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Dell's slime-covered Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition primed for kids, nostalgic adults

Because Disney and ASUS can't have all the fun -- sharing is caring, you know -- Dell and Nickelodeon have teamed up to make some kid-catering netbooks of their own. While exact specs aren't confirmed, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is said to be based on Mini 10v, so following in the footsteps of virtually every other netbook on the market, it's more than likely got the Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. Software-wise, this baby's chockfull of parental control (courtesy of a 15 month trial version of McAfee), security, and educational applications to keep your loved ones on the right track in life -- along with exclusive early access to certain Nickelodeon episodes before they air. The slime motif is actually pretty nice and tame, but if you're wanting something more gaudy, designs based around SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly are also in the works and sure to fit that bill. Look for this one to set up shop on Dell's website and in-store at Walmart sometime in October -- price is unknown, but we can't imagine it'll stray too far from the Mini 10v's $300 tag. Full press release after the break.







Dell's New Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition Takes Personalization to New Heights With 'Slime' Motif and Unique Entertainment, Educational Content

· Design Motifs Based on Nickelodeon's Signature Slime and Hit Shows Like SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly
· Easy, Safe Online Access Plus the Best Entertainment and Educational Content
· Dell's First Product Specifically Geared Toward Kids Will Be Available Exclusively Through Dell.com and Walmart

ROUND ROCK, Texas and NEW YORK – August 11, 2009 – Proving fun and education can mix, Dell and Nickelodeon today announced the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition, a cool new netbook computer that represents the ultimate in personalization. Designed specifically for kids, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition sports Nickelodeon's trademark green slime yet is loaded with entertaining and educational content that will also appeal to moms and dads.

The News
• The Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition opens a window to entertainment and education that parents can easily monitor and control as children grow more Internet savvy. It's a durable and highly portable netbook that joins together excellent technology, content, parental controls and shopping security from the trusted names of Dell and Nickelodeon.
• Designed with kids in mind, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is wrapped in an eye-catching, Nickelodeon-inspired "slime" artwork scheme.
• Additional designs based on Nickelodeon hit properties of iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants, will also be available at Dell.com's Design Studio.
• Weighing less than 3 pounds, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition can be easily carried by kids from room to room, house to house or on the road. Based on Dell's popular Inspiron Mini 10v netbook, it features a bright 10.1-inch color LCD display and built-in wireless Internet access.
• Dell's first kids-focused product, the Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition will be available online in the United States at Dell.com and on Walmart store shelves and Walmart.com in October, just in time for the holidays. Pricing and other details will be announced prior to first shipments.

"Moms insisted that we deliver on three things when it comes to a computer for their children," said Michael Tatelman, vice president, Dell Global Consumer Sales and Marketing. "First, help provide a safe computing experience. Second, provide superior educational content as well as a world-class entertainment experience. Third, partner with trusted brands. The Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition passes with flying colors on all counts."

"We are thrilled to enter the Netbook space with a technology leader like Dell," said Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. "With the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition, we want to provide today's tech-savvy kids with a creative, fun tool to help kids excel while learning and entertaining themselves on the computer. Simultaneously, we want to give parents features to help ensure their kids are safe online. The Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition encompasses all of these things with the additive element of bringing Nickelodeon's trademark slime to life in a new, unique way."

Personalized, Unique Content

It's easy and safe for kids to send and receive e-mail, chat with new friends, challenge SpongeBob SquarePants in an online game, listen to their favorite tunes, watch their favorite programs or join a fun-filled virtual world that challenges them to expand their learning horizons.

Each Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition features an easily personalized user interface -- developed exclusively for Dell by Stardock Systems Inc. -- with Nickelodeon-branded desktop wallpaper and icons that give a truly unique, kid-friendly experience. The Nickelodeon-themed interface provides fast, easy and direct access to dedicated Web portals that serve up dynamically updated content at dedicated Dell "landing zones" at Nick.com. A special Dell-exclusive "Just for You" widget on the Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition lets kids select their own dynamically updated content from Nick.com including the latest games and TV programs.

In addition, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition will include a desktop animaticon linked to educational content from Whyville.net, where kids can actively participate in educational activities and games sponsored by authoritative organizations such as NASA, Scholastic Publishing, the Centers for Disease Control and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. For example, in one project sponsored by the University of Texas System and the School Nutrition Association, Whyville's citizens elect to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, and a nutrition calculator then determines their state of health.

The system comes with easy set-up directions and includes a 15-month subscription to McAfee Family Security, which provides comprehensive parental controls to carefully direct and monitor kids' online activities. As kids grow, parents can relax the controls at their own pace. And if it's lost or stolen, the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition can report its location on the Internet with its built-in LoJack for Laptops anti-theft program.

DELL

People worldwide can buy Dell products online, by phone and through more than 30,000 stores.

NICKELODEON

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the world's third largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 30th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 99 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 15 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

WHYVILLE

Launched in 1999, by Numedeon Inc, Whyville.net is an educational site geared toward preteens and children, and was one of the first virtual worlds for children. Numedeon was founded by Dr. James M. Bower, his students and collaborators at the California Institute of Technology interested in ways the Internet and simulation-based gaming could change education.

WALMART

Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,000 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2009 sales of $401 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey.