Qualcomm Helps Make Your Mobile Devices Smarter With New Snapdragon Machine Learning Software Development Kit
- Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK First to Accelerate Deep Learning On Snapdragon 820 Series Processor -
SAN DIEGO, May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced at the Embedded Vision Summit in Santa Clara, Calif., that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., is offering the first deep learning software development kit (SDK) for devices powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon(TM) 820 processors. The SDK, called the Qualcomm Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine, is powered by the Qualcomm® Zeroth(TM) Machine Intelligence Platform and is optimized to utilize Snapdragon's heterogeneous compute capabilities to provide OEMs a powerful, energy efficient platform for delivering intuitive and engaging deep learning-driven experiences on device. This SDK is the latest software addition to Snapdragon 820 and demonstrates Qualcomm Technologies' continued leadership by adding value for our customers to the Snapdragon portfolio.
Qualcomm Technologies, with the introduction of the Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine, is the first mobile SOC provider to offer a deep learning toolkit optimized for mobile. This SDK will allow OEMs to run their own neural network models on Snapdragon 820 devices such as smart phones, security cameras, automobiles and drones, all without a connection to the cloud. Common deep learning user experiences that can be realized with the SDK are scene detection, text recognition, object tracking and avoidance, gesturing, face recognition and natural language processing.
The Zeroth Machine Intelligence Platform is a Snapdragon-optimized software platform designed for mobile machine learning. Zeroth technology currently drives visual intelligence software such as Snapdragon Scene Detect and advanced malware detection software found in Snapdragon Smart Protect.
"The demand for untethered, mobile learning-driven user experiences is increasing rapidly and Qualcomm Technologies' customers have been clamoring for tools to help them realize their product visions," said Gary Brotman, director of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "With the introduction of the new Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK, we are making it possible for myriad sectors, including mobile, IoT and automotive to harnesses the power of Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and make high-performance, power efficient on-device deep learning a reality."
The Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK also includes the following features:
-- accelerated runtime for on-device execution of convolutional and
recurrent neural networks on the Snapdragon 820 cores (Qualcomm®
Kryo(TM) CPU, Qualcomm® Adreno(TM) GPU, Qualcomm® Hexagon(TM) DSP);
-- support for common deep learning model frameworks, including Caffe and
CudaConvNet;
-- a lightweight, flexible platform designed to utilize Snapdragon
heterogeneous cores to deliver optimal performance and power
consumption;
-- supports companies in a broad range of industries, including healthcare,
automotive, security and imaging, to run their own proprietary trained
neural network models on portable devices.
"The Qualcomm Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK helps us bring deep learning to our connected camera and smart cloud network, and that helps us present a full, contextual picture of the driving environment to our commercial automotive fleet and auto insurance customers," said Frederick Soo, chief technology officer of NAUTO, the autonomous vehicle technology company. "The Neural Processing Engine SDK means we can quickly deploy our proprietary deep learning algorithms to our Snapdragon-based connected camera devices in the field, which can detect driver distraction and help prevent auto accidents. That same deep learning helps NAUTO's system deliver valuable information that helps our customers reduce liability and drive more safely and efficiently."
The Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine SDK is expected to be available for Snapdragon 820 processors in the second half of 2016.
About Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm's licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm's engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 30 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Zeroth, Qualcomm Snapdragon Scene Detect, Qualcomm Snapdragon Smart Protect, Qualcomm Kryo, Qualcomm Adreno and Qualcomm Hexagon are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Qualcomm, Snapdragon, Adreno and Hexagon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Zeroth and Kryo are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.
Chinese UAV Developer FLYPRO Showcases New Intelligent Sports Drone at Hobby Expo China 2016
- FLYPRO CEO has exclusive interview with leading Chinese news site Xinhuanet
SHENZHEN, China, May 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Hobby Expo China 2016, the largest and the most influential professional model exhibition across the Asia Pacific region, was recently held at the Beijing Exhibition Centre. Hobbyist drones took center stage at the event, with a wide variety of models on display in more than half of the exhibitor booths occupying the 20,000-square-meter exhibition area.
As a pioneer and leader in the intelligent sports drone industry, FLYPRO showcased its next-generation intelligent drone for hobbyists, the XEagle, at the event. The XEagle, an intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle developed for the outdoor sports and tourism markets, features a wide range of innovative functionalities, including voice control, one-button control on a smart watch, automatic obstacle avoidance when flying at high speeds, an intelligent moving camera with a cradle head and multiple security protections. In an exclusive interview with China's leading news website Xinhuanet, FLYPRO CEO Lin Hai put forward his vision for the anticipated growth path of FLYPRO.
The CEO said the company will continue to focus on developing innovative technologies that are in demand by hobbyists. The new FLYPRO drones, designed and developed to include AR, VR, glasses-free 3D and varifocal sports cameras as well as other innovations, put high-tech, conceptual designs into the hands of consumers and meet the demands of users. The next generation of products will continue to target the hobbyist market and be powered by newly released innovative technologies. Finally, more affordable pricing will not only benefit the hobbyists and consumers, but also accelerate the utilization of drones in the consumer market.
TimberTech® Launches Augmented Reality App on Google's Android Platform
App Allows Homeowners and Contractors to Visualize Decking and Railing Projects in Virtual Reality for a Simplified Process and Better Final Result
SKOKIE, Ill., April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TimberTech(®), a CPG Building Products brand and leader in high-performance decking and railing, is launching a new app on the Google Android platform on May 1, 2016.
The free app, developed by augmented reality experts Marxent Labs, offers homeowners and contractors the ability to visualize TimberTech decking and railing products in realistic 3D Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) view. Customers can use Marxent's cutting-edge VisualCommerce(TM) technology to personalize a house, rotate it 360 degrees, change product colors and zoom in and out to review design quality. While VisualCommerce doesn't completely replace the need for showrooms and samples, it enormously simplifies the decision-making process for both consumers and retailers. Plus, contractors will be better able to plan their projects by seeing how TimberTech products look on a home and gaining customer buy-in before they begin work.
"The TimberTech iPad app has been a major success since we launched it last summer, with thousands of downloads," said CPG Building Products chief marketing officer Julia Fitzgerald. "Now that the TimberTech app will be available for Android users, we're excited for more homeowners and contractors to have the opportunity to visualize TimberTech deck and rail on their homes to ensure a more efficient and streamlined design process."
The app isn't the only recent innovation for TimberTech. In January, the brand launched its new Tropical Collection, capped wood composite options that offer a warm, natural hardwood style and authentic graining. The four new colors - Antique Palm(TM), Caribbean Redwood(®), Antigua Gold(TM) and Amazon Mist(TM) - will all be available to use in the new Android app.
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to engage with our loyal contractors and the knowledgeable homeowner who sees the value of installing a TimberTech deck," Fitzgerald added. "The app makes it so simple - and fun - to select the ideal products for a dream deck, giving the homeowner peace of mind and the contractor confidence that everything will turn out beautifully."
About the TimberTech(®) Brand:
Part of CPG Building Products, TimberTech is one of the world's leading brands of high-performance decking, railing, lighting and fastening solutions. With a passion for outdoor living and a global reputation for quality and innovation, the TimberTech brand delivers a wide range of low-maintenance, wood-alternative products in an unmatched selection of colors and styles - all available through a network of thousands of contractors and dealers worldwide. Visit TimberTech.com, call 800-307-7708, or view product installation videos on the TimberTech YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on TimberTech products by following the company on Twitter (@timbertech_deck) or Facebook (/TimberTech).
FCA Offers Apple Siri Eyes Free Feature to Nearly Two Million Vehicles Through Uconnect® Software Update
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
-- Vehicle owners with properly equipped 2013-2015 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®
and Ram vehicles can now add Apple Siri Eyes Free capability to their
vehicle's Uconnect system
-- Vehicle owners in the U.S. and Canada can download a complementary
software update from https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/
FCA Uconnect is releasing a new complimentary software update designed to add Apple Siri Eyes Free capability to the vehicle's Uconnect system for nearly two million properly equipped Uconnect vehicles dating back to the 2013 model year.
"With the addition of the Siri Eyes Free feature for later model-year vehicles, more customers will have an opportunity to integrate their iPhones with Uconnect while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on road," says Tricia Hecker, Global Head of Connected Services, FCA. "By adding Siri Eyes Free capability, customers will be able to use their voice to dictate and send messages, select specific songs, create reminder notifications and set calendar entries."
About Siri Eyes Free
Drivers can activate Siri Eyes Free from the voice button on the steering wheel and speak natural language voice commands to send text messages, play music, set reminders, place phone calls and access turn-by-turn directions. Drivers will simply push and hold the voice recognition button on the steering wheel until the Siri screen appears on the 8.4-inch touch screen and the user hears the audible tones. Siri Eyes Free is compatible with an Apple iPhone 4s or later.
The new software update is available for the following vehicles equipped with a Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen system:
-- 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500
-- 2013-2015 Dodge Viper
-- 2014-2015 Dodge Durango
-- 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger
-- 2014-2015 Jeep® Cherokee and Grand Cherokee
-- 2015 Jeep Renegade
-- 2015 Chrysler 200 and 300
To download and install the Siri Eyes Free software update, vehicle owners can visit https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ to receive the software and watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71o-qxc9r-g for step-by-step instructions on how to perform the update themselves or customers can schedule a service appointment to have the software update installed at their preferred dealership. Additional charges for a service appointment may apply.
About Uconnect
Launched in 2003, Uconnect systems are FCA's in-vehicle connectivity centers, designed to keep consumers connected, entertained and, most importantly, focused on the road.
Each FCA vehicle comes equipped with a Uconnect system that provides drivers with a range of available communication, navigation, entertainment features and connected services, including:
-- Hands-free calling or texting solutions that keep drivers productive,
talking and connected
-- Entertainment and audio options that include AM, FM, HD or satellite
radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, CD Player, USB, SD Card and AUX Port
-- Navigation options that help provide a stress-free commute with easy
access to points of interest, well-designed maps and turn-by-turn
directions that are broadcast over the vehicle's audio system
An included trial of Uconnect Access services also is available on properly equipped vehicles. These real-time services include a monthly vehicle health report, vehicle health alert, a smartphone app that enables owners to remotely lock, unlock or start their vehicle, locate their vehicle and more; 9-1-1 and Assist Buttons on the rearview mirror that will connect vehicle owners to help at the push of a button; Yelp Search, voice texting and the ability to purchase a Wi-Fi hotspot for a day, week or a month.
Vehicle owners can access and control their Uconnect system's features and services by using voice recognition technology, steering wheel controls, touch screens or traditional knobs and buttons.
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.
FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."
OtterBox Collaborates with Project Runway All Stars
FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- OtterBox brings designer style to life with the newest Symmetry Series patterns, designed in collaboration with fashion-forward reality show Project Runway All Stars.
OtterBox partnered with Project Runway All Stars for a design challenge presented on the April 28 episode. Designers competed to create a signature look that brought together high-fashion design with high-tech protection in the Print on Print Challenge, an homage to the intersection of technology and fashion. Philadelphia-based designer Dom Streater won the challenge and the opportunity to work with OtterBox on her very own Symmetry Series case design.
