[Marketing] Competitive Landscape: Asus Launches NetPal, Disney-Branded Netbook for Kids in "Princess Pink" and "Magic Blue"; will be launched in 21 countries

[Sean DALY]

https://licensing.disney.com/Home/display.jsp?contentId=dcp_home_pressroom_pressreleases_dcp_home_pr_us_netbook_computer_061609&forPrint=false&language=en&preview=false&imageShow=0&pressRoom=US&translationOf=null&region=0&ccPK=dcp_home_pressroom_press_room_all_US

http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/16/disney-netbook-asus-technology-personal-tech-disney.html
http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2009/06/disney-asus-team-up-on-netbook.html
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=2699
http://www.pcworld.com/article/166780/asus_and_disney_join_forces_on_kidfriendly_netbooks.html

from the PR:
"magical and engaging computing experience with a unique Disney user interface"
"40 robust parental control options... parents have ultimate control
over the experience, with the power to set limits on how their kids
are using the PC... designed to be kid-friendly, both in terms of
durability and content permissions"
"the Disney browser launches numerous kid-friendly Disney websites for
kids to explore"

When they cite parental controls three times in the press release, you
can be 100% sure that Disney's market studies have identified that
fear as top-of-mind for parents purchasing for small children. Very
useful for us to know, we will need to address that issue...


Distribution: Toys 'R' Us, DisneyStore, Amazon.
Announced availability in USA: late July
MSRP: US $350


Software:
Disney Magic Desktop (apparently EasyBits) over Windows XP Home
Preinstalled Disney/Pixar themes: Cars, Club Penguin, Disney Classic
Characters, Disney Fairies, Disney Princess, Vintage Mickey Mouse, Toy
Story, WALL-E, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers; character icons can be
associated with e-mail addresses
Disney Mix for music and media management
Disney Pix for photo customization and organization includes
Bobblehead software (kid's head)
Radio Disney widget streams real-time music and lets kids requests
tunes from Disney (!)
Games: driving game, number game, memory game
Photo scrapbook


Hardware:
1.6GHz Intel N270 processor
1GB RAM
8.9" 1024x600 screen
16Gb SSD/160Gb HDD
SD/MMC card reader, SDHC compatible
0.3-megapixel camera
VGA port
Ethernet RJ-45
3 USB ports
Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
Headphone / Mic-in
spill-proof keyboard
Asus "ShockShield" data protection for rough handling


- Sean