Following extensive visibility for Atari as the Title Sponsor of the FIA WTCC Atari Race of Germany at Oschersleben in August, Atari takes pole position again at this weekend’s FIA WTCC Atari Race of Japan in Okayama for rounds 21 and 22 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. 

Atari joins the FIA WTCC to give fans and gamers the most true-to-life racing experience on its forthcoming ultra-realistic racing video game RACE Pro scheduled to speed into stores in February 2009 exclusively for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.  Developed by award-winning game studio SimBin, RACE Pro provides deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Nothing gets closer to the real thrill than RACE Pro.

RACE Pro, the ultra real racing simulation game exclusive to Xbox 360, is scheduled for release this February 2009.  For more information, please visit www.atari.com/racepro.

For more information on Atari’s latest products please visit www.atari.com.au and log onto the Atari Trade Site for all box shots, demos, trailers and online screenshots.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Oct. 23, 2008 -AMD (NYSE: AMD) today introduced the ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4830 graphics card, raising the performance bar for graphics cards priced at less than $150 (USD) 1 and presenting gamers with even more affordable access to award-winning ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4800 series performance. Like all ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4800 series products, the new offering delivers class-leading game performance1 and superior HD multimedia capabilities, as well support for the latest DirectX(r) 10.1 games soon to be released for the holiday season.

“The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is another example of how AMD’s scalable design strategy is paying off,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, Graphics Products Group, AMD. “With a single chip we have been able to quickly and efficiently bring to market graphics card designs ranging from below $150 through $549 SEP, with leading performance in every segment.  The ATI Radeon HD 4830 continues that great trend, providing tremendous value to gamers for less than $150.”

“The $100-$150 graphics card price band represents the ‘sweet spot’ of the desktop PC graphics market where the consumer gets the most graphics performance per dollar spent,” said Dean McCarron, founder and principal, Mercury Research.  “This is where the latest graphics technologies reach the mainstream PC audience, and this is the level that most PC games target.”

Resetting the performance bar below $150
The ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4830 graphics card delivers outstanding value to gamers.  With the launch of this card, even the most intimidating games that were previously unplayable on a graphics card selling for less than $150 can now be enjoyed at playable frame rates, even when using image enhancements such as anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering.2 For those gamers looking to get even more performance out of their gaming rigs, ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4830 cards support ATI CrossFireX(tm) technology allowing gamers to combine as many as four cards in one PC.³

Phenomenal HD multimedia experience
More than just a gaming card, the ATI Radeon HD 4830 offers up exceptional HD multimedia performance as well. All ATI Radeon HD 4800 series cards allow users to enjoy HD digital content4 with uncompromising visual fidelity while helping to enhance the definition and clarity of lower resolution visual media.  AMD’s second generation Unified Video Decoder (UVD 2.0) ensures users experience smooth HD video playback, and sharp, crisp images and vibrant colors through ATI Avivo(tm) HD technology.  Combined with capabilities like picture-in-picture, and support for the latest HD audio technologies like 7.1 surround sound, the ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card serves up an impressive cinema-quality home entertainment experience.

Ecosystem support
The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is supported by a dozen add-in-board companies offering custom designs of the products.  Partners include ASUS, Club 3D, Diamond Multimedia, Force3D, GECUBE, GIGABYTE, HIS (Hightech Information Systems), Jetway, MSI, Palit Multimedia, PowerColor, SAPPHIRE Technology and  VisionTek.  It is expected to be available immediately.

For more information about both products, visit http://www.amd.com/newsroom.

1. The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is priced at USD $150 and under, and the Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT is listed at ~ USD $149 based on Newegg.com prices as of October 14, 2008.  The ATI Radeon HD 4830 delivers better game performance than the Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT in Call of Duty 4 1920×1200 4xAA+AF, Devil May Cry 4 1920×1200 4xAA+AF, ET: Quake Wars 1920×1200 4xAA+AF, Crysis (DX10) 1920×1200 2xAA+AF High Quality Mode, Half-Life 2: Episode 2 1920×1200 8xAA+AF, and Company of Heroes (DX10) 1920×1200 8xAA+AF. Comparisons based on AMD internal testing using Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor, ASUS P5E motherboard, 4GB DDR2-800 memory (timings: 5-5-5-18), Windows Vista(r) Ultimate 64bit, and ATI display driver 8.53-RC3, or Nvidia display driver 177.79.

