2K Games Announces BioShock®2 Now Available Worldwide   no comments

Posted at 6:00 am in Uncategorized


Sequel to the 2007 Game of the Year welcomes players back to the decayed magnificence of Rapture with rave reviews from the industry's top critics

New York, NY – 2K Games announced today that BioShock®2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2007 Game of the Year, is now available worldwide for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows-LIVE. Building upon the original game that shipped more than three million units worldwide, BioShock 2 delivers a single and multiplayer video game experience that is both an artistic achievement in entertainment and a highly addictive first-person shooter.

"BioShock represented a watershed moment in the gaming industry when it illustrated that games, like feature films, can be viewed as art – both in art design and in the rich depth of the narrative," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "Most importantly, the media are stating what we've known all along; that whether or not you've played the original, BioShock 2 is a worthy successor to one of the best games of all-time that should not be missed."

The single player serves as a sequel to the original game and provides fans with an unsettling storyline, dazzling visual design and the evolution of the genetically enhanced shooter gameplay. Set almost a decade after a grueling civil war consumed the once magnificent city of Rapture, evil reverberates through the halls and a wickedness once thought gone forever returns along the Atlantic seaboard. An unspeakable series of kidnappings from local seaside communities by an unseen monster leads to the repopulation of Little Sisters in Rapture's failed utopia under the ocean. Players must step into the boots of one of gaming's most iconic characters, the Big Daddy, as they traverse through the fallen city, fending off attacks from an army of genetically modified Splicers, while searching for escape and the key to their survival.

Multiplayer in BioShock 2 provides fans with a rich and engrossing prequel experience that expands upon the fiction of Rapture's origins. Set during the year before Rapture's descent into chaos, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a key provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city that was first explored in BioShock. Players will enter into areas from the original title as they struggle to gain superiority in franticly paced battles.

Following in the critically acclaimed footsteps of its predecessor, BioShock 2 has already received high scores from the top gaming and consumer press: ? "This is one of the best games you'll ever play." – PlayStation: The Official Magazine, 5 out of 5 stars, Editor's Choice Award

? "2K Marin has breathed incredible life into nearly every aspect of Ryan's undersea society, not only justifying the need for a sequel, but leaving me incredibly eager to re-explore its dilapidated halls." – GamePro Magazine, 5 out of 5, Editor's Choice Award

? "You will be utterly absorbed." – Official Xbox Magazine, 9.5 out of 10, Editor's Choice Award

? "It's a rare thing for games built with this kind of big budget to take seriously a thematic cohesion between setting, story, and gameplay, yet that's exactly what we get here." – IGN.com, 9.1 out of 10, Editor's Choice Award

? "The mechanics that made the original BioShock such fun return, better than before." – PC Gamer, 90%, Editor's Choice Award

Beyond the gaming press, Playboy Magazine, the iconic men's lifestyle magazine, awarded it a perfect four of out four stars and selected it as Game of the Month.

BioShock 2 was developed by 2K Marin in collaboration with 2K Australia, Digital Extremes and 2K China for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows–LIVE, and is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

For more information on BioShock 2 please visit www.bioshock2game.com, www.cultofrapture.com and www.somethinginthesea.com.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. Take-Two also distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. The Company's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and 'Games for Windows' and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our dependence on key management and product development personnel, our dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles for current generation platforms, the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games, our reliance on a primary distribution service provider for a significant portion of our products, our ability to raise capital if needed, risks associated with international operations, and the matters relating to the investigation by a special committee of our board of directors of the Company's stock option grants and the claims and proceedings relating thereto (including stockholder and derivative litigation and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors). Other important factors and information are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, in the section entitled "Risk Factors," and the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Written by admin on February 10th, 2010

Dave Gorman returns to BBC Two in search for more Genius ideas   no comments

Posted at 5:34 am in Uncategorized


Dave Gorman is calling on the British public to come forward with new ideas to help improve humankind and bring joy to the nation, for a second series of his hit show – Genius.

Following the success of the first run, Dave will be returning to BBC Two later this year with another six-part series of his intelligent and funny show.

Once again he will enlist the help of some celebrity guests and together they will debate the merits, imagination and fun of the brilliant and bizarre ideas sent in by the public.

Over the course of the series members of the public will be invited on to the show to pitch their ideas and inventions for making the world a more fun place and a chance to be awarded genius status.

