Jiffy Lube Streamlines Car Care with New iPhone App
Free app delivers one-stop convenience for vehicle information and preventive maintenance schedule
HOUSTON, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jiffy Lube International, Inc. today releases its new iPhone application that puts convenience and education back into car care by giving drivers the ability to store and organize vital vehicle information in the palm of their hand. Additionally, the "app" arms drivers on the go with tips like how to jump a dead battery, what to do if their car overheats and where they can find the nearest Jiffy Lube location.
Jiffy Lube knows drivers are busy and that remembering license plate and vehicle identification numbers (VIN), or when it's time for vehicle maintenance isn't always top of mind. With its new iPhone app, Jiffy Lube provides a simple and convenient place for drivers to keep all of this essential information in one place, easily accessible with additional resources to improve the all around ownership experience.
"We developed the app with our customers in mind, aiming to make vehicle care less of a chore by simplifying and organizing information drivers need," said Eric Eurich, retail marketing director at Jiffy Lube International. "The additional features, including tips and store locator, help make this app a great vehicle assistant by bringing vital information to our customers' fingertips."
At-a-Glance
The Jiffy Lube app helps organize consumers' vehicle information while providing easy access to the preventive maintenance information they need to help their cars stay on the road longer.
The Informed Road Warrior
-- "My Info" puts vital information at drivers' fingertips, keeping them
informed in tough situations like an overheated vehicle or dead battery.
License plate, VIN, registration, inspection information, oil change
intervals and more can be stored and reminders can be scheduled through
the "My Info" feature.
Do I need to check my fluids?
-- The "My Garage" feature takes the guesswork out of preventive
maintenance by providing tips and basic information - based on vehicle
manufacturer recommendations. This feature helps users stay in touch
with their maintenance schedule and even set their own reminders.
Preventive Maintenance Convenience
-- The GPS-enabled Jiffy Lube locator and "quick call" feature make it easy
for consumers to locate and contact the nearest Jiffy Lube, from
wherever they are. These features also inform users what services are
performed at particular locations, if there are any coupons available
and the ability to share coupons with their Facebook and Twitter
networks.
The Jiffy Lube iPhone application is free and is now available in the iPhone App Store. The company plans to release an Android version of the app in the coming year.
About Jiffy Lube®Jiffy Lube International, Inc. ("Jiffy Lube"), with more than 2,000 franchised service centers in North America, serves approximately 24 million customers each year. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. Headquartered in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. Visit http://www.JiffyLube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.
Royal Dutch Shell plc Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit http://www.shell.com.
WASHINGTON, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a move to raise awareness of its stamp program and to reach diverse audiences and people of all ages, the Postal Service is offering a sneak peek at some of the stamps that will be issued in 2012, beginning today through social media sites.
Customers may preview the stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at http://www.beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service's online site for the back story on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
"Stamps reflect our American culture, icons and lifestyles," said Postal Service Executive Director of Stamp Services Stephen Kearney. "We have stamps with nearly every topic imaginable. By providing a sneak peek at next year's stamps, we're helping customers find stamps that they're interested in and excited about. Social media is a great way to do that -- and to make it easier for people to share the news about stamps of interest with their friends."
Kearney said select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will be previewed one at a time beginning today.
Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps
The first 2012 stamps to be previewed in the social media sneak peak -- the Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps -- celebrate the 100th anniversary of the gift of 3,020 Japanese cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. The gift honored the friendship between America and Japan, a close relationship that continues to this day.
In this unusual design, two stamps form the left and right halves of a single, panoramic view of cherry trees blooming around the Tidal Basin in the nation's capital. In the stamp on the left, blossoming trees arch over a family on a stroll and two girls dressed in bright kimonos. The Washington Monument is seen in the background. In the stamp on the right, the Jefferson Memorial is the backdrop for sightseers under a canopy of pink blooms. Artist Paul Rogers of Pasadena, CA, worked with art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, to create the two stamp designs.
Each spring in the nation's capital, the blossoming of the cherry trees is celebrated with a festival that includes a parade and a host of concerts, exhibitions, and events all intended to echo the spirit of Japan's gift of friendship.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 32,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $67 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world's mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
U.S. Postal Service
CONTACT: Mark Saunders, +1-202-268-6524, mark.r.saunders@usps.gov, usps.com/news
AT&T Invests in Maine Network to Deliver Most-Advanced Mobile Broadband Experience
Plans Call for Addition of New Cell Sites in 2011 as Part of Initiative to Increase Wireless Network Capacity
WESTBROOK, Maine, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced plans to add and upgrade cell sites across Maine as part of its 2011 initiative to deliver the nation's most-advanced mobile broadband experience. Already, AT&T has expanded coverage in more than 25 communities across Maine, including in popular summer tourism destinations such as Bar Harbor, Kittery and Old Orchard Beach.
From Dennysville to Portland and points in between, the planned Maine network enhancements are part of AT&T's previously announced 2011 investment plans. The investment will support plans to enable 4G speeds over an increasing portion of the country throughout the year, including the planned initial launch of LTE in 5 markets beginning this summer and the deployment of enhanced backhaul connections that enable 4G speeds**.
Already this year, AT&T has expanded its mobile broadband network in 26 communities across the state including:
Androscoggin County (Auburn, Durham, Lewiston, Lisbon), Cumberland County (Casco), Hancock County (Bar Harbor, Dedham, Ellsworth, Gouldsboro, Orland), Kennebec County (Winslow, Winthrop), Lincoln County (Edgecomb), Oxford County (Hiram), Penobscot County (Bangor, Etna, Holden), Sagadahoc County (Bowdoin, Richmond), Somerset County (Pittsfield), Washington County (Dennysville, Machiasport, Millbridge, Wesley) and York County (Cornish, Shapleigh).
So far in 2011, AT&T has also added more wireless network capacity in the following 60 communities across Maine:
Cumberland County (Bridgton, Casco, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Gray, Harpswell, Harrison, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Portland, Raymond, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham, Yarmouth), Hancock County (Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Bucksport, Dedham, Ellsworth, Gouldsboro, Orland, Seal Cove, Sedgwick, Southwest Harbor, Sullivan), Penobscot County (Bangor, Hampden, Holden, Orono, Orrington), Sagadahoc County (Georgetown, Phippsburg, West Bath, Woolwich), Waldo County (Prospect, Winterport), Washington County (Beddington, Calais, Dennysville, Jonesboro, Machiasport, Millbridge, Wesley) and York County (Alfred, Bar Mills, Berwick, Buxton, Hollis Center, Kittery Point, Lebanon, Lyman, North Berwick, Saco, Sanford, Waterboro, Wells, York)
Today's announcement builds on the momentum established with AT&T's 2010 wireless investment, when it added nearly 25 new cell sites in Maine and upgraded more than 60 existing sites to mobile broadband. From 2008 through 2010, AT&T's capital investment in its Maine wireline and wireless networks was nearly $60 million.
"A more advanced mobile broadband experience drives economic growth, stimulates jobs and equips Maine businesses to meet the network demands of today and tomorrow," said Owen Smith, regional vice president for AT&T Maine. "We've significantly ramped up our wireless investments to enable an experience that offers Maine consumers better speed, better reliability and better availability. In addition, our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA also represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand our network in Maine. If approved, this deal means that we'll be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband - 4G LTE - from our current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to more than 97 percent."
Across the country, AT&T also continues to drive innovation in network technologies to provide maximum efficiency and performance for customers. In 2011, AT&T will focus on continuing to enhance its wireless network forecasting capabilities to better predict usage trends and build network capacity to always stay one step ahead of customer need. AT&T also continues to pioneer broadband solutions for high-traffic areas like stadiums and public places, deploying technologies including Distributed Access System networks and AT&T Wi-Fi hotzones.
"Smartphones, tablets and laptops are continuing to drive unprecedented demand for wireless access everywhere," said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for AT&T New England. "We're investing in a combination of technologies to meet these needs and ensure an advanced broadband experience for all our customers."
AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network*** with more than 24,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to more than 135,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.
AT&T's mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.
For more information about AT&T's coverage in Maine or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.
*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.
** 4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. Requires 4G device. Learn more at att.com/network.
*** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See http://www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
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, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, 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.
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 @ATT.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.
AT&T Inc.
CONTACT: Meaghan Wims of Duffy & Shanley for AT&T New England, +1-401-278-4434, mwims@duffyshanley.com
Zenith Infotech Introduces "NOC Service Miles" Program For Partners
Redeem NOC Service Miles for Project Work
WARRENDALE, Pa., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenith Infotech, a global leader in remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery, and virtual helpdesk solutions, today announced the launch of its newest program, "NOC Service Miles." This rewards initiative, designed to allow Zenith partners to leverage the technical support and implementation capability of the Network Operations Center (NOC), is effective immediately.
Simple and yet unique to the industry, the"NOC Service Miles" program allows Zenith partners to earn monthly service credits which can be redeemed for project work to be executed by Zenith's NOC. Zenith recognizes the relationship value in helping managed service providers generate additional revenue and enhance service levels.
This exclusive program is similar to hospitality rewards programs, i.e., the more you use, the more you earn. While most RMM tool vendors in the market are presently focused on short-term discounts, Zenith is focusing its efforts on driving more value to its partners.
The "NOC Service Miles" program is now available to all partners. According to Dan Wilson, president and CEO of Waypoint Solutions Group, "The 'NOC Service Miles' program will allow us to better utilize our in-house resources and therefore allow us to grow at a faster rate- all the while knowing our service level agreements will be easier to maintain."
Projects that can be completed under the program include:
"RMM software vendors are focused on commoditizing the value of their toolset," says Jason Jacobetz, director of sales at Zenith Infotech. "Most successful MSPs recognize that service delivery costs outweigh RMM software licensing costs by at least a factor of ten to one. With our program, the goal is to help our partners further reduce those costs." By combining an RMM toolset with integrated NOC services, Zenith is taking a bold step to clearly differentiate itself in the channel. The "NOC Service Miles" program visibly identifies an opportunity for partners to optimize their workforce.
About Zenith Infotech
Zenith Infotech is a global technology leader providing back office software and services for remote monitoring and management, business continuity hardware and software, helpdesk services, and cloud computing for small and midsize businesses. Learn more at http://www.zenithinfotech.com.
General Dynamics Acquires Network Connectivity Solutions, Corp.
FAIRFAX, Va., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) announced today that it has acquired Network Connectivity Solutions, Corp. (NETCONN), a provider of enterprise services and cloud computing to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The value of the cash transaction, which is expected to be accretive to General Dynamics' earnings beginning in 2012, has not been disclosed.
Founded in 1997, NETCONN provides enterprise information technology (IT) services to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and other DoD agencies. NETCONN supports net-centric IT operations, including data center infrastructure, value engineering, information assurance and edge computing. The company is based in Hagerstown, Md., and has approximately 160 employees.
NETCONN will become part of General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics based in Fairfax, Va. General Dynamics Information Technology provides systems integration, systems engineering, professional services and simulation and training to customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, health, federal civilian government, state and local government and commercial sectors.
"NETCONN's capabilities and relationships will bolster General Dynamics' strong portfolio of services and solutions aimed at helping the Defense Department cut costs and increase efficiency while meeting large-scale, enterprise IT requirements," said Dan Johnson, president of General Dynamics Information Technology. "NETCONN provides IT support to the DoD organizations responsible for enterprise services and cyber security; this includes serving as a prime contractor on DISA's ENCORE II contract."
ENCORE II is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, multiple-award contract for use by military services, the Department of Defense, the intelligence community and other federal agencies. NETCONN was awarded an ENCORE II contract in 2008.
