2006. Sony Corp. said its new video game console, the PlayStation 3, does not run about 200 PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software titles properly, the latest problem the electronics maker has run into in its cash-cow game business, according to Reuters. The PS3, which Sony calls its most important strategic product of the year, went on sale in Japan on Saturday, setting the stage for a three-way showdown with Microsoft Corp.'s already available Xbox 360 and Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Wii.

Sony said audio features do not work on some software titles when played on the PS3, which is supposed to be compatible with games designed for its previous models, while some other titles do not work on the latest machine at all. According to Reuters, industry specialists say the glitches appear to be the kind of hiccups that often plague console launches and are not likely to have a lasting impact on the PS3 business.

Indeed, Microsoft received customer complaints following its Xbox launch in Japan in 2002 that the console was scratching game discs, while Sony's PS2, which it released in 2000, had compatibility problems with PS games. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), Sony's game unit, plans to fix the PS3 problems by offering online upgrades for system software, SCE spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka said. The PS3 will be launched in North America on Friday. Gamers in Europe must wait until March due to a glitch in commercial production of blue laser diodes, a key component of the game gear's Blu-ray high-definition DVD player.

LG Joins HomePlug Powerline Alliance Board
Nov 8, 2006. The HomePlug(R) Powerline Alliance, promoting high-speed networking over power lines, said LG Electronics Korea joined the HomePlug Implementers’ Forum board of directors. LG brings a strong background in next generation home electronics and appliances to the HomePlug leadership group.

Estimated GDP Up for Third Quarter
Oct 27, 2006. U.S. real gross domestic product—the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S.—increased at an annual rate of 1.6 percent in the third quarter of 2006, according to advance estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 2.6 percent. The Bureau emphasized that the third-quarter "advance" estimates are based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency. The third-quarter "preliminary" estimates, based on more comprehensive data, will be released on Nov. 29, 2006.

The increase in real GDP in the third quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, equipment and software, nonresidential structures, and state and local government spending that were partly offset by a negative contribution from residential fixed investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

The deceleration in real GDP growth in the third quarter primarily reflected acceleration in imports, a downturn in private inventory investment, a larger decrease in residential fixed investment, and decelerations in PCE for services and in state and local government spending that were partly offset by upturns in PCE for durable goods, in equipment and software, and in federal government spending.

Videocon Buys Daewoo
Oct 25, 2006. Videocon Industries is finally making official the acquisition of South Korean appliances and consumer electronics maker Daewoo Electronics Corp. Videocon Industries, Inc., (Mumbai, India) and its partner signed a preliminarily agreement to purchase Daewoo Electronics for approximately U.S. $726 million. The partner is RHJ International SA, a holding company of the U.S equity fund Ripplewood Holdings LLC. The final closing date is not yet known.

Daewoo electronics has been under the control of South Korea's state-run Korea Asset Management Corp. (KAMCO). The troubled home appliance and consumer electronics maker was in a debt workout program since parent Daewoo Group collapsed under debts of nearly U.S. $80 billion in 1999. KAMCO is a state asset management company and a major shareholder in Daewoo Electronics, once one of Korea's top home appliance makers. Woori Bank, South Korea's second-largest lender, handled the sale.

Daewoo will be the third major acquisition by Videocon in recent years. It purchased the global CRT business from French consumer electronics maker Thomson, and announced intentions to use the CRT manufacturing facilities in Anagni, Italy as a hub for manufacturing other appliances in Europe. Soon after in 2005, Videocon acquired a 91.25-percent equity stake in Electrolux's Indian subsidiary, Electrolux Kelvinator Ltd (EKL). The agreement also has Electrolux sourcing components from Videocon, and Videocon said it wanted to make itself into a major supplier for Electrolux.

More People Watch TV Online
Oct 25, 2006. One out of every 10 online U.S. consumers watches TV broadcasts online, according to the latest Consumer Internet Barometer. The Barometer is produced by The Conference Board and custom research firm TNS, and it covers 10,000 U.S. households.