Highlights from last series included making the Isle of Wight symmetrical, teaching maths through dance and making fizzy onion juice as a thirst-quenching drink!

Dave Gorman said: "I'm obviously delighted that Genius is coming back for more. In times like this we should remember that ideas – clever ideas, hair brained schemes and the downright daft – are perhaps this country's greatest natural resource. I'm looking forward to celebrating more of this nation's most eccentric thinkers soon."

Katie Taylor, Executive Editor for BBC Entertainment, said: "I'm thrilled to announce the recommission of Genius and Dave's return to BBC Two. Series One brimmed with brilliant, intelligent and off the wall ideas, and we're all looking forward to seeing what the British public come up with next."

Filming of series two gets underway in May and for more information on how to take part visit: bbc.co.uk/genius.

Genius was commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two, and Katie Taylor, Executive Editor for BBC Entertainment.

The producer is Simon Nicholls (Genius series one and the original radio series), series producer Ali Bryer Carron (Bellamy's People) and Paul Schlesinger as executive producer.

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Written by admin on February 10th, 2010

Body Bar Flex Inventor Presenting at SCAHPERD Convention   no comments

Posted at 9:00 pm in Uncategorized


Power Walking Using the Body Bar Flex Walking Bars

BOULDER, Colo. – February 9, 2010 – Body Bar® Inc. a premier fitness company specializing in products and educational tools for fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, announced that Gordon Brown, inventor of the Body Bar Flex™, Body Bar Flex Power™, and the Body Bar Flex Walking Bars™, will be presenting at the Southern District American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SDAAHPERD) in Myrtle Beach, SC to be held Feb 11-14, 2010.

Who: Gordon Brown, a composites specialist, developed the Body Bar Flex™, the Body Bar Flex Power™ and the BodyBar Flex Walking Bars™. Brown has licensed this patented method of exercise to Body Bar Inc. for development and distribution.

What: Power Walking using The Body Bar Flex™ Walking Bars
This training session will focus on the correct ways to hold the Body Bar Flex Walking Bars and various ways to strengthen and tone the muscles of one's wrists, arms and upper body while walking. Attendees will learn how to create resistance greater than the one-pound weight of each bar while enhancing the cardio and muscle-development aspects of walking.

Where/When: 2010 SDAAHPERD/SCAHPERD Convention
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Mr. Brown will be presenting on Friday, February 12, 2010.
Time: 1:15-2:15 PM
Room: Ballroom C

For More Info: www.aahperd.org/about/districts/southern/convention.cfm

About Body Bar® Inc.
Founded in 1987, Body Bar® Inc. provides the infinite workouts and solid educational tools that fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities still choose after 23 years – because they work. The company has created a strong presence through the original weighted fitness bar, The Body Bar®, and the extensive 'Master Your Body' DVD series of workout programs. Body Bar®, Inc. provides quality products and innovative educational tools with a commitment to changing lives worldwide through functional fitness. We consider passion, integrity and fun to be essential elements of our content and community. Body Bar® Inc. is a sponsor of the USA Women's Wrestling team and sponsors several wrestling tournaments throughout the U.S.

Body Bar products can be purchased online through www.bodybar.com 1-800-500-2030. Everyone is invited to join Body Bar Inc. on Facebook and Twitter.
###
Body Bar is a registered trademark of Body Bar Inc. Body Bar Flex is a trademark of Body Bar Inc.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

Legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame Gets High Tech Guide   no comments

Posted at 1:52 pm in Uncategorized


HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 9, 2010: In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Geodelic Systems and HWOF LLC, announce the immediate availability of the HWOF iPhone and Android local discovery application powered by Geodelic. Known throughout the world, the Hollywood Walk of Fame attracts millions of tourists each year to Hollywood. The new HWOF app, which is available for free from either the iPhone App Store or by downloading the Geodleic app in Android Market. With the new app, fans can easily locate any of the 2,399 stars in and around Hollywood Blvd. Users simply launch the app to see all of the nearby stars or they can search for their favorite stars by categories such as movies or, television. Users can simply tap on stars to receive biographical information, career highlights, and even photos. Geodelic and HWOF are bringing the Walk into the 21st Century with its own local discovery mobile application

'Millions of tourists come to Hollywood each year and when they look down at the sidewalk, they see names they know, names they barely remember, and names that they have never heard of and now they can learn about the person behind the name.' said Paul Nerger, Partner at HWOF LLC. The new mobile application lets fans instantly learn about the people honored with the sidewalk stars. The HWOF mobile app uses Geodelic's easy user interface and content publishing technology to create a far more enjoyable and informative Walk of Fame Experience.

