Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media Launch High-End Video Games Streaming Service
LONDON, November 11, 2010/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
- Service Set at 10 Euros for "All You Can Play" AAA Video Games Package
Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media announce the commercial launch of a
new high-end video games service, available on Portugal Telecom's platform.
The launch takes place today, November 11 at the Sapo Codebits
exhibition, a major event showcasing the latest national and international
talent in the field of technology and digital media. A live broadcast of the
inaugural launch will be showcased at the exhibition alongside demonstrations
and speeches from Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media's chief executives.
This launch marks the start of affordable access to mass markets of the
best games from major publishers including: Activision, Atari, Disney,
Capcom, Codemasters, THQ, Strategy First and others, without the need of a
console or the video games software.
The commercial model is based on a multi-screen (PC right now and TV in
the near future) subscription for a fixed monthly fee of 9,99 Euros per
month, for which subscribers can play without any limitations of time or
usage. The games catalogue consists of 100% next generation video games
titles, including some of the best and newest brands, with a mix of genres,
including first person shooters, racers, fighting, action as well as children
and family games.
The service, launched under Portugal Telecom's Meo brand, is offered over
the carrier's FTTH network infrastructure, and is to be available exclusively
to its subscribers. The games are executed, rendered and streamed from
Portugal Telecom's data centers as an MPEG stream to consumers, using the
high quality, low latency FTTH access network, and are played with a Meo
branded gamepad.
Guy de Beer, CEO Playcast Media, said: "The new platform brings endless
hours of game-play directly to users. This appeal to the mass market, rather
than the niche of core gamers, dictates challenging value for money targets.
The partnership with Portugal Telecom brings the service, marketing, and
omni-presence required to guarantee the highest quality at affordable
prices."
Zeinal Bava, CEO of Portugal Telecom, stated that "Portugal Telecom has
been investing in the transformation of its business model in the residential
segment of its market and has a proven track record of monetizing innovative
applications. For years, revenues of video gaming have been largely
inaccessible to our platforms. Through the partnership with Playcast, we will
be able to participate in this market and monetize the potential of gaming in
our customer base. This is what we do best - bring to our customers
innovative value added services which are leading edge and offer great value
for money."
Editor's notes: For several years Cable and Telecom operators have been
experiencing an erosion in perceived value of their services, which has
resulted in growing difficulties to maintain revenues per subscriber (ARPU).
This event marks the start of a revolutionary process in the way that the
public consume high-end video games, and is the result of a series of
technological breakthroughs, which allows these new levels of quality-cost
ratios. Playcast Media and Portugal Telecom aim at broadening the reach and
accessibility of video gaming by opening it up to new demographical groups.
Tel: Mobile +44(0)7903-655-331: Landline: +44(0)20-7351-3352
Email:admin@hatricks.co.uk
Source: Portugal Telecom and Playcast Media
Press information contact: Kate Hawthorne - Hatricks Public Relations, Tel: Mobile +44(0)7903-655-331, Landline: +44(0)20-7351-3352, Email:admin@hatricks.co.uk
Roamware Home Zone - Makes Mobile Calls from Home and Office Cheaper
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Roamware, Inc., a leading provider of mobile solutions to over 480 mobile operators across 154 countries, introduces Home Zone, a service that allows network operators to offer mobile users lower calling rates in certain pre-selected zones.
Roamware's Home Zone solution empowers mobile operators to compete with greater efficiency in acquiring traffic from fixed line service providers by allowing them to offer special low rate plans for calls made from certain preferred zones such as their home or office. The predefined home zone can be determined by the location of the user or the operator's nearest GSM tower, thereby offering a wider coverage range than a wireless fixed line phone or a Wi-Fi network.
This subscription based service was developed to encourage the end customers to use their mobile phone with greater freedom at locations where they would typically use a fixed line phone to make calls at a lower rate. Roamware's Home Zone service offers users the convenience of using their phonebook and other features of the mobile phone that aren't always available on a fixed line phone. Lastly, for users who don't have access to fixed line phones, in such zones they can use their mobile phones for longer at a lower rate.
"Mobile operators not only lose revenues to fixed line operators at such locations but now with the growing popularity of VoIP based services there is additional pressure on operators to reduce tariffs, stay competitive and maximize traffic. Roamware's Home Zone solution provides just the incentive to enable this traffic acquisition across an operators' customer base," said Abraham Punnoose, Vice President Marketing and Business Development at Roamware.
About Roamware, Inc.:
Roamware, Inc. is the leading provider of roaming and mobile financial services solutions with a customer base of over 480 mobile operators across 154 countries. The company is the global leader in mobile roaming solutions with an estimated 60 per cent market share of the voice and data roaming segments for GSM, 3G and CDMA technology platforms. Roamware m-commerce and mobile banking solutions have been successfully deployed by major banks and global operators around the world, including: Vodafone, Permanent TSB and Bank of Ireland.
Its solutions range from credit transfers, international remittance, person to person transactions to top-up and bill payment. The company is headquartered in San Jose with operations in Brussels, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi Singapore, Dublin, Johannesburg, Amman and Hong Kong.
CONTACT: EMEA, Vojtech Horna , +44-207-282-2901, vojtech@atomicpr.com, or USA, Michelle Sabolich, +1-415-593-1400, michelle.sabolich@atomicpr.com, both of Atomic PR for Roamware, Inc.; or Abraham Punnoose, VP, Marketing & Business Development of Roamware, Inc., +91-9967927777, abraham.punnoose@roamware.com
- The Ultimate Brain Workout for iPhone(TM) and iPod Touch(TM) Users
American Express and Fishlabs today announce the launch of 'Cash IQ', a
new, free iPhone and iPod touch game featuring four addictive cash-focused
brainteasers.
Cash IQ's series of challenging brain workouts has been designed to
stretch and flex mathematical and memory based skills. 'Beat the Bank',
'Check your Balance', 'Shopping List' and 'Flip & Pin' complete the addictive
portfolio.
Beat the Bank
Coins of various denominations drop from the top of the screen into a
piggybank. Some of the coins drop out of the bottom of the piggybank; the
player is challenged to correctly state the balance remaining inside at the
end of each sequence. Once a sequence has finished, a calculator-type
interface appears, allowing the player to enter the amount they believe is
remaining. Numbers can be entered using the iPhone's touch screen and a timer
counts down, giving the player a limited period to enter their total, the
added pressure only increases the challenge.
Check Your Balance
Gamers are tasked to place shopping bags on a seesaw, ensuring that when
it finally rests it is evenly balanced. Each bag represents a different item,
such as groceries or clothing, reflecting popular categories of spend for
Platinum Cashback Cardmembers. The player can drag and drop the bags on and
off the seesaw using the touch screen or the mouse.
Shopping List
A classic memory game, Shopping List features a conveyor belt that moves
a selection of items across the screen in sequence. Again, the items reflect
popular areas of spend for Cardmembers such as petrol, grocery, travel and
sporting goods. Once the final item has scrolled across the screen, a grid
appears and players must tap to select each of the items from the grid in the
order that they were scanned. If the player gets an item wrong a klaxon will
sound and the correct object will flash, then the player must continue to try
and guess the remaining order or objects.
Flip & Pin
In this puzzle game players must flip different shaped tiles around a 12
x 12 grid, and cover the highlighted areas completely. Within each level the
player will be given sufficient shaped tiles to correctly complete the puzzle
- with a limited number of pins available to hold tiles in place. Tiles must
lay flat, none must touch and none must overlap. As difficulty builds the
areas and shapes become larger and more complex, often with more than one
area appearing on screen at any one time. Each tile movement is counted. At
the end of the level bonuses are given for the least number of movements.
Gameplay modes and high scores:
Players can play the mini-games individually or in sequence via three
modes of play. 'Classic' mode randomly selects three of the mini-games for
the player to play through. 'Brain strain' tests the player by giving them
one minute to complete each of the mini-games in an attempt to gain the
highest score. 'Training' lets the player select and play any of the mini
games individually.
After each game in Classic and Brain strain modes, the player's score is
displayed and totalled up, 5% is then added to their score. The 5% represents
the market-leading introductory cashback offer available in the first three
months on the Platinum Cashback Credit Card 1.
With the iPhone version of Cash IQ, players can challenge their friends
to beat their high scores using Facebook Connect. Selecting a game mode takes
the player to an information screen, displaying their friends' rankings. From
here the player can choose to play solo or challenge one of their friends,
simply by tapping on their avatar.
Features:
- Free iPhone game download
- iPhone and Facebook integration - challenge friends iPhone and
compete with them for Facebook high scores
- Four mini-games and three gameplay modes
The launch of Cash IQ forms an integral part of American Express' current
Platinum Cashback Credit Card marketing campaign.
Richard Harris, American Express' Head of Membership, comments: "This is
our first venture into the world of digital games in the UK. We're excited to
be working with award-winning Fishlabs to create this unique and compelling
series of games that bring to life the benefits of the American Express
Platinum Cashback Credit Card in an engaging way. The Facebook Connect
functionality of the game will make Cash IQ a very popular and sociable game
to play with friends."
Michael Schade, CEO & Co-Founder, Fishlabs, comments: "With
Cash IQ American Express reaches out to millions of potential customers by
building on the huge popularity of games on the iPhone . Games are an ideal
way to create brand awareness and communicate the benefits of the Platinum
Cashback Credit Card. The broad appeal of the classic but addictive gameplay
guarantees the maximum impact within the target group."
Visit amex.co.uk/cashiq to watch the trailer, and download the free
iPhone game. Cash IQ is available now for free download on the App Store.
About American Express
American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and
network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit
cards, Travellers Cheques, travel and insurance products.
About FISHLABS
FISHLABS is specialized in 3D mobile games development of rich racing and
action titles on iPhone, iPad, Nokia, Android smartphones and J2ME (Java).
FISHLABS is also known for extremely successful ad games on the iPhone,
having dominated the App Store download charts in almost every country for
weeks. To date, FISHLABS' iPhone games generated more than 30 million
downloads.
Notes to Editors:
1) Market-leading according to Moneysupermarket.com as of
01.11.10. 5% cashback is available up to GBP100 in the first three months
and on a tiered basis up to 1.25% after that.
500 Million People Will be Using Mobile Health Applications in 2015
BERLIN, November 11, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
- Smartphone Applications Will Help the Mobile Health Market to Break
Through
Although the potential benefits of mHealth solutions have been widely
discussed for over a decade, the market never emerged from the trial phase.
Smartphone applications will enable the mHealth industry to successfully
reach out to 500m of a total 1.4bn smartphone users in 2015 the new "Global
Mobile Health Market Report 2010-2015" by research2guidance says.
Ralf-Gordon Jahns, Head of Research at research2guidance, points out "Our
findings indicate that the long-expected mobile revolution in healthcare is
set to happen. Both healthcare providers and consumers are embracing
smartphones as a means to improving healthcare."