"I remember seeing the other contestants' and when Dom's came out, she was the natural winner for me and for OtterBox," said Project Runway All Stars guest judge Nina Garcia. "The graphics, the color and the personality of the protective case says so much about your personality and your personal style."
For the challenge, Streater designed two prints that worked together to walk down the runway. The Symmetry Series case graphics are based on two of Streater's favorite original prints.
"It was such a thrill to win the challenge. I feel like it was tailor-made for me," Streater said. "Phone cases are a natural accessory, it just worked so well and I had a lot of fun working with OtterBox."
Symmetry Series helps keep smartphones safe from bumps, shock and scratches in a super slim, sleek form.(1) The case combines style and OtterBox Certified Drop+ Protection with wraparound graphics that provide visual appeal from every angle.
Limited edition 'Green Diamond' and 'Pink Swirl' Symmetry Series are available now for iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 Plus and GALAXY S7 exclusively at Verizon Wireless retail stores, on verizonwireless.com and otterbox.com. To learn more, visit otterbox.com.
About OtterBox:
Founded in 1998 with a line of dry boxes, OtterBox(®) has evolved into the No. 1-selling case for smartphones in the U.S. and a global leader in mobile device protection.(2) Its diverse lineup of protective solutions for handheld technology protect, connect and enable a mobile world. OtterBox has been an eight-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the U.S. and was named one of "America's Most Promising Companies" by Forbes Magazine. The company is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo., with offices in San Diego; Cork, Ireland; and Hong Kong.
For more information, visit otterbox.com.
Note:
(1 )Symmetry Series is NOT protective against water. Will provide added protection against drops and shock.
(2 )Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service: Cell Phone Device Protection/Units Sold 2012 - 2015
Ameranth Files New Patent Application for its 21st Century Communications(TM) Intelligent Automated Assistant (IAA) Data Synchronization Inventions
'Next generation GUI - Represents The Future of Mobile Computing'
SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameranth, Inc. announced today that it has filed a new patent application with 20 claims - which it anticipates receiving an allowance for in 2017 and with a validity expected to be until at least 2027 - for its 'artificial intelligence' based inventive concepts -
Title: 'An Application Software based Information Management And Real Time Synchronous Communications System Including Intelligent Automated Assistants (Bots) In A Synchronized And Integrated Computing Ecosystem Including Different Types Of Remote Computing Devices With Different User Interfaces And Which Are Synchronized With A Master Database That Is Accessible From And Stored At A Central Location.'
Ameranth's Intelligent Automated Assistant (IAA) innovations were invented by Keith McNally (Ameranth's President and lead inventor) and which were first deployed in 2005, in partnership with Zagat LLC. and used in hundreds of Zagat qualified restaurants as part of Ameranth's Magellan restaurant reservation system, which was then extensively licensed. Coupled with the earlier 1998/1999 innovations from Ameranth's patent family, these new claims, represent the first, leading and earliest priority inventions in systemic (IAA) - which is becoming the most important and strategic area of computing looking into the future.
Virtually all leading computing experts, inclusive of Google, Microsoft, Facebook and many others e.g.( https://adtmag.com/blogs/dev-watch/2016/04/bot-development.aspx ) are now recognizing that the user interface of the future is going to revolve around 'Intelligent Automated Agents' (IAA), commonly referred to as 'Bots' (short for computerized 'robots') in which downloadable software applications, (Apps) will largely become a thing of the past, and the mobile user interfaces will rapidly evolve into 'conversational' type communications -inclusive of 'artificial intelligence', operate mostly over mobile messaging platforms and without the normal/prior user interfaces of App based - standardized-computerized 'screens/menus', (rather with responsive, customized variants, generated in real-time). Mobile computing is no longer the future, it is the now and 'Bots' are fast becoming the 'now' themselves, in fact one of Ameranth's 46 'data synchronization' patent licensees, (Taco Bell), is already testing it's so called 'TacoBot' for food ordering. https://www.tacobell.com/feed/tacobot. The rest of the industry will soon follow.
What most have still not yet recognized however, [yet Keith McNally did] as is reflected in the patent specifications and in these #20 pending claims, is that in order to successfully deploy a total 'Bot' based solution, it must be 'synchronized' as part of an overall integrated and synchronous system, so that these computerized-intelligent 'conversations' e.g. 'chats' are 'bi-directional' and [at least for the foreseeable future], 'Bot' based solutions will have to 'co-exist' in a mixed, multi-faceted computing ecosystem of not only many different device types, sizes and OS concurrently interacting and communicating with each other, but also ensuring that concurrent interactions and transactions from other 'web browser based' and/or 'App based' devices, all can occur seamlessly and synchronously with those from 'Bot based' devices, all while ensuring that the 'one truth' in the master/central database remains consistent and in equilibrium. Ameranth's inventions, as originally conceived and now claimed, uniquely enable and accomplish just that. Additionally, Ameranth's 'patent pending' technology and innovations included and include automatic 'communications conversions', [a prerequisite for any modern, systemic solution], especially 'Bot' based solutions - which require, automatic, real time conversions over varying channels, protocols, and mediums - from e.g. text to voice, voice to text, IM/chat to text, text to IM/chat and any other 'communication conversions' as will be required. Just some of these innovations are shown below in this 2005 filed figure #10 from the pending patent application:
Ameranth's direct 'data synchronization' licenses now number 46 (with dozens of 'sub-licensees' including 'Dunkin Donuts'), - (representing/including more than 25 nationally recognized, large restaurant chains, totaling more than 50,000 deployed locations, which are in various stages of roll-out). In addition to its new patent license, Ameranth has patent license agreements with Cardfree, Taco Bell, Jersey Mike's Sub's, BJ's Pizza, Tilster Inc, Xpient Solutions Inc, EMN8, ORDIT, Cognizant Inc., Monkeymedia, Splickit, Radiant, Red-Fork, Menusoft, Nu-Order, Tap to Eat, Restaurant Revolution Technologies, Netwaiter, Brink Software, Savory Mobile, Skywire Media, Chownow, Compelcart, Xpient, Munchaway, OrderBee LLC, Meplus1 LLC, Ticketmob/Laughstub, Par, Squirrel, Subtledata, Comcash, Snapfinger, My Check LLC, Fork LLC, Data-Hawk, Squirrel POS as well as others and is in active negotiations to provide licenses to several additional hospitality industry product/service providers.
"We are very excited about the vast potential from this pending patent application. These additional innovations continue the industry leading, visionary inventive leadership which Ameranth has sustained since its founding 20 years ago this month. This next generation - 'Bot' based user interface, is the latest but not the last Ameranth 'data synchronization' innovation, since more innovations and patent filings will be announced in the months ahead," stated Vern Yates, Ameranth's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
The adoption of Ameranth's technology by industry leaders and the wide acclaim received by Ameranth for its technological innovations are just some of the many confirmations of the breakthrough aspects of Ameranth's inventions. Ameranth has received twelve different technology awards (three with "end customer" partners) and has been widely recognized as a hospitality wireless/internet technology leader by almost all major national and hospitality print publications, e.g., The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and many others. Ameranth was personally nominated by Bill Gates, the Founder of Microsoft, for the prestigious Computerworld Honors Award that Ameranth received in 2001 for its breakthrough synchronized reservations/ticketing system with the Improv Comedy Theatres.
About Ameranth, Inc.:
Ameranth, Inc. (http://www.ameranth.com) is a recognized leader in the hospitality technology market, having been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, USA Today, Business Week, US News & World Report, Nation's Restaurant News, Hospitality Technology, TIME, CNNfn, San Diego Union Tribune, and numerous other prestigious publications. Ameranth has also been awarded or participated in twelve technology/"best product" awards.
Finacle and Samsung SDS to Deliver 'Frictionless' Mobile Banking Experiences
Technology partners sign agreement to deliver enhanced payments and user experiences for mobile device users
SAN FRANCISCO and BANGALORE, India, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys (NYSE:
INFY), and Samsung SDS, a global ICT service provider, today announced a global
partnership [https://youtu.be/cSRWXasA8-4 ] that will provide end customers with a more
secure, fast and convenient way to use mobile banking and payment services.
Mobility is a key innovation area for financial services, but it also plays a
fundamental part in enabling and retaining end customers in today's changing banking
environment. This partnership
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSRWXasA8-4&feature=youtu.be ] offers financial services
customers a seamless user experience and hassle-free access without lengthy authentication
processes.
This will be achieved using device agnostic Samsung SDS FIDO Authentication, allowing
banking and mobile payments customers to use select OEM's (Original Equipment
Manufacturers) and the hand-held device of their choice. Device-optimized authentication
for mobile payments helps banking services meet the user experience expectations of
younger millennial customers - an expectation of immediate, seamless app-driven services.
It will also help to advance and simplify micro payments and enable financial inclusion in
developing markets where mobile devices are the dominant form of internet access.
Samsung SDS FIDO is built on Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) specifications which is the
de facto standard for simpler and stronger authentication by using user's biometrics
information and PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) technology to store critical user
information in mobile and server respectively. Users can scan their fingerprint, use
facial recognition or other biometric authenticators such as voice and iris detection to
complete a payment or transaction in a secure and frictionless way. This can replace
traditional authentication methods such as the entry of a user ID, password or transaction
authentication number (TAN).
Andy Dey, President - Customer & Operations, EdgeVerveÂ
"Customers are becoming far more accustomed to accessing and spending their money via
mobile. As such, financial services providers should be empowered with mobile solutions
where they never have to choose between providing a good user experience and robust
security. We want to enable banking without passwords wherein people can authenticate
transactions by using flexible biometric options such as facial recognition and
fingerprints. Our partnership with Samsung SDS achieves exactly this kind of friction-less
banking, allowing greater customer retention, engagement and loyalty."
Ho Kim, Head - Advanced Mobile Solution Business, Samsung SDSÂ
"In addition to our recent deployment in the financial sector including Samsung Pay,
we are pleased to partner with EdgeVerve to provide our FIDO solution to global banking
customers. User authentication and mobile security is gaining more significance in this
era of digital banking and Samsung SDS' standard based biometrics solution ensures simpler
and secure user authentication to bring enhanced user experience to our customers. Samsung
SDS will continue its innovation to bring Samsung's technology into the future digital
banking."
About Samsung SDS
Samsung SDS is a global information and communication technology (ICT) service
provider, striving to help customers increase their competitiveness by offering optimal
ICT services. Its services are customized for customer business environments and leverage
the most knowledgeable professionals and proven, innovative technologies. Samsung SDS is
specialized in infrastructure construction, network services, business consulting,
manufacturing IT, distribution IT, education IT, medical IT, security, mobility, cloud,
and analytics based on its vast experience and accumulated technological capabilities.
Finacle is the industry-leading universal banking solution from EdgeVerve Systems, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys. The solution helps financial institutions develop
deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in
the digital world. Today, Finacle is the choice of banks across 84 countries and serves
over 547 million customers - nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population.