'The Geodelic app is all about providing users the ability to instantly discover their surroundings wherever they. Our new expanded product feature, called On-site Experiences, allows brands and businesses to easily create on-site guides for mobile phone users via Geodelic's publishing system. The HWOF app is a perfect example of how any content provider can go mobile quickly and affordably', said Rahul Sonnad, founder and CEO of Geodelic.

ABOUT HWOF LLC – we help fans and tourist learn more about the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood area. HWOF operates the websites www.hwof.mobi, designed for mobile phone users, and www.hwof.com, designed for PC users. HWOF is not affiliated with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce of the Hollywood Historic Trust.

ABOUT GEODELIC INC. Geodelic is a Santa Monica based technology company, creating a location-based publishing and discovery platform. Geodelic's service automatically presents points of interest based on user location and context. Businesses and locations can author their own customized Experiences, providing a powerful means to engage and interact with customers on-site. Geodelic is leading the way, with the most robust location-based publishing tools in the world.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

Fastest Full-Time (Running) Workers in the World Headed to Johannesburg, South Africa   no comments

Posted at 12:07 pm in Uncategorized


The 27th Annual JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Championship Makes its 1st Appearance Outside of New York on March 4

NEW YORK – The JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge® Championship, which has brought the fastest companies in the world to Manhattan for nearly three decades, is moving overseas on March 4.

The 27th annual Championship will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 3.5-mile road race will feature the first-place men's, women's and mixed teams from all 12 cities in the 2009 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series.

A total of 144 runners — representing companies from six countries on five continents – will compete at the historic Wanderers Club. The race will immediately precede the regularly-scheduled J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in Johannesburg.

The Championship features competition in men's (four men), women's (four women) and mixed (two men/two women) team divisions. The first-place team in each category can accurately refer to itself as "the healthiest company in the world."

The trip to South Africa will mark the first time that the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Championship will be held outside of metropolitan New York. The event debuted at the New Jersey Meadowlands in 1983, moved to Wall Street in 1984, and had been held on Park Avenue each fall from 1985-2008.

Since 2001, the Corporate Challenge Series has expanded internationally with events added in Sydney, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Singapore. To reflect this global diversity, the championship will rotate annually to other Corporate Challenge cities.

"We are continually working to bring exciting innovations to the Championship," noted Barbara Paddock, Senior Vice President for JPMorgan Chase & Co., the owner and operator of the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series. "This move to South Africa was enthusiastically received by the participating companies, with all 36 qualifying teams accepting our invitation to compete.

"This also signals," Paddock continued, "that the Corporate Challenge Series is stronger than ever."

The Championship participants qualified at seven U.S. cities that host Corporate Challenge events – Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, New York, Rochester, San Francisco, and Syracuse, and overseas locations Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, Singapore and Sydney.

"The Championship-qualifying companies will love experiencing the Corporate Challenge in Johannesburg," Paddock said. "The setting truly captures the global essence of our Series. And South Africa will take a great deal of pride in hosting the first Championship out of the United States."

The 2009 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series featured more than 220,000 participants from over 7,700 companies around the world. Of this throng, the most elite 144 runners from 36 teams earned the trip to Johannesburg.

The complete list of qualifying companies (listed in order of men's, women's and mixed teams):

Sydney, Australia – Macquarie (men's and women's teams); KPMG
Johannesburg, South Africa – Transnet Rail Engineering (men's and women's); Bateman Engineering Projects
Singapore – Bikelabz; Singapore Armed Forces; Singapore American Schools
Chicago – General Electric; CNA; Sargent & Lundy
Rochester, NY – Corning; Greece Central School District; University of Rochester
Buffalo – Moog; Amherst Central School District; M&T Bank
New York – The Running Company; United Federation of Teachers/Department of Education; Memorial Sloan Kettering
Syracuse – General Electric; Lockheed Martin; Fayetteville-Manlius School District
Boston – Raytheon; Fidelity Investments; Saucony
Frankfurt, Germany – Ministry of Interior and Sport; Hessen Police; Roche Diagnostics
London – Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Deloitte (women's and mixed teams)
San Francisco – General Electric, Google, Sports Basement.

