e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[newelong]

Gilgamash ... re: ECLIPSE ...

I finally tracked down the press release and the post that I alluded to in my previous message ...

"SAN FRANCISCO & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2003--Good Guys (NASDAQ:GGUY), the largest specialty retailer of higher-end consumer entertainment electronics in the nation, today announced plans to offer Eclipse's premium mobile audio and multimedia entertainment electronics. The products are expected to be available at all Good Guys locations by early March.

"Eclipse is pleased to welcome Good Guys to our network of specialty retailers, who have been carefully selected to ensure that every piece of Eclipse equipment is installed perfectly and keeps on performing at its very best," said Ray Windsor, vice president of sales and marketing, Eclipse. ... "

http://www.businesswire.com/gguy/

The following is from our PR dated 1-7-02 ...

"Vannin Gale, Senior R&D/Marketing Manager, of Eclipse, added, "e.Digital is on the cutting edge of digital convergence and will be instrumental in providing complete system integration with interactive video, navigation, music, web e-mail, and infotainment capability for both OEM and aftermarket automotive products. This collaboration provides an immediate opportunity to deliver fully integrated digital data management solutions, as an option or upgrade to our already substantial installed customer base."

http://www.edig.com/news/releases/pr010702.html

The following is from Blackdog6`s post dated 1-11-02 ...

"Also, While Fujitsu 10 is 51% owned by Toyota, the only model I heard they were using the Eclipse in was the Lexus. Eclipse hopes to sell upgraded units to the some 400,000 existing Eclipse owners out there....a nice start.

http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=EDIG&read=879352

My contention here is that, based on my conversations with RP, "OEM" products are still a ways down the road yet.

The following describes the attributes of the ECLIPSE COMMANDER ...

"The Commander incorporates state of the art Voice Control software from Pronounced Technologies, the leader in voice activation and speech recognition. Using this software, the Commander enables you to control a variety of functions by speaking preset commands. ... for ... Vehicle Function Control, Hands-Free Cellular Control, Navigation System Control and Audio System Control [Volume and Power, Radio Station Selection & CD and CD Changer Control]".

Here are some components of the Company`s "Design Philosophy" ...

"The E-LAN Advanced Date Link System provides you with the flexibility of adding new and future components to your ELCIPSE system. The data link system consists a of "wired" network that allows several ECLIPSE components to be connected with a single cable from the head unit. The cable connects to the first component, then the other components can be "daisychained". The E-LAN system enables you to purchase components and later easily expand your ECLIPSE system. E-LAN is not compatible with E-BUS.

[Auxilliary Input] ... A rear-mounted connector enables you to connect a separate audio source (MP3 player, satellite radio receiver, etc.) to play through your ECLIPSE audio system.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/

Here is some information regarding the ECLIPSE AV Center Control System ...

"The AV8132 sets the standard for integrated in-dash units that really do it all when it comes to mobile entertainment - DVD, CD, MP3 and AM/FM - with all the advantages of dynamic 5.1ch sound and related DSP features. The smart AV8132 will easily control other components when you want to expand your system with ECLIPSE's E-LAN technology. ESN E8 6.5" Wide TFT Display DVD Multi-Source Tuner with MP3/5.1 ch Decoder[

* Compatible only with Advanced E-COM to be released Winter 2002.
•The AV8132, AV8022 and AV8012 models are for the North American market.
•Design and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/attention/62/62_03.html

Here`s something else that I found kind of interesting ... [excerpts from 1-6-03 press release; used on-line translator] ...

In establishment of Toyota physical distribution center being attached

The Fujitsu ten ( head office: Kobe city president: Main Takamitsu capital of hammer: 53 hundred million Yen ) , in order to assure the improvement of efficiency of the physical distribution, it established " Toyota physical distribution center " in Aichi prefecture Toyota city, worked from this day January 6th.

At the same physical distribution center, the car audio * visual * navigation product for the Toyota dealer is handled. ...

In addition, in the future, by the fact that, it expands as import base of the product which is produced in the foreign country the line genuine products it handles for the dealer not only the product, it is the plan that it assures the more rationalization of domestic physical distribution system.

Summary of Toyota physical distribution center

...
3. Handling list of items ... For the Toyota Motor Corporation car audio * visual * navigation supplies

http://www.fujitsu-ten.co.jp/release/2003/20030106.htm

Now, you say here: " ... Just think, the New car Models are on the Factory production lines already. Toyota owns over 51% of Eclipse Ten, and every new car will have an Eclipse Commander with MP3 in the dash..."

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=730700

Based on what I`ve found so far, I probably would be willing to agree that Toyota may very well be wiring who knows how many cars in the factory to accommodate various optional components, including our HD1213 Removable MP3 Player, which I suspect will at first be available only through the ECLIPSE "network of specialty retailers". If the words of Vannin Gale above regarding e.Digital and "complete system integration" still ring true, this thing could get pretty interesting, IMHO !!

I appreciate the effort of you and the others who went to CES 2003, and if you have any comments about the foregoing, please let me know. Also, I would be interested in any information you have regarding "Advanced E-COM" or that "ECLIPSE Commander Advance" if you`d be so kind ... I`ll be happy to provide you with my e-mail address.

NEWe.LONG