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Archive for January, 2009

Freescale Engineers Low-Cost Netbook Processor

Freescale Semiconductor is entering the fast-growing netbook market with a solution that promises to make possible portable devices that feature 8.9-inch displays, eight hours of battery life, and prices under $200.Freescale’s solution is based on its new i.MX515 processor featuring ARM Cortex-A8 technology. The solution includes software, components and resources that aim to help OEMs rapidly develop and deploy netbooks.

“We see a huge opportunity in the netbook market as consumers demand more cost-effective and higher-performing solutions,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale’s networking and multimedia group. “Our solution for netbooks will enable OEMs to develop compelling products that feature cell-phone-like battery life at extremely aggressive price points.”

Click here to read the rest of my story on Tech Trends.

Add comment January 7th, 2009

Amazon, Netflix Score Highest Among Online Shoppers

Which retailers will thrive in 2009 and which will have an uphill battle? A survey of customer satisfaction during the holiday season may shed light on those issues.Amazon and Netflix delighted online shoppers, according to the annual Top 40 Online Retail Satisfaction Index from ForeSee Results and FGI Research. Meanwhile, satisfaction with Web sites for Circuit City, Gap, Home Depot, HSN, Neiman Marcus, and Overstock fell below industry standards.

Researchers relied on the methodology of the University of Michigan’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to examine how successful the top 40 retail Web sites were. The study found that a highly satisfied online shopper is 73 percent more likely to purchase online, 38 percent more likely to purchase offline, and 75 percent more likely to recommend than a dissatisfied Web shopper.

“In a recession, knowing that improving customer satisfaction with your Web site can engender that kind of loyalty and purchase intent is like money in the bank,” said Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee. “But too many e-retailers are ignoring this crucial metric, and it shows in the results of our study. Only two of the 40 measured e-tailers scored above 80, and more than a quarter scored 70 or below. Nearly 40 percent saw satisfaction drop year over year. That’s just not playing to win in this economy.”

Click here to read the rest of my story on NewsFactor.

January 1st, 2009