GamersFirst Restores Content to Popular Martial Arts MMORPG
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- 9Dragons, GamersFirst' hit martial arts MMORPG today announced character restoration for players who played 9Dragons before the abrupt shutdown of the Acclaim servers in August of this year.
Based on thousands of character submissions, GamersFirst rebuilt characters that were above level 80 for 9Dragons players. Players that submitted requests can get directions and claim their characters at the following link:
"We are excited to finally be able to offer character restoration options for the 9Dragons community," said David Demers, Associate Producer of 9Dragons at GamersFirst. "We want players to know that we appreciate their support during our transition. We have spent a large amount of time and effort processing and improving the template characters to get players back into the game without having to redo all their hard work from before."
Those claiming characters will be guided through a simple process to retrieve their template character. Before beginning, gamers need to completely exit the 9Dragons client before beginning the restoration process.
Join the 9Dragons community today and follow news and updates at the following 9Dragons links:
Facebook - Facebook.com/9DragonsG1
Twitter - @G1_9Dragons
YouTube - Youtube.com/G19Dragons
About GamersFirst
GamersFirst is the leading Free2Play® MMO game publisher in the Western hemisphere. GamersFirst.com serves more than 30 million players in over 160 countries with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. GamersFirst.com features the hit MMOG's Hukumdar Online, Knight Online, Sword2, War Rock and 9Dragons and the future hits APB: Reloaded, MKZ, Victory and Taikodom: Living Universe. Read more about the company and its games at http://www.GamersFirst.com.
VideoIQ Announces Availability of iCVR SDK Version 3.0
New Software Development Kit Allows Partners Access to the iCVR-HD Line of High Definition Cameras
BEDFORD, Mass., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- VideoIQ, the leader in video surveillance innovation, today announced the availability of version 3.0 of its Software Development Kit (SDK) for the VideoIQ family of iCVR cameras and encoders. VideoIQ's latest SDK provides technology partners with the ability to integrate their solutions with VideoIQ's entire iCVR platform, including the latest iCVR-HD high definition cameras, to deliver the highest level of intelligent, proactive surveillance.
The VideoIQ iCVR line of cameras and encoders deliver real-time threat detection while eliminating the need for external third party Network Video Recorders (NVR), Digital Video Recorders (DVR), and Video Management System (VMS) platforms, dramatically simplifying system complexity and costs while reducing bandwidth consumption by over 90%. And with 100% self-calibrating adaptive analytics, customers achieve the greatest accuracy and lowest false alarm rate in the industry while eliminating the need to manually calibrate the system over the lifetime of the device - further reducing system costs and complexity. VideoIQ's open, published SDK allows technology partners to integrate VideoIQ's award winning adaptive analytics and leading storage solution into their own surveillance platforms.
"Version 3.0 of VideoIQ's SDK gives our partners access to the only camera with full megapixel analytics for dramatically greater range and accuracy and up to half a terabyte of onboard storage for reduced system complexity," said Mark Gally, vice president marketing of VideoIQ. "As a result, our partners are now able to further extend their solutions to include even greater proactive protection and deployment flexibility than ever before."
This latest release of the iCVR SDK expands upon previous releases and now includes:
-- Support for iCVR-HD High Definition cameras - iCVR-HD cameras are
revolutionary devices that deliver full 1080p resolution and frame rate,
zero bandwidth recording and full megapixel analytics. With up to half
a terabyte of intelligent, onboard NVR storage within each camera,
iCVR-HD high definition cameras eliminate the need for expensive storage
and separate high capacity networks - reducing deployment costs, system
complexity, infrastructure, time and resources. And with full megapixel
analytics, iCVR-HD cameras deliver over 2 times the range and 3 times
the field of view of any D1 analytic solution.
-- Event notification history - Third party applications can now
automatically pull event history information for all activity whether or
not the event occurred while the camera was connected to the application
or not, providing access to a comprehensive record of event information
at all times.
-- Support for event history notification and example applications -
VideoIQ now provides sample code for event notification, allowing even
more rapid customization of real-time notification within 3rd party
applications.
About VideoIQ
VideoIQ is the leading innovator in intelligent video surveillance. VideoIQ's award-winning IP surveillance cameras and encoders include the most advanced, adaptive analytics in the industry, onboard NVR storage and enterprise class video management. Now, VideoIQ is delivering a new standard in megapixel surveillance, with zero bandwidth recording and full megapixel analytics. VideoIQ's simple and powerful surveillance solutions allow customers to pro-actively secure their most important assets across commercial, education, industrial, transportation, telecommunications and government markets. Learn more at http://www.videoiq.com today.
SOURCE VideoIQ
VideoIQ
CONTACT: Lisa Mokaba, InkHouse for VideoIQ, +1-781-791-4560, videoiqpr@inkhouse.net
Legendary Artists KISS and Linkin Park Allow Fans to Fill Their Stockings With Downloadable Songs for Guitar Hero®: Warriors of Rock and DJ Hero® 2 This Holiday
"Rock and Roll All Nite" With The Three-Song KISS-Mas Track Pack Available Now for the Guitar Hero® Music Library
Three Original, Exclusive Mixes of Linkin Park Tracks Arrive for DJ Hero® 2 Today
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for the holidays, Activision Publishing Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Guitar Hero®: Warriors of Rock and DJ Hero® 2 are giving the gift that will keep fans rocking and mixing with new downloadable content from two of the world's best-selling artists KISS and Linkin Park.
Gene Simmons, who voiced the Demi-God of Rock in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, is back this holiday season and has brought the boys of KISS with him. Beginning today Guitar Hero® aficionados can celebrate the holidays KISS style with a KISS-mas trio of tracks featuring everyone's favorite KISS songs. The KISS-mas Track Pack contains one of the bands biggest hits and possibly one of the greatest rock songs of all time, "Rock And Roll All Nite," along with two other hit KISS tracks, "Detroit Rock City" and "Calling Dr. Love."
Linkin Park are no strangers to the remix realm, having collaborated on crossover tracks with everyone from hip-hop icon JAY-Z to world-renowned DJ Hero remixer and consultant Z-Trip. Now, two Linkin Park tracks off of their 2010 number one selling album A Thousand Suns have received the exclusive DJ Hero remix treatment as downloadable content for DJ Hero 2, including "The Catalyst (Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix)" and a mashup of "When They Come For Me" by legendary turntablist, producer and DJ Hero alumni, Diplo. Available beginning today, and rounding out the three track Linkin Park Mix Pack, is a mashup of "Pts.OF.Athrty" from the band's 2002 remix album, Reanimation.
The KISS-mas Track Pack for the Guitar Hero Music Library will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 440 Microsoft Points, on the PlayStation®Store for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for $5.49 and for Wii(TM) for 550 Wii Points(TM). All songs in the KISS-mas Track Pack will also be released as downloadable singles for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 160 Microsoft Points, PlayStation 3 system for $1.99 and Wii for 200 Wii Points each. In addition to the in-game music store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 owners can expand their Guitar Hero music library using the Guitar Hero VIP Pass Music Store, available exclusively on Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network.
The Linkin Park Mix Pack for DJ Hero 2 will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 640 Microsoft Points; and on the PlayStation®Store for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for $7.99. All mixes will be released as downloadable singles for Wii(TM) for 300 Wii Points(TM).
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, http://www.activision.com.
Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Activision are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Activision Publishing, Inc.
Activision Publishing, Inc.
CONTACT: DJ Hero inquiries, Jordan Dodge, Publicist, Guitar Hero, +1-650-930-1258, jdodge@guitarhero.com, or Guitar Hero inquiries, Drew Meyer, Junior Publicist, Guitar Hero, +1-310-255-2606, ameyer@guitarhero.com, both for Activision Publishing, Inc.
Synology Announces the Successor to PCMag's Best NAS of the Year, the DiskStation DS1511+
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Synology America Corp. today announced the release of the DS1511+, the successor to their popular flagship DiskStation, the DS1010+. The new five-bay NAS will accept up to two DX510 expansion units for a total of up to 15 drives. Using 3TB drives yields up to 45TB of storage.
The DiskStation provides a reliable solution for the standard NAS roles such as easy file sharing, scheduled backups, remote access, and centralized management. Additional services can also be enabled, such as a built-in web server capable of hosting up to thirty sites at once, or an add-on email server. Remote access has been further enhanced with apps available for free on Android and iPhone smartphone platforms.
"The DS1511+ is the most scalable and full-featured NAS of its class," said Franklin Hua, a Technical Marketing Manager at Synology America. "With the DS1511+ so affordable and packed with all the features Synology is known for, why would anyone choose DAS? This is a tremendous value."
Priced under $900, the new DiskStation runs Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) 3.0, including all the features that entails. DSM 3.0 offers users an intuitive desktop-like interface to simplify access to the DiskStation, whether locally or remotely. With its user-friendly Storage Manager and Synology Hybrid RAID, users can quickly and easily create redundant volumes.
DSM 3.0 also brings a rich integrated feature set for business users. Enhanced iSCSI support (including MPIO and MC/S) allows businesses to consolidate their storage without the cost and complexity of a SAN (storage area network). ADS integration allows use of existing domain users and groups for domains up to 100,000 users and groups. Access control lists (ACLs) allow file-level privilege control using NTFS-style permissions.
The DS1511+ also includes Surveillance Station 5, turning it into an affordable NVR (network video recorder) solution quickly. Surveillance Station 5 offers a unified interface for multiple cameras, and supports over 700 models of IP camera. In addition, the DS1511+ is backed by a competitive 3-year warranty and in-house technical support at no extra cost.
Founded in April of 2000, Synology Inc. is a leader in next-generation Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers for the home and small- to medium-sized business markets. Specializing in both hardware and software for network attached storage devices, Synology products are feature-rich, easy-to-use, energy-efficient, reliable and affordable. All Synology product investments are enhanced with product warranties, free software upgrades and 24/7 online support. Visit http://www.synology.com for more information
Synology has a global presence with regional offices in the US (Redmond, Washington), the UK (London, England) and Taiwan (Taipei).
Product Line To Continue, With New Models Slated For Debut At 2011 Consumer Electronics Show
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Jade Design, Inc. today announced it has completed the acquisition of Sherbourn Technologies of North Billerica, MA.
By January 1, 2011 all of Sherbourn's operations will be moved to Jade Design's headquarters in Franklin, TN. Jade Design, which is the parent company of Emotiva Audio Corporation, will continue to offer a complete selection of Sherbourn-brand high-performance audio products, including stereo and multichannel pre-amp/processors/tuners and amplifiers for the retail and custom installation channels. In addition to the current product offerings, Sherbourn will introduce several new models over the coming year, including a line of high performance home theatre loudspeakers and subwoofers in both free standing and architectural versions.
