News

Local Mobile Guide Company Adds 150th Community

Taiwan, Nigeria and six in the USA Among New Partner Locations

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A local mobile guide company "TownWizard" (http://www.TownWizard.com) added its 150th global partner this week. Over 100 of those partners signed up in just the past year, making TownWizard one of the largest local mobile content networks in the world.

"We believe that no one knows 'local' better than locals," said TownWizard's President, Jeff Armstrong. "One of our TownWizard partners is generating over $17,000 per month in local ad revenue, so small towns are big business."

TownWizard provides local entrepreneurs and businesses with the software, business tools and support that they need to successfully capitalize on the huge and growing local mobile opportunity. Borrell Associates estimates that the local mobile advertising opportunity will grow 103 percent in 2012 to $1.6 Billion. With custom mobile app development costing tens of thousands of dollars or more, TownWizard can help entrepreneurs launch a new business for a fraction of that.

"My husband has a full-time job and I'm a stay-at-home mom," said Nichole Earle of GRapCity.com, the first mobile guide for Grand Rapids, Michigan. "TownWizard only requires a small investment and it allows us to keep our current lifestyle."

For a one-time startup fee of $795 and a monthly fee of $249, TownWizard partners are provided with a custom local website, an iPhone app, Android app, Content Management System, online video tutorials and marketing support. "It's everything you need to get a new local guide business up and running fast," said Armstrong.

This week, TownWizard passed 150 partners, including new partners in Taiwan and Nigeria. With partners now in six countries around the world, the TownWizard platform is expanding its global footprint.

"TownWizard is a mobile guide for every small town, resort and neighborhood in the world," said Armstrong. "The beauty of our model is that anyone who knows the ins and outs of their community can use our proven platform to provide their own authentic content and generate significant revenue."

For more information, visit http://www.TownWizard.com or call 1-866-651-0001.

Media contact:
Madra Medina McDonald / M Public Relations
850.376.7386
madra@m-publicrelations.com

SOURCE  TownWizard

TownWizard

Web Site: http://www.TownWizard.com

Chatter Box Call Center Launches New Services

HONG KONG, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Chatter Box Call Center (CXLL.OB) is pleased to announce today that it has launched new services -- SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Affiliate Marketing and Social Networking. This endeavor provides specialized services for businesses that want to engage in information technology.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps search engines find and rank a site higher than millions of others in response to a query.  It is an emerging internet marketing tool.

Affiliate Marketing has contributed to the rise of many leading online companies. Amazon.com, one of the first significant adopters, now has hundreds of thousands of affiliate relationships. It is not uncommon to see industries where the major players have affiliate programs -- often structured in a similar manner and making similar competitive changes over time.

With 750 million Facebook users around & social media marketing being everywhere on the web, every business, musician and person wants an active Facebook page to help promote their products/services, music or even themselves. Chatter Box's custom Facebook tab design helps a Facebook page stand out from the crowd, have a website branding that matches the overall branding, reach out to new potential website visitors and increase web traffic.  Results lead a lasting impression with anyone who visits a Facebook fan page.

Social Networking has moved into the business world, with some companies actively promoting employee involvement to raise awareness of their products or services, and keep in touch with each other and existing or potential customers.

Chatter Box Call Center diversified into these markets to broaden their coverage in online business marketing. Since Chatter Box is a BPO company, engaging in these markets would be an edge for its pre-nominal services are associated with these new services involving the use of internet for company and business management.

About Chatter Box

Chatter Box operates a Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing Technology / IT company that is currently building out a platform which will play an active role in the IT-Telecom / BPO / CRM / Contact Center industry globally. The management's primary objective is to build a Conglomerate -- Mega Contact Center Solutions firm by taking advantage of growth opportunities as the outsourcing industry grows by as much as 46% annually in the Philippines, and globally.

For more information, visit http://www.chatterboxcallcenter.com/
To subscribe to Chatter Box mailing list, visit http://clicks.skem1.com/signup/?c=1SIhHe

Contact:

Shruti Khurana
Investor Relations
Tel: +1-917-310-3733
Email: info@chatterboxcallcenter.com

SOURCE  Chatter Box Call Center Ltd.

Chatter Box Call Center Ltd.

Web Site: http://clicks.skem1.com/signup/?c=1SIhHe

Equifax Launches Game-Changing Solution for the Whole Loan Market

Credit Risk Insight Whole Loan(TM) Offers Access to Multiple Credit Scores and Leading Indicators of Mortgage Performance

MIAMI, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the evolving needs of today's whole loan secondary market, Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) has responded to customer demand by developing a user-friendly, online solution for investors and lenders. Equifax's new whole loan solution provides up-to-date borrower credit scores and data across all accounts for non-securitized mortgage and home equity loans -- enabling rapid turnaround of this critical data for investors. This unique suite of solutions enables investors and lenders to better predict loan delinquency, default and prepayment and more accurately value and price investments using hundreds of leading indicators of mortgage loan performance and highly accurate risk models.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060224/CLF037LOGO )

Equifax designed this latest innovation as an online platform consisting of three products -- Credit Risk Insight Pre-Bid(TM), Credit Risk Insight Post-Bid(TM) and Credit Risk Insight Surveillance(TM).  Pre-Bid statistically matches anonymous borrower credit information to loan-level data and then appends various leading indicators of loan performance such as updated credit and bankruptcy scores, performance on past mortgages, debt balances, delinquencies and monthly payments. With Pre-Bid investors receive 12 months of anonymous credit history for each loan while investors and lenders using Post-Bid and Surveillance benefit from timely access to current data on each borrower. Investors and lenders have the option of applying this analysis at the loan level as early as pre-bid -- giving them a more complete picture of the collateral health underlying non-securitized mortgage and home equity loans.

"Investors and lenders historically have had limited, up-to-date borrower information on mortgage loans -- until Equifax's post-bid and surveillance solutions. For many investors and lenders, this has created a blindspot when assessing the financial profile of mortgage borrowers and making loan purchase and sale decisions," said Dennis Corkery, vice president, Equifax Capital Markets. "By providing a 360 degree view of borrower financial health, Credit Risk Insight Whole Loan equips financial institutions with the insight they need to value residential whole loans based on an asset's complete risk profile."

The launch of this Equifax solution is well aligned with the changing requirements of today's lending community and investment markets. According to the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. commercial banks  reached a record high of $1.48 trillion in residential whole loan assets at the beginning of Q2 2011. Given this trend, investors, lenders, mortgage insurers and servicers need a holistic solution like Equifax's latest offering that enables them to:

    --  Better understand borrower credit health trends on a loan and pool basis
    --  Improve valuation and pricing of loans and pools of loans
    --  Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy loans and pools
    --  Analyze and benchmark borrower behavior trends by market segment

Equipped with an extensive array of unique data variables, Pre-Bid, Post-Bid and Surveillance provide seamless access to a number of score options.  With all of these solutions, investors, lenders and mortgage insurers can select Equifax's Personal Income Model(TM) (PIM), the FICO® credit score and the FICO Mortgage Industry Option known as the BEACON® Mortgage Score. The solution also leverages VantageScore®, a consumer credit scoring model developed by Equifax and the other major credit reporting companies. This suite of solutions is also designed with another powerful tool -- Equifax's Enhanced DTI(TM). Used in conjunction with a credit risk score, Enhanced DTI provides an expanded view of a borrower's total debt and income to help financial institutions better predict payment behavior, refine risk-based pricing and improve loss mitigation strategies.

Equifax's whole loan solution is the newest addition to its portfolio of capital markets solutions that empowers investors and lenders to make buy/sell decisions with the most up-to-date borrower and property value information available. ABS Credit Risk Insight Direct(TM) was the industry's first solution to enable investors to link mortgage loan-level data on the entire universe of non-agency mortgage securities to up-to-date anonymous borrower credit data. For more information about Equifax Capital Markets, visit http://www.equifax.com/capitalmarkets.

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer and commercial information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates in four continents and 15 countries, is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index.  Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX. For more information, please visit http://www.equifax.com.

SOURCE  Equifax

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060224/CLF037LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Equifax

CONTACT: Jennifer Costello, Equifax Inc., +1-404-885-8907, Jennifer.costello@equifax.com

Web Site: http://www.equifax.com

The Taunton Press Empowers Its Advertisers by Offering Free Crash Course in Digital Marketing

NEWTOWN, Conn., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Multimedia publishing company The Taunton Press announced today that it will empower its advertisers by offering a free one-day course in digital marketing called "Taunton University, Digital Marketing Strategies 201" on Nov. 3, 2011. Stephen Giannetti, Taunton's Senior Vice President of Advertising, made the announcement.

For this unique one-day marketing bootcamp, Taunton will bring together its own award-winning staff and experts, from first-rate companies, such as Google and Experian's CheetahMail.  The MPA's Dom Rossi, Senior Advisor Sales & Marketing will also be there discussing leveraging multi media platforms.  These top executives will lead valuable workshops and power sessions on marketing your business digitally--and creatively--in a down economy.  Taunton has also brought Todd Langston, Director of Brand Marketing for Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. to deliver the key-note speech. Other session topics will cover how to:

    --  Get on Google's radar for free
    --  Know if your advertising is really working
    --  Use social media as a marketing tool
    --  Understand the secrets of successful e-commerce sites
    --  Get email marketing to work for you
    --  Gather metrics and insights on your web audience

The day will conclude with a cocktail reception where attendees of Taunton University will get the chance to mingle with editors from Fine Cooking, Fine Homebuilding, Fine Woodworking, Fine Gardening, and Threads magazines.

"In partnering with our advertisers, we recognized that many of them have questions about how to effectively market their products and services digitally, particularly in tough economic times," says Giannetti. "These days, advertisers have enough on their plates just trying to keep their heads above water. We see Taunton University as a unique opportunity to support our advertisers by encouraging them to benefit from our expertise in digital marketing for free, and possibly annually."

Taunton University, Digital Marketing Strategies 201 will be held November 3, 2011, on the beautiful Taunton Press campus in Newtown, CT, and is open to The Taunton Press' advertisers. To register for Taunton University, contact Diana Mackey at 203-304-3829.

About The Taunton Press

The Taunton Press has been a trusted source of valuable information and inspiration on the house and home, including homebuilding and design, gardening, woodworking, fiber arts and cooking, since 1975. Millions of professionals and consumers purchase Taunton's books, magazines and DVDs and use its websites to improve their skills and expand their horizons. Taunton Press is a privately held multimedia publishing company headquartered in Newtown, Connecticut.

Media Contacts:

Jeff Vaughan, Vaughan Communications Group, 610-533-4264, jeff@voncom.com or Janel Noblin, The Taunton Press, 203-304-3893, jnoblin@taunton.com

SOURCE  The Taunton Press

The Taunton Press

Web Site: http://www.taunton.com

Popular Mobile Expense Management Service Now Available for Simplified Government Purchasing

WATERFORD, Wis., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Watch Services(TM), a leading mobile device expense management service by Runzheimer International, can now be purchased by government agencies off the General Services Administration (GSA) Information Technology (IT) 70 Schedule.  Mobile Watch helps organizations significantly reduce mobile device expenses through optimizing plans, managing multiple wireless carriers and hundred-page bills, and centralizing device and expense information. Clients view both dashboard and detailed financial usage and other information through a user-friendly Web portal. Mobile Watch users are also given the option to outsource all of their device management needs.

Runzheimer International has partnered with Government Marketing & Procurement (GMP), a Virginia-based service-disabled, veteran-owned small business to offer Mobile Watch to federal government agencies through GMP's IT 70 contract.  Mobile Watch is listed under Special Item Number 132-52, Electronic Commerce and Subscription Services, on p.76 of GMP's product and service catalog.