NETCONN has participated in all aspects of DISA data center design, implementation and operation as a prime contractor since 1997, and is supporting the DoD in preparation for the Federal Data Center Consolidation initiatives.
CNN is First to Stream 24-Hour News Network Online and On Mobile
CNN.com Unveils New Video Experience to Showcase Live CNN and HLN TV, On-Demand Video, Multi-tasking
ATLANTA, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CNN and HLN's complete 24-hour television networks will be streamed live on CNN.com, the CNN App for iPad and the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch beginning today, July 18. CNN Worldwide is the first news organization to stream its linear television channels online and on mobile devices to consumers who subscribe to a multi-channel video service. Simultaneous to this launch, CNN.com has debuted its new video experience, which seamlessly integrates live network TV into a larger and higher-quality video player, capable of delivering HD quality.
CNN and HLN online and mobile streaming is currently available to approximately 50 million households with subscribers to participating pay TV providers, including: AT&T, Comcast, Cox, DISH Network, Suddenlink and Verizon.
"A principle goal for CNN is to make more of our content available to more people on more platforms, and CNN's participation in the TV Everywhere initiative is another step forward in that effort," said Jim Walton, President of CNN Worldwide. "We have long believed that our growth depends on keeping CNN essential and relevant to consumers wherever they are."
To access CNN and HLN online, users can go to http://www.cnn.com/video, click on the "Live" tab and log-in through their cable, satellite or telco provider with a username and password.
For mobile devices, a user can download the CNN App for iPad or the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch (or update their app to version 1.2 for iPhone, 1.1 for iPad), and authenticate in the same way.
"CNN is taking a significant step forward by offering live CNN and HLN TV to our audiences whether they are on their couches at home or have their toes in the sand on the beach," said KC Estenson, general manager of CNN Digital. "The 10 million users who have downloaded CNN's mobile apps and the tens of millions of people who get the latest news and information from CNN.com every day will soon be able to watch CNN TV on every device they have."
CNN.com video experience
CNN.com's new video experience offers a cinematic player that optimizes the video quality for a user based on their Internet connection, with the capability of delivering HD quality. Video can be "squeezed back" to allow a user to browse through curated CNN video collections and TV show clips without leaving the video experience.
In addition to the live streams of CNN's networks, the video experience will continue to offer up to four live streams of breaking news and events, original video series and on-demand video clips with related CNN and HLN show information.
The CNN App for iPad and CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch are available for free from the App Store or at http://www.itunes.com/appstore.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
WatchGuard Brings Next-Generation Firewalls to Mainstream Businesses
WatchGuard Extends Next-Generation Firewall Capabilities with Application Control to Award-Winning XTM 8 Series Family of Multifunction Security Appliances
SEATTLE, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader of business security solutions, today announced that it is extending their enterprise-class, next-generation firewall capabilities to mainstream businesses with the latest release of the next-generation XTM 8 Series family of multifunction security appliances. This move now extends WatchGuard's next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities, which includes advanced firewalling, Application Control, and intrusion prevention system (IPS), to mainstream business networks.
Built for speed, the WatchGuard next-generation XTM 8 Series delivers up to 5Gbps firewall throughput, making it ideal for demanding networks of 1,000 to 5,000 users. With Application Control and IPS activated, the XTM 8 Series achieves a faster-than-line-speed 1.2Gbps throughput, which represents a major leap forward for next-generation firewalls in delivering high security without compromising network performance.
Leveraging WatchGuard's "defense-in-depth" advanced firewall technology, which includes stateful packet inspection, deep packet inspection and WatchGuard's proprietary proxy technology, the XTM 8 Series embodies the most robust and in-depth security technologies available today to protect business networks. With its built in application proxies, the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series natively stops a myriad of blended threats, fragmented and malformed packet attacks, spyware, malware, denial of service and many other types of threats and attacks.
"Until now, next-generation firewalls were available only to enterprise organizations," said Roger Klorese, Director of Product Management at WatchGuard Technologies. "By extending next-generation firewall capabilities to the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series, businesses of all sizes can now leverage advanced firewalling, Application Control and integrated IPS. This gives businesses the latest tools to keep their data, applications and networks safe while maintaining control over social media and Web 2.0 applications."
WatchGuard Application Control - Key to Controlling Social Media in the Workplace
With WatchGuard Application Control, businesses now gain in-depth, granular control over Web 2.0 applications, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and hundreds more. Not only does WatchGuard Application Control protect against the next-generation of threats that leverage these popular applications, now businesses can rein in how individual employees use such applications, directly from the corporate firewall.
WatchGuard Application Control enables the firewall to identify and control nearly 2,000 web 2.0 and social media applications. This level of control gives businesses new found freedom to align business needs with IT and security policies. By doing so, businesses gain greater efficiencies and improved productivity, and administrators gain unprecedented visibility and control over applications traversing their networks.
Additionally, the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series offers unique protection against threats that attempt to hide in encrypted HTTPS data streams. By way of WatchGuard's HTTPS proxy technology that intercepts, scans and rebuilds HTTPS data streams, administrators can now accurately audit, report and protect users from receiving dangerous file types.
With a projected annual growth rate of more than 20 percent, VoIP represents an equally fast growing threat vector in commercial networks. Because of this, threats such as DoS attacks on VoIP networks, directory harvesting, and "vishing" attacks are rapidly increasing in popularity.
Unlike other next-generation firewalls that merely provide network address translation to obscure a VoIP system, the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series provides application-level security for SIP and H.323 protocols. These security capabilities conceal business VoIP systems and simultaneously harden them to repel directory harvesting attacks, input validation hacks (buffer overflows), and other VoIP threats.
Botnets - hijacked computers containing malware applications - are also major concerns and liabilities for today's businesses. Because many botnets use the same protocols used for legitimate business applications, such as instant messaging, administrators are faced with limited options - eliminate IM or risk botnet infection, loss of resources and control.
With the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series, administrators can rest assured by having both the convenience of IM and the protection from botnets. The appliances provide application inspection as well as port and protocol identification to ensure application traffic is valid and safe. Additionally, the WatchGuard HTTPS inspection works in tandem with IM and P2P application blocking, which foils even those bots that use encryption to evade detection.
With powerful defense-in-depth security, multi-WAN failover, load-balancing, high-availability and model upgradeability, the next-generation WatchGuard XTM 8 Series provides businesses with a pragmatic solution for maximum uptime, performance and reliability.
Pricing and Availability
The WatchGuard XTM 8 Series NGFW is available now from WatchGuard resellers worldwide. Pricing for the WatchGuard XTM 8 Series NGFW starts at $8,499. More information is available at http://www.watchguard.com.
About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
Since 1996, WatchGuard® Technologies, Inc. has been the advanced technology leader of business security solutions, providing mission-critical protection to hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide. The WatchGuard family of wired and wireless unified threat management appliances, messaging, content security and SSL VPN remote access solutions provide extensible network, application and data protection, as well as unparalleled network visibility, management and control. WatchGuard products are backed by WatchGuard LiveSecurity® Service, an innovative support, maintenance, and education program. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle and has offices serving North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit http://www.watchguard.com/.
WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
McGraw-Hill Education is First to Provide Universal Access to Its Digital Content and Tools Directly From Any Campus Portal
McGraw-Hill Campus, a revolutionary new service, provides faculty with single sign-on access to all of McGraw-Hill's educational materials right from an institution's LMS
NEW YORK, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Higher Education announced the launch of McGraw-Hill Campus (http://www.mhcampus.com), the first-of-its-kind institutional service providing faculty with true single sign-on access to all of McGraw-Hill's course content, digital tools and other high quality learning resources from any Learning Management System (LMS). This innovative offering allows for secure and deep integration enabling seamless access for faculty and students to any of McGraw-Hill's course solutions such as McGraw-Hill Connect® (all-digital teaching and learning platform), McGraw-Hill Create(TM) (state-of-the-art custom-publishing platform), McGraw-Hill LearnSmart(TM) (online adaptive study tool) or Tegrity® (a fully searchable lecture capture service).
McGraw-Hill Campus includes access to McGraw-Hill's entire content library, including eBooks, assessment tools, presentation slides and multimedia content, among other resources, providing faculty open, unlimited access to prepare for class, create tests/quizzes, develop lecture material, integrate interactive content, and more. Access is provided regardless of whether instructors are using McGraw-Hill textbooks. More than 100 higher education institutions will be using McGraw-Hill Campus this fall. The hundreds of thousands of instructors and students at these colleges and universities will experience single sign-on access to McGraw-Hill's digital learning content and tools.
"More than a year ago, we were the first education company to fully integrate with Blackboard and led the way in establishing easy access to critical digital learning materials and tools that faculty and students use on a daily basis," said Brian Kibby, president, McGraw-Hill Higher Education. "Pioneering the initial integration was the first step in our overall plan to support institutions as the learning management landscape continues to shift. We've seen overwhelming demand for such access by institutions using a variety of other platforms, and are pleased to offer the next level of integration - a universal solution for any institution's LMS."
Institutions can easily connect McGraw-Hill Campus with their existing technology infrastructure, with seamless integration for Active Directory, Angel, Blackboard, Desire2Learn, eCollege, LDAP, Moodle, Sakai, Shibboleth, WebCT, and more, providing instructors with true single sign-on, one-click access to McGraw-Hill's high-quality content and tools from any place within their institution's environment - including the LMS they're using.
"'We're always looking for innovative ways to provide valuable information to our faculty and students. McGraw-Hill Campus goes beyond our expectations, not only offering unlimited access to the broad range of content and learning materials McGraw-Hill produces, but also integrating directly into our existing infrastructure, allowing faculty to instantly access the content from within a system they are already comfortable with, and are already using," said J. Brice Bible, CIO at Ohio University.
McGraw-Hill Education will host a webinar with Campus Technology to officially launch McGraw-Hill Campus on July 21 at 11am PDT / 2pm EDT. Leaders from Ohio University, Indiana State University and Mt. Wachusett Community College will discuss their goals and challenges around digital resources and why they selected McGraw-Hill Campus for their institutions. Attendees will get a hands-on demonstration of McGraw-Hill Campus and the opportunity to engage with the panelists and ask questions about available content, integration details and ease of access. To register for the free webinar, please visit: http://bit.ly/mhcampuswebinar, or visit http://www.mhcampus.com for more information about McGraw-Hill Campus.
About McGraw-Hill Higher Education:
McGraw-Hill Higher Education, a unit of McGraw-Hill Education, is a leading innovator in the development of 21st century teaching and learning digital solutions for postsecondary and higher education markets worldwide. Through a comprehensive range of traditional and digital education content and tools focused on improving student learning outcomes, McGraw-Hill Higher Education empowers and prepares professionals and students to connect, learn and succeed in the global economy. McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), has offices in 33 countries and provides educational content in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com.
Contacts:
Mary Skafidas
McGraw-Hill Education
212-904-2078
Mary_Skafidas@mcgrawhill.com
Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
(212) 904-3214
Tom_Stanton@mcgraw-hill.com
Photo app Flickr Studio for iPad gets Globetrotter Update
Share Your Vacation Memories on Flickr - While They are Happening
ALKMAAR, the Netherlands, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
With the holiday season just around the corner, Keeple, the Dutch
developer of the popular iPad app "Flickr Studio," introduces a major update
with features that are particularly aimed at vacationing iPad users.