"I've been a fan of Sherbourn for as long as I can remember," said Fred Hartman, Director of OEM/ODM Sales, Jade Design, Inc. "Every audio enthusiast knows that the Sherbourn logo is associated with some of the finest gear in the business, so we're thrilled that Jade Designs' engineering support and expertise will now allow Sherbourn to develop products and technologies that service a wider audience than ever before, without changing its well earned reputation for quality, performance and value."
Along with the current product line, two new models will be introduced under the Sherbourn brand. A new HDMI processor and HDMI receiver (both featuring an integrated Control4(TM) controller), originally debuted at the 2010 CEDIA Expo as the inaugural products under the previous Emotiva Professional Systems label. Hartman said that although Jade Design still has plans for a product line under that name, its focus will be on an as-yet-to-be-announced channel.
"We went out to the custom integration market with news of Emotiva Pro before the opportunity to acquire Sherbourn was brought to our attention," said Hartman. "It only makes sense to continue to grow Sherbourn's presence in the custom market while re-directing the Pro name for a different sales channel."
Ron Fone, the previous president and owner of Sherbourn Technologies, will continue with the brand as Director of Sales.
Sherbourn Technologies will be a featured partner at Control4's booth #21407 at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 6 - 9, 2011, and again in Control4's stand #11F82 at the Integrated Systems Europe conference in Amsterdam, February 1 - 3.
Jade Design's Emotiva brand is famous among A/V enthusiasts for the company's true high end A/V products and first-rate customer support with a manufacturer-direct business model that provides exceptional value along with advanced technology. The new Sherbourn Technologies line will carry this high-value, high-support philosophy directly to the retail and custom installation channels, with additional new products scheduled to be announced in Q1 2011. For more information, contact: Adam Sohmer; Sohmer Associates, LLC; 347-497-4965; adam@sohmerassoc.com.
About Jade Design, Inc.
Jade Design, Inc. (http://www.jadedesign.com) has more than 30 years experience in OEM/ODM electronic system design and development. Decades of cumulative knowledge and skill reside in the staff of engineers, designers, factory, and project management teams. Jade specializes in turn key product manufacturing, sourcing and brand support.
The company invests extensive resources into engineering, development, and quality, the sum of which is reflected in every amplifier, pre-amplifier, processor/controller, audio source, and loudspeaker system bearing their client's name.
About Sherbourn Technologies
Sherbourn Technologies is a dynamic consumer electronics company that designs and distributes some of the finest home theater and custom installation products in the world.
Sherbourn enjoys a rich and deep-seated pedigree. From the beginning, the company's core philosophy has been to design and manufacture outstanding products with high levels of innovation, performance, quality and reliability. For more information, visit http://www.sherbourn.com.
SOURCE Jade Design, Inc.
Jade Design, Inc.
CONTACT: Adam Sohmer, Sohmer Associates, LLC, +1-347-497-4965, adam@sohmerassoc.com
Justice Through Music and Op-Critical Release New Rendition of 'The Wall' to Focus Attention on Endless Wars
"Another Name On The Wall" Now On YouTube
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Justice Through Music, http://www.jtmp.org, partners again with the band Op-Critical, http://www.myspace.com/opcritical, in a new music video rendition of Roger Waters' "The Wall," to focus attention on the heartbreak of endless wars. "We made a few changes in the lyrics," said Op-Critical's Storm, "with the most powerful being: 'Daddy, what'd you leave behind for me? On the Mall you left another name on the Wall.'" The video, posted a few days ago on YouTube, has already had thousands of views and rave reviews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oYpWTrYsDs
The chorus hook is sung by the fabulous Harmonic Angels Children's Choir whose members are featured in the video. Roger Waters said that he encourages artists to use the song to resist all forms of oppression and that he sees artists as playing a vital role in resistance to repression and brutality. "I applauded and supported the resistance of schoolchildren in South Africa to that repressive and brutal regime," he said, "and also applaud and support the resistance of Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank to the repressive and brutal occupation they endure."
The music video was animated and directed by world renowned Scottish film director Matt Brown.
Justice Through Music is a non profit charity that works with famous bands to inspire young people to get involved with social causes. The organization has worked with Op-Critical on a number of music videos focusing on Darfur, Torture, Nuclear Weapons, Fracking, Propaganda, and Arlington Cemetery.
One to One Connect's MessageMaker Goes Social, Mobile with Version 3.8 Release
BOSTON, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- One to One Connect, a division of One to One, a Boston-based digital marketing agency, announces today version 3.8 of MessageMaker, a web-based SaaS CRM platform that strengthens brand relationships by delivering measurable content and messages across a broad spectrum of permission marketing channels. Along with MessageMaker E-mail and MessageMaker Apps, v3.8 introduces Social and Mobile capabilities to reach consumers across multiple channels and devices.
"We anticipate both the social and mobile features of MessageMaker v3.8 will prove especially crucial to marketers in 2011 with the influx of smartphones and tablets flooding the market," said Chris Heitmann, Managing Director of One to One Connect. "As consumers spend more time than ever before on social networks and mobile devices, we can help brands meet these new challenges."
MessageMaker v3.8 is best suited for advanced marketers who are experiencing reduced email marketing effectiveness due to channel fragmentation and who are interested in expanding their efforts into developing applications for mobile, desktop, widget, or social platforms. Even while adding complexity to the type and frequency of a brand's message, MessageMaker's Universal Measurement module will reduce the time and effort involved in aggregating reporting.
Features include:
-- Social Connect allows brands to engage with consumers within their
favorite Social Networks - including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
Blogger, Delicious, Digg, Google Buzz, Google Bookmarks, My Space,
Orkut, Reddit, Stumble Upon, and the Live platforms
-- Detailed and historical reporting across a brand's efforts in a single
dashboard
-- MessageMaker Mobile - Manage and deploy content to mobile apps
-- Revised Menu Structure - Easier to navigate and use
-- Deeper segmentation feature within App Reports - Channel & Content
Interactions
For more information on the MessageMaker v3.8 release, please contact Mitchel Ahern at mahern@onetooneinteractive.com or +1 617.425.7362.
About One to One Connect:
Catalyzing Relationships
One to One Connect's MessageMaker universal messaging platform strengthens brand relationships by delivering measurable content and messages across a broad spectrum of permission marketing channels including apps, email, social, and mobile.
Israel's iPad Doctors: Innovative Israeli Hospital Mayanei Hayeshua in Bnei Brak is First to Equip its Medical Staff With the Latest iPad Computers
BNEI BRAK, Israel, December 21, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center (MYMC) is the first Israeli hospital to
give iPad technology to its doctors, for use both on and off-site. Medical
staff can now check patient records, test results, hi-resolution X-rays and
CT scans, report on patient progress and plan ongoing treatment using the
latest hand-held computers.
MYMC has embraced this latest and most desirable technology by investing
in the latest iPad version 4.2, customized for use in Hebrew. This allows
clinicians instant touch-screen access to patient records and medical
information via secure password-protected internet. MYMC's IT team have
programmed the Apple iPad to interact with the Microsoft Chameleon program
used by the hospital.
Dr. Yoram Liwer, CEO of Mayanei Hayeshua, explains: "The picture quality
on the iPad screen enables our doctors to check high-resolution x-ray and
scan images, either on the wards or from outside the hospital, and to
diagnose and prescribe treatment immediately at any time. The iPad is
recognized today as a leading medical tool, bringing many benefits to
patients and hospital staff.
"A recent patient survey confirmed the importance of enabling doctors to
check the status of patients and direct their treatment immediately, within
or outside the hospital - it was ranked 8.6 out of 10 by the patients we
interviewed. That is why we are using the latest devices and healthcare
technology to help revolutionize patient care at our hospital, which is
already known as one of the most progressive hospitals in Israel and
internationally."
Dr. Nir Cohen, head of Mayanei Hayeshua's Orthopaedic Surgery Department,
explains the clinical benefits of using the iPad: "As head of the department,
even working late at night from home, I can now give direction to medical
staff during operations using my iPad, and check that vital treatment records
have been entered correctly into the hospital system. This can help to speed
up surgical procedures, reducing the time spent under anaesthetic, to the
benefit of patients."
About Mayanei HaYeshua:
The Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center ('Sources of Deliverance') provides
general and specialist medical services according to Jewish law and the
highest ethical standards.
Founded in 1990, treating more than 100,000 patients each year,
MYMC plans to build a new much-needed hospitalization wing in the near
future, with underground wards for use in times of national emergency.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- 11Rush.com's iPhone application has just hit the Apple App Store and the on-the-go fantasy football app is available for free.
11Rush.com is a weekly fantasy football platform dedicated to for-money games, and is owned and operated by Footbo Ltd, the global leader and provider of interactive sports sites and 11Rush users go up against family, friends and co-workers in either public or private competitions, depending on their preference. Picking a team has never been as easy with no salary cap or budget restraints. All that's left for a user to do is choose how much they want to try and win. There are 3 different entry levels available offering winners a potential payback of $85, $220 or $440.
The app is free to download from the Apple App Store and gives its users the chance to experience fantasy football game-play on-the-go by giving real-time updates and keeping users in the loop of their fantasy team's progress by the second, wherever they are.
The smart looking application brings 11Rush's unique game-play direct to your iPhone. Simply log-in using your account details, or if you joined 11Rush with your Facebook/Twitter credentials, simply enter those details in and you're good to go.
The 11Rush iPhone app is the perfect companion for those who love fantasy football, giving you killer features for the entire time-line of each weekly competition:
-- Make changes to your team before game-time
-- Trash talk with friends and fellow competitors via a live chat option
-- Following your team's points and scoring in real-time via the
live-scoring competition page
-- Live game scores
What more can you ask for when you're on the go?
"We're committed to providing the best possible fantasy football experience possible to our users," says Mani Honigstein, CEO of Footbo. "We want to make sure that users get the most out of playing fantasy football on a weekly basis and that they have the best tools available. We've just added a whole social layer to our game, released the 11Rush Android app, and now the iPhone app. I believe users will recognize what we are bringing to the market space. One thing is certain, when the fantasy points start rolling in, you won't be able to look away."
Watch the demo video and find out all you need to know about the 11Rush NFL fantasy experience.
Fans can sign-up and play or visit http://www.11rush.com for more information, and then download the app here.
Become a fan and follow 11Rush on Twitter @11rushfantasy, and join our Facebook page.
About 11Rush.com
11Rush.com is a weekly fantasy football platform dedicated to for-money games. 11Rush.com is owned and operated by Footbo Ltd, the global leader and provider of interactive sports sites and applications. 11Rush offers various entry levels per game week and allows users to follow the scores in real time.
Dog Gone Smart Global Pet Products Launches Ecommerce Website to Expand Product Sales and Boost Brand Visibility on the Web
WILTON, Conn., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to capitalize on the burgeoning trend for online commerce, Nano Pet Products has launched its ecommerce website to expand product sales and boost brand visibility on the web. Nano Pet Products, LLC, dba Dog Gone Smart Pet Products, a global pet products company dedicated to natural pet safety and health.
