MSFT: Microsoft Unveils Wave of New Products and Services at CES

Speaking at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division President Robbie Bach showed how the company is delivering a new generation of connected experiences that are inspired by the universal desire to create community and share interests and passions with friends and family.

Gates and Bach announced several new products and services that include new Windows Vista™-inspired PCs, never-before-seen Windows Vista features, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)-enabled Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, and a new partnership with Ford Motor Co. that will extend digital experiences to the car. The company also unveiled Microsoft® Windows® Home Server, which provides a central place to help store, protect and access all the digital content in the home.

“As the magic of software makes it easier for people to be creators, publishers and consumers of digital content, it is expanding the way we think about community and entertainment,” Gates said. “From your living room to your car, we’re delivering a wave of new software products and services that make it easier for you to manage your day-to-day lives, express your ideas and share your interests.”

Windows Vista: New Features Revealed as Countdown to Launch Begins
With less than a month to go until the Jan. 30 consumer launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, thousands of PC manufacturers and system builders across the globe are preparing to deliver new PCs designed to run the new versions of Microsoft’s flagship Windows and Office products. By Jan. 30, more than 1.5 million devices will work with Windows Vista and more than 2,000 products will be Certified for Windows Vista, helping to make Internet and networking connections, home entertainment and business tasks faster, easier and more secure than ever.

As a part of his keynote address, Gates provided a first look at a number of Windows Vista features and announced several new content partnerships that will enable people to explore their interests and express their creativity with greater freedom than ever. For example, Windows DreamScene™, available to Windows Ultimate customers through Windows Ultimate Extras, transforms the PC desktop from static background wallpaper into a full-motion, personalized video canvas. Windows Media Center SportsLounge in conjunction with FOXSports.com seamlessly combines live television, real-time scores and online sports media to keep people close to their favorite games, teams and players. Premium versions of Windows Vista will also offer brand-new content from existing partners and new ones, including, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz.

Gates also unveiled a series of exciting new Windows Vista-powered PCs that ranged from innovative desktop designs and ultra-portable models, all scheduled to be available Jan. 30, including the following:

• The HP TouchSmart PC, a Windows Vista-inspired PC that introduces the convenient touch-screen experience to desktop computing, serves as a fast and easy-to-access information, communication and entertainment hub designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room or living room.

• The Toshiba Portege R400 is a Windows Vista-inspired signature mobile PC that incorporates innovative connectivity and display technologies to provide timely access to e-mail and appointments via Active Notifications and is built on Windows SideShow™ technology.

• Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 is a stylish PC that delivers a high-performance entertainment experience so users can enjoy their favorite live and recorded TV and movies or surf the Web from their sofa using the wireless keyboard or remote control.

• The Medion UMPC is an ultra-mobile PC that provides multiple input options such as a keyboard, a pen and touch capabilities and features the new Origami Experience, a user interface that optimizes entertainment and communications on the smallest class of personal computers running Windows Vista.


“Windows Vista is the catalyst for a variety of new hardware devices being made available to consumers,” Gates said. “The result will be an incredible set of new connected experiences that link our interests, our communities and our desires in ways that extend across home, work and play.”

With its powerful graphics capabilities, advanced parental controls, and connectivity to the Live games and entertainment network, Windows Vista promises to capture the imagination of 200 million hardcore and casual PC gamers alike. Titles such as “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures” (Eidos Interactive Ltd./Funcom) and “Crysis” (EA Partners/Crytek) take advantage of DirectX® 10, and offer some of the smoothest, most lifelike visual experiences available on any gaming platform today. Microsoft also showed off “Shadowrun” (Microsoft Game Studios) and “Halo® 2 for Windows Vista” (Microsoft Game Studios), the first of many titles that will enable gamers on Windows Vista to connect with their friends on Xbox 360 through the Live network. And for casual gamers, the company demonstrated a cross-platform game of “UNO!,” with some players joining from their Windows Vista-based PCs and others joining from their Xbox 360 consoles.

“Windows Vista marks the biggest investment from Microsoft around Windows games since Windows 95, making games easier, safer and more fun to play on the PC,” said Gates. “For consumers, we believe gaming is one of the top reasons to upgrade to Windows Vista.”

The development of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release are the result of an unprecedented collaboration between Microsoft and its customers and partners. After more than 5 million beta downloads of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release, the two products were designed with the help of millions of customers worldwide, including 50 families from seven countries taking part in the Life with Windows Vista program.

Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV: Together Expanding the World of Games and Entertainment
In a move that will combine the power of Xbox 360 with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition, Bach provided an early look at a new service, IPTV on Xbox 360. The offering is expected to deliver world-class TV experiences such as digital video recording capabilities, with gaming, movie viewing, and even voice and video communications. Tapping into an expanded set of entertainment experiences, users will be able to watch their favorite sporting event live while chatting with their friends, for example, or participate in a match on Xbox Live® while they record a TV program in the background. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.


“Our goal is to make entertainment more personal, more interactive and more social,” Bach said. “IPTV on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are powerful examples of ways we are bringing together the worlds of gaming, TV viewing and community to make it easy for people to access and discover their favorite content and share their personal experiences with the communities they are part of.”

Microsoft TV IPTV Edition continues to strengthen its position in the market with deployments under way with five of the world’s largest service providers and trials with 11 additional companies, representing a footprint across 14 countries on four continents.

Bach also showcased the strong momentum behind Xbox 360 and highlighted the company’s success in delivering high-definition viewing experiences with HD DVD. Exceeding expectations by hitting the 10.4 million-console-sold mark this holiday season, Xbox 360 is the leading next-generation games and entertainment platform. It is also the largest social network in the living room, with 5 million Xbox Live members.

In addition, strong sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and strong demand for downloadable movies and television programs are a clear indication that increasing numbers of consumers see Xbox 360 as an ideal device for connecting to a broad range of entertainment experiences. In just over a year, people have downloaded more than 100 million pieces of content to their Xbox 360 consoles, which include game content, television shows and movies.

Connecting Digital Devices and Experiences at Home and on the Road

During his keynote address, Gates announced Windows Home Server, a new software product for families with multiple PCs that want to connect their home computers, digital devices and printers to help easily store, protect and share their rapidly expanding collections of digital content and entertainment. Later this year, HP plans to deliver the HP MediaSmart Server, powered by Windows Home Server.

Windows Home Server was created to help consumers deal with the explosion in digital content. For example, 273 billion digital images were captured worldwide in 2006.1 Today, more than 40 million homes in the U.S. have more than one PC2 and one in three homes in the U.S. has an MP3 player.3 Windows Home Server automatically backs up home PCs and provides a central location for storing a family’s photographs, music, videos and documents. Using a personalized Windows Live™ Internet address, people will be able to remotely access digital content on Windows Home Server when they are away from home. At CES, companies such as AMD, Inventec Corp. and Quanta Computer Inc. will demonstrate hardware reference designs for Windows Home Server. Windows Home Server will also serve as a platform for independent software vendors to build innovative products for the digital home.

Gates also announced a partnership between Microsoft and Ford to deliver Sync, a voice-activated, intelligent means to connect personal electronic devices to vehicles, including a wide range of mobile phones, storage media, and portable music players such as Zune™ and others.

Sync, developed by Ford and based on the Microsoft Auto platform, will offer hands-free phone dialing, address-book synchronization, and other features such as the ability to read text messages through the car’s audio system. Drivers can also control their digital music players using voice commands or controls on the steering wheel. In addition, the Microsoft Auto software is easily updatable, so Sync can integrate new devices as they are introduced, with a simple software upgrade.

With Sync, Ford is using Microsoft Auto to give drivers greater control by unifying their mobile phones and portable media players into a single voice-operated in-car system. Sync is planned to be available in the second half of 2007 in 12 models of 2008 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks and will expand to all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks by the 2009 model year.

HPQ: HP Redefines Personal Digital Entertainment Experience with Expanded Portfolio for Consumers

HP today expanded its portfolio of digital entertainment offerings with a new consumer PC category and a broad lineup of digital entertainment products and services that aim to fundamentally change the way people connect, access and enjoy high-definition and personal digital content.

Announced at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the offerings include the industry's first all-in-one touch-screen PC and touch-screen consumer tablet PC based on Microsoft Windows Vista™,(1) HP's first home media server, nine new high-definition TVs, a Blu-ray disc writer, new digital content delivery services and home automation solutions.

Additionally, the company's online photo service, Snapfish by HP, has released a new software tool that will enable members to bypass the photo upload process and send their pictures to their PCs or Snapfish accounts without a single click of a mouse.

"People are rapidly moving to a high-definition lifestyle, generating and sharing their own personal digital content and enjoying higher quality movies and music," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "HP has the broadest portfolio of digital entertainment products and partnerships that can transform the way people experience TV, music, movies, photographs and other entertainment content, from instant access to movies and photos with HP QuickPlay to our HP MediaSmart HDTVs to a new touch-screen category that enables walk-up computing."