Not only are consumers taking advantage of smartphones to manage and
improve their own health, a significant number (43%) of mHealth applications
are primarily designed for healthcare professionals. These include CME
(Continued Medical Education), remote monitoring and health care management
applications.
Currently there are 17,000 mHealth applications in major app stores, 74%
of them adhering to the paid business model. With more and more traditional
healthcare providers joining the mobile applications market, the business
models will broaden to include healthcare services, sensor, advertising and
drug sales revenues.
"With the growing sophistication level of mHealth applications, only 14%
of the total market revenue in the next 5 years will come from application
download revenue," explains Egle Mikalajunaite, Senior Research Analyst.
"76% of total mHealth application market revenue will come from related
services and products such as sensors."
The "Global Mobile Health Market Report 2010-2015" by research2guidance
is a business guide for traditional healthcare companies as well as for
mobile operators wishing to successfully engage into the new mHealth market.
research2guidance is a Berlin-based market research company specialized
in the mobile industry. The company's service offerings include comprehensive
market studies, as well as bespoke research and consultancy.
(Due to the length of the above URLs, it may be necessary to copy and
paste these hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field.
Remove the space if one exists.)
Contact:
Robert Kuersten
research2guidance
+49-30-609-893-366
robert.kuersten@research2guidance.com
Source: research2guidance
Contact: Robert Kuersten, research2guidance, +49-30-609-893-366, robert.kuersten@research2guidance.com
Airtel Kenya Expands Messaging Capability With the Acision SMSC
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 11, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
- Acision's Messaging Solution Underpins SMS Growth and Enhances
User's Mobile Data Experience
Acision, a world leader in mobile data, today announced that Airtel
Kenya, part of Bharti Airtel, Asia's leading telecommunications service
provider, has selected the Acision SMSC to expand its messaging capability
and underpin continued SMS growth in the region. The Acision SMSC will allow
Airtel Kenya to provide an enhanced messaging experience to all its
subscribers, while providing a clear roadmap for future personalised
messaging services, which is a key part of Airtel Kenya's messaging strategy.
With text messaging in East Africa seeing significant uplift as pricing
becomes more competitive, Airtel Kenya required a robust solution to help it
support its users' appetite for messaging. Acision's SMSC enables Airtel
Kenya to accommodate any surge in SMS traffic and can be easily scaled to
deliver enhanced messaging services, beyond basic SMS, in the future. The
Acision SMSC will also provide Airtel Kenya with risk-free migration to an
all-IP environment in anticipation for when messaging services' shift in this
direction.
"Following the launch of our services in Kenya earlier this year, we have
seen a considerable rise in usage of our messaging services," said Vincent
Mayabi, Core Network Manager, Airtel Kenya. "By partnering with Acision, we
are demonstrating our commitment to providing our customers with a superior
text messaging experience, while building solid foundations for messaging
services of the future. With Acision, we can rapidly grow our market share by
providing messaging services in rural areas and can achieve our ambition of
being the country's number one messaging provider."
"Acision's heritage is built upon providing operators with the most
advanced messaging and mobile data solutions in the market and we are
recognised as a leading player in messaging globally," said Sherif Hamoudah,
SVP and General Manager for Middle East, Africa and Pakistan at Acision. "As
we grow our market share in the African region, we are pleased to have been
chosen by Airtel Kenya to help it achieve its goal of becoming a market
leader."
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Acision
As a world leader in mobile data, Acision powers innovation
and profitable growth in mobile data services. As the pioneer of mobile
messaging, Acision's real time mobile data solutions support its customers
worldwide to drive new revenues with innovative services while controlling,
optimizing and monetizing data traffic. For more information, visit Acision
at http://www.acision.com.
PopCap Games Partners With TAITO to Offer "Pop Tower(TM)"
DUBLIN, November 11, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
- PopCap's First Mobile Social Game Service to Launch in Japan Early
Next Year
PopCap Games, worldwide leader in casual and social games,
today announced a partnership with TAITO Corporation (TAITO(R)), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd to launch Pop
Tower(TM), a dedicated mobile social game service for the Japanese market.
Pop Tower will house custom-built social adaptations of PopCap's stellar
global game brands including Bejeweled(R), Chuzzle(R) and Zuma(R), and will
tie them together with an all-new metagame with RPG elements, tailored for
Japanese audiences. Not only will the Pop Tower edition of each game feature
all-new game modes, they will also include social elements that allow users
to interact with friends. The playing experience will be further expanded
upon through a wide array of in-game virtual goods and premium service
options.
This new game service is the first product released under the
supervision of PopCap's Tokyo office, and is representative of PopCap's
focused global strategy, which has already generated major announcements in
China and Korea in recent months. In August, PopCap confirmed a strategic
partnership with one of China's largest social networking sites, RenRen, and
in September, PopCap announced an agreement with NCsoft, leading provider of
online games, to bring PopCap's first online multiplayer game service,
PopCap(R) World, to Korea.
Today's announcement marks another major milestone for PopCap
in terms of its global online and social strategies. The company has already
sold more than 1 million units of its single player mobile games in Japan,
but Pop Tower marks PopCap's arrival into the mobile social gaming space,
which generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2009.
A veteran of the game business from the earliest days of the arcade
industry, TAITO has made a seamless transition to the mobile, connected world
of today. TAITO was one of the first major game companies to enter the
burgeoning mobile social game market, releasing more than a half dozen
successful titles to date. James Gwertzman, PopCap's Vice President for
Asia/Pacific, said:
Social games on mobile devices looks set to dominate gaming worldwide and
Japan is already ahead of the curve. PopCap is about identifying the curve
and getting ahead of it. It's not about being "trendy" or "first"; it's about
being the best; taking the talent and time to create something genuinely
innovative. The Japanese game market is the second largest in the world, but
historically, few Western companies have succeeded here.
PopCap believes the way to succeed globally is to think and act locally.
We've set up a local team in Japan, and are very excited to collaborate with
TAITO, one of the most dynamic Japanese companies in the social mobile space
today. Our ambition for Pop Tower is to bring the best of PopCap - core game
franchises like Bejeweled and Zuma - to Japanese customers; and hopefully
make some discoveries about the mobile social space that we can then share
with gamers internationally.
PopCap - along with flagship franchise Bejeweled - is widely regarded as
a founding father of the casual games industry. Over the past 10 years, the
company has solidified its reputation as a games pioneer by innovating new
game genres exemplified in games such as BAFTA-nominated, Plants vs.
Zombies(TM). PopCap is one of the few game developers/publishers that has
successfully adapted itself to an ever-increasing variety of new gaming
platforms and technologies.
Most recently, the company has gained notice for its success in the
mobile and social spaces: it's first iPhone game, Bejeweled 2, has been in
the top 20 App-store apps since its July 2008 launch, while the company's
first social game, Bejeweled Blitz, launched in December 2008, is one of the
top games on Facebook with over 4 million daily active users (DAU).
Mr Akihito Shoji, TAITO's Senior Vice President of Content, said:
With Bejeweled and a host of other successful properties,
PopCap Games is a casual gaming giant. The social game market is undergoing
remarkable growth, and we have high hopes for this partnership. Mobile social
game are a critical part of our overall strategy, with much of our resources
devoted to the design and management of games that are not only fun pastimes,
but also foster interaction and communication between players. We're
confident that our mobile social market experience and PopCap's strong casual
properties is a winning combination, and one that will deliver a whole new
experience to the game users.
Developed by TAITO under the supervision of PopCap's Tokyo
office, Pop Tower is due to launch in early 2011 on GREE, a leading Japanese
social network.
About PopCap
PopCap Games is the leading global developer, publisher and operator of
casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to all
ages across PC, mobile, social and other platforms. Based in Seattle,
Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of more than
350 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin,
Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. Its games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion
times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship franchise, Bejeweled(R), has
sold more than 50 million units.
The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are
listed at http://www.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or
its licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and
product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and
are used for the benefit of those owners.
PR Contacts:
North America:
Garth Chouteau
garth@popcap.com
+1-415-602-8147
Verizon to Deploy Industry-Leading 100G Ethernet on Selected Route of Its European Long-Haul Backbone
Ciena and Juniper Networks Help Support Capacity Upgrade to Meet Increasing Bandwidth Demand on Verizon's IP Networks
NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In another technology milestone, Verizon will establish before the end of the year the first standards-based, multivendor 100 gigabit (100G) Ethernet link for the IP backbone on a portion of the company's European long-haul network.
This breakthrough next-generation technology means Verizon will take the next step in advancing 100G technology by enabling 100G Ethernet connections between routers on its IP network.
Verizon will deploy the 100G router-to-router technology on its European backbone network from Paris to Frankfurt. Last year, Verizon deployed a 100G ultra-long-haul optical transmission system on this 893-kilometer (555-mile) network route. It was the first commercial deployment of such a system.
Deploying the 100G Ethernet technology - which will use Juniper Networks routers and Ciena's commercially available 100G Ethernet coherent optical transport solution - enables IP backbone routers to be more efficiently transported on the underlying 100G wavelengths. This provides increased capacity and performance for customers.
"This latest 100G Ethernet advancement is further confirmation of Verizon's commitment to the next-generation technology, which is vital to meet the continued demand for IP-based services and applications from both wired and wireless broadband devices," said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global network planning for Verizon.
Stefan Dyckerhoff, executive vice president and general manager, Infrastructure Products Group at Juniper Networks, said: "Juniper's vision for the new network is built around flexible and scalable networks, including 100G services that are open, dynamic and secure. New and emerging applications and network architectures are increasingly highlighting the need today for 100G capabilities. By working together, we continue to lead the industry in delivering high-speed networks to the organizations and businesses that depend on us."
By installing new equipment for the Ethernet upgrade but retaining use of the current fiber system, Verizon will be able to increase bandwidth without having to change the existing fiber infrastructure.
"The need for ultra-high capacity and increased performance in networks continues to accelerate as end-user demand for cloud services, video and 4G and LTE ramp," said Philippe Morin, senior vice president of Ciena's global products group. "This industry-leading 100G Ethernet deployment with Verizon is a testament to our unique expertise and field-proven experience in providing customers reliable and simple network upgrades to 40G and 100G."
For the past several years Verizon has been a dominant force in 100G technology research, beginning in November 2007 when the company successfully completed the industry's first field trial of 100G optical traffic on a live system. Several 100G trials followed, each pushing the technology further along and culminating in last year's deployment of a 100G optical system on Verizon's European network from Paris to Frankfurt.
"The continuing deployment of 100G technology is critical to support the traffic growth in the Verizon IP network driven by the emerging demand for wireless and video applications," said Tarazi.
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/news.