"Our ecommerce site was launched so that customers can browse and purchase our full line of products in one convenient location. Although we have large distributors and retailers selling the Dog Gone Smart Brand across the country, not all of them carry the full line of Dog Gone Smart pet products," said Chris Onthank, company founder. He added, "Our ecommerce site allows customers to find exactly what they are looking for in just a few clicks, and take advantage of our dog bed embroidery that adds a special personalized touch."
The company is offering the full line of Dog Gone Smart Pet Products of approximately 400 SKUs online, priced at manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP), and both VISA and Mastercard are accepted. Onthank added, "We have also streamlined the order process affording retailers the opportunity to place bulk orders directly through the ecommerce site using a designated username and password."
Initially, Dog Gone Smart will be focusing on increasing everyday traffic to doggonesmartbed.com; where, conveniently, consumers can link to the Dog Gone Smart store. Smart web tools like Google Analytics help track the who, what, when, where and why of customer traffic, thus confirming current marketing strategies and tactics.
These state-of-the-art pet products are available in a variety of styles, sizes and colors that complement any dog breed, lifestyle, and home décor. Dog Gone Smart(TM) nanotechnology is impregnated into the fabric without altering the fabric texture and feel, producing a non-visible structured textile surface that coat oil, dirt, and liquids cannot stick to. Residue can easily be rinsed off with water or machine washed. The fabric stands up to frequent washing and is highly abrasion resistant. It carries the label "bluesign® approved" which is based on the world's strictest EHS (environment, health and safety) stipulations for textiles. Pet products are also bacteriostatic, inhibiting the spread of bacteria that can cause odor.
SOURCE Dog Gone Smart Pet Products
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100505/NY99941LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Dog Gone Smart Pet Products
CONTACT: Deborah Burns, Burns Communications , +1-203-257-3163, or +1-203-331-0677
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 'First Strike' Game Add-On Coming First to Xbox LIVE February 1
Details Revealed of Record-Setting Title's First Game Add-On Release
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Prepare for Call of Duty®'s new online assault. The Call of Duty®: Black Ops First Strike game add-on will first launch worldwide on Xbox LIVE® February 1. Call of Duty: Black OpsFirst Strike represents the first downloadable content expansion for the blockbuster title from Treyarch and Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI).
"We're committed to supporting Call of Duty: Black Ops fans with continuous updates to the game and exciting new content that will keep our community engaged," said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. "We can't wait to deliver Call of Duty: Black OpsFirst Strike to our fans, which has four all-new Black Ops multiplayer maps, and an exciting new Zombie map to be declassified later. "
Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike features four new multiplayer maps, including Berlin Wall, Discovery, Stadium and Kowloon, and a new Zombie map called Ascension.
For Silver Xbox LIVE members who haven't yet experienced Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer, Xbox LIVE will host a Multiplayer Unlock event running January 28-30th for new fans to join in.
Created by Treyarch and published by Activision, Call of Duty: Black Ops madeentertainment history this November when it shattered theatrical box office, book and video game sales records for five-day opening worldwide sell through in dollars, selling more than $650 million.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is rated "M" (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language. For additional Call of Duty updates, visit http://www.callofduty.com/blackops and also via Twitter @JD_2020.
About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.
Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website, http://www.activision.com.
Call of Duty and Activision are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.
Xbox 360 and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.
D-Link Extends Commitment to Reducing Carbon Footprint
DUBAI, UAE, December 21, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
- Two New Switching Products Achieve ISO/CD 14067-1:2010 Compliance
Maintaining its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its
products, D-Link Middle East & Africa today announced that it has become the
first manufacturer of networking solutions to achieve compliance with a new
international carbon footprint standard. D-Link's 5-Port (DGS-1005D) and
8-Port (DGS-1008D) Desktop Switches are now certified compliant with ISO/CD
14067-1:20101 and PAS 2050:20082.
These two standards reinforce D-Link's commitment to energy saving
through lowering the carbon footprint of its products and services throughout
their entire life cycle-from materials to manufacturing, distribution, use
and disposal. In 2005, D-Link became the first corporation to introduce Green
networking technology and has always been aware of the importance of making
goods or services that are less carbon intensive.
"Since 2005, D-Link has manufactured energy-efficient products by
utilizing Green practices and is now extending this initiative to develop
products that deliver even better performance using less energy and
materials," said Harrison Albert, Regional Director at D-Link Middle East &
Africa. "As a leading global networking corporation, we are constantly
enhancing our R&D capabilities as well as our supply chain to help protect
the planet while at the same time maximizing the benefits for our customers,"
Harrison continued.
Built with D-Link Green(TM) technology, the two desktop switches conserve
energy by recognizing when a port is active or inactive, and automatically
adjusting the power usage based on cable length to save energy without any
loss of performance. Consequently, energy can be conserved for the benefit of
both the user and the environment.
According to SGS*, for the period April 1 to July 31 2010, the life cycle
greenhouse gas information of the DGS-1005D and DGS-1008D are verified by
them to provide "a reasonable level of assurance, consistent with the agreed
verification scope, objectives and criteria" for product carbon footprint in
accordance with ISO/CD 14067-1:2010.
The D-Link Green(TM) initiative is D-Link's assurance to users of its
continuing effort to ensure its consumer and business products adhere to
worldwide environmental standards in all aspects of the product cycle. This
includes reducing power consumption whenever possible, using recyclable
materials for packaging, and recycling unused factory parts.
In showing support for continuing commitment to energy conservation,
D-Link is working with suppliers that support Green practices to comply with
ISO 14064-13 regulations. Its target is to have its suppliers verified for
ISO 14064-1 by October 2011.
1 ISO 14067 is a standard in development, expected to be released in
2011/2012. The International Standards Organization (ISO) has published
a draft standard aimed at measuring the carbon footprint for the
lifecycle of products. The proposed standard, ISO 14067, will be used
to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions from companies and their
activities. ISO 14067 is expected to supersede the PSA 2050
specification developed in the UK by BSI for assessment of life cycle
greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. For more information,
please visit:
(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste
this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)
2 PAS 2050 is the publicly available specification (PAS) prepared by
British Standards Institution (BSI) to specify requirements for
assessing the life cycle of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of goods
and services. Life cycle of GHG emissions are emissions released as
part of the processes of creating, modifying, transporting, storing,
using, providing, recycling or disposing of goods and services.
Although there is no requirement for communication or standardization
of communication techniques in this specification, this PAS supports
GHG emissions of goods and services life cycle assessment for reporting
and communicating to stakeholders, including consumers. The PAS 2050
is expected to be superseded by ISO 14067 once the standard is
approved. For more information, please visit:
3 ISO 14064 is a standard aimed at injecting credibility and assurance to
Green House Gas (GHG) emissions reports and claims made in regard to
reductions or removal of GHGs. The standard is not aligned with any
particular scheme; rather it is independent and may be used by
organizations participating in a number of trading, project or
voluntary emissions reduction mechanisms. The standard may be applied
to all GHG types and is not limited to CO2. For more information,
please visit:
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. Recognized as the global benchmark for quality and
integrity, it has more than 59,000 employees and operates a network of more
than 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world. Established in 1878,
the company started by offering agricultural inspection services to grain
traders in Europe. On July 19, 1919, the company adopted the name of Societe
Generale de Surveillance (today, known as SGS). In mid-20th century, it began
to diversify and started offering inspection, testing and verification
services across a variety of sectors. The current structure of SGS consists
of 10 business segments operating across 10 geographical regions.
About D-Link:
D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large
enterprise business networking. The company continues to strive towards
excellence as an award-winning designer, developer and manufacturer of
networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice and data communications
solutions for the digital home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), Small to
Medium Business (SMB), and Workgroup for Enterprise Environments. With
millions of networking and connectivity products manufactured and shipped,
D-Link is a dominant market participant and price/performance leader in the
networking and communications market. D-Link ME Headquarters is located in
Dubai, the UAE, Jebel Ali Free Zone South, P. O. Box 18224, Tel.:
+971-4-880-9022, Fax: +971-4-880-9066. For general inquiries, contact:
info.me@dlink-me.com or visit our website: http://www.dlink-me.com.
Press Contact:
Nicole Maria Meier
D-Link Middle East
Tel.: +971-4-880-9022
Fax: +971-4-880-9066
E-Mail: nmeier@dlink-me.com
Vonage Mobile Application for Facebook Provides New Functionality to Invite Friends via SMS or Email Directly from an Apple Mobile Device
HOLMDEL, N.J., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG), a leading provider of high-quality voice and messaging services over broadband networks, today announced the 1.2 release of the Vonage Mobile application for Facebook for iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad® devices.
The 1.2 upgrade allows users to easily invite their friends directly from their Apple® mobile device to download the Vonage Mobile app. Users can send invitations to device contacts via email or SMS.
"By making it even easier for users to share the Vonage Mobile application for Facebook, we're expanding the benefits of our low-cost, high-value communications experience to a wider audience," said Nick Lazzaro, Senior Vice President of Product Development and Information Technology. "We strive to develop services that allow people to communicate on their own terms, and this is a further evolution of our vision."
The Vonage Mobile application for Facebook allows users to make free mobile calls to all of their Facebook friends who have the app, anywhere in the world, directly from their friends list, with a single touch. The service works over Wi-Fi and 3G networks in most countries. Users who don't have an unlimited data plan should check with their mobile carrier to see if any data charges apply.
This 1.2 release reinforces Vonage's commitment to be the leader in low-cost communication services that connect individuals and social networks through any broadband device, worldwide.
iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
About Us
Vonage (NYSE: VG) is a leading provider of communications services connecting individuals and social networks through broadband devices worldwide. Our technology serves approximately 2.4 million subscribers. We provide feature-rich, affordable communication solutions that offer flexibility, portability and ease-of-use.
Our Vonage World plan offers unlimited calling to more than 60 countries with popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail -- for one low, flat monthly rate.
Vonage's service is sold on the web and through regional and national retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and is available to customers in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information about Vonage's products and services, please visit http://www.vonage.com.
Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey. Vonage® is a registered trademark of Vonage Marketing Inc., a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp.
(vg-a)
SOURCE Vonage Holdings Corp.
Vonage Holdings Corp.
CONTACT: Vonage Media Contact: Arpie McQueen, +1-732-218-6075, amcqueen@vonage.com
Experience Times Square New Year's Eve From Anywhere in the World With Free, Official App for Apple and Android Devices
See Your Face on the Toshiba Vision Sign at the center of the celebration directly beneath the Times Square Ball
Watch and Participate in the LIVE Global Celebration from your mobile device
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, organizers of Times Square New Year's Eve, along with their partners, Toshiba and Livestream, have launched the first official Times Square Ball App, specially designed for Apple and Android mobile devices (images and demonstration video at http://timessquareball.net/app/). The free app is designed to put you in the middle of the legendary New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square, no matter where you are in the world.
