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Parents...Is "full disclosure" going to start when they finally get SEC approval or will they start disclosure before?
I ask this question because, having gone through this with ABEW, they were giving full disclosure more than a year before they made the transition to the OTCBB. (The share structure is of great interest to me before I invest.)
I like this part EVEN BETTER...
"6. Being a Golden Unit for PRO has tangible advantages from many perspectives. First, we drive the standards. Second, PRO is the real deal - all OEMS are waiting for this version of the stack. PRO will drive OEM volumes. PRO standard will be frozen for two-years. We become the benchmark for the standard with PRO certification. Plus if we manage to get PRO on multiple platforms in a short time, we have the potential to become the automatic choice for PRO from many silicon and controller vendors."
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
I like this part...
"At the moment, Meshnetics software works only on Atmel platforms. As a module provider it is hard for them to switch silicon partners at will. Further, most of the silicon vendors are already tied to a module provider. Even if they do switch, they will still have the software stack issue which they will have to redo to make it work on a newer or different platform. One can easily conclude that it is not a viable option for any business from a time-to-market, cost and value standpoint. There is no USP in that approach."
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
From ABEW's message board. Good stuff!!!
Msg # 535 Posted By: Swauby
20 June 2007 11:50 EST
Gene. Would appreciate some clarification on a few issues...Recently, Meshnetics came out with a Press Release about a new office in Germany and seem to be aggressively pursueing the Zigbee industry. They also claim to be certified on Atmels new chip. Based on these facts, can you tell us the following....
(1) Is Meshnetics considered to be one of our competitors?
(2) If they are a competitor of ours, are they getting the upperhand with Atmel?
(3) How do they collect revenue for their software?
(4) Can their software also be used on multiple platforms like ours?
On another issue......Do we have an advantage over our competitors by being a Golden Unit?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Msg # 537 Posted By: Gene Sharer
21 June 2007 08:29 EST
This message is reply to msg # 535 by Swauby.
This multifaceted question is answered in the order in which the comments were made. I lateraled the questions to our Business Development head as he tracks the competitive space.
1. Meshnetics, originally Luxsoft was a software company and a direct competitor. 2. Now they are a module company and still a competitor like Ember, Freescale, TI and others who sell chips and stack integrated into a module.
[2]3. Meshnetics is not involved in newer versions of the Atmel silicon and PRO certification. Airbee appears to be primary provider of software for the Atmel silicon at the moment.
[3]4. Meshnetics sells modules and software revenue is built into the sale of the module/reference design. Since Freescale, TI, and other big players with deep pockets are making no money yet, it is clear that Meshnectics is not making money either.
[4]5. At the moment, Meshnetics software works only on Atmel platforms. As a module provider it is hard for them to switch silicon partners at will. Further, most of the silicon vendors are already tied to a module provider. Even if they do switch, they will still have the software stack issue which they will have to redo to make it work on a newer or different platform. One can easily conclude that it is not a viable option for any business from a time-to-market, cost and value standpoint. There is no USP in that approach.
6. Being a Golden Unit for PRO has tangible advantages from many perspectives. First, we drive the standards. Second, PRO is the real deal - all OEMS are waiting for this version of the stack. PRO will drive OEM volumes. PRO standard will be frozen for two-years. We become the benchmark for the standard with PRO certification. Plus if we manage to get PRO on multiple platforms in a short time, we have the potential to become the automatic choice for PRO from many silicon and controller vendors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
Regarding the recent 8-k...
As I recall, Airbee Wireless has never denied that they owe the former CFO (Richard Sommerfeld) his back wages. In fact, I've always stated that none of ABEW's management has received their salaries since the company started. Therefore, anyone who leaves a company with an IOU has a right to request the monies that are owed to them from that promissory note.
The bottom line is that it will become another bill that must be paid with the rest of their obligations when/if they get financing.
Speaking of financing...today is June 21st. Only nine more days until the end of the month. Am I worried? Nope. I love it when it gets down to the wire. I have confidence that ABEW will prevail in the end.
