Monday, October 27, 2008

Comcast Begins Rollout of Extreme 50 Mbps High-Speed Internet Service

Plans to Reach More Than 10 Major Markets and Nearly 10 Million Homes and Businesses in the Next Several Months

Two New, Faster Speed Tiers Introduced and Speeds Doubled for Most Existing Customers

Comcast, the nations leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, today announced it is making the leap from broadband to wideband with the launch of next-generation DOCSIS 3.0. With wideband, Comcast will introduce a brand new echelon of Internet speed tiers, which will redefine the customer experience online and create a platform for Internet innovation in the years ahead.

In the next few weeks, Comcasts new services will be available to millions of residential homes and businesses in parts of New England, including the Boston Metropolitan region and Southern New Hampshire, as well as areas of Philadelphia and New Jersey. These services also will be available in the Twin Cities where wideband was launched earlier this year. Comcast plans to continue to roll out wideband across its footprint and expects to reach more than 10 major markets and pass nearly 10 million homes and businesses in the next several months.

With wideband, Comcast will offer among the fastest speeds available today, including the Extreme 50 tier at up to 50 Mbps. It also will enable Comcast to double speeds for the majority of existing high-speed Internet customers at no additional cost.

Wideband is a game-changer for the industry. With wideband running over our next-generation fiber-optic network, we can greatly enhance our customers online experience immediately. And these speeds are only a preview of whats to comewideband will provide the capability of delivering dramatically faster speeds in excess of 160 Mbps in the future, said Mitch Bowling, SVP and General Manager, Comcast Online Services. Todays announcement reaffirms our commitment to offer more speed to more homes than any other U.S. Internet service provider.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

EA Passes Go to Release Monopoly Across Multiple Video Game Platforms


Digital Versions Complement the Classic Game with New Twists on Gameplay

The Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts, Inc. today announced: MONOPOLY for the Wii, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems is now available at retailers nationwide. The video game, which took inspiration from Hasbros brand new MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition board game, also is currently available on mobile phones and Pogo.com.

The MONOPOLY video game brings the classic board game into the digital realm with state-of-the-art twists and turns while staying true to the rich 70-year heritage of the original brand.

Its exciting for EA to bring the worlds most popular board game to interactive life on a wide variety of gaming platforms, said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA Casual Entertainment. Weve brought a classic game that families have been enjoying for generations into the digital arena, giving players a new way to rediscover and experience their favorite board game.

The MONOPOLY video game makes gameplay accessible for players of all ages and skill levels. The digital versions feature multiplayer capabilities allowing up to four aspiring tycoons to play simultaneously. In addition to classic MONOPOLY gameplay, EA has created several new features including the ability to unlock multiple never-before-seen game boards that each carry a unique theme such as jungle, snowy ice and delectable desserts.

Another digital twist includes shorter bursts of gameplay such as Richest Mode which allows players to complete a game of MONOPOLY in 30 minutes or less. Adding to the fun are 12 mini-games that have been designed to keep players engaged and entertained throughout gameplay such as Get out of Jail where you saw prison cell bars to escape and Take a Ride on the Reading which challenges gamers to stop on-time at each train station.

MONOPOLY fans worldwide will be enthused about trying their hand at winning it all with this modern classic, said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. EA has done a great job of digitally recreating one of the worlds best-selling board games, adding features that make the digital experience fresh and fun, but honoring the integrity of MONOPOLYs history.