Among the app's many features is the LIVE, six-and-a-half-hour, commercial-free mobile stream of New Year's Eve in Times Square powered by Livestream, including a performance just before midnight by multi-platinum pop sensation Taio Cruz, other live musical performances and the ability to participate in the celebration. Toshiba, the Times Square New Year's Eve official Countdown Sponsor, is providing a unique opportunity for users of the app to see their photos on the Toshiba Vision sign directly below the Times Square Ball on New Year's Eve. Livestream will also be providing a live mobile stream of all the events leading up to New Year's Eve and an on-demand video library with the latest news clips. These are just a couple of ways that the app will convey the unique buzz of Times Square, before and when the Ball descends on New Year's Eve. Apart from the big night, the app will be a year-round source of information about the non-stop excitement that makes Times Square the "Crossroads of the World."
"We can't wait to celebrate the New Year as we never have before," said Jeffrey Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment. "This app offers a level of engagement that takes the magic of Times Square New Year's to a whole new level. Whether people tune in as they celebrate in New York or connect with us from wherever they are in the world, the app will give them a dramatic and interactive way to ring in 2011."
Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, continued, "The app represents a connection that is created on New Year's Eve, no matter where people physically are. It is a moment of reflection, celebration and hope. Thanks to this app, that moment can be in the palm of your hand." The Times Square Ball App is now available worldwide for free download through Apple's App Store for iPhones or other Apple devices or via The App Market for Android phones and devices. The app can be found in Entertainment, Travel, and News categories.
"From last year's introduction of the first-ever webcast, it was a natural progression to introduce a phone app so people all over the world can be a part of the Times Square experience," said Eddie Temistokle, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & CSR, Toshiba America, Inc. "Through this innovative app, the excitement that can only be found in Times Square will be there for the enjoying, all year round."
Here are some of the app features:
-- Join millions of revelers around the world to celebrate New Year's Eve
2011 LIVE. The Official Times Square Ball App is your exclusive access
to be part of the activities in Times Square as you watch the LIVE
co-hosted official show featuring A-List musical performances, celebrity
appearances, first Times Square Wedding, hourly countdowns and the
famous midnight Ball Drop
-- Participate in the celebration by submitting your New Year's photo for
friends, family and other revelers to vote on. The photos with the most
votes will be showcased on the Toshiba Vision sign atop One Times Square
directly beneath the Waterford Crystal New Year's Eve Ball on December
31st! These top photos will also be seen on the LIVE Show when they are
displayed atop One Times Square each hour
-- Discover everything you need to know about the Times Square New Year's
Eve Celebration including the history, news, weather, photos, relevant
maps and LIVE Show schedule
-- Send New Year's Eve kisses and share photos with friends and family
-- Watch live streaming of the events in Times Square leading up to New
Year's Eve throughout December as well as the highlight promo and other
exclusive video content
-- Customize your Toshiba Countdown Clock with your personal photo and time
zone
-- Check-in via Foursquare, Facebook and Twitter to find out how far away
you are from Times Square
And, even after the last of the New Year's Eve confetti is swept from Times Square, the app will continue to be a year round source of Times Square news and events.
Times Square Ball App produced by Monday Sessions Media, developed by HAAS/crea, and streaming components developed by Livestream LLC.
Device requirements for Apple products: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. Required iOS 3.0 or later.
The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment are the organizers of Times Square New Year's Eve. The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square so that it retains the energy, edge and distinctiveness that have made it an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life. Countdown Entertainment, which represents the owners of One Times Square, and the New Year's Eve Ball, is an event marketing and management company specializing in the Times Square area.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 730 companies, with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.2 trillion yen (US$75 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at http://www.toshiba.com.
About Livestream
Livestream is the leading live video destination and platform. Event organizers, content owners, celebrities and artists around the world use Livestream's social broadcasting tools to engage and grow their audiences on the web, mobile devices, and connected TVs. More than one billion video minutes are streamed each month to a growing community of 20 million monthly viewers (50,000 of whom will be watching right now).
Notable content partners include Facebook, The New York Times, ABC News, CBS News, Associated Press, HBO, AT&T, IBM, Burger King, Nike, The Academy Awards, The Foo Fighters, Maroon 5, Ralph Lauren, and Diesel. Livestream offers a unique commitment to protecting the rights of its producers through a 'Zero Tolerance on Piracy' policy. The service is available for free (advertising-supported) or as a feature-rich, monetizable, premium subscription for business.
SOURCE Toshiba
Toshiba
CONTACT: Rubenstein Communications, Inc. - Public Relations; For Times Square New Year's Eve: Dade Hayes, +1-212-843-8022, dhayes@rubenstein.com; Peter Foley, +1-212-843-8308, pfoley@rubenstein.com; For Toshiba: Patricia Amerman, +1-212-843-8049, pamerman@rubenstein.com; For Livestream: Jennifer Levine, +1-646-495-9707, jennifer.levine@livestream.com
Adds Testing and Analytic Capabilities in Aerospace Engineering Vertical
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI) announced today that it has acquired the business of DSPCon, Inc., an engineering and software development firm headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey. With approximately 40 employees, DSPCon creates, sells and services real-time data acquisition and analysis systems used widely in the mechanical design validation of jet engines and satellites. DSPCon also creates and produces embedded systems for turbo-machinery performance monitoring and mechanical failure prediction.
DSPCon becomes part of the CDI-Aerospace vertical organization within the CDI Engineering Solutions division. Financial terms of the cash transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in 2011.
"The acquisition of DSPCon adds an important testing and analytical component to our aerospace engineering services portfolio and particularly complements our airframe and propulsion systems engineering capabilities," said Denny Vito, Executive Vice President of CDI-Aerospace.
"CDI-Aerospace offers us a terrific platform to expand distribution of our hardware and software solutions, but even more importantly it provides a great environment for the creative growth of our technical, engineering and scientific teams as we create innovative technologies to improve our customers' testing, monitoring and design initiatives," added Al Brower, DSPCon President & CEO.
About CDI
Headquartered in Philadelphia, CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI) is a leading provider of engineering and information technology outsourcing solutions and professional staffing. Its operating units include CDI Engineering Solutions, CDI IT Solutions, CDI AndersElite Limited, and Management Recruiters International, Inc. With offices throughout North America as well as joint ventures in Kuwait and Mexico, the CDI Engineering Solutions division provides engineering outsourcing, project management and professional services to Global 1000 clients in the aerospace, government services, infrastructure, life sciences and process & industrial markets. Visit CDI at http://www.cdicorp.com.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the impact of this acquisition on CDI's financial results. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Because these statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control or are subject to change, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the risk that the expected benefits of this acquisition are not realized; difficulties in integrating the acquired business with CDI and realizing anticipated synergies; the potential loss of key customers, employees and vendors of the acquired business as a result of the sale of the business to CDI; unforeseen costs and expenses relating to the integration of the acquired business; weakness in general economic conditions and levels of capital spending by customers in the industries that we serve; and the possibility of incurring liability for our and DSPCon's performance on customer contracts. More detailed information about some of these and other risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the SEC, particularly in the "Risk Factors" section of our latest Form 10-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. CDI assumes no obligation to update such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE CDI Corp.
CDI Corp.
CONTACT: Vincent J. Webb, VP, Communications & Marketing, CDI Corp., +1-215-636-1240, vince.webb@cdicorp.com
The Donaldson Group Launches Website Support Packages
Unique Service Level Agreements keep content fresh and websites running smoothly
SIMSBURY, Conn., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- While websites have fast become an integral part of running a business, new business development and customer service strategies, the task of building and maintaining an effective website can be difficult and time consuming. To help organizations keep their websites up-to-date and running smoothly, The Donaldson Group, a nationally recognized leader in image communications, is pleased to announce the launch of Service Level Agreements.
Organizations invest significant time and money in developing websites that effectively communicate with key audiences, but what happens once the site is developed? Who handles the updates? Where does one turn for content support, programming, staff training and best practices? And how about tracking, SEO and analytics? That is where TDG Service Level Agreements come in.
With a TDG Service Level Agreement, experienced web design and development specialists maintain individual client websites, allowing organizations to concentrate on servicing their customers and doing what they do best. TDG Service Level Agreements are billed at a predictable monthly fee, which helps companies manage their bottom line while TDG Interactive manages their web strategy. Each package is tailor-made to match the organization's website needs and includes:
-- Pre-determined number of hours per month for support, which includes
making changes and updating the site, training, telephone support and
consultation
-- Monthly site-wide link check report, which finds broken links and is the
first defense against website hackers
-- Quarterly site traffic statistics report
-- Quarterly site health check, which tests contact forms, shopping carts
and other interactive elements to ensure they are working properly
-- 24/7 site monitoring for continuous uptime
"Our team knows better than anyone how crucial it is that web content is fresh and problems are addressed promptly," said Jaye Donaldson, president of The Donaldson Group. "Putting a website in the hands of The Donaldson Group's experienced specialists provides superior website support executed in a quick and efficient manner."
With a Service Level Agreement, TDG Interactive promises a completion date for 'major repairs,' and clients are advised in advance of any additional costs that may be required. If the job is not completed on time and to the client's satisfaction, no costs will be assessed. TDG Service Level Agreements guarantee client satisfaction.
Save time, money and stress by signing up for a TDG Service Level Agreement. For more information, visit http://www.tdginteractive.com/SLA or call 860-658-9777.
About The Donaldson Group
The Donaldson Group, located in Simsbury, Connecticut, is a nationally recognized leader in image communications. Capabilities include corporate and brand identity, communications, packaging and interactive media. Our commitment to clients is intelligent planning, design and implementation. For more information, please contact Jaye Donaldson at jaye (at) donaldson-group (dot) com or visit: http://www.donaldson-group.com
Press Contact: Danielle Cyr I danielle@cocommunications.com I 860.676.4400
Gainesville and Orlando Renters Go Green when Evaluating Apartments
GAINESVILLE, Fla. and ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Apartment renters are looking for more than just a roof over their head these days. They're seeking shelter that matches their lifestyle. And for some, that means plentiful recycling efforts, low energy lighting, LEED certification or even a community garden. It's become so popular that apartment finding websites in Gainesville, Florida and Orlando, Florida have become the first to actually allow renters to search for apartments based on how green they are.
College students in Gainesville, FL are looking to get more out of their apartment search. This progressive college town is turning to SwampRentals.com to find the green apartments Gainesville residents can't live without. The website allows renters to search Gainesville apartments based on all the normal criteria they may be curious about. And it also includes a breakdown of which apartments allow for individual leases. But what makes this website unique is that it allows students and Gainesville residents alike to search for a greener way of life. A few clicks will narrow down the listings to only those which offer the green lifestyle a renter desires.
