Weekly news Bulletin
Activision Blizzard
11 million fans keen on World of Warcraft
The popular game World of Warcraft® now has over 11 million players worldwide, a milestone reached as beta-testing drew to a close on the second World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King®, which is currently available in several countries. Since its North American release on November 23, 2004, World of Warcraft has become the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) worldwide. Most recently launched in Russia and Latin America and available in eight languages, the game is played in continental China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Chile and Argentina plus the territories of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, in addition to North America and Europe.
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Universal Music Group
Avatars
William Sheller has just released his latest album, Avatars (Mercury Records). Recorded in Paris and London, the album’s impressive cover features a whimsical Sheller sporting a shaggy new look. Sheller’s music is symphonic as always, but also has a decidedly 70s pop sound on this album. Maestro Yvan Cassar conducted the string section, while Jacques Erhart (Henri Salvador, Camille, Gérard Manset and BB Brunes) produced the album. Avatars marks Sheller’s return to his roots and is already being heralded as the virtuoso’s big comeback.
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SFR
Unlimited music downloads
SFR is now launching the first mobile music download platform along with interoperable digital file formats. Free of DRM (a copy protection system), SFR’s “Non-Stop Musique” unlimited service plans make it possible for customers to download favorite tracks to their mobile phones and easily transfer them to any type of digital music player. Download as many songs as you like in one of three genres (pop rock, rap/R&B or electro) from a catalog of several thousand titles. Plans like these round out SFR’s online music offering and underscore its commitment to music.
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Maroc Telecom
Mobile Internet
Maroc Telecom’s 3G+ Internet promotion will introduce customers to all of the services offered by Menara, the leading Internet service provider in Morocco. Menara 3G+ makes it possible to access the Internet on-the-go: customers can easily check their e-mail and download music and videos to their 3G mobile phones, notebooks and desktop computers, wirelessly and from anywhere. Until December 31, 2008, Maroc Telecom is also offering a 50% discount for the first three months with all new 3G+ service agreements.
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CANAL+ Group
Not without my Canal+!
The Canal+ Group has unveiled its new Canal+ Key, an HD DTT decoder the size of a USB key that functions on a computer, not a TV set. Customers can use the highly portable device to watch Canal+ Le Bouquet channels (Canal+, Canal+Cinéma and Canal+Sport) over high-definition DTT while away from home or simply in another room of the house. This innovative new key is part of the New TV Experience program, which offers customers more content, flexibility and mobility than ever.