2. AMD defines a playable game experience as one where the frame rate is greater or equal to 30 frames per second. Comparisons based on AMD internal testing using Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor, ASUS P5E motherboard, 4GB DDR2-800 memory (timings: 5-5-5-18), Windows Vista(r) Ultimate 64bit, and ATI display driver 8.53-RC3, or Nvidia display driver 177.79; AMD Graphics: ATI Radeon(tm) HD 4830 512MB GDDR3 vs. Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT 512MB GDDR3. In games including Devil May Cry 4 1920×1200 8xAA+AF, Company of Heroes (DX10) 1920×1200 8xAA+AF, and ET: Quake Wars 2560×1600 4xAA+AF, the ATI Radeon HD 4830 card delivers > 30 frames per second compared to the Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT that delivers < 30 frames per second.

3. ATI CrossFireX(tm) Technology requires an ATI CrossFireX(tm) Ready motherboard and may require a specialized power supply.

4. HD monitor required.

About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated to collaborating with customers and partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

(c)2008, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, ATI, the ATI logo, Avivo, CrossFireX, Radeon, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.  Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – October 24, 2008 – Attaching speakers to a PC has always improved on the sound quality of built-in PC speakers. But now, Logitech introduces the next evolution in PC-speaker acoustics, unveiling the Logitech® Z-5 omnidirectional stereo speakers – for PC and Mac® computers – which deliver great sound throughout your room.

Unlike standard PC speakers that focus sound in one direction, the Logitech Z-5 speakers use omnidirectional acoustics that create a substantially wider sweet spot – an especially helpful feature if you often move your laptop around your home or office. An innovative speaker technology previously found only in expensive home-theatre systems, omnidirectional acoustics on the Logitech Z-5 speakers use forward and backward firing drivers to transmit sound evenly in all directions. Whether you’re listening to your favourite song or watching a video on YouTube™, you’ll enjoy rich, articulate sound and minimal distortion – from every corner of your room.

“We’re truly excited to offer omnidirectional speakers for the PC and the Mac,” said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s audio business unit. “We’re confident that the Z-5 speakers will provide a noticeable improvement to the PC entertainment experience whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie. With omnidirectional acoustics, the sound is all around you no matter where you have your desktop or laptop computer.”

Delivering pure digital audio that’s easily moved with your laptop, the Z-5 omnidirectional speakers can be quickly connected to any PC or Mac via USB. There’s no need for an external power adaptor or batteries. And to let you wirelessly navigate and enjoy all your entertainment options, Logitech’s newest speaker system comes with a sleek remote control. Launch your favourite entertainment application, adjust the volume and change your selection from across the room.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Z-5 omnidirectional stereo speakers will be available in Australia in November for a suggested retail price of $199.95 inc GST.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Dock, Rock and Roll (or Snooze): Logitech Introduces Two Speaker Docks for iPods or iPhones

Pure-Fi Express Plus Offers Omnidirectional Acoustics, Pure-Fi Anytime Makes the Perfect Nightstand Companion

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – October 24, 2008 – Whether you dock your iPod®, or your iPhone™, in the bedroom or crank up your favourite play list in the living room, Logitech has a speaker dock for you. The Logitech® Pure-Fi Express Plus omnidirectional speaker for iPod or iPhone delivers great sound throughout your room, while the Logitech® Pure-Fi Anytime™ premium alarm clock for iPod or iPhone is the perfect nightstand companion. Both speakers are compatible with the first generation iPhone as well as the new 3G iPhone.

“Our research revealed that as digital music players, and especially the iPod, become more integral to our lives, we look for accessories to optimise the experience,” said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager of Logitech’s audio business unit. “Our latest iPod speaker docks are designed to suit each person according to their individual needs, whether what’s wanted is enhanced audio and portability or an alarm clock with innovative features such as motion sensing.”

Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus Featuring Omnidirectional Acoustics

A first for iPod or iPhone speaker docks, Pure-Fi Express Plus offers omnidirectional acoustics. An innovative speaker technology previously found only inexpensive home-theatre systems, omnidirectional acoustics transmit sound evenly in all directions. If you love to dock, charge and listen to your iPod or iPhone when you’re at home, at work, or even in your backyard, now you can enjoy rich, articulate sound and minimal distortion – from every corner of your room.