In Orlando, renters can head to OrlandoApartmentLocator.com where they'll find a comprehensive listing of Orlando apartments and the amenities they offer. Renters can use the Orlando Apartment Locator to search for Orlando apartments based on any criteria including rent, location, number of bedrooms, pet policy, parking and other community features like pools and fitness rooms. But the criteria that are really getting attention are the Green Efforts. The technology on this website allows renters to look for what type of recycling is offered, which have tankless water heaters, native landscaping and even community gardens. This option is especially popular with college students looking to rent UCF apartments.
Both sites were designed by 352 Media Group, an Orlando Web design company. For more information, contact Pete Zimek, founder of SwampRentals.com and OrlandoApartmentLocator.com at pete@traffic2revenue.com.
CBS Outdoor Launches Innovative Out-of-home 'Minority Report' Campaign for Intel Smart TV
FIRST OF ITS KIND CAMPAIGN USES MOBILE APPS, TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAYS AND WILL RECOGNIZE CONSUMERS BY NAME CREATING A CUSTOMIZED INTEL SMART TV EXPERIENCE
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CBS Outdoor, in collaboration with OMD, Outdoor Media Group and Tribal DDB Worldwide, announced today the launch of a first of its kind multi-media campaign, offering consumers their very own "Minority Report" experience in New York's Penn Station. The media campaign for Intel's smart TV, which seamlessly integrates robust Internet content, broadcast programming, personal content and downloadable applications all viewable on one TV screen, recently kicked off utilizing custom mobile applications, interactive flat screens and outdoor advertising media. The technology showcases the ability to recognize a consumer via an opt-in feature, welcome them by name and customize a smart TV experience based on the consumer's preferences.
"This is a first for out-of-home media, and a look into the future on how we can connect to consumers on a far more personalized basis," said Jodi Senese, executive vice president CBS Outdoor. "Never before have we been able to offer this kind of engagement, on this many platforms to our clients. Working with Intel and their agency partners, CBS Outdoor has crafted a truly unique promotion that offers users a one-of-a-kind experience - literally."
The promotion started Nov. 29 with outdoor media throughout the New York market, encouraging consumers to download the smart TV mobile app by texting Hello to 64444. Participants will then receive a link to download an app onto their mobile phones, which will ask a few questions about the individual's TV viewing habits and preferences. They will then be invited to Intel's smart TV experience event in the Penn Station Rotunda Dec. 15-29. As they enter the experience a series of interactive touch screen TV's will not only recognize them by name but create a custom smart TV experience based on the answers to the questions the individual provided when they downloaded the app.
The state of the art New York outdoor advertising campaign debuts a new concept to outdoor marketing - "geofencing," which creates virtual boundaries by physical locations and places, this time being Penn Station. CBS Outdoor's partner Location Labs is providing the geofencing technology.
"As the provider of the mobile location based technology behind the Intel smart TV application, we are excited to see our innovative Geofencing technology make this 'minority report' type experience a reality," said Tasso Roumeliotis, founder and CEO, Location Labs. "The auto detecting capabilities of our technology is enabled when an individual enters the vicinity of Penn Station NYC and automatically helps to create a personalized billboard experience for that individual. We anticipate these kinds of futuristic campaigns to revolutionize the advertising and marketing industry."
The interactive touchscreen experience is provided by CBS Outdoor's partner Four Winds Interactive.
"Four Winds Interactive is happy to be working with CBS Outdoor and Intel on this groundbreaking ad campaign. It's exciting to see their vision for the smart TV campaign utilizing our digital signage technology come to life on this big stage," said Greg Newman, director of implementation, Four Winds Interactive. "The use of digital signage in an ad campaign of this magnitude is a testament to its place as a communication medium."
About CBS Outdoor
CBS Outdoor is one of the largest out-of-home media companies in the Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico and South America), and has a major presence across Europe in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and China. With both traditional outdoor and transit advertising properties, this division gives advertisers both breadth of coverage across vast geographies and depth of coverage, providing multiple media opportunities in key markets. For more information, visit http://www.cbsoutdoor.com.
About Location Labs
Location Labs is the leader in mobile location-as-a-service and applications. The company's location-based services platform helps developers create intelligent, location-aware applications. The company's Platform provides the ability to locate over 250MM mobile phones across all the major carriers in the US, including both smart phones and as well as non-smart phones. Location Labs has strategic partnerships with AT&T, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon, Qualcomm, Intel, and other global partners. Recent accolades include: 2010 Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing American Private Companies; San Francisco Business Journal's Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies; AlwaysOn Global 250; Mobile Excellence Awards Finalist 2010. More details http://www.location-labs.com
About Four Winds Interactive
Used to power thousands of signs, the Four Winds Interactive digital signage system is the ideal solution for both domestic and international use. With features including broad media playback capability, sophisticated data integration, digital wayfinding, and interactivity, the digital signage software offers its users a flexible solution designed to enhance the diverse communication objectives of companies in a variety of market segments. http://www.fourwindsinteractive.com
SOURCE CBS Outdoor
CBS Outdoor
CONTACT: Jeremy Murphy, +1-212-975-4577, jeremy.murphy@cbs.com
QNAP Showcases Latest Turbo NAS Servers, the New V3.4 NAS Management Software and VioStor Pro NVR Video Surveillance Systems at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
CES Attendees Interested in High Performance Network-based Storage and Video Surveillance Technologies Invited to Visit the QNAP Booth and See all the Newest Products Las Vegas, NV LVCC South Hall, Booth# 36816, 6th January - 9th January, 2011
POMONA, Calif., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of world class award-winning Turbo NAS servers, VioStor NVR Video Surveillance Systems, and Network-based Media Players is showcasing its newest Business Series Turbo NAS Pro+ NAS servers and VioStor Pro dedicated Network Video Recorder (NVR) surveillance systems at their booth located in the LVCC South Hall, upper level. Additionally, QNAP will be demonstrating their beta V3.4 NAS Management Software which is now available for download and installation for most QNAP Turbo NAS models from QNAP forum. QNAP's broad product offerings encompass home/home office, SMB, Corporate, and entry-level enterprise market segments.
Front and center are the new Business Series Turbo NAS Servers, the TS-x59 Pro+ lineup featuring the dual-core Intel® Atom(TM) D525 1.8GHz processor, which can deliver blistering 113MB/sec throughput. The Pro+ lineup include energy-efficient desktop models with 2, 4, 5, 6, or 8 hot-swappable drives, and an 8-bay 2U rack-mounted unit with available redundant power supply. All the Pro+ models include 1GB RAM, dual Gigabit LAN ports, enhanced iSCSI support, advanced RAID support, generous number of USB & eSATA ports for capacity expansion, and the broadest range of business-critical applications available from any NAS server provider.
Also on display is the new entry-level TS-x19P+ Turbo NAS models which are ideal for home/home office and small office use. Featuring the new Marvell 1.6GHz embedded processor and 512MB of RAM, these 1, 2, and 4-drive desktop units deliver high performance and many of the advanced applications found on QNAP's higher end models, at price points that won't break the bank.
QNAP is also debuting its beta V3.4 NAS management software, which is embedded as firmware in all Turbo NAS models and offers an intuitive interface for users to configure and manage their NAS. V3.4 beta offers a wealth of new features including:
-- NEW Real-time remote replication, RAID 10 support, and Elephant Drive
support for backup to the cloud;
-- NEW Advanced subfolder permissions, host-based permissions control,
import/export of users, and Virtual Disk enhancements;
-- NEW MyCloudNAS remote access, wireless LAN and Virtual LAN support;
-- NEW Download Station V2, QGet V2, and Advanced Print Server;
-- And more.....
QNAP fans can give the beta firmware a try and download the firmware from QNAP forum (http://forum.qnap.com/). The official V3.4 firmware will be available free of charge in January 2011 (final release date is to be announced).
QNAP will also be demonstrating its vaunted VioStor Pro NVR video surveillance system in the booth. The VioStor NVR is an advanced video surveillance system which utilizes up to 40 networked IP cameras to deliver highly scalable PC-less video surveillance with real-time recording to embedded hard drives. The system can be configured to generate alarms for a variety of situations, including motion in a user-definable camera area, when a foreign object is detected, when a defined object is removed, or when a camera is obstructed or out of focus. Surveillance can be monitored remotely via a networked computer, or by directly connecting a HD monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the unit, or wirelessly on an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or PDA phone with QNAP's exclusive mobile surveillance app VMobile.
Connect with QNAP at CES, LVCC South Hall #36816
QNAP invites all CES attendees who are interested in the impressive lineup of Turbo NAS servers, VioStor NVR solutions, and a demo of the new V3.4 NAS management software to stop by the QNAP booth, located in the LVCC South Hall, upper level. Or visit http://www.qnap.com to learn more these exciting developments.
QNAP offers the broadest lineup of NAS server enclosures currently available. QNAP Turbo NAS servers are available in 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8-bay tower and rack mount configurations to fit consumer's needs, including small/medium business, workgroups, and entry-level enterprise networks. Most QNAP NAS servers feature hot-swap removable cartridge drives with 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drive support, and offer unique features including virtual disk, and dual Gigabit LAN ports with fail-over, load-balancing and multi-IP setting capabilities for all Intel-based models. QNAP NAS servers are ideal for simple website hosting, ultra-high performance RAID storage supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 5+ hot spare and 6+hot spare (5-drive and higher models), stand-alone file downloading, network-wide backups, printer sharing, video surveillance, and a whole lot more. QNAP NAS servers are fully compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and UNIX networks and incorporate green power management technologies.
About QNAP Systems, Inc.
QNAP Systems, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 2004 and is dedicated to bringing world class NAS storage, professional NVR video surveillance, and network video players to consumer, small/medium business, and entry level enterprise market segments. QNAP leverages not only hardware design but also a growing core competency in software engineering that is precisely focused on bringing to market products that offer the highest available performance coupled with outstanding reliability, scalability, and ease of installation and use. QNAP is a multi-national company with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, and subsidiary offices in China and the United States.
Press contact:
QNAP Systems, Inc. / Ms. Vera Wang
Tel: +886-2-8698-2000
Email: qnap_enews@qnap.com
DeMoulin & Company/ Robert DeMoulin
Tel: +925-699-5423
Email: robert.demoulin@demoulinco.com
SOURCE QNAP Systems, Inc.