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: Lynn Staggs, Verizon, +1-918-590-2403, lynn.staggs@verizon.com; Nicole Anderson, Ciena, 1-877-857-7377 or +1-410-694-5786, pr@ciena.com; Peter Ruzicka, Juniper Networks, +1-408-936-4137, pruzicka@juniper.net
GSMA Launches News Service for Chinese Mobile Industry
LONDON, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSMA today announced that it has launched a new Chinese-language edition of its hugely successful Mobile Business Briefing news service. The free, weekly Chinese-language edition of Mobile Business Briefing covers global industry developments and is aimed at the growing number of companies in the China region that are participating in and influencing the world's mobile market.
Justin Springham, Managing Editor of the GSMA's news services, said: "The English-language version of Mobile Business Briefing has already achieved a high readership in China, but we felt that the market's influence on the global stage merited a dedicated Chinese-language version. Our new service will ensure the mobile industry's biggest developments will reach the widest possible audience."
The Chinese service will build on the phenomenal success of the English-language version of Mobile Business Briefing (http://www.mobilebusinessbriefing.com). Launched in 2008, the daily Mobile Business Briefing service has attracted nearly 35,000 'opted-in' subscribers, making it one of the leading news sources for the global mobile industry.
The GSMA has many member companies in China, and hosts its Mobile Asia Congress in Hong Kong, China, with the 2010 Mobile Asia Congress taking place 17-18 November. The Chinese-language edition of Mobile Business Briefing is set to strengthen the range of services the GSMA provides for the region.
In addition to Mobile Business Briefing,the GSMA's in-house editorial team also produces:
-- Mobile Apps Briefing (http://www.mobileappsbriefing.com) - a recently launched
portal and twice-weekly enewsletter covering the major business and
technology issues in the hugely popular but disparate mobile
applications sector. Mobile Apps Briefing's focus is news, analysis and
company profiles on the business behind the consumer app market;
-- Mobile Congress Show Dailies (http://www.mobilebusinessbriefing.com/showdaily)
- the official daily news publications of both the GSMA Mobile World
Congress (MWC) and GSMA Mobile Asia Congress (MAC). The MWC Dailies have
a circulation of 40,000 across the course of the event week and the
publication is also sent by email to every attendee each day, as well as
to the readership of Mobile Business Briefing. A full digital edition of
each Show Daily is also available online during the event. Meanwhile the
MAC eShow Dailies have a distribution of almost 50,000 across two
editions;
-- Snapshot
(https://www.wirelessintelligence.com/analysis/archive/snapshot/) - a
media service from the Wireless Intelligence team dedicated to
delivering timely market intelligence and analysis for the global mobile
industry. Published every week, Snapshot is designed to offer an instant
insight into the latest developments affecting the fast-moving mobile
market; and
-- Mobile World Live (http://www.mobileworldlive.com) - the GSMA's online portal
that serves as a critical information resource for the mobile
communications industry. Recently enhanced, Mobile World Live now
provides even easier access to more innovative content, enabling
seamless integration across all of the GSMA's media properties and
creating a richer user experience for members of the Mobile World Live
community. The Mobile Business Briefing team is responsible for the
editorial content of the portal, ensuring that the community's 56,000+
registered members, as well as approximately 220,000 visitors, are
served with first-class content.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
Qualcomm Extends Augmented Reality Platform with Unity Technologies
-- Enabling Rapid Development of Applications and Services for the Real World --
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced the immediate availability of its Augmented Reality (AR) Extension for Unity. Qualcomm's AR Extension for Unity will enable developers to use Unity's award-winning game development tool to rapidly build augmented reality applications for Android smartphones. Building upon Qualcomm's existing AR platform for Android, the Extension, combined with the Unity development platform, expands the options available and allows developers to build richer interactive games and applications with shorter development times.
"Our mission at Unity Technologies is to democratize game development by making best-of-breed enabling technologies accessible to the broader developer community," said David Helgason, co-founder and CEO of Unity Technologies. "We continue to deliver on this mission by supporting Qualcomm's AR platform for Android application development and are excited by the potential for AR games and experiences."
"In order to drive developer adoption, we are leveraging leading development tools," said Jay Wright, director of business development at Qualcomm. "Unity has proven to be the development platform of choice for both 2D and 3D game development on mobile platforms, making them the obvious choice for this collaboration. Combined with Unity's vibrant developer ecosystem, we believe that the Qualcomm AR Extension for Unity will be a significant catalyst for augmented reality game development."
Qualcomm's AR Extension for Unity is part of Qualcomm's AR platform, which also includes the previously released AR SDK for Android. First announced in June 2010, the platform uses computer vision technology to tightly align graphics with underlying objects in the real world. The approach is an evolution from current AR techniques that use a device's GPS and compass for mapping applications. Vision-based AR delivers a fundamentally different user experience in which graphics appear as if they are anchored to real world objects.
"Qualcomm's AR support for Unity allows our developers to leverage our existing tools to quickly start development of compelling AR applications," said Michael Pole, CEO at Trilogy Studios, a leading developer.
The Qualcomm AR Extension for Unity is available immediately for download as a beta release from Unity's recently announced Asset Store as well as from Qualcomm's developer portal at developer.qualcomm.com/ar.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in next-generation mobile technologies. For 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of wireless communications, connecting people more closely to information, entertainment and each other. Today, Qualcomm technologies are powering the convergence of mobile communications and consumer electronics, making wireless devices and services more personal, affordable and accessible to people everywhere. For more information, visit Qualcomm around the Web:
Neustar Announces Registry Service Offering for Registrars
White-Label Offering Enables Registrars to Provide Registry Services
STERLING, Va., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR), a leading domain name registry services provider, announces a service offering that will enable domain name registrars to enter the registry market.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) made an announcement yesterday that registrars would be permitted to apply for new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) in May of 2011.
Today registrars act as the retail channel selling domain names to businesses, individuals and organizations. They buy such names from registry operators at wholesale prices (Neustar Registry Services for names such as .biz and .us, and Verisign for .com and .net). Under the new policy, registrars will be permitted to apply for the right to operate registries for new gTLDs such as .web, .blog, .news or others.
Neustar's new service offering will provide registrars with all of the registry services they need to apply for and become a registry for their own gTLDs. The service operated by Neustar includes the back end registry, whois, global DNS, DNSSEC and all of the other capabilities required to meet the ICANN requirements for new gTLDs. The service will be offered as a white-label offering, meaning registrars can brand the solution as their own.
Tim Switzer, Vice President, Registry Services at Neustar said, "Neustar has been operating a world class registry for 10 years and currently provides services to over 280 ICANN accredited registrars. This white label solution will make it possible for Registrars to quickly and cost-effectively enter the registry business, while promoting their own brands and domain extensions."
Neustar's Registry Service is available to registrars immediately. For more information, please see http://www.neustarregistry.biz.
About Neustar, Inc.
Neustar, Inc. (NYSE: NSR) Neustar provides market-leading and innovative services that enable trusted communication across networks, applications, and enterprises around the world. Neustar Domain Name Registry Services operates the global registry for .US and .BIZ; in addition, it provides back-end registry services for .CO, .TEL, .TRAVEL, gateway services to country code top level domains, internationalized domain names (IDNs), and full registry services to new top level domains. Neustar's registry is connected to over 280 domain name registrars worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.neustar.biz and http://www.neustarregistry.biz.
Idealstor expands product line with an SMB backup solution starting at only $199.00 with disk capacities up to 1TB
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Idealstor, a leading manufacturer of ejectable disk-to-disk backup solutions, announced today the release of the Idealstor Bantam. The Bantam is a removable disk backup solution designed to completely replace tape based backup for small to mid sized businesses. Starting at only $199.00, the Idealstor Bantam offers up to 1TB of removable disk backup capacity and transfer rates of up to 480MB/second.
The Idealstor Bantam was developed to help smaller businesses backup more data faster. The Bantam is a direct attached backup system designed to backup any server or desktop. The Bantam is a complete backup system and ships with Idealstor's iBac Data Protection Software and management software to manage the removable disk media. Additional disk cartridges, extended warranty and USB3 controllers are available for the Bantam.
At time of launch, Idealstor will offer disk cartridges with capacities of 320GB, 500GB, 750GB and 1TB. Bantam cartridges are made from a rugged aluminum design and come with shock proofing to help protect the disk media when in transit or while being stored. The Bantam disk cartridges utilize 2.5" SATA disks and are forward compatible to offer larger sized media as larger 2.5" disks become available.
Each Bantam ships with software developed by Idealstor designed to make backing up to removable disk media a seamless process. iBac Lite, a version of Idealstor's iBac Data Protection software, was specifically designed for the Bantam. iBac Lite includes enterprise class features such as data de-duplication, drag and drop restore and native format backup. Upgrades are available for network based backups and for backing up live/active databases such as Microsoft SQL and Exchange. In addition to iBac, each Bantam ships with Idealstor's disk management software, IDM. IDM allows users to format, label and eject the Bantam cartridges and ensures data integrity and that drive letters remain consistent as Bantam media is swapped out.
"For years we've offered businesses an enterprise class removable disk backup solution designed to completely replace tape based backup," said Nandan Arora, Chief Technology Officer for Idealstor. "As much as our solutions were an affordable alternative to tape, there was a large segment of the market that needed a solution like ours but didn't have the amount of data or the budget to afford even our entry level products. We finally have a solution designed specifically for the SMB with the Bantam. Out of the gate we'll offer a range of capacity options with disk cartridges to fit the backup needs of most small businesses. In addition, the bantam is USB3 compatible and comes bundled with our backup software iBac. We expect the Bantam to be well received and starting at only $199.00 it should fit the needs and budget of any SMB."
Idealstor is the leading manufacturer of removable disk to disk backup solutions. Idealstor's disk backup solutions allow companies to backup to disk and remove them for offsite storage and disaster recovery in place of tape based backup. Idealstor is also the developer of iBac Data Protection Software. iBac is designed for any environment and offers data de-duplication, drag and drop restore and native format backup. Idealstor's aim is to take away the headaches, pain and expenses normally associated with tape based backup systems and offer you peace of mind.
SOURCE Idealstor
Idealstor
CONTACT: Martin deLannoy, Idealstor, +1-801-583-0209, mdelannoy@idealstor.com
TOKYO and BEIJING, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The New York Times recently reported on Hanvon, the world's first color e-book. The following in an excerpt from the article that appeared in the New York Times on Nov. 8, 2010, with the headline "Color Comes to E Ink Screens"
E-book readers are lightweight and use little power, but most have a distinct disadvantage to colorful tablet computers: their black-and-white displays.
But on Tuesday at the FPD International 2010 trade show in Tokyo, a Chinese company will announce that it will be the first to sell a color display using technology from E Ink, whose black-and-white displays are used in 90 percent of the world's e-readers, including the AmazonKindle, Sony Readers and the Nook from Barnes & Noble.
