Content about electronics

LOS ANGELES — 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios are bringing a popular sports film to Blu-ray in June.

"Hoosiers," starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper, is based on the true story of the Milan High School basketball team and its journey to the state championship. The Blu-ray includes such features as commentary by director David Anspaugh, deleted scenes, "Hoosier History: The Truth Behind the Legend," as well as the original 1954 Indiana high school championship game.

Drug stores are cautiously expanding their consumer electronics selections. MP3 players, digital cameras and pre-paid mobile phones are finding a place beside the more traditional mix of handheld tape players and clock radios in the channel.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The latest edition of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise is making its Blu-ray and DVD debut on April 17 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.

"Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" will be available in a limited-edition three-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, which includes more than two hours of special features. The film also will be available as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and as a single-disc DVD.

WAITSFIELD, Vt. — Verilux is gearing up to launch new lighting products this spring.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Looking to put America's inventors front and center by uncovering the next great product, Walmart and @WalmartLabs have kicked off the "Get on the Shelf" contest.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Facebook fans are getting an early shot at coupons for gifts and stocking stuffers as part of a new promotion announced Monday.

Rite Aid launched its "25 Deals of Christmas" promotion, which will allow visitors to a special tab on Rite Aid's Facebook page to download coupons for such items as beauty items, men's grooming gift sets, electronics and toys. The promotion started Monday and lasts until Dec. 23.

Alkaline batteries are showing tepid growth, and experts expect sales to plunge as much as 3% as fierce competition among manufacturers continues to pressure pricing. More devices are using built-in rechargeable battery systems — another trend hurting primary battery sales.


LOS ANGELES — A thriller starring Academy Award winners Rachel Weisz and Vanessa Redgrave is coming to Blu-ray and DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

"The Whistleblower" tells the story of a United Nations peacekeeper (Weisz) in post-war Bosnia, who uncovers a deadly sex trafficking ring and seeks to expose the corruption. The Blu-ray and DVD formats both include such features as special cast and crew interviews.

"The Whistleblower" will debut on Blu-ray and DVD Jan. 24, 2012.

NEW YORK — Clarity, a Plantronics company, recently launched two new loud, easy-to-use cordless phones designed for people with hearing loss, low vision or mobility challenges.

The new Clarity XLC2 and XLC3.4 phones amplify incoming sounds, remove unwanted and distracting noises and provide interference-free communication to give users a customized listening experience. The phones also feature three tone settings, are compatible with hearing aids and include a loud speakerphone, while the XLC3.4 also features a caller ID screen, the company said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart operator Sears Holdings reported Thursday that its loss widened in the third quarter on softness in its Canada division and on weaker consumer electronics sales.

The company recorded a loss of $421 million in the quarter ended Oct. 29, compared with a loss of $218 million a year earlier.

Revenue slipped 1% to nearly $9.6 billion from about $9.7 billion, missing the $9.63 billion expected by Wall Street, and marking the fourth straight quarter of revenue declines.

TOKYO — Drug Store News caught up with Continua Health Alliance’s executive director Chuck Parker following the CEATEC Japan conference, an IT and electronics trade show, to get a glimpse into what tomorrow’s self-care diagnostic devices might look like.


As many as 25 Continua members showcased new consumer healthcare services in early October at the show, some of which are slated to launch in November in Japan.


PORTLAND, Ore. — Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, on Tuesday announced a distribution agreement for its line of contract-free cellular phones and plans at 826 Walgreens locations throughout Florida.

The line of phones includes a Motorola WX345, which features a digital camera, MP3 player and FM radio for $34.99 and the Doro PhoneEasy 410, which features an easy-to-read color display, large buttons, backlit keypad, vibrating ringer and Bluetooth technology for $59.99.