"Combining Flickr Studio app with Apple's camera connection kit, it's
easy to send your best photos to Flickr while traveling," explains developer
Robin van Mourik. "You can import photos directly from your digital camera
and into Flickr Studio, add desired titles and descriptions and decide who
is allowed to see the pictures. The app allows you to build what's basically
an upload queue while you are still offline. Once you get access to a WIFI
network, all you have to do is tap the 'start' button and the queued images
are sent directly to Flickr. All of this happens in the background leaving
you time to answer your e-mail and working on your travel blog. During the
upload, Flickr Studio handles the complex stuff, such as optionally reducing
image size and categorizing photos into the right sets."
In addition to the new uploading features, the app offers its own
geo-tagging tool. Using the detailed Google Maps as a basis where simple
touch gestures make it incredibly easy to add geographic information to your
photos, before you forget where you took 'that specific shot.'
Another significant improvement in the version 3.0 update includes
innovative sliding information panels showing you the context, description,
location and other details of the photo you are currently viewing. This
makes it possible to have, for instance, the EXIF panel open while browsing
photos, thus immediately showing you each photo's camera settings. These
panels contribute to a much improved user experience and are in their own
way a whole new way to experience the millions of photos on Flickr and
discover inspiration.
"The improvements in this latest update put Flickr Studio a lot closer
to our goal of creating 'the ultimate Flickr app for the iPad.' We are glad
to have this new version out just before the holiday season. We're hoping
that it'll enable many travelers to share their trips with the friends and
family at home."
App Builder Joins the Coupon Party to Eliminate Third-Party Coupons
NEW YORK, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- appsbar already changed how and why people build, publish and share professional-level mobile apps and now this rapidly growing startup is revolutionizing how businesses make and share digital coupons.
appsbar today added appsCoupon for businesses as an added option for their free-to-build apps. Now anyone can develop and send coupons, incentives, or timely deals straight to their most loyal customers. The appsCoupon option can be added to any appsbar app at http://www.appsbar.com where a growing community of businesses are designing, publishing and sharing their own digital coupons.
"The proliferation of smartphones, social networks, and the community that is growing out of appsbar has let us create this perfect, all-new way for businesses to directly make and deliver digital coupons without all the restrictions and without any of the cost," said appsbar co-founder Scott Hirsch. "Our goal is to give businesses of any size a way to maximize the effectiveness of digital coupons. Now businesses can build and share appsCoupon on any social platform, email or mobile database they want."
Digital coupons and mobile apps have become the best way for businesses to engage and find customers, and appsCoupon has emerged as cost-friendly way for businesses to offer rewards to their loyal customers. With appsCoupon there is third-party with which to share profits - businesses simply create, distribute and interact with their customer directly. As digital coupons grow in popularity, third-party deal providers can take as much as a 50% cut as part of their work to spread a wide net to attract customers on behalf of a business. appsCoupon is designed to reward the customers who already have downloaded a businesses app, and give complete control to the business.
"We're excited that we're able to give businesses a free way to build and publish their own professional-level apps - and this new opportunity to eliminate the third-party hassles has given a whole new way for businesses to serve their customers," Hirsch said.
appsCoupon builds on the calendar, menus, soundboard, graphics and GPS capabilities of appsbar. Businesses can make coupons in real time, at any time, with whatever level of discount they want to offer on whatever products they choose. Within minutes, a business can alert their customers through their app of long-term or limited time coupons and promotions.
The app user will be notified on their mobile phone that a coupon is available. With no need to print a coupon, the user simply shows the coupon, either simply presenting the onscreen image at the store or allowing the business to scan the bar code or QR codes that can be added.
appsCoupon can be added to any appsbar app, which can be built using a MAC, tablet or PC. Once an appsbar app coach has made sure the app meets the guidelines of individual app platforms, the app is submitted for approval for anyone to download for free at both the Apple App Store and Android Market.
appsCoupon is added among a growing suite of appsbar technology tools and functions, app store guidelines, and portals to get apps published - all available at no cost. With appsCoupon, the same "wizard" that simplified the app building process for even the least tech-savvy, now walks the builder through adding pages and functions with visual and textual clues at each step. As apps are built page by page, each app becomes more personalized through limitless combinations of background colors and fonts with the ability to upload images and videos from personal or appsbar libraries.
appsCoupon is available as a business community-specific tool. Those tools to help businesses get a fast, free and efficient presence in app stores include calendar event notifiers that deliver real time or scheduled notifications to app users, and menu features that allow businesses to publish and take orders from a catalog of products or services. appsbar's unique form builders give businesses a way to deploy customer service surveys or real time to-go order forms. The Social Sharing options allow users to share their app with friends or customers across email or social networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Media contact for interviews and screenshots:
Joe McGurk, Rubenstein Public Relations
Tel: 212.843.9344
Email: jmcgurk@rubensteinpr.com
About appsbar
appsbar was launched in 2011 to fill the gap between over-simplified apps and costly, professionally-produced apps. appsbar was developed by Appsbar Inc., a company founded by Internet entrepreneur Scott Hirsch and app developer Arsen Pereymer. With appsbar as its flagship product, appsbar has opened the way for businesses and people to engage with friends and brands online through the development of customizable digital tools. For company contact information and partnership opportunities visit Facebook.com/appsbar or http://www.appsbar.com
Aiseesoft's Newly Updated DVD Converter Suite Supports More Portable Devices
BEIJING, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Recently, many wonderful tablet computers and smartphones, especially some Android devices, have come into the market and are rapidly gaining in popularity. So to help these portable device users have a wonderful experience enjoying videos, Aiseesoft has decided to update their DVD Converter Suite.
After the update, this professional DVD Converter Suite is able to convert all popular video files and rip DVD to nearly all video and audio formats, like MP4, H.264, AVI, WMV, FLV, MKV, 3GP, VOB, DivX, MOV, M4A, AAC, WAV, MP3, etc. And you can define your own output video/audio format supported by your portable devices. Now, this DVD Converter Suite supports iPad (iPad 2), iPhone (iPhone 4), iPod, BlackBerry (PlayBook), Android phones (HTC, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, etc.), tablet computer (Xoom, Galaxy Tab, LG G-Slate, etc.), and other popular portable devices.
Aiseesoft DVD Converter Suite is packed with Total Video Converter, DVD Ripper and iPod to Computer Transfer. Both the Total Video Converter and DVD Ripper own powerful video editing features. For instance, you can crop video frame, watermark video, cut off any segment from video/DVD source, join videos together and so on. With it, you can get a personalized output video. The built-in iPod to Computer Transfer is a powerful file transferring software to transfer iPod/iPhone/iPad movie, music and image files to computer for backup.
In summary, Aiseesoft DVD Converter Suite is specially optimized for the up-to-date portable devices. It can convert DVD and video files to popular video formats and transfer video/audio/photo from iPod to computer. To learn more information, please visit: http://www.aiseesoft.com/dvd-converter-suite.html.
Apart from the all-in-one DVD Converter Suite, Aiseesoft specially prepares the iPad 2 assistant software, such as iPad 2 Video Converter and DVD to iPad 2 Converter for iPad 2 users. You can download the easy-to-use and reliable DVD video converter software free and have a try.
System Requirements
OS Supported: Windows NT4/2000/2003/XP and Windows Vista, Windows 7
Hardware Requirements: 800MHz Intel or AMD CPU, or above; 512MB RAM or more
About Aiseesoft Studio
As a professional multimedia software provider, Aiseesoft Studio is dedicated to developing the best multimedia desktop applications to help the Windows and Mac users smoothly convert, edit and transfer various video/audio files. In order to meet users' various requirements, Aiseesoft Studio constantly brings in new ideas, technologies, etc. To Aiseesoft Studio, user satisfaction is a consistent pursuit. For more information, please visit: http://www.aiseesoft.com.
Twisted Pair Gives Microsoft Lync Users Access to Mobile Workers on Smartphones and Two Way Radios
WAVE® Communicator for Microsoft Lync Extends Unified Communications to Mobile Workers on Any Device and Across Any Network
SEATTLE, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Twisted Pair Solutions, Inc., a recognized leader in critical communication applications for secure, real-time communications anywhere on any device, has announced the general availability of WAVE Communicator for Microsoft Lync, an application for extending the voice capabilities of Microsoft Lync Server 2010 to mobile workers. WAVE Communicator extends the reach of Microsoft Lync so that office-based workers and mobile workers using smartphones or two-way radios can simply and securely communicate via voice or text while sharing valuable information such as status and presence.
"Businesses of all sizes are seeking greater performance and productivity from their office-based and mobile workers through increased collaboration," says Tom Guthrie, CEO of Twisted Pair. "Microsoft Lync has become the unified communications platform of choice for thousands of businesses that are seeking to drive more value from all forms of communication. With a WAVE-enabled Lync deployment, businesses can achieve even greater efficiency and productivity through instant access to all workers regardless of the communications networks or devices they use."
Built on WAVE, the industry's leading interoperability platform, WAVE Communicator is integrated with Microsoft Lync, appearing as a panel within Lync 2010 and displaying available communication channels. These channels may include multiple two-way radio networks, push-to-talk mobile talk groups using smartphones or broadcast systems. When a Lync user wants to communicate with an individual or team they simply click on the appropriate WAVE communication channel and talk.
In addition to providing instant access to communications channels from within Lync 2010, WAVE Communicator has the ability to display presence information on a Bing map from GPS-supported devices such as smartphones and military and professional two-way radio systems. This capability is extremely important when it is essential to know where field resources are deployed and speaking with groups of users instantaneously is required.
"Twisted Pair's WAVE Communicator is a great example of how the extensible Lync developer platform allows ISVs to extend voice and data communications in ways that truly benefit enterprise and mobile workers," says Kirk Gregersen, senior director of Lync product management at Microsoft Corp. "Interoperability is of key importance to Microsoft's customers and Twisted Pair's WAVE platform enables direct communications with a whole range of additional communications networks."
WAVE Communicator is a key component of WAVE 5.2, the latest version of Twisted Pair's award-winning critical communications platform. WAVE 5.2 also adds GPS-based location information from GPS-capable Motorola MOTOTRBO(TM) professional digital two-way radio systems and WAVE Mobile Communicators, as well as MOTOTRBO private call support from any WAVE Communicator.
About Twisted Pair
Twisted Pair is the recognized leader in critical communications. Our WAVE software empowers mobile workforces with critical communication applications for secure, real-time collaboration anywhere on any device. Built on a battle-tested communications interoperability platform, WAVE delivers voice, video, location, presence and other forms of data deployed as an enterprise product or cloud-based service throughout commercial, public sector and defense organizations. WAVE has been proven in thousands of the most complex deployments around the world to help integrate and manage a truly unified communications system so that office-based and mobile workers can simply talk, make decisions and act.
SOURCE Twisted Pair Solutions, Inc.
Twisted Pair Solutions, Inc.
CONTACT: Michael Ann Thomas of Raffetto Herman Strategic Communications, for Twisted Pair Solutions, +1-773-822-6182, mthomas@rhstrategic.com
SUSE and Xamarin Partner to Accelerate Innovation and Support Mono Customers and Community
Xamarin granted broad rights to Mono; will continue development of mobile products and oversee Mono project
NUREMBERG, Germany, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SUSE today announced it is partnering with Xamarin to bring products to market faster and to more effectively support customers using Mono®-based products. The agreement grants Xamarin a broad, perpetual license to all intellectual property covering Mono, MonoTouch, Mono for Android and Mono Tools for Visual Studio. Xamarin will also provide technical support to SUSE customers using Mono-based products, and assume stewardship of the Mono open source community project.
Mono is a software platform designed to allow developers to easily create cross-platform applications. Mono helps developers leverage an extensive .NET ecosystem of code, libraries and tools to develop or port applications to non-Windows* platforms, including Linux*, Mac* OS X, Apple* iOS and Google Android*. This agreement allows Xamarin to accelerate product commercialization, and more rapidly bring to market next-generation, cross-platform mobile application development tools based on Mono.