"We are excited to offer our industry-leading mobile expense management services to government agencies," said Kraig Rodenbeck, Runzheimer's vice president of government services.  "With the ongoing proliferation of mobile devices taking place across the globe, mobile device expenses have become the number one virtual office expense. Our Mobile Watch solution provides customers a way to better manage their wireless carriers, devices and bills to enable cost savings, best-in-class functionality and service, and increased end-user satisfaction."

"We have worked closely with Runzheimer over the past 10 years to help bring their talents in employee mobility management to federal agencies," said Joe Austin, President of GMP. "Mobile Watch represents another leading-edge tool in our solution set that helps government agencies reduce costs while providing better mobile device service to their employees."

GSA follows a rigorous company and product qualification process before awarding a schedule contract.  Schedule award holders have proven they have valuable products and services to offer federal agencies at highly competitive prices.  States and localities can also purchase products and services including Mobile Watch from the federal IT 70 supply schedule.

About Runzheimer International

Founded in 1933, Runzheimer International serves 60 percent of the Fortune 500 and numerous government agencies. Recognized for providing innovative solutions relating to Total Employee Mobility®, Runzheimer is the global leader in workforce mobility programs including business vehicle, business travel, corporate aircraft, employee relocation and compensation, and virtual office.

About Government Marketing & Procurement

GMP has been a trusted provider of technology solutions for all levels of Government since 1999. With an extensive knowledge of the procurement process and an in depth understanding of our client's technologies, GMP is well positioned to provide Government buyers with a best of breed solution.

SOURCE  Runzheimer International

Runzheimer International

CONTACT: Andrea Cousens for Runzheimer International , +1-630-778-0208, andrea@cousenscomms.com

Web Site: http://www.runzheimer.com

Motorola Mobility Unveils MOTOACTV(TM) -- The Ultimate Fusion of Music and Fitness

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Scorch more calories, shatter personal records and train even harder with MOTOACTV(TM), the new fitness device from Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI). MOTOACTV is a lightweight, wearable fitness performance tracker and smart music player in one. Sync MOTOACTV with your PC, so you can check out the music you perform to best or track your workouts over extended time periods, set goals and even create workout competitions with your friends via the MOTOACTV Web Portal. And MOTOACTV features a touch-screen display so you can instantly launch a new workout or find that one song you've been dying to hear.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88768)

"We brought the features you love in your smartphone to the fitness world with a groundbreaking addition, MOTOACTV," said Sanjay Jha, chairman and chief executive officer, Motorola Mobility. "Workout smarter without using multiple devices or even wires, with the first multi-activity music and fitness tracking device with the brains to push you beyond your limits."

Stay on Top of Your Stats

We get it. You're obsessed with your pace, number of calories burned, miles covered, personal records and fitness facts. MOTOACTV uses Motorola AccuSense(TM) technology and GPS to ensure measurement accuracy of your performance. Your time, distance, speed, heart rate(1) and calories burned are all measured, so you can reach your fitness or weight loss goals faster than ever.

Then, upload your workout to MOTOACTV.com to analyze the performance data tracked by the device and review useful, easy-to-understand charts, tools and programs that help you see your strengths and empower you to overcome challenges. You can also get workout tips and training plans from fitness experts at MOTOACTV.com and on your Android(TM)-powered smartphone with our free mobile app available via Android Market(TM) and pre-installed on DROID RAZR(TM) by Motorola.

Run. Ride. Jam.

Heart pumping, thighs burning and five laps to go. You need a serious soundtrack to get you through. MOTOACTV can rock up to 4,000 of your favorite songs while tracking your every move, from the Rockies to the gym. Ultra-portable, you choose the way you want to wear MOTOACTV: strap it on your wrist or arm, clip it to your shirt or mount it on your bike during an outdoor ride(2).

Your playlist is more than just workout songs: they're songs that push you to perform at your best.  The smart music player learns what tracks motivate you most by measuring your performance against your music and then uses those songs to create your personal high-performance playlist.

On those days when your automatically generated high-performance playlist isn't doing the trick, you can switch to FM radio for even more song variety. And if the music is really moving you, go that extra mile - MOTOACTV tracks your outdoor training via GPS.

Keep Connected, Keep Your Pace

Real athletes don't wear earbuds, they rock sports headphones. Introducing innovative sports headphones with built-in heart rate monitors, durable design and crystal-clear audio, the Motorola SF700 wireless and Motorola SF500 wired headphones deliver exceptional sound quality and real-time audible readouts of your heart rate allowing you to track your performance without the uncomfortable squeeze of a chest strap.

MOTOACTV also gives you the option to stay connected to your Android(TM)-powered smartphone, so you can answer calls, receive texts and rock out via your headphones without breaking a stride.

In addition to working with MOTOACTV, the Bluetooth® wireless Motorola SF700 and wired Motorola SF500 sports headphones are compatible with mobile phones, music players and tablets from Motorola and other leading manufacturers.

MOTOACTV will rock your fitness goals with the following features:

    --  Ongoing tracking of fitness performance stats, including pace, distance,
        calories burned, and map of route covered, with automatic wireless
        syncing of workout data to MOTOACTV.com
    --  8GB or 16GB of storage for endless playlists
    --  Sports a 1.6" full-color touch-screen display that is sweat-proof,
        rain-resistant and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass that
        auto-adjusts for indoor or outdoor lighting
    --  Option to sync with the latest Android-powered smartphone to receive
        incoming calls and texts
    --  FM radio capabilities for more song variety
    --  Up to five hours of battery life for outdoor workouts, 10 hours indoors,
        and nearly two weeks on standby
    --  Supports both Bluetooth® 4.0 and ANT+ wireless connectivity for your
        existing fitness sensors and your future ones
    --  Size: 46mm x 46mm x 9.6 mm
    --  Weight: 35 g

Pricing and Availability

Beginning today, consumers can pre-order MOTOACTV at http://www.motorola.com, Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com, REI.com and SportsAuthority.com. Starting on November 6, 2011, MOTOACTV will be available for sale at Best Buy®, Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, The Sports Authority and online at Amazon.com, with other retailers following shortly.

The exclusive launch carrier will be Verizon Wireless with availability in November.

The MSRP for MOTOACTV 8G is $249 and $299 for 16G.  Motorola SF700 and Motorola SF500 sports headphones are sold separately and will be $149 and $99 MSRP respectively.

MOTOACTV will also be available in Latin America and Europe starting in Q1 2012. For more information about MOTOACTV, please visit MOTOACTV press kit.

About Motorola MobilityMotorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Media Contact:Juli Burda+1 847-877-7277Juli.Burda@motorola.com Motorola Mobility, Inc.

All features and functionality subject to change.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used under license. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.  Corning and Gorilla are registered trademarks of Corning Incorporated. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.

(1) When used with Motorola SF700 and Motorola SF500 Bluetooth® sports headphones

(2) Via optional accessories sold separately

SOURCE  Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88768
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020307/MOTLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

BeoSound 8 is Chosen as Primary Gift for Spike TV's 2011 SCREAM Awards

LOS ANGELES and ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bang & Olufsen is honored to announce its fastest selling audio product, the BeoSound 8 iPad/iPod/iPhone docking station, has been chosen as the primary gift to Spike TV's "2011 SCREAM Awards" presenters, honorees, and award recipients.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88715)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060413/CGTU021LOGO-a)

BeoSound 8 units were awarded to influential actors, producers, and motion picture representatives, surrounding the sixth annual SCREAM Awards, pre-taped at Universal Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 15.  The awards show will honor all things Sci-fi, fantasy, horror and comic book related in the motion picture industry and the two hour event premiers Tuesday, October 18 at 9PM, ET/PT.

Select award recipients and presenters include Robert Downey Jr., Nicolas Cage, Colin Farrell, Anne Hathaway, J.J. Abrams, Chloe Moretz, Darren Aronofsky, Matt Smith, Joe Manganiello and Anna Torv, to name a few.

"The superstars and superheroes who are coming to SCREAM this year do it because they love and appreciate these fans for their unparalleled passion," states Casey Patterson, executive producer of SCREAM Awards 2011 and executive vice president of event production for Viacom Media Networks Entertainment Group.  "We have a lot of Scream-worthy surprises for the fans this year."

"We at Bang & Olufsen are delighted that BeoSound 8 has caught the attention and likes of Spike TV and the 2011 SCREAM Awards Production Executives," states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. "We are true fans of the network and are eager to aide in enhancing the 2011 SCREAM Awards with such a noteworthy, cutting edge product that delivers a true sensory experience."

BeoSound 8 was launched a year ago in the United States and has received industry accolades for its impressive sonic range, bold and innovative design, and its superior and intuitive performance and functionality.  It is one of the few docking stations on the market that is directly compatible with the iPad (without having to use an extra adapter or cable for connection) and is available in all US Bang & Olufsen showrooms, select Apple stores and on our e-store http://www.shopbangolufsen.com for purchase in the US.

For further product information, please visit http://www.bang-olufsen.com

Bang & Olufsen was founded in Struer, Denmark, in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, two innovative, young engineers devoted to high quality audio reproduction. Since then, the brand has become an icon of performance and design excellence through its long-standing craftsmanship tradition and the strongest possible commitment to high-tech research and development.

Still at the forefront of domestic technology, Bang & Olufsen has extended its comprehensive experience with integrated audio and video solutions for the home to other areas such as the hospitality and automotive industries in recent years. Consequently, its current product range epitomizes seamless media experiences in the home as well as in the car and on the move.

For more information on Bang & Olufsen, please visit http://www.bang-olufsen.com.

Images are available free of charge from the Bang & Olufsen media center:

http://mediacenter.bang-olufsen.dk.

If you are a first-time visitor, please follow the instructions and register as a new user

SOURCE  Bang & Olufsen

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88715
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060413/CGTU021LOGO-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Bang & Olufsen

CONTACT: Monica Gartner, PR Consultant of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc., +1-847-590-4920, mcy@bang-olufsen.dk

Web Site: http://www.bang-olufsen.com

Pearson Releases EQUELLA 5.1 Digital Repository

Latest Version Makes it Easier to Manage Digital Learning Assets

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson, the world's leading learning company, today released EQUELLA 5.1, the latest version of the award-winning digital repository that enables users to search, create and manage content online.  The announcement was made at EDUCAUSE 2011, the annual conference of the world's leaders in education technology.

EQUELLA provides a central solution to meet an institution's learning, research, media and library needs.  Faculty, instructional designers and academic technologists can easily search in one location for all of their learning content--video, custom eBooks, presentations, lecture captures and more--all tagged by metadata such as learning outcomes, grade level and relevant keywords.  EQUELLA places no restriction on the content type or file size, and all content is protected using the repository's permissions, digital rights management and copyright functionality.

"EQUELLA's strength continues to be the core functionality that is laser focused on the effective management of digital content," said Matt Leavy, CEO of Pearson eCollege.  "EQUELLA 5.1 extends the reach of the platform and now includes the ability to manage assessment objects - an incredibly important resource for institutions that want to share and reuse assessments created by instructional designers."

Features of EQUELLA 5.1 are below.  Pearson representatives are highlighting EQUELLA 5.1 at EDUCAUSE 2011 in Booth #1210.

EQUELLA 5.1 Enhancements

    --  Ability to publish content from within EQUELLA directly to LMS platforms
        (currently Pearson LearningStudio, Moodle and Blackboard)
    --  Enhanced integrations with Pearson LearningStudio and Fronter
    --  Seamless content integration through Flickr and YouTube
    --  Enriched notification and configuration options to create and manage
        workflows
    --  Support for storage and searching of QTI 1.2+ assessment objects
    --  Ability to edit and update Microsoft Office-formatted content within the
        repository

About Pearson

Pearson, the world's leading learning company, has global reach and market-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing (NYSE: PSO).  The company provides innovative print and digital education materials, including personalized learning programs such as MyLab and Mastering; educational services including custom publishing; and content-independent platforms including the EQUELLA digital repository and Pearson LearningStudio for online learning programs.