BTW, has anyone read the latest comments by Gene on ABEW's message board about Meshnetics -vs- Airbee Wireless? Good stuff!!!
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
B/A .18 x .24 on volume over 128,000 shares. em
OK...I'll humor you. I have not made any money with NNLX. However, I have not lost any money either; mainly because I am waiting for OTCBB approval and/or my target entry of $.05 before I invest any money.
On another note...I'm glad to see that you're not using foul language on this board smeagle. If you did, we might have to use a rope...
Rope??? Please, no rope!!! Ooooohhhhh it burrrrrrns!!! It burrrrrrrrrrrrrrns!!! (lol)
TI's Z-Stack software does not have the latest certification for the cc2430 or cc2431. They made an announcement several months ago that they were able to run their software using the MSP430+cc2430 but have not announced a successful certification as yet.
Airbee is the only company to have successfully certified their software using the MSP430+cc2430 combination.
Additionally, it is important to realize that not all software is the same. Even if TI's Z-Stack software is successful in getting certification, their software may be lacking in many areas of performance when compared to Airbee Wireless. Go back and read the articles by Srini and Ram which emphasize the three R's.
My understanding is that each ZigBee system will have its own encryption for you to customize. As you increase the number of ZigBee products around your home, you'll have the option to create one system - or many systems. Each system is completely secure and independent of the other. However, the more products on one system, the easier the communcation would be because it would expand the mesh network surrounding your home.
Therefore, I believe your original view of a "private" network is the correct understanding.
Agreed. However, think how large the geographical area would be once the utility companies convert entire cities into a mesh network using their new AMI meters for gas, electric, and water.
Are we still talking about an "alternative" to GPS or are we now talking a replacement?
Wow. Based on this article, once a mesh network has been established in a specific geographical area, the need for GPS could be obsolete.
Is that your understanding as well?
VISIONLINE by VingCard: Wireless RF-Online stand-alone electronic lock Debuts at The Hotel Show in Dubai
4 JUNE 2007
Worldwide security leader unveils new patent-pending wireless RF-Online solution for stand-alone electronic locks to enhance guest services, improve front-desk operation, streamline hotel operations, increase engineering and maintenance efficiency, and facilitate superior security and control; System features ZigBee™ high-security open platform and offers modular packages and straight forward upgrade from offline to RF-Online locks; Visit Stand No. 1A111
PARIS | VingCard, a leading supplier of hospitality security solutions worldwide, will preview a live demo of VISIONLINE, a new wire-less radio-frequency (RF) online electronic-locking system at Stand No. 1A111 during The Hotel Show 2007, the exclusive forum for the hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates, 3-5, June, at the Dubai International Exposition Centre.
Ideal for the most demanding properties, the RF-Online solution gives hotels a more cost-effective way to streamline reliable two-way communications from individual electronic locks to a central VISIONLINE PC without the need to wire the locks.
“VISIONLINE by VingCard is more than just electronic locks,” said Pascal Metivier, President of ASSA ABLOY Hospitality EMEA and Latin America. “It offers a complete new array of benefits for the entire hotel, such as enhanced guest services, improved front-desk operations, streamlined hotel operations, increased engineering and maintenance and superior security and control, etc. Therefore, this solution offers something for everyone throughout the hotel enterprise, from guests to staff to managers and owners. We’re proud to add this affordable, next-generation technology to our family of security solutions.”
VISIONLINE is built on the reliable ZigBee™ Alliance high-security open platform which meets powerful IEEE 802.15.4 physical radio standards and operates worldwide at 2.4GHz. ZigBee is the only wireless, high-security open standards-based technology that addresses the unique needs of remote monitoring and access-control network applications. The ZigBee™ Alliance is a global group of companies creating wireless solutions for use in home, commercial and industrial applications.
“The beauty of the ZigBee™ platform comes from its ability to make wireless technology affordable,” Metivier said. “Using low power-consumption solutions, it can run for years on inexpensive primary batteries. And, with transmission distances from 10 to 100 meters, depending on the power output and a hotel’s architectural backbone, an RF-Online solution limits the number of devices needed to communicate with electronic locks. That means, instead of using an infrared solution in which one device is needed per guestroom, an RF solution uses only one device to communicate with multiple guestrooms.