New touch-screen PCs for computing wherever life happens in the home

To meet the changing ways in which people want to access and enjoy their digital content, HP, the worldwide PC sales leader, has introduced its latest innovation in PC design.

The new HP TouchSmart PC is the industry's first all-in-one PC based on Microsoft Windows Vista with one-touch wireless access to information, communication and entertainment through a customizable desktop screen. Featuring a large 19-inch wide adjustable touch-screen display, photo printer, remote control and personal video recorder, the HP TouchSmart PC enables "walk-up computing," the ability to quickly and easily access digital content wherever life happens in the home.

HP also introduced the industry's first consumer tablet PC optimized for Microsoft Windows Vista and on-the-go entertainment. The HP Pavilion tx1000 Entertainment Notebook PC features a touch-screen display, built-in miniature remote control, HP QuickPlay instant movie viewing feature, karaoke and a screen that swivels 180 degrees and folds flat for working or enjoying movies in tight travel spaces such as airplanes or trains.

By partnering with Sling Media, creators of the industry-leading Slingbox, HP has enhanced its QuickPlay offering with "place shifting," which allows consumers to instantly access their live television programming and DVR content - as easy as turning on a TV.

Delivering the high-def lifestyle

HP's new line of high-definition TVs, home media server and digital content delivery services allows consumers to easily view and share their high-definition content throughout their homes.

The 2007 HP HDTV lineup includes nine new plasma, LCD and MediaSmart TV models, all of which feature an improved Visual Fidelity Engine for enhanced image quality with finer picture detail.

HP MediaSmart TVs merge the PC and the TV with the ability to wirelessly(2) stream digital photos, music and videos from a PC onto a stylish HP high-definition LCD display. The latest models feature 1080p performance and the new HP Entertainment Services Portal, which provides access to a variety of online photo, video and music services with the click of a remote. Services include Snapfish, Real Networks' Rhapsody and CinemaNow, which allows consumers to begin watching movies from its library of more than 4,000 titles before the download is even complete.

The new HP MediaSmart Server is designed to help people get the most out of their home networks by connecting them to their digital assets both at home and on the go. Based on Microsoft's new Windows® Home Server platform and an AMD processor, the server enables users to access, back up, share and enjoy digital music, home videos and photos from any computer or entertainment system on a home network. The server also has the expandability and extensibility to grow with a family's changing needs.

HP also released its first Blu-ray disc player, the HP bd135 Blu-ray Disc Writer. The device delivers the crystal-clear picture quality of Blu-ray Disc movies and allows users to record high-definition TV broadcasts as well as store data, digital photos, music and camcorder footage.

In collaboration with Best Buy For Business and Exceptional Innovation, HP additionally debuted ConnectedLife.Home, a packaged digital home solution designed to bring digital entertainment and home automation to mainstream consumer audiences. Demonstrated at the NextGen Home at CES 2007, attendees will have their first chance to see and buy the ConnectedLife.Home package.

Powering the solution is an HP Digital Entertainment Center that enables users to record and view TV shows anywhere in the home and enjoy other digital content such as photos, music or videos. Lifeware software from Exceptional Innovation centralizes the system to automate other household functions like lighting, thermostats and surveillance. The package will be available for purchase by calling Best Buy at +1 866 597 8426 and on Best Buy's website at http://www.bestbuy.com

"The digitization of content and the migration to IP delivery, trends in service provider competition, the growth of broadband at home, and advancements in digital home platforms are all driving the consumer's need for connected entertainment networks," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "HP understands this growing trend and is building connectivity into all of its products so users can easily bring digital content into the living room, kitchen or on the road."

Digital photos bring the high-def lifestyle into focus

The new Snapfish PictureMover tool is a downloadable desktop client that allows members to effortlessly transfer photos from their digital cameras or memory card readers to both their PCs and Snapfish accounts. For typical users, the tool eliminates at least 11 steps from the transfer process, bypassing the standard upload process and saving valuable time.

HP further expanded its digital photography portfolio with the HP Scanjet G4050 and G4010 Photo Scanners, which provide six-color photo scanning with exceptional color accuracy for photos, slides and negatives. Additionally, the HP Scanjet G3010 Photo Scanner provides photo, film and document scanning with one of the highest resolutions available at this scanner's price, making it one of the most competitive home scanning products worldwide.

Enabling consumers to do even more with their photos, HP has announced its sponsorship of the "Making the Cover" website through Time Inc. Between now and Feb. 7, consumers can go to http://www.makingthecover.com where they can upload their personal photos to the covers of Time® Magazine, Entertainment Weekly® Magazine, Sports Illustrated® Magazine and People® Magazine to be printed and shared with family and friends. CES attendees also can take advantage of this in the HP booth.

Pricing, availability and support

HP allows consumers to enjoy a worry-free digital entertainment experience with HP Total Care, a comprehensive consumer service and support program that was recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for consistently providing an "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience."(3)

More information on HP's new products and services, including pricing and availability, is available at http://www.hp.com/go/CES2007 Products will be available online at the HP Home and Home Office Store (www.hpshopping.com ) as well as major retail outlets.



1) Certain Windows Vista product features require advanced or additional hardware. See http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/hardwarereqs.mspx and http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx for details. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help people determine which features of Windows Vista will run on their computers. To download the tool, visit http://www.windowsvista.com/upgradeadvisor.
(2) Wireless home network required and not included.
(3) J.D. Power and Associates Certified Technology Service and Support ProgramSM, developed in conjunction with the Service & Support Professionals Association. For more information, visit http://www.jdpower.com or http://www.thesspa.com.

VZ: Verizon Unveils Next Generation of FiOS That Redefines Home Entertainment Experience for Customers

On Sunday (Jan. 7) Verizon unveiled the next generation of its FiOS TV service, which makes it easy for consumers to find and manage multimedia content, and creates the most advanced combination of voice, broadband, mobile and TV services content in the industry.

"The next generation of FiOS breaks new ground and moves way beyond traditional television to make managing multimedia simple for customers," said Bob Ingalls, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom, to an audience at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show here. "We've dramatically distinguished the new FiOS digital media experience from old-fashioned TV."

The new FiOS is the first broadband platform to pull together content from a variety of sources - broadcast TV, the Internet and users' own private music and photo collections - into one media-management system. It also provides the company's growing base of FiOS TV customers with a powerful new navigational tool and delivers a superior entertainment experience not available to users of competitors' broadband or cable services.

Ingalls noted that customers today demand and deserve infinite choice, absolute control and precise personalization. The FiOS digital media experience delivers to consumers all three.

New Interactive Media Guide Enhances Entertainment Experience

At the heart of the system is a new interactive media guide that makes watching FiOS TV easier and better than ever. With the new guide, customers can find, control and manage a vast array of digital content including television programming, movies, Internet video, games, music and photos. This lets a customer, for example, watch a movie about an action hero, play a video game about the same character and buy retail items associated with the character, all on the same home system.

FiOS TV customers in New Jersey will be the first to receive the new FiOS TV applications. By mid-year, all FiOS TV customers in the 10 states where the service is offered today will enjoy many of the new applications and services enabled by the new FiOS.

"FiOS TV already is intuitive and easy to use," said Ingalls. "In 2007, we'll further transform home entertainment by making it easier and more enjoyable for consumers to access rich Internet content and other digital media through the TV."

Simplifying the Entertainment Experience

The FiOS digital media platform provides FiOS TV customers with two key enhancements - a simplified entertainment experience and greater convergence of devices.

"As we designed the new FiOS, a key principle was to help customers reach all content with just two clicks of their remote control," said Ingalls.

The FiOS media guide helps customers easily navigate, personalize and enjoy all their digital media. The new interactive guide features a network search function that brings multimedia into the television-viewing experience.

During a demonstration of the new FiOS TV features, Ingalls explained that most search functions on TV today are limited to looking for broadcast listings. With the new FiOS TV, however, customers will be able to scan through broadcast, on-demand and recorded content with a single search.

In addition to getting Internet content to the television, the new FiOS gives customers the power to remotely manage parental controls and program their digital video recorder from any Web-enabled PC. Later in the year, the company will extend that capability to a customer's Verizon Wireless cell phone.

"We've designed this experience with minute attention to detail and have borrowed from advances in our other businesses, including the use of predictive text and "triple-tap" input when using the remote control that you typically find on a cell phone," Ingalls said.

The new FiOS builds on Verizon's earlier launch of the Home Media DVR and adds games atop the PC-based digital photos and music that FiOS TV customers can access on their TVs today. In addition, Verizon will deliver this year Internet radio and video content to the TV sets of FiOS TV customers, including user-generated content like that from Revver; expand its video gaming offer to embrace serious video gamers; and personalize customers' viewing experience with ratings and recommendations based on personal preferences.

FiOS Delivers Greater Convergence

"The combination of Verizon's unique 100-percent fiber network, which, extends all the way to customers' homes and our in-home FiOS network makes this all possible," said Ingalls. "This powerful network combination means we can capitalize on the interactivity of broadband, the mobility of wireless and the entertainment experience of TV.