"Xamarin was founded with a mission to delight developers with the world's best platform for mobile development," said Nat Friedman, Xamarin founder and CEO. "We're excited about the possibilities enabled by our partnership with SUSE and committed to helping current and future customers, our partners and the open source community."
The partnership agreement also ensures that current and future SUSE customers hosting applications on SUSE Linux Enterprise Mono Extension application server will continue to receive full commercial support for their platform from SUSE, backed by Xamarin. Current SUSE customers using Mono developer tools, including MonoTouch, Mono for Android and Mono Tools for Visual Studio, will receive support and updates directly from Xamarin for the remainder of their subscription period.
"This partnership is a triple win -- a win for SUSE, a win for Xamarin, but most importantly, a win for our customers, users and community," said Nils Brauckmann, president and general manager of SUSE. "Our partnership ensures SUSE customers continue to get the best support possible, enables the bright team at Xamarin to achieve success in their promising new venture, and provides continuity of stewardship for the Mono open source community project in the very capable hands of its most passionate evangelists."
For more information about support options for SUSE, customers should go to http://www.suse.com/mono. For more information about Xamarin support for Mono, go to support.xamarin.com.
About SUSE
SUSE is a business unit of The Attachmate Group, the company that acquired Novell in April 2011. SUSE is a leading provider of enterprise Linux solutions that increase agility, reduce cost and manage complexity in dynamic environments. With a portfolio centered around SUSE Linux Enterprise, the most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing, SUSE enables organizations to confidently deliver computing services across physical, virtual and cloud environments. With our award-winning products, open source communities and ecosystem of partnerships, SUSE solutions empower thousands of organizations around the world. For more information, visit http://www.suse.com.
SUSE and Mono are registered trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SUSE
SUSE
CONTACT: SUSE, Amie Johnson, +1-801-641-6349, amie@suse.com, or PAN Communications, Michael O'Connell, +1-617-502-4362, suse@pancomm.com
Exent's World-Leading Games on Demand Service now available on Mobile Devices
NEW YORK, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the leader in powering Games on Demand offerings, Exenttoday launched its new distribution platform for Android, GameTanium(TM) Mobile, the first and only all-you-can-eat subscription service for mobile devices offering unlimited game play of the hottest games on Android, including Farm Frenzy, Speedx 3D, and The Secret of Grisly Manor. Available now to consumers through a free trial at http://www.gametanium.com/mobile, the service draws on Exent's experience and success in merchandising and monetizing games.
Exent is the PC games on demand provider to many of the world's leading operators, including Verizon, Mediacom, and T-Mobile. With the launch of GameTanium Mobile, operators can extend their brand, games offering and subscriber engagement to new screens, increasing average revenue per user (ARPU) and strengthening brand loyalty and retention. Since the advent of smartphones, mobile game play has grown dramatically each year, but the open nature of the Android market has limited the role of the operator or carrier. GameTanium Mobile was built specifically with carriers in mind, leveraging Exent's content and programming expertise along with carrier channels and billing to increase conversion exponentially and provide a healthier ecosystem for monetization on Android. As with all Exent products and services, GameTanium Mobile accommodates carrier needs with customizable elements ranging from a brandable UI to pricing and packaging. The service also comes with Exent's strategic guidance and sound advice based on years of games and operator experience, as well as from valuable business intelligence collected through user testing and optimization of Exent's own GameTanium Mobile.
"Exent has successfully powered Verizon Games with its Built with GameTanium offering since 2005," noted Jason Henderson, Games & Music Services Product Manager at Verizon. "We look forward to its mobile counterpart to bring the benefits of the Verizon Games subscription to our users wherever they want to play."
"GameTanium Mobile is a win all around," says Christina Kuzma, Chief Marketing Officer at Exent. "For carriers, it bolsters their value added services and supports their multiscreen programming strategies. Game developers will benefit from a positive impact on conversion with integrated billing options and increased discovery due to the apps rapid-browse UI and advanced programming. For consumers the value is clear, with unlimited access to over 75 great games at launch with new games added weekly."
The service is currently available for a low monthly fee of only $4.99 and is expected to grow to over 200 premium Android games by year's end. With thousands of Android games offered in the Google Android Market but close to 99 percent comprised of demos, spam, broken apps or just boring games, the service was designed to showcase only the best apps optimized for the Android platform.
"The success of Farm Frenzy, Treasures of Montezuma, and our other game franchises on Exent's PC platform has us eager to repeat that success on GameTanium Mobile. The Android platform has its challenges, but we believe that our cooperation with Exent will greatly increase the number of people playing our Android games," said Daria Yurashanskaya, Alawar Director of Partner Relations.
GameTanium Mobile is now available for Android smartphones, with compatibility for other mobile platforms and devices including tablets coming soon. Visit http://www.gametanium.com/mobile or from your Android device at mobile.gametanium.com to download a free trial.
Android publishers and developers can learn more about adding their apps to the service by visiting Exent at Casual Connect Seattle from July 19-21, 2011 at Benaroya Hall, Booth b17.
About Exent
Exent is the leading global market solutions provider for monetization of PC and mobile video games. Exent delivers technologies and products for various markets, including video game publishers, broadband service providers, consumer portals, consumer electronic manufacturers, media companies, ad agencies, brand owners, retailers and others.
Media Contact:
Lynda Curtis
781-559-0423
Exent@rfbinder.com
New Tab Will Let Customers Compare Quotes from Multiple Providers of Auto and Home Insurance
SALT LAKE CITY, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- O.co (also known as Overstock.com, Inc., NASDAQ: OSTK), today announced that it will offer auto and home insurance quotes on the newest tab of its site: Insurance. The online retailer has partnered with Answer Financial, one of the largest auto and home insurance agencies in the United States. The new tab allows consumers in all 50 states to submit insurance information and immediately receive free, side-by-side quotes from as many as 20 leading insurance providers. To learn more about O.co Insurance visit http://www.o.co/insurance.
Users of Answer Financial's service are currently reporting average annual savings of $468 on their auto policies alone(1). The service also streamlines the quote and buying process so that policies offered can be purchased online or over the phone with one of Answer Financial's licensed insurance experts.
"This new tab underscores O.co's dedication to saving our customers money and becoming The Online Savings Engine. Expanding our services to a new industry, and especially to insurance, which has always held a special place in my heart, is a natural extension of O.co," said O.co CEO Patrick Byrne. "O.co Insurance enables any U.S.-based customer to shop, compare and buy online in minutes making it a great resource for first-time insurance buyers, but also anyone looking to replace and save on their current policy."
"We think O.co is a great partner for our services," said Rob Slingerland, CEO of Answer Financial. "More and more consumers are using the web to save money on auto and home insurance, and the Answer Financial platform allows them to effectively shop the market and compare prices to find some of the best deals. Bringing this capability to O.co's savvy online customers is a perfect fit for our business."
Overstock.com announced its evolution into O.co in June of 2011. O.co will continue to evolve as the online retailers brand in the coming months.
"Our customers associate 'O' with Overstock.com, which made the transition to O.co seamless. As a Savings Engine, this is the next step in adding more visibility to our new url," said Byrne.
About O.co (also known as Overstock.com)
O.co, also known as Overstock.com, is Your Online Savings Engine offering brand-name products. The company offers its customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering its suppliers an alternative inventory distribution channel. O.co, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market System and can be found online athttp://www.overstock.com and http://www.o.co. O.co regularly posts information about the company and other related matters on its website under the heading "Investor Relations." Overstock.com® is a registered trademark of Overstock.com, Inc. O.co(TM) and Your Online Savings Engine(TM) are trademarks of Overstock.com, Inc., Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Answer Financial Inc.
Answer Financial, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM), is one of the largest independent personal lines insurance agencies in the country. Answer Financial offers comparison quotes and provides car and property insurance from over twenty top-rated insurance companies through its website, http://www.answerfinancial.com, and over the phone via its licensed agents. In May 2011, White Mountains announced that it signed a definitive agreement to sell Esurance and Answer Financial to The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL), the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. The transaction is subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions, including review by antitrust authorities and state regulators, and is expected to close in the fall of 2011.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding services offered through O.co Insurance and the savings available. Our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010[, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or any amendments thereto,] and our other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections, estimates or forward-looking statements.
(1) Savings amount is based on a survey of people who purchased insurance from Answer Financial and responded to the survey with their estimated savings statements from October 2010 to December 2010. Average reported savings were $468 per year.
SOURCE Overstock.com, Inc.
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110120/LA32935LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Overstock.com, Inc.
CONTACT: Roger Johnson, +1-801-947-4430, rojohnson@overstock.com, or Investors, Kevin Moon, +1-801-947-3282, kmoon@overstock.com, both of Overstock.com, Inc.
Leading ITC Suppliers Westcoastcloud and Forensic Software Partner to Offer Complete e-Safety Solution for Schools
LONDON, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Comprehensive Cloud e-Safety Solution Praised by Childcare
Expert Professor Tanya Byron
Two of the UK's leading suppliers of e-safety, Westcoastcloud and
Forensic Software, have partnered up to offer the most comprehensive online
child protection solution yet to the education sector.
The all-in-one cloud service 'Netintelligence powered by Forensic
Software,' offers schools and local authorities a truly integrated e-safety
solution that includes real time monitoring, web filtering, blocking and
policy enforcement which is backed by the UK's only Kitemark for Child
Online Safety PAS 74.
Until now, no single solution has been available to be used across
multiple internet-connected devices.
The solution will provide educational establishments with a complete
e-safety tool kit to combat the threats of cyber bullying, harassment and
grooming as well as sites containing inappropriate content such as the
promotion of suicide, self-harm and pornography.
This new partnership between Westcoastcloud and Forensic Software has
been welcomed by the child psychologist, author, newspaper columnist and TV
presenter, Professor Tanya Byron (PhD, PsychD, MSc, BSc) who led a
government review into the risks to children of accessing inappropriate
material on the internet.
Professor Byron said: "I welcome this approach by e-safety technology
companies combining their resources to provide a far more reaching safety
net for children and those who have a duty of care to them. It's reassuring
that the recommendations made in my previous review and the more recent
recommendations of the Bailey Review about protecting children online are
being taken on board by companies to help deliver the safest possible
environments for children and families.
"The fact that this solution is supported by Netintelligence's award of
the BSI Kitemark PAS 74 is important. However there is a still a long way to
go as we still only have one company that has achieved the official
standard."
The new partnership between the two companies is being launched with the
combination of their leading e-safety solutions: Westcoastcloud's
'Netintelligence Enterprise Manager' and Forensic Software's 'Policy Central
Enterprise'.
Bill Strain, director of Westcoastcloud, said: "This is a great step
forward for the provision of online safety tools to the education market.
Bringing these two products together will give schools a more cost effective
option when they are looking at what's available in the child internet
safety market."
Ellie Puddle, managing director of Forensic Software, said: "Adding our
monitoring capabilities to the filtering and blocking ability of
Netintelligence will enable teachers and policy makers to be in total
control of modifying behaviour and allow them to react better when problems
do occur."
About Westcoastcloud
Westcoastcloud delivers business-critical cloud solutions for service
providers of all sizes - from small niche specialists to large
multinationals. Its range of cloud service solutions suits any market and
any provider from consumer to ISP.