MEDIA NOTE: A full menu of feature stories on the qualifying companies in the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge is available by following this link. Interviews with any of the participants can be facilitated by contacting Alan Tieuli at (508) 529-6781 or tieuli@aatandsonspr.com

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

Oscar® Shoulders Co-Hosts in 82nd Academy Awards® Poster   no comments

Posted at 12:07 pm in Uncategorized


Beverly Hills, CA — 82nd Academy Awards® co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have landed on the shoulders of the Oscar in the official poster of the March 7 telecast. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that the poster is now available for purchase.

The 27×40-inch color poster is printed on premium quality, Forest Stewardship Certified paper. LA-based creative shop Omelet is responsible for the concept and execution of the design, which features tuxedo-clad Martin and Baldwin on the shoulders of a giant Oscar statuette. 'You've Never Seen Oscar Like This' is the year's campaign slogan.

Posters are available for purchase on the Academy's Web site at http://www.oscars.org/academy/posters-books/posters/ or by calling 1-877-335-8936. Each poster is $25, plus shipping and handling. This is the only 82nd Academy Awards commemorative item available for sale to the public.

Thousands of posters also will be distributed to a variety of venues worldwide.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

Avaya Delivers Converged Network Equipment Solution to Support All Voice, Data and Video Requirements for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games   no comments

Posted at 12:07 pm in Uncategorized


BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Avaya, a global leader in enterprise communications systems, today announced it has deployed the first converged network equipment solution for powering all voice, video and data traffic on the Bell Olympic network to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

As the official converged network equipment supplier to VANOC, Avaya is supporting the delivery of Bell's Olympic network. Bell is VANOC's Exclusive Telecommunications Partner delivering the all-IP Games.

The network, which has carried live business traffic for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games staff since the summer of 2009, now supports operations for communications, transportation, registration and accreditation of athletes and media, public safety, ticket sales and other critical elements including the timing, posting and certification of event scores. During the Olympic Games, the network also will carry all broadcast media feeds, scores and statistics, enabling VANOC to provide this information instantaneously to audiences around the globe.

"In many ways, the converged network solution we are providing to VANOC and Bell is similar in performance, reliability, security and scope to running the communications infrastructure of a small country," said Kevin Kennedy, president and CEO, Avaya. "Avaya is proud to share in the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games – the international cooperation, sporting competition, and goodwill among nations – and to have this unique opportunity to showcase our solutions on such a global stage."

More than three billion television viewers across 160 countries will have access to live event coverage, as will more than 10,000 media representatives from print, television, radio and Internet outlets that will pull broadcast feeds, scores and statistics directly from the network. These varying bandwidth requirements of the media will dwarf the needs from all previous Olympic Games, and Avaya's converged network equipment solution for powering all voice, video and data traffic helps provide Bell with a more flexible and cost-effective approach for managing such high volumes of traffic.

When the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games begin on Feb. 12, 2010, the network will support more than one million visitors and operations personnel and connect more than 15 Olympic Games venues across some of the most challenging, rugged and remote terrain for deploying network equipment. It will support the personal communications of 5,500 Olympic athletes and officials from 80 countries, as well as more than 25,000 on-site volunteers.

"This year, we are backed by a highly-sophisticated network architecture from Bell and a network equipment solution from Avaya that for the first time converges voice and video into a much more powerful system that can support a much broader range of operations — and do it much more efficiently," said Ward Chapin, chief information officer, VANOC. "We are setting a new standard of excellence by which future Olympic Games communications systems will be judged."

The Avaya system was designed to be one of the most efficient and sustainable Olympic Games network equipment solutions deployed to date. Avaya data solutions deliver up to 40 percent in energy savings over comparable industry equipment, and although much of this equipment is being installed for a large, one-time event, approximately 98 percent of the total deployment will remain in place at the venues, be refurbished and repurposed for other deployments, or disposed of in a sustainable fashion through end-of-life e-waste programs.

About Avaya
Avaya is the global leader and expert in business communications. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

Tekkoshocon Expands in Pittsburgh with Four Days of Concerts, Events   no comments

Posted at 11:03 am in Uncategorized


PITTSBURGH, PA – Tekkoshocon, Pittsburgh's anime and otaku culture convention, expands this year to provide four days of fun for fans of anime and Japanese media from Thursday, April 8, to Sunday, April 11.