"Only Verizon is positioned to enrich the entertainment experience across all three platforms - broadband, mobile and television," said Ingalls. "So don't think of us as a traditional telecommunications provider. Think of us as a key to the growth of the entertainment industry."

Verizon began offering FiOS TV service in the fall of 2005, and the service is now offered in more than 200 cities in parts of 10 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, with more states being added this year.

FiOS TV provides a true choice for subscription television and on-demand programming via the company's all-digital, fiber-optic network, said Ingalls. The company, which plans to have customers in 3 million to 4 million homes by 2010, said FiOS TV offers a better-quality picture, more high-definition and on-demand programs, and more reliable service at competitive prices.

The company's fiber network also offers consumers and businesses high-speed FiOS Internet Service, which is currently available in more than 1,600 cities in 16 states. Only Verizon's fiber to the premises (FTTP) network has earned the certification of the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing fiber all the way to customers' homes and businesses.

More information about FiOS TV, fiber optics and other broadband services and applications on display during the International Consumer Electronics Show is available in Verizon's online News Center at www.verizon.com/news

SUNW: Sun Microsystems Named Best Server, Best High-Performance Server and Java IDE Innovator by InfoWorld in Its 2007 Technology of the Year Awards

Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW), the creator of Java technology and Solaris, highlighted three industry leading products – Sun Fire X4200, Sun Fire X4600 and NetBeans Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 5.5 – as recipients of Technology of the Year Awards by InfoWorld. Garnering top honors from the InfoWorld Test Center, Sun is honored with prestigious titles: Best Server, Best High-Performance Server and Java IDE Innovator.


InfoWorld's 2007 Technology of the Year Awards are drawn from all products tested by the InfoWorld Test Center during 2006. InfoWorld's Test Center reviewed the Sun Fire X4200 in February, giving it an 8.7 out of 10 - an excellent rating. The review found that the Sun Fire X4200 "is a serious server in a seriously well-designed package." In December InfoWorld published its review of the Sun Fire X4600 scoring an 8.9 out of 10 - another excellent rating. The review calls the Sun Fire X4600 "an extraordinarily well-engineered server." Under the Best Hardware category the Sun Fire X4200 and X4600 have been awarded with respective titles "Best Server" and "Best High-Performance Server" of the Year - for 2007.

"Sun packed a whole lot of power into the Sun Fire X4600, which sports as many as eight AMD Opteron dual-core CPUs and 128GB of RAM. The plentiful processing and I/O resources make this server a tremendous platform for virtualization, HPC, and database applications. And the overall server design is impeccable." -- Paul Venezia, InfoWorld, December 1, 2006.

Sun also takes a prestigious title from this year's InfoWorld Technology Awards in the Application Development category. Securing the Java IDE Innovator Award – Sun's NetBeans 5.5 is called out in InfoWorld's 2007 report as "an intuitive, well-designed IDE with superb collaboration and remarkable features." The review on Sun's NetBeans 5.5 notes, "NetBeans already had the most complete collaboration features among IDE platforms. This year it added important new modules such as Matisse, the most advanced Java software GUI designer available today, and complete support for Java Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 5. NetBeans is likely all that developers of enterprise Java applications will need."

More information on Sun's award winning technology can be found at: http://www.sun.com/servers/index.jsp and http://developers.sun.com/

InfoWorld's full Technology of the Year report can be found at the following link: http://akamai.infoworld.com/pdf/special_report/2007/01SRtoy_2007.pdf

VRSN: VeriSign Hires Agency Trio to Improve Marketing Integration and Impact

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, today announced that it has engaged two world-class agencies from the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) and a technology policy specialist agency to help the company expand its global brand footprint, drive increased customer demand and build its industry leadership presence around the world. The new integrated agency model is part of VeriSign's broader organizational efforts to fully leverage its unique business assets and capitalize on the growing market demand for digital infrastructure services.

"VeriSign believes we've entered the 'Any Era' – a major shift in the way people work, play and live as the world moves from physical to digital," said Melanie Branon, vice president of Corporate Marketing, VeriSign. "Businesses must now respond to boundary-less consumer demands, from anywhere, anytime, over any device, and the right digital infrastructure is critical to success. To reach those broader audiences, VeriSign needs to not only deliver great services and solutions, but we also need to drive targeted awareness, differentiation and demand creation through integrated marketing across multiple media venues. Together with our new strategic agency partners, we expect to capitalize on the ‘Any Era’ opportunities."

As part of today's news, VeriSign has expanded its relationship with global advertising agency McCann Erickson; announced Weber Shandwick as its new global public relations partner; and extended its work with technology policy firm 463 Communications. Both McCann Erickson and Weber Shandwick are part of Interpublic Group, and 463 has strong historical connections to both VeriSign and Weber Shandwick's PR team. The three firms will work together as part of a "brand demand team" that will efficiently expand VeriSign's market presence through focused customer insight, visible industry leadership and streamlined marketing processes.

"We're excited to partner with Weber Shandwick and 463 to help VeriSign pursue its compelling vision," said Dave Boede, president of McCann Erickson Salt Lake City. "Very few clients truly commit to the integrated marketing concept, and we believe VeriSign is well-positioned to engage its business-to-business customers in innovative ways that showcase the company’s digital infrastructure solutions for media and entertainment firms, telecom carriers and enterprises.”

About the Companies
McCann Erickson Worldwide (www.mccann.com ) is the world’s leading global advertising agency network, with operations in more than 130 countries and a client roster that includes preeminent global marketers and many of the world’s most famous brands. The agency is a unit of McCann Worldgroup, one of the largest marketing communications companies in the world, which is part of the The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG).

Weber Shandwick (www.webershandwick.com ) is one of the world's leading global public relations firms with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. The firm specializes in strategic marketing communications, media relations, public affairs, reputation and issues management, and offers corporate communications counseling services. Weber Shandwick also provides specialized integrated services including Web relations, advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. In 2006, Weber Shandwick was named Large PR Firm of the Year (PR News U.S.), European Consultancy of the Year (The Holmes Report) and Network of the Year (Asia Pacific PR Awards). The firm also won the United Nations Grand Award for outstanding achievement in public relations. Weber Shandwick is a unit of The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), which is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies.

463 Communications (www.463.com ) is a strategic communications consultancy that specializes in helping technology companies, associations and coalitions with their policy, regulatory and public sector goals.

NAPS: NAPSTER ADDS 48,000 SUBSCRIBERS DURING ITS THIRD QUARTER AND WILL EXCEED REVENUE ESTIMATES

Napster™ (Nasdaq: NAPS), today announced that it expects to report results that are ahead of the Company's prior guidance for the third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2006. When Napster releases financial results on February 8, 2007, it anticipates reporting more than $28 million in revenue and 566,000 paid worldwide subscribers, including university and Napster Japan subscribers. In addition, Napster reported that its subscribers downloaded 500 million songs and over 700 million music streams in calendar 2006.

“We are pleased that fiscal third quarter results are expected to be ahead of guidance, highlighted by a healthy subscriber increase of approximately 48,000 additions during the period, solid international growth on the heels of the Napster Japan launch and continued expense management,” said Chris Gorog, Napster's chairman and CEO. “Napster has significantly improved its strategic position over the past twelve months, with a global footprint now including the top four music markets in the world and a robust mobile offering spanning multiple geographies and support from global operators including Cingular and DoCoMo, two of the world's largest wireless carriers. We look forward to providing further financial and operational updates on our regular quarterly conference call.”

The Company also announced today that it has partnered with Virgin Digital to exclusively market Napster to Virgin Digital's customers in the U.S. currently using Virgin's paid music subscription service and paid and free Internet radio products.

Conference Call Information

Napster will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday, February 8, 2007. Participating on the call will be CEO Chris Gorog and CFO Nand Gangwani. To participate on the live call, analysts and investors should dial 800-218-0713 at least ten minutes prior to the call. To participate on the live call from outside the U.S., dial 303-262-2125. Napster will also host a live web cast of the conference call at the "Investor Relations" section of the company's Web site (http://investor.napster.com ). A telephonic replay will also be available for 48 hours following the call by dialing 800-405-2236 and entering passcode 11080708#.

BRCM: Broadcom Debuts First Digital Cable Set-Top Box System-on-a-Chip (SOC) With HD AVC/VC-1 Decoding,Channel Bonding and Downloadable Security

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry's first advanced digital cable set-top box chip that includes support for DOCSIS®/EuroDOCSIS 2.0 cable modem specifications, as well as downstream channel bonding compatible with the upcoming DOCSIS 3.0 specification. The new Broadcom® single-chip silicon solution supports the latest video compression technologies, including advanced video coding (AVC), which is the ITU and ISO joint standard, MPEG-4, part 10) and VC-1 (the SMPTE standard), and combines the features of channel bonding with powerful security enabling multiple system operators (MSOs) to provide new Internet-based IP and more secure video services to consumers.
Broadcom's new cable set-top box chip enables MSOs to utilize DOCSIS 2.0 for high-speed, two-way set-top communications, including Internet protocol (IP) video services. To support high-speed cable set-top box communications, the new Broadcom chip includes downstream channel bonding, which combines several DOCSIS channels together to significantly increase data rates when compared to today's cable modem solutions.

