Introducing Tecca - Next-Generation Personal Electronics Shopping and Information Service

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Tecca, a newly-launched company with backing from the digital media fund established by Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and Fuse Capital, today unveiled the Tecca personal electronics shopping and information service. Tecca combines comprehensive product information, pricing, and knowledge, with direct shopping access to the top seller-rated online electronics retailers in a single digital marketplace. The Tecca mobile app is available today via the Apple iTunes App Store and the Google Android Market, with mobile web, PC, and tablet versions set to launch later this fall.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100922/LA69357LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100922/LA69357LOGO)

"The speed at which technology evolves affects everyone; we repeatedly hear that constant innovation is overwhelming for consumers, who struggle to keep pace," said Ross Levinsohn, chairman, Tecca, and managing director, Fuse Capital. "Our goal with Tecca is simple: help inspire consumers to make confident decisions about personal technology and electronics, whether they're purchasing new products or making the most of the devices they already own. Tecca helps consumers navigate our increasingly complicated and connected world through a simple, free 'virtual concierge.'  From a strategic partnership perspective, Tecca is a testament to the vision we share with Best Buy to provide new, powerful, and socially-connected ways to help improve the way consumers buy, manage and use their own personal technology."

By curating product information, pricing, and knowledge from the top-rated online retailers and publishers and providing original content from its own internal editorial team, Tecca helps consumers understand new technology, products and services; compare features, functions and pricing; purchase through trusted retailers; and learn ways to make the most of the technology they already own.  With the mobile app, users can browse or search products, or simply scan the barcode, and Tecca will instantly recognize the product and provide pricing and information.

"Thanks to smart phones, mobile tech, and social commerce, consumers have more opportunities than ever to bridge their physical and digital shopping experiences," said Christine Webster Moore, vice president, new business customer solutions group, Best Buy. "Tecca offers the online electronics marketplace a fresh perspective, one that we think will help empower consumers as their lives become more connected than ever. It's also a great example of our commitment at Best Buy to look ahead and see where technology is going next in consumers' lives."  

This first installment of the Tecca service is focused on three key themes:

• Product Discovery – Search, browse, scan and tag thousands of products
• Product Research – Dig in with user reviews, image galleries and product specs
• Product Marketplace – Compare prices and buy from top seller rated merchants

The launch of the mobile app is the first step in a comprehensive product rollout, which will include a broader suite of services; over time, Tecca will offer full solutions for everyday personal technology wants and needs, and the range of information covering the lifecycle of product ownership, including resale and recycling options for old or obsolete technology.

Incubated by Fuse Capital, Tecca is led by a team of industry veterans with experience from a variety of companies, including Apple, Sony, Fox, NBCi, AOL, Netscape, Engadget, Mashable, MobiTV and Flixster/RottenTomatoes. Levinsohn currently serves as chairman of Tecca, and fellow Fuse partner, Mickie Rosen, serves as CEO. Both Levinsohn and Rosen sit on the Tecca board of directors, while continuing to source new investments and managing their existing portfolio at Fuse Capital.

For a video demo of Tecca, please visit http://www.youtube.com/teccatv.

About Tecca

Tecca is a personal electronics shopping and information service, designed to help consumers discover, research and buy personal electronics and learn ways to make the most of the technology they already own. Headquartered in Santa Monica, Tecca is a privately-held company dedicated to inspiring confidence in consumers' personal electronics decisions. For more information, visit www.tecca.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tecca.

About Fuse Capital

Fuse Capital is a leading investment and strategic equity management firm that focuses on digital media and communications. The firm brings a unique approach to investing by bringing not just financial capital, but also human capital to its investment companies. Fuse has a global presence in Menlo Park, Los Angeles, India and China. For more information, please visit www.fusecapital.com.

SOURCE Tecca