The top reasons online viewers watch TV online: personal convenience and avoiding commercials. Only a small percentage of consumers say their traditional TV viewing has decreased, while three out of every four report no change in their viewing habits. More than two-thirds of online consumers log on daily for entertainment purposes and an additional 16 percent log on for entertainment several times a week. Of the one in 10 watching TV via the Internet, about one-third of these households consist of multiple viewers.

In-Stat Sees ZigBee Emerging as Wireless Mesh Network of Choice
Nov 6, 2006. In-Stat believes that because of the clarity of the ZigBee standard, the organizational strength of the ZigBee Alliance and the involvement of several of the world's largest semiconductor companies, ZigBee will emerge as the dominant wireless mesh networking technology. Recent research by In-Stat found the following: in 2006, In-Stat estimates between 4.5 million and 10.5 million ZigBee RF components will be sold, commercial building control is, and will continue to be, the largest 802.15.4/ZigBee application, and in 2005, North America represented 53 percent of all 802.15.4/ZigBee nodes in use.

The research, "Building Up ZigBee and 802.15.4 Chipsets and Applications" includes analysis of how companies differentiate their products on the component level, a status update on how countries plan to regulate ZigBee, and estimated bill of materials of ZigBee chipsets and ZigBee modules. It also includes detailed challenges 802.15.4/ZigBee faces in market verticals such as residential automation, commercial applications, medical, industrial, and smart cards. Forecast breakouts through 2010 of 802.15.4/ZigBee shipments by region, frequency and application, and in-depth vendor profiles of ZigBee silicon, systems and software providers are provided.

AGA Says Enodis Rejects Merger Approach
Nov 6, 2006. According to Reuters, upmarket stove maker AGA Foodservice Group Plc said its approaches to food equipment maker Enodis Plc about a merger had been rejected, sending Enodis shares up as much as 9 percent. AGA said the combination would have substantial commercial and financial merit for shareholders in both companies and it was continuing to seek further discussions with Enodis, Reuters reported. AGA, which supplies commercial food operators ranging from local bakeries to supermarkets, said a merger would be attractive on geographical, product, sales, and procurement grounds.

Enodis, which makes fryers, grills and refrigerators for fast-food restaurants, said in August its decision to spurn the advances of U.S. peers Middleby Corp. and Manitowoc Co. had left it with no offers on the table, Reuters reported. Manitowoc had made a bid proposal for Enodis worth around U.S. $1.6 Billion.

Panasonic Eliminates Lead in Display Panel for Plasma TVs
Nov 2, 2006. Panasonic has reportedly become the first company in the world to achieve the elimination of lead in plasma display panels (PDPs) used as the central picture component in its plasma TVs and plasma modules. Non-use of lead content for manufacturing PDPs began with Panasonic's new Plasma-TV lineup launched in Europe and U.S. in Spring 2006. With the recent introduction of the world's largest plasma HDTV, the 103-inch PDP-TV, Panasonic has avoided the use of lead in all of its plasma TV models for 2006.

In conventional manufacturing processes for PDPs, lead oxide glass is used as a key component for the dielectric layer, electrodes, seal frit, and other structural elements to form the panel. Until now, lead oxide glass was essential for adjusting the softening points of several different materials to build dielectric layers. If no lead oxide glass were used for PDP manufacturing, it would be hard to optimize the softening points of each material for stable production yields and quality. Also, development of an alternative material for lead oxide has been considered to be extremely difficult. Panasonic has now successfully completely avoided the use of lead oxide glass with the application of the following innovative methods; development of new materials for the dielectric layer, electrodes and other parts whose characteristics and reliability are similar to those of lead oxide glass. This has been made possible by the use of uniquely developed additives for certain elements with characteristics similar to lead oxide glass, and refined material composition of the non-glass components. In the PDP manufacturing process, heating conditions in every process have been optimized, thus enabling secured stable production yield and quality levels. These new methods have been introduced at every PDP manufacturing plant and all of Panasonic plasma TV models for 2006 are made with lead-free panels.