Announced today is Broadcom's BCM7118 advanced set-top box chip that incorporates downstream channel bonding, enabling cable set-top boxes to support present and future MSO requirements, as defined by the industry developed Next Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) guidelines. By moving to a DOCSIS-based platform for voice, video and data, MSOs operating costs can be decreased while enabling their networks to support richer interactive services, switched or broadcasted IP video delivery, as well as other IP voice and data services. At the same time, the Broadcom BCM7118 will enable the development of cost-effective, low cost cable set-top boxes that provide superior performance and consumer-friendly features, while featuring embedded security with unprecedented levels of content protection.

The BCM7118 also features an integrated Broadcom secure processor (BSP), which provides very sophisticated security features to protect high-value content and to prevent set-top box tampering. Using distinctive multi-layered security, the BCM7118 integrates hardware and software that performs content security functions in a highly protected environment on-chip, effectively providing a tamper proof barrier for video and audio content. Moreover, each chip is programmed by Broadcom with a permanent unique identification and configuration that forms the foundation for specific conditional access systems, decryption key processing, key management and system protection that includes the forthcoming downloadable security system.

"We have integrated a tremendous amount of state-of-the art technology into the new BCM7118 cable set-top box chip based on cable operator and customer feedback regarding what they need to compete in their end markets," said Daniel Marotta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group. "Our new cable TV set-top box chip sets a new benchmark for the industry with respect to speed, performance, integration, and security, plus it supports IP video services."

Based on NGNA developments to date, the BCM7118 provides support for all of today's cable network operating requirements, and also integrates features required to support the transition to CableLabs-based open industry standards (i.e. OpenCable™ Applications Platform (OCAP), DOCSIS 2.0 with DOCSIS Set-Top Gateway (DSG) and Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS)).

Product Information

The new BCM7118 single-chip digital cable set-top box chip, with DOCSIS 2.0 and channel bonding features, includes:

• The latest generations of video compression technologies, such as advanced video coding (AVC-MPEG-4), VC-1 and MPEG-2.
  
• Decoding formats for both high-definition (HD) and standard definition(SD) television programming.
  
• Advanced Dolby® Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, MP3 and MPEG AAC audio decoders that provide better audio quality, at lower bit rates.
  
• Certifiable DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 2.0 and DSG advanced mode software.
  
• Flexible host digital set-top box software supporting the OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) and popular middleware solutions.
  
• Downstream channel bonding compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.
  
• A high-performance 2D graphics engine that provides up to 32-bit color to support OCAP applications.
  
• The ability to operate with current cable broadcast, video on demand(VOD) and switched video channels (and in channel bonding modes).
  
• Over 1000 DMIPS of processing power supporting OCAP, OCAP applications, channel bonding, DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS DSG advanced mode.
  
• Sophisticated security hardware that provides enhanced security for present conditional access (CA) systems and supports requirements for emerging Polycipher Downloadable Conditional Access Security (DCAS).
  Downloadable security eliminates the need for a CableCARD® and supports multiple conditional access systems, retail products, and multiple cable operators.
  
• Integrated PVR capability that enables the simultaneous recording of multiple channels, allowing the user to store and playback the content throughout the home.
  
• Support for secure multi-room content distribution over home networking interfaces.

The BCM7118 is designed to be used in a wide range of set-top box applications. These products can range from a very low-cost, entry-level digital set-top box that supports OCAP, DSG, and DCAS, to higher-end HD/SD DVR products and multi-room HD/SD DVR client products. As a result, Broadcom is developing two reference designs, including the BCM97118RNG, a very low cost, entry-level digital set-top box reference platform to address applications for basic all-digital video customers, and the BCM97118, a full-featured reference platform that includes a SATA hard disk drive and interfaces to support multi-room DVR communications.

Product Availability

The BCM7118 is sampling to early access customers. The chip is packaged in an 841 PBGA. Pricing is available upon request.

CSCO: Cisco Announces Agreement to Acquire IronPort

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) - Cisco today announced a definitive agreement to acquire the privately held company, IronPort Systems, Inc. of San Bruno, Calif. IronPort is a leading provider of messaging security appliances, focusing on enterprise spam and spyware protection.

Securing email, messaging and other sorts of content is of primary concern to enterprises and other organizations. As email and messaging are leading applications for use over the Internet, the acquisition of IronPort's industry-leading messaging and Web security solutions is a natural extension to Cisco's security portfolio. The security products and technology from IronPort add a rich and complementary suite of messaging solutions to Cisco's industry-leading threat mitigation, confidential communications, policy control, and management solutions.

"We feel there is enormous potential for enhanced email and message protection solutions to be integrated into the existing Cisco Self-Defending Network framework," said Richard Palmer, senior vice president of Cisco's Security Technology Group. "Using the network as a flexible platform to integrate IronPort's technologies, Cisco will be able to build new security applications as customers' demands evolve."

"Internet messaging threats continue to get more sophisticated, and IronPort has repeatedly delivered industry leading solutions," said Scott Weiss, CEO of IronPort Systems. "Integrating IronPort's messaging security technology with Cisco's Self-Defending Network will enable a new level of defense for our customers."

Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay approximately $830 million in cash and stock. The acquisition is subject to various standard closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2007. Cisco anticipates this transaction will be neutral to its fiscal year 2007 non-GAAP earnings.

IronPort was founded in 2000 and has 408 employees based primarily in San Bruno, Calif.

Cisco is committed to retaining the relationships and go-to-market strategies that both companies have developed. Upon close of the transaction, the IronPort team and product portfolio will operate as a business unit in Cisco's Security Technology Group, reporting into Richard Palmer.

YHOO: Yahoo! Chief Data Officer, Dr. Usama Fayyad, Chosen as 2006 Fellow by Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)

Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO), a leading global Internet company, today announced that Senior Vice President and Chief Data Officer, Dr. Usama Fayyad, has been chosen as a 2006 Fellow of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). Fayyad was recognized for his extensive contributions to the fields of machine learning and data mining and for his significant scientific and commercial applications in the field of knowledge discovery in databases. As Yahoo!'s chief data officer and senior vice president of research & strategic data solutions, Fayyad is responsible for Yahoo!'s overall data strategy, as well as overseeing the Yahoo! Research organization.

Fayyad is recognized as one of the founders of the field of data mining and knowledge discovery in databases. He was founding editor-in-chief of the primary scientific technical journal in the field for 10 years and was founding editor-in-chief of the ACM Newsletter: SIGKDD Explorations from 1997 to 2002. He has published over 100 technical articles in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Mining, and Databases. He has also chaired several major international conferences in these fields. His record spans basic technical scientific contributions to building products in major systems such as Microsoft SQL Server and other database platforms. Fayyad founded two successful high-tech startups prior to joining Yahoo!'s senior executive team.

In continued demonstration of Yahoo!'s world-class Research team, Fayyad joins three current ACM Fellows at Yahoo!: Ron Brachman, vice president, Yahoo! Research operations; Prabhakar Raghavan, head of Yahoo! Research and Raghu Ramakrishnan, vice president, Yahoo! Research. In addition to Fayyad's honor, newly appointed 2006 ACM Distinguished Scientists from Yahoo! include Jan Pedersen, chief scientist for search and marketplace, and John Tomlin, senior research scientist.

ACM is an educational and scientific society uniting the world's computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. The ACM Fellows and Distinguished Scientist programs were both established to recognize outstanding ACM members for technical, professional and leadership contributions.

"Yahoo! Research is focused on hiring the leading researchers around the globe in the fields of search, machine learning, microeconomics, social media, and more," said Fayyad. "We are creating the sciences underlying the next generation of the Internet, and we encourage our researchers to share their findings with the academic community, producing a shared intellectual commons that benefits the entire industry. The recognition we have received in the last year is indicative of the innovative work we are doing."

Other recent recognition for Yahoo! Research includes the Test of Time Award at the 2006 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on Management of Data and the 2007 Donald E. Walker Distinguished Service Award at the annual gathering of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI). Ramakrishnan received the Test of Time Award for a paper he co-authored entitled, "BIRCH: An Efficient Data Clustering Method for Very Large Databases." The Test of Time Award recognizes the best paper from the SIGMOD proceedings ten years prior, based on the criterion of identifying the paper that has had the most impact over the intervening decade.

Finally, Brachman will be awarded the Donald E. Walker Distinguished Service Award at IJCAI later this month. In keeping with the mission of the IJCAI Distinguished Service Award, Brachman will be recognized for his substantial contributions and extensive service to the field of artificial intelligence throughout his career.

Daniel Noa starts work as the new Chief Compliance Officer of Siemens

On January 1, 2007, Daniel Noa, 54, took office as Siemens' Chief Compliance Officer. In conjunction with this, the Compliance Office has been organizationally embedded in the legal department to enable closer cooperation with the financial audit department. This provides direct access to all the resources needed to clear up relevant cases.

