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APS says that further announcements are due soon
e.Digital’s Kino personal video player
Posted Aug 5, 2004, 8:25 AM ET by Peter Rojas
Related entries: Portable Video
http://www.engadget.com/entry/7551235144622112/
So e.Digital, the company that makes those Kino personal video players with the 7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD that Alaska Air is renting out on flights now (it comes pre-loaded with about 10 movies, a few TV shows, and over 100 songs), is making them available for other companies to customize and sell under their own names (which is what APS did for Alaska Air). Usually not the sort of news worth bothering about, especially since you probably still won’t be able to just buy one yourself (not that you’d want to given the billions of other options which will be flooding the planet over the next few months), but it does mean we might potentially start seeing these things pop up on other airlines.
http://www.i4u.com/
http://www.i4u.com/article1872.html
Tacoma-based APS has signed an agreement with DreamWorks SKG, the fourth movie studio to provide feature-length movies to the company's digEplayer portable in-flight entertainment device.
Under Snippets at the bottom
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/184908_tbrf05.html
I see that 3 Bestbuy stores have it in stock within 15 miles of my office.
Some how I was lead to believe Gateway was killing the X-20.(by the naysayers)
I would say that is not the case, since it looks like they have used it as part of their aggressive move into BestBuy.
If a few years ago we found out an e.Digital music player was going to be in BestBuys all over the US this stock would have done the rocket thing (up).
LOL
Looks like more than just liquidation...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat37500050005&type=category&cmp=
Flight of Fancy?
Launching a high-tech product can be a technical and financial challenge. Try these tips to get yours off the ground.
Entrepreneur magazine - August 2004
By Don Debelak
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Magazines/Copy_of_MA_SegArticle/0,4453,316479,00.html
The Entrepreneurs: Williams J. Boyers Jr., 39-year-old founder of APS in Tacoma, Washington and partner and co-founder Ray Henson, 39, who helped Boyer with the technical aspects of the invention
The Product: The digEplayer is a portable battery-operated in-flight entertainment system that passengers place on their tray tables. The 3-pound system, which holds 64 full-length movies and hours of digital music, cartoons and TV sitcoms, is a less expensive alternative to the traditional onboard in-flight systems that cost as much as $1 million per plane to install. A licensing arrangement with Twentieth Century Fox allows APS to reprogram the units every 60 days with new movies right before they go to video.
Startup: $250,000, which paid for making a rough design of the unit
Sales: $1 million-plus in the first quarter of 2004
The Challenge: negotiating the expensive product development and marketing costs required to introduce a high-tech product to a market with well-funded competitors
William J. Boyer Jr.'s high-tech business idea could certainly be described as ambitious: He set out to persuade airlines to ditch their traditional onboard entertainment systems for his innovative alternative. Although in the early days he lacked the requisite capital and technical expertise to get the business off the ground, before long, his venture was soaring past the million-dollar sales mark. Here's a closer look at how he launched his big idea from conception to reality.
Steps to Success
1. Sell customers on your product's benefits. Big customers are almost always skeptical of new vendors with smaller businesses. But they will listen if your product strikes them as unique and important. As Boyer explains, his product met that criteria: "I knew my product had two big benefits. Current in-flight entertainment systems weigh in excess of 1,500 pounds [due to wiring, screens and other components], a weight that requires about $100,000 of fuel per year. The digEplayer only weighs 3 pounds per system. The second benefit is that [if my] product fails, only one unit fails. When current systems go out, no one can watch a show. [With digEplayer], airlines can avoid unhappy customers on a long flight when a system goes down."
2. Don't be afraid to bring in a partner. Technical expertise is expensive—especially with high-tech products, where you might need a minimum of 10 redesigns before you get a product that meets your needs. If you can't afford to spend that kind of money, another option is to give up a part of the business to a partner with technical expertise. In Boyer's case, he found Henson, his technical expert, in the coffee shop Boyer owned. "I originally got my idea in 2000, and I knew one of my customers had worked at Intel and knew about electronics," says Boyer, who launched the business in 2002. "I kept asking him questions until, finally, Ray insisted I tell him what I was working on. Ray liked the idea, and he agreed to work on the project for a share of the business."
