Lenovo and IBM Announce Battery Recall

Lenovo and International Business Machines Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the voluntary recall of approximately 526,000 lithium-ion batteries manufactured worldwide by Sony Corporation. In the interests of public safety, Lenovo will offer customers free-of-charge replacement batteries for all recalled batteries.

Although no make or model of battery is immune from some overheating or failure, Lenovo has confirmed that these batteries can be subject to overheating, posing a potential fire hazard, and Lenovo is advising customers to check if they are using one of the affected batteries as follows:

The recalled batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with some models of ThinkPad notebook PCs.

T Series (T43, T43p, T60)

X Series (X60, X60s):

R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e)

Battery Part/model number

ASM P/N FRU P/N

92P1072 92P1073

92P1088 92P1089

92P1142 92P1141

92P1170 92P1169 or 93P5028

92P1174 92P1173 or 93P5030

Additionally, since these batteries work with any T4x Series or R5x Series system, customers who ordered an extra battery or received a replacement battery for any T4x or R5x Series notebook PC between February 2005 and September 2006 may also have a battery subject to recall.

IBM and Lenovo sold these batteries with new notebook PCs or as replacement batteries between February 2005 and September 2006. Customers can continue to use their notebook PC by turning off the system, removing the battery, and plugging in the AC adapter and power cord to power the system. Customers should use only genuine ThinkPad batteries obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

Following reports of an incident at Los Angeles International airport, Lenovo has reacted swiftly, announcing this recall less than two weeks after the incident was first brought to the company’s attention. Lenovo estimates that between five and ten percent of ThinkPad notebooks sold during period of February 2005 to September 2006 are affected by the recall.

Sony has agreed to financially support the recall.

Customer Contact Information

Customers should contact Lenovo to determine if the battery used in their notebook PC is subject to this recall. Please visit www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram. International support numbers are available at www.lenovo.com/support.

Mobile Leaders Join Forces

Leaf Wireless and HTC (High Tech Computer Corporation) have today announced that Leaf Wireless has secured distribution and marketing rights to the HTC Smartphone’s and PDA Phones in Southern Africa. Leaf will provide full service HTC brand management and distribution of HTC’s leading edge Microsoft® based Windows Mobile® 5.0 devices.

Brandon Leigh, CEO of Leaf Wireless (SA Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year), says: “There is little doubt that Windows Mobile will be the operating system of the future. HTC is the acknowledged global leader of Microsoft Windows Mobile devices, and Leaf has strong credentials in the same field, as evidenced by being the first South African company to be awarded the Microsoft Mobile competency award (in August 2005) and the winner of the Microsoft Windows Mobile Distributor challenge. We share a commitment to and a deep understanding of the same technologies and solutions, and greatly look forward to working with HTC.”

Kevin Chen, Executive Director EMEA of HTC, states: “Leaf were chosen because of its leadership position in the mobile market in Southern Africa, its Microsoft Mobile Partner status and proven expertise, demonstrated ability to add value through delivery of content, application development, and systems design capability. We see our relationship with Leaf being a very close one, a virtual subsidiary.”

Leaf have already many proven mobile achievements behind them, including the development of MTN Loaded and FNB’s InContact system.

Leigh continues: “With the HTC partnership, Leaf will be bringing the widest range of leading mobile product platforms to both the consumer and business users. The phones are remarkable. People around the world are already familiar with the Windows platform. And the beauty is that everything that is on their computer is now accessible on these phones – and more. Such as built-in HSPDA for immediate wireless access as well a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS).”

“We are also fortunate to enjoy outstanding relationships with Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Virgin, Nashua Mobile and Autopage and indeed all of our close partners. We know that with their support we can make HTC the leading brand in this country.”

Business Week recently rated HTC as the 11th fastest growing global technology company in the world.

Nokia 5300 XpressMusic leads a fresh lineup of new music handets

In a relaxing event overlooking the beauty of the Cape Town beach front, Nokia today launched an exciting new range of music phones. Headlined by the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic which features a stylish slide design and holds up to 1,500 tracks, these music phones combine the best of mobile communication and mobile music, making it easier than ever to carry a single device. With today’s announcement, Nokia broadens its portfolio of music-driven mobile products giving consumers an array of choice. The new products announced today will begin shipments in select markets within the next weeks.

“With today’s launches we are reaching out to a broad range of people who want all the features of their mobile phone AND their music player in a single, stylish device,” says Tomi Paatsila, Vice President, Sales and Market Operations, Mobile Phones, Middle East and Africa. “The Nokia 5300 XpressMusic offers a comprehensive feature set, including up to 2 GB of memory and dedicated music keys at an accessible price. Never has it been easier and more affordable for consumers to own a mobile phone that offers a first-rate music experience -- comparable to any stand-alone music player. With this product launch, we are emphasizing the XpressMusic brand, which clearly labels those Nokia devices that guarantee an outstanding mobile music experience.”

Nokia 5300 XpressMusic heads up the charts

The Nokia 5300 XpressMusic can hold up to 75 albums worth of music (approximately 1500 tracks) on a 2GB microSD card. Thanks to the dedicated music keys, consumers can control the playback of their music separately from all other functions such as texting, browsing or taking pictures. For an even better groove, consumers can also plug in their favourite headphones or external speakers with a 3.5mm headset jack by simply using the inbox adapter. With a micro USB connector, the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic swiftly syncs playlists, albums and music collections with PCs. When traveling, consumers can use the Nokia Wireless Audio Gateway AD-42W to stream their CD collection and favorite playlists wirelessly to any home or party stereo from their Nokia 5300 XpressMusic.