Headlining convention programming is a genre-spanning series of concerts. Leading off are Internet phenoms the LeetStreet Boys, whose pop-rock anthems thrill congoers with witty anime and video game references. Singer/songwriter Mari Iijima, whose recent Macross collaboration single "Iki wo Shiteiru Kanjiteiru" debuted in the Oricon weekly Top 10, will make a rare East Coast appearance. Also appearing in concert is Pittsburgh native Vic Mignogna, who has released five studio albums in addition to earning fame for his myriad voice acting roles. Finally, Japanese visual-kei/industrial band Suicide Ali will be performing twice throughout the weekend as they film a concert DVD.

These concerts take place as part of a weekend packed with events. Gothic/Lolita fashion enthusiasts and the curious alike will enjoy a fashion show where models will present looks from top brands. For cultural enthusiasts, the Confused Greenies troupe from Cleveland, Ohio, will present traditional Japanese comedy with modern sensibility during their presentation of Mad Words: The Art of Kyōgen. Hobbyists will find several panels and workshops, such as demos in the dedicated AMV theater and model building tutorials run with the cooperation of the Three Rivers chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society. Additionally, Sleeping Samurai will be on hand to demonstrate traditional sword techniques and invite attendees to try their hand at foam combat. These events take place alongside countless others such as game tournaments, fan panels and dances.

Guests from the anime, tokusatsu, video game, podcasting, and comic realms will highlight this year's Tekkoshocon as well as featured contests in model building, AMVs, cosplay, and cosplay prop construction. The convention website at http://www.tekkoshocon.com features frequent updates to the guest lineup as well as detailed event information.

ABOUT TEKKOSHOCON INC.: Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tekkoshocon Inc. seeks to promote multicultural awareness with a particular emphasis on Asian and Japanese culture. In addition to hosting and participating in community events, Tekkoshocon Inc. currently presents two major events each year: Tekkoshocon, Pittsburgh's anime and otaku culture convention, and the KuroKiiro Festival, an educational event dedicated to promoting Japanese traditional and popular culture to a wide audience.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010

BBC 1Xtra launches HomeGrown Hero online poll   no comments

Posted at 12:52 am in Uncategorized


As part of 100% HomeGrown season, which launches today on BBC Radio 1Xtra, the station has launched an online poll at bbc.co.uk/1xtra to discover who listeners think is the most influential British black music act of all time.

The shortlist for HomeGrown Hero was selected by a panel of Radio 1Xtra DJs and Producers including Ras Kwame, Mistajam, Semtex and Target and features artists from the Eighties through to the present day spanning genres including soul, RnB, drum & bass and rap.

The acts shortlisted are:

Craig David
So Solid Crew
Dizzee Rascal
Goldie
Derek B
Aswad
Roni Size
Sade
Soul II Soul
Wiley

BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ MistaJam says: "At a time when British music is gaining the worldwide recognition it deserves, we pay homage to and salute those trailblazers who helped build the foundation for this success. Each of the shorlisted pioneers is worthy of the title and I'm glad I don't have to pick a final winner. One thing is for certain – the UK Music scene wouldn't be where it is now if it weren't for these artists."

Radio 1Xtra DJ Ras Kwame, who presents the regular HomeGrown show on the station adds: "As much as the panellists have been immersed in home grown music over the years, choosing 10 acts to salute as groundbreakers in the field was pure blood, sweat and tears! The contributions of our chosen few to UK music and culture is a great indication of the bright future ahead for British talent."

Radio 1Xtra hip-hop DJ Semtex adds: "The beauty of the UK scene is that it is vibrant, diverse and always evolving. The artists that we have chosen are unique visionaries; they are pioneers and trendsetters within their respective genres. Their contribution to the music industry and influence on popular culture cannot be denied. This list is our history."

The poll forms part of three week-long season of special programming on Radio 1Xtra.

Week one looks at the past – celebrating the pioneers of black music; week two focuses on the current crop of artists on the scene, while week three looks to the future, taking a look at the home grown acts tipped for success in 2010 and beyond.

The result of the poll will be revealed on Sunday 28 February during the 100% HomeGrown Show.
Notes to Editors

Radio 1Xtra is the BBC's black music digital radio station, with a strong emphasis on live music and supporting new UK artists. Its tagline is "Love black music Love 1Xtra".