Westcoastcloud is part of AIM listed iomart Group plc, one of the UK's
leading providers of managed hosting and cloud computing services. From a
single server through to complex private cloud networks, iomart specialises
in the delivery and management of mission-critical hosting services,
enabling customers to reduce the costs, complexity and risks associated with
maintaining their own web and online applications.
News release issued on behalf of Westcoastcloud by Jane Robertson, Head
of PR for iomart Group plc.
For more information please email jane.robertson@iomart.com or call
+44(0)141-931-6400 or +44(0)7827948993 (mob).
Iomart Group plc, Lister Pavilion, Kelvin Campus, West of
ScotlandSciencePark, Glasgow, G20 0SP
Polaris Software Signs MoU With Sonali Bank, BCBL in Bangladesh to Form Financial Technology Company
DHAKA, Bangladesh and CHENNAI, India, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Polaris Software (POLS.BO), a leading global Financial Technology
Company, Sonali Bank Ltd., the largest Nationalized Commercial Bank in
Bangladesh and Bangladesh Commerce Bank Ltd. (BCBL) today announced that
they have chosen Intellect[TM] Core Banking Solution (CBS) to replace their
existing solutions. To this effect the companies signed an MoU to form a
Joint Venture Company Sonali Polaris Financial Technology Ltd (SPFTL) where
Polaris will hold a 51% stake in the new company.
The end-to-end Intellect Core Banking Solution will allow the bank to
run a single application for all its different functions, thereby
facilitating easy operations for its customers.
As part of its transformational strategy, Sonali Bank wanted to
implement On-line Real Time Banking (ORTB) solutions in order to achieve
efficiency in operations and improve customer satisfaction by ensuring
better internal control and compliance. After extensive due diligence and
multiple deep dive sessions, Sonali Bank, lead member of the consortium,
chose Intellect CBS. BCBL too selected Intellect CBS to architect their
modernization & expansion strategies, and both banks chose a unique model of
creating a Financial Technology company with Polaris to service their
requirements.
Md Humayun Kabir, Managing Director & CEO, Sonali Bank, said, "Sonali
Polaris FT Ltd., will herald a new beginning in the Banking Technology
segment of Bangladesh. Owing to Polaris' hands-on experience in implementing
Financial Technology solutions in both mature & dynamic markets to emerging
markets globally, we chose Intellect CBS, a completely SOA based solution to
help modernize the bank. SPFTL will benefit the banking sector in Bangladesh
as it will give them an opportunity to adopt new banking technologies and
practices with an assured local support system."
Speaking on the occasion, Arun Jain, Chairman & CEO, Polaris Software,
said: "I admire the foresight of Sonali Bank and BCBL to set up such an
innovative business model, which will enable Polaris to present its cutting
edge solutions to the emerging Bangladesh market. This innovative
'Co-Creation Model' has helped us transcend the traditional vendor role
allowing us to effectively partner with local banks to offer highly
efficient and flexible products and services that will give our customers
the competitive edge in the FT space, and thereby drive their success in the
future."
Verizon Wireless Lights Up 4G LTE Network in Knoxville and the Surrounding Area on Thursday, July 21
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting Thursday, Verizon Wireless customers in Knoxville, Tenn. will be able to surf the web, download files and share music and photos up to 10 times faster than before with Verizon Wireless' 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The network launches on July 21 and will be available to customers in the following cities and towns: Athens, Etowah, Greenway, Jefferson City, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Louden, Marbledale, Maryville, Morristown, Niota, Oak Ridge, Oakland, Pigeon Forge, Pleasant View, Powell, Rockford, Sevierville, Sweetwater, Talbot, and White Pine.
"Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network creates new possibilities for the way we live, work, and play," said Jerry Fountain, the president of the Carolinas/Tennessee Region for Verizon Wireless. "The performance and capabilities of Verizon 4G LTE are unmatched in the marketplace, allowing customers to do things never before possible in a wireless environment."
4G LTE Smartphones, Hotspots and Laptop Modems
Verizon Wireless customers can choose from an array of 4G LTE devices, which includes:
-- The LG Revolution, the newest 4G LTE smartphone to launch on Verizon's
4G LTE network. It boasts a 4.3 inch TFT display with 480X800
resolution, a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and
front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for both stills and video chatting, a
1 GHz application processor, and Adobe Flash Player. The Revolution is
an Android 2.2 powered device and will allow Mobile Hotspot support for
up to 8 Wi-Fi enabled devices - available for $249.99 after discounts
with a new 2-year customer agreement.
-- The DROID Charge by Samsung, which features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED(TM)
Plus display, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and
front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, Android 2.2 platform, 1 GHz
application processor, HTML 5 Web browser and Mobile Hotspot capability
that lets customers share the 4G LTE connection with up to 10
Wi-Fi-enabled devices or the 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled
devices - available for $299.99 after discounts with a new 2-year
customer agreement.
-- ThunderBolt(TM) by HTC smartphone, powered by Android(TM) 2.2. It
includes an 8-megapixel rear facing camera and HD (720p) video
recording, a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera with video chatting
capabilities, the newest generation of the 1GHz Snapdragon processor and
a Mobile Hotspot capability that lets customers share the 4G LTE
connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices - available for
$249.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.
-- Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4510L and the Samsung 4G
LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11, which let customers share the 4G LTE
internet connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices at the same
time - each available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year
customer agreement.
-- Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L, which comes equipped with a
fold-out USB connector, a four color LED Service Status Indicator and an
internal antenna - available for $99.99 after discounts with a new
2-year customer agreement.
-- The LG VL600 4G LTE modem, which comes equipped with a fixed USB
connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and an internal antenna -
available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer
agreement.
-- Pantech's UML290 USB modem, which comes equipped with a fold-away, 180
degree rotating USB connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and a
internal antenna - available for $49.99 after discounts with a new
2-year customer agreement.
Network Coverage
In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink, so customers from Oak Ridge to Pigeon Forge can enjoy the fast speeds of the world's first large-scale 4G LTE network. Verizon Wireless began introducing the globe's first large-scale LTE network on December 5, 2010, in 38 major metropolitan areas, covering more than 110 million Americans. When the company turns on additional communities this week, it will offer the world's most advanced network in over 100 metropolitan areas.
The company is rapidly building out it's 4G LTE network, and is on course to deliver 4G LTE to its entire 3G wireless footprint by the end of 2013. In addition, the company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless' core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum.
When customers travel outside of a 4G coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable network in the country, allowing customers with laptops and smartphones to download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps, rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more, work on-the-go with fast file sharing and stream must-see video and customized radio stations.
4G LTE Data Plans, Promotions and Local Store Information
With the LG Revolution, DROID Charge by Samsung and the ThunderBolt by HTC, customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and 4G LTE data plan starts at $29.99 monthly access for 2 GB of data.
4G LTE Mobile Broadband plans for the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4510, Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L, LG VL600 4G LTE modem and Pantech UML290 USB modem begin at $50 monthly access for 5 GB of data. Data usage can be tracked by logging on to My Verizon online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon.
Customers may visit their local Verizon Wireless store from July 21 - July 24, 2011 to try their Wi-Fi-enabled device on Verizon's 4G LTE, which is America's fastest network. Please visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Verizon Wireless Lights Up 4G LTE Network in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point and the Surrounding Area on Thursday, July 21
GREENSBORO, N.C., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting Thursday, Verizon Wireless customers in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point area will be able to surf the web, download files and share music and photos up to 10 times faster than before with Verizon Wireless' 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The network launches on July 21 and will be available to customers in the following cities and towns: Archdale, Asheboro, Bermuda Run, Bethania, Clemmons, Cooleemee, Forest Oaks, Franklinville, Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Kernersville, King, Lewisville, Lexington, Liberty, McLeansville, Mocksville, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Ramseur, Randleman, Rural Hall, Sedalia, Stokesdale, Summerfield, Thomasville, Tobaccoville, Trinity, Walkertown, Welcome, Whitsett, and Winston-Salem.
"Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network creates new possibilities for the way we live, work, and play," said Jerry Fountain, the president of the Carolinas/Tennessee Region for Verizon Wireless. "The performance and capabilities of Verizon 4G LTE are unmatched in the marketplace, allowing customers to do things never before possible in a wireless environment."
4G LTE Smartphones, Hotspots and Laptop Modems
Verizon Wireless customers can choose from an array of 4G LTE devices, which includes:
-- The LG Revolution, the newest 4G LTE smartphone to launch on Verizon's
4G LTE network. It boasts a 4.3 inch TFT display with 480X800
resolution, a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and
front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for both stills and video chatting, a
1 GHz application processor, and Adobe Flash Player. The Revolution is
an Android 2.2 powered device and will allow Mobile Hotspot support for
up to 8 Wi-Fi enabled devices - available for $249.99 after discounts
with a new 2-year customer agreement.
-- The DROID Charge by Samsung, which features a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED(TM)
Plus display, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and
front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, Android 2.2 platform, 1 GHz
application processor, HTML 5 Web browser and Mobile Hotspot capability
that lets customers share the 4G LTE connection with up to 10
Wi-Fi-enabled devices or the 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled
devices - available for $299.99 after discounts with a new 2-year
customer agreement.
-- ThunderBolt(TM) by HTC smartphone, powered by Android(TM) 2.2. It
includes an 8-megapixel rear facing camera and HD (720p) video
recording, a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera with video chatting
capabilities, the newest generation of the 1GHz Snapdragon processor and
a Mobile Hotspot capability that lets customers share the 4G LTE
connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices - available for
$249.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer agreement.
-- Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4510L and the Samsung 4G
LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11, which let customers share the 4G LTE
internet connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices at the same
time - each available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year
customer agreement.
-- Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L, which comes equipped with a
fold-out USB connector, a four color LED Service Status Indicator and an
internal antenna - available for $99.99 after discounts with a new
2-year customer agreement.
-- The LG VL600 4G LTE modem, which comes equipped with a fixed USB
connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and an internal antenna -
available for $99.99 after discounts with a new 2-year customer
agreement.
-- Pantech's UML290 USB modem, which comes equipped with a fold-away, 180
degree rotating USB connector, an LED Service Status Indicator and a
internal antenna - available for $49.99 after discounts with a new
2-year customer agreement.
Network Coverage
In real-world, fully-loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink, so customers from Cooleemee to Whitsett can enjoy the fast speeds of the world's first large-scale 4G LTE network. Verizon Wireless began introducing the globe's first large-scale LTE network on December 5, 2010, in 38 major metropolitan areas, covering more than 110 million Americans. When the company turns on additional communities this week, it will offer the world's most advanced network in over 100 metropolitan areas.
The company is rapidly building out its 4G LTE network, and is on course to deliver 4G LTE to its entire 3G wireless footprint by the end of 2013. In addition, the company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless' core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum.
When customers travel outside of a 4G coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless' 3G network is the most reliable network in the country, allowing customers with laptops and smartphones to download and use cool apps, from mobile social networking platforms to GPS-enabled maps, rapidly browse the web to keep up with news, sports, stock quotes, Hollywood gossip and more, work on-the-go with fast file sharing and stream must-see video and customized radio stations.
4G LTE Data Plans, Promotions and Local Store Information
With the LG Revolution, DROID Charge by Samsung and the ThunderBolt by HTC, customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and 4G LTE data plan starts at $29.99 monthly access for 2 GB of data.
4G LTE Mobile Broadband plans for the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4510, Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L, LG VL600 4G LTE modem and Pantech UML290 USB modem begin at $50 monthly access for 5 GB of data. Data usage can be tracked by logging on to My Verizon online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon.
