| Freescale SoC Engine In Ford Sync
Freescale Semiconductor's i.MX31 multimedia applications processor, which integrates an ARM116 processor core alongside a Java accelerator, is the engine behind Ford's recently announced Sync in-car communications and entertainment system. Based on Microsoft Auto software, the Sync system is designed to provide consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring nearly any mobile phone or digital media player into their vehicle and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle's steering wheel or radio controls. The 400 MHz version of the i.MX31 processor, with its highly efficient memory system, is designed to provide ample processing power to run the Microsoft operating system, handle audio signal processing for hands free phone operation, and perform all of the voice recognition functionality in the Sync system.
Pinnacle Has Rough Q4
On Thursday, Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK) reported a fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA drop of 25%, to $34.5 million, on a 6% decrease in revenues, to $212.7 million, largely because of extraordinarily tough comps. During last year's Q4, the company's Boomtown New Orleans property benefited greatly from operating in the market without having to face Harrah's (NYSE: HET) New Orleans and with virtually no competition from the nearby Mississippi Gulf Coast, where all of the casinos were closed from the fallout of Hurricane Katrina (with the exception of three that returned to the Gulf Coast last December). Revenues at Boomtown New Orleans dropped 38% to $40 million, leading to a hefty 60% decline in EBITDA, to $12.4 million. Meanwhile, the Belterra Casino Resort in Indiana saw EBITDA drop 27%, to $6.4 million, on what the company described as a "self-induced" increase in marketing spending in response to a new competitor opening in French Lick.
No more baby for Yayo Aguila and William Martinez
Kahit na puwede pang magbuntis, wala na raw plano si Yayo Aguila at ang kanyang mister na si William Martinez na madagdagan pa ang kanilang tatlong anak na puro mga babae. Nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Yayo sa media launch ng Bagets Foundation sa Max's Restaurant, Roces Avenue in Quezon City. Kapansin-pansin ang pagiging slim ngayon ni Yayo dala ng pagkahilig niya sa badminton. "Pareho kami ni William na nahilig na sa badminton," sabi ni Yayo. "Kapag wala kaming parehong trabaho, yun ang ginagawa namin. Ang maganda kasi is you meet up with friends sa badminton court. Kami-kami rin ang nagkikita-kita kaya hindi nawawala yung tsismisan." Matagal din daw na inasam ni Yayo na pumayat siya kaya gusto na niyang i-maintain ito.
Fight on for pay-per-view crown
NEW YORK -- In the tough business of putting on pay-per-view events, Ultimate Fighting Championship is no longer getting counted out. The upstart company that specializes in mixed martial arts matched the once-dominant World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. in pay-per-view revenues during 2006 and surpassed boxing-titan HBO. The three companies make up the bulk of the pay-per-view business. "It was a killer year," UFC president Dana White said. .
Very little entertainment
MUMBAI: For the media and entertainment industry, the only spark of good news is in the area of digitalisation of film exhibition and distribution. On all other fronts, the Budget seems to have more minuses than pluses for the industry. While tax deductions and exemptions have been given to the digital cinema segment, broadcasters will be impacted by the extension of Customs duty on equipment such as TV cameras, auto recording equipment, channel video mixer/switches, which were previously exempt from Customs duty. This is likely to increase the overall capital expenditure for broadcasters, especially for news channels. Said Times NOW CEO Sunil Lulla: "Despite having no domestic sources of broadcast equipment, CVD continues to be levied on import of broadcast equipment which will impact our costs." Also, set-top boxes have come into the tax net with the CVD and excise duties exemption being withdrawn, making it more expensive to manufacture STBs locally.
Kris Aquino rushed to the hospital again!
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) just received an unconfirmed report about 10:30 in the evening tonight, February 28, that Kris Aquino was rushed to the Makati Medical Center. The TV host-actress was said to have felt a sudden pain in her stomach. According a PEP source, Kris is now in stable condition. She is already home, resting. The doctors strictly advised her to have a complete bed rest. This is the second time she is brought to the hospital in a week. Last Thursday, February 22, Kris was also brought to the hospital due to "premature labor pains," which was caused by stress. In an interview with Korina Sanchez for The Buzz and Rated K that aired last Sunday, February 25, she revealed that the issues surrounding her marriage with James Yap is affecting her pregnancy.
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