Media Contact: Susan Aspey, susan.aspey@pearson.com or (800) 745-8489

SOURCE  Pearson

Pearson

Web Site: http://www.pearson.com

Pearson Announces Enhancements to Pearson LearningStudio Platform

Mobile Solution and a Redesigned User Interface that Mimics Popular Social Media Sites

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson, the world's leading learning company, today announced two new platform enhancements for Pearson LearningStudio, its industry-leading learning management system (LMS) for fully online programs. 

The enhancements--an updated Pearson LearningStudio mobile solution (mSite) and an intuitive and engaging new student user interface (UI)--incorporate elements of today's most popular mobile and social media applications.  The announcement was made at EDUCAUSE 2011, the annual gathering of the world's education technology leaders.

"Today's students and instructors expect social and mobile features that allow them to interact and work together in real time.  The latest Pearson LearningStudio enhancements allow students to engage with their course materials, instructors and each other in a truly collaborative way that will ultimately drive their success," said Matt Leavy, CEO of Pearson eCollege.     

Details of the Pearson LearningStudio enhancements are below.  Pearson representatives are highlighting the new Pearson LearningStudio features at EDUCAUSE 2011 in Booth #1210.

Pearson LearningStudio Mobile Site

Easy-to-use mobile features extend engagement through social learning and enable students to continuously connect with classmates and instructors anytime, anywhere.  Through a custom mobile site that features the institution's brand, students can participate in class discussions, access gradebooks and receive alerts about new uploads and upcoming deadlines.  Built as a mobile web-based solution, or mSite, the solution is compatible with all leading smart device operating systems and requires no downloads. 

The updated mSite includes enhanced features that enable students to quickly view the recent activity from their courses, including thread topics and responses, Dropbox submissions and grades; see scheduled items from their courses, including threads, content items, quizzes and exams; view comments on their assignments; receive alerts on new uploads and upcoming deadlines; and easily connect with other students in their courses.

Pearson LearningStudio New Student User Interface

In addition to a host of new features, Pearson LearningStudio has been redesigned with a simple, clean look modeled after popular social media sites. These tools feel familiar and enable students to intuitively find what they need, which will ultimately drive their retention and success.

New tools, available directly on the homepage, include a course information and activity feed that allows students to stay up-to-date on their classes. In addition, there are communication and collaboration tools to engage peers and instructors, including social profiles, avatars, chat, groups, remarks, activity feed and fully-integrated Skype functionality for real-time discussion.

About Pearson eCollege

Pearson eCollege is part of Pearson, the world's leading learning company, and powers many of the most successful online programs with Pearson LearningStudio.  Every day, millions of instructors and students worldwide turn to Pearson LearningStudio.  Backed by the extensive support of Pearson, Pearson LearningStudio's proven platform, services and support are enabling the long-term growth and evolution of personalized online learning environments in higher education worldwide.

Media Contact: Susan Aspey, susan.aspey@pearson.com or (800) 745-8489

SOURCE  Pearson

Pearson

Web Site: http://www.pearsoned.com

Motorola Mobility Unveils the New Motorola RAZR(TM): Impossibly Thin Meets Head-Turning Innovation

With an ultra-thin, lightweight design and mind-blowing features, Motorola RAZR is about to make heads turn

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Say hello to the jaw-dropping new Motorola RAZR, brought to you by Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI). Impossibly thin at 7.1 millimeters with sexy curves to boot, this beauty will be available in North America, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa starting this November. Boasting a gorgeous sculpted glass face, diamond-cut aluminum accents and a hyper-vibrant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced display for incredibly vivid images. Motorola RAZR also sports KEVLAR® fiber (yes, that KEVLAR) and Corning® Gorilla® Glass to help the screen stand up to scratches and scrapes. In fact, every part of Motorola RAZR is protected by a splash-guard coating - even the electrical boards inside. This work of art is a force to be reckoned with.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88620)

If that's not enough, pop the hood and find a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor with an impressive 1GB of RAM, all powered by Android(TM) 2.3.5. You'll fly through tasks up to two times faster than single-core processor phones. Stream or download music and photos from your home or work computer with the easy-to-use MOTOCAST(TM) app(1). Watch movies on a screen that sports a wider range of colors than most LCD HDTVs. And for that inspiring filmmaker in you, use the 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p video capture for crisp, clear, cinematic-quality images.

"Motorola RAZR is an iconic brand, and one that originally revolutionized the mobile device industry by turning a functional necessity into an object of desire," said Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO, Motorola Mobility. "Now we've done it again with a head-turning, ultra-thin smartphone that offers users breathtaking speed, innovative apps and revolutionary accessories."

Close to Home, Wherever You Go

Your favorite music playlists, from classic rock to heavy metal. Pics of every vacation, from road trip to romantic getaway. With Motorola RAZR it's all at your fingertips, all the time. With the free preloaded MotoCast app, you can stream content from your computer straight to your pocket (or purse) so your personal content is always within reach. Whether you're across the street or across the country, you can rock your playlists or breeze through photos instantly - without hogging your device's memory. And, because you don't have to upload to a third-party site, you're saving time while gaining peace of mind. That's right - your files stay safe because they stay with you.

Life Has Never Looked Better

"Super AMOLED Advanced display technology." It sounds futuristic because it is. Whether you stream or download your movies, hyper-vibrant colors make watching flicks on-the-go just as thrilling as watching at home on your HDTV. And zero motion-blur keeps the action smooth, so you can focus on the story, not the screen. Capture the excitement of your own life with the 8-megapixel rear camera and 1080p HD video recording, or chat with a friend using the front-facing HD video camera. No need for clunky, expensive camera equipment.

Work Smart. Not Hard.

Featuring government-grade encryption for protecting your email, contacts and calendar, this device has been deemed "Business Ready" by Motorola's enterprise experts. Even your strict IT manager will be impressed. Hassle factor? Zero. Plus, Motorola RAZR is equipped with the Motorola Smart Actions app that lets you automate everyday tasks and enable better battery life. Smart Actions can turn down the ringer when you step into work, change the Bluetooth and GPS settings when you get home to save battery, or send a text to someone if you miss their call. It's the simple things in life that make all the difference.

Accessories Unlock a World of Experiences

Motorola RAZR is powerful on its own, but when combined with Motorola's accessories (sold separately), you unleash a world of possibilities. Use the new Motorola Lapdock(TM) 500 Pro or  Lapdock(TM) 100 to let loose Motorola's revolutionary webtop application, giving you the power to edit documents and browse the Web with a desktop-class Firefox® browser - all while powering the device. Or, plug your Motorola RAZR into the HD Dock or HD Station to connect to your HDTV, speakers and other productivity peripherals for large-screen entertainment. And now, you can control your content, browse the web, and use your Android apps from the comfort of your couch with the Smart Controller. The built in touch-pad lets you zoom, pinch and rotate content just like a touchscreen. Best of all, no more running for your phone when a call comes in, you can make and take calls while your phone is docked. You can also connect a navigation dock for GPS and directions, battery pack for extra life, Bluetooth®-enabled keyboard for efficient typing, and the elegantly designed, almost-invisible Motorola ELITE SLIVER(TM) headset for discrete, hands-free talking. You'll have the brains, brawn and beauty to make the impossible possible.

For more information and multimedia assets for Motorola RAZR and Motorola DROID RAZR by Motorola, please visit our press kit: Motorola RAZR press kit. Availability information by region and carrier will be made close to availability dates.

About Motorola Mobility

Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Media Contact
Christa Smith
christasmith@motorola.com
858-404-2990

Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Contact your service provider for details. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation

(1) MOTOCAST supports many popular file formats and codecs. Additional software is necessary to enable use of unsupported files on your mobile phone. DRM-protected content is not supported. Respect the rights of copyright owners by only using MOTOCAST to stream and sync authorized content.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Corning and Gorilla are registered trademarks of Corning Incorporated. KEVLAR® is a registered trademark of DuPont used under license by Motorola Mobility, Inc. Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE  Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020307/MOTLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/CG88620
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Verizon Wireless and Motorola Announce DROID RAZR(TM) by Motorola: DROID Strong. RAZR Sharp.

Impossibly Thin with Unstoppable Power on America's Fastest and Most Reliable 4G Network

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless announced DROID RAZR(TM) by Motorola, the world's thinnest 4G LTE smartphone. A true marvel of design, this smartphone packs strength and smarts into a stylish package offered exclusively from Verizon Wireless.

Measuring 7.1 mm thin, made with KEVLAR® fiber for strength and Corning® Gorilla® Glass for scratch resistance, the DROID RAZR is ready to face the elements. Speed limits are just an illusion with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE. DROID RAZR customers can expect to rip through the Web with speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.

"DROID RAZR by Motorola combines style, performance and the power of Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network into one innovative device," said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "These are two iconic brands that separately symbolize the best technology available today. The combination will provide an unsurpassed wireless experience for customers."

"DROID RAZR by Motorola is a testament to the innovation and design possibilities that stem from a strong partnership between Motorola Mobility and Verizon Wireless," said Sanjay Jha, Chairman and CEO, Motorola Mobility. "We set out to design the best smartphone on the planet and delivered DROID RAZR which is thinner, smarter, stronger than any device on the market."

Not only does DROID RAZR by Motorola deliver heart-pounding speed, but it has a mind-bending 4.3-inch hyper-vibrant display with more colors than most LCD HDTVs. The Super AMOLED(TM) Advanced display with qHD resolution dishes out beautiful images and smooth action so on-the-go movies and TV shows aren't a blur, whether customers stream from Netflix(TM) or rent from Android Market(TM). It's the first smartphone capable of streaming movies and TV shows through Netflix with up to HD resolution.

DROID RAZR customers can take advantage of the Super AMOLED Advanced display and 4G LTE speeds to stream videos with NFL Mobile, only from Verizon. Fans can stay up to date on news, schedules and scores from their favorite teams on the go. NFL Mobile is included at no additional charge for 4G LTE customers for the remainder of the 2011 season.

If cutting-edge visuals are its beauty, apps on DROID RAZR are its brains. Enter MotoCast(TM), the free Motorola app that lets you stream or download your music, pictures and more from your PC to your phone. The Smart Actions app helps automate everyday tasks and optimizes battery efficiency by letting customers create rules, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate during work hours or dimming the display at a specific battery level. The revolutionary webtop application allows customers to combine the device with separately sold accessories, like the Lapdock(TM) 100 or HD Station, unleashing the power to edit documents and browse the Web with a full Firefox® browser on a larger screen - all while charging the device.

Additional features:

    --  Powered by Android(TM) 2.3.5, Gingerbread
    --  1GB RAM  for a fast user interface and multi-tasking
    --  8-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video capture and image
        stabilization technology for crisp and clear videos
    --  Front-facing HD camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi
    --  4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capable so customers can share 4G LTE speed with
        up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices
    --  Water repellent nanocoating protects the phone, and even the inside
        components, against everyday spills
    --  Remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email,
        calendar and contacts as well as voice and video chat conferencing
    --  Use Quickoffice® to view, create and edit Microsoft® Word, Excel and
        PowerPoint documents on your mobile device from anywhere at anytime
    --  Bluetooth 4.0 low energy
    --  32 GB memory: 16 GB on board and 16 GB microSD(TM) card pre-installed
        (actual formatted capacity is less)
    --  Powerful 1780 mAh battery

The DROID RAZR will be available in early November for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at: http://www.verizonwireless.com; as well as at authorized retailers. Customers can visit http://www.droiddoes.com/droidrazr to pre-order DROID RAZR beginning on October 27. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 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.

