November 5, 2010 - Merck KGaA announced today that it will be exhibiting at the FPD International, one of the leading events for the flat panel display industry, from November 10 to 12, 2010 in Makuhari/Chiba, Japan. The global pharmaceutical and chemical company will be highlighting its innovative products for the display, lighting and photovoltaics segments.Within its liquid crystal product range, Merck is going to present PS-VA (Polymer-Stabilized-Vertical-Alignment), a novel premium technology that offers better contrast, greater brightness, faster switching speed and makes it possible to reduce power consumption in LCD televisions. The colors appear more intense, warmer, and more natural. In addition, the spatial depth of the display is greater and movements are more lively. Also the newest screen-generation - 3D displays - will profit from this Merck technology. Merck's PS-VA materials are a part of the innovative licristal portfolio, which is based on a combination of a liquid crystals mixture with specially designed reactive mesogens resulting from a sophisticated production process.Merck will also be providing information on its liquid crystal materials for ultra-fast switchable Blue Phase devices, which is seen as a future technology for extremely rapid picture motion, high contrast ratio and wide viewing angle. Cost-effective production is predicted due to the cell layout without alignment layers and less critical cell gap control.For patterned retarders in transflective LCDs and 3D displays Merck has used their in-depth experience to develop a range of ready-to-use reactive mesogen formulations which are being promoted under the name licrivue. The latest notebooks with 3D capability are based on the patterned retarder film type using Merck's reactive mesogen materials and have recently become commercially available.In the lighting industry, Merck has also established a reputation as a reliable partner. Under the brand name isiphor the company offers a wide spectrum of efficient lighting materials for manufacturers of LEDs. These support color-on-demand concepts ranging from warm to cold white light.For small molecule-based OLEDs Merck offers the extended livilux range that now includes a complete new set of electron, hole transport and matrix (host) materials.For manufacturers of flexible displays, organic solar cells and organic RFID chips, the lisicon brand offers a broad spectrum of printable organic electronic materials such as organic semiconductor formulations, dielectrics, surface treatment materials and process aid chemicals.For smart and simple patterning in the display and photovoltaic industry, the efficient and environment-friendly isishape products should be the first choice. One of the highlights is isishape HiperEtch, which is able to selectively etch antireflective coatings, passivation layers, and transparent conductive materials for displays and related applications. They are particularly recommended for new-generation touch panels and flexible displays.Merck will also introduce its activities on materials for colored electrophoretic displays (EPD). Under the name lisiflex Merck develops EPD fluids consisting of highly engineered colored polymer microparticles which enable display manufactures to design in-plane or vertical color filter free EPD pixel architectures.All Merck products mentioned above are eco-friendly materials, enabling green manufacturing processes and reducing the energy consumption of the devices that contain them.

Chicago - (Business Wire) - NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today the new 19-inch MultiSync EA192M and 20-inch widescreen MultiSync E201W to the desktop product lineup.Compared to previous generations of NEC's desktop LCD monitors, the LED backlight technology in both the MultiSync EA192M and E201W allows less greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces power consumption and heat radiation. These new LED-backlit models also use more recycled plastics, less hazardous materials and are mercury-free, a significant advantage when compared to conventional CCFL-backlit LCD monitors.The ambient light sensor, which automatically adjusts the brightness to the optimal setting depending on ambient lighting, screen content or both, has been added to the MultiSync EA192M and E201W to further minimize power consumption. DisplayPort connectivity is also implemented on both models, providing expanded connectivity, along with VGA and DVI-D.The 20-inch widescreen MultiSync E201W is a new size available as part of the MultiSync E Series. It features a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1600x900 native resolution. The 19-inch MultiSync EA192M features a 5:4 aspect ratio, 1280x1024 native resolution and has long been a highly desirable size for enterprise businesses. Its integrated down-firing speakers and headphone jack enable business conferencing. Both models feature a fully adjustable ergonomic stand, including 110mm height-adjust, pivot, tilt and swivel capabilities."NEC is introducing more LED-backlit LCD desktop monitors to help protect the environment," said Lynn Gu, product manager for NEC Display Solutions. "Our goal is to help our customers lower their total cost of ownership throughout the life of the display and provide features that make daily operations simpler and more productive."Below is a partial list of features included in the MultiSync EA192M and E201W:LED