Finacle solutions address the core banking, e-banking, mobile banking, CRM, payments,
treasury, origination, liquidity management, Islamic banking, wealth management, and
analytics needs of financial institutions worldwide. Assessment of the top 1000 world
banks reveals that banks powered by Finacle enjoy 50 percent higher returns on assets, 30
percent higher returns on capital, and 8.1 percent points lesser costs to income than
others.
To know more, visit http://www.finacle.com
About EdgeVerve Systems Ltd
EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, develops innovative software
products and offers them on-premise or as cloud-hosted business platforms. Our products
help businesses develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation
and accelerate growth in the digital world. We power our clients' growth in rapidly
evolving areas like banking, digital marketing, interactive commerce, distributive trade,
credit servicing, customer service and enterprise buying.Â
Today EdgeVerve products are used by global corporations across financial services,
insurance, retail and CPG, life sciences, manufacturing, and telecom. Finacle, our
universal banking solution, is the choice of financial institutions across 84 countries
and serves over 547 million customers - nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked
population.
To know more, visit http://www.edgeverve.com
Safe HarborÂ
Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are
forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify
for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which
involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties
relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties
regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to
manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect
our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly
skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts,
client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our
ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key
focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to
successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our
service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic
investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political
instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring
companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general
economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future
operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange
Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2015. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov
[http://www.sec.gov#_blank ].Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and
oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. Any
forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be
reasonable as of this date. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking
statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is
required by law.
CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Infosys: Asia Pacific: Sarah Gideon, Infosys, India, +91-80-4156-3998, Sarah_Gideon@infosys.com. EMEA: Paul de Lara, Infosys, UK, +44-2075162748, Paul_deLara@infosys.com Americas, Pilar Wolfsteller Infosys, USA, +1-(510)-944-4596, Pilar.Wolfsteller@infosys.com
PDP's Free Afterglow Prismatic Controller Configuration App for Xbox One Gives Gamers the Power to Create Unique Controller Profiles for Any Game
The new Afterglow Configuration App will officially launch on May 3, 2016
BURBANK, Calif., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Designed Products LLC (PDP), the #1 third party accessory manufacturer in North America, announced today that the Afterglow Configuration App for the Afterglow Prismatic Controller for Xbox One will launch on May 3(rd). Since Afterglow's inception, PDP has sold over 15 million units of Afterglow product in the US alone* and will now provide customization and support for the innovative Afterglow Prismatic Controller through the new free app. The Afterglow Configuration App offers gamers a variety of customization choices, including vibration and rumble strength, lighting and color selections, Dual Multi-Function wheel actions, and the ability to create different controller profiles. Each profile can be cloud-saved for future use. *(NPD Group/U.S./Retail Tracking Service/Jan. 2003-Mar. 2016).
Upon download of the Afterglow Configuration App, gamers can set Prismatic lighting on their Afterglow Prismatic Controller, adjust vibration and rumble strength, map up to six actions through the Dual Multi-Function wheels, make firmware updates, and create and save multiple profiles, which can be accessed through the user's Xbox Live gamertag.
"PDP is excited to allow gamers the ability to configure and customize their controller through the Xbox One console," said Bob Picunko, Senior Vice President of Marketing at PDP. "The Afterglow App is a significant innovation for gamers of all skills and abilities."
For information on the Afterglow Configuration App and to access the sign-up page: http://www.pdp.com/ag-app.
For more information on the latest product from Performance Designed Products please visit http://www.pdp.com and follow PDPGaming on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Performance Designed Products LLC
As the #1 gaming accessories manufacturer, Performance Designed Products LLC (PDP) designs high-quality products under a number of well-known brands, such as Afterglow and Rock Candy. Headquartered in Burbank, CA, with offices in San Diego, France, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and China, PDP's products can be found in major retailers across the world. PDP and the PDP logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Performance Designed Products LLC. All Rights Reserved.
About Patriarch Partners
Patriarch Partners, LLC, is a private equity firm and holding company managing 75 companies across 14 industry sectors with revenues in excess of $8 billion. Founded by Lynn Tilton in 2000, Patriarch was built upon a proprietary patented financial model designed to manage and monetize the distressed portfolios of financial institutions. For more information, please visit http://www.patriarchpartners.com.
New Johnson Controls YORK® touch-screen thermostat seamlessly connects homeowners to their home comfort systems
Easy-to-use interface compatible with most conventionally-wired heating and cooling systems
MILWAUKEE, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new residential touch-screen thermostat from the YORK(®) brand of Johnson Controls, the leader in building automation, keeps homeowners seamlessly connected to their home comfort systems at home or away via their smartphones, tablets or computers.
Featuring an easy-to-read, patent-pending hexagon interface, the thermostat connects with most conventionally-wired home comfort systems. The YORK Thermostat 280 app for iOS and Android allows the homeowner to remotely control the system's heating or cooling. If connectivity is lost or the temperature in the home exceeds pre-set limits, a push notification is sent to the homeowner's mobile device.
In addition to real-time notifications and alerts, the thermostat provides homeowners with a quick heat and quick cool feature for short-term, high-capacity heating or cooling to reach set points more quickly. Pre-set modes provide quick access to alternate settings, and a convenient proximity sensor, which detects motion from one to six feet away, allows homeowners to make changes quickly, without waiting for the thermostat to start up.
The thermostat has the ability to communicate with home comfort contractors and automatically receives the latest software update via over-the-air updates when connected to Wi-Fi®.
"This new touch-screen thermostat from Johnson Controls equips homeowners with the ultimate in control and convenience, wherever they are," said Liz Haggerty, vice president and general manager, Johnson Controls Unitary Products Group. "They can expect nothing but the best performance, efficiency, reliability and a home that is consistently comfortable."
Designed, engineered and assembled in North America, the new thermostats are available from YORK contractors nationwide. YORK Certified Comfort Expert contractors back every installation with a 100 percent Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee, the best assurance in the business.
To celebrate the launch of the new touch-screen thermostat, Johnson Controls is offering a chance to win a grand prize of one of five new YORK touch-screen thermostats along with a $150 Visa gift card for installation. One of 10 YORK-branded portable cell phone battery chargers will also be awarded each week until the promotion ends on June 20. Interested participants are asked to post a photo of themselves with a YORK logo on either the Johnson Controls Twitter page or the YORK Twitter page, using the hashtag #MeAndMyYORK. For complete contest details and official rules, visit http://www.YORK.com/MeAndMyYORK.
YORK products from Johnson Controls include energy-efficient, residential central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories, and innovative light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a national distribution network and delivered to home- and building-owners through qualified YORK heating and cooling contractors. For more information about YORK, visit http://www.YORK.com or follow us on YouTube and @YorkHVAC on Twitter.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 150,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and seating components and systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2016, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #17 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.
About Johnson Controls' Building Efficiency
Johnson Controls' Building Efficiency has an unmatched portfolio of HVACR products and solutions to create more comfortable, safe and efficient buildings. Operating in more than 150 countries through a strong network of distribution channels, Building Efficiency's breadth of offerings help building owners, operators, engineers and consultants impact the full lifecycle of a building. Its market leadership is established through trusted brands such as YORK®, Sabroe® and Metasys® as well as its smart building integration capabilities and energy financing solutions. For more information, visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow @JCI_BEnews.
CONTACT:
Kari Pfisterer
Senior Global Public Relations Manager
Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls
Work + 1 414 524 4017
Mobile + 1 414 305 1863
Kari.B.Pfisterer@jci.com
DÃSSELDORF, Germany, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Fusing cool sounds and hip design with state-of-the-art technology, Aquatunes delivers your favourite music in the shower. The waterproof Bluetooth Speaker by GROHE and Philips is impervious even to a shower spray and the perfect way to kick the day into gear or relax after a stressful day at work. Aquatunes adds a whole new dimension to your shower experience - as can be seen in this brand-new video produced by the GROHE Design Studio: http://bit.ly/GROHE_Aquatunes_clip.
Simply use the Bluetooth button to pair the Aquatunes speaker with your smartphone or tablet and you are all set for outstanding musical enjoyment. The Bluetooth range of 10 metres means that the audio source can remain in a distance where it its safe and dry.
The versatile adapter is easy to attach without having to remove the rail from the wall. A push and turn mechanism locks the wireless speaker into place and releases it with the same ease.
Aquatunes makes a big splash not only in the bathroom but also at the next kitchen or garden party. And why not take it along for a day at the beach or a walk in the park. Running for up to eight hours on a single battery charge, it comes with a waterproof induction charger and can play music even while charging.
The simple controls include an on/off button, volume control, Bluetooth button for pairing to smart devices plus next/previous track toggle. Two LEDs show the status of the Bluetooth connection and the battery status.
Premium design meets intriguing audio quality - Aquatunes is here to amp up your shower experience.
AppTweak ASO Startup Releases Multilingual Keyword Tool to Improve App Store Discoverability
BRUSSELS, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
AppTweak
[https://www.apptweak.com/?utm_source=pr_en&utm_medium=prnewswire&utm_campaign=keyword ],
European leader in App Store Optimization (ASO), today launches a new version of its ASO
platform and unveils a brand-new multilingual keyword tool. The company, which closed a
$500k round of funding [http://tech.eu/brief/apptweak-seed-funding ] last November, seeks
to assert itself as one of the most powerful ASO tool, dedicated to empower app developers
to improve their store discoverability and app visibility globally. AppTweak has dedicated
its recent efforts to the improvement of its keyword tool making it more powerful and
offering a unique Search Volume estimation. Â Â
Keywords Search Volume has always been very controversial, as many ASO tools fight to
provide with accurate estimations, but fail in most cases. However, AppTweak's new formula
includes a higher number of parameters (all weighted differently) to estimate the
popularity of a keyword, which enables to get closer to a precise indication. "We have
worked hard to come up with the best volume estimation possible" says Olivier Verdin,
AppTweak co-founder. "We've decided to be totally transparent by revealing the parameters
we use in the algorithm: the recurrence of the keyword in app titles, descriptions and
reviews from all apps; the level of popularity/usage of the keyword in the language; the
exact mobile web volume; hints provided by Apple; the amount of keywords combined in key
phrases and the keyword's length." Â Â
AppTweak identity circles around its unique automated and personalized ASO reports,
scanning through any app's ASO score and providing actionable insights and recommendations
to improve app store visibility. "Our reports are perfect to audit and monitor app store
performance but we wanted to enable our users to actually work on AppTweak, without the
need to open an Excel sheet or a character counter." says Olivier. Â Â
Indeed, the new keyword tool includes a section entirely dedicated to the simulation
of the final keywords selection, after the keywords research, with a character counter for
the app title, the iTunes keyword field and the Google Play short and long descriptions,
but also giving the global KEI (Keyword Efficiency Index) of the selected keywords
combined all together. Â Â
The company also wanted to offer more keywords suggestions (currently available in 7
languages: English, French, Dutch, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Italian, the newcomer),
which are provided to help users find inspiration and interesting keywords they would not
have thought of. These suggestions have been built upon multiple sources such as most
recurrent keywords in the reviews; app store hints and trending searches in each country.