Arcelor Mittal to Temporarily Slow Its European Production
Oct 31, 2006. Arcelor Mittal plans to temporarily reduce output from its European flat carbon steel mills in response to short term developments in the steel market. In particular, the company plans to delay the restart of one of its blast furnaces in Dunkirk, France, by two weeks in the fourth quarter. In addition, the company anticipates scheduled maintenance work on one of its blast furnaces in Avilès, Spain. The blast furnace will be idled as of the first quarter of 2007, ahead of the initial schedule. These moves take place in a market environment marked by stable demand and increasing inventory levels.

Syntax-Brillian to Acquire Vivitar
Oct 30, 2006. HDTV producer Syntax-Brillian Corporation agreed to acquire Vivitar Corporation for U.S. $26 million in stock. Vivitar is a photographic and digital imaging technology company based in Oxnard, California, U.S. The acquisition will give Syntax-Brillian full ownership over all Vivitar assets and creates an entrance into digital photography and Vivitar's established global retail and distribution channels. The company says the acquisition will capitalize on key synergies between Syntax-Brillian's LCD and digital imaging technology and Vivitar's photography and optics technology. Vivitar will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Syntax-Brillian.

Plasma Panel Shipments Growth Slows
Oct 30, 2006. Shipments of plasma panels, the panels found in plasma TVs and public displays, rose 17 percent quarter-on-quarter and 47 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2006, to a record 2.8 million units. The shipment numbers were reported by market research firm DisplaySearch in its "Quarterly PDP Module and TV Shipment and Forecast Report." The report said plasma panel revenues also earned a record high in the quarter, up 10 percent quarter-on-quarter and 29 percent year-on-year to U.S. $2.02 billion, the first time plasma revenues exceeded $2 billion. Plasma panel average selling prices (ASPs) were down 6 percent quarter-on-quarter and 12 percent year-on-year to $724.

Despite record results and seemingly healthy growth, the quarter's growth was significantly slower than any other quarter to-date, according to the research firm, with year-on-year growth over the past 12 quarters ranging between 73 percent and 170 percent.

Global LCD TV Shipments Rise 99% in Q3 '06
Nov 9, 2006. DisplaySearch, the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting, has released its 2006 third quarter worldwide LCD TV shipments and revenues by brand, region, size, and resolution for 45 different LCD TV brands as part of its "Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report."

Global LCD TV unit shipments jumped 99 percent year over year and 15 percent quarter over quarter to a record high 10.8 million units, and 24 percent of the worldwide TV market, up from 22 percent in the second quarter of 2006. LCD TV shipments rose slightly faster than expected, with results exceeding DisplaySearch’s forecast by less than 1 percent. Sequentially, regional growth was led by China up 66 percent followed by North America, which rose 35 percent. Europe suffered a 5 percent decline as a result of inventory growth after World Cup demand failed to reach expectations. With Europe struggling, pricing pressure increased, which contributed to faster than expected growth in North America, enabling North America to overtake Europe for the first time with a 33.7 percent to 33.6 percent unit share advantage. Despite Europe’s struggles in LCDs, its decline was even greater in CRTs, enabling LCD TVs to overtake CRT TVs for the first time on a sell-in basis in the third quarter of 2006.