CenturyLink and Qwest Reach Agreement With Colorado PUC Staff
Staff Recommends the Public Utilities Commission Approve Merger
MONROE, La. and DENVER, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and Qwest Communications (NYSE: Q) have reached an agreement with the staff of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on the proposed merger of the two companies.
The staff finds that the merger is consistent with and "not contrary to" the public interest and that it should be approved by the PUC based on the terms and conditions in the agreement. The staff's recommendation is subject to review by the commission members.
The companies and the PUC staff agreed to a resolution of retail and wholesale issues, which includes the companies providing the PUC and staff with regular integration updates and reports. Additionally, the combined company will invest a minimum of $70 million in broadband infrastructure in Colorado over five years.
"We appreciate the PUC staff for recommending that the commission approve our merger," said Chuck Ward, Qwest Colorado president. "This agreement assures that Qwest's strong commitment to its retail and wholesale customers in Colorado will continue after our companies combine their operations."
"The commission staff has worked diligently to address the needs of Colorado consumers, and we appreciate their thoroughness in the review process," said John Jones, vice president of state government affairs for CenturyLink. "This agreement is another example of the increasing support the merger is receiving from various parties in multiple states."
CenturyLink and Qwest have received regulatory approval for their pending merger in 12 states and the District of Columbia. The companies must receive approvals from nine more states, including Colorado, and the Federal Communications Commission.
In addition to the Colorado PUC staff, CenturyLink and Qwest have reached a merger agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. In Utah, the companies have agreements with the Utah Division of Public Utilities, the Utah Office of Consumer Services and the Salt Lake Community Action Program.
The companies also have resolved issues regarding wholesale services with Integra Telecom, a competitive local exchange carrier that is now withdrawing its opposition to the merger in Colorado, Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington.
An agreement also was reached in Colorado, Arizona and Utah with the federal government that addresses the handling of merger-related costs. It also assures the companies will maintain high service quality and a sufficient number of employees with security clearances after the merger closes.
Last month, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) agreed that the merger is in the public interest and have withdrawn their previous opposition. Shareholders from both companies approved the merger in August.
CenturyLink and Qwest announced previously that after the transaction is completed, which is expected during the first half of 2011, Denver will be one of six nationwide regional headquarters planned for the combined company and the base for its Business Markets Group.
For more information about the merger, visit centurylinkqwestmerger.com.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink is a leading provider of high-quality broadband, entertainment and voice services over its advanced communications networks to consumers and businesses in 33 states. CenturyLink, headquartered in Monroe, La., is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations. For more information on CenturyLink, visit http://www.centurylink.com.
About Qwest
Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber-optic network and world-class customer service to meet their communications and entertainment needs. For residential customers, Qwest offers a new generation of fiber-optic-fast Internet service, high-speed internet solutions, as well as home phone, Verizon Wireless, and DIRECTV® services. Fortune 500 companies and other large businesses and wholesale customers, as well as small businesses and governmental agencies, choose Qwest to deliver a full suite of network, data and voice services. Additionally, Qwest participates in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by leading technology industry analyst firms.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain non-historical statements made in this release and future oral or written statements or press releases by us or our management are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry (including those arising out of the Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Plan released in the first quarter of 2010); our ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry; changes in our allocation of the Embarq purchase price after the date hereof; our ability to successfully integrate Embarq into our operations, including the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the Embarq merger cannot be fully realized in a timely manner or at all, or that integrating Embarq's operations into ours will be more difficult, disruptive or costly than anticipated; our ability to successfully complete our pending acquisition of Qwest, including timely receiving all shareholder and regulatory approvals and realizing the anticipated benefits of the transaction; our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities, including retaining and hiring key personnel; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our continued access to credit markets on favorable terms; our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled communications companies; our ability to pay a $2.90 per common share dividend annually, which may be affected by changes in our cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flows or financial position; unanticipated increases in our capital expenditures; our ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; the effects of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in this report or other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical, pension or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other uncertainties related to our business and our July 2009 acquisition of Embarq are described in greater detail in Item 1A to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as updated and supplemented by our subsequent SEC reports. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements for any reason.
CONTACT: Debra Peterson of CenturyLink, +1-913-323-4881, debra.d.peterson@centurylink.com; or Tom McMahon of Qwest, +1-202-429-3106, tom.mcmahon@qwest.com
SunTrust Engages Trusteer to Increase Security for Users of Online Treasury Manager(SM)
Trusteer Rapport Software to Help Clients Prevent Malware Attacks
ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) has announced that Trusteer, a leading provider of secure browsing services, is offering Trusteer Rapport as a new security solution for SunTrust clients who use Online Treasury Manager(SM). The software, which is available at no cost to clients, is part of SunTrust's ongoing commitment to help clients protect against fraud and malware attacks.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Association for Financial Professionals, 73 percent of AFP members polled said they either encountered attempted or experienced actual payments fraud. With the incidence of fraud increasing, SunTrust recommends its Online Treasury Manager clients download Trusteer Rapport, which silently protects data exchanged during web banking sessions and secures computers against Man in the Middle, Man in the Browser, and phishing attacks when using Online Treasury Manager. Trusteer Rapport also verifies that users are connecting to the legitimate SunTrust Online Treasury Manager site.
"With increasingly sophisticated malware on the public Internet, we believe it is critical for SunTrust clients using Online Treasury Manager to implement software like Trusteer Rapport," said Nick Alex, Senior Vice President, SunTrust Treasury & Payment Solutions. "We are proud to offer Trusteer Rapport's enhanced protections with Online Treasury Manager, and we encourage our clients to take advantage of these additional security benefits."
"The growing sophistication of malware and threats that target businesses and their online bank accounts requires a layered approach to security and risk management that starts in the web browser," said Mickey Boodaei, CEO of Trusteer. "Trusteer Rapport enables SunTrust clients to establish and maintain a secure web session with the SunTrust Online Treasury Manager application."
Trusteer Rapport software is easy to install and complements other SunTrust robust security features such as dual approval, dual administration and transaction limits. It also complements, but does not replace, security programs such as firewalls and anti-virus software. To learn more about Trusteer Rapport, visit trusteer.com/support. SunTrust clients may contact their Client Services Specialist.
About SunTrust Banks, Inc.
SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of September 30, 2010, SunTrust had total assets of $174.7 billion and total deposits of $120.3 billion. The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves clients in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through various subsidiaries the Company provides mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, investment management, equipment leasing and investment banking services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com
About Trusteer
Trusteer, the world's leading provider of secure browsing services, helps secure computers against Man in the Middle, Man in the Browser, and Phishing attacks. Trusteer is currently used by more than 70 leading financial organizations and enterprises in North America and Europe, and by more than 14 million end users to protect their online banking, shopping and other communication against sophisticated malware attacks and fraud. Trusteer's service for enterprises prevents malware from accessing enterprise network resources and sensitive information through SSL - VPN connections and unmanaged devices. Trusteer is a privately held corporation led by former executives from RSA Security, Imperva, and Juniper. Follow us on http://www.Twitter.com/Trusteer. For more information about our products and services, please visit http://www.trusteer.com.
United States Distance Learning Association Releases White Paper on Successes and Barriers to Online Learning
New Paper Highlights Policy Measures to Keep Online Learning - and the Broadband Technology That Supports It - Growing
More Students Engaged in Unique Ways of Learning
BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) released a white paper titled, "Enabled By Broadband, Education Enters A New Frontier." The paper highlights the successes and growth of distance learning, and suggests policy measures to ensure that barriers to continued growth are removed.
"In order for 21(st) century distance learning opportunities to continue to flourish and allow more consumers immediate availability to convenient and affordable education, immediate access to affordable broadband must continue to grow," said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director of the USDLA. "This paper highlights the measures we believe need to be taken in order to advance online learning and opportunity; and broadband access is a huge component of that need."
He added, "Online learning via the web, videoconferencing or satellite is keeping students engaged and in school, especially at-risk youth who are able to overcome educational obstacles because of the flexible and exciting nature of distance learning. Students and lifelong learners are reaching their goals because of broadband technology applications. "
The four measures outlined in the paper are as follows:
-- Educators and education officials should move forward with the
development of online based curriculum and the digital content to
support it.
-- Policymakers should review accreditation rules, teacher licensing
requirements, copyright law, and other laws and regulations that may
unintentionally undermine the effectiveness of online learning and limit
the use of digital technologies in the classroom.
-- Policymakers should redouble efforts to deliver broadband connectivity,
and the opportunity to enjoy online learning, to every American with
universal deployment and adoption of broadband as the first priority in
national technology policy.
-- Policymakers should explore measures to enable the deployment and
adoption of broadband in high-cost areas and avoid policies, including
unnecessary regulation that can raise costs and make it harder for less
affluent school districts and individuals to fully adopt broadband
technology.
To read the paper in its entirety, please visit the USDLA website http://www.usdla.org.
About USDLA
The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance education and training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling, as well as business, corporate, military, government, and telehealth markets.
SOURCE United States Distance Learning Association
United States Distance Learning Association
CONTACT: Kimberly F. Airasian, ESQ., Director of Corporate and Legal Services, United States Distance Learning Association, +1-617-399-1770, Fax: +1-617-399-1771
New 'Green' Electronic Lock Does Not Require Wires or Batteries
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kaba Access Control introduces its new generation of self-powered electronic access control--the E-Plex® 2000 Series with PowerStar(TM) technology. The patented PowerStar(TM) technology charges the lock with each turn of the lever, thereby eliminating the need to ever buy or replace any batteries. Additionally, there is no wiring to, or through the door.
To operate the E-Plex® 2000 with PowerStar,(TM) you simply turn the lever to power-up the electronics, and then enter your valid access code. Turn the lever again to gain access.
Because there are no batteries to replace that would eventually end up in landfills, the E-Plex® 2000 Series with PowerStar(TM) technology is a "greener" choice than other electronic options. Also, since there is no external wiring, installation is easy and reliable over time.
The E-Plex® 2000 with PowerStar(TM) will be available in Cylindrical, Mortise and Exit trim(s). Up to 100 user codes can be enrolled into the lock at any given time. Other programmable features include, passage, lockout, tamper shutdown, and service codes.
To find out more about the E-Plex® 2000 with PowerStar,(TM) please consult with a Kaba E-Plex® Distributor, visit http://www.kabaaccess.com, or call 800-849-8324 or 336-725-1331.
Corporate Overview
Kaba has provided strong, powerful security solutions since 1862. During its approximate 150 year history, Kaba has grown into a technological leader in the security industry. Today, the Kaba group invests substantially in research and development to stay at the forefront of the industry's technological leadership. Kaba's global presence can be seen in operations in more than 60 countries.