QNAP Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: At QNAP Systems, Inc., Ms. Vera Wang, +886-2-8698-2000, or qnap_enews@qnap.com; or at DeMoulin & Company, Robert DeMoulin, +925-699-5423, or robert.demoulin@demoulinco.com
Cameo Stars and All-Star Celebrity Line-Up Deliver Holiday Cheer Straight to Consumers' Facebook Pages
Consumers Can Have Kim Kardashian, Carmen Electra, Tony Romo, Reggie Bush, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ja Rule, and Others Wish Their Friends & Family Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays
A Portion of Cameo Stars' Holiday Proceeds Throughout December Will Be Donated To Participating Celebrities' Charity Of Choice
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Cameo Stars, the world's first and only application enabling celebrities to make virtual appearances in the everyday lives of fans via their social networking pages and mobile devices launched their holiday Cameo collection. These fun virtual greetings are sent by consumers to their friends' Facebook pages, where the celebrities come to life and wish them a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays, in high-definition with no background or borders.
Holiday Cameos can be sent on Facebook for $1 each using Facebook Credits, the virtual currency that users easily obtain on Facebook with a credit card, PayPal, or other payment methods.
In addition to the holiday Cameos that can be sent as the perfect last-minute gift for friends and family, Cameo Stars created the "Cameo Stars 4 Causes" holiday initiative. Throughout the month of December, Cameo Stars is donating 20% of proceeds from the holiday-themed "Cameos" from some of today's biggest personalities, musicians, and superstar athletes including Kim Kardashian,Carmen Electra, Tony Romo and Reggie Bush to each celebrity's charity of choice. Cameo Stars will also donate up to an additional $10,000 to the charity whose celebrity sponsor has the most holiday Cameos sent through December 31st.
Celebrities participating in "Cameo Stars 4 Causes" this holiday season include: television personality Kim Kardashian (Dream Foundation), actress Carmen Electra (Make-A-Wish Foundation), Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo (Make-A-Wish Foundation), New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush (Make It Right Foundation), NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Dale Jr. Foundation), former Disney "Cheetah Girl" Adrienne Bailon (Foundation for Advancement of Women Now), hip hop legend Ja Rule (LIFE Camp), Grammy-award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari (Gedenk Movement),model and television personality Rachelle Leah (American Breast Cancer Association),2010 Playboy Playmate of The Year Hope Dworaczyk (Alzheimer's Foundation of America), New Orleans Saints' Darren Sharper (United Ways of Louisiana), singer/actress Lauren Mayhew (Malaika for Life),and Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh (Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation).
Cameo Stars is a social entertainment company that in 2010 launched the first and only application that enables celebrities to make virtual cameo appearances in the everyday lives of fans. Consumers can now collect or send top entertainers and athletes to perform and deliver a variety of personal messages directly in the consumer's, or their friend's, social network page or mobile device. Invented, created, and distributed by the company, the "social cameos" transform exclusive celebrity content into virtual goods designed expressly for the intimate stage that social media provides. For more information on Cameo Stars and its offerings, please visit http://www.cameostars.com.
SOURCE Cameo Stars
Cameo Stars
CONTACT: Courtney Greenberg, Dan Klores Communications, +1-212-981-5108, Courtney_greenberg@dkcnews.com
'iRudolph' Brings Christmas Cheer to iPhone, iPad and iPod
HAMBURG, December 20, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- iRudolph is the hero of a new Christmas app for iPhone, iPad and iPod,
that has already become a hot seller all over Europe as Christmas approaches.
For $0.99, users can now join iRudolph, the 'green-nosed reindeer' and Santa
Claus in picking up plenty of presents. Its design, a magical world of
animated felt, provides a pleasant contrast to Apple's high-tech look.
Players will find their quest for gifts in the Christmas winter wonderland
alongside iRudolph and Santa both fun and challenging.
The new 'iRudolph' app is the ideal companion during the lead-up to
Christmas, and will shorten the wait for Santa Claus most agreeably. The
characters - iRudolph with his green nose and his 'boss' Santa Claus - move
through a lovingly designed Christmas-y world made of felt. Their task is to
gather up presents, stay on the prescribed path, and avoid colliding with
obstacles including tree stumps, snowdrifts and snowmen. Their sleigh is
steered from a bird's-eye perspective using either the touchscreen or a
motion sensor. The difficulty rises with each of the four 'Advent' levels,
aptly designated with candles. The iRudolph app was developed by freenet.de
GmbH, Hamburg (Germany).
'iRudolph' is now available in the App Store and from http://www.irudolph.net. The app was developed by freenet.de GmbH, a company
in the freenet Group.
Verizon FiOS Internet for Business Now Offers the Fastest Mass-Market Broadband Service in the Nation - up to 150/35 Mbps - to Small Businesses in 12 States and D.C.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Small businesses in 12 states and the District of Columbia can now get the fastest mass-market broadband service in the nation from Verizon: Verizon FiOS Internet for Business with speeds up to 150/35 megabits per second, delivered over the company's all-fiber-optic FiOS network.
Verizon's newest Internet speed provides three times the downstream speed previously available to FiOS customers.
"We're giving small-business owners another reason to choose Verizon as their service provider - and get an edge on their competitors," said Monte Beck, vice president of small-business marketing for Verizon. "We offer these ultra-fast Internet speeds at competitive prices on an all-fiber-optic network that supports the immediate and future speed needs of small businesses to deliver large files at lighting speed. And we continue to offer these businesses many other value-added services."
FiOS Internet 150/35 Mbps service is available in parts of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. The service is also available to some medium-sized businesses.
(NOTE: Click here to view a video about the new FiOS Internet for Business speeds of 150/35 Mbps.)
What FiOS' New Speeds Can Do
The new speeds of up to 150 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload will easily support burgeoning bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-definition and real-time video conferencing, online data backup and more.
For example, a large 250 megabyte file (such as a CAT scan or a 20-minute video) can be downloaded in 13.3 seconds. A videographer, graphic design studio, or real estate agency can upload a one-hour high-definition video (about 3 gigabytes) in 6.2 minutes.
FiOS Internet for Business up to 150/35 Mbps speed service will be available to the majority of FiOS-eligible businesses and sold as a stand-alone service or in a bundle. As a stand-alone service, FiOS Internet for Business starts at $229.99 per month*, with a dynamic IP address and no term contract. With a two-year contract and a dynamic IP address, the price is $204.99 per month* -- or order online to get more savings, with prices starting at $199.99 per month*.
Businesses can get even more savings by signing up for a service bundle that includes the up to 150/35 Mbps FiOS Internet speed and a voice line with unlimited domestic calling for prices starting at $183.99 per month* and no term contract. FiOS Internet for Business also offers static IP addresses at a slightly higher price.
FiOS Internet for Business includes free Wi-Fi access, personalized domain name, Verizon Internet Security Suite, Verizon Online Backup and Sharing, and so much more.
In addition, all customers who sign up for a double-play bundle of FiOS Internet and a voice line with unlimited calling, or add FiOS TV for a triple-play package, will receive Verizon Websites Powered by Intuit and Web Listings (which lists websites on more than 100 search sites) as a bonus at no cost for 12 months after applied credits. (The Verizon Websites Powered by Intuit and Web Listings bonus offer ends on Jan. 15, 2011.)
Qualifying Verizon customers can also enroll in the Business Link Rewards program to earn points and redeem credits for gift cards, products or services.
The introduction of the new 150/35 Mbps FiOS Internet service follows recent Verizon field trials that achieved connection speeds of nearly 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), both downstream and upstream, over the company's fiber-optic network. When a more advanced XG-PON2 technology was connected to the network several weeks later, connection speeds of 10 Gbps were reached.
The Verizon Small Business Center offers small businesses access to news, resources, professional networking, free webinars, Verizon's Small Biz Blogs and much more. In addition to Internet, TV and phone service, Verizon also offers small businesses encryption and security solutions, as well as additional discounts on supplies and shipping.
To get news, tips and exclusive insights from Verizon, follow VZSmallBiz on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. More information on Verizon's products and services for small businesses is available by calling 888-481-0387 or visiting http://www.verizon.com/smallbusiness.
* Plus applicable taxes and fees.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.
SOURCE Verizon
Verizon
CONTACT: Media, Ellen Yu, +1-908-559-3496, ellen.yu@verizon.com, or Kevin Laverty, +1-425-261-5855, kevin.laverty@verizon.com
ATCi Introduces TE-2000 HD Spectrum Analyzer Test Instrument
Advanced Color TV/SAT Meter Meets HD Requirements
CHANDLER, Ariz., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Antenna Technology Communications Inc. (ATCi), a provider of ground-based commercial satellite communications systems and services, announced the introduction of the TE-2000 HD Advanced Spectrum Analyzer. The ATCi high-performance light-weight instrument features superior performance, advanced Color TV/SAT Meter, durable construction that is compatible with analog, digital (DVB) satellite standard.
The TE-2000 HD is the ultimate field test instrument for both terrestrial and satellite covering North America and world standards. The new design offers exceptional user friendliness and accuracy that surpasses the previous models. With its panoramic 6.5" bright display, it provides the user with the ability to not only monitor the decoded picture but also the ability to view several measurements simultaneously.
"Following the success of the ATCi TE-900 and TE-1200 spectrum analyzers, the TE-2000 HD performs all the functions of the earlier units plus so much more, and all contained within a smaller and lighter package," said Gary Hatch, CEO. "By consistently enhancing our product offerings, ATCi continues to expand the scope of our business in a positive, productive way."
The TE-2000 HD units are currently available, in-stock, and ready for shipment.
About ATCi
ATCi's mission is to enhance the customer's opportunity for profit by providing quality, reliable and cost effective satellite and fiber linked communication components and systems to commercial entities in the U.S. and abroad. ATCi is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona with operating sales offices in North America, China and Brazil. For further information on ATCi products and services, please call 480-844-8501 or visit our Web site at http://www.atci.com.
SOURCE Antenna Technology Communications Inc.
Antenna Technology Communications Inc.
CONTACT: Kristen Love of ATCi, +1-480-844-8501, fax, +1-480-898-7667, klove@atci.com
KT Launches Public Cloud With Higher Performance, Lower Pricing Than Amazon's EC2
SEOUL, South Korea and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --KT (formerly Korea Telecom) has launched the Asia-Pacific region's first public cloud that outperforms Amazon Web Services (AWS) and does so at a lower price. The public cloud, called ucloud Compute Service (ucloud CS) was built collaboratively by Cloudscaling and KT.
The most common AWS configuration is an m1.small instance, priced at $61.20 US per month. The equivalent ucloud CS configuration is a 1 virtual core / 2 GB RAM instance, priced at $49.94. This represents a savings of approximately 18 percent. Additionally, ucloud CS configurations include 100 GB of free bandwidth, valued at approximately $10.
AWS is generally among the most aggressively priced public cloud services.
ucloud CS is based on the same architecture used by successful public clouds. These clouds are built using commodity hardware, open-source software stacks and highly automated system management that reduces operating costs when compared to clouds built on more expensive enterprise IT architectures. ucloud's architecture delivers performance on par with or exceeding several well-known public clouds including Amazon EC2. Recent benchmarking demonstrated this with KT's private cloud: http://bit.ly/hKXIDM.