Blended prices fell 8 percent quarter over quarter and year over year to U.S. $1,102 despite increased adoption of larger sizes and higher resolutions. The average LCD TV diagonal was up 15 percent year over year to 29 inches, with the 37-inch+ share of total LCD TV shipments rising from 19 percent to 23 percent on 35 percent quarter over quarter growth. In fact, 37-inch+ LCD TVs overtook 37-inch+ plasma TVs for the first time in the third quarter of 2006, leading in China, Europe and Japan. In addition, the 1080p share of LCD TVs doubled from 2 percent in the second quarter of 2006 to 4 percent in the third quarter of 2006 on 118 percent growth. With unit growth outpacing blended pricing declines, revenues rose 6 percent quarter over quarter and 84 percent year over year to a record $11.9 billion and 48 percent of the global TV market.

U.S. New-Home Sales Rise 5.3 Percent in September
Oct 27, 2006. Sales of new single-family homes rose 5.3 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.027 million units, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department. The increase followed downward revisions to the sales rate for the previous three months, and the sales pace was down 14.2 percent from a year ago.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, declines in mortgage interest rates and energy prices have helped actuate buyer demand. Research indicates that an increasing number of households believe that it is a good time to buy homes. The Commerce Department reported that the median price of new homes sold in September was $217,000, 9.7 percent below a year earlier. The NAHB noted, however, that the monthly price numbers are notoriously volatile.

Conn’s, Inc. Reports Sales Results
Nov 7, 2006. Conn’s, Inc., a specialty retailer of home appliances, consumer electronics, computers, and lawn and garden products, announced its net sales results for the quarter and 9 months ended Oct. 31, 2006. Net sales for the quarter of $152.4 million decreased U.S. $0.7 million, or 0.4 percent, as compared with the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2005 which, as previously disclosed, was positively impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Net sales for the 9 months ended Oct. 31, 2006 increased $51.8 million, or 11.9 percent, to $487.7 million from $435.9 million for the 9 months ended Oct. 31, 2005. Same store sales (sales recorded in stores operated for the entirety of both periods) decreased 3.7 percent for the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2006. As previously disclosed, same store sales for the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2005 of 23.3 percent were positively impacted 700 to 900 basis points by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Same store sales were up 6.5 percent for the 9-month period ended Oct. 31, 2006.

Target Reports Earning Up Q3
Nov 14, 2006. Target reported net earnings for the third quarter ended October 28, 2006 of U.S. $506 million, or $0.59 per share, compared with $435 million, or $0.49 per share in the third quarter ended October 29, 2005. Retail giant Target Corporation (Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.) said total revenues in the third quarter increased 11.2 percent to $13.570 billion from $12.206 billion in 2005, driven by the contribution from new store expansion, a 4.6 percent increase in comparable store sales and the contribution from credit card operations.

The Home Depot Announces Q3 2006 Results
Nov 14, 2006. The Home Depot reported third quarter net earnings of U.S. $1.5 billion, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared with $1.5 billion, or $0.72 per diluted share in the same period in fiscal 2005. Sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 totaled $23.1 billion, an 11.3 percent increase from the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

Total sales in the retail segment grew 1.1 percent to $19.7 billion. Comparable store sales declined 5.1 percent in the third quarter. The U.S. retail home improvement market has slowed significantly due to a slowing overall economy, declining home prices and equity extraction, and slowing housing turnover.

Salton Announces Q1 Results
Nov 14, 2006. Salton, Inc. announced fiscal results for its first quarter ended Sept. 30, 2006. The company reported net sales of U.S. $138.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and a loss of $10.0 million, or $0.70 per share, versus net sales of $148.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 and net income of $29.7 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. The net income reported in fiscal 2006 included a pretax gain of $21.7 million resulting from the early settlement of debt associated with the company's private debt exchange offer and a $27.8 million gain associated with the sale of its 52.6 percent ownership interest in the South African subsidiary, AMAP. Foreign sales increased by $6.5 million, of which $2.5 million was a result of favorable foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Gateway Reports Q3 Results
Nov 3, 2006. Gateway, Inc. reported results for its third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2006. Revenue amounted to U.S. $963 million, up from $919 million in the second quarter of 2006 and compared to $1.019 billion a year earlier. Operating income equaled $7.9 million, up from a loss of $6.9 million in the second quarter and compared to $18.8 million a year earlier.

