Do you have a need for long, long life storage of your mst3k videos, 1980’s mp3 collection,  or other BOFH backup need?  Fear not, a new startup company is in final patent and licensing with Philips to release a DVD that can be read for 1000 years, as compared to the 3-12 year span of typical DVD burns.  Dubbed M-ARC, a special burner with an enhanced laser and enhanced media is used but the discs can be read by conventional DVD/ROM drives.

Industry representatives tell of a 31% decline in console and software sales for June 2009 as compared to last year.   This makes four continuous months of decline and  a record drop in sales that hasn’t been seen for nine years.

Audio Authority audio and video electronics, made in the USA!  Help America and buy American electronics.

Few details are available, but  Best Buy is test marketing electric bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and Segways at more than 20 of its West Coast stores.   More details here.

Off topic for copperbox.net, but Harley Davidson motorcycles, of which the staff at copperbox.com prefers, is citing “ugly economic environment soured consumer spending” for the sharp drop in sales.

Worldwide sales showed a similar 30% fall.

In a direct blow to the Pre user community, Apple released iTunes 8.21 which reportedly  provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices.”"

Third party software will still allow the Pre to sync with iTunes, but, Apple just might have another volley.

Read the entire story.

Just three months ago, Facebook had 200 million users. Now they’ve reached a staggering 250 million.

Industry insiders say that the impressive growth has been in overseas markets in which the typical user is accessing Facebook via mobile device rather than a PC.

See the full article here.

Analysts forecast a global drop in overall PC sales by 4%, with desktop PC’s down 18% and notebook sales increasing by 11%. This 4% is the largest drop seen since the dot-com bust of 2001 in when overall PC sales slid 5%.

Ritz Camera’s CEO David Ritz said he is confident that his retail chain will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In a prepared statement today, Ritz confirmed ongoing negotiations with two potential buyers and either one would continue operations.

Back in February, Hulu showed an impressive 33% growth. Now Hulu adds ABC programming to its NBC and Fox lineups. Online video is hot and is giving traditional TV and iTunes downloadable shows a run for their money.