About Motorola Mobility

Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license. Android Market is a trademark of Google, Inc. KEVLAR(R) is a registered trademark of DuPont used under license by Motorola Mobility, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved.

MEDIA CONTACTS:Brenda Boyd RaneyVerizon Wireless908.559.7518brenda.raney@verizonwireless.com

Danielle McNallyMotorola Mobility312.613.7021danielle.mcnally@motorola.com

SOURCE  Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020307/MOTLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Sony Online Entertainment's Highly-Anticipated Title PAYDAY(TM) The Heist Available Now on PlayStation®Network

High-Stakes Heists and Cooperative Gameplay Challenge Gamers in a Never-Ending Pursuit of the Ultimate Score

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that its high-intensity, squad-based, first-person shooter PAYDAY(TM) The Heist is now available via digital download on the PlayStation®Network. In PAYDAY The Heist, players take on the role of a hardened career criminal and engage in a number of high-stakes, death defying heists in a never-ending pursuit of the ultimate score.

"In an effort to publish the most innovative and entertaining independent titles on the PlayStation®Network, SOE is focused on releasing games that will challenge and engage players with unmatched gameplay experiences and endless replayability," said Christopher Sturr, Executive Director of Business Development, SOE. "PAYDAY offers just that. It's an intense, gritty, cooperative shooter where players must rely on a solid trigger finger and cooperative team defenses to pull off these Hollywood epic style high-stakes heists."

Published by SOE and developed by OVERKILL Software, PAYDAY The Heist is an online co-op shooter game that features six dynamic heists based in a variety of urban settings that demand quick thinking, strategy, and above all else, teamwork.

"For a group of developers that love the FPS genre and have an affinity for blockbuster heist movies, PAYDAY is truly a game after our own hearts," said Bo Andersson, CEO of OVERKILL Software. "Each PAYDAY scenario makes FPS fans prove their worth as players while co-op teams are pushed to collaborate and accomplish strategic tasks that only an action hero could dream of surviving. And, there will be much more exciting content to enjoy with upcoming DLC and a motion picture based on the game currently in production."

PAYDAY The Heist is now available in North America for $19.99 USD via digital download on the PlayStation®Network. Dates for release of PAYDAY The Heist on the PlayStation®Network for European territories, as well as for the PC in both North America and Europe have yet to be announced.

KEY FEATURES

    --  Six High-Intensity Heists: Whether you're blowing the roof off a
        building to extract a safe via helicopter, or emptying the vault at the
        First World Bank, these action-packed heists will have players on edge
        and always checking their six.
    --  Interactive Co-op Gameplay: Whether AI or live, your crew of four must
        operate as one to bring in the "big score." Sharing extra ammo and med
        kits, helping regenerate wounded partners, guarding key positions,
        taking civilian hostages, or cracking through various security measures
        -- it's all for one and one for all.
    --  Endless Replayability: Dynamic environments, adaptive enemy behavior,
        shifting entry points, FBI agents repelling through skylights on ropes,
        SWAT teams crashing through the windows, and special units crawling
        through the ventilation shafts makes each play-through of every heist a
        unique fight.
    --  Massive Character Progression Tree: Players choose a specialty --
        assault, sharpshooter or support -- to gain weapons and equipment that
        fit their preferred form of violence. Unlock trip mines, silenced
        pistols, machine guns and much, much more.
    --  Shout Out Button: Players need to be vocal and shout commands and
        directions to the co-op crew, as well as hostages and the police if they
        want to survive to spend their cut of the take.
    --  Hostage Trading: Hostages can be used as lifelines. If anyone in the
        crew is taken into custody, trade hostages to get crewmembers back and
        increase the odds of completing your objectives.
    --  PlayStation®3 system or PC*: For keyboard and mouse marksman, as well
        as handheld controller snipers, PAYDAY is the uber-FPS for a high
        intensity shooter fix. *PC release date to be announced.
    --  More DLC: Additional heists, weapons and equipment means PAYDAY -- a
        digitally distributed AAA quality title for less than half the price of
        a retail game -- is total OVERKILL.

For new videos and more information please visit:

http://www.payday-theheist.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/PAYDAYTheHeist

Media assets are available here:

http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/product_page.asp?i=1196

PAYDAY The Heist is rated M for Mature. Please be aware that any assets for this title may only be displayed behind an age-gate that: (1) is age-neutral (i.e., requires the user to input their date of birth or select it from a drop-down bar); (2) employs reasonable technical measures to keep underage users from re-entering their age after initially being denied access; and (3) does not display any ESRB rating information on the video player or the age-gate itself. Failure to implement these requirements may jeopardize your ability to obtain material of this nature from us in the future.

About SOE

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games.  Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest®, EverQuest®II, Champions of Norrath®, PlanetSide®, Free Realms®, Clone Wars Adventures(TM), and DC Universe Online(TM), SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms.  SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages.  To learn more, visit http://www.soe.com.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath and PlanetSide are registered trademarks and Untold Legends,Legendsof Norrath, and Free Realms are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

For more information about OVERKILL Software visit http://www.overkillsoftware.com.

SOURCE  Sony Online Entertainment LLC

Sony Online Entertainment LLC

CONTACT: Taina Rodriguez of Sony Online Entertainment LLC, +1-858-577-3033, trodriguez@soe.sony.com; or Eva Sanders of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-310-694-3111, Eva_Sanders@bhimpact.com

Web Site: http://www.soe.com

Playstation®3 (PS3(TM)) System Exclusive Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One(TM) Launches in North America, Teaming Up Unlikely Band of Heroes in Fun for All Co-Operative Adventure

Ratchet, Clank, Dr. Nefarious and Captain Qwark Unite in All New Storyline with Destructive New Weapons, Enemies, Environments and Stereoscopic 3D Support

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced the North American release of Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One(TM), available exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Created by highly acclaimed developer Insomniac Games, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One introduces four player co-operative gameplay for the first time in the series, allowing players to team up as the fan-favorite characters Ratchet, Clank, Qwark and Dr. Nefarious. While co-op brings a new twist to the Ratchet & Clank® universe, Ratchet& Clank: All 4 One continues the legacy of the multi-million unit-selling series. The franchise's signature characters, tongue-in-cheek humor, arsenal of innovative weapons, and vibrant cinematics are brought to life with complete stereoscopic 3D support. 

"Cooperative play has been the number-one fan request for Ratchet & Clank.  We set out to team up our heroes with a new play style while remaining true to the heart of the series," said Chad Dezern, Studio Director, Insomniac Games North Carolina. "We filled up notebooks and whiteboards with ideas for new cooperative mechanics, new weapons, new locations, and new enemies; those ideas became All 4 One. We're excited to deliver a unique co-op experience that's fun and accessible for both young and old fans of Ratchet & Clank. And with the addition of stereoscopic 3D, we can present the Ratchet & Clank universe to audiences in a whole new way."

Taking place after the events of Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time(TM), Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One finds the retired duo Ratchet and Clank escorting newly elected Galactic President Qwark to a ceremony that will award Qwark with an Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award. Little do they know that the award is an imaginary concoction by the evil Dr. Nefarious designed to lure the heroes to the planet of Luminopolis.  As Nefarious's latest evil plan goes awry, Ratchet, Clank, Qwark and Nefarious himself find themselves caught in the snare of a powerful and mysterious machine known as Ephemeris, the Creature Collector. Taken to the far flung planet Magnus, the four unlikely companions must now begrudgingly work together to escape the Creature Collector's clutches.  Their journey takes them through vibrant environments with breathtaking vistas and pits them against seemingly invincible creatures and robotic minions of the Creature Collector.

Staying true to Ratchet history, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One includes an impressive array of over-the-top and upgradeable weapons, giving each hero considerable firepower with which to wreak havoc. Old favorites such as the Combuster return, while new weapons like the thunderstorm generating ThunderSmack, and explosive Warmonger rocket launcher give players choices in how to approach each situation. Additionally, each character has their own special weapon, providing unique play styles for each.

Developed from the ground-up for co-op gameplay, opportunities for cooperative mayhem lurk around every corner. Heroes targeting the same enemy with the same weapon can earn an Overload bonus, while the solution to mind-bending puzzles can require a second, third or even fourth pair of hands. Traversing the world becomes a team effort whether steering a taxi through the vertical city streets of Luminopolis or coordinating powerful turrets on the back of a massive robotic Guardian. Teammates can also partake in some friendly "co-opetition," racing to collect bolts in order to be the first to purchase and upgrade to build up their personal armory.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One allows players to solve the mystery and explore the Ratchet & Clank® universe with up to three other players. Brave adventurers can even face the alien world of Planet Magnus alone in single-player, accompanying the player with an AI companion. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One supports any configuration of cooperative play including offline same-screen co-op as well as online co-op where players can team up with other heroes across the country. Stereoscopic 3D brings the excitement, story and robust Ratchet universe out of the television and right into the living room giving the entire family a 3D-CG movie experience that they can play at home.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and older by the independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org. Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is available exclusively for the PS3(TM) system for $59.99 MSRP and will include an Online Pass activation code that provides free unlimited access to online multi-player content for first-party PS3 software titles purchased new at retail.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP, PSP®go and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

About Insomniac Games
Insomniac Games is an independent videogames developer that has released award-winning hits exclusively for PlayStation consoles for 17-plus years. The studio has created world-famous game franchises such as Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank and Resistance, resulting in more than 35 million games sold globally. Insomniac is also known for its collaborative workplace culture, having earned 13 local, regional and national "best places to work" honors since 2004. In January 2009, Insomniac opened a Durham, N.C. studio, which developed Ratchet & Clank(TM): All 4 One. Additional information can be found on both Insomniac studio locations at http://www.insomniacgames.com.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com.

©2011 Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. Ratchet & Clank is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.  Developed by Insomniac Games.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  (c)2011 Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

SOURCE  Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

CONTACT: Alyssa Casella, +1-650-655-3617, Alyssa_Casella@playstation.sony.com, or Amelise Javier, +1-650-655-1723, Amelise_Javier@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Web Site: http://www.us.playstation.com

New Web Site Launched by Energy Saving and Alternative Home Products Retailer

PLACERVILLE, Calif., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- California-based e-commerce retailer, Thomason Ventures Incorporated, announced the launch of a new Web site today: http://www.AlternativeHomeProducts.com.

Co-founder of Thomason Ventures Incorporated, Tim Buescher, said, "We want to educate consumers about numerous products that are better for the environment and save money too. We have some great products available that can help homeowners get off the grid and generate their own electricity."

Thomason Ventures Incorporated was founded in 2011. AlternativeHomeProducts.com features numerous energy saving household products including inverter fuses, inverter remotes, sine wave inverters, installation kits, solar panels, rechargeable lights, solar kits, solar accessories, wireless HD tuners, tools and power packs.

Virginia Thomason, Co-founder of Thomason Ventures Incorporated, said, "Solar panels can generate electric power that can be used for a number of things such as heating water. As a result, <font size="2" face="Arial"><font size="2" face="Arial">your home heating bill will </font></font>cost less and you can be more environmentally friendly."

For customer convenience, visitors of AlternativeHomeProducts.com can search and browse available products by category from an easy and accessible menu. Picture links and accurate product descriptions make the shopping experience trouble free. 

New products are added to the site routinely and AlternativeHomeProducts.com is dedicated to high quality products and shipping transactions. With a large selection of energy saving products in one location, visitors can save time and money on shopping and shipping.  In addition to online sales, a customer service team is available during normal business hours for customer support and can be contacted through the contact page on the Web site. Transactions are 100% secure.

For more information on http://www.AlternativeHomeProducts.com visit their Web site or call 530-621-1313.