“Value also comes from the system’s true two-way communications capability,” he added. “With an online solution, communication flows freely between each individual lock and the VISIONLINE PC. This saves hotels considerable man-hours, since individual locks don’t need to be manually interrogated to download the audit trail or reprogram the lock. All data retrieval and information updating can be done remotely from the main VISIONLINE PC, including canceling guest cards and master cards with a simple ’click‘ to the PC feature.”
Additional features/benefits of VISIONLINE include:
System remains fully operational offline should a network malfunction occur;
Revolutionary, affordable online technology;
Operates on high-security standardized protocols;
Modular packages enable hotels to customize and select features that best adapt to specific needs. As more sophisticated technology is needed, additional modules can be added; and
Easy upgrade from existing stand-alone offline electronic locks.
“This makes upgrading from an offline solution simple and affordable,” he said. “This is just one more way in which VingCard is continually developing better technologies to support the growing needs of its customers.” Metivier said a patent is presently pending on the VISIONLINE solution.
“Hoteliers who previously thought they could not afford an online security solution need to stop by Stand 1A111 at The Hotel Show to preview VingCard RF Online,” Metivier said. “As hotel technology continues to adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of its guests, VingCard gives its customers the added security of knowing the technology they put in place today will be able to support the solutions of tomorrow. RF-Online by VingCard will better position today’s larger hotels to be more secure and more competitive.”
About VingCard Elsafe | The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 35,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 6 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides numerous electronic-locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions and worldwide service and support. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders also are available with a UL listing. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit www.vingcard.com or www.elsafe.com.
http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4031653.search?query=zigbee+june+2007
About Itron Inc.
Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Itron Inc. consists of two operating companies: Itron in North America and Actaris outside of North America. Our combined company is the world's leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas and water meters, data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.
Itron is the world's leading provider of solid-state electricity meters and advanced metering technology. Itron's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution, OpenWay(TM), is based on open-architecture and leverages ZigBee's ability to connect wirelessly to ZigBee home area networks. OpenWay delivers advanced, two-way communication technology which enables utilities to meet their business needs for meter data collection and to communicate with a large variety of energy consuming devices, such as air conditioners, household appliances, hot water heaters and pool pumps to more effectively and efficiently use energy.
"Since ZigBee is an open global standard, utilities can benefit from unprecedented new opportunities to implement demand response and other new programs stemming from AMI rollouts," said Philip Mezey, senior vice president and COO for Itron North America. "Joining the Board of Directors allows Itron to work more closely with ZigBee to promote energy management and efficiency solutions which ultimately help the environment and energy customers everywhere."
[Folks, this is a very big move by Itron. IMO, it means that they are now very serious about promoting ZigBee in their meters around the world. Anyone doubting the future of ZigBee is going to be kicking themselves later in life.]
ZigBee Alliance Adds Itron to Board of Directors
6 June 2007, 12:56pm ET
SAN RAMON, California, Jun 06, 2007 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX News Network) --
Addition Underscores Alliance's Commitment to Meeting the Needs of Utility Companies for Delivering Energy Management and Efficiency Solutions Globally
The ZigBee(R) Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications, today announced that Itron Inc. is now a Promoter level member and the newest member of the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.
Itron, a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries, has been a Participant level member of the Alliance since 2006. The Promoter level enjoys additional benefits and voting rights while serving on the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.
Itron is the world's leading provider of solid-state electricity meters and advanced metering technology. Itron's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution, OpenWay(TM), is based on open-architecture and leverages ZigBee's ability to connect wirelessly to ZigBee home area networks. OpenWay delivers advanced, two-way communication technology which enables utilities to meet their business needs for meter data collection and to communicate with a large variety of energy consuming devices, such as air conditioners, household appliances, hot water heaters and pool pumps to more effectively and efficiently use energy.