The performance and price competitiveness of the commodity cloud model has been proven by public cloud leaders including AWS, Google and Rackspace. KT partnered with Cloudscaling because it is the only firm in the market focused on the commodity cloud model.
"We think that KT -- and all major operators -- can compete and win in the cloud," said Jung-sik Suh, senior vice president of the Cloud Services Business Unit at KT. "We have several major strategic advantages that the major public clouds do not. These include network assets, bandwidth, geographic dominance and expertise in billing and services delivery. Combining a commodity cloud approach with our unique assets, we can offer a cloud computing service that is highly competitive with industry leaders like AWS EC2."
"Using a highly automated, commodity-equipment-based, free and open-source cloud design is the only way to come close to the aggressive price and performance that the market has come to expect from leaders like Amazon," said Randy Bias, CEO of Cloudscaling. "KT is clearly an innovator among telcos, and they've leveraged their strengths to emerge as the cloud computing leader in the Asia Pacific region."
Other key partners in the ucloud CS project include Intel, Citrix, Arista, Nexenta, enStratus, Cloud.com and Quanta.
About KT
KT is Korea's largest fixed-line operator, second largest mobile carrier and leading cloud services company. ucloud is the comprehensive brand under which KT offers a full suite of cloud services. More about ucloud CS (KT's on-demand computing service) at http://cs.ucloud.com/
About Cloudscaling
Cloudscaling partners with telcos and service providers to build and launch revenue-generating, high-margin cloud computing services. The Cloudscaling team has worked with cloud pioneers like Amazon EC2, GoGrid, Engine Yard, RightScale and VMware. The world's most prominent cloud computing conferences and forums call on the Cloudscaling team to moderate and keynote their events. More at cloudscaling.com
Nuovo Award Finalists Revealed for 2011 Independent Games Festival
Finalists Vying for Video Game Industry's Preeminent Art Prize Compete at 13th Annual Independent Games Festival
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independent Games Festival (IGF), the prestigious GDC-held video game industry event highlighting and awarding the talents of independent game developers, has announced the finalists for the 2011 Nuovo Award, which honors "abstract, short-form, and unconventional game development."
Some of this year's finalists include unconventional party game Brutally Unfair Tactics Totally OK Now (B.U.T.T.O.N.), first-person dinner simulation title Dinner Date, Messhof's chunky 2-player fencing title Nidhogg, and zen-like tree simulation title Bohm.
The Nuovo Award, the top video game art prize, is announcing an increase to $5,000 for this year's award winner, thanks to the quality of this year's entries. The winner of the award will be revealed at the Independent Games Festival Awards on March 2, 2011 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, during Game Developers Conference 2011. In addition, all Nuovo finalists will be playable in a special section of the IGF Pavilion on the GDC show floor from March 2nd to 4th.
Now in its third year, the Nuovo Award allows more esoteric art games from among the almost 400 IGF entries to compete on their own terms alongside longer-form indie titles, and has been newly expanded this year to include eight finalists.
"This year's finalists for the Nuovo Award perfectly embody what this award was created to celebrate -- a set of games that could hardly be more different from each other than they are from the wider body of entrants in this year's festival," said IGF chairman Brandon Boyer. "Running the gamut from quiet reflections on both nature and ourselves, to raucous new-arcade experiences designed to entertain onlookers as much as the participants of the game, each finalist showcases the unconventional approach of the indie community to new forms of play."
The full list of this year's Nuovo Award finalists, with links to screenshots and videos of the titles on their official IGF.com entry pages, is as follows:
("A surreal, narrative game about four characters who bring a house to life... with environments and activities drawn from a combination of memory, research, poetry, and fantasy.")
("You play as the subconsciousness of Julian Luxemburg, waiting for his date to arrive. You listen in on his thoughts while tapping the table, looking at the clock and eventually reluctantly starting to eat...")
("A one-button party game for 2-8 players. ... rather than let the computer carry out all the rules, the players are themselves responsible for enforcing (or not enforcing) the rules.")
("A philosophical first person single player environmental puzzle game. The game presents no goals directly to the player, but they create goals for themselves based on what they know of the world.")
The Nuovo Award had recommendations put forward by over 150 of the IGF's Main Competition judges, and the winners picked - via active discussion and voting - by an elite jury of the video game industry's top thinkers on the future of art and the video game medium. The jury included previous winner Jason Rohrer (Between), as well as lauded game creators including Paolo Pedercini (Every Day The Same Dream), Ian Bogost (A Slow Year), Daniel Benmergui (Today I Die) and more.
In addition to the 8 Nuovo finalists, the jury also awarded honorable mentions to the following 5 outstanding Nuovo-styled titles which also deserve recognition: Amnesia: The Dark Descent (Frictional Games), Faraway (Steph Thirion), Feign (Ian Snyder), Choice Of Broadsides (Choice Of Games), Spy Party (Chris Hecker).
The Independent Games Festival, produced by the Game Developers Conference® (GDC) and presented by Gamasutra.com and Game Developer Magazine, was established in 1998 by the GDC organizer UBM TechWeb to recognize outstanding independent game developers, in the way that the Sundance Film Festival honors the independent film community. Sponsors for this year's IGF include Crytek, Microsoft, Direct2Drive, TransGaming, DigiPen and ENJMIN.
For more information on the Independent Games Festival, including a more detailed statement from the Nuovo Jury and many more details on entrants and finalists, please visit the official IGF website at http://www.igf.com. Remaining IGF Main Competition and Student Competition finalists will be announced in early January 2011.
For those interested in registering for GDC 2011, which includes the Independent Games Summit, the IGF Pavilion and the IGF Awards Ceremony, please visit the official Game Developers Conference website: http://www.gdconf.com.
About the UBM TechWeb Game Network
A core provider of essential information to the professional game industry, the UBM TechWeb Game Network - formerly known as the Think Services Game Group - offers market-defining content, and drives community through its award winning lineup of print, online, event and research products and services. These include the Game Developers Conference®, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com and network of sites, the Game Advertising Online ad network, the Game Developers Conference® Online, the Game Developers Conference(TM) Europe, the Game Developers Conference(TM) China, the Game Developers Conference(TM) Canada, Game Developer Magazine, Game Developer Research, the Game Career Seminars and GameCareerGuide.com, the Independent Games Festival and Summit, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.
About UBM TechWeb, a division of United Business Media
UBM TechWeb, the global leader in technology media and professional information, enables people and organizations to harness the transformative power of technology. Through its core businesses - media solutions, marketing services and professional information - UBM TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed brands, applications and services in the technology market. More than 14.5 million business and technology professionals (CIOs, IT and IT Support managers, Web & Digital professionals, Software and Game developers, Government decision makers, and Telecom providers) actively participate in UBM TechWeb's communities. UBM TechWeb brands includes: global face-to-face events such as Interop, Game Developers Conference (GDC), Web 2.0, Black Hat and VoiceCon; large-scale online networks such as InformationWeek, Light Reading and Gamasutra; research, training, and certification services, including HDI, Pyramid Research, and InformationWeek Analytics; and market-leading magazines such as InformationWeek and Wall Street & Technology. UBM TechWeb is part of UBM, a global provider of media and information services for professional B2B communities and markets.
Ben Veechai / Sandra Lew
UBM TechWeb Game Network
(415) 947-6280 / (415) 947-6232
ben.veechai@ubm.com /
sandra.lew@ubm.com
SOURCE UBM TechWeb Game Network
UBM TechWeb Game Network
CONTACT: Brian Rubin, +1-212-391-4707, brian@fortyseven.com, or Teresa Tyndorf, +1-323-658-1200, teresa@fortyseven.com, both of fortyseven communications for UBM TechWeb Game Network; or Ben Veechai, +1-415-947-6280, ben.veechai@ubm.com, or Sandra Lew, +1-415-947-6232, sandra.lew@ubm.com, both of UBM TechWeb Game Network
Parkmobile USA, Inc. Introduces Pay by Phone Parking in Dearborn, Michigan
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Parkmobile USA, Inc. announced today a revolutionary new service that will allow residents and visitors in Dearborn to save time and money by using their mobile phone to pay for parking at meters in the west downtown district.
Phase one of the program will begin in metered Lot H, located at West Village Drive between Mason and Monroe, south of Michigan Avenue.
To use the new Parkmobile system, customers register for free at http://www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, motorists can use a mobile app, the internet, or a toll free phone call, 800-280-4146 to pay for parking. After setting up the account, customers can immediately start using the system with their registered mobile phone. Motorists can also select the option to receive text message alerts and reminders fifteen minutes before their time expires.
"We're pleased to offer this innovation to make it even more convenient for people to visit the stores, night spots and restaurants in our west downtown," said Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. "We want to deliver services for the way people live their lives now, and phone applications are a big part of that."
"We are always looking for ways to be more customer friendly," said Mark Shooshanian, Councilman and Chairman of the Parking Advisory Commission.
"Parkmobile is very excited to launch our pay by phone parking service with the City of Dearborn," said Albert Bogaard, President & CEO of Parkmobile USA, Inc. "With this technology, customers no longer have to search for change or estimate the time needed at their destination. The Pay by phone service is an example of another technology that can make our lives easier and more efficient."
Parking in Lot H is 50 cents an hour. There is a small transaction fee of .35 cents for using the convenience of the pay by phone system, or customers can choose to pay a flat rate of $3 (transaction fee is included) to park from 5 p.m. to closing.
Parkmobile's innovative technologies and services will enhance the experience of motorists. Parkmobile's pay by phone is an ideal parking option, and is simple and convenient.
Parkmobile is a leading global provider of seamlessly integrated end-to-end solutions for pay by phone parking and digital parking permits. With millions of registered users, Parkmobile is available in more than 100 cities worldwide. Parkmobile USA was founded in Atlanta, Georgia and has become one of the largest providers of cashless parking systems in the United States. The company's call center, engineering team and corporate headquarters are located in the U.S. For additional information, please visit http://www.parkmobile.com.
SOURCE Parkmobile USA, Inc.
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100414/CL86518LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Parkmobile USA, Inc.
CONTACT: Sara Engel, Director of Marketing, +1-770-405-0153 sara.engel@parkmobileglobal.com
DLNA Expands Global Expertise in Audio, Cable and Storage Industries with the Addition of Three New Promoter Members
CableLabs®, DTS® and PROMISE Technology to Take Active Roles in Promoting DLNA Vision of a Fully-Connected, Digital Lifestyle
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 20, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) has introduced three new Promoter Members: CableLabs®, DTS® and PROMISE Technology. These three entities join 26 other Promoter Members spanning the consumer electronics, service provider and mobile device industries in defining the direction of the Alliance. Appointed by the DLNA Board of Directors, Promoter Members actively lead more than 200 member companies in supporting networked interoperability among DLNA Certified® devices in and beyond the home.