SOURCE  Thomason Ventures Incorporated

Thomason Ventures Incorporated

CONTACT: CONTACT: Michelle Boyd, +1-813-382-8810

Web Site: http://www.AlternativeHomeProducts.com

Video Conferencing Solution Integrated in Asterisk Based Telephony Systems Jointly Developed by Surf Communication Solutions and Xorcom

Multi-point high quality video and voice conferencing capability in open source IP-PBX brings cost-effective functionality to small and medium sized businesses

YOKNE'AM and MISGAV, Israel, October 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

    Surf Communication Solutions ("Surf"), an industry leader in
high-capacity processing solutions for real-time multimedia communication
systems and applications, and Xorcom, a privately-held manufacturer of
business telephony interfaces and appliances, today announced that they have
collaborated to develop an integrated, multi-point video and voice
conferencing solution designed for use in Xorcom's Asterisk(R) based IP-PBX
telephony appliances. The joint effort effectively makes video conferencing
capabilities affordable and accessible to businesses of all sizes.

    Video Conferencing Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) Can Afford

    Today most businesses recognize the advantages of video conferencing,
but many do not implement such systems because of the total cost of the
existing solutions. In contrast to other video conferencing solutions
currently in the market, the Surf-Xorcom product enables organizations to
conduct high quality multi-point video conferencing at an affordable price.
The solution integrates seamlessly with Xorcom's award-winning Asterisk
based business telephony solutions, which support from 30 to 1000 users. SIP
(Session Initiation Protocol) signaling ensures compatibility with a wide
variety of endpoints, including the leading IP-based video phones as well as
soft phones, significantly reducing the total cost of the solution.

    Key Features of the New Product

   
    - High Definition Voice and Video: Resolutions of up to 720p
      and wideband HD VoIP are supported
    - Unmatched Quality: Low latency, high quality voice and video for
      different resolutions
    - Smooth Transcoding: Transcoding and transrating between
      different endpoints with unmatched media quality
    - Complete Control: Real time conference control via Web
      management or DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) codes
    - Seamless Interoperability: Built on a solid media processing
      foundation and providing standard based SIP protocol to connect
      different devices
    - Video IVR Support: IVR (Interactive Voice Response) flow for
      participants with voice only, and video IVVR (Interactive Voice / Video
      Response) for the complete video experience
    - Intuitive Web Management: Full control provided to all levels of
      participants, from conference moderators to invitees

    Video Conferencing Solution to be Demonstrated Live at AstriCon

    The new video conferencing solution will be demonstrated jointly by Surf
and Xorcom personnel in the Xorcom booth (#300) at the AstriCon event, which
takes place in Westminster, Colorado from Oct. 25-27.

    About Surf Communication Solutions

    SURF Communication Solutions (SURF) is an industry leader in
high-capacity processing solutions for real-time multimedia communication
systems and applications. Since 1996, SURF's products have delivered the
integral technology behind many of the leading vendor's multimedia servers
and gateways deployed to operators and service providers worldwide.
SURF-powered multimedia applications are delivering value added services to
millions of end-users every day. Today, SURF is ideally positioned to
stimulate change in the way we communicate. The video-ready SURF solution
supports multimedia processing including full video, voice and data IP to IP
communications, as well as modem and fax over IP. It is a fully converged
multimedia processing subsystem that integrates easily into media gateways
and servers. Since there is no such thing as "one size fits all," the SURF
solution is available in various form factors or DSP chips affording
unmatched density and optimal performance. For more information, visit
http://www.surfsolutions.com.

    About Xorcom

    Founded in 2004 and privately-held, Xorcom designs and manufactures
business telephony solutions that support both traditional and VoIP
communication. Xorcom solutions are easy to install and maintain, and are
cost-effective since there are no per user license fees. Various utilities
provide backup and restore, immediate recovery, and a full redundancy
solution for the entire PBX to maximize uptime. Xorcom's bundled solution
for hospitality features the only MICROS-Fidelio certified Property
Management System (PMS) interface for Asterisk. Xorcom sells its products
via a worldwide distribution channel and OEM partners. For more information,
visit: http://www.xorcom.com

   
    Contact Info:

    Surf Communication Solutions
    Niv Kagan, VP Marketing
    +972(0)73-7140716
    niv@surfsolutions.com

    Xorcom
    Ruth Bridger, VP Marketing
    +972(0)4-995-1972
    ruth.bridger@xorcom.com

    Asterisk is a registered trademark of Digium(R), Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Surf Communication Solutions Ltd

.

Row Sham Bow Launches Debut Game "Woodland Heroes"

Lead your band of woodland creatures to protect the forest from the evil King Bear and his armies in an exciting action-strategy game on Facebook

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- When Row Sham Bow opened its doors six months ago, its team of industry veterans set out to create something different from the average Facebook games. They wanted to make a game they wanted to play; one with fun gameplay and where there were consequences for the player's decisions. Today, those aspirations came to fruition with the release of Row Sham Bow's first game, Woodland Heroes, now available on Facebook.

Woodland Heroes combines story-driven action with battle tactics and strategy to create an entirely new gaming experience. With a nod to classic hero's journey tales, players lead the woodland creatures to freedom, and discover the truth behind the disappearance of the hero's father in an epic story of adventure and redemption as the player battles the King Bear and his army of evil forest predators. The adventure takes place on a huge world map that features six distinct regions -- from lush lowland forests, to swampy and barren bogs, to snow-capped mountains of the north. Players will battle enemy forces across 56 unique locations with endless variations.

"We are focused on bringing something compelling and fun to Facebook gaming. By presenting the player with decisions with consequences, we are drawing on decades of gaming inspiration, both as gamers and as game makers," said Philip Holt, President and CEO of Row Sham Bow.

Row Sham Bow's debut release certainly doesn't look like any other Facebook game out there either, and that is something the team focused on from the beginning. Row Sham Bow assembled an outstanding team of artists that includes a Disney-trained Art Director who was recently at Cartoon Network to lead character creation, environment artists whose prior experience includes work on Guild Wars, and some of the strongest user interface designers in the game industry.

"The art of Woodland Heroes serves our overall design goals," said Jeremy VanHoozer, Art Director of Row Sham Bow. "We want to create a sense of discovery in our players. We want our players to be emotionally invested in the game, so we have created a compelling story with lovable allies and hated enemies set against beautiful backdrops."

Woodland Heroes launched this morning on Facebook and is available at: https://apps.facebook.com/woodlandheroes/.

About Row Sham Bow

Row Sham Bow Inc. is a venture-backed game development studio founded by a veteran team with years of experience in the gaming industry. With a focus on developing for social networks and direct-to-consumer platforms, the company creates fun and innovative games in collaboration with gaming audiences in unprecedented ways. For more information, visit http://www.rowshambow.com or follow them on Twitter @rowshambowgames.

SOURCE  Row Sham Bow

Row Sham Bow

CONTACT: Mike Harris, Vantage Communications for Row Sham Bow, +1-407-767-0452, ext. 231, mharris@pr-vantage.com

Web Site: http://www.rowshambow.com

Shopkick Announces First Supermarket Partnership and Mobile Rewards for Buying Specific Brands and Products

Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble and Unilever Join the shopkick Alliance to Provide Instant Rewards at All 228 Giant Eagle locations

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- shopkick, the largest location-based shopping app with over 2 million U.S. users, today announces its first supermarket partner with a game-changing mobile marketing technology called kickbuys((TM)) at Giant Eagle. Kickbuys((TM)) are the first ever rewards for buying specific products or specific brands at supermarkets. Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods and Unilever are the partner brands at launch.

Shoppers simply buy featured items from these brands, as shown on the shopkick app, at any of Giant Eagle's 228 supermarkets to collect "kicks" - shopkick's reward currency. These can then be redeemed for tangible items such as gift cards at many shopkick retail partners, song downloads, movie tickets, travel vouchers, Facebook Credits to play games online, donations to 30 different causes and charities and more.

At any Giant Eagle supermarket, shopkick users can now collect thousands of kicks for buying featured products from many of the world's leading brands.

"We believe that shopkick's location-based shopping app is a valuable addition to our growing array of mobile customer offerings, led by our Giant Eagle app and eOffers digital coupon program," said Rob Borella, Giant Eagle spokesperson. "Much like our fuelperks! and foodperks! customer loyalty programs, kickbuys are another unique way for customers to be rewarded for choosing to shop in our stores."

"Now, on your regular trip to the supermarket, you can collect so many kicks during the errand that you can download a Target, Macy's or iTunes gift card, all directly on your smartphone," said Cyriac Roeding, CEO and co-founder of shopkick, Inc.

kickbuys are offered immediately in the latest version of the shopkick app. After downloading the app, shoppers simply enter their Giant Eagle Advantage Card number once, and from then on, are ready to be rewarded for purchasing specific products that they choose in the app. The rewards are earned once the participating products are purchased with the Giant Eagle Advantage Card at checkout . The users are notified when the applicable kicks are credited in their shopkick accounts within 2-24 hours.

Here is what shopkick Alliance brand partners are saying:

    --  "For retailers, shopkick made huge impact by detecting actual in-store
        presence," said Sonny Jandial, Associate Marketing Director, P&G
        FutureWorks Silicon Valley. "For brands, they've now done the same:
        rewards tied to the confirmed purchase of our specific products. This is
        a major breakthrough for mobile applications. For example, a shopper
        purchasing Crest Whitestrips at a participating retailer will earn 1,000
        kicks - which is enough to redeem immediately for a gift certificate in
        the shopkick Rewards Mall."
    --  "This is what brands have been dreaming of for years," said Ed
        Kaczmarek, Director of Innovation at Kraft Foods. "We have always hoped
        that we could almost instantly reward consumers for buying our specific
        products at a grocery store, and even interactively via their
        smartphones. shopkick is creating a dynamic mobile loyalty program,
        which is of great value for brands like ours. This is a unique
        opportunity to increase engagement with our consumers, further deepening
        their interaction with our brands."

shopkick is on an impressive growth trajectory.  The company has more than 2,100,000 active users only eleven months after its launch, over half of whom are women, the majority of them moms, and 49 percent of whom fall in the 25-39 year old age range; the ideal target for brands and retailers. shopkick is the first program to reward shoppers simply for walking into partner retailers, that currently includes more than 2,700 select Target, Best Buy, Macy's, American Eagle Outfitters, Crate & Barrel, Sports Authority, Wet Seal, West Elm and Simon Property Group locations.  Users can earn additional rewards for scanning the barcodes of featured products from brand partners, which include HP and Intel in addition to those mentioned above. Now, shopkick users can also collect kicks for the actual purchase of specific products.

The shopkick app is available for free on the iPhone from the App Store at http://www.itunes.com/appstore/ and on Android Market at http://shopkick.com/android.html.

About shopkick (http://www.shopkick.com)

shopkick, Inc. is a Palo Alto-based startup funded by Kleiner Perkins' iFund, Greylock Partners and Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, and investor in Facebook and Zynga. In August 2010, shopkick launched the first mobile application that hands consumers high-value rewards, offers and exclusive deals at shopkick's national retail partners simply for walking into stores and malls. Even more rewards can be earned for scanning partner brand products at over 250,000 stores nationwide. In combination with a groundbreaking new location technology called 'shopkick Signal,' the app can verify location within feet, and because the detection occurs on the phone, privacy of presence information is completely in the users' control. shopkick's growing partner alliance includes Best Buy, Macy's, Target, American Eagle, Crate & Barrel, The Sports Authority, Wet Seal, West Elm, Simon Property Group, Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Intel and HP. shopkick is the only 100% performance-based marketing platform in the physical retail world, with measurable foot traffic and transactions at stores. The app grew to 1,000,000 users in its first six months.

shopkick was named one of The Wall Street Journal's Top 10 Apps of 2010, and one of the world's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail by Fast Company.  shopkick has been covered continuously by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, ABC, NBC, CNBC, Fox, CNN, TechCrunch, Business Insider and most other major news outlets. The free shopkick app is available for the iPhone and Android.