"Since ZigBee is an open global standard, utilities can benefit from unprecedented new opportunities to implement demand response and other new programs stemming from AMI rollouts," said Philip Mezey, senior vice president and COO for Itron North America. "Joining the Board of Directors allows Itron to work more closely with ZigBee to promote energy management and efficiency solutions which ultimately help the environment and energy customers everywhere."
Mentioned Last Change
ITRI 71.75 0.30dollars or (0.41%)
Itron joins Cellnet, Eaton Corporation, Ember Corporation, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Honeywell, Huawei Technologies, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Philips, Samsung, Schneider Electric, Siemens, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments and Tendril Networks on the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.
"Itron's commitment to open standards and the ZigBee Alliance substantially reinforces the emerging trend to offer utilities robust and secure AMI solutions utilizing ZigBee technology," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance. "Itron's leadership and know-how, garnered over years of serving as a technology provider to the global energy and water industries, will be of great value to the Alliance in developing best in class solutions for this industry."
About Itron Inc.
Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Itron Inc. consists of two operating companies: Itron in North America and Actaris outside of North America. Our combined company is the world's leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas and water meters, data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.
ZigBee: Wireless Control That Simply Works
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance membership comprises technology providers and original equipment manufacturers worldwide. Membership is open to all. Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org.
http://www.quote.com/qc/news/story.aspx?symbols=INDUSTRY:35&story=200706061656_PRN_94254740
ST Journal Reveals Wireless Sensor Networks Research Findings
June 8, 2007 | 11:36 AM
STMicroelectronics has published its latest issue of the ST Journal of Research focusing on Wireless Sensor Networks. Previous issues, similarly focused on a particular technology theme, have presented details on the Company's advanced research efforts on MEMS and Multimedia Streaming Technologies.
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are the key enablers of Ambient Intelligence, a vision establishing a smart, friendly, and context-aware environment that can detect and respond to specific human needs. WSNs are composed of miniature and interconnected smart devices that interact with each other seamlessly, creating an environment where computing and networking technology coexist with people in a ubiquitous and pervasive way.
WSN devices, which have been referred to as 'smart dust,' are complex integrated systems implementing a combination of functions including communication, security and signal or application processing. Because of the breadth of functions, research work in this field encompasses several domains, including sensor technology, radio-frequency communication, ad-hoc networks, low-power microcontrollers, transduction principles, energy management and middleware. The interoperability of WSNs with existing technologies such as the Internet, broadband wireless networks or database management systems is an important driver and consideration for the adoption and proliferation of WSNs.
STMicroelectronics has been among the first companies to enter the WSN market with the introduction of sensors, low-power microcontrollers, wireless radio devices, and other components in its portfolio. STMicroelectronics is a promoter of the Zigbee(TM) alliance, an industry consortium working on the definition of network, security and application layers towards truly interoperable WSNs.
The editors of the ST Journal of Research have collected eleven technical papers addressing both system overviews and specific design topics. In the system overview arena, this issue covers ad-hoc networking technologies for WSN, radio-frequency issues, the integration of WSNs with the Internet, the mass-market adoption of Zigbee solutions, techniques for source and node localization and the usage of WSN and MEMS for posture and activity recognition. Papers on specific design solutions cover a broad spectrum: the impact of impulsive interference on network throughput and energy consumption, medium-access control schemes in the IEEE 802.15.4a standard, solutions for the trade-off between power consumption and die area, and the usage of elliptic curve cryptography coprocessors for security issues.
"Mastering different system and process-technology domains is necessary to provide winning WSN solutions," said Jim Nicholas, Microcontroller Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. "This issue of the ST Journal aims at sharing and exchanging the results of the activities of ST and its research partners in this field with the technical community worldwide."
Now THAT is pretty cool!!! Would love to know who is behind that technology. If you hear anymore about that, please post.
Thanks.
LOL!!! You had me wondering... eom.
From ABEW's message board...
Msg # 513 Posted By: Robert Johnson
07 June 2007 08:11 EST
Mr. Sharer, you have been the COO of this company, I believe, since its inception. What will be your role from this point forward?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Msg # 514 Posted By: Gene Sharer
07 June 2007 09:24 EST
This message is reply to msg # 513 by Robert Johnson.