Customers may visit their local Verizon Wireless store from July 21 - July 24, 2011 to try their Wi-Fi-enabled device on Verizon's 4G LTE, which is America's fastest network. Please visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Digital Realty Trust Signs Adobe to Singapore Data Centre Lease
Adobe among First Customers at Digital Realty Trust's 29A International Business Park Datacentre
SINGAPORE, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR), a global wholesale data centre provider, has signed a lease agreement with Adobe Systems Incorporated in its 29A International Business Park data centre in Singapore. This Turn-Key Datacentre® lease agreement provides Adobe with world-class data centre infrastructure to support its mission critical computing systems. Adobe will rely on Digital Realty Trust's data centre infrastructure to deploy its data collection and data processing systems in a timely, cost-effective manner to meet increased demand for Adobe's software-as-a-service solutions in the region from key verticals including education, government and the enterprise market.
"We are delighted that Adobe has selected Digital Realty Trust as its partner for this mission-critical data centre," said Kris Kumar, Regional Head, Asia Pacific, Digital Realty Trust. "Digital Realty Trust is committed to providing local, regional and global enterprise customers with secure, reliable and cost effective data centre facilities. We believe our operating expertise and global resources will continue to benefit our customers as they expand their IT operations in the Asia Pacific region."
"Choosing Digital Realty Trust is aligned with our strategy of partnering with leading companies that help us best meet our customers' needs," said Brandon Pulsipher, vice president of network operations, Omniture Business Unit, Adobe. "Adobe is firmly committed to expanding and providing improved services to our Asia Pacific customers. In addition to Singapore, Adobe is actively exploring other markets and we expect to deliver additional Asia Pacific service locations in the future."
Each Digital Realty Trust Turn-Key Datacentre facility is physically secure and features a state-of-the-art power and cooling architecture that has been optimized for green operation. Every Turn-Key Datacentre is built using the Company's proprietary POD Architecture® and uses metered power to ensure that clients pay only for the power that they use. The facility also comes standard with Digital Realty Trust's PowerVU software, which enables centralized monitoring and management of data centre power consumption, energy efficiency and load analysis.
About Digital Realty Trust, Inc.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. focuses on delivering customer driven data centre solutions by providing secure, reliable and cost effective facilities that meet each customer's unique data centre needs. Digital Realty Trust's customers include domestic and international companies across multiple industry verticals ranging from information technology and Internet enterprises, to manufacturing and financial services. Digital Realty Trust's 96 properties, excluding two properties held as investments in unconsolidated joint ventures, comprise approximately 16.9 million square feet as of April 28, 2011, including 2.2 million square feet of space held for redevelopment. Digital Realty Trust's portfolio is located in 28 markets throughout Europe, North America and Singapore. Additional information about Digital Realty Trust is included in the Company Overview, which is available on the Investors page of Digital Realty Trust's website at http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially, including statements related to the new lease agreement with Adobe. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following: the impact of the recent deterioration in global economic, credit and market conditions; current local economic conditions in our geographic markets; decreases in information technology spending, including as a result of economic slowdowns or recession; adverse economic or real estate developments in our industry or the industry sectors that we sell to (including risks relating to decreasing real estate valuations and impairment charges); our dependence upon significant tenants; bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant or a significant number of smaller tenants; defaults on or non-renewal of leases by tenants; our failure to obtain necessary debt and equity financing; increased interest rates and operating costs; risks associated with using debt to fund our business activities, including re-financing and interest rate risks, our failure to repay debt when due, adverse changes in our credit ratings or our breach of covenants or other terms contained in our loan facilities and agreements; financial market fluctuations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; our inability to manage our growth effectively; difficulty acquiring or operating properties in foreign jurisdictions; our failure to successfully integrate and operate acquired or redeveloped properties; risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments; delays or unexpected costs in development or redevelopment of properties; decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates; increased competition or available supply of data center space; our inability to successfully develop and lease new properties and space held for redevelopment; difficulties in identifying properties to acquire and completing acquisitions; our inability to acquire off-market properties; our inability to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to reporting companies; our failure to maintain our status as a REIT; possible adverse changes to tax laws; restrictions on our ability to engage in certain business activities; environmental uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters; losses in excess of our insurance coverage; changes in foreign laws and regulations, including those related to taxation and real estate ownership and operation; and changes in local, state and federal regulatory requirements, including changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 [and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For Additional
Information:
--------------
A. William Stein Pamela M. Garibaldi Kris Kumar
Chief Financial Vice President, Regional Head Asia
Officer and Investor Relations Pacific &
Chief Investment and Corporate VP Corporate
Officer Marketing Development
Digital Realty Digital Realty Trust,
Trust, Inc. Inc. +65 6597 7088
+1 (415) 738-6500 +1 (415) 738-6500
Orb Networks Launches First Service to Provide Free Streaming of Premium Online TV Shows, Sports and Movies to Mobile Phones
-- New $9.99 Orb Live App Makes it Easy to Watch TV Shows and More on an iPhone or Android Device
OAKLAND, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Orb Networks (http://www.orb.com) is putting out the call to TV lovers today with the announcement of its new Orb Live app -- the first service that enables consumers to stream the vast majority of popular premium online TV shows, sports, movies and more directly to their iPhone or Android devices. For TV viewing anywhere and anytime, Orb Live makes it simple and affordable for people to watch shows from Hulu, ABC, CBS, Fox, ESPN and more, with its unique technology that streams TV shows for free to a mobile phone.
Orb Live is the first service to stream free, ad-supported Hulu to mobile devices. Priced at only $9.99, with no subscription fees, Orb Live opens up a whole new world of entertainment options for mobile phone users, with thousands of TV shows available. Orb Live features premium online content, including full TV show episodes - which until now could only be watched through your computer's web browser. With Orb Live, consumers can also watch a huge array of sports and movies via services such as Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand.
Mobile-video viewing saw a 41% rise from last year, according to a recent study by Nielsen Holdings N.V., and Orb Live is meeting this consumer demand for mobile TV and video viewing.
"Now consumers can use Orb Live to watch their favorite TV shows, sports and movies anywhere, on their mobile phone, without any additional subscription fees," said Joe Costello, CEO and cofounder of Orb Networks. "No matter where they are, people can use their mobile phone to get the same great content that is available on their home PC for watching at the beach, on the soccer field, at the airport or on a commuter train."
He added, "With this new version of Orb Live, we have also dramatically improved the streaming quality of the video to give users the best possible picture quality, at their current connection speed. As the connection moves up and down in quality, the video adjusts in real time to deliver the best picture and minimize the dreaded buffering so users always have access to their TV shows, movies and music."
To help consumers easily find and watch their favorite shows, Orb Live features a powerful and easy-to-use global index of TV shows. Consumers simply type in the name of the show they want and then Orb quickly finds the show, without having to specify its source (e.g. Hulu, Netflix, ABC, CBS, etc).
The new version of Orb Live also provides consumers with all of the features of the original Orb Live, including live streaming of any music files, online music (Pandora, Sirius, etc.), video files (downloaded DivX/XviD files, home movies, etc.) photos and more to a mobile phone.
The new version of Orb Live for the iPhone is available immediately, with planned availability for the Android in mid-August. To get started, consumers download the free Orb Caster software from Orb.com to their PC or Mac and then download Orb Live from the App Store or Android Marketplace. Orb Live requires Edge, 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi network for connection to the Internet, to stream media via Orb Live to a mobile phone.
About Orb Networks
Based in Oakland, California, Orb Networks, Inc. is the leader in digital media streaming solutions for the digital home and remote access applications. In addition to Orb Live, Orb Networks offers the Orb Music Player ($79) that streams iTunes and Pandora to any home stereo. And, the Orb TV ($99) solution, with a hockey puck-sized device that plugs into a TV, enables consumers to stream online video content to a TV. The new OrbBR (Blu-ray) software works with an Internet-connected Blu-ray player and is easily controlled through a smart device or using any computer. For more information about Orb products, please visit http://www.orb.com.
SOURCE Orb Networks
Orb Networks
CONTACT: Lisa Hendrickson, Commstrat for Orb Networks, +1-516-767-8390, lisa@commstrat.com
LeapFrog's New $99 Tablet for Kids Expected to Be One of the Hottest Products of the Holiday Season - Even Santa May Be Left Empty-Handed
EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), the leader in educational entertainment, today announced that the new LeapPad(TM) has sold out of pre-sale units in the first two weeks in the U.S. Unveiled in late June, LeapPad became available for pre-sale on major retailer websites on June 29th. Additional quantities of the LeapPad will be available at major retailers in late August.
"We are extremely pleased with the performance of LeapPad during this initial availability," said John Barbour, chief executive officer at LeapFrog. "Every year, there is a must-have product on every child's holiday wish list and I strongly believe that LeapPad is going to be at the top of many of those lists."
LeapPad, a personalized learning tablet designed for kids ages four and up, mirrors popular adult tablets, and includes an on-board camera and video recorder. Featuring endless ways to play, this new tablet is revolutionizing the way children learn by offering the next generation in learning fun, digital reading and personal creativity. By the end of the year, LeapPad will have a library of more than 100 game cartridges and apps that include best-in-class educational curriculum.
"We're keeping a close eye on the LeapPad as the pre-sale has been extraordinary," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Timetoplaymag.com. "This groundbreaking educational product is sure to be on the consumer's radar throughout the holiday season."
Availability
LeapPad will be at MSRP at $99.99 USD. Game cartridges will be at MSRP $24.99 USD and downloadable apps at MSRP $5.00 USD and up. LeapPad will be available in green and pink at major retailers in late August in the U.S., Canada, UK and Ireland, and in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand later in the year. For more details, visit leapfrog.com/LeapPad.
About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is an education innovator and a leading developer of educational entertainment for children. LeapFrog's award-winning product portfolio is designed to help every child achieve their full potential by delivering best-in-class curriculum through engaging and technology-based platforms, content and toys. The Learning Path, LeapFrog's proprietary online destination for parents and extended family, provides personalized feedback on a child's learning progress and offers product recommendations to enhance each child's learning experience. Through the power of play, LeapFrog's products and curriculum help children of all ages prepare for life and academic success. LeapFrog's products are available in more than 45 countries and have been used by teachers in more than 100,000 U.S. classrooms. LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Come see the learning at http://www.leapfrog.com.
Enterasys S-Series S6 Enables Virtualized Data Center Deployments
New Switch in S-Series Family of Premium Modular Switches Optimized to Meet the On-Coming Proliferation of Virtual Desktops in the Enterprise
ANDOVER, Mass., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterasys Networks, a Siemens Enterprise Communications company, today announced the Enterasys S-Series S6, a new switch in its family of premium modular switches. The Enterasys S6 is optimized for use in virtualized data center environments, integrating seamlessly into today's cold aisle/hot aisle data center cooling architectures. The Enterasys S-Series also addresses enterprise IT requirements around the increasing mobility of their workforce and surge in the "Consumerization of IT" and virtual desktops. The Enterasys S6 features a new six-slot chassis offering up to 432 ports of Gigabit Ethernet or 96 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, continuing to build on the connectivity options offered by the highly reliable Enterasys S-Series.
"Enterprises must manage the explosive growth of physical and virtual devices, while providing flexible access and maintaining security," said Ram Appalaraju, vice president of marketing at Enterasys Networks. "With the S-Series, Enterasys supports the scale and granularity that virtualized data centers require. This capability is especially important for virtual desktops, as new devices, such as iPads and smartphones, constantly require reauthorization when they come onto and leave the network."
CoreFlow2 Brings Network Automation, Visibility and Control
The S-Series incorporates Enterasys' CoreFlow2 ASIC, which is designed to classify users, devices and applications. CoreFlow2 brings advanced network automation, visibility and control to customers, enabling:
-- Virtual Machine Visibility: Enterasys patented switching design is
engineered to provide network operators with important visibility into
how individual virtual machines are using the network, helping to curb
VM sprawl.