 Â
"With the increasing importance of localization in ASO, AppTweak has focused on
delivering a reliable multilingual keyword tool using native keywords rather than
automatic translation" says Olivier Verdin, AppTweak co-founder. Â Â
About AppTweak Â
AppTweak empowers app developers and marketers with tools and techniques to improve
their app store visibility, increase app rankings and drive organic downloads. The company,
headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and founded in 2013 by Olivier Verdin and Sebastien
Dellis, counts over 400 accounts in more than 40 countries, including Rocket Internet,
FoodPanda, Zalando, Samsung, LinkedIn, Etsy, Merkle, RunKeeper, S4M, Foodora and more. To
equip app developers to get their app discovered, AppTweak solutions include: App Store
Optimization (ASO) platform; Personalized and Recommended Actions; Competition Analysis;
Reviews Analysis; Analytics and Powerful Multilingual Keyword Tool. The company also
offers an API Access: http://www.apptweak.io.
Market Focus Conference on Touch at Display Week 2016 Explores Emerging Applications and the Future of the Touch Industry
CAMPBELL, Calif., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society for Information Display (SID), in collaboration with IHS, today announced the final program for its Market Focus Conference on Touch, part of the Business Track being held during Display Week 2016 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco (May 22-May 27). The brightest minds in the touch technology industry will gather for the one-day event on May 24 to discuss the industry's latest developments.
Leaders from key companies within the touch industry will discuss the future of the industry, ITO alternatives, advanced input nodes, and emerging applications, such as digital signage and automotive. Calvin Hsieh, IHS Principal Analyst will begin the conference on, "The Future Status of the Touch Industry," delving into questions of financial challenges and 3D Touch; asking poignant questions on the technologies developing in touch and their consequential influence. Hsieh will also moderate the panel discussions following each of the three sessions:
Session 1: ITO Alternatives: Can Ag Nano, Metal Mesh and Printed Solutions increase Touch Panel Penetration? This session will discuss these new technologies and the future positioning in the market, specifically versus ITO-based products. Speakers include Canatu, Eastman Kodak Company, Nuovo Film Inc., UICO and UniPixel.
Session 2: Beyond Phones, Tablets and 2in1's: What's the Next Market for Touch?
As digital signage and automotive have offered new market opportunities, this session will examine more of these opportunities for innovation in a low margin business. The audience will hear from FlatFrog, IHS, Microsoft and SMART Technologies.
Session 3: Opportunities & Challenges for Emerging Input Modes
Speakers from 3M, Cambridge Touch Technologies Inc, IHS, Intel and Synaptics Inc. will discuss how future user interfaces can adapt and incorporate the variety of emerging input modes.
More detailed information on the schedule for the Market Focus Conference on Touch can be found at http://www.displayweek.org. Media interested in attending Display Week may contact Marie Labrie or Meagan Hardcastle at displayweekpr@mcapr.com.
About Display Week 2016
The 53(rd) SID International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, or Display Week 2016, will take place May 22-27 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. Display Week is the premier gathering of system integrators, designers, consumers, scientists, engineers and manufacturers in the field of electronic information displays. For more information on Display Week 2016, visit http://www.displayweek.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter @DisplayWeek. Display Week tweets can be created, viewed and shared using the hashtag #DisplayWeek16.
About SID
The Society for Information Display (SID) is the only professional organization focused on the display industry. In fact, by exclusively focusing on the advancement of electronic display technology, SID provides a unique platform for industry collaboration, communication and training in all related technologies while showcasing the industry's best new products. The organization's members are professionals in the technical and business disciplines that relate to display research, design, manufacturing, applications, marketing and sales. To promote industry and academic technology development, while also educating consumers on the importance of displays, SID hosts more than 10 conferences a year, including Display Week, which brings industry and academia all under one roof to showcase technology that will shape the future. SID's global headquarters are located at 1475 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 114, Campbell, CA 95008. For more information, visit http://www.sid.org.
About IHS (http://www.ihs.com)
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 140 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs nearly 9,000 people in 33 countries around the world.
SOURCE Society for Information Display
Society for Information Display
CONTACT: Meagan Hardcastle/Marie Labrie, (650) 968-8900, DisplayWeekPR@mcapr.com; Laura Castellanos, for IHS, (212) 333-4983, laura.castellano@ihs.com
Riley - A Movable Smart Security Companion to Love
LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Riley is your smart and mobile companion to monitor your house in real-time video. Unlike most home security devices, Riley is mobile. Using its rugged tank treads, Riley can travel on any surface without getting stuck. If flipped over, Riley can automatically stand up and continue moving along.
Featuring a 5 megapixel HD Camera, motion detection and night vision, Riley is your trusted security guard. If any motion has been detected, Riley will send an alert to your smartphone. In addition, Riley can be controlled from anywhere in the world from the smartphone app. Through the integrated microphone and speaker, Riley allows you to be in two places at once. With Riley, you can comfort your new puppy, or video chat with loved ones in high resolution video and audio.
In addition, Riley includes a unique docking station to provide quick charging. When low on battery, Riley can automatically navigate and return to the dock for charging. The docking station also doubles as a rotatable perch that can be controlled remotely.
Not only is Riley an innovative solution to home safety, Riley is also very popular with children. Its durable and non-toxic shell ensures that tumble after tumble, Riley is ready for another day. The simple and intuitive controls are designed for all ages. With easy to swap treads in multiple colors, customize your Riley to match your personality.
In just under two weeks, Riley has raised nearly $100,000 USD and has been a trending crowdfunding campaign.
Riley is now available for pre-order exclusively on Indiegogo for $159 USD until May 15, 2016. Pre-orders will begin shipping as early as July 2016. After the campaign completes, Riley will be available online and in-stores for $229 USD.
Amazon Alexa Voice Service Goes Live on Triby - The Family Friendly Portable Speaker, Connected Message Board and Speakerphone
Triby is the first non-Amazon product to be Alexa-enabled - transforming the way people connect with content and the people they love
NEW YORK, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Invoxia, a leading developer of speakers and telecoms devices, has announced the Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS) is now integrated and available on Triby, its family-friendly kitchen device that combines music, messaging and communication functionality in one voice-activated product. Starting today, Triby becomes the first non-Amazon product to be Alexa-enabled.
Triby is a fun addition to any family, transforming the way they connect with the content and people they love. Triby is a digital assistant, Internet radio, connected speaker, hands-free speakerphone, and connected message board all rolled into one! And now with Alexa, customers have hands-free voice control for information from Wikipedia and the web, weather, timers and alarms, news, shopping/to-do lists, sports updates and scores, smart home features, calendar entries, IFTTT, and much more--with new skills being added every week. To learn more about Alexa on Triby, visit http://www.amazon.com/triby.
As the first non-Amazon product with a built-in Alexa experience, Triby gives families unprecedented access to new and exciting services. Simply say "Alexa, play Adele" and Triby can play Adele from Prime Music, say "Alexa, add milk to my list" and Triby will add it to your shopping list, or "Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights" and Triby becomes a way to access and control the smart home.
"As one of our first Alexa Fund companies, it's great to see Triby offer their customers Alexa integration today," said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Amazon Alexa. "We believe voice is the most natural way to interact with technology in your home, which is one reason we've made access to the Alexa Voice Service available to device makers and developers for free."
More details on Triby's multiple features can be found at invoxia.com/triby.
About the Amazon Alexa Voice Service
The Alexa Voice Service (AVS) is an intelligent and scalable cloud service that adds voice-enabled experiences to any connected product with a microphone and speaker. Customers can simply talk to their Alexa-enabled products to play music, answer questions, get news/local information, control smart home products, and more. And with the free Amazon Alexa app, customers can easily control and manage their products from anywhere. Learn more at developer.amazon.com/avs.
About Invoxia
Established in 2010, Invoxia is a global leader in the design and development of telecommunications products and connected devices. Known for its advanced In Vivo Acoustic® technology, its range of market leading conference phones for the home and the office combine stylish design with superior sound and voice capture capabilities. Invoxia is a privately held company based in France with offices in Switzerland, China and USA. For more information visit: http://www.invoxia.com/
Media Contact
Ian Twinn / Tandem Marketing Communications
iantwinn@tandemcomms.com
(917) 306-7270
Latest Release of Verity Voting Adds New Voting Methods, Receives Federal EAC Certification
New Election Technology Is Cutting-Edge Replacement for Older Equipment
AUSTIN, Texas, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Jurisdictions looking to replace aging voting systems with the latest technology will welcome today's news. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has granted certification of the latest release of the Verity® Voting system from election technology pioneer Hart InterCivic. Verity is the first all-new election technology platform to achieve EAC certification in years; its forward-thinking design is based on more than a decade of election technology experience. This new release adds electronic voting to the Verity family, whose paper ballot technology already set new standards for ease of use and trust.
"The Verity family is growing," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. "With this new release, jurisdictions now have the power to run any type of election on one modern, integrated platform that provides unmatched versatility and efficiency. This latest release builds on Hart's promise to continually expand and improve upon Verity. We have a history of innovation, and this second EAC certification - close on the heels of our first release - demonstrates our strong commitment to meeting our customers' needs."
The latest version of Verity adds Verity Touch, which is the only all-new direct-recording electronic (DRE) device on the market that complies with current federal guidelines. Verity Touch offers the best voting experience, based on AIGA/EAC "Design for Democracy" ballots, and new levels of efficiency for election administrators. Verity Touch is especially appealing for counties considering Early Voting or Vote Centers, since it can easily manage many ballot styles in one location. Unique to Hart's system is its innovative centralized management of up to 12 connected Touch devices, greatly simplifying election administration.
The newest release of Verity also includes Verity Print, an on-demand ballot printer in a compact, portable case. Verity Print is used to print ballots as needed, saving on the guesswork and waste of pre-printing ballots.
The new Verity AutoBallot option integrates electronic poll books with electronic or paper-based voting. By automatically selecting the proper ballot style based on the check-in process, AutoBallot ensures accuracy and speeds up the voting process, to reduce long lines at the polling place.
Verity Voting's first release was certified by the EAC in May 2015 and is already in use in six states, with combined voter registration of more than 1.5 million. Existing Verity users and new customers will benefit not only from the new products in the Verity family, but also from a host of other enhancements, such as faster ballot production and new recount and reporting features.
Hart expects to announce several new Verity commitments within weeks, Braithwaite reported from the company's Austin headquarters. He added, "Verity is taking off. We are working quickly to change the election landscape by providing modern, flexible options that will serve voters for years to come."
Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. The Hart mission fuels passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessible--and makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier.
Microsoft and Funai deepen partnership with cross-licensing agreement
Renewal of agreement covers a range of consumer audio-video products.