I have many roles, only one of which is as COO. I am the President, Interim CFO, Corporate Secretary and a director.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In what way do you equate the two entities?
"Charlie spent the first ten years of his career in high technology product engineering and engineering management at companies such as Tektronix and Calcomp. The past 15 years have been spent in product management, marketing, and general management at companies such as Epson America, Trimble Navigation, and ICS Advent. He has held general management, vice president of marketing, and vice president of business development assignments at these companies."
MORE GOOD STUFF.
"He has launched over 100 high technology products, from both the engineering and development side and the product management and marketing side. Under his product and marketing leadership, Epson America launched the extremely successful Stylus color inkjet printer line, more than doubling Epson's market share and revenue in the Americas printer market."
GOOD STUFF!!!
Some links I found regarding Charles Gunderson...
http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Gunderson_Charlie_772858.aspx
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5957995.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1995_April_26/ai_16866282
Hmmmmmmmmmmm Now why would a quality person like Charles Gunderson join Airbee Wireless if he didn't have high expectations for the future?
Looks like we're getting ready to hit the big time to me!!!
Woooohoooooo!!! Ducks take the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
Yeah baby. Start the party!!! The underdog surprises everyone again...Anaheim over Ottawa in only five games...go figure.
Next Cinderella story: Airbee Wireless comes through for us shareholders and major celebrations begin in earnest.
Ahhhhhhh I love it when the underdog comes out on top.
CHEERS EVERYONE!!!!!
TI's MSP 430 Chip and the Chipcon transceiver now being advertised for sale by MicroController Pros Corporation.
Read the "ZigBee Board Features" closely and see who is featured for the software.
http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?cPath=297&products_id=1416
Excellent Article re: ZigBee -vs- others
ZigBee Certification
The Alliance has two independent and global test labs, National Technical Systems and TUV Rheinland. These labs test, verify and certify ZigBee Certified Platforms and ZigBee Certified Products.
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KMC Controls
Sinclair: First, is there any truth to claims that Wi-Fi/WLAN and ZigBee cannot co-exist in the same space?
Hodges: No, not at all. In fact we have companies designing and shipping ZigBee and Wi-Fi in the same product and it all works together. One of the main reasons they work together is because both technologies are IEEE standards.
Sinclair: When you say ZigBee is a “standard,” what do you mean?
Hodges: ZigBee is built using the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and follows strict IEEE guidelines to ensure long-term sustainability and reliable operation. As some may know, the IEEE is a globally respected standards development group whose members are volunteers working in an open and collaborative manner. Some of their best known technologies are Bluetooth (802.15.1) and Wi-Fi (802.11). Both of those two standards, like ZigBee, are based on IEEE 802 standards. The IEEE 802 group continually evaluates its standards to identify areas of ambiguity or concern and works to improve its standards to ensure robustness and long-term success. Since many of the same scientists and technologists work together in several groups at the IEEE, you can be sure standards such as 802.15.4 and 802.11 are designed to ensure reliable co-existence. In fact, products with both ZigBee and Wi-Fi have been designed and shipped by Alliance members including companies such as Control4 and these products work as promised each and every day.
Sinclair: It might make sense with so much wireless technology out there that there could be interference.
Hodges: If you want to see true extremes and veritable wireless pea soup, attend a huge trade show. ZigBee companies are regularly showing and demonstrating products around the world at some of largest tradeshows: Consumer Electronics Show, Electronica, Hannover Messe and Wireless Japan, to name a few. These shows are the harshest locations for radio frequencies technologies to operate, with dozens of wireless networks including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other RF traffic. At times, it can be difficult to get wireless devices to operate properly at these shows, yet users and demonstrators of ZigBee networks report reliable performance because it has many channels to work on and a variety of adaptive solutions to ensure reliability.
Sinclair: So, does Z-wave have interference problems?
