Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end digital entertainment service and media player, today announced significant advancements for consumers. The new Zune HD touch-screen media player is now available at retail, and a powerful update to the Zune PC software is free for download. For the first time, standard- and high-definition (HD) movies can be purchased or rented(1) through the Zune Marketplace online store, and a new streaming music service on Zune.net lets Zune Pass subscribers listen to music from a Web browser. The updates to the Zune hardware, software and online services released today, combined with a new Zune video offering on Xbox LIVE coming later this fall, bring customers instant access to their favorite music and videos anywhere,(2) across their mobile device, PC and TV.

“With today’s announcement, the Zune business is growing into a comprehensive entertainment service that’s no longer tied to any one screen or device,” said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the TV, Video and Music Business at Microsoft. “Zune lets consumers connect to their music, TV shows and movie content and enjoy it on the three screens they use every day.”

Advanced Electron Beams (AEB), whose compact electron beam technology enables traditional manufacturers become more environmentally sustainable while improving profitability, today announced at Drinktec 2009 in Munich, Germany the availability of the e25ITB, an electron beam emitter designed for sterilizing the interior surfaces of bottle shaped packaging. This breakthrough in electron beam sterilization technology enables a new class of aseptic and extended shelf life filling approaches for beverage bottles.

“Beverage manufacturers around the world are eager to address consumer demand for more healthful product offerings and for more sustainable packaging at lower cost,” said Mitch Tyson, CEO of Advanced Electron Beams. “AEB’s bottle sterilization technology for aseptic packaging will let the beverage industry continue to innovate with new products and new package concepts, while reducing environmental footprint of the packaging process.”

Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) and NetDragon Websoft Inc., a leading game developer and operator in China (”NetDragon”, with its subsidiaries collectively know as the “Group”; Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), today announced a licensing agreement for the development of a new massively multi-player online role playing game (MMORPG) based on “Ultima Online”(TM) from Electronic Arts. As part of the agreement, NetDragon will develop the new Ultima Online(TM) in collaboration with EA’s Mythic Entertainment, and have the exclusive operating license for China, Hong Kong, Macau and India.

“We are delighted to further our relationship with EA through the development of Ultima Online(TM),” said Mr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon. “Capitalizing on our ability to create a strong online gaming experience, we are confident that Ultima Online(TM) will be a success in China and will also achieve remarkable results in the other markets where we’ll operate the game.”

With $32 billion gains in 2008, consumers increasingly benefit from using broadband at home, according to a research study released today by Jonathan Orszag, a former Economic Policy Advisor on President Bill Clinton’s National Economic Council; Robert Willig, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University and former chief economist in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division; and Mark Dutz, a Special Consultant with Compass Lexecon, an economic consulting firm.

The study, entitled “The Substantial Consumer Benefits of Broadband Connectivity for U.S. Households,” reveals that broadband Internet access is now considered a necessity by many American households with benefits to U.S. consumers in the areas of education, health care, work, news, entertainment and civic affairs.