SOURCE  shopkick

shopkick

CONTACT: Martha Shaughnessy of Atomic PR for shopkick, +1-415-593-1400, shopkick@atomicpr.com

Web Site: http://www.shopkick.com

Virgin's PROJECT Magazine Comes to Newsstand

LONDON, October 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

    Today Virgin Interactive Publishing announced its interactive iPad
magazine, PROJECT, is now available on Newsstand, a key feature of iOS 5.
Along with the ability to subscribe at a reduced per-issue price,
subscribers can now benefit from added convenience - both in accessing the
magazine and receiving new issues.

    "PROJECT Magazine was made to realize the future of publishing and the
full potential of feature rich, interactive tablets such as the iPad. Whilst
we believe we've achieved that with Project's reading experience, Newsstand
now also delivers this on the purchasing and download experience. It is the
realization of many of the opportunities we've been working to achieve on
the iOS platform," said Giovanni Donaldson, founder of PROJECT and Virgin
Interactive Publishing.

    Once purchased, PROJECT will appear in the subscriber's Newsstand.
Newsstand features automatic background downloading when new issues are
released, bringing unparalleled convenience to the purchasing and download
process.

    "Readers are used to being able to easily find their favorite magazines
on a shelf at their local newsstand or have subscription magazines delivered
to their doorstep on release," added Francis Malone, CEO and co-founder of
Virgin Interactive Publishing. "As such it's only right and expected for us
to provide the same level of convenience for digital magazines in the
future. We're delighted that we can already offer this for PROJECT readers
through Newsstand and further advance and compliment the groundbreaking
interactive reading experience that PROJECT stands for."

    Download PROJECT from Newsstand in iOS 5, from the App Store on iPad, or
at http://www.itunes.com/appstore.

    About PROJECT Magazine

    Launched in December 2010 and exclusively developed and optimized for
iPad and iOS 5, PROJECT is the first publication from Virgin Interactive
Publishing. Based on four key editorial pillars: design, entertainment,
technology and entrepreneurs, PROJECT combines the best of traditional print
media - beautiful aesthetics, authority and agenda-setting editorial - with
the very best that new media can offer - interactivity, speed, flexibility
and global community.

    For more information about PROJECT, please visit:
http://www.projectmag.com
http://www.facebook.com/project
http://www.twitter.com/projectmag

Source: Virgin Interactive Publishing

Jackie McQuillan, +44(0)207-229-4738 or Jackie.McQuillan@virgin.co.uk

"Win Your Perfect Winter Party" Blogger Contest!

GigMasters Invites Bloggers to Dream Up Their Perfect Winter Party for a Chance to Win an $800 Party Prize Package

SOUTH NORWALK, Conn., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GigMasters.com, the #1 event entertainment service, today announces its "Win Your Perfect Winter Party" blogger contest. Bloggers of all types are invited to write a blog post describing their perfect winter party. The blogger with the most creative entry will win an $800 party prize package that includes:

    --  A $300 gift certificate to GigMasters to be used on the entertainment of
        your choice. The winner can choose from top-rated DJs, bands, Santa's,
        guitarists, Elvis impersonators, magicians and more!
    --  A three camera video package (valued at $299) from Storymix Media, the
        leaders in helping you create your own professional quality videos.
    --  A package of personalized paper goods and invitations (valued at $125)
        from Chickabug, the cutest paper goods on the web.
    --  A $100 gift certificate to Pottery Barn to help you round out your
        entertaining needs.

To enter, bloggers simply need to create a blog post entitled, "My Perfect Winter Party" and link their post to GigMasters (for the complete list of prizes, rules and regulations visit: http://blog.gigmasters.com/win-your-perfect-winter-party/).

"Winter is a great time for relaxing with family and friends. We know everyone has their own idea of what makes the perfect winter party," says Marta Segal Block, GigMasters Editorial Director. "This contest is our way of encouraging people to think about what's special to them personally. Bloggers are naturals at creating community and sharing ideas, so we wanted to create a contest for them."

About GigMasters

GigMasters.com© is the number one event entertainment booking service, guiding party planners and hosts to the right entertainment for every event. By combining the efficiency of the web with the personal touch of a private event planner, GigMasters has helped book entertainment for more than 140,000 events, from corporate functions to weddings to children's birthday parties. With over 9,700 performers, GigMasters is the Internet's largest nationwide database of client-rated performers for live music and variety entertainment, including live bands, wedding musicians, party DJs, celebrity impersonators, balloon twisters, stand-up comedians, jazz trios, bagpipers, string quartets, soloists and more. The site, founded in 1997 by Kevin Kinyon and Michael Caldwell, attracts an average of 25,000 daily visits* throughout North America. GigMasters is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau, TRUSTe, and is also a DigiCert secured website. For more information, please visit http://www.gigmasters.com/.

*Source: Google Analytics

Press Contacts:Marta Segal Block & Marissa LatshawGigMasters.com, Inc.203-587-1134 x232marketing@gigmasters.com

SOURCE  GigMasters.com

GigMasters.com

Web Site: http://www.gigmasters.com

Michaels Launches MiDesign@Michaels(TM) Photo Creations and Custom Invites

Online scrapbooking application features exclusive content, professional printing & binding

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michaels, North America's largest arts & crafts specialty retailer, announces the launch of MiDesign@Michaels(TM) Photo Creations and Custom Invites. The Web-based application allows customers to work online to create photo books, scrapbook pages, greeting cards and custom invitations at http://www.MiDesign.Michaels.com.

Photo Creations includes free and premium content that customers can select and combine with their uploaded photos to create beautiful books, pages or cards. Free members have access to hundreds of backgrounds and embellishments. Club members can choose from thousands of creative options, print their projects at home and share via email or several social media outlets including Facebook and Flickr. All MiDesign@Michaels users can have their projects professionally printed, bound and shipped to their homes or nearest Michaels store.

"So many people have all their wonderful family memories just sitting on their computers and Facebook, and MiDesign@Michaels Photo Creations and Custom Invites is a great way to bring those photos to life and to share them with others in a new, unique way," said Michaels Chief Marketing Officer Paula Puleo. "MiDesign@Michaels can help anyone - whether an avid scrapbooker or a beginner - make beautiful keepsakes to last a lifetime."

Unlike other online photo book tools, MiDesign@Michaels prints on heavyweight paper so customers can add embellishments such as stickers, stamps and ribbon, along with original mementos (programs, ticket stubs, baby bracelets and more) to create a true scrapbook, or individual pages that can be framed. The wide variety of designer backgrounds, embellishments and clipart allows users to create unique and custom scrapbooks. The books can be bound in soft cover, hard cover or custom leather styles - perfect for displaying, sharing or gifting. 

Customers who enjoy entertaining or are planning a special occasion can use the Custom Invites application to create professional-quality personalized invitations, greeting cards, personalized favors, cups, balloons and personalized stationery. For more information go to http://www.MiDesign.Michaels.com.

About Michaels

Irving, Texas-based Michaels Stores, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall decor, and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. The company currently owns and operates more than 1,050 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada, and 136 Aaron Brothers stores, and produces ten exclusive private brands including Recollections®, Studio Decor(TM), Bead Landing®, Creatology®, Ashland(TM), Celebrate It®, Art Minds®, Artist's Loft®, Craft Smart® and Loops & Threads(TM). For more information visit http://www.Michaels.com.

    Media
     Contact:      Allison Swank or Loren Rutledge
                   (817) 329-3257
                   Michaels@spmcommunications.com

SOURCE  Michaels Stores, Inc.

Michaels Stores, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.michaels.com

Raritan Introduces Family of Economical KVM-over-IP Switches with Advanced Features to Help Small and Midsize Businesses Manage Servers

-- Dominion® LX provides secure, BIOS-level Access and Control of servers from anywhere; Affordable, high-quality KVM-over-IP switches streamline server management --

SOMERSET, N.J., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raritan today introduced a new line of KVM-over-IP switches for small to midsize businesses (SMBs) looking for a cost-effective way to simplify server maintenance.  Dominion LX is designed to meet the IT management needs and budgets of SMBs.  Depending on the model, the LX controls up to eight or 16 servers, and supports one or two simultaneous remote users and one local user for unblocked server access.  Multiple LX switches can be cascaded to support up to 256 servers from a single console.

Equipped with the industry's best-performing BIOS-level KVM-over-IP technology, the Dominion LX provides access to servers from anywhere on the network, enabling IT administrators to troubleshoot, reconfigure, reboot and, even, re-image servers remotely.

Unlike other KVM solutions in its price range, the Dominion LX has a modern browser-based user interface and is loaded with advanced remote server management features that give IT administrators the flexibility and capability to access and troubleshoot target servers from anywhere -- increasing productivity and reducing travel time and costs.  It also saves IT administrators time when working in data centers, by eliminating the need to run back and forth from rack to rack.  Another benefit of KVM-over-IP server management is the elimination of extra keyboards, monitors and mice -- which helps reduce room clutter and saves in rack space and power consumption.

Designed to deliver the best user experience possible to administrators who spend hours at a time in front of a screen managing servers, the Dominion LX provides the industry's highest remote video resolution (1920x1080) and Absolute Mouse Synchronization(TM) performance.   Another productivity-enhancing feature that the LX provides is Universal Virtual Media(TM) that makes accessing storage media on remote servers convenient.  This feature can be used to install software, run hardware diagnostics, transfer files and re-image a server remotely.

The Dominion LX uses Raritan's next-generation, browser-based user interface.  To improve usability and productivity, the interface provides a consistent user experience whether working remotely or at the server rack.  The LX also has a collaboration feature that enables eight users to connect to one server, promoting local and remote information sharing.

"With the Dominion LX, you can enter a server at the BIOS level, run hardware diagnostics, reboot a hung server, and install software from DVDs - all from a remote location," says Richard Dominach, Raritan Senior Product Manager.  "We have designed the LX to meet the needs of SMBs looking for a modern, cost-effective solution for improving operations uptime and reducing maintenance costs.  We have leveraged Raritan's KVM-over-IP architecture and technologies, such as Raritan's common user interface, Virtual Media and other industry-leading capabilities.  The LX is a great value.  It provides next-generation technologies and features at an affordable price."

Standard features on the Dominion LX include:

    --  Local and remote BIOS-level access and control.  Since the LX provides
        BIOS-level access, servers are accessible even if a server's operating
        system is not working.
    --  Common browser-based remote/local user interface.
    --  Ultra-fast video screen refresh, 1920 x1080 high-definition remote video
        resolution, and advanced color calibration.
    --  Security and encryption features, including configurable strong password
        controls, and 256-bit AES encryption.
    --  Local and remote authentication (LDAP/ Active Directory /Radius).
    --  Dual stack IPv6/IPv4 networking.
    --  Flexible Computer Integrated Module options.
    --  Port scanning and thumbnail views.
    --  Modem access for emergency access.
    --  Multiplatform support: Windows®, Macintosh®, Linux®,
        Sun®/Solaris(TM)
    --  Dominion LX's user interface supports multiple languages:  English,
        Japanese, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese.
    --  Universal Virtual Media -- enables a user to mount drives and media from
        the user's desktop to remote servers during a KVM connection.
    --  Absolute Mouse Synchronization -- eliminates time-consuming extra steps
        to adjust mouse settings for each target server.

As a plug-and-play, 1U-sized KVM appliance, the Dominion LX installs in minutes.  All standard Dominion LX features, including authentication and Web access, are built into the unit and do not require the use of an additional server.   Dominion LX interconnects with each server via standard, economical Cat5 (UTP) cabling.