The company recorded a third quarter net income of $18.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, after a net tax benefit of $8.2 million. This compares with a net loss of $7.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in the prior quarter, and net income of $15.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share a year earlier.

Applica Reports Q3 Financial Results
Nov 2, 2006. Applica Incorporated announced that third-quarter sales for 2006 were U.S. $149.2 million compared to sales of $139.6 million in the same period in 2005. Sales for the 9 months ended Sept. 30, 2006 were $357.7 million compared to sales of $368.5 million in the same period in 2005. The increase in sales in the quarter was primarily driven by higher sales of Black & Decker(R) and Littermaid(R) products, which was partially offset by a decrease in the sale of professional personal care products. The decline in consolidated sales during the first 9 months of 2006 was primarily the result of a decrease in the sale of professional personal care products.

Applica reported a net profit for the third quarter of 2006 of $3.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $8.2 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the 2005 third quarter. Applica reported a net loss for the 9 months ended Sept. 30, 2006 of $15.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $49.6 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, for the 9 months ended Sept. 30, 2005.

Matsushita Reports Q2 Results
Oct 30, 2006. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. reported its consolidated financial results for the second quarter. Consolidated group sales for the second quarter increased 2 percent to 2.3 trillion yen (approx. U.S. $19.6 billion), from 2.2 trillion yen (approx. $18.7 billion) in the same 3-month period a year ago. Explaining the second quarter results, the company cited sales gains in digital audiovisual (AV) products, Home Appliances, Components and Devices, and MEW and PanaHome. Of the consolidated group total, domestic sales increased 1 percent to 1.1 trillion yen (approx. $9.4 billion), from 1.1 trillion yen (approx. $9.4 billion) a year ago. Overseas sales increased 3 percent to 1.13 trillion yen (approx. $9.6 billion), from 1.10 trillion yen (approx. $9.4 billion) in the second quarter of fiscal 2006.

Regarding earnings, negative factors such as intensified global price competition and increased raw materials prices were more than offset by comprehensive cost reduction efforts, successive launch of V-products and other positive factors. As a result, operating profit for the second quarter was up 14 percent, to 142.3 billion yen (approx. $1.2 billion), from 125.1 billion yen (approx. $1 billion) in the same period a year ago. Pre-tax income totaled 157.1 billion yen (approx. $1.3 billion), up 79 percent from 87.9 billion yen (approx. $748.5 million) last year. This improvement was due mainly to a decrease in expenses associated with early retirement programs to 3.8 billion yen (approx. $32.4 million), compared with 20.6 billion yen (approx. $175.4 million) in the previous year’s second quarter. Net income increased 156 percent to 79.3 billion yen (approx. $675.4 million), from 31 billion yen (approx. $264 million) in the same quarter of the previous year.

Manitowoc Reports Record Q3 Earnings
Oct 27, 2006. The Manitowoc Company reported that financial results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2006 represented the company's third consecutive quarter of record net sales and earnings. Net sales increased 38 percent to U.S. $779.0 million, from $564.9 million during the third quarter of 2005. Reported earnings per diluted share were $0.80 for the third quarter of 2006 compared to $0.28 for the third quarter of 2005.

Excluding costs related to the company's terminated bid for commercial foodservice equipment maker Enodis plc during the latest quarter, and the effect of restructuring activities and losses associated with discontinued operations during the third quarter of 2005, third-quarter 2006 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations increased 116 percent to $0.82, up from $0.38 for the third quarter of 2005.