backlight technology25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratioFully ergonomic adjustable stand (110mm height-adjust, tilt, swivel and pivot)Expanded connectivity with DisplayPortIntegrated down-firing speakers (EA192M)Ambient light sensor automatically minimizes power consumptionECO Mode allows users to manually adjust the display's brightness to two preset settings, including Energy Star, which saves more power and reduces energy costsCarbon footprint and cost meter allow users to quickly and easily track the savings of green gas emissionsCompliant with the newest standards, such as Energy Star 5.0 and TCO 5.0EPEAT SilverThe MultiSync EA192M and E201W will be available in November 2010 at an estimated street price of US$239 and US$199, respectively. Both ship with a 3-year parts and labor limited warranty.NEC MultiSync EA192M 19-inch LCD monitor Photo: CompanyNEC MultiSync E201W 20-inch widescreen LCD monitor Photo: Company

Gigabyte Technology has introduced its latest notebook, the Booktop T1125, featuring a 11.6-inch touchscreen panel. The notebook can be instantly turned into a tablet PC and is able to act as a desktop PC with a docking station.The notebook adopts the latest Intel Core i5 or i3 ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors and is incorporated with Nvidia's Optimus technology and USB 3.0 ports. For multimedia support, T1125 features built-in HDMI, THX-certified, optimized sound performance and four dual-channel stereo speakers.The T1125 is scheduled to launch later in November with a suggested retail price of US$1,299.Gigabyte Booktop T1125 notebook (desktop mode)Photo: Company

Chicago - (Business Wire) - NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today the new MultiSync PA231W, a 23-inch professional graphics monitor designed specifically for photographers and users working in color-critical applications.The MultiSync PA231W offers users enhanced connectivity, including DisplayPort, two DVI-D inputs, VGA and a USB hub. Its unparalleled color performance brings 71.6% coverage of the NTSC color space, full HD resolution (1920×1080) and a high contrast ratio of 1000:1. Graphics professionals will appreciate its 14-bit 3D lookup table (LUT) for precise color calibrations. Additionally, by utilizing DisplaySync Pro technology, users can control two computers connected to the MultiSync PA231W with only one keyboard and mouse, each with its own color space. This feature is essential for photographers working in different color spaces and operating systems."The addition of the MultiSync PA231W provides our customers with more options when it comes to choosing a professional-grade display for their workspace," said Art Marshall, product manager at NEC Display Solutions. "Key technologies in this product combined with eco-conscious features enable users to depend on their monitors for accurate color, great ergonomics and convenience."The widescreen MultiSync PA231W offers the following features:1920×1080 full high-definition resolution270 cd/m-squared brightness1000:1 contrast ratio14-bit 3D lookup tables for calibration75.4% coverage of AdobeRGB, 96.6% coverage of sRGB and 71.6% coverage of NTSC color space46W typical power consumption, 15W in ECO ModeDisplayPort, two DVI-D inputs, VGA and USB hub (2 computers, 3 devices)4-way ergonomic stand with 150mm height adjust, pivot, swivel and tiltAmbiBright ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the display's brightness based on external lighting conditionsECO Mode, carbon footprint meter and cost meterDisplaySync Pro controls two computers with only one keyboard and mouseColor Vision Emulation allows a quick preview of colors that emulate color vision problemsEnergy Star 5.0 complianceThe MultiSync PA231W will be available in November 2010 at an estimated street price of US$679 and ships with a 4-year parts and labor limited warranty.NEC Display Solutions 23-inch professional graphics monitor, the MultiSync PA231WPhoto: Company

LCD panel maker AU Optronics (AUO) has introduced a 14-inch solar-powered touch keyboard solution for notebook. The thickness of the solar module used in the solution is reduced to 2.1mm. The solar module is built within the notebook's cover and keyboard panel to absorb both sunlight and electric light, and lowered the use of electric power by 20%.The specially designed transparent touch keyboard enables users to readily move about their fingers and control the images for the enjoyment of trendy technology, the company said.This solar-powered touch keyboard notebook solution will be showcased on November 10 at the upcoming FPD International 2010 during November 10-12 in Chiba, Japan.AUO 14-inch solar-power touch keyboard notebook solutionPhoto: Company

