Now Supports Musicmatch, iTunes, New Nokia Mobile Phones
Logitech today announced that the next generation of its award-winning Logitech(R) diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(TM) product is now available and loaded with new features and capabilities. The ultra-stylish diNovo Media Desktop product has won accolades and popularity for its design, use as a control center for digital media, and innovative implementation of Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, which includes a hub for connecting Bluetooth devices to a desktop PC. The new version of the diNovo Media Desktop solution offers a significantly enhanced MediaPad(TM) product, provides improved performance by leveraging the latest Bluetooth technology (Version 1.2), and increases Bluetooth interoperability and compatibility with other devices.
"With the new diNovo Media Desktop, Logitech has built rich new capabilities into an award-winning product that industry experts and technology enthusiasts have embraced with zeal from the moment it was introduced last year," said Denis Pavillard, Logitech director of product marketing for desktops. "Now, the diNovo Media Desktop makes it even more enjoyable to use a PC to listen to music, share digital images and communicate with friends and colleagues."
Unparalleled Media Experience on a PC
To provide an unparalleled media experience with the diNovo Media Desktop solution, Logitech has enhanced the services that can be controlled through the detached multi-purpose diNovo MediaPad product, which serves as a remote commander for enjoying music, video and photos. Now, the diNovo MediaPad solution supports Musicmatch(R) Internet Radio, iTunes(R), Windows(R) Media Player 9 and Winamp 5. Musicmatch Internet radio is a free streaming-music service with more than two hundred professionally programmed channels. Users can make their Musicmatch Internet Radio selections and control the audio volume with the MediaPad solution from up to thirty feet away.
The MediaPad solution now supports the Yahoo!(R) Messenger 6.0 instant messenger service, in addition to supporting MSN(R) Messenger 6 network Internet services. The MediaPad solution also supports MSN(R) Hotmail(R) and Yahoo!(R) Mail. The MediaPad solution can also be used to navigate Microsoft(R) Windows XP Media Center 2004.
To make the media control experience even easier, the new diNovo Media Desktop solution includes Logitech(R) MediaLife(TM) software, introduced earlier this year with the Logitech(R) Cordless Desktop(R) LX 500 and LX 501 products. The MediaLife software can be controlled with the MediaPad device, and combines music tracks, digital pictures and videos into a single interface.
Support for Bluetooth (Version 1.2) Technology
The performance impact of supporting the latest Bluetooth technology is a currently estimated 25 percent improvement in the battery life of the diNovo Media Desktop mouse, keyboard and MediaPad device, when compared to the first-generation of diNovo Media Desktop product. In addition, the new diNovo Media Desktop solution features a currently estimated 50 percent reduction in latency -- resulting in faster connectivity and even smoother performance of the diNovo Media Desktop mouse. Version 1.2 of the Bluetooth technology also includes Adaptive Frequency Hopping, making the diNovo Media Desktop product the ideal solution for the growing number of customers who work on a wireless network, because it minimizes interference between Bluetooth wireless technology and Wi-Fi(R) wireless technology. The diNovo Media Desktop solution also provides interoperability with the newer mobile phones that support the Bluetooth Version 1.2 technology.
Improved Bluetooth Interoperability and Compatibility
The diNovo Media Desktop product features improved interoperability with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, provided by Logitech Mobile Phone Suite 2.0 software. For example, the Mobile Phone Suite includes an Auto Configuration feature that removes multiple steps and makes it much easier to configure the diNovo Media Desktop product and a Bluetooth mobile phone so they can be used together -- the new Nokia(R) 7610 mobile phone is the first mobile phone to be supported by this feature, and support for additional phones will follow. The Mobile Phone Suite 2.0 software also includes a One Touch Synchronization feature that makes it possible to push one button on the diNovo Media Desktop keyboard to synchronize the calendars and address books on the PC and a Bluetooth mobile phone. Nokia models that are supported by this feature include: 7610, 6600, 3650, 3660, 6230, 6650, 6810 and 6820. The Sony Ericsson P800/P900 is also supported. The Mobile Phone Suite 2.0 software also continues to offer text messaging interoperability between the PC and many mobile phones, and Logitech will continue to add support for newer phones as they enter the market.
Pricing and Availability
The new Logitech diNovo Media Desktop will be available in December in the United States for a suggested retail price of $249. It will be available in Europe in December, marketed under the name Logitech(R) diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(R) 2.0.
Upgrading Existing diNovo Media Desktop Products
Current users of the first generation of Logitech diNovo Media Desktop product may upgrade their diNovo Media Desktop solution to support the enhanced media experience, improved Bluetooth interoperability and compatibility by downloading the SetPoint 2.22 software, beginning in December 2004, at no charge, from www.logitech.com/bluetooth. Only the new-generation diNovo Media Desktop solution supports the enhanced capabilities of Version 1.2 of the Bluetooth technology.
Logitech Bluetooth Compatibility Web Site
Logitech continues to maintain a section of its Web site to provide users with all the latest educational information about configuring and using Bluetooth devices with Logitech products based on Bluetooth technology. The Web site location is www.logitech.com/bluetooth
Books