RadioShack Announces Q3 Net Loss
Oct 30, 2006. RadioShack Corporation announced a net loss of U.S. $16 million or $0.12 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2006 versus net income of $108.5 million or $0.75 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2005. Third quarter 2005 net income was favorably impacted by a non-cash gain of $56.5 million or $0.39 per diluted share due to the reversal of a tax contingency reserve. Third quarter 2006 pre-tax earnings were adversely affected by the non-cash write-down of $29 million of assets associated with RadioShack’s wireless kiosk operations; $18 million in costs associated with the company’s turnaround plan; and lower wireless sales. RadioShack’s cash position increased $229 million at the end of the third quarter of 2006 to $276 million versus $47 million at the end of the third quarter of 2005. The cash position was driven by improved working capital management.

Total sales in the third quarter of 2006 were down 11 percent to $1.06 billion versus total sales of $1.19 billion for the same period last year. RadioShack had 4,460 U.S. stores at the end of the third quarter of 2006, down 530 from the previous year. The impact on total sales from the lower store base was 5.66 percent.

Jarden Has First Billion-Dollar Quarter
Nov 1, 2006. Small appliance maker Jarden Corporation reported a 10-percent increase in sales in its third quarter, ending Sept. 30, 2006. Sales reached U.S. $1.0 billion in the quarter, compared to $938 million for the same period in 2005. Net income was $51.3 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the quarter, compared to $24.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2005.

For the 9 months ended Sept. 30, 2006, net sales increased 26 percent to $2.8 billion compared to $2.2 billion for the same period in the 2005. Net income was $70.3 million, or $1.07 per diluted share for the 9 months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $9.6 million or $0.19 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Arcelor Mittal Names Lakshmi Mittal CEO
Nov 7, 2006. The board of directors of Arcelor Mittal announced the re-organization of the company’s senior management structure and it unanimously appointed Lakshmi N. Mittal as the new CEO with immediate effect. Mittal will continue in his role as president of the board.

Roland Junck stepped down as CEO, but will remain a member of the Group Management Board with his existing portfolio and additional responsibility as advisor to the CEO. The GMB will now comprise Lakshmi N. Mittal, Aditya Mittal, Roland Junck, Michel Wurth, Gonzalo Urquijo, and Malay Mukherjee. Davinder Chugh will retain his operational functions, reporting directly to the CEO.

A.O. Smith Announces Head of Corporate Technology Group
Oct 18, 2006. A.O. Smith Corporation named Ronald E. Massa executive vice president - corporate technology and global supply chain, effective Jan. 1. Massa adds the responsibility for the company’s Corporate Technology Group to his current duties overseeing A.O. Smith’s global procurement and logistics activities. Massa replaces Dr. Charles J. Bishop, who will retire as senior vice president-corporate technology at the end of the year.

Sharper Image Executives Resign
Nov 8, 2006. Sharper Image Corporation announced that Tracy Wan, president and chief operating officer, and Jeff Forgan, executive vice president and chief financial officer, resigned their positions, effective immediately. Wan's position of president and COO will be eliminated and her management responsibilities will be assumed by interim CEO Jerry W. Levin. Levin, a seasoned CEO with significant turnaround experience, was appointed by the board of directors as chairman and interim CEO on Sept. 26. At that time, the board said it is searching for a permanent CEO.

Daniel W. Nelson, who is currently the company's senior vice president, controller and principal accounting officer, will serve as interim chief financial officer. Nelson previously served as the company's interim controller and prior to that performed consulting services for the company. Forgan will serve as a consultant over the next 4 months to assist the Finance Department. The company will conduct a search for a permanent CFO.

Wal-Mart Names New China President
Nov 6, 2006. Ed Y. Chan will succeed Joe Hatfield as head of Wal-Mart's China retail business. Chan, who will be president and CEO of Wal-Mart China, comes to the company from the Dairy Farm Group, where he was most recently regional director of North Asia. He joined Wal-Mart in November and will take over leadership of the China retail operations in February.

Hatfield is a 32-year company veteran and opened Wal-Mart China’s first Supercenter in August 1996. Wal-Mart China now has 66 retail units in 34 cities.