REDMOND, Wash. and OSAKA, Japan, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, Microsoft Corp. and Funai Electric Co. Ltd. ("Funai Electric") announced they are strengthening their successful partnership with the renewal of a patent cross-licensing agreement covering a range of consumer audio-video products.
"Microsoft and Funai Electric will continue to benefit from each other's innovations in building enhanced experiences for our customers," said Nick Psyhogeos, president of Microsoft Technology Licensing. "This cross-licensing agreement is another example of the advantages of an IP-led economy, encouraging product interoperability and accelerating research and development advances across companies."
Joji Okada, officer of intellectual property (IP) licensing of Funai Electric, said, "Cross-licensing partnerships foster better collaboration and technology sharing. We see an enduring value in continuing to work with Microsoft that is mutually beneficial to all of our customers."
Funai Electric is a worldwide leading manufacturer under FUNAI and other multiple brands including Philips, Magnavox, DX Broadtec, Emerson, Sanyo and Kodak.
Microsoft's commitment to licensing IP
This patent agreement is another example of the important role IP plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant technology ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, it has entered into more than 1,200 licensing agreements, increasing collaboration and innovation across a range of industries. More information about Microsoft's licensing programs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.
About Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
Funai Electric, established in 1961 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is listed in the Tokyo Securities Exchange First Section (6839) as a leading manufacturer of LCD TVs, DVDs/Blu-rays and related peripherals, printers, and antennas, etc. under FUNAI and other multiple brands in the global consumer electronics market. Funai Electric is well-known as a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and supplier as well.
FUNAI products are sold by its sales subsidiaries FUNAI CORPORATION and P&F USA for North America, P&F MEXICANA for Central/South America, and other Funai Sales and Marketing companies throughout Asia.
Funai group sells products under multiple brands in addition to FUNAI. FUNAI products have a strong and solid reputation in global markets for their quality and reasonable prices. For more information on the Funai group, please visit http://www.funai.jp/en/ and http://www.funai.jp/en/guidance/history.html.
About Microsoft Technology Licensing
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC was formed in 2014 to acquire, manage and license Microsoft's patent portfolio.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
CONTACT: Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications, +1 (425) 638-7777, rrt@we-worldwide.com; NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://news.microsoft.com. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts.
SMART Technologies Unveils Enhancements to SMART kapp iQ® in Education
The award-winning interactive flat panel now offers an all-in-one hardware and software experience, without the need for an external computer
CALGARY, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT) (TSX: SMA), a leading provider of collaboration solutions announces today that they have updated their most advanced member of the award-winning SMART kapp® product family, SMART kapp iQ®. The new and improved SMART kapp iQ interactive flat panel is specifically designed to deliver a complete, all-in-one classroom solution that provides educators with the flexibility to deliver lessons across a range of learning and instructional styles, including whole-class, small group and individual instruction.
SMART kapp iQ now offers educators simple, one-touch access to a full range of classroom applications, promising a fully integrated experience with student devices. Because all software is built right into the interactive display, both educators and students have seamless access to the applications they use every day, all without the need to physically connect to an external computer. kapp iQ can be mounted on a mobile floor stand, meaning the latest advancements facilitate the creation of flexible learning environments both within and outside of classrooms - it's ready for collaboration anywhere, without the inconvenience of managing cables and hardware.
Features in the updated SMART kapp iQ include:
-- kapp iQ's award-winning multi-way, multi-device whiteboarding capability
-- Built-in web browser
-- One-touch instant access to SMART amp(TM) cloud-based collaboration
software, SMART lab game-based learning activity software (anticipated
in August), and a SMART Notebook® collaborative learning software
viewer (anticipated in August)
-- WiFi-based screencasting to easily share content from student devices
(anticipated in August)
-- External PC access via HDMI and USB
-- Automatic over-the-air (OTA) software updates
"This improvement to SMART kapp iQ is yet another revolutionary leap for us," said Warren Barkley, CTO of SMART Technologies. "kapp iQ was introduced into education last year and its multi-way collaboration between the display and student devices proved extremely successful in a classroom setting, fostering both whole-class and student-led learning. With the new all-in-one capability, we've not only simplified the user experience for better technology adoption, but have also developed an easy way for administrators to standardize installation, training, maintenance and support across multiple classrooms," he said.
SMART kapp iQ displays found success in classrooms, garnered awards and received praise for its use in the workplace including a 2016 Edison Award, three separate Best-of-Show Awards at InfoComm 2015, the recipient of a Gold Stevie Award for the Best New Product of the Year - Business-to-Business category, raVe On Demand, and Best of ISTE 2014 award.
All SMART interactive flat panels include a 1-year subscription to the SMART Learning Suite - an integrated educational software platform designed to enable natural and collaborative learning experiences, combining the power of industry-leading SMART Notebook®, SMART lab, SMART response® 2 and access to the award-winning SMART amp(TM). The SMART Learning Suite is optimized to work best with SMART interactive flat panels - this hardware and software combination deliver the best solution for educators.
Pricing and Availability
SMART kapp iQ is available in three sizes. The 55" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $3,999. The 65" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $4,999. The 75" model has a suggested education price in the United States of $6,999. Prices in other countries will vary.
Customers who have previously purchased a SMART Board® 6000 series or kapp iQ interactive flat panel can upgrade to this new all-in-one experience through the simple insertion of an updated kapp iQ appliance module. This will be available for order on May 2, 2016 with a suggested education price in the United States of $499, and we anticipate shipping by mid-June 2016. Prices in other countries will vary.
For more information, please contact your SMART authorized reseller.
About SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: SMT, TSX: SMA) is a world leader in simple and intuitive solutions that enable more natural collaboration. We are an innovator in interactive touch technologies and software that inspire collaboration in both education and businesses around the globe. To learn more, visit smarttech.com.
Reader's advisory
Certain information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information or statements, including, without limitation, information on the availability dates for certain hardware or software features, the date updated kapp iQ appliance modules will be available for order, and the date such modules are expected to begin shipping. By their very nature, forward-looking information and statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks that predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information and statements will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking information or statements. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking information or statements. Any forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.
SOURCE SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Technologies Inc.
CONTACT: Kara Pinato, Spark PR for SMART Technologies, smarttechnologies@sparkpr.com; Jeff Lowe, VP of Marketing, SMART Technologies Inc., JeffLowe@smarttech.com
Birch Launches Cloud Phone Solution Designed for Small Businesses
Company enables small businesses to benefit from affordable cloud phone service with advanced features.
ATLANTA, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Birch Communications, Inc., ("Birch") a leading nationwide provider of communications, network and cloud services to small, mid-sized, enterprise and wholesale businesses, as well as consumers, announced today the introduction of a cloud phone product expressly designed for small businesses, TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials.
Designed to fit the needs of small businesses with just a few phone lines, TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials offers the premium features of a top-of-the-line phone system without upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs. With this latest offering, Birch enables small businesses to take advantage of state-of-the-art phone system technology as well as unlimited local and long distance calling. Using a simple plug-and-play setup, customers plug their base station into their Internet connection and their office phone system is ready-to-go.
Birch equips the customer with a base station and state-of-the-art Panasonic wireless SIP phones for each line, all for one low monthly rate. Additional cordless and desktop phones can be added, and these phones all connect wirelessly to the base station, enabling business owners to place phones where they are needed - regardless of where the wiring is available. In addition, advanced features such as scheduled call forwarding can easily be configured and customized via the BirchConnect(®) online portal.
"With Birch's TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials, customers can easily reduce the total cost of phone system ownership," said Christopher Ramsey, Senior Vice President and CSO. "Birch is helping small businesses economize without having to sacrifice the essentials of their business's technology needs."
"We are pleased to roll out a product targeted to smaller businesses who are looking for a modern and sophisticated phone system at a great value," said David Gibson, Vice President of Business Development. "We've taken the very best options and features and scaled them to fit the needs of startups and small businesses."
To learn more about TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials and Birch's other voice products, visit birch.com/products/birchvoice.
About Birch Communications
Birch Communications, Inc. is a leading communications, network, cloud and IT solutions provider celebrating 20 years in business (1996-2016). Recognized for exceptional customer experience, Birch delivers cost-effective solutions that assist small, mid-sized, enterprise and wholesale businesses to increase their productivity. Its industry-leading product portfolio is available across North America and includes Metro-Fiber, Metro-Ethernet, unified communications (UC), hosted phone systems, hosted data centers, and hosted file storage services. For more information, visit birch.com.
Birch Launches Cloud Phone Solution Designed for Small Businesses
Company enables small businesses to benefit from affordable cloud phone service with advanced features.
ATLANTA, April 27, 2016 /CNW/ -- Birch Communications, Inc., ("Birch") a leading nationwide provider of communications, network and cloud services to small, mid-sized, enterprise and wholesale businesses, as well as consumers, announced today the introduction of a cloud phone product expressly designed for small businesses, TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials.
Designed to fit the needs of small businesses with just a few phone lines, TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials offers the premium features of a top-of-the-line phone system without upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs. With this latest offering, Birch enables small businesses to take advantage of state-of-the-art phone system technology as well as unlimited local and long distance calling. Using a simple plug-and-play setup, customers plug their base station into their Internet connection and their office phone system is ready-to-go.
Birch equips the customer with a base station and state-of-the-art Panasonic wireless SIP phones for each line, all for one low monthly rate. Additional cordless and desktop phones can be added, and these phones all connect wirelessly to the base station, enabling business owners to place phones where they are needed - regardless of where the wiring is available. In addition, advanced features such as scheduled call forwarding can easily be configured and customized via the BirchConnect(®) online portal.
"With Birch's TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials, customers can easily reduce the total cost of phone system ownership," said Christopher Ramsey, Senior Vice President and CSO. "Birch is helping small businesses economize without having to sacrifice the essentials of their business's technology needs."
"We are pleased to roll out a product targeted to smaller businesses who are looking for a modern and sophisticated phone system at a great value," said David Gibson, Vice President of Business Development. "We've taken the very best options and features and scaled them to fit the needs of startups and small businesses."
To learn more about TotalCloud(®) Voice Essentials and Birch's other voice products, visit birch.com/products/birchvoice.
About Birch Communications
Birch Communications, Inc. is a leading communications, network, cloud and IT solutions provider celebrating 20 years in business (1996-2016). Recognized for exceptional customer experience, Birch delivers cost-effective solutions that assist small, mid-sized, enterprise and wholesale businesses to increase their productivity. Its industry-leading product portfolio is available across North America and includes Metro-Fiber, Metro-Ethernet, unified communications (UC), hosted phone systems, hosted data centers, and hosted file storage services. For more information, visit birch.com.
OXFORD, England, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese technology giant Huawei have announced the launch of their latest flagship device using P2i nano coating technology, at a press event on 6(th) April, in London, UK.
The much anticipated P9 offers an innovative, 12-megapixel Leica dual-camera system on the back, a metal back plate with a fingerprint sensor on the rear and carefully designed edges for a more comfortable feel. P2i are proud to provide their liquid repellent nano coating to protect the P9 from liquid damage and corrosion caused by accidental splashes and spills.