No one-hit wonder, the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic also comes with the latest messaging functionalities complemented by a 1.3 megapixel camera. Incoming calls can be announced with video ring tones on the high resolution display. The Nokia 5300 XpressMusic is expected to retail for approximately 250 EUR, before taxes and subsidies.

In addition, Nokia today revealed two other music devices, the Nokia 5200 and the Nokia 3250 XpressMusic. Featuring a similar lifestyle-inspired slide design as the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic, the Nokia 5200 puts forward an exciting combination of music and messaging functions and is a more achievable handset for young and sociable consumers. The Nokia 5200 is expected to retail for around 200 EUR, before taxes and subsidies.

Also unveiled today was the Nokia 3250 XpressMusic, which gives an updated look and feel to the popular Nokia 3250 which was unveiled last year. In addition to its unique “twist” design, the Nokia 3250 XpressMusic has doubled its music capacity to up to 1500 tracks (supports microSD cards up to 2GB) and is expected to retail for around 400 EUR, before taxes and subsidies.

Music Phones ready to GO!

Each of the Nokia music phones launched today include the Yahoo! GO application which adds Yahoo!’s popular instant messaging functionality directly to the handset. This application complements the messaging functions of the mobile phone by offering simplified access to Yahoo! email accounts and messenger functions.

The New Nokia N Series

Nokia have just released thier new "Mulitmedia Personal Computers". At an international function in Cape Town this afternoon, Nokia have released thier new N95. You can see pictures of the new devices here...

What is new? Wi-Fi is old hat but it's the added features that make this device more than just a phone. During the launch and presentation, the word "phone" wasn't used once. They are now officially a Multimedia Computer. Seems so simple but why has it taken so long?

Nokia have a new music system that allows us to access music, with David Bowie's help. He will be releasing a podcast every week telling us what is hot and what isn't AND we will be able to download these new tracks. At a price, I am sure, but it seems like a good idea.

I have been promised that all of the services on the new N95 will be available in South Africa. I highly doubt it but I have been wrong in the past and I hope that I am this time.

Sharing pictures, news and information is going to be much easier as is surfing the web on your phone using HSDPA, WiFi or even GPRS if you are so backward. Nokia have created a new browser, which they say, is as good as any browser you may use every day. They have even solved the problem of viewing a large website on a small screen.

Price starts in the 200 Euro range, so it's not cheap, but if is does what they say it can, they buy one now!!!

My 1st XBox 360 Experience

I was given a demo model XBox 360 yesterday morning. As any avid gaming fan, I ran upstairs, plugged it in and was keen to play a game. I want to run through some of the negative things I have experienced in the 1st couple of days first, then I will try and find some positives....

1. The power plug was a European version. (Maybe that was because it was a demo) There is nothing worse than wanting to play your game and you have to run around finding the right addaptor.
2. The optical digital audio out was hidden away wth any mention of it in the manual. I needed to mail a friend of mine in the UK to find out if the Xbox even had a digital audio out for all of this amazing sound that it was advertising. After finding the plug, it was great.
3. The power transformer is HUGE!!! It is almost as big as a toaster. Not a good idea if you are trying one of these modern, minimilist lounges or game rooms.
4. One of the big draw cards for the Xbox is the Xbox Live. A place where you can go online and chat, play and interact with other players around the world. Again, maybe because I have a demo, there is no South African option. This means that the postal code I enter when I register isn't accepted and the whole thing falls apart. Will we get Xbox Live in South Africa when the console launches next week?
5. One of the demo games just doesn't work. There is a warning that it only works in PAL 60 areas. It starts up fine but you can't get the game started.

POSITIVES

1. Graphics and interaction is fantastic.
2. The wireless controller is the BEST!!!!
3. Audio, once you find the plug, is extreme. Forget the fake surround from PS2, this is real Dolby Digital Surround.
4. I have one driving game and the one thing that I love is the crowd around the track. Normally, these are just static figures with a camera flash or two. In Gothom, they interact with the car. Crash into the barriers and they move away, then start taking pictures.

MORE TO FOLLOW AS I PLAY MORE!!!

LG DVR URL

I am delighted to inform you that the micro site for LG DVR Time Machine TV is now available. The purpose of this site is to introduce the DVR to the customer, while demonstrating the benefits of this system which include pause or rewind functions, live TV and one-touch recording, through interactive contents.

The DVR Time Machine will be available from approximately mid-October 2006 at LG outlets and participating retail stores.

Please visit the address below to experience the incredible LG LCD DVR Time Machine:

www.lge.com/dvr

Pricing of the XBox

Microsoft Xbox 360 will have more than 50 game titles readily available when it launches on September 30 in South Africa, with a price tag to suit all pockets.

“Xbox 360 will be following an aggressive pricing strategy and consumer retail prices for the games will range from R199.00 for classic gaming titles, with a R499.00 ceiling price for triple A collectors editions,” said Cindy White, Microsoft Group Marketing Manager for Xbox 360.

The plethora of available games meets all tastes and includes Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero, Gears of War, Crackdown, Viva Pinata and Forza 2 which will be available early in the New Year.

“We have worked closely with our third party partners to keep pricing consistent across the board and the Xbox game pricing is aimed at attracting people within all gaming categories, from recreational players to serious gamers,” adds White.

“We believe that the range and the variety of the games will offer something for everyone and will enable South African’s to enjoy the new-generation gaming experience at all levels,” she concludes.

The games will be available at all the major retailers including Incredible Connection, CNA and Look and Listen from 30 September.