Pure-Fi Express Plus provides more than just great sound. For added portability, Pure-Fi Express Plus can run on AC or battery power and includes an integrated handle, making it easy to take your music from room to room. The new Logitech dock also features a wireless remote. With a range of up to 30 feet (10 meters), the remote lets you instantly adjust volume, play, pause, fast forward, rewind, as well as offering Shuffle and Repeat buttons – all from the comfort of your couch or favourite chair.

Logitech Pure-Fi Anytime: The Perfect Nightstand Companion

If you commonly dock your iPod or iPhone in the bedroom, Pure-Fi Anytime offers a full set of features, such as advanced motion-sending technology, that make it perfect for your bedside table and ensure that you’ll have a fully charged iPod or iPhone when you wake in the morning. To avoid the inconvenience of waking a sleeping partner, the motion-sensing backlight makes it easy to set your alarm without having to turn on the lights. The alarm clock’s controls light up when you wave your hand over the speakers and the buttons automatically dim when you’re done using it. And when you want to get a few minutes of extra sleep when your alarm goes off in the morning, you can simply wave your hand over the speakers and the motion-sensing technology will activate Snooze.

Pure-Fi Anytime also features an easy-to-read display that is clearly visible during the day and night. A recessed dock helps prevent you from accidentally knocking over your iPod or iPhone. Plus, Pure-Fi Anytime offers a digital AM/FM radio for those times when you want to give your iPod a break and enjoy live music, news and sports.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech® Pure-Fi Express Plus omnidirectional speaker for iPod or iPhone is expected to be available in Australia well before Xmas at a recommended retail price of $179.95 (inc GST). The Logitech® Pure-Fi Anytime™ premium alarm clock for iPod or iPhone is also expected to be available in Australia before Xmas at a recommended retail price of $229.95 (inc GST).]

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Ultimate Ears Offers Professional-Quality Earphones to Digital Music Lovers

Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Earphones Deliver Rich, Detailed Sound in a Comfortable, Compact Design

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – October 24, 2008 – For digital music lovers who want a professional-quality listening experience, the Ultimate Ears® Super.Fi 5 earphones deliver rich, detailed sound in a comfortable, compact shape. Featuring an innovative in-ear design, the Super.Fi 5 earphones offer Ultimate Ears’ award-winning speaker technologies, originally designed for musicians, to anyone who loves to listen to music on their iPod® or other portable music device.

Founded in 1995 by Van Halen’s sound engineer, Ultimate Ears created the world’s first in-ear speaker system and commands approximately 75 percent of the professional in-ear monitor market. In 2005, Ultimate Ears began offering in-ear monitors for MP3 players, creating a universal-fit design that incorporated the sophisticated technology of its custom models.

The Super.Fi 5 earphones’ top-fire design employs a single, wideband driver to create an exceptionally accurate sound tuned for a wide range of musical genres. With a frequency response range of 15 Hz to 15 kHz and a top sound pressure level (SPL) of 115 dB, the Super.Fi 5 earphones accurately reproduce bass-thumping hip hop, the lush timbres of jazz vocals as well as the rich palette of symphonic music. The custom armature houses a proprietary tuned filter that shapes the sound for maximum effect, delivering detailed bass and crisp, clean mids and highs.

An in-ear speaker, the Super.Fi 5 earphones’ machined liquid-silver plastic housing provides an exceptionally comfortable fit for long listening sessions. To give people the flexibility to choose the right fit, the Super.Fi 5 earphones include three interchangeable soft-silicone ear tips and two Comply® foam ear tips. Selecting the appropriately sized ear tip helps create a tight seal and allows people to tune out the world – enjoying noise isolation of up to 26 dBs – and tune into the music they love.

With its low-profile design, the Super.Fi 5 earphones are easy to take out and about or to wear at the office. People can wear the earphone cables over the ear, which is ideal for use when exercising, or let the cables hang down for casual listening. The gold-plated 3.5 mm jack can connect to most MP3 players, stereos and laptops. And when it’s time to stow the headphones, you simply wrap the cord in a compact bundle around the fingers and place inside the included carrying case.

Pricing and Availability

The Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 earphones will be available before Christmas at a suggested retail price of $329.95 in GST. Also available is Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5vi which features a multifunction button that answers/ends phone calls and controls music/video on iPhone at a suggested retail price of $379.95 inc GST.

About Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears, a subsidiary of Logitech, is the leading supplier of in-ear-monitors for professional musicians and an emerging provider of premium earpieces for the consumer market. Founded in 1995, the firm supplies custom-moulded earphones to a who’s who of performers in all musical genres. The company also offers custom-moulded consumer earphones, as well as off-the-shelf Super.Fi products for the high-quality universal fit market.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

MELBOURNE, Friday, 24 October, 2008 – Madman presents the highly-anticipated DVD release of KEATING! THE MUSICAL, the wickedly clever operatic take on the life and times of our former PM, Paul Keating. (Available nationally from November 5^th).

Showcasing a dynamic six-camera shoot of the 2008 Seymour Centre (Sydney) production, KEATING! also features remastered audio for DVD, rousing sing-a-long subtitles and a host of extra material; including the additional performance ‘Paul Keating’s Curtain Call’, an audio commentary with writer Casey Bennetto, Mike McLeish (Keating) and Enio Pozzebon (Gareth Evans/keyboards), as well as backstage interviews with the cast and the band. 

Created by Casey Bennetto, and directed by Neil Armfield (CANDY), this 2008 production stars Mike McLeish (Paul Keating), Terry Serio (Bob Hawke, John Howard) and Brendan Coustley (John Hewson, Alexander Downer). 

KEATING! Burst into life at the 2005 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Its audacity, lyrical genius, and catchy show tunes took Australia by storm; enjoying sold-out seasons, receiving numerous awards as well as an abundance of rave reviews and standing ovations from audiences moved by its jaunty thrills and relentlessly jovial pace.

KEATING! has since screened on ABC2 and has been awarded three 2007 Helpmann Awards for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Male Supporting Actor; and a 2006 award for Best Original Score.

www.damnationthegame.com

An hilarious zero-to-hero story about a larger-than-life Average Joe, the international box office hit GULLIVER’S TRAVELS sails on to Blu-ray, DVD and 3-D Blu-ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on May 4, 2011. This family-friendly misadventure features side-splitting moments with Lilliputian foosball, a square-off duel with a robot and hysterical theatrical productions of Gulliver’s ‘life story’ including his vanquishing of Darth Vader!

Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda, School of Rock) brings his irreverent humour to this adventure-comedy based on the classic tale. To impress the pretty newspaper travel editor Darcy (Amanda Peet, 2012), an underachieving mailroom clerk named Gulliver (Black) takes a writing assignment travelling to Bermuda. When a shipwreck lands him on the fantastical island of Lilliput, he transforms into a giant — in size and ego! Gulliver’s tall tales and heroic deeds win the hearts of the tiny Lilliputians, but when he loses it all and puts his newfound friends in peril, Gulliver must find a way to undo the damage. Through it all, Gulliver may just learn that it’s how big you are on the inside that counts.

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS also stars Jason Segel (I Love You, Man), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), Billy Connolly (The X-Files: I Want to Believe) and Chris O’Dowd (Dinner for Schmucks).

In a format first for Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, fans can now enjoy the hilarious GULLIVER’S TRAVELS at its larger than life best with a special Blu-ray 3D combo pack which contains a 2D and 3D copy of the movie on Blu-ray, a DVD with digital copy, plus loads of laugh out loud special features.

Also available is a 2 disc Blu-ray combo pack containing the movie on Blu-ray with special features and a second disc with the DVD and digital copy, so it really can be played everywhere.

The DVD also comes in a 2 disc pack with the DVD with digital copy, and a bonus content disc.

Gulliver’s Travels DVD Clip – I Come In Peace

Gulliver’s Travels DVD Clip – Gulliver’s Life

Gulliver’s Travels Featurette – Down Time

Gulliver’s Travels DVD Clip – President The Awesome

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

SYDNEY, OCTOBER 23, 2008 — Calling all shower singers, rush-hour traffic vocalists, wanna-be rappers, pop princesses and those with a country twang: “Lips,” the highly anticipated singing experience exclusively for Xbox 360 from iNiS Corp., will be available in late November 2008. 

Picture throwing a “Lips” party for your closest friends where everyone sings and grooves to a vast array of music backed by the original music video, lyrics and scoring. Not only can everyone sing along, but “Lips” is the only music video game that comes with two wireless motion-sensitive microphones, allowing the freedom to put on the ultimate performance. Your parties will never be the same! 