P2i are the global leader in liquid repellent nanotechnology and have recently announced that they have coated over 100 million smartphones with their innovative liquid-repellent coating.
Gary Huang, Chief Commercial Officer at P2i, said:
"We are excited to work with Huawei on yet another device, providing our world class nano coating to protect their smartphones from liquid exposure, increasing the P9's reliability and durability. We have coated Huawei's flagship devices, the P8 and Mate S with our innovative liquid repellent technology and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future."
Yonggang Wang, General Manager of P series at Huawei, said:
"We choose our partners carefully and are delighted to continue working with P2i with their nano coating technology protecting the P9 from everyday splashes and spills."
P2i is proud to build on its existing relationship with Huawei having already coated several of Huawei's flagship devices, including the P8 and Mate S.
About P2i
P2i is the global leader in liquid-repellent nano coatings, helping companies around the world give their products improved protection against damaging elements such as water, oil and sweat.
With a focus on the consumer electronics industry, P2i technology makes devices water resistant, improving their reliability and allowing them to survive liquid exposure in everyday accidents. Using a patented pulsed plasma process, P2i's technology coats objects with an invisible protective coating that is 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair.
Headquartered near Oxford in England, P2i's market-leading technology is protected by multiple patents. The company works directly with the world's leading OEMs to integrate their nano coating technology into existing manufacturing lines.
P2i has roughly 100 employees and three laboratory facilities in the UK, USA and China to support its continuous development work. The company has 100's of its nano coating systems for high-volume processing now in operation at its customers' manufacturing facilities around the globe, including at factories in Brazil, Argentina, USA, China, India, Japan, UK, Switzerland and Germany.
Chinese technology giant Huawei have announced the launch of their latest flagship
device using P2i nano coating technology, at a press event on 6th April, in London, UK.
The much anticipated P9 offers an innovative, 12-megapixel Leica dual-camera system on
the back, a metal back plate with a fingerprint sensor on the rear and carefully designed
edges for a more comfortable feel. P2i are proud to provide their liquid repellent nano
coating to protect the P9 from liquid damage and corrosion caused by accidental splashes
and spills.
P2i are the global leader in liquid repellent nanotechnology and have recently
announced that they have coated over 100 million smartphones with their innovative
liquid-repellent coating.
Gary Huang, Chief Commercial Officer at P2i, said:
"We are excited to work with Huawei on yet another device, providing our world class
nano coating to protect their smartphones from liquid exposure, increasing the P9's
reliability and durability. We have coated Huawei's flagship devices, the P8 and Mate S
with our innovative liquid repellent technology and we look forward to continuing this
partnership in the future."Â
Yonggang Wang, General Manager of P series at Huawei, said:
"We choose our partners carefully and are delighted to continue working with P2i with
their nano coating technology protecting the P9 from everyday splashes and spills."Â
P2i is proud to build on its existing relationship with Huawei having already coated
several of Huawei's flagship devices, including the P8 and Mate S.
About P2i
P2i is the global leader in liquid-repellent nano coatings, helping companies around
the world give their products improved protection against damaging elements such as water,
oil and sweat.
With a focus on the consumer electronics industry, P2i technology makes devices water
resistant, improving their reliability and allowing them to survive liquid exposure in
everyday accidents. Using a patented pulsed plasma process, P2i's technology coats objects
with an invisible protective coating that is 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair.
Headquartered near Oxford in England, P2i's market-leading technology is protected by
multiple patents. The company works directly with the world's leading OEMs to integrate
their nano coating technology into existing manufacturing lines.
P2i has roughly 100 employees and three laboratory facilities in the UK, USA and China
to support its continuous development work. The company has 100's of its nano coating
systems for high-volume processing now in operation at its customers' manufacturing
facilities around the globe, including at factories in Brazil, Argentina, USA, China,
India, Japan, UK, Switzerland and Germany.
IBM Expands Flash Storage Solutions to Target New, Intelligent Apps in the Cloud
'IBM MicroLatency'(TM) Technology To Transfer Data at Unprecedented Speed
ARMONK, N.Y., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced an expansion of its flash storage portfolio to help clients more quickly extract value from data so it can be turned into a competitive advantage. IBM launched three new all-flash array products incorporating industry-leading performance - a minimum latency of 250 s (microsecond) -- to solve the challenge of accessing the massive amounts of data quickly for cloud-based applications and workloads.
Consumers today are demanding cloud-based applications that are fast, easy and intelligent. Sub-second response times are critical when data is retrieved from the cloud to deliver a unique, personalized and positive customer experience. IBM MicroLatency technology transfers data within the flash array via hardware instead of the added layer of software.
Also built into the solutions are features designed to solve cloud requirements such as quality-of-service (QoS) to prevent the impact "noisy neighbor" problems have on application performance, secure multi-tenancy, thresholding, and easy-to-deploy grid scale out.
"The drastic increase in volume, velocity and variety of information is requiring businesses to rethink their approach to addressing storage needs, and they need a solution that is as fast as it is easy, if they want to be ready for the Cognitive Era," said Greg Lotko, general manager of IBM Storage and Software Defined Infrastructure. "IBM's flash portfolio enables businesses on their cognitive journey to derive greater value from more data in more varieties, whether on premises or in a hybrid cloud deployment."
Flash Solutions for Diverse Client Needs
With today's news, IBM is unveiling an end-to-end flash portfolio with features specifically needed for cloud environments.
-- Providing simple onramp for flash storage for IT service providers: The
FlashSystem A9000 comes fully configured which helps drive down the cost
of implementing an all-flash environment.
-- Delivering scalable storage for cloud service providers: The FlashSystem
A9000R, with its grid architecture, provides easy scaling up to the
petabyte range.
The FlashSystem A9000 and A9000R both incorporate data reduction features, including pattern removal, deduplication and real-time compression, as well as IBM FlashCore technology to deliver consistent low latency performance. They are priced as low as $1.50 per gigabyte.
-- Optimized all-flash systems for enterprise-class servers: With the
all-flash IBM DS8888, customer databases and data-intensive applications
are accelerated resulting in improved business performance and customer
satisfaction.
Clients around the world are adopting IBM Flash Storage. For example, the Arizona State Land Department was seeking a solution that could speed access to data.
"The workloads our department manages include CAD files for land mapping, geographic information system (GIS) applications and satellite imagery for the over 9.2 million acres of State Trust lands we're responsible to oversee. The data we manage is tied directly to our goal to make this information available and to increase its analytical capabilities," said William Reed, chief technology officer at the Arizona State Land Department. "After exhaustive, comparative proof of concept testing we chose IBM's FlashSystem, which has helped to increase our client productivity by 7 times while reducing our virtual machine boot times by over 85 percent."
"American Postal Workers Union Health Plan continues to experience tremendous amounts of data growth within our medical claims department," said Rich Myers, senior network director, American Postal Workers Union Health Plan. "We need a storage solution that easily scales, simplifies management and reporting, and lowers our costs per terabyte. IBM FlashSystem solves all these problems, and at the same time, increases the speed of our batch processing by 7 to 8 times from our previous solution removing all latency from the system."
Representing more than 380 patents, IBM's flash portfolio includes many breakthroughs in performance, flash durability, reliability, availability, and ease of use. In addition to cloud-enabled features, IBM flash solutions are also addressing the complexity of data management facing CSPs. IBM's new Hyper-Scale Manager is a simplified user interface that streamlines data movement and can manage more than one hundred units from a single user interface. Developed in collaboration with clients and leveraging IBM Design Thinking, the Hyper-Scale Manager reduces mouse clicks by more than 50 percent and eliminates time wasted toggling between the user interface and corresponding files.
All-flash solutions announced today complement IBM's existing all-flash portfolio including FlashSystem 900 and V9000 that also leverage IBM's FlashCore technology. IBM's midrange all-flash solutions consist of all-flash versions of the industry acclaimed Storwize® family, which offers the performance needed for real-time insights from business data combined with advanced management functions. IBM's Big Data all-flash solution delivers a high-density multi-petabyte scale, low-cost flash option ideal for industries such as media, genomics, and life sciences.
ReadyTalk Extends FoxDen Collaboration Platform To Workplace Meeting Rooms
Hardware/Software Combo is First to Use Beacons to Simplify Anytime, Anywhere Video Interactions
DENVER, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ReadyTalk, a leading provider of online conferencing and webinar services, is expanding capabilities of the FoxDen collaboration platform announced late last year to include FoxDen Connect, an in-room video collaboration experience that launches with a single touch.
With FoxDen Connect, users can now not only engage in HD video conferencing between iOS and Android mobile devices or Chrome browsers, but also set up in-person meeting rooms for video interactions. A host's mobile device automatically recognizes the presence of a meeting room via beacon technology and wirelessly initiates an onscreen FoxDen meeting, making FoxDen Connect the first solution to use beacons to start video collaboration.
For IT directors, facilities managers and audio visual departments, FoxDen Connect can dramatically reduce support time by creating a simple, straightforward way for employees to launch video collaboration meetings. It eliminates the hassle of messing with cameras, cables, dongles or even a power button.
FoxDen Connect is powered by an in-room system consisting of a Chromebox, RadBeacon, mic and speaker, and web camera, all provided by ReadyTalk. It also requires a display with HDMI input (TV, projector, etc.). The easy-to-install, sleek hardware package from ReadyTalk is then combined with the FoxDen software platform to allow for in-room participants and up to nine remote team members to connect via HD video and audio in seconds.
"Just as we streamlined on-the-go video collaboration with FoxDen software, we're now making meeting rooms more suited for actually accomplishing work with this generation of FoxDen," said David Chao, chief strategy officer, ReadyTalk. "Regardless of where they take place, meetings should be ridiculously easy and frustration-free to get off the ground."
In addition to FoxDen Connect, the FoxDen software platform now also includes interactive features like live multi-participant view, screen-sharing, group chat, mobile cloud document collaboration for Google Drive and Dropbox, and meeting invitations via Slack or any other productivity app running on a mobile device.
"We've been using FoxDen for two months and it's really changed the way we collaborate with our remote offices," said Evan Berlin, VP of operations, PaySimple. "We don't waste time worrying about technology, so we can be much more productive in our team huddles. It helps our teams feel more connected."
In terms of pricing, FoxDen is equally simple. Customers pay an inexpensive flat fee up front for each in-room hardware system and a monthly software subscription for access to each virtual "den." Meetings are still free to join via a host's unique meeting link for everyone other than the host, and the hardware installation can be handled in minutes without needing a degree in A/V. For more information on pricing, please visit: https://foxden.io/.
"Our unofficial motto for FoxDen is 'Ditch the dongles, dial-ins and downloads,'" continued Chao. "We want to obliterate technical obstacles standing in the way of face-to-face interactions, the free exchange of ideas and the Future of Work."
About ReadyTalk
ReadyTalk delivers audio and web conferencing services that inspire collaboration and enable the Future of Work for today's increasingly digital and mobile workforce. By combining intuitive, innovative technology with unmatched customer service, ReadyTalk provides a seamless collaboration experience for anyone, across any device, platform or location. Everything you need, anywhere you are, for before, during and after your online event. ReadyTalk is headquartered in Denver, CO and was founded in 2001.