Hodges: Well Z-wave operates on one very specific frequency in an unlicensed band, and that frequency band is used by cordless phones, baby monitors, medical devices, RFID chips and other unlicensed radio emitters. Also, Z-wave devices communicate at very slow data rates which mean very long transmissions. These transmissions are more prone to interference which is further exasperated by the use of an antiquated modulation scheme that has 10dB or worse performance compared to modern RF technologies like ZigBee.
Sinclair: Does anyone independently verify that ZigBee products work?
Hodges: The Alliance has two independent and global test labs, National Technical Systems and TUV Rheinland. These labs test, verify and certify ZigBee Certified Platforms and ZigBee Certified Products. Needless to say, these labs have global reputations to protect and are not backroom, rubber stamping organizations. The Alliance sets stringent standards for any product or platform to ensure everything operates as promised. Basically, if you see the ZigBee logo on a product, then you know it has been certified.
One other point I would like to make is that the ZigBee Alliance is growing and now has more than 225 member companies. Each of these companies voluntarily pays to be a member of the Alliance and our members are spending collectively billions of dollars around ZigBee. The Alliance has many well known global brands and a good number of independent start-ups, which I believe is indicative of the huge opportunity presented by ZigBee. Another important fact is that most all of our members have thoroughly, and independently, investigated and compared ZigBee prior to committing the resources required to develop and launch new ZigBee-based products and services.
Sinclair: So what do you think is motivating this report?
Hodges: That’s a good question and you have to look at who is behind the report. ZigBee continues to gain incredible momentum and is clearly showing the proprietary technologies for what they really are. Many of these technologies are focused on providing products and services for a single industry or purpose, whereas ZigBee can be used in many industries and implemented into thousands of dramatically different devices that can operate successfully anywhere in the world.
KMC Controls Sinclair: What do you mean by proprietary?
Hodges: To help you compare, let me define the ZigBee Alliance first. We are a non-profit, volunteer-driven international organization with members who actually pay to join the Alliance. All the members jointly contribute to designing and building ZigBee technology in an open and collaborative manner. No single company owns ZigBee. In fact, the ZigBee Alliance publishes the Zigbee Standard and it is available for public download on our website.
On the other hand, proprietary is used to define technologies that are not open to collaboration, not publicly published and are developed, manufactured and sold by one company. Since proprietary technologies are not based on internationally recognized standards, their appeal is usually limited. Most companies are looking for stable, low-cost, multi-vendor supported technology they can implement in products around the world. Some crafty technology companies go so far as to create coalitions of customers or users groups and call them alliances in an attempt to give the appearance of impartiality and a widely supported technology.
Sinclair: So the Z-wave technology promoted by the Z-wave alliance is proprietary?
Hodges: Yes because it is owned by Zensys which is a small, private technology company that designs and sells Z-wave technology. Its marketing approach is to position Z-wave as a standard adopted by its users group, but Z-wave is licensed for a fee to this group. Today, product manufacturers can only buy the semiconductors required to operate Z-wave products from Zensys.
Here’s the bottom line: their claims against ZigBee are largely seen by industry experts as a diversionary tactic designed to hide dwindling support for Z-wave.
AutomatedLogic Corporation
Airbee mentioned in CNNmoney article...
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/RBI-0018-16804151.htm
Airbee advertised in another link...
See half-way down the article in training session.
http://health.cd-writer.com/c16/p564/programs_in_brief_pib.html
New Interview with Gene Sharer...
http://www.twst.com/notes/articles/agk603.html
Interesting conversation...
http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/15490
We have one MM that is selling at .18 right now!!!!!!!!!
According to Level II, once he is done, we go right back up to .27.
IMO, this is a screaming buy folks!!!!!!!
Another sign that ZigBee is heating up...
Renesas' Zigbee move signals shift in deals
Posted : 16 May 2007
Tired of sitting on the sidelines in a hot market, Renesas Technology Corp. is making a major entry into Zigbee chipsets—a move that could alter the company's pacts with Freescale Semiconductor, Texas Instruments (TI) and ZMD.