All 40 songs on disc are ready to play right out of the box, and “Lips” delivers great tracks from a wide range of musical genres that will set the stage for evenings of fun and entertainment with friends and family.  

Regardless of whether you consider yourself a singer or typically shy away from the microphone, there’s something for everyone in “Lips,” including the following:

·       Party Games. “Lips” has a variety of gameplay modes that will appeal to the gamer in all of us and possibly spark a little competition, while allowing you to experience and interact with your music in fun, new ways:

o     Kiss is the epitome of singing and flirting your way to a sweet reward, where duos who hit the notes and gestures together meet in the middle to share a kiss. Are you a match?

o     Vocal Fighters appeals to the competitor in all of us by pitting singers in one-on-one competition to win the most fans and boot one another off the stage. It’s a sing-off!

o     Time Bomb is a cooperative mode where players work together to perform well and stave off a time bomb. The clock is ticking!

·       Music videos. “Lips” has a variety of engaging music videos that enhance the game outside the original videos included with most songs:

o     Virtual Music Videos. The more you get into your performance, the better the video. An in-game virtual music video will enhance your performance because the screen will mirror your moves and the characters will lip-sync along with you.

o     Custom Music Videos. These unique, quirky videos add a humorous element to your routine and provide a music video for songs that may not have one.

·       Freestyle Mode. “Lips” also allows you to use digital rights management-free songs from your own music collection when singing or playing any of the Party Games. Sing along to your music collection and play up your gestures to add to your score, while a virtual music video accompanies your performance. It is as simple as plugging in your compatible MP3 player. Lyrics will not display for songs from your music collection. For a list of compatible music players, visit http://www.xbox.com/lips.

·       Play along. In addition to using the two microphones as instruments, four of your friends can join in using the standard Xbox 360 Controller and choose from a variety of percussion accompaniment to play along with the music in “Lips.”

·       Download new songs. For those who like what they see and crave more, “Lips” will also have a regular flow of downloadable content available for purchase via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, starting at game launch. Love Estelle’s “No Substitute Love”? It is there. You can get it and the latest tracks to continually update your “Lips” experience.

·       Split parts. Co-op Mode in “Lips” is designed to more accurately reflect songs that feature multiple vocalists. This gameplay mode enhances the experience by showing the lyrics and melody to all parts, helping turn a singing duo into a professional act.

CAMBRIDGE – October 21, 2008 – Based on the exciting new movie Coraline – the first-ever stop-motion animated feature to be made in 3-D – from Focus Features and LAIKA,  the Coraline videogame is coming from D3Publisher (D3P).  The game will let players take on the role of the adventurous heroine Coraline and interact with the wondrous characters from the movie while navigating the scheming Other Mother’s web of deceit in a fantastical adventure through two distinct and interactive worlds.  Coraline is slated to ship to retail stores for the Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™ and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in early 2009.

“The Coraline movie is absolutely mesmerizing and we feel that the visual style and tone of the game will bring the amazing stop-motion animated film and thrilling storyline to life for players,” said Bill Anker, vice president of business development, D3P.  “We’re confident that Coraline will offer a truly immersive and interactive gameplay experience that gamers as well as fans of the movie and best-selling book will enjoy.”

The only videogame based on the upcoming movie, Coraline will allow players to explore and interact with such immersive 3-D environments from the movie as the Pink Palace, its nooks and crannies and apartments, and the unpredictable Other World.  Players will engage in unique mini-games and adventures with Coraline’s friends Wybie and Cat as they collect items that will unlock the mysteries of the Other World.

Coraline is under development for Wii and the PlayStation 2 system by Papaya Studios and by Art Co. Ltd., for Nintendo DS. 

For more information on Coraline (The Game), please visit: www.d3publisher.com

Sydney, Australia, October 23, 2008 – Form following function – introducing the new N Series notebooks from ASUS. Epitomising style and performance through innovative design and advanced technologies, the N Series comprises of four models that cater to a multitude of users from the hip and trendy to the smart professional, and of course the tech-savvy – N10, N20, N80 and N50.