St. Louis, Missouri, USA – October 28, 2010 – Laird Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the design and supply of customized performance-critical components and systems for advanced electronics and wireless products, today announced the release of its enhanced MRC Series Thermoelectric Recirculating Liquid Chiller.MRC Series Thermoelectric Recirculating Liquid Chiller is a self contained device that offers dependable, compact performance by controlling the temperature of a coolant in a liquid circuit. The coolant is recirculated using a brand name pump with high mean time between failures (MTBF). Heat from the coolant is absorbed by a heat exchanger and dissipated through high-density heat sinks equipped with premium fans. The heat pumping action occurs from custom designed Thermoelectric Modules (TEMs) in order to achieve long life operation. The unit is regulated with an easy-to-use digital temperature controller and is housed inside an aesthetic sheet metal casing. The unit operates on a universal input voltage of 115 to 230 VAC, and is UL certified and RoHS compliant. Products in this series are offered in two configurations."Feedback from customers was to develop a chiller that could run continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Extensive research into the reliability of primary and secondary components was conducted, and Validation Testing confirmed improvements could be achieved in five component areas," said Andrew Dereka, Laird Technologies Thermoelectric Product Manager. "The enhancements were implemented more than a year ago, and feedback from the field has been extremely positive."Key benefits include compact size, solid-state construction, and environmental friendliness. In cooling capacity requirements below 400 Watts, there is a considerable size and weight advantage over conventional compressor-based systems. There are no CFC refrigerants, so the design contains less moving parts, requires less maintenance, and does not harm the environment. This makes the product ideal for integrating into laser or imaging systems that have tight geometric space constraints and weight limit requirements.The MRC Chillers dissipate the heat generated from laser systems by keeping the optics at a stable temperature so they operate at peak performance. They provide optimal temperature stabilization in applications such as DPSS laser systems for precision cutting in high tech manufacturing processes and semiconductor wafer cutting. They are also applied in medical applications such as CO2 and YAG laser systems for cutting human tissue in cosmetic treatments, and for maintaining the temperature of imaging detector heads used in capturing high resolution images of patients.As an industry leader in high-performance and cost-effective Thermal Management Solutions, Laird Technologies provides the knowledge, innovation, and resources to ensure exceptional thermal performance and customer satisfaction for applications in the medical, analytical, telecom, industrial, and consumer markets. For more information, please logon to http://www.lairdtech.com/.

Micro-Star International (MSI) has rolled out the FR600 3D multimedia notebook equipped with 3D graphics technology and cinema-quality THX TruStudio Pro smart wrap around sound. Pairing up with 3D glasses, users can enjoy an all-new 3D multimedia experience with true-to-life graphics, MSI claimed.The 15.6-inch FR600 3D also boasts Intel's Core i5 processor, that features Intel Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technology, as well as MSI's own Turbo Drive Engine (TDE) technology to instantly throttle up system performance with the click of a button.The FR600 3D is equipped with MSI's exclusive ECO Engine power-saving technology, which offers users five power management levels for video games, film, presentations, word processing, and turbo battery, to enhance battery efficiency and further battery life. MSI FR600 3D notebook specifications Item Detail Processor Intel Core i5 Operating system Windows 7 Home Premium Memory DDR3 1333MHz up to 8GB Display 15.6-inch HD LED backlight (16:9), 3D display Graphics Intel HD Graphic Video output One HDMI, one VGA Hard drive 320/500/640GB Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2010MSI FR600 3D notebookPhoto: Company

Ake Success, N.Y. - (Business Wire)--Canon USA, a leader in digital imaging, today announced the REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector, the company's first high-resolution projector for the installation market. Ideal for use in a wide range of professional venues including conference centers, corporate boardrooms, educational institutions, houses of worship, medical facilities, government offices, museums, theme parks, and photo studios, this new model delivers higher-than-HD-resolution (1920x1200) widescreen images with an aspect ratio of 16:10 and high brightness level of 4,000 lumens. The projector employs Canon's latest fourth-generation proprietary AISYS-enhanced LCOS optical engine, the advanced projection-display technology that delivers crisp, seamless images with intricate detail, high brightness, high contrast and accurate color. Additional key features include access to three new high-resolution interchangeable Canon projection lenses as well as motorized lens shift for installation flexibility."Canon's commitment to the ever-growing installation market is increased by the widescreen, high-definition, large-image display capabilities of the new REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive VP and general manager, consumer imaging group, Canon USA. "Customers will see the superb display performance that has come to be expected from the REALiS product line."Canon's exclusive AISYS technologyCanon's proprietary AISYS (Aspectual Illumination System) technology maximizes the display capabilities of the LCOS panels used in all REALiS projectors. AISYS enhances LCOS by efficiently utilizing and equalizing light from the projector lamp. The result is smooth, high-brightness, high-resolution images free of the "screen door" and "rainbow" effects seen in other