Contact:
Aaron Motsinger for ReadyTalk
aaron@thedialoglab.com
512.590.9366
OXFORD, England, April 27, 2016 /CNW/ -- Chinese technology giant Huawei have announced the launch of their latest flagship device using P2i nano coating technology, at a press event on 6(th) April, in London, UK.
The much anticipated P9 offers an innovative, 12-megapixel Leica dual-camera system on the back, a metal back plate with a fingerprint sensor on the rear and carefully designed edges for a more comfortable feel. P2i are proud to provide their liquid repellent nano coating to protect the P9 from liquid damage and corrosion caused by accidental splashes and spills.
P2i are the global leader in liquid repellent nanotechnology and have recently announced that they have coated over 100 million smartphones with their innovative liquid-repellent coating.
Gary Huang, Chief Commercial Officer at P2i, said:
"We are excited to work with Huawei on yet another device, providing our world class nano coating to protect their smartphones from liquid exposure, increasing the P9's reliability and durability. We have coated Huawei's flagship devices, the P8 and Mate S with our innovative liquid repellent technology and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future."
Yonggang Wang, General Manager of P series at Huawei, said:
"We choose our partners carefully and are delighted to continue working with P2i with their nano coating technology protecting the P9 from everyday splashes and spills."
P2i is proud to build on its existing relationship with Huawei having already coated several of Huawei's flagship devices, including the P8 and Mate S.
About P2i
P2i is the global leader in liquid-repellent nano coatings, helping companies around the world give their products improved protection against damaging elements such as water, oil and sweat.
With a focus on the consumer electronics industry, P2i technology makes devices water resistant, improving their reliability and allowing them to survive liquid exposure in everyday accidents. Using a patented pulsed plasma process, P2i's technology coats objects with an invisible protective coating that is 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair.
Headquartered near Oxford in England, P2i's market-leading technology is protected by multiple patents. The company works directly with the world's leading OEMs to integrate their nano coating technology into existing manufacturing lines.
P2i has roughly 100 employees and three laboratory facilities in the UK, USA and China to support its continuous development work. The company has 100's of its nano coating systems for high-volume processing now in operation at its customers' manufacturing facilities around the globe, including at factories in Brazil, Argentina, USA, China, India, Japan, UK, Switzerland and Germany.
600Gbps compact platform for high capacity fixed and mobile broadband networks
FREMONT, Calif., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Procera Networks, Inc., a leader in network and subscriber intelligence, today announced the deployment of its new PacketLogic 15000 platform at multiple Tier-1 operators worldwide. The PL15000, the latest version of Procera's established PacketLogic network intelligence platform, delivers up to 600Gbps performance in a compact 4RU form factor for broadband operators, dramatically simplifying network operations and configuration for high bandwidth deployments. The PL15000 is a bridge for operators that are looking to deploy NFV, but are not operationally ready to deliver on the orchestration required to scale up to the levels of bandwidth and session volumes supported by the PL15000.
"Broadband operators are under severe CAPEX pressure while needing to increase quality and bandwidth on their networks," said Ang Aik Hong, Managing Director at IP-Tribe, a Procera Premier Partner in APAC. "The PL15000 delivers superior ROI for Tier-1 operators with rich use case capabilities in a single, expandable chassis system in an appliance footprint."
The PL15000 is a modular chassis system that fits in an appliance footprint, and additional processing modules can be added to grow capacity from a base of 50Gbps. Scaling to 600Gbps in a 4RU form factor, the PL15000 system enables operators that are scaling up their networks to keep up with the migration of subscribers to higher bandwidth LTE, DOCSIS 3.1, and FTTx networks. It also can accommodate the coming 4K Video revolution for OTT video, which is now available on streaming video services like Netflix. The session capacity for the system is 240M connections (480M flows) at a setup rate of 4.8M connections per second (9.6M flows per second), an industry leading benchmark for connections per rack unit, an increasingly critical capacity factor as devices multi-task more and the Internet of Things (IoT) scales up and operators look to monetize services around IoT. The system supports up to 6x100GE ports as well as up to 48x10GE ports for high density interface deployments without breakout cables required.
"The PL15000 really moves the goal post on what carrier grade DPI hardware should look like - a massive amount of processing power in a small footprint," said Alexander Havang, CTO at Procera Networks. "Operators can start with small capacity deployments and scale up the platform to meet their growing bandwidth needs by adding additional CPU and I/O capacity."
Unlike competing solutions that focus on simple metrics like Gbps per rack unit, the PL15000 focuses on delivering the most bandwidth in a small form factor to simplify the operations and management of high bandwidth networks. In fixed and mobile networks today, operators need high capacity systems that can be managed as a single entity rather than being required to create complex clusters of systems that complicate operations and troubleshooting.
In the future, the PL15000 can be reused as a platform for NFV deployments of PacketLogic/V, since the system is based on COTS server technology. Multiple instances of PacketLogic can run on the system simultaneously, with the CPU and memory allocated to the instances as required for different use cases, including Virtual CPE deployments for managed services offerings. The interface density of the platform will make it highly applicable for operators looking to leverage NFV solutions with the hardware that is already deployed in their network.
The PL15000 is generally available and has already been deployed on multiple Tier-1 operators worldwide.
About Procera Networks, Inc.
Procera Networks, Inc., the global Subscriber Experience company, is revolutionizing the way operators and vendors monitor, manage and monetize their network traffic. Elevate your business value and improve customer experience with Procera's sophisticated intelligence solutions. For more information, visit http://www.proceranetworks.com or follow Procera on Twitter at @ProceraNetworks.
About IP-Tribe
IP-Tribe, incorporated in Singapore on 1st April 2009, is a proven and established system integrator partner of regional Tier-1 telecom service providers in APAC. IP-Tribe offers best-of-breed and advance solutions to complex Next Generation & Converged Telecom Network solutions for telecom service providers.
The years of experience and know-how IP-Tribe has acquired through regional projects allow it to provide skilled systems integration, timely implementation and effective project management activities which are essential in ensuring that the end solution is completed within the stipulated time frame and delivers the expected business benefits.
IP-Tribe provides end-to-end systems integration services covering presales, post sales implementation and customer support activities. It employs a team approach to ensure rapid delivery of solutions that meet the customers' business objectives.
Press contact
Andy Eldridge
EarlyWMC for Procera Networks
andy@earlywmc.com
Vapor Communications Launches Cyrano, a Digital Scent Speaker and Mood Modification Platform
Revolutionary Connected Device Allows Consumers to Create, Modify and Share Personal Scent Medleys
Storytelling and Wellness Potential Expected to Impact Health, Entertainment, Automobile and Various Other Industries
NEW YORK, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vapor Communications today announced the launch of Cyrano, a new digital scent speaker and mood modification platform. Convenient, portable, and battery-operated, Cyrano is a small personal consumer electronics device that can remotely play sequences of scents called mood medleys. Each scent in a mood medley lasts up to a few minutes, long enough for the scent to be perceived by the user while short enough to avoid the olfactory fatigue associated with traditional scent technology, such as candles and air fresheners. Consumers now have the unprecedented ability to turn on and program scent as easily as they turn on their lights. For the first time, they can design and instantaneously modify their personal air for relaxation, empowerment, and personal wellness.
Using Cyrano is easy and intuitive. Consumers place Cyrano in the cup holder of their car, on a desk, bed stand, or in any personal space where they live or work. They then choose from a wide selection of mood medleys, such as "Get Energy," "Get Relaxed," or "Get Free" from the corresponding oNotes app, and Cyrano plays the desired sequence of scents. People can also create their own personal mood medleys and share them with friends via social networks. The medleys can be coupled with music, video and other forms of entertainment. For a complete experience, consumers can also take a scent test within the app to see how well they can identify scents and distinguish between them. They will also be able to play a scent film where scents correspond with the scenes.
"Cyrano introduces to the commercial market a revolutionary new way to link one of the most important human senses to our digital world," said David Edwards, Vapor Communications co-founder, inventor and Harvard Professor. "Our moods are influenced by light as with sunshine and by sound as with music, but even more profoundly by scent, as with the fragrance of an orchid, or the aroma of hot chocolate. The olfactory nerve is the only sensory nerve with direct access to the brain. With Cyrano, we can design our lives with all three dimensions of sensorial control."
Inside Cyrano is a replaceable cartridge with a palette of up to 12 distinct scents specifically designed by the company's partner, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF). Cyrano's first cartridge, Natural Moods, is based on extensive consumer test data and a broad understanding of the effect of scent on the human brain.
"We are excited to collaborate with Vapor Communications to explore the frontier of digital scent," said Nicolas Mizrayantz, IFF Group President, Fragrances. "With our deep understanding of sensorial experience and expertise in fragrance, Cyrano will allow consumers to turn their cars and other small spaces into a kind of personal sanctuary."
David Edwards will appear on the evening of April 27(th) at the Rubin Museum with Dr. Richard Doty of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School to discuss the neuroscience ramifications of the oNotes Platform, specifically as it relates to health and wellness. The filmmaker Maya Sanbar will also appear for the debut screening of her film, Alex in Wonderland, a short animated olfactory film that hints at the enormous sensorial storytelling potential of Cyrano. The event will demonstrate the impact that digital scent technology has on health, entertainment, automobile and various other industries.
Cyrano will be available for order online beginning April 27. The company will conduct a limited production run and will deliver up to 500 Cyrano devices through this summer as it further designs its platform and scent library based on consumer feedback. Cyrano will retail for $149 including a starter Natural Mood cartridge. Cartridges are designed to last about a month with regular use and can be repurchased for $19.99 each. The initial run of Cyrano devices will be available in the U.S. only. To order Cyrano, visit http://www.onotes.com.
About Vapor Communications
Vapor Communications is a Cambridge, MA based sensorial delivery company founded by David Edwards, his former student Rachel Field, and technology entrepreneur Don Zereski with the team of David Edwards' creative lab, Le Laboratoire in Paris and Cambridge. The Company is bringing scent messaging into contemporary living wherever scent matters, for air design, sensorial storytelling, and wellness.
Switchmate Turns Any Home into the "One-Second Smart Home"
Switchmate is the first smart lighting product to be used with no wiring, installation or tools; Launch follows incredible response to Indiegogo campaign that was 341 percent funded
SAN RAMON, Calif., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Switchmate today launches its Switchmate light switch that turns any home into the "One-Second Smart Home."
The Switchmate light switch is the first smart home product that can be used with absolutely no installation, configuration, tools or wiring. The sleek light switch magnetically attaches instantly to any standard light switch so consumers can immediately control it with the Switchmate companion app. The Switchmate light switch launch follows the incredible response to the company's Indiegogo campaign in 2015.