In mid December, Siemens had announced that it would strengthen its compliance department by engaging Daniel Noa. Noa, a senior public prosecutor in Stuttgart until recently, earned his reputation – among others – by establishing the compliance department of the Trust Agency (Treuhand) in Berlin. He intermittently managed substantial white-collar crime cases for over 20 years at the white-collar crime prosecution unit in Stuttgart. "Siemens has zero tolerance for irregular or illegal conduct, and we are further strengthening our compliance department. Beyond that, we are expanding our internal control systems," said Klaus Kleinfeld, President and CEO of Siemens AG. The new organizational structure of the Compliance Office conforms with the first recommendations made by independent external consultants.

The Compliance Office is the main point of contact at Siemens for the Munich Department of Public Prosecution, which noted Siemens' willingness to cooperate in its most recent press release. Aside from the Noa appointment, Siemens installed an external ombudsman in November 2006, whom employees as well as third parties can contact anonymously should they suspect a case of misconduct. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Siemens AG Supervisory Board has commissioned the renowned law firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP to conduct an independent external investigation. Its tasks are to uncover specific violations and to track down and then systematically close any possible gaps in the regulations, structures and processes of Siemens. At the same time, the US anti-corruption expert Michael J. Hershman was appointed as the advisor to the Audit Committee and Corporate Executive Committee of Siemens.

Siemens to install country-wide TETRA emergency call network in Norway

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police has named Siemens as its turn-key contractor for the installation of a new country-wide emergency call network over the next five years and for the operation of the network for 20 years. The new network is based on TETRA technology (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), which is designed especially for emergency communications. Siemens’ technology partners are Motorola and Frequentis; the network infrastructure partners are Bane Tele and Telenor.

Siemens Networks and the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police recently signed the contract for the installation of a completely new emergency call system in Norway. Siemens will begin installing the new network immediately. The emergency call system is scheduled to be up and running throughout Norway by the end of 2011, when it will replace the country’s existing 30-year-old system.

“There will be practically no corner left in Norway that is not equipped with the new radio technology, thus ensuring reliable communications for police, fire department and health in the case of emergencies,” explained Christoph Caselitz, President of Mobile Networks at Siemens Networks.

The two technology partners, Motorola and Frequentis, will provide the TETRA products (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) for the emergency network and install the control centers. The network partners, Bane Tele and Telenor, will supply the sites for the mobile communications technology and the infrastructure for data and voice transmission. Siemens will have responsibility for all installation work, integration of technology, and operation and maintenance of the network for 20 years. The project development team accompanied Norwegian emergency service units to ensure that the digital mobile network provides a maximum of user friendliness for end users right from the start.

“The emergency mobile communications network will significantly improve the work of all units. The fire department and the police will reach accident scenes faster, and they will also be able to take preventive measures more quickly and coordinate them better thanks to improved communications,” said Per Otto Dyb, President of Siemens AS in Norway.

TETRA is a digital trunked radio communications standard developed especially for government agencies and other large organizations. It is endorsed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Its users include government agencies and emergency and security organizations such as fire departments and police forces. What is special about TETRA is that it enables a single control center to set up call groups and grant user and priority rights. The technology is also commonly seen as particularly reliable and eavesdrop-proof. TETRA end devices include walkie-talkies, for example.

XRX: McDermott Named Chief Information Officer of Xerox Corporation

John McDermott has been named chief information officer of Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX). McDermott was previously vice president, corporate strategy and alliances for Xerox.
As CIO, McDermott is responsible for Xerox's business information systems including managing the company's global information technology infrastructure and telecommunications.

McDermott, 53, joined Xerox in August 2002 as head of strategy, responsible for leading strategic management processes and development activities as well as the company's relationship with alliance partners and with Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd.

Prior to joining Xerox, McDermott led the technology practice for the consulting firm of Marakon Associates, where, in addition to his advisory roles with large information technology clients, he served as Marakon's chief information officer.

McDermott's appointment is effective immediately. He reports to Ursula Burns, president of Xerox Business Group Operations. McDermott replaces Patricia Cusick, who retired from Xerox last year.

A resident of Ridgefield, Conn., McDermott holds a bachelor's degree from Hampshire College and a master's degree in business administration from Yale University.

BRCM: Broadcom Completes Acquisition of LVL7 Systems, Inc.

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of LVL7 Systems, Inc, a privately-held developer of production-ready networking software that enables networking original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) to reduce development expenses and compress development timelines.
On November 29, Broadcom announced a definitive agreement to acquire LVL7, noting that LVL7's FASTPATH® family of software will enable Broadcom to enhance its existing product offering in the small-to-medium-sized business (SMB) market segment. OEMs targeting the SMB market will benefit from the additional software capability that Broadcom is adding to its existing platforms because a complete software solution enables those customers to get new systems to market quickly and cost effectively.

In connection with the acquisition, Broadcom paid total consideration of approximately $62 million in cash to acquire outstanding shares of capital stock and vested stock options of LVL7 and liquidate outstanding LVL7 debt. A portion of the cash consideration payable to the stockholders was placed into escrow pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement. Broadcom may record a one-time charge for purchased in-process research and development expenses related to the acquisition in the first quarter of 2007. The amount of that charge, if any, has not yet been determined.

MSFT: Microsoft at 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show

Microsoft Corp. has planned the following press activities for 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to be held in Las Vegas, Jan. 8–11.

Bill Gates’ Keynote Address

Timing. Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft, will deliver the pre-show 2007 International CES keynote address at 6:30 p.m. PST Sunday, Jan. 7, in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Admission requirements. Admission to the keynote address will be granted to accredited members of the media and analysts on a first-come, first-served basis. Reporters and analysts must have their official CES badges and badge holders for admission to the keynote address. Credentials can be picked up in the CES press room at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Room S229, between the Central and South halls. Attendees may pick up only their own badge. The doors to the keynote presentation will open at 5:30 p.m. Members of the media and analysts are encouraged to arrive at the theater well before the opening to help ensure their admission.

Following are some important notes regarding security at the Bill Gates keynote event:

•	Members of the media and analysts carrying bags into the keynote event will be asked to present their badge; bags will be subject to search.
•	Still cameras will be allowed for credentialed photographers, but camera bags are subject to search and will be checked before photographers enter the keynote auditorium; flash photography will be permitted for the first minute only.
•	Broadcast crews will not be allowed to set up video cameras at the keynote event; only recording decks are permitted. An audio-video mult box will be provided. Broadcasters planning to plug into the mult box must contact mediarelations@wctv.com to make arrangements before the event.
•	No live broadcasting or webcasting of the keynote address will be allowed, nor will rebroadcasting of the keynote address in its entirety.
•	For broadcasters who cannot attend, satellite feeds will be available through the following coordinates:

U.S. Feeds: Jan. 7, 9:15–9:30 p.m. PST

AMC 09 (KU SPACE) Transponder 8

Intelsat A-6 (CBAND) Transponder 17

Re-feed: Jan. 8, 5:30–5:45 a.m. PST

AMC 09 (KU SPACE) Transponder 8

Intelsat A-6 (CBAND) Transponder 17

Videotapes of the keynote address will be available on request in the Microsoft^® press tent on Monday, Jan. 8, and throughout the show. Transcripts and view-on-demand portions of the keynote address will be posted to http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/default.mspx beginning Monday morning.

Panels and Conferences With Microsoft Participants

Sunday, Jan. 7

Broadband Games Expand — From the Casual to the Networked PC Universe. 10–11 a.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Chris Early, studio manager, Microsoft Casual Games Group

Next-Generation Power Gamer Platforms: More Entertainment, More Power, More Choice — Consoles, PC and Mobile. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Chris Early, studio manager, Microsoft Casual Games Group

Entertainment as a Franchise. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Aaron Greenberg, group product manager, Xbox 360™

Game Power on the Inside: Chips, Optical Technology and Microprocessors. 1–2 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Chris Donahue, director of Business Development, Games for Windows^® Entertainment and Devices Division

The Massively Multiplayer Gaming Explosion — From the PC, the Console and Mobile. 2:30–3:30 p.m., LVCC North Hall 259, Rich Wickham, director, Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies

PC and Mobile Games Expand Total Entertainment Market Share. 2:30–3:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Chris Early, studio manager, Microsoft Casual Games Group

Monday, Jan. 8

Hollywood and the Digital Consumer. 1:30–2:30 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Shari Barnett, director of Media Services, Microsoft TV

Tuesday, Jan. 9

Robotics — A Microsoft Perspective. 10–10:45 a.m., Venetian Hotel, Titian 2303–2306, Tandy Trower, general manager, Microsoft Robotics Group

Rethinking Advertising. Noon–1 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 256, Terri Richardson, group marketing manager, Microsoft TV

The TV and Set-Top as the Consumer Gateway to Entertainment and Information. 3–4 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 259, Ed Graczyk, director of Marketing and Communications, Microsoft TV

Ultra-Mobile PCs — Can a 7-Inch Screen Survive? 3–4 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 254, Otto Berkes, general manager, Mobile Platform Division

Battle of the Consoles in an Increasingly Online World. 3–4 p.m., LVCC, North Hall 253, Chris Satchell, general manager, Game Developer Group, Microsoft

Wednesday, Jan. 10

What the Nerds Know. Noon–1 p.m., Venetian Hotel, Bellini 2003, Jim Baldwin, product unit manager, IPTV Program, Microsoft TV

Microsoft Booth Activities

A variety of activities will take place at the Microsoft booth, No. 7144, in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 40 Microsoft industry partners will be exhibiting in the booth, showcasing products and solutions that feature Microsoft platforms and technologies.