Renesas previously offered only MCUs for the Zigbee market. The company's controllers are supplied to OEMs on a non-exclusive basis alongside separate Zigbee-based RF chipsets and related devices from Freescale Semiconductor, Texas Instruments and ZMD.
Now, Renesas is looking to offer a complete solution for systems houses by developing MCUs, Zigbee-based RF chipsets and even single-chip devices. It plans to develop devices in the 900MHz and 2.4GHz bands.
On one front, Renesas will license RF-based intellectual property (IP), using the 802.15.4 protocol, from ZMD AG. The move will enable Renesas to develop its own 900MHz-band Zigbee chipset in 2008.
By that time, Renesas will offer a two-chip solution, including its own Zigbee chipset and an MCU. The Zigbee chipset will be fabricated within Renesas' own fabs, said Ritesh Tyagi, director of marketing of the system LSI business unit at Renesas Technology America Inc.
Then, in 2009, the company plans to develop a single-chip solution based on the Zigbee chipset and controller. The product will be in the 900MHz band, Tyagi said.
Renesas also intends to develop a separate Zigbee RF chipset in the 2.4GHz band, he said. Renesas declined to elaborate on those plans, but the proposed device may not involve partnerships with Freescale and TI. These two firms currently offer Zigbee products along with Renesas controllers on a nonexclusive basis.
Zigbee is a short-distance wireless communications standard based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. It was developed for control systems that automate homes and offices, comms applications for healthcare equipment and automated inspection systems, and data transfer between sensors.
Acceptability drivers
Of the communications bands supported by Zigbee, the 900MHz band is now being introduced primarily in Europe and North America. Its advantages include wide coverage, optimized battery life and minimal signal interference, according to Renesas.
Forecast for Zigbee chipsets: Growth to soar for 900MHz and 2.4GHz.
Zigbee is broader in addressing 2.4GHz, which gives it two advantages—the availability of multiple channels and global availability, which is a key aspect in ensuring acceptability.
Renesas expects that 5 million Zigbee-based chipsets will be shipped by 2010. About 25 to 30 percent of those will be products in the 900MHz band, the company said.
- Mark LaPedus
EE Times
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800464638_499488_5b269d96200705.HTM
I think this article is a little different...
http://www.techworld.com/mobility/features/index.cfm?featureID=3398&pagtype=samecatsamechan
From ABEW's message board...
Msg # 501 Posted By: jaratca
24 May 2007 08:58 EST
Gene- Could you tell me if you perceive Airbee's eventual success to be more closely aligned with the success of Zigbee adoption or with Airbee's ability to compete with other Zigbee software providers. Obviously, Airbee will have nothing to compete for if Zigbee is not embraced, but in your opinion, what is the bigger challenge facing Airbee Wireless--waiting for Zigbee adoption or positioning successfully versus the competition. By the way, who do you view as Airbee's strongest competitor? Thanks, Joe
Msg # 503 Posted By: Gene Sharer
25 May 2007 12:02 EST
This message is reply to msg # 501 by jaratca.
Some may have a different view but for myself, the success of the company will hinge on the overall adoption of the mesh technology emboddied in our software products. With more and more entities becoming aware and embracing the technology, more opportunities for variants of the products will emerge. The idea factories around the world are begining to search out ideas and solutions for their space with upgrades, new products for existing issues, and solutions for as yet unsolved problems. Competition does and will exist but not the overriding concern at this time. We have yet to find anyone who has done it better and are being credited within the ZigBee Alliance as a significant technical contributor.
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(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
Looks like ABEW is being pro-active with their products. This is a very good sign that things must be heating up.
Good stuff. Thanks.
ZigBee: The new Bluetooth?
Technology Update By John Greenland, Network World, 05/23/07
Although most IT professionals, as well as a majority of consumers, are familiar with the Bluetooth wireless data-communications standard, very few are aware of the new ZigBee wireless data standard. In time this awareness will grow, but right now ZigBee is in the early stage of the adoption process; it's just beginning to be rolled out in industrial applications, with consumer-oriented applications soon to follow.
Bluetooth and ZigBee: Their similarities and differences
02/28/05
The ZigBee standard differs from Bluetooth in many ways, but essentially it addresses a different set of market requirements.