-- Application Awareness: CoreFlow2's flow-based switching automatically
classifies and enforces application traffic at line rate, providing
network administrators with the ability to ensure consistent application
performance, whether it's for cloud applications or Web surfing.
-- Future-Proofed Data Center Standards Support: The Enterasys S6 enables
an easy software upgrade path to new data center standards, such as
Shortest Path Bridging (SPB), Virtual Ethernet Port Aggregator (VEPA)
and components of Data Center Bridging (DCB), without a disruptive and
costly hardware upgrade, as is common in the industry.
-- Automated Provisioning: Leveraging CoreFlow2 technology, automated
provisioning of virtual and physical switches is enabled by Enterasys
NMS and Data Center Manager, with single pane of glass management for
both data center and unified edge access. This ensures seamless
application performance in a virtualized environment.
Data Center Optimized: Meeting Cooling, Connectivity and Virtualization Requirements
The Enterasys S6 is optimized for use in data center environments, meeting the cooling, connectivity and power requirements of today's data center network fabric. The Enterasys S6 is designed for the physical network infrastructure needed to support virtualized environments, with front-to-back cooling capabilities, ideal for data centers with hot aisle/cold aisle configurations.
Furthermore, the S-Series switch family scales up to 64 million flows and more than 1 Terabit per system, providing the granularity and scale needed to manage a virtualized network as easily as a physical network. Leveraging CoreFlow2 technology, the S-Series, in conjunction with Enterasys NMS and Data Center Manager, provides a single pane of glass management for both data center and unified edge access, ensuring the highest availability for mission-critical data center applications.
Pricing and Availability
Enterasys S6 starts at $24,995 and is expected to be generally available in Q3.
Resources:
-- Enterasys S-Series product page
-- Enterasys CoreFlow2 technology
-- Managing BYO Devices in the Enterprise white paper
-- Enterasys Data Center solutions
-- Enterasys Data Center Fabric technology strategy brief
-- Enterasys Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and the Network solution brief
About Enterasys Networks and Siemens Enterprise Communications
Siemens Enterprise Communications is a premier provider of end-to-end enterprise communications, including voice, network infrastructure and security solutions that use open, standards-based unified communications and business applications for a seamless collaboration experience. This award-winning "Open Communications" approach enables organizations to improve productivity and reduce costs through easy-to-deploy solutions that work within existing IT environments, delivering operational efficiencies. It is the foundation for the company's OpenPath® commitment that enables customers to mitigate risk and cost-effectively adopt unified communications. Jointly owned by The Gores Group and Siemens AG, Siemens Enterprise Communications includes Cycos and Enterasys Networks. For more information about Siemens Enterprise Communications or Enterasys please visit http://www.siemens-enterprise.com or http://www.enterasys.com.
SOURCE Enterasys Networks
Enterasys Networks
CONTACT: Amy Martin, Enterasys Networks, +1-408-492-2785, amy.martin@siemens-enterprise.com, or Amanda Jones, Connect Public Relations, +1-801-373-7888, amandaj@connectpr.com
Real Madrid Signs an Exclusive Contract with WISeKey to Exclusively Distribute Real Madrid's Mobile Content Rights Across China
GENEVA, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
?
WISeKey announced today an exclusive agreement with Real Madrid C.F, the
twentieth century's best soccer club, for the exclusive distribution of the
club's mobile content in China this coming season 2011/2012. The
announcement validates the new media strategy WISeKey is now deploying with
famous brands, allowing them to monetize their brand value by associating
the WISeKey ecosystem of users in selected countries with restricted mobile
content rights provided by the brands.
Under the deal, WISeKey and Chinese partners will be responsible for
distributing and marketing Real Madrid's mobile content, covering China and
the extended network of Chinese Real Madrid fans.
"WISeKey will help Real Madrid generate extra revenue by distributing
official mobile content in China, creating a mobile community of Real Madrid
fans who choose to receive Real Madrid's exclusive mobile content using
WISeKey's world-leading eSecurity technologies" said Carlos Moreira, Founder
and CEO WISeKey.
"We are delighted to be partnering with WISeKey, who will boost the
club's presence and strengthen our popularity in China via the fastest
growing mobile market community. Real Madrid fans can find in their mobile
devices the best photos, videos, news...of the club in nearly every corner
of the world thanks to our dynamic licensing model, and now, thanks to
WISeKey, we are also entering the Chinese market," said Pedro Duarte, Head
of New Media Real Madrid.
China is a big market for the Real Madrid brand and now this community
will now access the best Real Madrid content via WISekey's WISeID
technology.
The complete text of the Real Madrid and WISeKey announcement can be
found here:
Caspian Learning Release Free Version of $4999 3D Sims & Games Creation Software
NEWCASTLE, England, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --
Summary
Award-winning 3D software company, Caspian Learning, today unveiled that
the latest version of their exciting 3D sims & games creation software will
be completely free to use. The new version of the software will remove
practically all of the barriers to simulation and game design that the
beginner or novice designer faces and will save new users $4999 over the old
retail price.
Caspian Learning unveiled the new version of their award-winning
Thinking Worlds 3D simulation & games creation technology today. The new
version will be available to download and use for free - forever - which is
a huge shift from the previous retail price of $4999. The new free version
of the software will give users the option to pay for upgrades which add
even more advanced features.
The software is the leading, free simulation & games design software,
with over 10,000 users globally, that has been specifically designed to
enable complete beginner and novice designers (as well as more advanced
users) to create sims & games for use on standalone PCs, web browsers or
mobile devices and get them distributed rapidly.
The core concept behind the entire design of Thinking Worlds 3.5 is that
it is able to remove traditionally hard to overcome game design barriers;
such as the need to have a deep understanding of programming language, the
difficulty of adding new 3D art and the problems associated with publishing
games. With Thinking Worlds 3.5, sims & games are easy to create, objects
are easy to import and finished projects are easy to publish as programs
ready to run on standalone PCs, web browsers or even iPhones and iPads.
Lee Rushworth, Marketing Executive for Caspian Learning, said that "the
new version of Thinking Worlds will make the creation of sims & games for
browser-based and mobile distribution more accessible to novice and
beginning game designers than anything else currently available."
Rapidly Create Sims & Games for iOS Mobile Devices (iPhones and iPads)
As well as now being free to download and use, version 3.5 of Thinking
Worlds enables users to create and publish simulations and games for
iOS-based devices (iPads and iPhones). Other mobile publishing options are
in the pipeline for Q3 2011 launch.
Launched in 2002, Caspian Learning is the UK-based developer of the
award-winning 3D authoring tool, Thinking Worlds. Thinking Worlds is a rapid
simulation & games creation tool that allows designers to create immersive
3D simulations & games without needing to know any programming language.
Sims & Games created with Thinking Worlds are currently used by over 10,000
users worldwide.
HASCO Medical Announces New Redesigned Websites for Mobility Freedom and Wheelchair Vans of America
MOBILE, Ala., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HASCO Medical, Inc. (OTCBB: HASC), http://www.mysouthernmed.com, a managed healthcare provider that serves patients in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, announced the launch of a newly redesigned web site for Mobility Freedom (http://www.MobilityFreedom.com) and Wheelchair Vans of America (http://www.WCvans.com).
The new websites have been redesigned to be even more customer friendly. MobilityFreedom.com now provides an interactive website which includes current inventory with pictures and prices of all of Mobility Freedom's new and used vehicles as well as the most current information on conversion vans and accessories. WCvans.com is now even easier to navigate for the customer's rental van needs when vacationing or visiting the State of Florida.
Hal Compton, CEO, comments, "We believe our customers will be very pleased with both the content and ease of use of the new websites. The new websites help us fulfill our goal of providing the best customer service in the industry."
About HASCO Medical, Inc.
HASCO Medical ("HASC" or the Company) provides products and services that dramatically improve the quality of living for its customers. The Company's products and services include the sale of durable medical equipment, home respiratory equipment and the sale or rental of wheelchair accessible vans for which it provides custom conversion services. The Company operates in the South Eastern portion of the United States including Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The Company's objective is to be a leading provider of home health care products and services in the continental United States.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases you can identify those so-called "forward looking statements" by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "targets," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of those words and other comparable words. These forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, product tests, commercialization risks, availability of financing and results of financing efforts that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Further information regarding these and other risks is described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available on its website at: http://www.sec.gov. We assume no obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements made in this release or in any periodic report filed by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable federal securities laws.
TargetX Unveils Newest Version of Higher Education's Leading Email Recruiting Tool
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Student recruiting firm TargetX has announced its most extensive overhaul yet of the leading email broadcasting tool in higher education. First introduced in 1998, eXpressEmail has enabled hundreds of colleges to use targeted and personalized email communication to build relationships with prospects and their families.
Version 9 of eXpressEmail is more powerful, easier to use and navigate, and has a new and more modern look, according to TargetX CEO Brian Wm. Niles, who helped conceive the communication tool 13 years ago when he was a university enrollment officer and wanted to stay in touch with thousands of prospects in a personalized way.
"Our enhancements of eXpress come at a good time for higher education institutions," said Niles. "Young people are checking email like never before -- thanks to the explosive growth of smartphones and other mobile devices."
The newest generation of eXpressEmail offers smoother data handling, simplified navigation and easier scheduling of messages. To learn more, visit http://www.targetx.com/expressemail9
To complement the new release, TargetX is offering to bundle eXpressEmail with its popular chat and event management tools to give new customers a fully integrated suite of recruiting tools. "In 48 hours, any college can be sending segmented, personalized emails; running targeted chat sessions for specific audiences; and completely managing their events, both online and in person," said Niles.
About TargetX
TargetX is a unique student-recruiting company that offers both technology tools and consulting services designed to help colleges recruit today's more sophisticated, web-savvy students.
TargetX has been a forward-thinking leader in managing change in higher education and embracing the concept of the experience in higher-ed marketing. It provides powerful, integrated technology tools to help schools make necessary connections, and campus visit consulting that provides action-oriented, practical solutions to help attract best-fit students.
The company invented email recruiting in 1998 and revolutionized Customer Relationship Management (CRM) with its innovative, cloud-based Student Recruitment Manager (SRM) in 2008.
TargetX has developed a reputation for objective and expert counsel, including a popular series of workshops and webcasts, presentations at dozens of conferences around the country, and several blogs aimed specifically at student recruiters. It recently launched an Education & Training Center (ETC) where admissions professionals can collaborate with colleagues and thought leaders through coursework and office retreats.
CenturyLink Plans to Invest $20 Million for Broadband in New Mexico
Program Will Improve and Expand Broadband, Increase Connectivity Speeds
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) plans to invest at least $20 million to improve and expand broadband communications services in New Mexico now that it has merged with Qwest Communications.
"This investment by CenturyLink to expand broadband services in New Mexico is an effective way for the company to introduce itself to the state," New Mexico Public Regulation Commission chairman Pat Lyons said. "CenturyLink is New Mexico's leading communications provider now that its merger with Qwest is complete. We look forward to the additional resources and opportunities that this increased Internet connectivity made possible by CenturyLink will provide the people of New Mexico."
With the Qwest merger completed, CenturyLink is focusing on improving and expanding broadband availability and increasing connectivity speeds to consumers.
"As a result of CenturyLink's merger with Qwest, the combined company now has the financial strength, national breadth, and local depth to provide a compelling array of broadband products and high bandwidth services in New Mexico," said Valerie Dodd, vice president and general manager for CenturyLink in New Mexico.