Microsoft Pressroom

The Microsoft PR meeting rooms are located in a tent in the North Building Silver Parking Lot. The parking lot is located directly across from the convention center, next to the tent where trade show badges can be picked up Monday, 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. through 6 p.m.; and Wednesday, 9 a.m. until noon. The pressroom will be closed on Thursday. For a list of Microsoft-related events and activities at 2007 International CES, members of the press are invited to visit http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/default.mspx.

IBM Returns to CES for the First Time in a Decade

After ten years away, IBM returns to the 40th Annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with the integral technologies behind many popular gaming, medical, and cellular consumer electronic devices of today and the future on display.

The last time IBM was at CES, IBM showcased products such as IBM PCs, 56K modem Internet kits and its own line of flatbed scanners. Since then, IBM has moved away from developing its own consumer products to providing the innovative technology building blocks -- such as the Power Architecture™, the Cell Broadband Engine™ and Code Name Secure Blue -- that consumer electronics makers are using to invent, design and manufacture imaginative new products and get them to market faster.
"It's been a decade since we last had a huge presence at CES. Since that time, we've made dramatic changes in how IBM reaches the consumer market," said Hal Lasky, Vice President, Consumer Industry, IBM. "Today, we are collaborating with clients in highly targeted industry segments like consumer electronics, medical, aerospace and defense, and next generation networks, to give clients access to the intellectual property, engineering expertise and industry know-how that will enable them to bring better products and solutions to market more quickly."
IBM's skills, technology and innovation are behind many of the consumer electronics products on the market today and those that will be in the future. The pace of innovation at IBM has accelerated in recent years thanks to the opening of its laboratory network in an effort to collaborate with clients, blending emerging technologies with real-world requirements that stand to benefit future IBM clients, business partners, collaborators and end-user consumers.
"Consumer electronics makers today are under incredible pressure to innovate at a faster pace while protecting margins against commoditization," said Lasky. "IBM sees a tremendous opportunity in helping those companies tie together many key elements -- even beyond technology alone -- to create a real competitive advantage and transformation in the marketplace."
At the IBM Pavilion # 36631 Las Vegas Convention Center - South 4, the company will showcase a variety of client products and technologies throughout four zones including:

• Experience the Science of Gaming: IBM engineers, designs and manufactures the customized chips and processors for all of the next generation gaming consoles. IBM's booth will have the Microsoft Xbox 360™, Nintendo Wii™, and Sony PLAYSTATION®3 on display for trialand fun. IBM executives, who were responsible for collaborating with all three companies, respectively, on developing the brains of these gaming platforms, will be present to provide insight and analysis into the science behind gaming today.


• Explore the Virtual World: This exhibit offers a hands-on opportunity to experience the possibilities for business growth and efficiency in virtual worlds, including viewing IBM's own presence there. 3D Internet,'Second Life' and Virtual Worlds are growing technology platforms that more clients are investigating, bringing virtual reality to life. Attendees can interact in a virtual intra-world and view the progress of multiple virtual 'Second Life' worlds.


• Encounter Designs of the Future: More than a dozen different client examples of cellular handsets, medical devices, speech recognition and speech translation solutions built on IBM innovation, technology and engineering will be showcased. The more unusual products to be demonstrated at the booth include the Xing karaoke devices and a cell phone clipping service.


• Hear From IBM - Innovation, Expertise, and Everything In Between: The IBM Theater will provide regularly scheduled presentations about how IBM innovation leads the way in consumer electronics -- from 'smart homes' to smart consumers. Speakers will talk about how IBM collaborates with its clients to enable them to gain market leadership.

Throughout CES, IBM will also be taking part in keynote and panel discussions on a wide variety of topics including:

• A keynote address by George Bailey, IBM General Manager for the Electronics Industry, about "Demand-Driven Supply Chain for Growth and Profitability"


• A panel moderated by Steve Canepa, Vice President, IBM Global Media & Entertainment Industry, about "The Massively Multiplayer Gaming Explosion -- from the PC, the Console and Mobile"


• A panel discussion about "All Video-All the Time" with Norman Liang, Business Development Executive for Consumer Electronics, IBM.

For a complete list of the IBM speaking topics, times and dates at CES, please visit: http://www-03.ibm.com/industries/media/doc/content/event/leaf/1738178111.html

CSCO: Cisco at 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show

Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate, will discuss the evolution of consumer connectivity.

John Chambers, Cisco's chairman and CEO, will address CES attendees as part of this year's Industry Insider Series, a one-hour keynote-style session. Following the address, Cisco Chief Development Officer Charles Giancarlo will host a Q&A panel discussion featuring representatives from Cisco, Linksys and Scientific Atlanta, a Cisco company.

Cisco will also be "virtually" showcasing its vision for the Connected Home in "Second Life," a 3D interactive social networking metaverse. The virtual home, launching on Jan. 8, will feature new and recently announced products from Cisco, Linksys and Scientific Atlanta. Visit Cisco's Connected Home at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cisco%20Systems/132/132/34/?x=400&y=400&title=Cisco%20System.


For more information about Cisco's activities at 2007 CES, please stop by Ballroom D at the Las Vegas Hilton during CES (Jan. 7-10) or visit www.cisco.com/go/experience_ces2007.

AMZN: Amazon.com Announces New Shoe and Handbag Web Site, Endless.com, Offering over 15,000 Styles and Free Overnight Shipping on All Products

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced the beta launch of its new shoe and handbag web site, Endless.com, which features the unusual business practice of free overnight shipping (next business day) on all items. Additionally, customers can take advantage of free return shipping, a 110 percent price guarantee and an innovative navigation and search experience. The creation of Endless.com is a direct result of Amazon's obsession with customer satisfaction. By offering this truly rich and unique destination, customers will have an easy and flexible, not to mention fun, shoe and handbag shopping experience that they won't find anywhere else online.

"Endless.com is unusual in that we are offering free overnight shipping on everything," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. "Plus, return shipping is always free and we offer a 110 percent price guarantee on items customers find cheaper somewhere else."

Currently, Endless.com offers over 250 brands and 15,000 styles and colors for men, women and kids, and our selection will continue to grow. Endless.com also provides 24-hour-a-day customer service phone support. For details and timelines on free overnight shipping, customers can reference the countdown clock on the top of every page, which lets them know what their order deadlines and delivery dates will be. In addition, customers will experience easy navigation, detailed product pages that include in-depth product description, customer reviews, and product images, as well as a zoom feature that allows customers to see all product details, whether it's a subtle pattern or a not-so-subtle texture.

Amazon believes that this vibrant and beautiful new shopping experience sets a new standard in service, convenience and product presentation. At Endless.com, customers will find a detailed search and navigation experience not currently found anywhere else online. Customers can shop by price, style, brand, size, and color all at the same time or separately. If a customer would like to conduct a search for gold and red ballet flats by Jessica Simpson, Steve Madden and BCBGirls in a size 8 and an 8.5, or conduct a different search for men's oxfords by Bruno Magli and Kenneth Cole in size 11 within a certain price range, they can. And when customers are ready to buy, they can use their existing Amazon.com accounts.

ORCL: Small and Medium Businesses Continue to Select and Deploy Oracle Applications

Across industries and around the world, small and medium businesses (SMBs) continue to select Oracle for applications that address complex business requirements and provide flexibility and scalability for growth, Oracle today announced. Organizations such as Aviza Technology, Inc., County of Wellington, Distribuciones SAGAJI, Exel del Norte, Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, KBACE Technologies, Llano de la Torre, New Quest Health Solutions, Signature Properties, Stream Energy, USA Technologies, VistaCare, Water Service Corporation and XOJET are among the organizations leveraging Oracle Applications for industry-specific functionality that is easy to install and maintain.

More and more, Oracle customers are utilizing Oracle Business Accelerators, Oracle's rapid implementation offering, to achieve timely, cost effective implementations.
Small and medium businesses must overcome business and information technology (IT) challenges with limited resources and restrictive budgets. With Oracle[JRL1], SMBs can achieve rapid configuration and reduce deployment costs by shortening and simplifying implementation time. As a result, small and medium businesses can achieve a faster return on investment and see immediate improvements in productivity and profitability.

"Small and medium businesses need affordable, enterprise-quality functionality that enables them to quickly respond to inevitable market shifts and changes in customer demand," said Oracle Senior Vice President Tony Kender. "With Oracle Applications and rapid implementation tools, companies continue to achieve cost-effective deployments that enable scalability and flexibility for growth."