projection-display technologies.The fourth-generation AISYS-enhanced LCOS technology built into the REALiS WUX4000 projector exceeds the performance of earlier designs by providing 20 percent more brightness than the REALiS WUX10 projector (based on same lamp wattage and panel size) together with highly accurate color reproduction utilizing a newly-developed Canon Color Reproduction IC equipped with a 3D-LUT (Look-up Table). The advanced algorithms made possible by the 3D-LUT deliver a wide color gamut together with precision luminosity adjustment. A dynamic gamma feature can also optimize tonal gradation and contrast, which can be beneficial when displaying movies with low-contrast scenes.Interchangeable lenses extend versatilityFurther contributing to the display excellence of the new REALiS projector, as well as to its installation convenience, are the three optional high-resolution interchangeable lenses available for the unit. These lenses – including a 1.5x Zoom, 0.8x Ultra Wide Angle single focal length, and 1.7x Long Focus Zoom – incorporate advanced low-distortion and high-resolution optical technologies originally developed for Canon's EOS DSLR camera lenses. Engineered to minimize brightness loss, each lens is the same physical length, due to the use of advanced Canon aspherical elements. This uniformity of length can simplify shipment of assembled projector/lens units for rental/staging companies, and avoid lens-overhang issues when mounted inside projector-lift systems.Motorized lens shift and other convenience featuresAdditional installation convenience is provided by the projector's motorized Lens Shift feature. This enables installers to overcome moderate projector-placement obstacles by shifting the lens itself to adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the projected image. (This is done using the projector's control panel or remote control.) The projector can be ceiling-mounted with a plate or extension pole using either Canon's mounting bracket or products from independent ceiling-mount companies. The projector can also be installed vertically or stacked.The Canon REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector's lamp and air filter assemblies can be expediently replaced from the side/back of the projector, and its optical filter element can be replaced from the top of the unit for added convenience and economy.Multimedia device compatibilityIndustry-standard digital and analog terminals and connectors ensure the REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector's compatibility with a wide range of video and computer devices. Signal inputs include HDMI Version 1.3, DVI-D and analog PC terminals, two audio inputs, and one audio output for external amplification and speakers. A built-in five-watt speaker is also included. A convenient User Memory feature stores up to ten different setting combinations based on the content being shown. Five memory settings are for computer sources, such as DVI-D, analog PC, and HDMI (PC). The other five settings are for video sources, such as component and HDMI (video). A network-ready RJ-45 port allows for authorized users to manage and control multiple projectors from any PC on the network. An RS-232 serial connection allows for monitoring the projector locally through a third-party control system. A hand-held remote control enables users to control four WUX4000 projectors individually or simultaneously. Lens Shift and Gamma Control buttons are also included on the remote control.Price and availabilityThe REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS Projector has a suggested list price of US$8,999 and is scheduled to be available through authorized Canon dealers in March, 2011.Canon LCoS projector, the REALiS WUX4000Photo: Company

TOKYO, Japan, October 27, 2010 – Seiko Epson Corporation today announced that it has developed a new display controller platform for electronic reading devices and other electronic paper products that provides laser-sharp image quality and rapid refreshes. The company will begin shipping the platform to e-paper-based product manufacturers in April 2011. The display controller platform is built around core semiconductor chips and firmware used to control the driving of e-paper displays. These components are optimized to run together as a fine-tuned system.The display control platform will enable e-paper product manufacturers to speed up their time to market by allowing them to efficiently develop products with fast display refresh times and the ability to display images as sharp and clear as any produced by a laser printer. Notably, the platform will facilitate the development of products for business and education applications, which typically require higher image quality and faster displays.Epson is the world's leading supplier of controller ICs for e-paper displays, partnering with E Ink Holdings (EIH) of Taiwan, the world's leading supplier of e-paper. With more than a decade's worth of research and development in e-paper, Epson has accumulated a storehouse of technology and know-how, not to mention a large number of industry-leading patents.Achieving a high-performance e-paper display normally requires fine-tuning of the display controller IC, peripheral devices, and firmware so that they operate optimally as a system. Currently, however, most e-paper product manufacturers combine supplier devices and components into a package with limited