TTI Names Floor Care Appliances Division CEO
Nov 1, 2006. Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. appointed Joseph Galli, Jr. as the CEO of Techtronic Appliances Holdings Company Limited (TAH), the group's Floor Care Appliances Division, effective Nov. 1, 2006. Galli's responsibilities as CEO will encompass every facet of consumer floor care products in retail markets worldwide, including the promotion and development of the leading brands "Dirt Devil(R)" and "Vax(R)."

Galli's previous appointments include high level management positions at Black & Decker, where he worked for over 19 years, rising to president of the Worldwide Power Tools and Accessory Division. Since leaving Black & Decker, Galli has been the chief operating officer of Amazon.com, and from 2001 to 2005 was the CEO of Newell Rubbermaid.

Gateway Names Vice President and Treasurer
Oct 31, 2006. Gateway, Inc. said Craig Calle was appointed to the additional post of vice president and treasurer, effective immediately. He will continue to serve as vice president, finance of the Professional and Direct segments.

Calle joined Gateway in June 2006 as vice president, finance for the company's Professional and Direct segments, overseeing business units that sell to educational institutions, government, businesses and consumers. As Treasurer, his responsibilities will include global treasury, supplier and partner credit relationships, risk management, and consumer and institutional finance.

Haier Opens First Australian Store
Oct 30, 2006. The first Haier authorized store in Australia was opened in Sydney, Australia. Vice Prime Minister and Commerce Minister of Australia Mark Vaile sent a congratulatory letter to Qin Lijun, CEO of Haier Australia Trading Company, and thanked Haier for providing jobs to the local community. It is said that the second Haier authorized store will debut in Melbourne in the end of the year.

Sanyo Announces Portable Navigation System
Nov 8, 2006. With the new Sanyo Easy Street NVM-4030, a compact portable navigation system, the consumer can touch the LCD screen to set a destination, receive automated voice guidance, receive turn-by-turn directions, and use hands-free calling with Bluetooth-equipped cell phones.

The Sanyo Easy Street NVM-4030, sold in the U.S. with a $399.99 MSRP, features a 4-inch TFT LCD touch screen display for button-free navigation. The unit combines GPS with an industry-leading NAVTEQ digital map database featuring over 1.4 million points of interest to conveniently find airports, gas stations, restaurants, banks, and hospitals along the route among other popular destinations. It uses Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) technology to help get users to a desired destination. WAAS is comprised of satellites and ground stations that provide corrections to GPS signals for greater accuracy compared to conventional GPS solutions. The Continental U.S. map data and points of interest are included on a one gigabyte SD memory card that eliminates need for a download.

CEA Sponsors UAE Appliance & Electronics Expo
Nov 9, 2006. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has partnered with Epoc Messe Frankfurt, producer of Hometech Middle East, a consumer technology expo in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). CEA will sponsor the 2007 expo and will co-produce an International CES pavilion at the event. The expo is scheduled for May 13-15, at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center in Dubai, UAE. As sponsor, CEA will co-produce conference sessions with consumer electronics experts and will host an international delegation to assist and educate U.S. companies and media organizations on the growing Middle Eastern consumer technology market.

As part of the growing partnership with Messe Frankfurt, the event will be renamed the International CES/Hometech when the event is staged again in May 2008, and will feature the consumer electronics, home appliances and home automation systems.

NAFEM Tool Determines Commercial Appliances Life Cycle
Nov 8, 2006. Commercial foodservice equipment association NAFEM introduced two tools to assist industry professionals as they consider commercial foodservice equipment life cycles and total cost of ownership. The Life Cycle Model Tools are free on the NAFEM Web site at www.nafem.org.

NAFEM says the tools were developed through an all-industry effort, led by the association's Technical Liaison Committee. The tools are intended to help establish common understanding of the many elements that impact equipment life expectancies and total cost of ownership. More specifically, for operators, the tools provide data other than price as they make purchasing decisions.