Kaba Access Control, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offers a diversified product line of access control solutions. With Peaks® patented key control systems, Simplex® mechanical push-button locks and E-Plex® advanced electronic access control including smart card systems--Kaba Access Control offers a solution for every access point and every budget.
Javelin and Me!Box Media Announce Partnership to Provide Clients Unparalleled Online Video Engagement
DALLAS, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Javelin Marketing Group, a full-service CRM agency that bridges the gap between brand promise and the full customer experience, has entered into a partnership with Me!Box Media to redefine what online video can do.
Through this arrangement, Javelin can now offer clients a way to integrate video content that enables their customers to access rich and relevant Web content without ever leaving the video itself.
"The unique Me!Box platform allows consumers to satisfy their curiosity beyond the video without needing to exit a player and, at the same time, allows brands to deepen their engagement with consumers by providing access to relevant content in a non-intrusive, intuitive interface," explained George Neill, Senior Vice President of Me!Box.
The user interface, positioned next to the video, encourages involvement using click-through, call-to-action, scene bookmarking and countless other triggers to generate viewer participation.
"This effort will enable our clients to continuously improve how they inform and sell to their audience in a more relevant and personal way," said Pamela Larrick, CEO of Javelin Marketing Group. "Measuring the effectiveness of the message and tying both back to ROI lies at the core of our business."
Me!Box works with all websites by leveraging a highly scalable infrastructure, allowing a Me!Box video to be embedded into any website quickly and easily. Clients are able to deliver experience-enhancing contextual information anywhere in a video without altering it, which makes the entire marketing effort more personal and profitable.
"This is the first step in honing the effectiveness of video's ability to inspire curiosity, trigger an aspiration to learn more and fulfill a call to action almost simultaneously. With the Javelin/Me!Box tool set, we are moving the market from data accumulation straight into an ROI-based spend," said Larrick.
"Over time, this technology will be leveraged across multiple platforms and we're wasting no time by starting with our global clients," Larrick added. "We are not just moving the needle. We are reinventing the dashboard."
About Javelin Marketing Group
Javelin Marketing Group (http://www.javelinmarketinggroup.com) is a full service CRM agency that bridges the gap between brand promise and the full customer experience. By balancing the art of analytics with the science of insights, Javelin works with its clients to make marketing personal, profitable, and provable. Using perceptive consumer insights, award-winning creative and precise analytics, they empower clients to establish and strengthen customer relationships through direct marketing, interactive and DRTV efforts. An Omnicom Group agency (http://www.omnicomgroup.com), Javelin has offices in Dallas, New York and Atlanta.
About Me!Box Media
Online video consumption is expanding exponentially and Me!Box gives content providers the tools needed to leverage this growing phenomenon. Their patent-pending, metadata-enabled (ME!) technology creates a platform where consumers can explore topic-related information and brand-related messages directly from an online video. Me!Box Media provides clients the ability to instantly satisfy customer interest and excitement, track and analyze viewing behavior and monetize video engagements. Easy to deploy, repurposing existing video content libraries can also be performed quickly. They are based in Chicago, IL.
Contacts
Mark Miller, VP, Client Development
(972) 443-7011
mark.miller@javelinmarketinggroup.com
George Neill, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing
(312) 363-7291
gneill@meboxmedia.com
SOURCE Javelin Marketing Group
Javelin Marketing Group
CONTACT: Mark Miller, VP, Client Development, Javelin Marketing Group, +1-972-443-7011, mark.miller@javelinmarketinggroup.com; or George Neill, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing, Me!Box Media, +1-312-363-7291, gneill@meboxmedia.com
'Tis the Season to Get Social - Sears and Kmart Debut eGifting Solution for Holiday Shoppers
New Facebook Application Lets Shoppers Buy and Send Gift Cards without Leaving Facebook
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Giving the gift of a Sears or Kmart gift card has gone social as the retailers announced today the introduction of eGifting on Facebook®. The addition of eGift Social to the Sears and Kmart Facebook pages allows consumers to show appreciation for friends and family by giving affordable, yet meaningful gifts in real time. The eGift cards, which are available in $5 increments up to $25, will be posted on the recipient's Facebook wall or personal e-mail account immediately upon transaction.
"eGift Social enhances Sears and Kmart customers' shopping experience directly within our digital communities," said Susan Ehrlich, president, Financial Services, Sears Holdings. "We're making gift giving easier than ever this holiday season by offering our fans the opportunity to purchase gifts directly on Facebook from any computer or mobile device."
Sears and Kmart are the first national mass merchant retailers to launch a Facebook gifting program using the First Data(SM) eGift Social(SM) solution. With more than 500 million active users on Facebook daily(i), eGift Social takes shopping at Sears and Kmart to the next level by allowing Facebook users to purchase and send gift cards to a friend or loved one's Facebook account or e-mail address. The eGift card can be used in store or online at any of Sears and Kmart brands' retail establishments.
To use the Sears or Kmart eGift Social application, shoppers simply visit the brands' Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/sears or http://www.facebook.com/kmart) and select one or multiple friends to which they want to send gifts; either by adding them from Facebook or by entering their e-mail address. The sender then selects the card amount they'd like to gift, adds a personal message and proceeds through a secure checkout process. Once the purchase is completed, the recipient will receive a Facebook wall post or an e-mail depending on the distribution method the sender selects, notifying them of the gift and instructions on how to use the gift card. With eGift Social, giving the perfect Sears or Kmart gift has never been easier or smarter this holiday season.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
CONTACT: Shannelle Armstrong of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-0715, Shannelle.Armstrong@searshc.com; or Fabia J. Talhame of JSH&A Public Relations, +1-630-916-3031, Fabia@jsha.com, for Sears
'Tis the Season to Get Social - Sears and Kmart Debut eGifting Solution for Holiday Shoppers
New Facebook Application Lets Shoppers Buy and Send Gift Cards without Leaving Facebook
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.,Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Giving the gift of a Sears or Kmart gift card has gone social as the retailers announced today the introduction of eGifting on Facebook®. The addition of eGift Social to the Sears and Kmart Facebook pages allows consumers to show appreciation for friends and family by giving affordable, yet meaningful gifts in real time. The eGift cards, which are available in $5 increments up to $25, will be posted on the recipient's Facebook wall or personal e-mail account immediately upon transaction.
"eGift Social enhances Sears and Kmart customers' shopping experience directly within our digital communities," said Susan Ehrlich, president, Financial Services, Sears Holdings. "We're making gift giving easier than ever this holiday season by offering our fans the opportunity to purchase gifts directly on Facebook from any computer or mobile device."
Sears and Kmart are the first national mass merchant retailers to launch a Facebook gifting program using the First Data(SM) eGift Social(SM) solution. With more than 500 million active users on Facebook daily(i), eGift Social takes shopping at Sears and Kmart to the next level by allowing Facebook users to purchase and send gift cards to a friend or loved one's Facebook account or e-mail address. The eGift card can be used in store or online at any of Sears and Kmart brands' retail establishments.
To use the Sears or Kmart eGift Social application, shoppers simply visit the brands' Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/sears or http://www.facebook.com/kmart) and select one or multiple friends to which they want to send gifts; either by adding them from Facebook or by entering their e-mail address. The sender then selects the card amount they'd like to gift, adds a personal message and proceeds through a secure checkout process. Once the purchase is completed, the recipient will receive a Facebook wall post or an e-mail depending on the distribution method the sender selects, notifying them of the gift and instructions on how to use the gift card. With eGift Social, giving the perfect Sears or Kmart gift has never been easier or smarter this holiday season.
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2010 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
CONTACT: Shannelle Armstrong of Sears Holdings, +1-847-286-0715, Shannelle.Armstrong@searshc.com; or Jenina Nunez of Flowers Communications Group, +1-312-228-8826, jnunez@flowerscomm.com, for Sears Holdings
Accelerates the Ability of Mainframe Users to Migrate Off Aging Tape-Based Storage Infrastructures
HOPKINTON, Mass., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- EMC® Corporation (NYSE: EMC), the world's leading provider of information infrastructure solutions, today announced it has acquired Bedford, Massachusetts-based Bus-Tech®, Inc. Bus-Tech is a privately held provider of VTL (Virtual Tape Library) solutions that utilize open systems disk storage to store and retrieve mainframe tape data. Bus-Tech products enhance EMC solutions for mainframe batch processing, backup and recovery, disaster recovery, and data archiving applications. Bus-Tech now becomes part of the rapidly growing EMC Backup Recovery Systems division, which delivers next-generation, disk-based backup and recovery solutions. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact to EMC GAAP and non-GAAP EPS for the full 2010 fiscal year.
The opportunity for mainframe users to eliminate tape infrastructure and embrace next-generation disk-based backup solutions is being driven by mainframe virtual tape and data deduplication technologies. Bus-Tech and EMC are technology and market leaders in these respective categories. IDC estimates mainframe tape storage and media revenues will be $2.5 billion between 2010 and 2014, creating a significant market opportunity for disk-based storage in mainframe tape environments. The combination of EMC disk library and EMC deduplication storage systems with Bus-Tech mainframe virtual tape library controllers gives mainframe users a simple, cost-effective way to eliminate complex and aging tape-based systems. This accelerates their batch, backup and disaster recovery processes while providing automation and reliability levels that tape-based systems simply cannot deliver.
Frank Slootman, President of EMC's Backup Recovery Systems division, said, "Mainframe users are not immune to the challenges with tape when it comes to backup and recovery. In a few short years, the application of data deduplication and disk-based storage has literally transformed the backup market. The addition of Bus-Tech will enable us to deliver a suite of next-generation mainframe backup products that are highly differentiated in terms of performance, integration and supportability."
Bus-Tech has been a member of the EMC Select partner program since 2004, and has been an EMC OEM partner since March of 2008. Bus-Tech most recently collaborated with EMC in July of 2010 to help deliver the Deduplication Storage Expansion option for the EMC DLm960 Disk Library for Mainframe, which was based on the widely adopted EMC Data Domain® DD880 deduplication storage system. The pairing of Bus-Tech mainframe connectivity and Data Domain deduplication storage systems creates an unrivalled performance advantage for mainframe users that is based on field-proven products and technologies.
Al Brandt, President of Bus-Tech, said, "This acquisition begins a new and very exciting chapter for Bus-Tech and its employees. EMC's Backup Recovery Systems division has sustained a market trajectory to which we will soon be contributing. Bus-Tech's solutions span the full range of mainframe customer types, so the potential associated with this combination is significant. We are looking forward to a very productive future as members of the EMC family."
About EMC
EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) is the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at http://www.EMC.com.