Dodd and her Albuquerque-based local operations team currently are studying the communities CenturyLink serves in the state to determine where to deploy the expanded broadband infrastructure that the new initiative will fund. The company wants to ensure the expansion effort delivers the best possible high-speed Internet experience to New Mexico customers.
CenturyLink will implement the expanded broadband program over the next several years. The investment is in addition to the millions the company spends in the state annually to improve and expand its existing communications network.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice and wireless services to consumers and businesses across the country and advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink(TM) Prism(TM) TV and DIRECTV brands. In addition, the company provides data, voice and managed services to business, government and wholesale customers in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers. CenturyLink also is recognized as a leader in the network services market by key technology industry analyst firms, and is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for enterprises through Savvis, a CenturyLink company. CenturyLink's customers range from Fortune 500 companies in some of the country's largest cities to families living in rural America. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations. For more information, visit http://www.centurylink.com.
Company transforms into global mobile investment holding with BRICS focus
HONG KONG and BERLIN, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Artificial Life, Inc., (OTCPK: ALIF), a leading provider of award-winning mobile technology and applications (the "Company") announced today a re-structuring and re-orientation of its main business activities and new strategic goals.
The Company (ALIF) announced that it intends to transform itself into a global mobile technology investment venture. The Company's subsidiary Artificial Life Investments Ltd. launched in 2010 (based in the Cayman Islands) will become the key investment entity expanding on its initial investments. At the end of 2010 Artificial Life Investments Ltd. made its first minority investments in a German augmented reality start-up company and in a mobile health start-up company with a focus on the Middle East and Africa and invested approximately 12 mm USD in cash and assets in exchange for equity. The Company also has invested over 40 mm USD and acquired intellectual property (IP) and certain license rights over the last few years and has produced substantial new assets and IP of its own which it intends to license or divest and use the resulting proceeds for investment purposes.
As already announced in prior communications the future investment focus of the Company will be on South America (mainly Brazil), Russia, India, Asia (mainly Greater China), (South) Africa, and the Middle East, i.e. the countries commonly known as the BRICS nations. However, the general investment strategy will be flexible and opportunistic allowing the Company to also invest in promising targets in other territories (such as Europe or the US) when they are presented.
In these markets the goal will be to become a major player in the smartphone business by investing in promising firms with special products and expertise in the following technologies:
-- near field communication (NFC)
-- smartphone apps (games, lifestyle, healthcare and business apps)
-- augmented reality
-- social networking games and apps
-- m-commerce
The Company plans to acquire equity stakes in exchange for its IP or do cash investments or a combination thereof whenever appropriate.
By focusing on investment and financing activities the Company intends to substantially transfer its own current operational activities and outsource its future R&D, new product development, sales, and distribution activities to the companies it will invest in rather than doing it by itself.
Current contracts and obligations however will be honored with existing clients and will be fulfilled and phased out through 2012. Future new contracts will be executed with partners, investment companies, and joint ventures as subcontractors when needed.
In addition the Company plans to launch joint ventures with larger companies around the globe to make the best future commercial use of its diverse range of IP.
The Company also announced that it already entertains concrete negotiations with several major companies towards this end. Negotiations are ongoing about licensing and sales of some of the Company's assets such as some of its game titles and development engines, some of its business apps, its Opus-M(TM) platform, its MoPA-TV® platform, and its augmented reality assets.
The Company further announced that as a first step for implementing the new strategic orientation it will close its Los Angeles and Tokyo offices. The Company intends, however to keep its offices in Hong Kong, Berlin, and South Africa and may open other offices in the BRICS nations at the appropriate time.
"Management values our current assets at a multiple of our current market cap. Therefore, we think the time is ripe to make better use of our assets to increase shareholder value. With our innovative investment strategy using our valuable IP to acquire equity in promising companies and strongly reducing operational costs we believe that we are in a unique position to become a stronger player in the smartphone business and a serious player in the mobile investment field . Our key financial goal is to improve shareholder value and to get our stock price back to acceptable levels with our new business approach," said Frank Namyslik, CFO of Artificial Life, Inc.
"We have been successful in the mobile and smartphone business since we ventured into the mobile space with continuous and substantial growth in revenues and profits year after year since 2006. We have become one of the leading smartphone developers and publishers in the world with over 60 million downloads and even reached the #1 ranking among iPhone apps fourteen times in many key countries around the world. However, our stock price and market cap have not followed this success story and our stock price has now reached such low levels that are in no way satisfying. Therefore, we made the strategic decision to change our business model and goals. We believe this is necessary and appropriate now and in the best interest of all our shareholders.
We have worked hard over the past years and have produced valuable IP and leading edge mobile products and technologies. However, due to the low stock price over the last years we have never had the chance to raise a substantial amount of cash to get the Company to the next level or to invest in other entities without a major potential dilution for our shareholders. Hence, our alternative approach now is to license and sell some of our IP which is in demand and use it as a "currency" for investments rather than our equity or cash.
We believe that our Company will grow faster and stronger with this new strategy than it would by continuing to grow organically as we have done in the past. We have shown that we know how the mobile markets work and how to be successful with mobile apps and technologies, so we believe we have the expertise and knowledge to find and evaluate solid and promising investments in this space.
Our goal is now to become an even stronger player in the smartphone field by scouting good firms preferably in an early stage, investing in them, helping them to grow their business through the introduction to our partner and client networks. We would then work with these partners and other investors to increase value and/or to sell our stake to strategic investors or partners or to exit through IPO's at the appropriate time. On top of that we are planning to launch some key joint ventures with partners in which we will inject some of our intellectual properties. It's a fascinating new perspective and we are excited about the new tasks and commercial opportunities," said Eberhard Schoneburg, CEO of Artificial Life, Inc.
The Company announced that due to the new business strategy it expects the 2011 financial results to differ substantially from the 2010 results and from former years and that no guidance can be given about how the new business strategy will impact the current and future financial results. The Company has evaluated several potential investments in the first half of 2011 but has not done any new investments in the current year yet, however expects to do so in the second half of 2011. Investments in 2011 and 2012 are expected to be mostly minority investments and hence may not be consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements. The time and value of income generated from the sales of its assets and current or future investment stakes cannot be predicted at this time and neither can the value of future license arrangements or IP sales. Future income is expected to be derived mostly from selling equity stakes in companies after investments and no longer from operational activities and product revenues.
About Artificial Life, Inc.
Artificial Life, Inc. has been a pioneer in artificial intelligence and mobile technology since its inception in Boston in 1994. We are a public US corporation (OTCPK: ALIF) with listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Frankfurt: AIF.F; Xetra: AIF.DE) and headquarters and production center in Hong Kong. Our EMEA headquarters is in Berlin, Germany. Currently our main business areas are: high quality (3D) interactive (massively multiplayer) mobile games, mobile participation television, mobile business applications, our powerful mobile commerce technology platform OPUS-M(TM) and our green IT solutions provided by Green Cortex, Inc. We have won many industry awards for our outstanding technology and products.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our future results of operations, financial condition and business prospects. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends or our actual results of operations, financial condition or business prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to obtain additional funding to operate and grow our business; the unproven potential of our mobile gaming business model; changing consumer preferences and uncertainty of market acceptance of our products; timely adoption and availability of 3G and broadband mobile technology; market acceptance for use of mobile handheld devices to play the interactive games; unpredictable mobile game development schedules; our reliance on a relatively small number of brands; our ability to license brands from others; our dependence upon resellers and telecommunication carriers and operators to distribute our products; our ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new or enhanced products in a timely manner; and the timing of new product announcements or introductions by us or by our competitors. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 16, 2010. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release.
Non Solicitation Disclaimer:This press release is for information purposes only. No information on this press release is intended to constitute, and should not be constituted as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities of Artificial Life, Inc. When making any investment decisions, investors should review securities reports, filed or submitted by the Company with the relevant regulatory authorities, and should exercise their own judgment in making their investment decisions. This press release shall be considered as a forward-looking statement.
For more information on ARTIFICIAL LIFE, INC., please contact:
Artificial Life IR and PR Contact: Adeline Law Tel: (+852) 3102 2800 ir@artificial-life.com
Move Acquires SocialBios, Award-Winning Social Search Platform
Real Estate Leader Invests in Social Platform and Talent to Realize Vision of Connecting Consumers, Properties and Real Estate Experts Through Their Social Networks
CAMBPELL, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE), the leader in online real estate, today announced its acquisition of SocialBios, an award-winning social search platform. SocialBios allows individuals and companies to create one social hub for their online profiles through interactive 'About Us' pages that simplify the discovery of shared connections on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Foursquare and Google without sacrificing their privacy.
The acquisition of SocialBios points to Move's acceleration into the area of social and its integration into the real estate search experience throughout Move's online real estate network. As a result, Move will leverage the SocialBios platform and talent to develop products that connect people with real estate professionals based on the commonalities of their on- and offline social networks.
"Real estate is inherently a social business. Today's search experience is highly interactive and instant with the explosion of mobile in real estate. We're uniquely positioned to lead our industry and connect people naturally through their social graph," said Scott Boecker, chief product officer at Move, Inc. "This acquisition brings a new element of discovery and creativity to our online real estate marketplace as we evolve our web, mobile and social search experiences."
SocialBios was a 2011 'Best Tech Startup' winner at Inman Connect NYC, and was selected by a popular vote of real estate industry leaders as the new technology that would most benefit their industry. In the past six months, through the company's social layering technology, SocialBios members and visitors have equated to more than two million potential connections.
As part of the acquisition, SocialBios founder Ernie Graham and co-founders Ira McMahon and Andrew Van Tassel have joined the product development team at Move, Inc. Graham, who will head up Move's social product strategy and development team, will work with the Move's franchise and broker customers to develop social graphing strategies that help them facilitate more connections between their agents and brokers with consumers.
"We're very excited to join Move and the talented team that continually delivers great products and services based on the premise of connection," said Ernie Graham, general manager for Move's SocialBios platform. "By using the current SocialBios platform as a springboard and leveraging Move's product and technology assets, we'll take the concept of social capital discovery and create new ways to expedite higher quality connections between agents and consumers. We're looking forward to the road ahead and transcending the traditional boundaries within our industry of how to drive better client-agent relationships."
The SocialBios office and team of social experts will be based in Denver, Colorado. The SocialBios website, products and brand will remain in production and available to real estate professionals. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Real estate agents and brokers interested in claiming their SocialBios ID can go to http://socialbios.com or call Move's support team at 800.878.4166.
About MOVE, Inc.
Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) is the leader in online real estate with over 15.2 million monthly visitors(1) to its online network of websites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden and home finance; REALTOR.com®, the official website of the National Association of REALTORS®; MortgageMatch.com, Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; ListHub; and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.
About Social Bios
Social Bios is the only online service that allows individuals and companies to aggregate all of their disparate social network profile and connection data for generating new business referrals. The Social Bios "About Us" page allows your website or Facebook fan page visitors to discover social capital with your agents or employees. The Social Bios beta was launched in January 2011 and won the Inman Connect NYC "Best New Startup" award. Social Bios is based in Denver, Colorado. For more information, go to http://www.SocialBios.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management's view of Move's future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move's future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
(1) June 2011 ComScore Media Metrics, Key Measures Report
SOURCE Move, Inc.
Move, Inc.
CONTACT: Jennifer DuBois, +1-805-557-3087, Jennifer.DuBois@move.com; or Julia Reynolds, +1-805-557-3080, Julia.Reynolds@move.com; or Danielle Ferris, +1-415-844-6272, Move@accesspr.com