optimization. In addition, although current mainstream e-paper displays are 160 dpi, there are growing market needs for e-paper displays with higher resolution and high speed refreshes.Epson is looking to change this situation and improve e-paper device performance by developing an optimized display controller platform for high-resolution e-paper displays. Toward this end, the company is leveraging its highly popular display controllers, along with its technological expertise, to tightly integrate the core devices, including the application processor, system power management IC and firmware. Further, it is combining them with the image processing technology that Epson originally developed for its photo-quality printers.The display controller platform employs a newly developed e-paper display driving scheme that is unlike those used in current e-book readers. The new driving scheme capitalizes on high-speed image processing technology originally developed for Epson's photo-quality printers to enable e-paper displays with resolutions of 300 dpi and higher to be refreshed at high speed, which is ideal for higher education, professional office and general business environments.E-paper devices outfitted with the display controller platform and a high-resolution e-paper display will render intricate content, such as Chinese characters, mathematical formulas and engineering drawings, as well as illustrations, photographs and other images that require smooth gradations, much more clearly than current e-paper displays. They will also be able to flip through the pages of an e-book much faster than existing e-readers. When combined with sensors, these devices will provide powerful handwriting recognition, a critical function for business applications. The sharp improvement in readability and usability are expected to fuel the popularity of e-paper products in Japan, China, and other regions where Chinese characters are used, as well as in business and education applications where huge amounts of data have to be processed.In addition to its traditionally strong business in controller ICs for e-paper displays, Epson has identified the display controller platform as one of the electronic device businesses where the company will seek to fulfill its SE15 Long-Range Corporate Vision of creating platforms through the relentless pursuit of innovation in compact, energy-saving, high-precision technologies. As a leader in e-paper devices, Epson is committed to making major ongoing contributions to the popularity and future market growth of e-paper products, by improving their performance and developing new business applications.Seiko Epson controller platform for e-paper productsPhoto: Company

New York, New York - October 26, 2010 - Barnes and Noble, the world's largest bookseller, today announced the launch of NOOKcolor by Barnes and Noble, the ultimate reading experience - the first full-color touch Reader's Tablet that delivers digital books, magazines, newspapers and children's books in immersive, gorgeous color, and all in one beautiful, thin and highly portable device.NOOKcolor is now available for US$249 for pre-order at http://www.nookcolor.com/ and at Barnes and Noble stores tomorrow, and will begin shipping on or about November 19. Touch the future of reading at a NOOK Boutique or display at your favorite Barnes and Noble bookstore, as well as at Best Buy, Walmart and Books-A-Million starting late November.The first full-color touch device dedicated to reading everything and built on Android, NOOKcolor opens up a whole new world of digital reading materials of all kinds, in addition to providing access to the largest bookstore with an unprecedented selection of over two million digital titles a single search away. Digital content - from bestsellers to favorite magazines in full color, and interactive children's picture books and enhanced cookbooks - has never looked better than on NOOKcolor's stunning 7-inch VividView Color Touchscreen.Building on Barnes and Noble's nearly 40 years of bookselling and publishing expertise, the company quickly became a leader in the digital arena following the introduction of its award-winning, bestselling NOOK devices, popular free software and expansive digital bookstore last year. This newest addition to the NOOK device family was designed for people who love to read every kind of content imaginable - and features 8GB of space, plus expandable memory, to store it all. NOOKcolor enables quick and easy shopping and book downloads in seconds over Wi-Fi. NOOKcolor is also the most social reading device ever built - with Barnes and Noble's new NOOKfriends technology, you're only touches away from sharing with friends via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail."With NOOKcolor, we've combined the functionality and convenience of a 7-inch portable wireless tablet with the reader-centricity of a dedicated eReader, and employed a breakthrough color screen technology that will wow customers," said William Lynch, CEO of Barnes and Noble. Added Lynch, "NOOKcolor enables Web browsing over Wi-Fi, music, games and much more, but reading anything and everything in brilliant color is the killer app and squarely the product's focus. At US$249, NOOKcolor offers a tremendous value, particularly in comparison to the many other 7-inch tablets coming to market at twice the cost and often requiring expensive data plans. Most importantly, NOOKcolor is