"DLNA Promoter Members are united by a shared vision of a fully-connected digital lifestyle," said Nidhish Parikh, chairman and president of DLNA. "With the addition of CableLabs, DTS and PROMISE Technology at the Promoter Member level, DLNA is expanding its member company leadership with global expertise in the cable, multi-channel audio and storage industries. Each of these entities understands the importance of implementing standards-based technology to easily enjoy, manage and share content across a wide-range of devices. We are delighted to welcome them as our latest Promoter Members."
CableLabs: Consumer and Commercial Cable Telecommunications
CableLabs is a non-profit research and development consortium. The group is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and helping its cable operator members integrate the latest technical advancements. As a leading innovator in the cable industry, CableLabs has had a substantial impact on the industry's growth and on the global deployment of broadband. Prominent technology projects include DOCSIS® for high speed Internet access and broadband, PacketCable(TM) for digital voice and multimedia and Cable Information Services (CIS).
"CableLabs is committed to being the world's premier technology organization delivering innovation to the cable industry," said Ralph Brown, CTO, CableLabs. "Our mission has always been to efficiently evolve cable networks, services, and operations and to develop and promote technologies that transform the cable customer experience. Cable customers benefit significantly from the development and widespread acceptance of standards-based approaches such as DLNA and we are pleased to actively serve as a Promoter Member."
DTS: High Definition Audio and Digital Entertainment
As a pioneer in high definition audio, DTS makes digital entertainment engaging and effortless for consumers. DTS provides state-of-the-art audio technology to DTS-licensed consumer electronics products such as home theaters, car audio systems, gaming consoles, digital media players, Blu-ray disc playback systems and PCs. Recently, the rapidly growing popularity of network connectivity has driven DTS's expansion into new markets such as TVs, smartphones, broadcast devices and other network-connected devices.
"With hundreds of millions of DTS-licensed consumer electronics products available worldwide, DTS provides consumers with the ultimate entertainment experience," said Brian Towne, executive vice president and COO, DTS. "As a Promoter Member, we will work with DLNA to make it easier for consumers to create their personal, connected home entertainment environment across a growing selection of DLNA Certified® devices."
PROMISE Technology: Networked Consumer Storage
Catering to both enterprise and consumer data protection needs, PROMISE Technology products are distinguished by their Unified Common RAID Core and management software. The company's storage products provide consumers with an efficient and affordable way to take advantage of DLNA standards in order to locate, move and stream their digital content across a variety of DLNA Certified® entertainment devices.
"PROMISE is an early adopter of DLNA technology as we certified our first NAS device in 2007," said Billy Harrison, Product Manager - Digital Media Solutions, PROMISE Technology. "As a digital media hub within the connected digital home, DLNA enables SmartStor NAS products to interact seamlessly with other DLNA Certified® devices such as digital media players and digital media controllers. DLNA is a natural evolution for the SmartStor NAS product portfolio and a critical part of PROMISE's strategy to enable and fuel the digital home of tomorrow with state-of-the-art digital media server and digital media controller solutions. As a Promoter Member we are dedicated to elevating DLNA to the next level."
More than 8,500 devices have been DLNA Certified® and these devices provide consumers the interoperability they need within an array of products including mobile phones, digital cameras, PCs and laptops, printers and televisions. For more information about DLNA, please visit the website http://www.DLNA.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dlnacertified.
About DLNA
Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE), mobile devices and service providers in and beyond the home, enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. Founded in 2003, the group established and maintains a platform of interoperability based on open and established industry standards that, when used by manufacturers will support the sharing of media through wired or wireless networks. More than 200 multi-industry companies from around the world have joined DLNA, committing the time and resources necessary to achieve their vision. DLNA's 2010 Promoter Members include: ACCESS, AT&T, AwoX, Broadcom, CableLabs, Cisco, Comcast, DIRECTV, Dolby Laboratories, DTS, Ericsson, HP, Huawei, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Pioneer, PROMISE Technology, Qualcomm, Rovi Corporation, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Technicolor, Toshiba and Verizon. Additional information about the Alliance, its participating companies and membership benefits is available at http://www.dlna.org.
SOURCE Digital Living Network Alliance
Digital Living Network Alliance
CONTACT: John Kreuzer of McGrath/Power Public Relations, +1-408-727-0351, johnk@mcgrathpower.com, for Digital Living Network Alliance
Fish & Richardson Attorney David Healey Blogs About IP, Business Strategy at PatentMath.com
HOUSTON, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston intellectual property attorney Dave Healey, a principal with Fish & Richardson, recently launched the blog Patent Math to offer news and insights for protecting and capitalizing on IP assets in business.
Through Patent Math (http://patentmath.com/), Healey offers his unique perspective on both domestic U.S. and foreign IP opportunities and landmines, and offers practical solutions to protect and exploit IP assets. Healey's entries are based on more than 25 years of experience with complex patent litigation and related antitrust and tort claims.
The blog also includes useful documents and links, and has featured guest posts from authors in Germany and Mexico. It has become a key destination for executives and decision-makers from Fortune 500 companies, corporate counsel, IP counsel and other lawyers looking for strategies to integrate patent and business strategies designed to maximize IP value and minimize waste. To date, the blog has attracted readers from across the U.S., as well as Canada, China, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Russia, Taiwan and the U.K.
"Calculating the value of an IP asset is difficult, and it is crucial to understand what steps are necessary to ensure the greatest return," says Healey. "My hope is that Patent Math becomes a place where fellow attorneys and business leaders discuss ideas to get the most out of IP investments and gain insight into the changing patent world."
Healey advises businesses on strategic patent licensing and litigation issues. He represents clients in the technology, semiconductor and software industries in state and federal courts, the International Trade Commission, International Chamber of Commerce, American Arbitration Association, NASD Arbitration Forum and private arbitration. He also assists with the planning and execution of multi-jurisdictional strategies involving courts and administrative agencies in the U.S. and Europe.
Fish & Richardson is a leading global law firm with more than 350 attorneys and technology specialists practicing intellectual property strategy and counseling, intellectual property litigation, and business litigation. Fish does cutting-edge legal work for innovative clients who value their intellectual property. For over 130 years, Fish has been serving great innovators, helping protect countless ideas, nurturing discoveries, and facilitating the entry of new concepts to market. The firm has been ranked the number one patent litigation firm in the country for seven straight years (Corporate Counsel, 2003-2010), a top IP firm for America's biggest companies (Corporate Counsel, September 2010), and an elite Tier 1 patent prosecution firm (Managing Intellectual Property, February 2010). Fish was honored as an IP Firm of the Year (Law360, January 2010), named a finalist for top IP Litigation Department of the Year (American Lawyer, January 2010), and was named the number one firm in the US for PCT filings (Managing Intellectual Property, October 2010). The firm also handled two of the top ten most important IP cases of 2009 (Managing Intellectual Property, January 2010). For more information, visit http://www.fr.com.
Contact: Kelly Largey
Chief Marketing Officer
(617) 542-5070
SOURCE Fish & Richardson
Fish & Richardson
CONTACT: Kelly Largey, Chief Marketing Officer of Fish & Richardson, +1-617-542-5070
New Service Gives Customers a Robust E-mail Experience Staying Connected On the Go for Personal and Business Communication
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For those who desire access to both corporate and personal e-mail on one device, Verizon Wireless today announced the launch of Mobile Email 4.0, an enhancement to the current Mobile Email solution - providing customers an improved method of accessing e-mail on a wide range of Feature Phones.
Available on a wide array of devices, including the LG Octane(TM), LG Cosmos(TM) Touch and Samsung Zeal(TM), Mobile Email 4.0 provides customers with a better user experience and more value for their money on their data plans. Enhancements to the current Mobile Email solution include:
-- Advantage of True Push Experience: E-mails are automatically pushed to
customers' devices, meaning customers stay on top of all their e-mails
without needing to refresh.
-- Microsoft® Exchange Email: Integration with personal and corporate
e-mail on a single device, including aggregated personal and work
contacts. Customers have all of their contacts in one place to stay
connected to everyone.
-- New User Interface: Provides customers with a fully redesigned
interface, including a sleek new look and easy navigation. Users will
also be able to upload attachments from their My Pix folder or memory
card, allowing them to share moments with family and friends wherever
they are.
-- Outlook® Calendar Sync: Customers can balance their personal and
business schedule since they can keep track of all appointments in a
single device.
Customers who have not downloaded the upgrade will receive an embedded SMS message that will trigger the download automatically. The Mobile Email application is available for a monthly fee of $5 with a Pay as You Go data option or included with a $15 or higher data package. To learn more about Mobile Email 4.0, including a list of compatible devices, go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/mobileemail. For more information on other Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store or call 1-800-2 JOIN IN.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
WebWatcher Now Enables Parents to Monitor Emails on BlackBerry Smartphones
Leading Parental Computer and Mobile Monitoring Software Now Remotely Tracks SMS and Email Messages, as well as All Computer Activity
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Awareness Technologies today announced that its leading parental computer monitoring software - WebWatcher - is able to track all emails sent to and from BlackBerry devices, making it easier for parents to stay involved in their children's digital lives.
According to the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, 21% of teens 12-17 years old use email on their phones. Additionally, over a quarter (26%) of teen cell phone users reported having been harassed by someone else through their cell phone.
With this new feature, parents can remotely view the exact contents of every email and SMS text message that is sent or received by their children, as well as see who the messages were sent to and from. The software is easy to install and parents are able to see all text messages and emails sent and received on the phone they are monitoring immediately. WebWatcher also monitors all activity on desktop and laptop computers including email, instant messaging, social networking activity and website visits.
"The plethora of online dangers facing children and teens is unprecedented, and parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children are not being harassed or exposed to inappropriate content on their home computers or cell phones. WebWatcher gives parents the insight they need to uncover underlying issues that may be occurring in their children's lives," said Brad Miller, CEO and Chairman of Awareness Technologies. "We realize the increasing percentage of young people who use smartphone devices and plan to expand WebWatcher Mobile to Android and iPhone devices in 2011."
Awareness Technologies' consumer product, WebWatcher, is the leading parental monitoring software on the market. WebWatcher allows parents to remotely monitor and manage all computer activity, including email, instant messaging, website visits, and social networking activity, as well as block inappropriate websites and programs.
About Awareness Technologies
As the pioneer in remote monitoring and Unified Insider Threat Prevention, Awareness Technologies has set the standard for computer and cell phone monitoring software both from a feature set perspective and from an ease-of-use perspective. Its WebWatcher solution is the leading computer monitoring software with over 250,000 users. Additionally, over 10,000 businesses world-wide depend on Awareness Technologies' InterGuard solution to protect their data from insider threats. Awareness Technologies was named on Deloitte's 2010 Technology Fast 500 and the 2010 Software 500 ranking.