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Commodore’s Multimedia Tower is forging digital music, mobile phone ringtones, games and wallpapers, this single store-friendly kiosk makes it possible for customers to walk up and download different types of legal digital media to portable devices.

Designed to be housed in retail environments, the media dispenser calls upon a database of music media featuring libraries from major music labels to bring an ‘unparalleled list’ of top titles accessible via an easy-to-navigate user interface. The integrated card reader allows the user to complete their transaction and start enjoying their media. Available in a single stand-alone unit or a special wall unit with three or more dispensers, the Multimedia Tower is compatible with most mobile phones and MP3 players worldwide.

MediaBox is a complete all-in-one home entertainment set. The device is not only a hard disk recorder but features such options as playing videos, music and photos on television. The unit also enables you to use a wide range of services via television, including but not limited to music downloads, ringtones, games, video on demand and photo printing service.

The MediaBox is equipped with a digital TV tuner that can record programs on its 80GB hard disk drive. Its Internet connection allows you to watch thousands of video streams, including thematic channels, sports, events, concerts and movie trailers. The remote MediaBox server updates weekly with new content streams.

Commodore’s Navigator is a multifunctional portable GPS device running on the Windows CE platform. The Navigator not only keeps one from getting lost but it also keeps one entertained en route, thanks to a 20GB hard disk drive and multiple functionality that includes loading, storing and playing a variety of audio and video files. Claiming to be both reliable and easy to operate, its 3.6-inch touchscreen operates in either day or night mode and uses both 2D and 3D images to tell you where you are and how to get where you’re going. Readouts show current location, distance to destination, speed, estimated time of arrival and what to do next to make it all happen.

Instructions are given vocally in your choice of 18 different languages, using speakers or headset. You can choose between car and cycling mode to find the most efficient route for your situation. As a music and video device, the Navigator looks like the perfect travelling companion. It is capable of MP3 decoding and plays both MP3 and WMA audio files. The device is also DRM9 compatible for the legal downloading of music files and it plays both MPEG and DivX video files.

JMP Securities on Tuesday raised its global advertising forecast for not only this year but for next year and beyond. The firm now expects the global online ad market to grow at a 25 percent clip annually for the next five years, up from a previous forecast in the low 20 percent range.

In the next year the Wall Street firm expects the online ad market to grow to $26.4 billion worldwide and to $33.2 billion in 2007.

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The acquisition of Maxtor Corp. by Seagate Technology for approximately $1.9 billion Wednesday is poised to boost Seagate’s Far East manufacturing capabilities and strengthen its position to dampen expected PC pricing changes in the coming year.

However, industry analysts point out that Seagate will have its hands full completing the technical aspect of the Maxtor merger in late 2006 as it simultaneously transitions to perpendicular recording on many of its devices.

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