Pricing & AvailabilityThe Dominion LX product line, which starts at $925 (U.S. List Price.), is available worldwide starting on October 31through Raritan's extensive distribution channels.  The Dominion LX is available in three models:  DLX-108 (one remote user session, one local user, and up to 8 servers); DLX-116 (one remote user session, one local user, and up to 16 servers) and the DLX-216 (two remote user sessions, one local user and up to 16 servers.)

More information on the Dominion LX models can be found at http://www.raritan.com/SMB-KVM-over-IP. 

About Raritan

Raritan is a proven innovator of power management, infrastructure management, KVM and serial solutions for data centers of all sizes.  In more than 50,000 locations worldwide, Raritan's award-winning hardware and software solutions -- including intelligent rack PDUs; energy management software; DCIM software solutions to effectively manage data center capacity, assets and change;  KVM-over-IP, and Serial-over-IP access products -- provide IT and facility directors, managers and administrators with the control they need to increase power management efficiency, improve data center productivity and enhance branch office operations.  Based in Somerset, N.J., Raritan has offices worldwide serving customers in 76 countries.  Visit us at Raritan.com  or follow us on the Raritan blog.   Raritan is an active member of the Green Grid, Climate Savers Computing Initiative, and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design associations.  The company was recognized by the EPA for its contribution to the agency's data center initiative.

All marks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE  Raritan

Raritan

CONTACT: Raritan, +1-978-526-1601, Raritan@theHarborGroup.com

Web Site: http://www.raritan.com

Nextag Socializes Online Shopping with Thingbuzz Acquisition

Acquisition Enriches Consumer Shopping Experience with Real-time Social Engagement Shopping Tips and Product Reviews

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextag®, (Nextag.com), a leading shopping website, today announced the acquisition of Thingbuzz (Thingbuzz.com), a real-time social shopping platform that tracks the conversation about products in the social media sphere. Through this acquisition, Nextag will socialize the online shopping experience for its customers, bringing them personalized, timely new product information and promotions at point-of-sale.

"Our acquisition of Thingbuzz is the first step in delivering our customers a fully integrated and rewarding social shopping experience," said Jeffrey G. Katz, chief executive officer of Nextag. "We're so pleased to welcome the Thingbuzz team to Nextag and provide our shoppers with even more personalized search results for unlocking the best deals on the Web."

With Thingbuzz, Nextag consumers can now see what is being said about the products they like on Facebook and Twitter and receive real-time product information and relevant promotions from Nextag's broad merchant network. From apparel and home furnishings to consumer electronics and consumable items, shoppers tap into their own online communities to research and make informed purchasing decisions without leaving the site.

This acquisition marks Nextag's fourth in just over one year. In June 2011, Nextag acquired Germany's guenstiger.de GmbH, the leading provider of online comparison shopping services in Europe's largest market. Before that, the company acquired Wize, Inc., a product review and recommendations site, and NextCoupons.com, a coupon site. These acquisitions are part of Nextag's aggressive growth strategy, which also includes strategic hiring, technology development and global expansion.

"The opportunity to join Nextag and bring Thingbuzz's technology to the 40 million consumers that visit Nextag for shopping each month is tremendously exciting," said K.B. Teo, co-founder of Thingbuzz.  "Thingbuzz's technology platform will add a powerful social tool that will enhance the online experience for Nextag's shoppers."

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Nextag

Nextag® is shopping. Offering the most comprehensive product catalog online, Nextag delivers the tools and technology that can help shoppers make smarter purchasing decisions. With nearly a half billion people visiting its sites each year, Nextag offers an unparalleled shopping experience whether searching for shoes, appliances, jewelry or cameras, cosmetics and travel destinations. Since 1999 consumers continue to choose Nextag for shopping. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Nextag has offices in Chicago, London, Tokyo, Hamburg and Gurgaon, India.

About Thingbuzz

Thingbuzz is a social media technology platform focused on organizing and sharing real-time social media about consumer products and websites. Thingbuzz's technology allows shoppers to see relevant and real-time product information, discover trends and find the hottest things on the social web. Thingbuzz is a privately held company based in the Bay Area, California and founded by Choon-Hong Peck, K.B. Teo and Seggy Umboh.

SOURCE  Nextag

Nextag

CONTACT: Kimberly Youngstrom, MWW Group, +1-212-704-9727, kyoungstrom@mww.com, pr@nextag.com

Web Site: http://www.nextag.com

Blurb Launches Beautiful ebooks for the iPad

A game-changer: creating visually rich ebooks at the click of a button

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Blurb, the creative publishing platform, today announced their first step into the ebook market with ebooks for Apple's iPad® and iPhone®.  Not only are the Blurb ebooks truly optimized to display images and text beautifully, they are created using Blurb's easy-to-use bookmaking tools, Bookify(TM) and BookSmart®.  Moreover, any book previously created with these tools can now be output as an ebook, automatically, with a click of a button.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/NY88536 )

Until now most self-published authors wanting to create a visually rich ebook had to hire a software developer to produce it, costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars and taking many weeks. With Blurb's new ebook offering, the file conversion happens automatically in moments, and costs just $1.99 per download, saving Blurb authors considerable time, money and frustration.

"This is not just an ebook offering, it's way more than that. Blurb now lets authors create their book once and then output their book to either print or ebook formats, from the same file, quickly and automatically. Fans and customers can then buy whichever version they prefer at the Blurb bookstore. That's game-changing. Plus there's more to come," said Eileen Gittins, Founder and CEO.

Blurb ebooks include all the design and interaction benefits of Apple iOS® technology: two-page spreads, pinch and zoom capabilities and uncompressed images, providing a stunningly rich visual experience, with no quality compromise.

Like all Blurb books, ebooks can be listed for sale at the Blurb bookstore. Authors can set their own price and keep 100% of the mark-up from sales.

More information about ebooks can be found at: http://www.blurb.com/ebook

About Blurb®
Blurb® is a creative publishing and marketing platform that unleashes the creative genius inside everyone. Blurb's platform makes it easy to design, publish, market and sell professional-quality books, using the Blurb Bookify(TM) online bookmaking tool, Blurb's free, award-winning Blurb BookSmart® app or by using Blurb's PDF to Book workflow. Blurb's bookstore and online marketing tools enable customers to market and sell their books, and keep 100% of their profit. Blurb's social and community features allow customers to create and share Blurb books among friends and colleagues with ease.

Blurb was founded by Eileen Gittins in 2005, and includes a team of design, Internet and media veterans who share a passion for helping people bring their stories to life. In 2010, Blurb shipped just under 1.4 million books to more than 70 countries and territories. In 2010, Blurb was ranked the fastest growing media company on the Inc. 500. Blurb is based in San Francisco with offices in London. For more info, visit http://www.blurb.com.

Press Contact:
Grace Musat
Ogilvy Public Relations
(212) 880-5371
grace.musat@ogilvy.com

SOURCE  Blurb

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/NY88536
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Blurb

Web Site: http://www.blurb.com

BabyFirst.com Announces Upcoming Release of New Documentary, 50 Years of Neonatal Care: The Passion that Drives us Forward

Film features compelling interviews, footage from clinicians at several hospitals including The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, CA

TELFORD, Pa., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BabyFirst.com, an online-resource focused exclusively on neonatal care, announces the upcoming availability of its new documentary, 50 Years of Neonatal Care: The Passion that Drives us Forward. The launch will coincide with World Prematurity Day, the international day of recognition for babies born prematurely. The trailer for the documentary along with several new video lectures on hot topics in neonatal care are available on BabyFirst.com and on the BabyFirst Facebook page, beginning today. To commemorate the awareness milestone, BabyFirst.com will also launch its Baby Hero song and video on iTunes.

To create the documentary, BabyFirst.com visited various renowned hospitals as well as The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), one of the world's foremost pediatric healthcare institutions and Canada's leading center for advancing children's health. While at SickKids, the BabyFirst.com team interviewed several clinicians across a range of neonatology specialties, amongst others: respiratory support, informatics, and follow-up care. Interviews feature guidance for other healthcare professionals in the field as well as perspectives on the evolution of neonatology from its origins to current day to what lies ahead in the future.

50 Years of Neonatal Care: The Passion that Drives us Forward, complements the existing and extensive BabyFirst.com platform of educational online resources targeted toward healthcare professionals and parents as well as the Baby Hero song and video. BabyFirst.com is a single destination where visitors can exchange information and experiences across a range of neonatal care topics. BabyFirst.com also encourages interaction via its social media presence which has a strong following of healthcare professionals and parents of premature infants.

"In creating 50 Years of Neonatal Care: The Passion that Drives us Forward, we set out to explore the inner-workings of the neonatology field, particularly, how clinicians and parents of premature infants make difficult, long-lasting decisions and how they determine the best route of care for our most vulnerable patients as treatment methods continue to evolve," said Ali Pourrad, Head of Marketing and Business Development for Neonatal Care, Draeger. "It is our hope that the documentary sheds light on the issue of prematurity which is the most common cause of neonatal death worldwide," he added.

"We all share the same objective, to do what's best for the premature baby - helping them grow and thrive, and creating an environment to best accomplish that. By targeting both clinicians and parents, Babyfirst.com is truly unique and is a compelling resource in the neonatal community," said Dr. Jay Greenspan, MD, MBA, and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital duPont Hospital for Children.

For more information related to neonatal care or to view the documentary trailer or the Baby Hero song and video, please visit http://www.BabyFirst.com. You can also like us on Facebook and stream upcoming clips from the documentary right from our page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/BabyFirst/104751642893984?ref=ts.

Babyfirst - clinical knowledge and family focus all in one placewww.babyfirst.com is an online-resource focused exclusively on neonatal care. It supports clinicians and parents of premature or sick infants with practical information, making it easier to guide their baby in its early stage of life. The website is supported by Draeger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, and NICUniversity, a Web-based medical education center for clinical professionals.

SOURCE  BabyFirst

BabyFirst

CONTACT: Taryn Berman, BlissPR, +1-212-840-1673, press@babyfirst.com; or Corporate Communications: Melanie Kamann, +49-451-882-3998, melanie.kamann@draeger.com; or U.S. & Canada Trade Press: Marion Varec, +1-215-660-2186, marion.varec@draeger.com, http://www.draeger.com

Web Site: http://www.BabyFirst.com

"The Wizards of Spin" Ebook Now Available for .99 Cents

Satire on celebrity news media received great reviews from critics and readers

CHICAGO, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After one year in print, the critically acclaimed satirical book on the celebrity news media, "The Wizards of Spin, America's Favorite News Stars," is now available in all Ebook formats for only .99 cents.

"The Wizards of Spin," published by Second City Books, is a compilation of satirical fiction based on real news and the news and talk show celebrities who deliver their commentary, or spin on the news, to America each day.

The book received very strong reviews from both critics and readers, who consistently pointed out that several sections in the book made them "laugh out loud!"

The Sun-Times' Bill Zwecker wrote, "For those looking for a very funny satire on the wacky world of TV news and schmooze, check out John Ruane's 'The Wizards of Spin,' with hilarious tales about characters who clearly are thinly veiled fictional alter egos of Oprah Winfrey, Chris Matthews, David Letterman, Stephen Colbert and a slew of other famous small-screen personalities."

Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune said, "John Ruane is a talented writer and his latest book is satire about today's news media, in which he takes this craziness to the next level. If watching television news these days makes you want to scratch your eyes out or bang your head against the wall or have a cocktail, the best antidote for that is John Ruane's new book, 'The Wizards of Spin.'" 

The three chapters that have received the greatest response are on FOX News' Bill O'Reilly boxing media foe Keith Olbermann, comedy pals Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart having dinner at an Italian restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, and the lengths the Today Show and Good Morning America go to win the sweeps weeks ratings battle.  However, the author was surprised by one chapter that received the biggest laughs.