Designed for optimised mobility, the ASUS N10 is perfect for people always on the go delivering a multi-sensory experience with NVIDIA GeForce 9300M graphics card and Intel Atom processor. Equipped with contemporary technological innovation, the N10 resourcefully preserves energy utilising the highly efficient Super Hybrid Engine (SHE). The SHE consists of the Power4 Gear Hybrid application which allocates power according to users preferences and the Energy Processing Unit (EPU) which accurately detects users power requirements and makes the necessary power adjustments – preserving battery life up to 35%*.

On opening, the N10 provides a vivid display with its 10.2” monitor and introduces fresh facial recognition technology with SmartLogon. The N10 detects the user’s face and logs on without manual key input or any other intervention. The system is designed to determine variations in the user’s facial features and is capable of performing detection even in different lighting conditions. Furthermore, the N10 features the ASUS exclusive Express Gate operating system enhancing efficiency by granting users instant online access to commonly used applications to surf, chat and play at the touch of a button.

On the outside, the N10 is clad in industrial luster with a sexy silver, brushed metallic look . The exterior encompasses In-Mold Roller technology which creates a scratch-resistant panel that retains its sheen even after prolonged use.

In addition to the N10, the N Series boasts a string of models including the N20, N80 and N50 which also incorporate In-Mold Roller technology and come complete in a dark, sleek industrial package.

N20: Built for heavy usage, the ASUS N20 features a 12.1” monitor and up to 12 hours* of battery life. Equipped with an Altec Lansing sound system, the N20 provides excellent sound clarity, as well as a highly efficient eSATA hard disk drive housed in a dust and moisture-resistant enclosure. The N20 is a versatile road performer for business and personal entertainment.

N80: Designed specifically for business executives and professionals, the ASUS N80 features a 14.1” display powered by a standalone NVIDIA GeForce 9 Series graphics card with up to 1 GB of VRAM. Complemented by Dolby Surround decoding, the N50 delivers impressive sound quality that is sure to impress in any business or personal situation.

N50: The pinnacle of mobile computing, the ASUS N50 is top of the N Series range. Designed for intuitive control and user-friendliness, the N50 features a 15.4” display and multimedia touchpad complete with backlit buttons for instantaneous multimedia enjoyment. And not to blow its own horn, N50 includes a built-in Air Ionizer that not only helps clean the surrounding air of allergens and germs, but also promotes refreshing air-flow and circulation.

The ASUS N Series notebooks are the netbook’s next of kin – positioned between the revolutionary netbook generation and the high grade, fully functional notebook. It is supremely sassy computing.

The ASUS N Series notebooks will be available in Australia and New Zealand from November 2008 from selected computer resellers and retailers. Recommended retail prices (inc GST):

§       N10 from AU$999, NZ$1,199

§       N20 from AU$1,999, NZ$2,399

§       N50 from AU$2,299, NZ$2,799

§       N80 price to be confirmed

Specifications

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than 8,000 and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s turnover for 2007 was 6.9 billion US dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100” and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service in Taiwan. For more information, visit www.asus.com.au.

Monday 20th October 2008 – SEGA® of Europe, Ltd. today announced that Phantasy Star Portable™ will be coming to Australia exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.  Based on a recent chart topping and critically acclaimed Japanese title, gamers can now experience the exhilarating RPG adventure of the Phantasy Star Universe series anytime, anywhere. 
 
“The Phantasy Star Universe series offered a compelling role-play experience with excellent multi-player modes in delightful atmospheres,” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director for SEGA Europe. “These aspects are represented authentically in Phantasy Star Portable, including exclusive new features just for the PSP version allowing fans of this series to enjoy the quest on the move.”
 
Featuring over 150 new weapons and items exclusive to the PSP version, Phantasy Star Portable takes place just after the events of Phantasy Star Universe.  Players will partner up with Vivienne, a brand new character to the series, to investigate an outbreak of wild animals that may possess the remnants of a once-powerful malevolent force.  Selecting from three class types and four different races, players will be immersed in the intriguing single-player Story Mode and addictive Phantasy Star Universe co-op gameplay.  Teaming with up to three others, players will experience new adventures via the PSP wireless connection.  Exclusive new missions and hardcore features, including Item and Enemy Book records and Titles are unlocked by achieving difficult goals; this will add tremendous replay value to Phantasy Star Portable making it the most addicting action-RPG on the PSP system.

Phantasy Star Portable will be released in Autumn 2009 exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.  For all press assets, please visit www.sega-press.com.

About SEGA® Europe Ltd:
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega-europe.com