EMC and Data Domain are registered trademarks of EMC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Bus-Tech is a registered trademark of Bus-Tech, Inc.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iii) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (iv) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (v) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (vi) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (vii) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (viii) component and product quality and availability; (ix) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (x) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xi) war or acts of terrorism; (xii) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xiii) fluctuating currency exchange rates; and (xiv) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
SOURCE EMC Corporation
EMC Corporation
CONTACT: Ed Luboja, +1-203-210-7404, eluboja@datadomain.com
Raritan Power IQ® iPhone App for Managing Data Centers Now Available on iTunes® App Store
View energy metrics and power cycle servers when on the go - 'there's an app for that'
SOMERSET, N.J., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raritan today introduced Power IQ® iPhone app -- the first application available at the Apple iTunes Store that helps data center and lab managers "on the go" quickly view real-time power load (watts and amps) and perform secure remote power control on any server or rack power distribution unit.
The free Raritan Power IQ mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes online store, provides rack power management capabilities from anywhere. From an iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, the Raritan iPhone app enables users to easily access data center power information gathered by Raritan's vendor-agnostic Power IQ energy management software and take corrective action, such as turning off a server, if necessary.
A live-demo feature is also provided on the iPhone app, which enables users to try the app using servers running in Raritan's IT Lab. "Visitors can use the Power IQ iPhone app to turn our Lab servers off and on, as well as access their energy metrics," said James Cerwinski, senior product manager in Raritan's Power Business Unit.
"Power IQ iPhone app is designed to deliver key energy information and helpful management functions to data center managers when they want it," added Cerwinski. "Whether at a trade show, out to dinner or in the data center, users now have a solution to view real-time power load and perform secure power control operations on an outlet or multi-power-supply IT device, such as a server. This app saves both time and effort, ensuring data center professionals have the information and control they need when they need it."
Raritan Power IQ iPhone app works on any Apple-powered device running iOS version 3.1 or higher. The Power IQ iPhone app is designed with the iPhone screen's real estate in mind and leverages the iPad's unique functions -- such as rotational screens and pinch zoom. It works in both portrait and landscape layouts.
To download the free app, visit the Apple iTunes Store and search for "Raritan Power IQ."
For those who don't have an Apple device, a free five-device version of Power IQ energy management software can be downloaded at http://www.raritan.com/energy-savings.
Raritan Power IQ iPhone App On the Go
-- While away from the data center -- Receive an email alert that a "PDU
has exceeded its load threshold." Open Power IQ iPhone app to view the
load (amps and watts) on each device in the rack and determine if any
action should be taken. Use the Power IQ iPhone app to turn off a
non-critical device, and clear the threshold violation.
-- While adding new servers to the Lab -- With a mixed environment of rack
PDUs in the Lab, it is often difficult to read the power load on the
rack PDU display. Prior to installing the server in a rack, use Power
IQ iPhone app to confirm the rack's power load and then turn on the
outlets.
About Power IQ®
Power IQ Energy Management software is a comprehensive solution to obtain the most out of a data center's existing power supply and infrastructure. Enterprise-wide data collection at the device level enables Power IQ's analytics to calculate and chart active power, energy consumption, cost, and carbon footprint for servers and other IT devices. Power information is presented in user-configurable graphs and reports that can be accessed from anywhere with Power IQ's Web-based dashboard. Graphs can easily depict which devices are consuming the most energy, whether power conservation efforts are working, and if there are hot spots or over-cooled areas.
Power IQ collects a wide range of energy data -- amps, volts, PF, watts, kWh, temperature, humidity -- from rack power distribution units (PDUs) and in-line meters. Power IQ supports PDUs from APC, Avocent, Baytech, Cyber Switching, Geist, HP, Knurr, Liebert, MRV, Raritan, Rittal, Server Technology and UNITE.
Power IQ is offered as a virtual and a hardware appliance. A mobile version, available starting today, provides key Power IQ functions in an iPhone app.
About Raritan (Raritan.com)
Raritan is a proven innovator of power management, infrastructure management, KVM and serial solutions for data centers of all sizes. In more than 50,000 locations worldwide, Raritan's award-winning hardware and software solutions -- including intelligent PDUs, energy management software, KVM-over-IP and Serial-over-IP access products -- provide IT and facility directors, managers and administrators with the control they need to increase power management efficiency, improve data center productivity and enhance branch office operations. Based in Somerset, N.J., Raritan has offices worldwide serving 76 countries. For more information, visit Raritan.com. Raritan is an active member of the Green Grid, Climate Savers Computing Initiative, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design associations. The company has been recognized by the EPA for its contribution to the agency's data center initiative. Raritan's power management solutions have won five key industry awards this year.
Image of Raritan Power IQ iPhone app
SOURCE Raritan
Raritan
CONTACT: The Harbor Group, Raritan@theHarborGroup.com, +1-978-526-1601
Award-Winning All-Digital Women's Magazine VIVmag Ushers in Holiday Season with the Original Cover Girl Carol Alt
November/December Issue Celebrates the Season of Joy with Tips on Giving Back, Interactive Smart Style, plus Food and Fitness Features to Help "Vivify" Your Holiday
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The holiday season is a time for celebration and reflecting on what matters most in life: your family, your health and the importance of making a difference in the world. Launched today and now available on the iPad, iPhone, Mac and PC, the November/December 2010 "Giving Back" issue of VIVmag, the original all-digital women's luxury magazine, celebrates the joys of the season. The issue offers an exclusive holiday lineup of interactive style, food, fashion, fitness and wellness features designed to help women "Vivify" their end-of-year celebrations.
"The holidays are a time when many of us slow down, spend time with family and take stock of our lives and the events of the past year," said Anne M. Russell, editor-in-chief, VIVmag. "In that spirit, this issue of VIVmag kicks off with an exclusive profile of one of the original supermodels, Carol Alt, who--still stunning and vivacious at age 50--shares her secrets to longevity and what's most important to her today."
With complete holiday-themed coverage in VIVmag's signature dynamic, interactive, rich-media style, the "Giving Back" issue features the VIVmag "Guide to Smarter Giving" to help readers make the most of tax and other financial benefits when making donations, plus resident Home Style entertaining expert Colin Cowie talks with The Angelrock Project founder Malaak Compton-Rock about the importance of philanthropy.
Other holiday health, wellness and style features include:
-- holiday fashions that look festive -- not foolish -- plus red-carpet
ready hairstyles and winter style straight from the runway;
-- a high-intensity stress-busting workout that can help you lose weight
and keep your cool, despite the decadent dishes and difficult relatives
you may encounter this season;
-- holiday gift guides with advice for choosing gifts that keep on giving
beyond the holiday season--for friends, relatives, fitness lovers and
even your holiday party hostess;
-- wine, food and music advice for planning the perfect holiday soiree.
Celebrated for its interactive, immersive digital content, VIVmag recently won silver in the international DIGITAL MAGAZINE AWARDS competition in the Lifestyle Magazine of the Year category, celebrating the best magazines and individuals from the digital publishing industry. VIVmag also earned recognition as the Leading Digital Edition at min's Editorial & Design Awards on November 8, 2010. With nearly 375,000 readers, VIVmag is one of the largest subscription-based, all-digital women's lifestyle magazines and the only one available on multiple digital platforms/devices, including iPad, iPhone, Mac and PC.
Powered by UNITY(TM), Zinio's multimedia, universal reading platform, VIVmag expanded its reach to become a truly ubiquitous lifestyle guide for women with the launch of its free VIVmag app for iPad(TM) on October 19, creating an ultra-portable, accessible-from-anywhere ecosystem for its exclusive interactive, rich media features and advertising content.
To preview the upcoming November/December 2010 Giving Back Issue of VIVmag, visit http://www.vivmag.com.
About VIVmag
VIVmag is a first: It's an exclusively digital, 100% interactive magazine that delivers reliable, accurate service journalism in fitness, wellness, fashion, beauty, awareness and nutrition. Its audience of savvy women is genuinely committed to leading healthy, balanced lives. VIVmag's interactive content entertains and informs, helping readers achieve the confidence that comes from engaging life at a higher level. From interactive exercise demonstrations to point-and-click purchasing power right from its pages, VIVmag has attracted a circulation of 375,000 influential readers committed to discovering and embracing the future of magazines. To learn more about VIVmag, please visit http://www.VIVmag.com.
About Zinio
Zinio is the world's largest newsstand and bookstore. With its many digital products and services, Zinio creates better ways for people to discover published content, get more of it and do more with it. Now, readers can purchase content once to be read on any screen. Zinio provides the ability to shop for, search inside, read, share and save digital content in 23 local newsstands in any country in the world. Through the Zinio UNITY(TM) reading platform, readers can move seamlessly within each publication page between text, interactive graphics, animated illustrations, videos and much more. Offering hundreds of thousands of the best digital issues, Zinio's e-stores and applications are revolutionizing reading. Founded in 2001 and privately held, Zinio is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in New York, London, Paris, Barcelona and Taipei.
SOURCE Zinio
Zinio
CONTACT: Belinda Banks of SS|PR, +1-609-750-9110, belinda@sspr.com, for Zinio
Belgium Neuhaus Chocolates Are Now Available Online
Historic Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus is launching a new online store offering delivery throughout the US.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in 1857, Neuhaus is one of Belgium's most historic and respected chocolatiers. Inventors of the Belgian praline, the filled bite size piece of chocolate, Neuhaus is legendary for its innovative chocolate creations, all made at one single factory located in Belgium. The Neuhaus Belgian Chocolate Online Store was launched on 1st November 2010. Its authentic Belgian chocolate can now be shipped anywhere in the United States.
Chocolate lovers will rejoice that they no longer have to wait for a trip to Europe, New York City or Washington DC, to purchase chocolates at one of the luxury Neuhaus retail stores. Now they can enjoy delivery of their favorite Neuhaus Belgian chocolate treats right to their home for any occasion. From pralines, truffles, biscuits and chocolate bars or tablets, to candied orange peel dipped in dark chocolate, the online store has a wide selection of chocolate delicacies to choose from. The Neuhaus online store also offers a broad selection of services ranging from assistance with corporate gifts to the creation of custom favor selections for events. Neuhaus is famous for its delightful Christmas chocolates, including unique Christmas ornaments filled with gourmet Belgian chocolates.
Delivery of high quality chocolates in the US with its various temperature regions can be a challenge. Neuhaus is focused on ensuring that chocolates arrive at a perfect temperature for an amazing taste experience. Chocolates are carefully packed with dry ice when necessary to maintain the quality of their taste and aroma. At the same time, Neuhaus has focused on keeping shipping costs very low so everyone in the United States can enjoy one of the world's most delectable gourmet treats fresh from Belgium.