First and foremost, ZigBee targets inexpensive, low-power applications. Integrated ZigBee chipsets, with battery power slated to last six months to two years, are available for $1 or less. In addition, ZigBee-enabled devices are networked readily: As many as 65,536 such devices can be connected in a star topology or a peer-to-peer configuration. The data rate for this cost-effective and low-power technology is 20K to 250Kbps.
ZigBee, based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, performs very well in environments with a low signal-to-noise ratio. Radio signals extend 10 meters to 40 meters, depending on settings and signal strength).
The ZigBee standard supports various network topologies fully -- including mesh configurations with routes between nodes dynamically modified based on the availability of intermediate routing nodes -- and is optimized for timing-critical applications and power management. It takes less than 30 msec to join a network, less than 15 msec to go from sleeping to active and less than 15 msec to access a channel.
There are three categories of ZigBee network node:
* ZigBee coordinator. Only one is required for each ZigBee network; initiates network formation and acts as the network coordinator; may act as a router once network is formed.
* ZigBee router. Optional component that may associate with a ZigBee coordinator or another ZigBee router; participates in multihop routing of messages.
* ZigBee end device. Optional network component that does not participate in routing.
The ZigBee protocol stack requires at least an 8-bit microcontroller to implement the core functions. The full protocol stack occupies less than 32KB of space, with node-only implementations requiring less than 4KB. Coordinators require extra RAM because of such features as the device database and the transaction and pairing tables.
ZigBee technology is used in everything from industrial light switches to light fixtures, appliances, home electronics and even light bulbs themselves. Because of the wireless nature of the communications, installing ZigBee devices in existing environments is a no-brainer, and the technology's support for mesh networking allows high connectivity and automatic routing of the data sent among devices. ZigBee's low-power requirements mean low maintenance (batteries need changing only every two years), which makes the technology suitable for consumer-oriented products.
One area where ZigBee is used with great success is in intelligent transportation systems. ZigBee wireless data transfer is being used to communicate between buses and bus stations, allowing arrivals and departures to be displayed.
ZigBee modules in the bus and the station communicate in a way that prevents accidental miscommunication with other station units. Depending on the bus location, the mobile ZigBee unit establishes a link only with the ZigBee unit in the first station on the route; all others are ignored. In addition, because the mobile unit knows the exact address of the station unit, communication is established quickly. Thus, there is virtually no delay before the bus is detected approaching a specific bus station, and this leads to the bus's arrival and departure times being updated accurately.
Because of its standardization and low-cost and -power requirements, and the ease with which ZigBee-enabled devices are networked, ZigBee is poised to establish a position alongside Bluetooth as a critical enabling component of ubiquitous, networked commercial and residential devices for years to come. As ZigBee-enabled devices make their way into the market, consumers may someday refer to ZigBee the way they now refer to Bluetooth.
That's two strikes against you. Final warning.
XM Restores Service After Software Glitch
XM Satellite Radio said Tuesday that it will give customers credit for two days' worth of service after a software glitch interrupted reception in parts of the nationwide network.
[Just thought I'd share this morning's headline for those that don't think that software is all that important to a company's operations. Do you really think a company can risk using the "second best" software when their reputation is on the line? Try telling THAT to the customers who pay for XM satellite service. lol]
(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)
From another poster on RB...
Va2006biz & everyone else.
A good deal of what you say is true.
However, consider the following:
1. Accounting rules required all the software development costs to be written off. If the value was considered as an asset, I believe it is worth more than the deficit. In other words, although the company has no cash, there is, in my opinion,value.
2. You say there is no revenue. True, but NOBODY has any Zigbee revenue YET.
You don't believe Airbee will pick up its fair share of income and you don't believe Airbee has the best software. I believe the opposite is true- but only time will tell.
3. You don't believe they will get financing. I disagree and again the next month or so will tell the story.
Since the company apparantly owes you money and you are apparantly a shareholder as well, I respectfully submit that it is in your interest to adopt a wait and see attitude and hope that financing is successful.