Simpler, Faster and Less Expensive Implementations
USA Technologies is a provider of wireless, cashless, micro-transactions and networking services for vending, hospitality, commercial laundry and energy management industries. As demand for cashless vending technologies increased, the company needed business applications that would scale with its rapid growth. After considering multiple mid-market vendors including SAP and Microsoft, USA Technologies selected Oracle.

"Our decision to invest in Oracle was driven by the affordability and scalability of Oracle Applications and the speed and ease at which they could be deployed using Oracle Business Accelerators," said USA Technologies CFO Dave DeMedio. "We needed to be up and running quickly to keep pace with new market opportunities. With Oracle, we completed a speedy implementation without business disruptions and have experienced substantial results ever since."

Affordability and Scalability Drive New Investments
Aviza Technology, Inc. is a leading supplier of advanced semiconductor equipment and process technologies for the global semiconductor, compound semiconductor, nanotechnology and other related markets. The company selected Oracle based on its proven ability to create a scalable IT foundation for Aviza's future growth.

"When evaluating companies to support Aviza's growing IT infrastructure, we found that Oracle's business solutions delivered the optimum cost, functionality and scalability to meet our needs," said Aviza Technology, Inc. Vice President, Information Technology Dale Spencer. "We believe that Aviza's investment in Oracle Applications will help to streamline our worldwide operations, which will contribute to reduced cost and time savings. We look forward to a mutually successful business relationship with Oracle."

Industry Functionality Provides Competitive Edge
Since 1983, Signature Properties has been involved in the planning and construction of homes and residential communities throughout Northern California. The company is well known for condominiums, town homes, traditional single-family and executive homes in both suburban and urban locations through the Bay Area and Sacramento. After evaluating multiple software offerings, Signature Properties invested in Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Homebuilder Management because of the strong industry capabilities.

"We operate in one of the most competitive construction management markets in the US. We needed software functionality that could complement our industry-specific processes, improve business productivity and put us a step ahead of the competition," said Signature Properties Business Consultant Kathleen Mortensen. "The depth of Oracle's industry capabilities and the company's expertise in construction management gave us great confidence to select Oracle over other mid-market offerings."

Oracle Accelerate
Oracle Accelerate is Oracle's approach for bringing complete, easy to own, industry-focused applications to small and medium businesses. Key to Oracle Accelerate is the availability of pre-packed application bundles that can be quickly implemented and provide a wide range of industry-specific functionality. Oracle Business Accelerators, the rapid implementation software provided to resellers as part of Oracle Accelerate, enable customers to realize immediate benefit from Oracle Applications.

Siemens: Acquisition of Bayer’s Diagnostic Division Finalized

The acquisition of Bayer Healthcare’s diagnostic division by Siemens Medical Solutions has been completed. Bayer Diagnostics and Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC), acquired in July 2006, were merged into a single business unit on January 1, 2007. The new entity, “Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics,” is a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. and employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, headquartered in Tarrytown, N.Y. and Los Angeles, CA, holds a No. 2 position in the worldwide immunodiagnostics market.

This new business is integral to Siemens’ overall strategy to help its customers improve workflow throughout the healthcare enterprise. Bringing together the entire medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and clinical IT value chain under one roof puts Siemens in a unique position to leverage trendsetting technologies for an improved quality of patient care at reduced costs. DPC and Bayer Diagnostics generated cumulative sales of €1.8 billion in fiscal 2005 (Dec. 31). The cost for both acquisitions totaled €5.7 billion.

“With the acquisitions of DPC and Bayer Diagnostics, we invested heavily in a future oriented and growing market in the health care sector. We see tremendous potential for Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics and have high expectations for the new unit,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO of Siemens AG.

“Siemens is the world’s only full-service diagnostics company – bringing together for the first time a unique set of products and services that will speed the development of molecular medicine capabilities, and improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare,” said Erich Reinhardt, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and president and CEO of Siemens Medical Solutions. “Siemens has anticipated the convergence of social, economic and political challenges facing the healthcare industry, and we alone have responded and developed this comprehensive portfolio of innovative solutions, from medical imaging and healthcare information technology (IT), to management consulting and, now, laboratory diagnostics,” Reinhardt added.

Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics maintains leading market positions in the fields of clinical chemistry, patient tests, laboratory automation and blood cell diagnostics (hematology). The company also develops solutions for the rapidly growing markets of molecular diagnostics and gene analysis with the aim of continuing to improve personalized medicine. The company will also offer a comprehensive portfolio for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of illnesses such as adrenal/pituitary dysfunction, allergy, anemia, diabetes and reproductive and thyroid disorders, infectious diseases, kidney ailments, cardiology, oncology, diabetes and virology.

Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics’ top management is comprised of managers with many years’ experience in the health care business: Anthony Bihl, previous president of the Diagnostics division of Bayer Healthcare LLC, has been named as CEO. Sid Aroesty, who served as president and COO of DPC, was nominated COO of the new business; and Jochen Schmitz, previous CFO of the Siemens Medical Solutions Molecular Imaging division, will assume the CFO role.

“At Siemens, our people are one of our most important assets,” explained Reinhardt. “The combined business expertise and industry knowledge of this team will help us ensure that product and service innovation continues, customers are well served, and business success is achieved.”

ADSK: Autodesk Joins with Oracle (ORCL) to Provide Integrated Geospatial Solutions

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced its elevated relationship with Oracle to provide customers with complete solutions for the creation and sharing of geospatial data within workgroups and across entire organizations. As a Certified Partner with the Oracle® PartnerNetwork, Autodesk and Oracle will collaborate on software bundles, technology integration, sales, training and customer support.

As a result of this strategic relationship between the two industry leaders, Autodesk is now offering two new bundles for U.S. government organizations that feature Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition with Oracle Spatial 10g.

-- The Autodesk Map 3D with Oracle Database 10g bundle, for creating maps
and associated data with Autodesk Map 3D software and storing them in a
relational database.
-- The Autodesk Web Mapping with Oracle Database 10g bundle, which
features Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software for sharing maps and
data stored in an Oracle database over the web."With the combined power of these two specialized bundles, organizations will be able to implement Oracle Database's spatial capabilities more easily and cost effectively," said Lisa Campbell, vice president, Autodesk Geospatial. "This combination of spatially-enabled infrastructure software from Autodesk and Oracle can significantly enhance collaboration, reduce process redundancies and streamline systems management for workgroups enterprise-wide."

Autodesk is committed to creating open solutions that enable interoperability and streamlined sharing between different technologies to create and store CAD, asset, GIS and other enterprise data. As a result, users can integrate design and geospatial information and functionality with other systems such as asset management, customer information and enterprise resource planning systems.

"Companies are able to achieve complete interoperability with Oracle's open, non-proprietary spatial data structure," said John Gray, group vice president of North America ISV Channels at Oracle. "Combined with Autodesk's proven commitment to open systems, users can now fully realize the value of their spatial data for a variety of business functions beyond mapping."

"It makes good business sense to integrate GIS and engineering functions, since our engineers and designers rely on the same fundamental data to manage our city's assets, " said J. R. Smith, City of Tacoma's senior GIS analyst for the Public Works Department. "Our Oracle database offers instant access to the up-to-date information they need. The seamless integration of Autodesk geospatial software to our Oracle data allows us to share this valuable information with the public over the Internet, greatly improving our customer service."

About Oracle PartnerNetwork

Oracle PartnerNetwork is a global business network of 17,700 companies who deliver innovative software solutions based on Oracle software. Through access to Oracle's premier products, education, technical services, marketing and sales support, the Oracle PartnerNetwork program provides partners with the resources they need to be successful in today's global economy. Oracle partners are able to offer their customers leading-edge solutions backed by Oracle's position as the world's largest enterprise software company. Partners who are able to demonstrate superior product knowledge, technical expertise and a commitment to doing business with Oracle qualify for the Oracle Certified Partner levels. http://oraclepartnernetwork.oracle.com/

HPQ: HP and TANDBERG to Deliver Full Portfolio of Visual Collaboration Solutions

HP and TANDBERG (OSLO: TAA.OL), a global leader in visual communication, today announced an alliance to make their respective telepresence and video conferencing portfolios interoperable.

As a result, businesspeople will soon be able to collaborate using everything from the immersive telepresence experience of HP’s Halo Collaboration Studios to TANDBERG’s conference room and desktop-based systems.

HP and TANDBERG have agreed to pursue a development program that will allow TANDBERG’s industry-leading standards-based video conferencing systems to operate on the HP Halo Video Exchange Network (HVEN), which powers the Halo experience.

Users of TANDBERG video solutions will have the opportunity to experience significant quality improvements and, at the same time, users of HP Halo Studios will be able to extend their communications links to TANDBERG systems worldwide.

Enabling natural, personal connections across cities or around the world, HP’s HVEN is a dedicated and secure, high-bandwidth, full duplex, worldwide fiber optic network. Halo on the HVEN significantly increases team effectiveness, provides faster decision-making capabilities and decreases the need for travel.