From hip-hop to RnB, garage to drum & bass, 1Xtra blends the best in black music with entertainment, documentaries and news.

1Xtra boasts a range of world class music DJs including Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood, Mistajam and Semtex.

BBC Radio 1xtra is available on DAB Digital Radio, TV and Online.

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Tele Atlas Helps Drivers Find Their Way Around Vancouver in February   no comments

Posted at 12:50 am in Uncategorized


LEBANON, NH – If you're headed to Vancouver this month, digital maps and dynamic content leader Tele Atlas can help you find your way around the city, from locating the nearest ATM or Chinese restaurant to finding the fastest routes around town.

Tele Atlas maps of Canada are available on TomTom devices, in the TomTom app for iPhone and in a range of navigation devices and applications. Tele Atlas maps are rated highest in terms of quality and reliability and cover Canada's 33 million inhabitants, with more than one million kilometers of roads and a full range of points of interest (POIs). In greater Vancouver, Tele Atlas POIs include:

• 655 bank/ATM locations

• 353 gas stations

• 232 parking areas (91 open lots, 141 garages)

• 591 parks and recreation areas

• 6,121 restaurants

• 41 theatres

• Public transport, including the latest Canada Line rapid transit stations

• 3D images of key buildings, such as BC Place

Tele Atlas maps also include improvements made to the Sea to Sky Highway, a major route connecting Vancouver to Whistler, and are the only digital maps to include one of Vancouver's newest landmarks, the Golden Ears Bridge. Opened in June 2009 and located southeast of downtown, the bridge was built to reduce congestion and provide more options for travelers and businesses.

With an influx of visitors and temporary road closures already in place, the city of Vancouver is sure to see its share of traffic jams. Historical traffic data from Tele Atlas may help drivers judge the minimum time it will take to get from one venue to another.

Tele Atlas Speed Profiles, integrated as IQ Routes™ on TomTom devices and available in other applications, aggregates the actual speeds that millions of anonymous, GPS-enabled drivers have traveled over the last two years. This community of drivers, which opts in to share information, provides actual average speeds for every five minutes of the day on the road network and helps show a far more accurate view of historic traffic.

In Speed Profiles, a road is considered congested if drivers can travel at only 70% or less of the posted speed limit. The Speed Profiles data in greater Vancouver show that:

• On typical days, it takes between 7-9 minutes for the average driver to travel between the airport and Richmond, site of several sports complexes. The longest drive is usually between the Langley section of the city, site of many hotels, and the Whistler skiing area. On average that trip takes between 2:15 and 2:30, but with added traffic and strict travel restrictions, travel times will alter dramatically this month;

• Granville Street, cutting through the heart of the city and carrying traffic between downtown, the airport and Richmond, is consistently the most congested street in the city. Other top congested streets in Vancouver are Oak Street, Hastings Street, SE and SW Marine Drive and Boundary Road;

• In the downtown area, up to 24% of all the roadways have congestion at some point during the day, due to the predominance of businesses, restaurants and entertainment hotspots;

• Kingsway Street, which runs diagonally through the city, is the longest stretch of congested roadway in Vancouver, with an average of 14 total kilometers of congestion.

To see a map with Vancouver's most congested roads and for further information go to www.teleatlaspresskit.com.

Recent quality tests show that Tele Atlas maps of Canada rate highest in terms of quality and reliability. In every market tested in Canada, including in Vancouver, Tele Atlas maps rate highest because they have the most addresses and POIs and the most accurate routes, helping drivers save time and money. Tele Atlas quality testing uses a process certified by the TÜV SÜD, a leading global testing and inspection organization with 14,000 experts providing consulting, testing, certification and training services at more than 600 locations in Europe, North America and Asia.

About Tele Atlas
Tele Atlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power many of the world's most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and has offices in 27 countries around the world. Today, Tele Atlas products are developed with the insight of a community of millions of digital map users worldwide, who are adding to the company's unmatched network of sources to track and validate changes in real time, and deliver the best digital maps and dynamic content. For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com or http://investors.tomtom.com/index.cfm. Tele Atlas is a subsidiary of TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2).

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Tele Atlas and the Tele Atlas logo are registered trademarks of Tele Atlas.

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Written by admin on February 9th, 2010