"The last chapter is on public relations, taken from a press conference I witnessed in the 1990s," said Ruane, a longtime journalist who has worked in PR over the past 20 years. "Numerous readers have written to tell me they busted out laughing several times reading this story.  I think people would be surprised to know that about ninety percent of that chapter is journalism, most of it actually happened as I wrote it."

Besides stories based on the celebrity news personalities, Ruane provides a satirical twist to stories taken from news events over the past few years. In developing the book, the Chicago author used the creative style learned training at the famed Second City Theater, mixing in longer chapters with short quick stories to keep the pace of the book moving. 

"The Wizards of Spin" is available for .99 cents in all Ebook formats at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Ebooks.com.  The paperback is currently available at Amazon.com for $11.69.  For more information about the author, go to http://www.Johnruane.net.

SOURCE  Second City Books

Second City Books

CONTACT: Paige Janco of Janco Communications, +1-404-909-1430, Paige@Janco.org, for Second City Books

Web Site: http://www.johnruane.net

justWink App Adds New Tricks and Tasty Treats

CLEVELAND, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans knocked... and justWink answered the door with more scary-awesome Halloween cards than they can wrap their candy-buzzed brains around. With over 40 new cards now available in the free justWink app, people can send all the Halloween, friendship, birthday, wedding and everyday greetings their friends and family are willing to tolerate. The app was introduced over the summer by American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) to bring the brand's decidedly fresh take on the classic act of greeting to where consumers frequently communicate these days--their phones.

Sure, the saucy new cards will tackle All Hallow's Eve as only justWink can, but the update also includes crazy, cool, classy cards to celebrate birthdays, babies and beyond, all year-round. There are more than 170 cards now available for free in the app, as well as priceless features like adding signatures (or doodles) and photos to cards, and new Facebook-powered birthday reminders. Cards can now be sent via SMS (for "instant greetification"), and via email and Facebook.

"Halloween's a time to dress scandalously and hoard dangerous quantities of delicious candy--in other words, it's the perfect Holiday for justWink," said Rob Matousek, brand director for the justWink app. "With some adorable and funny October treats, your odd evil clown gag, and a few sexy-sweet cards for couples, we're pretty sure this batch has your 'ToBoo' list covered top to bottom." 

The justWink app can be downloaded for free from the Android Market and iTunes App Store, giving users 24/7 access to the complete collection. For more information, visit http://www.just-wink.com or http://www.facebook.com/justwink.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships to create happiness, laughter and love.  The Company's major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards.  American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company's online division).  In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.6 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide.   For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

SOURCE  American Greetings Corporation

American Greetings Corporation

CONTACT: Frank Cirillo of American Greetings Corporation, +1-216-252-7300 x4806, frank.cirillo@amgreetings.com

Web Site: http://www.americangreetings.com

Waffle House® Restaurants Launch iPhone and Android Locator Applications

NORCROSS, Ga., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a Waffle House restaurant?  We've got you covered!  With over 1,600 Waffle House restaurants scattered across America, the all-new Waffle House iPhone and Android locator applications will direct you to the closest restaurant and keep you connected with the Waffle Nation.

"The apps are really an extension of the most popular page on our website, the restaurant locator," says Katherine Wrobleski, Waffle House Social Media Specialist. "Our regulars are the best, and they already know what they like to eat.  We just need to help them get to their favorite restaurant!"

Both applications have similar user interfaces and include links to the Waffle House Facebook page, Twitter page, recently-launched mobile website and a sign-up for the popular Waffle House Regulars Club. Regulars who sign up for the club receive monthly coupons and Waffle House updates via e-mail.

The iPhone application officially launched in the iTunes store this June and currently boasts a four-star rating. 

"After the iPhone app launch, we saw there was a demand for an Android app, and we never want to disappoint our regulars, so we got to work on developing a similar app for the Android community," says Wrobleski.

The Android application officially launched in the Android Market on October 10, 2011. 

Both applications are free and are updated regularly to reflect new locations.

"We're thrilled to offer these free applications for our regulars, and we plan to enhance the applications with each update. It can only get better from here!" says Wrobleski.

The iPhone and Android applications were developed in partnership with California-based location marketing firm, Where 2 Get It, Inc.

About Waffle House® restaurants

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Waffle House® restaurants have been serving Good Food Fast® since 1955. Today the Waffle House system operates more than 1,600 restaurants in 25 states and is the world's leading server of waffles, t-bone steaks, hashbrowns, cheese'n eggs, country ham, pork chops and grits.

SOURCE  Waffle House, Inc.

Waffle House, Inc.

CONTACT: Kelly Thrasher, Waffle House, Inc., +1-770-729-5884, kellythrasher@wafflehouse.com

Web Site: http://www.wafflehouse.com

BT One Voice Anywhere Launches in US Market

Lower rates and increased security for corporations

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GARTNER SYMPOSIUM/ITxpo -- BT today announced the availability in the U.S. of BT One Voice anywhere, its next generation voice application service.  The service offers flexibility for global travelling employees by allowing them to take their telephony with them via a softphone and use speech to text voicemail translation.  In addition, One Voice anywhere helps to significantly reduce spend on mobile roaming costs through access to the corporate virtual private network (VPN).  BT made this announcement from Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2011, where it will be demonstrating One Voice anywhere and other products and services from the BT global portfolio at Booth #515 in the Enterprise Networking/Communications Pavilion.

Voice is a significant cost for businesses in an environment where expenses are being looked at under a microscope and there is continuous pressure to contain or reduce costs and find savings.

BT One Voice anywhere couples technology from the acquisition of Ribbit with the One Voice global VPN service, extending the benefits of the VPN to users anywhere, using any device, including SIP phones. This delivers unified communications and collaboration (UCC) capabilities to all users regardless of legacy environment and can help significantly reduce call charges, with even more cost savings for roaming charges.

Using the BT One Voice VPN, One Voice anywhere helps reduce mobile spend for businesses with employees who travel internationally by extending organizations' phone networks. Users set up their preferences so when a call is received, it is routed over the One Voice VPN network, saving toll costs from local service providers or mobile roaming fees. For example, if an employee is travelling, instead of receiving a call on their mobile phone, which can incur significant roaming charges, they can set up their preferences to take the call on a softphone or a landline of their choosing. 

"Mobile phones and smartphones are increasingly used for business voice calls. Costs can increase because businesses are charged as employees roam, retrieve voicemails and accept incoming calls, especially for international travellers," said Neil Sutton, vice president, Portfolio, BT Global Services. "One Voice anywhere can help reduce voice costs for our One Voice customers."

One Voice anywhere can integrate with new IP based platforms as well as older TDM systems and allows a transparent, feature rich, fully managed and integrated UCC environment.  This helps leverage existing investments and drives down additional costs. In addition, One Voice anywhere is delivered from the cloud, and is embedded in the enterprise grade VPN solution, so there are no heavy upfront investments or on premise equipment required.

BT is launching One Voice anywhere in the US market first to meet the needs of multinational customers.

One Voice was named Best Technology Foresight at the 2010 World Communication Awards and has been winning awards since BT launched it.

BT established operations in North America more than 20 years ago and now employs more than 4000 people in approximately 50 offices throughout the US and Canada.

About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo
Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the IT industry's largest and most strategic conference, providing business leaders with a look at the future of IT. For more than 10,000 IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises, Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of their annual planning efforts. Attendees rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. For more information, please visit http://www.gartner.com/technology/symposium/orlando/index.jsp.

About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group's revenue was 20,076m pounds Sterling with profit before taxation of 1,717m pounds.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit http://www.btplc.com.

SOURCE  BT

BT

CONTACT: Kris Kozamchak, Head of PR and Corporate Relations, +1-972-310-9055, kris.kozamchak@bt.com. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.btplc.com/news

Web Site: http://www.btplc.com

Rockhurst University Creates Mobile Community with the Power of a Single Application

AT&T Campus Guide Connects Students, Faculty and Alumni at Kansas City University

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockhurst University plans to connect students and faculty using a single mobile application to make campus-related information available at their fingertips.

The new AT&T* Campus Guide application, set to roll-out at the university next month, will include access to course portals, social media capabilities with class directories, GPS-enabled maps and the latest in Hawk sports and events - keeping busy students on-the-move toward academic success.

"Implementing this application allows us to engage our current students and attract prospective ones who increasingly use their cell phones as a main source of information," said Michael Craig, Director of Infrastructure Services at Rockhurst University. "Instead of investing in creating a new app that would only work on certain mobile operating systems, AT&T offered the possibility of extending our reach with one single application."

The AT&T Campus Guide app, which users can download for free, works with any service provider and on most major mobile operating systems.

College and university representatives can learn more about AT&T Campus Guide at the EDUCAUSE conference in AT&T booth, #1243, from Oct. 18-21, 2011 in Philadelphia. For more information, visit: http://go-att.us/CampusGuide.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Rockhurst

Rockhurst University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit universities in the United States. It seeks to challenge students while providing a supportive environment for intellectual and personal growth. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Rockhurst among the top Midwest Regional Universities and Forbes ranks it 250 on its America's Best Colleges List Rockhurst. 

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. 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.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE  AT&T Inc.

AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Alex Rubio, +1-214-782-6733, mr082s@att.com, or Irasema Romero, +1-214-782-6008, lr960t@att.com, both of AT&T Corporate Communications

Web Site: http://www.att.com

WatchGuard Strengthens Web Security Features

WatchGuard XCS Appliances Now Gain the Ability to Scan HTTPS Traffic

SEATTLE, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- WatchGuard® Technologies, a global leader of business security solutions, today announced that it is enhancing its XCS line of content security appliances by adding new Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) scanning capabilities for those having WatchGuard Web Security Subscription.  This new functionality enables organizations to take quick and easy steps to enforce data security policies for web traffic on HTTP, HTTPS and FTP.

"A secure surfing session via HTTPS protects user data and privacy, but threatens corporate security. Sites visited and files downloaded over HTTPS can contain malicious content, which can enter the business network.  Organizations without HTTPS scanning protection are defenseless against these types of threats," said Roula Vrsic, Product Manager for WatchGuard Technologies.  "WatchGuard XCS HTTPS scanning removes this unwanted network blind spot and gives administrators full visibility into these types of threats."

Cybercriminals are increasingly using HTTP, HTTPS or FTP as an attack vector to infect corporate networks with various payloads, such as spyware, viruses, trojans, keystroke loggers, phishing, and other malicious threats.   This trend is expected to become worse as malware writers deploy creative and sophisticated techniques to bypass traditional web security filters.

In order to detect threats that propagate through HTTPS, WatchGuard XCS appliances now have the ability to perform deep content inspection of encrypted HTTPS traffic, filtering for URL and domain reputation, and scan for malware, viruses, objectionable content, and data loss violations.  By expanding web protection to include HTTPS scanning, WatchGuard XCS appliances provide defense against this rapidly growing threat vector by providing comprehensive coverage for the three most common Internet protocols used in business:  HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.

WatchGuard XCS Appliances - Integrated Web, Email and Data Loss Prevention Solutions

WatchGuard Extensible Content Security (XCS) solutions deliver award-winning email and web security, as well as data loss prevention (DLP) for business networks.  With seven models to choose from, WatchGuard XCS appliances meet the email and web security requirements of businesses of all sizes, including solutions to protect the world's most demanding corporate networks.

Pricing and Availability

These new web security features are available now for free for WatchGuard customers with valid XCS Web Security subscriptions.  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.

    Contacts:
    ---------

    Chris McKie                          Jimme Peters
    -----------                          ------------
    WatchGuard Technologies              24/7 Consulting
    -----------------------              ---------------
    206-613-3760                         503-289-5354
    ------------                         ------------
    chris.mckie@watchguard.com           jimme@24-7consulting.com
    --------------------------           ------------------------

SOURCE  WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.watchguard.com