With its alliance with TANDBERG, HP intends to extend the application of the HVEN from a dedicated telepresence network to one that enables full interoperability between HP Halo and traditional standard-based video conferencing.

“Interoperability between immersive studio environments, such as HP Halo, and standards-based video conferencing solutions has become a key requirement for our customers,” said Ken Crangle, general manager, Halo Collaboration Studio Unit, HP. “This alliance answers that need as we will be able to provide customers with a complete portfolio of conferencing and collaboration solutions from immersive telepresence studios to executive desktop solutions.”

Deploying TANDBERG solutions on the HVEN will enable customers to enjoy reliable, high-quality video applications such as high-definition video without requiring further investments in internal IT resources or upgrades to corporate networks. For HP Halo customers, the addition of TANDBERG’s systems to the HVEN will allow them to use a broader suite of collaboration solutions.

“By leveraging HVEN, customers can unleash the full power of TANDBERG systems for a greater video experience,” said Geir Olsen, executive vice president, TANDBERG. “With this alliance, customers can be assured of uncompromised video and audio quality and reliability every time they are in a video call, whether at the desktop, in the conference room or in a Halo Studio.”

The companies plan to begin marketing each others’ solutions in the coming months.

About TANDBERG
TANDBERG is a leading global provider of visual communication products and services with dual headquarters in New York and Norway. TANDBERG designs, develops and markets systems and software for video, voice and data. The company provides sales, support and value-added services in more than 90 countries worldwide. TANDBERG is publicly traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker TAA.OL. Please visit www.tandberg.net for more information.

VZ: In Its First Year, Verizon Business Establishes Itself as a Global Leader in Network Operations, Technology and IT

In its first year of operation, Verizon Business established itself as a global technology leader with a number of innovations and service introductions. Verizon Business, which owns and operates the world's most interconnected IP network (based on autonomous system connections), was created from the merger of the former MCI and Verizon on Jan. 6, 2006.

Verizon Business set milestones for advanced technologies such as its ultra long haul network, converged packet access and undersea cable network systems. The company also launched the Verizon Business Customer Center and introduced eBonding capabilities to enhance its customers' service experience.

These operational achievements helped Verizon Business win customers and several industry awards.

Ultra Long Haul Network Extended

Verizon Business added 5,800 miles to its ultra long haul (ULH) network in 2006, increasing its total UHL deployment to more than 24,000 miles. The ULH system supports 40 Gbps (gigabits per second) wavelengths, which are capable of delivering both 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps signals. The UHL system provides ideal support for high-bandwidth data applications such as multimedia content distribution, grid computing, real-time imaging and storage networking. Routes that were expanded this past year include Atlanta to Houston; Worcester, Mass., to Albany, N.Y.; and Sacramento to San Jose.

Converged Packet Access Grows

Complementing its ULH strategy, Verizon Business also extended its Converged Packet Access (CPA) capability to five international locations in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and two sites in Australia. Domestically, the company expanded CPA to 31 U.S. cities, including New York City, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Diego and San Francisco. CPA is a service-agnostic architecture that enables a customer to obtain different types of communications services - including frame relay, IP VPN, Private IP, Ethernet, Private Line and voice - over a single packet access connection using a simple, low-cost Ethernet interface such as 10bT, 100bT or Gig E.

Submarine Cable System Expansion Plans

Enhancing its ability to serve customers on a global basis, Verizon Business made a number of strategic investments in undersea network cables. The company joined a consortium of international carriers to build the first next-generation, multi-terabit, optical undersea cable system linking the U.S. and the mainland of China. Verizon Business is the only U.S.-based carrier in the consortium, which includes China Telecom, China Netcom, China Unicom, Korea Telecom and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom.

Verizon Business also deployed an advanced mesh design on the trans-Atlantic portion of its global IP network, providing additional diverse routes for customers. The mesh network design uses three major submarine cables to create six diverse paths and is considered the first of its kind for undersea cable networks.

Verizon Business continued to add customers to its SEA-ME-WE4 submarine cable that was turned up at the end of 2005. Verizon Business is the only U.S. major provider in the consortium that owns this next-generation undersea cable, which spans 20,000 kilometers and links France to Singapore via the Middle East and Indian sub-continent.

One-Stop Customer Service Enhanced

Verizon Business's IT efforts since it began operations last January have focused on transforming the way customers do business with the company. The Verizon Business Customer Center is a robust one-stop portal, allowing customers access to multiple applications with a single sign-on. Customers can access critical information and resources for such tasks as invoice management, e-payment and expanded reports and analysis of specific products and services.

New eBonding capabilities enable Verizon Business customers to track and manage information directly for large-scale tasks such as opening and reviewing their own trouble tickets and running queries for inventories. eBonding is the integration of systems between two companies that allows one system to communicate directly with the other. eBonding also gives customers the freedom to process mass requests from their own desktop using their own internal processes, procedures and applications. Customers can access eBonding through the Verizon Business Customer Center.

Honors and Awards

Verizon Business earned several awards from industry publications and organizations in 2006. Judy Spitz, Verizon Business chief information officer, was recognized as one of Computerworld's 2007 Premier 100 IT Leaders, an annual award honoring individuals who have made a positive impact on their organizations through technology.

Computerworld magazine also named Verizon Business as a finalist for a Best Practices Infrastructure Management Award for Managing to Improve TCO/ROI (Total Cost of Ownership/Return on Investment) for its IMPACT (Integrated Management Platform for Advanced Communications Technologies) system. IMPACT – Verizon Business's automated network monitoring, troubleshooting and problem-resolution system for managed network customers – is thought to be the first end-to-end business process automation implementation for network fault management by a communications service provider.

Another IT program, the Verizon Business Sarbanes-Oxley compliance program, earned the 2006 Technology Managers Forum Best Practices Award in IT Compliance, marking the second year in a row the company has received a Best Practices Award from the Technology Managers Forum.

IBM Mainframe Offers Unmatched Security and Power Efficiency, Analyst Says

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that independent analyst firm Ptak, Noel & Associates said the System z mainframe is a "rising star" for emerging IT market segments in addition to meeting "the needs of a significant portion of the IT market that demands unrelenting and unmatched reliability, security, and control." The analyst also cited [1] the mainframe's power efficiency, noting IBM data demonstrating the platform can be configured to require 1/12th the electricity as a distributed server farm with equivalent processor capability.

In the report entitled, "IBM System z: Platform Star for Linux and Open Source Software," Ptak, Noel & Associates praised the IBM mainframe's unrivaled security offerings and "inherent architectural and management advantages" as keys to its continued success. The report also outlined how customers could generate extreme cost savings by utilizing the mainframe's built-in virtualization, server optimization techniques and specialty engines.

Big Iron, Low Power

The report, written by senior analyst Richard L. Ptak, emphasized the mainframe's power efficiency, stating that the explosion of interest and demand for environmentally-friendly IT hardware is likely to add fuel to mainframe demand.

On the open source front, the report specifically cited IBM's continued efforts to support Linux workloads on the mainframe with the Integrated Linux Facility. The report also touted IBM's successful developer ecosystem and the rapid growth of Linux on the mainframe in large enterprises. Specifically, it called attention to:

-- More than 800 developer partners and more than 300 ISVs supporting
Linux applications on the mainframe;
-- Approximately 28% of System z customers running Linux
The report also concluded that the mainframe possesses inherent architectural and management advantages for dynamic, highly adaptive, secure, highly demanding operational environments.


"The IBM System z mainframe serves a wide array of worldwide clients with an economic proposition that is second to none," said Jim Stallings, IBM general manager, System z. "IBM will continue to drive mainframe innovation in the areas important to our customers, such as security, energy efficiency, Linux, and manageability."

[1] IBM System z: Platform Star for Linux and Open Source Software, Ptak, Noel & Associates.

ADBE: Adobe Appoints Former Borland Exec Matthew Thompson to Senior VP of Worldwide Field Operations

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) today announced the appointment of Matthew Thompson as senior vice president of worldwide field operations. Thompson previously served as senior vice president of worldwide operations at Borland Software, a leading provider of application lifecycle management software. Thompson joined Adobe on Jan. 1 and will oversee the company's global sales organization and all customer-facing functions, including sales, field marketing, go-to-market partners, customer care and Adobe Consulting. He will lead the company's efforts to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities and align its operations with key customer segments.

“Matt is passionate about serving customers, and his experience with diverse business models and product lines make him well suited to the unique needs of our global customer base,” said Shantanu Narayen, Adobe's president and chief operating officer. “He has proven his ability to manage complex global technology businesses, and he is the perfect choice to spearhead the next wave of Adobe's sales growth.”

Thompson brings over 25 years of sales experience to Adobe, with 20 of those years focused in the technology industry. During the past three years at Borland, he was responsible for the overall direction of the company's global sales and services organizations across 23 countries, including moving the business from a channel to a direct model. Prior to Borland, Thompson was senior vice president of worldwide sales at Marimba, Inc. and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Previous sales roles included Electronic Data Systems and Nalco Chemical Company.

Thompson holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and management from Northern Illinois University.