"Today's consumers want to make their homes smarter, but the complex integration barrier to entry has been too high for the mass market consumer," said Dean Finnegan, CEO, Switchmate. "We've changed all that with the Switchmate light switch. It turns any home into the 'One-Second Smart Home' since it comes configured right out of the box and instantly attaches to any standard light switch. Our customers can snap, tap and start... it's that simple. With Switchmate, we're opening up the market and making smart lighting accessible to everyone for the first time."
Easily and Conveniently Lights the Home to Provide Security and Peace of Mind
Switchmate smart light switches provide peace of mind and security to consumers, who can have lighting controls always at their fingertips on their smartphone. Also, even homes without WiFi can now enjoy smart home technology, since Switchmate uses Bluetooth connectivity to connect the device and the app.
Switchmate works automatically, allowing customers to begin using the product immediately via the convenient default setting on the Switchmate app. The "Welcome Home" feature automatically turns lights on by sensing the smart phone when returning home or entering rooms. Also, customers can use the intuitive Switchmate app to personalize their lighting in mere moments, including setting timers to turn on and off lights automatically at preferred hours.
Attach with a Magnet - No Installation or Wiring
The thin and light Switchmate light switches instantly attach over existing light switches (rocker or toggle) with powerful magnets, eliminating the need for rewiring and configuration that is complicated and requires tools and expertise that most consumers don't have. Alternatively, installation by a professional is expensive and invasive. Also, since Switchmate light switches are connected by magnets, they can be moved conveniently to another location when needed. This is an added bonus for anyone who rents and isn't able to make permanent changes to their residence.
Consumers simply download and activate the Switchmate app onto any smartphone (iOS or Android) and instantly control their lighting. Unlike most smart lighting products that can only be used via an accompanying app, the Switchmate gives users the extra convenience of manual operation at the switch plate itself when preferred.
Availability and Pricing
Switchmate light switches are available at an MSRP of $39.99 starting in May 2016. They will be available at national retailers with more than 9,000 storefronts this year.
About Switchmate
Founded in 2014, Switchmate is dedicated to making smart home devices simple. The Switchmate light switch is the first smart home product that can be used with absolutely no installation, configuration, tools or wiring, turning any home into the "One-Second Smart Home." Visit http://www.myswitchmate.com for more information.
SOURCE Switchmate
Switchmate
CONTACT: Switchmate Public Relations: Marissa Jabczenski, marissajab@gmail.com, 949-340-3822 office, 949-812-1450 mobile
KraziLogic, an Independent Games Studio in New Jersey, is Set to Release its Mobile Game "Boozed N Busted" for Android & iOS
PLAINSBORO, N.J., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Boozed n Busted is the first title from Krazilogic, owned by Jay Doliviera, a psychologist who has a passion for creating unique gaming apps. He says that the idea behind Krazilogic is to provide unique and relatable entertainment. "When people hear my company name of Krazilogic, I want them to think of faith, perseverance, outside the box thinking, and a company with purpose." This spawned "Boozed n Busted" (http://www.boozednbusted.com) which has come a long way from the first thought of the game.
Boozed n Busted is a 3D arcade simulation game that has a fun & humorous theme about it. It follows the story of Jason Boozeman, a fictional character, who has had a break up with his longtime girlfriend. On the day which was supposed to be their anniversary, Jason becomes overwhelmed with emotion and heads to the bar and gets wasted.
The story takes a turn when one of Jason's friends who is helping him get back to his home, stops at a nearby donut shop. It's here that Jason is charged with public intoxication for sitting in the driver's seat of his friend's car and singing morning blues.
The officers handling Jason then give him some tests which the player has to complete within the game. As the players goes further within each level, they earn rewards, unlock more items & achievements that have different effects in the game's environment.
Boozed n Busted hits the core of arcade gaming. It enables interactive controls such as touch and tap to control the character's movement. Each level is made with a different environment and a challenging concept to intrigue players but takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. In case of a failed attempt, players restart the level again. Boozed n Busted goes live for Android on April 29(th), and for iOS in early May.
The game is perfect for kids aged above 13 and adults. It contains no thematic images or material resembling or promoting the use of alcohol or DUI. Rather, it focuses on the challenging aspects of each level through different scenarios and tests that the officers provide you with and offers an addictive gameplay.
Currently there are three levels in Boozed n Busted, each with different aesthetics and model. The company Krazilogic also plans to integrate more content and levels in the game's future iterations. They will also be taking user suggestions to enrich the game and will actively participate in events and offer giveaways to make it a success. Those interested in learning more about the game or to take part in their giveaways, can follow Boozed n Busted on Facebook & Twitter.
About Krazilogic:
Krazilogic (http://www.krazilogic.com) is a startup based in Plainsboro, New Jersey. It offers mobile games with a touch of satire and humor in them. The candid company aims on producing more game titles with different concepts and bring in something new into the mobile game industry.
Indian Text to Speech Private Limited has announced the availability of text speech
solution, the first offering in its suite of professional speech syntheses solutions.
Their Hindi TTS languages solution is unique and provides best Indian accent voice in the
world. The company might be the first Indian commercial company who creates Hindi TTS to
use with IVR software.
The text speech solution is designed specifically to meet the upcoming demand of
contact centre IVR, voice self services, bulk audio processing and advance sound
engineering. Some of the features of the solution include:
Truly Local Â
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk
to him in his language, that goes to his heart."Â - Â Nelson Mandela
This technology provides the customers a way to delivery local voice on demand. It can
convert the customer query into answer and engage customer in regional Indian languages on
the fly. In the early days, voice technology was cumbersome and expensive robotic sound
but this IndianTTS innovation offers real, strong and natural voice, which is closer to
the human enunciation.
Fast, Accurate Dictation of Indian Voice Â
IndianTTS's Hindi product includes a specialized naming conversion tool that was
developed with close to 85% Indian naming conversion accurately.
(Have a look:
-Â http://www.vibsy.com/Indiantts/audiosample/sample.php?text=Goldy%20Rana%20aur%20Arjun%20Singh
)
Earlier, IVR software was a pre-recorded voice, which had an interrupted sound but
this solution provides normalization of the voice. Thus, if IVR pronounces customers' name
or e-commerce order in a regional language or Hindi or Indian English, it is more
effective and improves customer's engagement.
Indian TTS analyses and interprets text using natural language processing proprietary
algorithms and creates a best sound syntheses engine for Indian accents.
Availability Â
IndianTTS Hindi API available on website and user register for free trials.(Test on
fly here http://indiantts.com/Test-Voice.html and API
details http://indiantts.com/IVR-API.html )
They include couple of excited features like change pitch or speech of voice, this will
allow user to mimic a voice as per needs. They provide option to download a mp3 or wave
file from text input online.
Plan Ahead Â
Ultimate goal of company is to build robust text to speech for Indian accents and
company's next plan is to release female English TTS along with Indian naming conversion.
They are offering limited suits to call centre companies and planning to launch more
excited voice-based technology in the nearest future.
About IndianTTSÂ Â
Indian TTS builds text to speech system for local Indian languages with a strong
significance on rhythm and prosody of speech that is closer to the natural enunciation.
The Company had more than 3 years of research behind this technology and is now
approaching language solutions to large enterprise client. IndianTTS received a
significant achievement in a very short period of time having been selected among the Top
10 innovations in Innovate for Digital India Challenge.
Sesame Workshop and IBM Watson Team Up to Advance Early Childhood Education
Plan to develop adaptive learning products and platform for use at home and in schools
NEW YORK and ARMONK, N.Y., April 27, 2016 /CNW/ -- Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization that produces Sesame Street, and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a collaboration to use IBM Watson's cognitive computing technology and Sesame's early childhood expertise to help advance preschool education around the world.
As part of a three-year agreement, Sesame Workshop and IBM will collaborate to develop educational platforms and products that will be designed to adapt to the learning preferences and aptitude levels of individual preschoolers. Research shows that a significant extent of brain development occurs in the first five years of a child's life(1), making this window critical for learning and development.
The alliance will draw from Sesame Workshop's deep educational content expertise garnered from over 45 years of research, and more than 1,000 studies on how young children learn best. This expertise will combine with Watson's natural language processing, pattern recognition, and other cognitive computing technologies to create highly personalized learning experiences intended to complement the roles that parents and teachers play in early development. Watson will continuously hone and improve educational activities by studying and adapting to the aggregate experiences of anonymized groups of students.
"We believe that bringing education together with technology is a key to improving early learning in this country and around the world," said Jeffrey D. Dunn, CEO of Sesame Workshop. "A generation ago, Sesame Street used the ubiquitous presence of television to reach vulnerable children who did not have access to the learning opportunities that affluent and middle-class kids did. It worked very well. Now, through this collaboration with IBM and Watson, we expect to develop the next generation of tailored learning tools. Ultimately, the goal is to provide children from all socio-economic backgrounds with the opportunity for meaningful, personalized education in their most formative years."
Echoing the late 1960s, when Sesame Street's founders convened diverse experts to help conceive the show, the Sesame-IBM team will gather leading teachers, academics, researchers, technologists, gamers, performers, and media executives to brainstorm ways in which cognitive computing can best help preschoolers learn.
Sesame Workshop and IBM are currently exploring and iterating on a wide variety of interactive platforms and interfaces for use in homes and schools. The two companies plan to test and share prototypes with leaders in the education and technology community to allow continued refinement based on feedback and domain expertise.
"Watson is uniquely suited to tackling one of society's most pressing and important challenges -- the ways in which our young children learn," said Harriet Green, IBM's General Manager for Watson IoT, Commerce and Education. "The potential for Watson to absorb, correlate, and learn from huge amounts of unstructured data and then deliver very personalized educational experiences is unprecedented. Working together with Sesame Workshop, we aim to transform the way in which children learn and teachers teach, and envision having an impact on the lives and education of millions of children."
"Because the foundation of children's intellect, personality, and skills are formed in the first few years of their lives, ages zero to five are the most critical," said Todd Rose, one of the project's independent advisors and Director of Mind, Brain, and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "There are huge opportunities in early childhood education, but we need to recognize that preschoolers do not all learn in the same way. This partnership has the potential to meet the unique educational needs of every child, whether it's through customized content or kid-friendly tools that empower each child to find his or her own path to learning. Simply put, personalized educational experiences will enhance learning for every child."
Read a blog post by Sesame Workshop CEO Jeffrey Dunn exploring the importance of early childhood learning: http://ibm.co/21f1TqP
About Sesame Workshop:
For more information, please visit Sesame Street at http://www.sesamestreet.org, Sesame Street on Facebook, Sesame Street on Twitter, and the Sesame Street YouTube Channel.
About IBM:
For more information, please visit http://www.ibm.com/watson and follow @IBMWatson and @IBMEducation on Twitter.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Fishman
Sesame Workshop
elizabeth.fishman@sesame.org
(212) 875-6618
Kaveri Camire
IBM Communications
kcamire@us.ibm.com
(914) 625-6395
Hanna Smigala
IBM Media Relations
Smigala@us.ibm.com
(203) 512-5497
SOURCES:
(1) Shonkoff, J. P., Phillips, D. A., & National Research Council (U.S.). (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early child development. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press