Verizon Takes FiOS Anywhere With the Launch of Flex View - On-Demand Programming Anytime, Anywhere
Customers Now Can Rent or Purchase Movies - and (Soon) TV Shows - Online, on TV, and on Select Mobile Devices; Personal Photos, Videos and Music Also Soon Accessible
NEW YORK,Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon continues to pioneer the future of TV with the introduction of Flex View, giving FiOS TV customers anywhere, anytime access to on-demand video entertainment. Flex View enhances FiOS TV Video on Demand to let customers take video programming outside of the home and view it on various portable devices, including a growing number of compatible smartphones, tablets and laptops. The new feature is now available to most FiOS subscribers and will be in all FiOS markets by the end of the month.
With more than 1,400 currently available movie titles - which are expected to grow to more than 2,000 titles by year-end and at least triple that by next year, including TV shows - customers can enjoy the ease of watching their favorite titles any time, anywhere.
Unlike typical streaming services, Flex View lets users download titles to computers and smartphones so users can watch even when there is no Internet connection available. In addition, next year users will be able to access their personal content - including photos, videos and music - on the go. There is no additional subscription fee required to use Flex View.
"Verizon is taking the triple play to the triple screen, making on-the-go video programming quick and easy," said Shawn Strickland, vice president of consumer strategy and planning for Verizon. "This is a valuable extension of our FiOS TV VOD service, enabling customers to rent or purchase video programming and enjoy it anytime, anywhere - even outside of Verizon service areas. On planes, trains and automobiles; in hotel rooms and waiting rooms; at work or at play - you name it - Verizon's new Flex View capability puts video content at customers' fingertips."
Where to Find Flex View
FiOS TV customers can find Flex View videos in the Interactive Media Guide under "Video on Demand" or by pressing the "On Demand" button on the FiOS TV remote control. Flex View titles will be found in a "Flex View" folder within the "Featured" or "Browse All" sections of the VOD menu.
Customers also can access Flex View online through their personal computers by downloading Media Manager, a free software application from Verizon that provides a rich interface for FiOS customers to store and access personal content. Media Manager already lets users organize and enjoy their personal content, including photographs, music and home videos. Customers can click the Flex View store icon on the Media Manager interface to purchase or rent a title, watch a trailer or bookmark a title. Subscribers already using Media Manager don't have to do anything to receive the free Flex View software update, which will be added automatically to their service by Verizon.
In addition, customers can access Flex View via a mobile device. The Flex View Mobile application - called "Media Manager Mobile" - is available for download at https://m.verizon.com/apps/ and is also available free of charge in a growing number of app stores. Currently, Flex View is supported by the following mobile devices, with more to come soon: Blackberry Storm2, HTC HD2, HTC Imagio, HTC Touch Pro2, LG VS750, DROID 2 by Motorola, DROID X by Motorola, Samsung Omnia II, Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player and Toshiba Satellite T230.
Subscribers can authorize Flex View on up to five devices per account, including mobile devices, PCs or laptops, and FiOS TV set-top boxes (all set-top boxes in the home count collectively as one device). Once a subscriber purchases or rents a title, it automatically becomes available for viewing on each of the authorized devices. Customers who opt to rent a title have up to 30 days following the purchase to play the movie, and will have 24-48 hours to watch it.
Personal Content on the go
Next year, FiOS customers also will enjoy expanded access to their personal content - including photos, videos and music - through Flex View. Customers can upload their personal content from digital cameras, mobile phones, home storage, the Internet and more by using Media Manager. Once the content is uploaded, the customer will be able to access it on the TV screen, online or on select mobile devices.
"With the introduction of Flex View, we are developing an offer that goes beyond the traditional idea of phone, TV and Internet, providing customers with access to their personal and commercial content - any time, anywhere, and on any device," said Strickland. "FiOS has always been the catalyst for innovation in our industry, being the first to introduce an advanced widget offering, social media applications on TV, multi-room DVR, and now Flex View."
Flex View is part of Verizon's next-generation FiOS service, which also includes interactive services like an advanced interactive media guide; social networking, news and entertainment widgets; DVR management via broadband or cell phone; and more. FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming that includes more than 520 all-digital channels with up to 140 HD channels and 18,000 monthly video-on-demand titles. FiOS Internet offers the country's top-rated broadband service, with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps.
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: Heather Wilner, +1-908-559-6407, heather.b.wilner@verizon.com, or Bobbi Henson, +1-972-718-2225, bobbi.henson@verizon.com
AT&T Delivers Mobile Sales Force Automation With SalesNOW From Interchange Solutions
SalesNOW from AT&T Provides an Affordable Tool for Sales Teams to Manage All Aspects of the Sales Cycle Directly from a Mobile Device
DALLAS, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding its portfolio of mobile solutions, AT&T* is working with Interchange Solutions to deliver SalesNOW, an affordable yet robust mobile customer relationship management and sales force automation solution. SalesNOW from AT&T is the latest addition to AT&T's portfolio of solutions to help businesses mobilize their workforce and is available on a variety of AT&T mobile devices including BlackBerry® smartphones.
SalesNOW from AT&T is a fully hosted, mobile contact and deal management application designed specifically for mobile sales teams to increase effectiveness by controlling customer contact information, tracking sales activity and email, and managing sales in the office or on the go. The solution enables the mobile sales force to capture call notes in real time, use down-time to remotely manage the deal pipeline and quickly view customer history information directly from a variety of mobile devices.
According to Frost & Sullivan, a business research and consulting firm, sales force automation tools have become ubiquitous in the North American workplace. As companies have deployed more feet on the street, sales automation applications had to mobilize and become real-time. "Especially with the economic conditions as they exist today, sales productivity remains a key concern across all business sizes and types," said Jeanine Sterling, Senior Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "Applications such as mobile sales force automation, when implemented correctly, provide the field sales rep with the information to make the most of each sales call--and free up time to make additional selling efforts."
According to Mike Roemerman, Managing Partner of Greenway Insurance and Financial out of St. Louis, Missouri, "since we deployed SalesNOW, our sales teams have truly increased their level of engagements with customers. We have benefited from a significant decrease in our sales-cycles and our executives love the new reporting tools available."
SalesNOW from AT&T allows sales, sales management and executives to manage all aspects of the sales cycle including contact management, company tracking, lead management, deal management, activity and sales reporting. As a result, the solution offers improved sales rep effectiveness, better sales manager visibility and helps to reduce the burdens associated with traditional reporting tools.
"It is no secret that sales teams are constantly on the road," said Chris Hill, vice president, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "Whether they are in the lobby waiting for appointments, in the airport en route to opportunities or at home researching new leads, it is crucial for these employees to maximize efficiency and manage sales activities on their schedule. The addition of SalesNOW to our portfolio of mobile applications can help our business customers to increase effectiveness of their sales cycle and ultimately help their business grow."
SalesNOW from AT&T is available for purchase today through AT&T or through the SalesNOW.com website. For more information, please visit http://www.att.com/SalesNOW.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE®magazine.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at http://www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
Bang & Olufsen Unveils Its First Docking Station This Holiday 2010 Season
Providing a superior sound experience with convenient operation and a bold two dimensional design
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Bang & Olufsen, the global provider of high end home theaters and custom multi-room music systems, announces the launch of its first ever iPod/iPad/iPhone docking station this November 2010. The BeoSound 8 defies industry standards as it features a distinct two dimensional design, bold form, and a superior sound quality due to its custom-made conical speakers and high-performance amplifiers. It is directly compatible with the iPad, without having to utilize any extra wires or adapters, ensuring a clean, minimalist design.
BeoSound 8's light and characteristic design makes it highly flexible in use. It is perfectly suited as a music system not only in a main room, but also in the kitchen, on the patio or even at the summerhouse. BeoSound 8 can be placed on a wall bracket or any flat surface and still deliver fantastic premium quality sound. Additionally, BeoSound 8 has a manual room adaptation switch with 3 positions (i.e. mounted on the wall, placed in a corner or freestanding on a flat surface) which allows it to be placed anywhere without compromising the sound performance. Furthermore, its sealed speaker cabinets, conical shaped speaker units, and custom made digital amplifiers allow for an impressive sonic range from lower bass tones (38 Hz) - uncommon in smaller docking stations - to higher frequencies (20,000 Hz).
"We are extremely happy and excited to introduce BeoSound 8 to our North American customers this holiday season," states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. "We believe BeoSound 8 will resonate with many new and existing customers due to its many color options, versatile wall and table mounting solutions, and unrivalled sound quality. Priced at only $999, it is not only priced competitively to other sound docks on the market, it sets a new standard for hi-fi sound from a sound dock."
Cool and simple to use
BeoSound 8 offers one-step operation and an intuitive functionality, as one can simply dock the device on the top of BeoSound 8 or connect it using the AUX line-in or USB port(s). BeoSound 8 can be controlled on the iPod/iPhone/iPad from the BeoSound 8 bridge, by using the dedicated remote that comes with the product or you can control it with one of Bang & Olufsen's intelligent remote controls.
BeoSound 8 can also integrate into a home wifi network using the Apple Airport Express, which allows one's music collection to be conveniently streamed wirelessly from any PC or Mac to BeoSound 8.*
Additionally, Bang & Olufsen will launch a free BeoPlayer application that will offer access to Net Radio and an alarm clock functionality under one streamlined Bang & Olufsen interface. An upgraded application will also be made available for a $19.99 charge and will include over 10,000 internet radio stations, a comprehensive music library browser, and an alarm clock feature that will offer the elegant chime from our BeoTime alarm clock. This application will be available for download from iTunes/Apple e-store by December 2010 and underscores Bang & Olufsen's dedication to providing the ultimate customer experience.
Magical 2D design and Color Options
BeoSound 8 offers an unconventional form and is available in black and white, with up to 6 different grill colors for all music and design enthusiasts alike.
The cone shaped speakers give BeoSound 8 a magical hovering 2D appearance as it hides the actual depth of the speakers and the feet lift it up giving a light and slim design. In addition, the speakers of BeoSound 8 are outlined by aluminium rings adding a distinct Bang & Olufsen look and feel. With BeoSound 8, Bang & Olufsen has once again proven that it is leading the field of innovation and design.
BeoSound 8 will arrive in all North American Bang & Olufsen showrooms late November 2010. It retails for $999.00
*iPod, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
*Airport Express connects to BeoSound 8 through a line input using a mini to RCA cable.
Bang & Olufsen was founded in Struer, Denmark, in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, two innovative, young engineers devoted to high quality audio reproduction. Since then, the brand has become an icon of performance and design excellence through its long-standing craftsmanship tradition and the strongest possible commitment to high-tech research and development.
Still at the forefront of domestic technology, Bang & Olufsen has extended its comprehensive experience with integrated audio and video solutions for the home to other areas such as the hospitality and automotive industries in recent years. Consequently, its current product range epitomizes seamless media experiences in the home as well as in the car and on the move.