designed for and differentiated by what Barnes and Noble knows best: reading."NOOKcolor's vast array of digital contentNOOKcolor offers all the content you love, at your fingertips, experienced like never before, through Barnes and Noble's newly expanded NOOKbook Store.Shop over two million titles: NOOKcolor provides access to the most expansive digital catalog available so you can browse more than two million books, enhanced books, newspapers and magazines, engaging children's books, and other interactive content in a single search. Find classics, new releases and bestsellers, including 194 of 205 current New York Times Bestsellers. Sample NOOKbook titles for free and download all content wirelessly in seconds. Since the launch of PubIt!, Barnes and Noble has also added thousands of titles from independent publishers and self-publishing authors.NOOKnewsstand - periodicals in vivid color: From The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and USA TODAY to Rolling Stone, Esquire, US Weekly, National Geographic, Martha Stewart Living, Cosmopolitan and Elle, NOOKcolor customers will find an impressive and growing list of the best daily, weekly and monthly periodicals, all optimized for the device in rich color. Magazine reading is easy and engaging with full-color pages and Barnes and Noble's exclusive ArticleView(TM) puts the focus on the content, customized to your favorite reading style. Periodicals, available by subscription and single copy, will continue to become even more interactive next year.NOOK kids experience: For the first time ever, enjoy the largest collection of popular children's picture and chapter books in an engaging digital form through the new NOOK kids offering. Through exclusive AliveTouch(TM) technology, your child can interact with words and pictures, easily find a favorite story, and even have some read aloud to them. Enjoy a broad and growing selection of more than 130 digital picture books - an unprecedented offering that will double before year's end - and nearly 12,000 chapter books for children, plus exciting enhancements coming soon.Enhanced and engaging titles: Coming soon, NOOKcolor customers will also enjoy a growing collection of multimedia titles offering instructive video and audio to learn about travel, cooking, music and more.Great reads, great prices: The vast majority of titles in the Barnes and Noble NOOKbook Store are $9.99 or less, including most current New York Times Bestsellers. In any Barnes and Noble store, read NOOKbooks for free through the company's innovative Read In Store(TM) program. On any given day, peruse as many books as you wish, for one hour per title. And enjoy more than one million free classics and even more free reading by checking out additional titles from public libraries.eReading gets (more) socialNOOKcolor makes it simple and reflexive to get social about reading. In another industry first for Barnes and Noble, the new LendMe App enables NOOKcolor users to view LendMe books in their friends' NOOKcolor digital libraries and request to borrow a title they've been meaning to read. Customers have the ability to easily lend their favorite NOOKbooks with friends through Facebook and e-mail, even using their imported Google Gmail contacts, and recommend a title, share reading status or a quote via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.Your reading experience, your wayBarnes and Noble recognizes the uniquely personal nature of reading and designed NOOKcolor to be flexible and highly customizable, so each customer can truly make it his or her own.Simply more than a touch of fun: Everything you want to do is simple and intuitive. Shopping for new content, finding and reading titles in your library and customizing the way you view your content are all a touch or two away. With a simple tap of the screen or swipe left or right, book pages turn in a flash.Personalized reading experience: Experience the flexibility and fun of completely customizing your reading experience. Choose what titles will appear on your home page and Daily Shelf, organize and view your library your way, find the right text type, size and color theme that's right for you, and read in portrait or landscape.All your content at your fingertips: Your entire library is always a touch away with 8GB of memory. That's approximately 6,000 NOOKbooks or a combination that might include 1,000 books, 25 full-color magazines, 10 newspapers, 50 kids' books, 500 songs and 150 photos. Plus, NOOKcolor has expandable memory using a microSD card. And with Barnes and Noble's Lifetime Library, existing customers of NOOK products and software-enabled devices will instantly be able to access their personal Barnes and Noble digital libraries on NOOKcolor. With this digital library advantage, Barnes and Noble ensures that your content always goes wherever you go and is always protected and accessible on a variety of devices, as well as BN.com.NOOKbook Personal Shopping: Barnes and Noble offers exclusive, personalized book recommendations from its expert booksellers, based on the genres, authors and subjects you like.Continuous reading experience: Read NOOKbooks seamlessly across your NOOKcolor, NOOK 3G and Wi-Fi devices (following a NOOK firmware update in late November), third-party eBook Readers powered by the Barnes and Noble NOOKbook Store, and your favorite mobile and computing devices enabled with free NOOK software. These include iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android smartphones, and Windows-based PCs, laptops or netbooks. NOOKcolor syncs last page read, highlights, notes and bookmarks.View your personal files: Transfer and view personal PDF and ePub files to NOOKcolor, as well as JPG, PNG, GIF and BMP files, and use personal photos for wallpaper. With Quickoffice software, view Microsoft Office files including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.Punctuate your style: Read in style with a full line of exclusive NOOKcolor accessories from Barnes and Noble, including covers with rich Italian leathers, European broad cloth and more from leading designers kate spade new york, JACK SPADE and Jonathan Adler coming soon.Attractive design and featuresTo create the most exquisitely designed dedicated eReading device on the market, Barnes and Noble worked with award-winning industrial designer Yves Behar at fuseproject. NOOKcolor's elegantly simple design in classic graphite features an angled lower corner that evokes a turned page, along with a beaded border and lustrous, soft-touch back that make holding NOOKcolor comfortable and pleasurable. No other full-color touch reading device is thinner or more beautiful.VividView Color Touchscreen: NOOKcolor features a best-in-class 7-inch color touch display like nothing you've ever seen before, particularly on a dedicated reading device. The screen displays more than 16 million colors and offers a wide viewing angle for personal or shared reading. The special design provides enhanced color tuning, gradation and reduction of glare to reduce distracting reflections.Wi-Fi connectivity: Easily connect to personal and public Wi-Fi hotspots as well as free Wi-Fi in Barnes and Noble stores to shop the Barnes and Noble NOOKbook Store and download content in seconds, surf the Web, stream music and more.Lightweight and portable: The compact device fits easily into your purse, jacket or bag at 8.1 inches (height) by 5 inches (width) by 0.48 inches (depth) and 15.8 ounces.And even more extrasNOOKcolor offers many extras with fun and useful additions to the reading experience.Game on: Enjoy fun and free games on NOOKcolor, including crossword puzzles, Sudoku, chess and many more to come.Listen to music while reading: Stream tunes from your favorite artists over Wi-Fi with Pandora internet radio's free, personalized music service. And load your MP3 and AAC songs to enjoy music while reading anywhere using the built in 3.5mm headphone jack or speakers.Surf the Web: Over Wi-Fi, use a full browser to visit your favorite Web sites, check e-mail, and more.Fun and free in-store features: In Barnes and Noble stores, connect to free Wi-Fi to browse and read the content of complete NOOKbooks for free through Read In Store, which features enhanced performance for NOOKcolor, including instantaneous page turns. And download exclusive content from bestselling authors and enjoy special promotions and discounts through the More In Store program.More extras coming: Get ready to discover more engaging content and applications in the coming months. Barnes and Noble invites content providers and application developers to create innovative reading-centric experiences through the just-announced NOOKdeveloper program.NOOKcolor availabilityNOOKcolor is available for pre-order for US$249 and is expected to begin shipping on or about November 19, making it the perfect holiday gift for people who love to read everything. Experience NOOKcolor today at http://www.nookcolor.com/ or at the NOOK Boutiques and displays in one of Barnes and Noble's more than 700 bookstores beginning in late November. Barnes and Noble's 45,000 knowledgeable booksellers will provide walkthroughs of the entire family of NOOK eReading products and free software. NOOKcolor, along with NOOK 3G and NOOK Wi-Fi, will also be available at Best Buy, http://www.bestbuy.com/, Walmart and http://www.walmart.com/, and Books-A-Million in late November.Major NOOK 3G and Wi-Fi firmware update next monthFor book lovers who crave a paper-like reading experience, NOOK continues to be the most full-featured dedicated E-Ink device on the market at a great value, starting at US$149. Following the launch of NOOK 3G a year ago, and NOOK Wi-Fi last summer, Barnes and Noble continues to enhance the overall reading experience and performance of its award-winning, best-selling NOOK E-Ink devices. A major update coming in November will dramatically increase the page-turn speed, and deliver the most-requested features and performance enhancements from NOOK customers, including improved search functionality, customized Barnes and Noble Library organization, password protection and continuous reading across all NOOK devices and software. NOOK version 1.5 software will be available at no cost next month for all current and new NOOK owners via Wi-Fi or manual download at www.NOOK.com/support."Our large installed base of more than a million NOOK customers will get our biggest enhancement release yet, all based on their most-requested features and inclusive of performance enhancements like even faster page turns," added Lynch. "With our software updates and product enhancements, we're continuing the Barnes and Noble commitment of relentless customer service to the legion of existing NOOK owners who have so faithfully contributed to our success and growth in digital reading."Barnes and Noble's NOOKcolor e-book readerPhoto: Company