Thirtyseven4 Reports Internet Worm Conficker Still Wreaking Havoc in School Systems Two Years Later
Free security tools and services being offered to schools in an effort to assist in the removal of Conficker
MEDINA, Ohio, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Antivirus and security firm Thirtyseven4, LLC cautions that despite two-year-old, readily available virus definitions for I-Worm.Kido (Conficker), Conficker remains a serious threat to school systems across the United States. First detected back in November 2008, Conficker (an Internet Worm targeting PCs) has infected millions of computers worldwide and is still running rampant.
According to data collected by Thirtyseven4, it is estimated that over six percent of schools in the U.S. continue to battle with Conficker on a daily basis, with approximately twenty percent of PC-based school systems admitting to having dealt with or having seen Conficker activity over the course of this year. "Conficker propagates in a variety of ways, including exploiting Windows vulnerabilities, traveling over network shares and using removable devices. By its aggressive spreading nature, it's no surprise Conficker finds its way into so many school systems," said Steven Sundermeier, Owner of Thirtyseven4, LLC. "And what we have found is that network administrators at schools face a challenging task when it comes to keeping their environment virus free from worms like Conficker." Estimates have found the average downtime caused by a Conficker outbreak fluctuates between six to eight days and in some cases networks are crippled for up to three weeks. "In general, technology departments are often understaffed, with limited budgets and equipment is not always current: all major contributors to why Conficker unfortunately continues to thrive," concluded Sundermeier.
To help combat the continuous threat of Conficker and other problematic malware that commonly plague schools, Thirtyseven4 has custom-built its flagship product, Thirtyseven4 Antivirus, a 5-in-1 protection suite, to cost-effectively fit within tight budgets. In addition, Thirtyseven4 has made many of its tools and services available free to school systems, including a Conficker removal tool, an Online Malware Scanner (http://www.thirtyseven4.com/scanner.html), technical support and fully functional evaluation licenses (http://www.thirtyseven4.com/downloads.html).
School districts interested in Thirtyseven4 Antivirus can contact Thirtyseven4 toll-free at 877-374-7581 or online at http://www.thirtyseven4.com.
About Thirtyseven4
Thirtyseven4, LLC seeks to protect schools, universities, businesses, governmental agencies and home-users with the best antivirus products available. Thirtyseven4 is an American company built on honesty, trust and value for the customer.
Ricoh Introduces Social Networking Community to Support GlobalScan NX Solution
GlobalScan NX Users Have Forum to Share Document Workflow Templates and Communicate with Ricoh and the IT Community for the Enhancement of Business Processes
WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment, today introduced its first online interactive community focused solely on a single product and its advanced capabilities to share best business practices. The social networking Web site - http://www.globalscannx.com - is designed to provide Ricoh GlobalScan NX users the opportunity to share and distribute custom business process templates and communicate best practices with other departments in their organization as well as other companies around the world.
The GlobalScan NX interactive community requires users to register in order to access its robust library of workflow process templates provided by Ricoh and other community members. Utilizing the Web site's advanced search capability, users can identify templates based on various categories and download them for use at no charge. Additionally, another key feature of this online community is its upload functionality, which allows users to share templates they have created for a specific workflow process or industry with other GlobalScan NX users. All submitted templates receive attribution. Understanding that best practices in document development are an important part of business process management, Ricoh's GlobalScan NX community also offers a forum for users to exchange ideas and tips for workflow design.
"With the era of social networking in full swing, Ricoh believes this online community will be an effective tool for improving the sharing and distribution of business processes," said Shun Sato, senior vice president, Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "By creating a platform where users can share workflow management templates and insights, we are helping them to more efficiently exchange information and manage their time. In turn, their respective companies will experience a greater return on investment as employees can use the saved time to focus on core competencies."
GlobalScan NX is a robust document scanning, distribution and management solution that enables users to control document workflows, improve productivity and spend less on document transmission. Currently, Ricoh offers GlobalScan NX templates for the finance, education, pharmaceutical, and retail industries, etc., as well as for accounting, customer service, human resources, and marketing functions among others to let users begin employing GlobalScan NX family of products straight out-of-the-box.
To retrieve and use the GlobalScan NX community templates, users must have access to GlobalScan NX software and a Ricoh MFP. For more information on the GlobalScan NX community, please visit http://www.globalscannx.com
About Ricoh Americas Corporation
Ricoh Americas Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., the 74-year-old leading provider of advanced office technology and innovative document imaging products, services and software, with fiscal year 2009 sales in excess of $21 billion.
Ricoh's fully integrated hardware and customizable services and software help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents.
Ricoh Americas Corporation, directly or through its network of authorized dealers, markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America.
MESA, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Nosaleisfinal, a startup dedicated to saving money and stretching dollars, announced today the launch of Nosaleisfinal.com, a free website that offers consumers a chance to know that they paid the lowest price possible for the products and services they purchased. "It's the cure for buyer's remorse, especially in this economy," said founder and developer Tony Vervilos.
"Consumers will no longer have to wonder if they could have found a lower price somewhere else," said Tony Vervilos. Anyone can take receipts from any of their purchases and enter that information into Nosaleisfinal.com. Only the receipt information is sent to businesses that offer the same products or services. Those businesses will have the chance to offer the buyers a lower price or a value-added service.
If there is an offer, then the consumer decides whether or not to accept it. If the consumer accepts, then it will be up to the consumer to contact that business, give that business their contact information, and get that better offer. Otherwise, the businesses will never know who the consumer is. If there are no offers, then the consumers know they paid the lowest price.
Businesses that sign up with Nosaleisfinal.com will receive the buyer receipt information. Those businesses will now have an opportunity to offer a consumer a lower price or a value-added service in order to make this sale. In addition to making another sale, with the receipt information, the businesses will be able to see how competitive they are with other businesses.
Contact:
Tony Vervilos
480-621-6004
Tony@nosaleisfinal.com
SOURCE Nosaleisfinal.com
Nosaleisfinal.com
CONTACT: Tony Vervilos of Nosaleisfinal.com, +1-480-621-6004, Tony@nosaleisfinal.com
Microsoft Deploys New Programs to Help Veterans Get Jobs
Company awards grants to six organizations and boosts efforts to train and support employment of veterans.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the recipients of its Elevate America veterans initiative grants and the availability of new education, job training and placement programs to help give veterans and their spouses the skills and resources they need to be successful in today's civilian workforce.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, last week's unemployment report showed that although the overall unemployment rate last month remained steady, among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the unemployment rate rose last month to 10.6 percent (compared with 8.8 percent for nonveterans). Over the past six months, the average unemployment rate among those veterans has been 16 percent higher than the rate for nonveterans (10.7 percent compared with 9.2 percent).To help bridge this gap, Microsoft is awarding $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software and information technology skills training curriculum to organizations that provide veterans and their spouses with the support they need to successfully transition to civilian careers. More than half of today's jobs require some technology skills, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that figure will reach 77 percent in the next decade. The following organizations are receiving the cash and software grants:
-- Able-Disabled Advocacy Inc., San Diego; San Diego VetWORKS
-- Bellevue College, Bellevue, Wash.; Project SUCCEED
-- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Inc., Charlotte, N.C.;
Elevate America's veterans initiative
-- Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Panama City, Fla.; Mission: 21st Century
-- Per Scholas, New York and Miami, Fla.; Microsoft Veterans Employment
Project
-- Veterans Inc., Worcester, Mass.; Veterans Inc. Employment and Training
Program
The recipients will receive funding over the next two years to provide veterans with a comprehensive set of services, including technology skills training, job placement, career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing. In addition to these organizations, Microsoft announced that it is offering software donations to each of the 100 organizations that applied during the competitive Elevate America veterans initiative grant process, in recognition of the important work they are doing with veterans and their spouses across the country, and to help reach even more veterans with the resources they need for success in the civilian workplace.
"More and more jobs in every sector of the economy demand technology skills," said Curt Kolcun, vice president, U.S. Public Sector, Microsoft. "By partnering with organizations that have demonstrated expertise in education and skills training programs, we are proud to help provide resources to veterans and their spouses who need these skills to help them in the transition to civilian work and life."
Microsoft collaborated with nationally recognized Veterans Service Organizations to provide guidance and feedback throughout the development of this initiative. The members of this advisory group have been instrumental in helping Microsoft determine the specific needs of veterans and how to effectively reach them. Members of the Elevate America veterans initiative advisory committee are The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Service Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project.
"Per Scholas is pleased to receive an Elevate America veterans initiative grant," said Plinio Ayala, Per Scholas president and CEO. "To compete in today's job market, you must be a skilled, specialized worker. Our work-force development program will provide veterans with the specific skills they need to excel in the IT industry."
"As our soldiers come home from Iraq, this is the perfect time for Veterans Inc. to expand its services in collaboration with the Microsoft Elevate America Veterans Initiative," said Denis Leary, Veterans Inc. Executive Director. "With this grant, Veterans Inc. will bring its successful, nationally renowned Employment and Training model to returning soldiers it has never served before, including members of the National Guard, reservists and their spouses."
Microsoft Boosts Focus on Recruiting U.S. Military and Veterans
Microsoft has a long history of supporting the military and veteran community as an employer. The company's Military2Microsoft program helps U.S. veterans and those serving in the National Guard and Reserves transition into the civilian workforce and find job opportunities within Microsoft. The Military2Microsoft program incorporates a variety of resources to help make the job search experience easier for military talent. This includes the recent launch of WeStillServe.com, a site that connects transitioning military members to Microsoft's employee-initiated group of veterans and helps match candidates to job opportunities within the company. The site includes the following:
-- A unique Microsoft Military Job Decoder tool to directly map military
occupations to available Microsoft positions
-- A calendar of events to help service members meet and network with
Microsoft employees who have transitioned from military service
-- First-person testimonials from current and ex-military Microsoft
employees explaining what they do and how they transitioned
-- Integration with social-media communities Microsoft has established on
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to help candidates connect with other
veterans and service members, and to learn more about targeting their
job searches and developing their skills
-- Live chats with Microsoft employees who have shared military experiences
and can serve as advisors and advocates, discuss what it's like to work
at Microsoft and help candidates think through next steps in their job
applications
Other Veterans Day Activities
Other Microsoft-sponsored activities in honor of Veterans Day and to thank U.S. servicemen and women include these:
-- A Kinect for Xbox giveaway. Veterans can be entered into a drawing by
visiting http://tinyurl.com/2duv9lb.
-- Partnering with the USO to recognize and thank the military community by
hosting a private showing of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at 4
p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, for more than 5,000 military members
and their families. Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.usonyc.org/salute. This is part of A Salute to Our Troops, a
national program founded in 2007 dedicated to showing Microsoft's
continued support of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and
their families.
-- Sponsorship of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gala on Nov.
10 in New York and New York City's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.