3. Find champions in the market. It doesn't matter what your product is—you'll have a tough time meeting the right people and breaking into the market if you lack an inside connection pushing for you. So do research to find people looking for a solution like yours. Boyer's champion was Dave Palmer, Alaska Airlines' managing director of marketing.
Boyer, who loves being around planes, was also working as a baggage-handler at the time, so he knew of Palmer. Boyer got the initial meeting because he had heard the managing director of marketing was struggling with the $1 million cost of adding an embedded entertainment system to each plane. So Boyer sent him a letter with a money-saving solution that caught Palmer's eye: Instead of spending $1 million per plane, Palmer could buy 40 digEplayer units for each plane (at a tenth of the cost of the embedded system). The airline could then charge air travelers $10 each to use a unit in flight. "I've probably talked to Dave Palmer 75 to 80 times," says Boyer, who is now courting other airlines as well. "He made time for me every time I wanted to see him."
Thanks to that commitment from Alaska Airlines, Boyer was able to secure a licensing deal with a division of Twentieth Century Fox called Fox in Flight. It helped, too, that the studio needed what he offered—content sales outside of theaters. "I sent a letter to Twentieth Century Fox asking if I could get an appointment for content procurement," he says. One thing led to another, and soon Boyer was on a plane to Los Angeles, where, he says, "[the studio] went out of [its] way to get me the licenses for the content. And they set up the license so I can get movies about a month before they are generally available on video."
4. Take small steps. You can try to limit your expenses for developing a high-tech product, but they can still add up. To keep costs down, be careful and move slowly to ensure you're spending money on a product that will sell. "On my first call to Dave Palmer, I started out with just a picture," says Boyer. "Then, when Dave liked what he saw, I kept moving forward with better models and prototypes. I had two mock-ups, a working model in a briefcase, and two prototypes before we finalized our product. Plus, I contacted Twentieth Century Fox after Alaska Airlines insisted I have content, so my last prototype included movie programming from Twentieth Century Fox and music programming [from] DMX Music."
IN THE LIMELIGHT
August is National Inventors' Month, and it's a great time for inventors to showcase their products at local libraries. Inventors' Month is sponsored by Inventors' Digest magazine, the United Inventors Association, and the Academy of Applied Science. These groups prepare kits for libraries so they can set up exhibits. So call your local library, and offer your product as part of the display. To get publicity, contact your local paper, and ask the editors to write about your display.
Lessons Learned
1. Show customers your credibility. It's not enough that someone is looking for a solution to a problem; customers must believe you can actually get your product produced and marketed. Therefore, first-time inventors should consider bringing in an experienced partner or a team of advisors with significant market experience. Ideal advisors for a high-tech product are engineers with relevant experience at big companies or marketing or regional sales managers for midsize or large firms. When someone experienced in the market believes in you and your product, it adds credibility to your project.
2. Ask, and you shall receive. People in the market get bored with their jobs, so an inventor with a new product can be an interesting project for them. To get help, simply ask people for help, and then take their advice. However, people will only help if you listen to them. Inventors have a tendency to want to be in charge of their idea and sometimes have trouble taking advice. You must get beyond that if you want to succeed with a high-tech product.
3. Seek out investors. High-tech innovations take a lot of money to launch—more money than an inventor usually has. The secret to finding investors is getting a credible response from a big customer, which shows you're ready to launch your business. Family friends and local investors are often willing to help fund your idea once a big customer offers a positive response and requests some definite action from you. Boyer, in fact, secured an investment for product development from a wealthy acquaintance, after he had both Alaska Airlines and Twentieth Century Fox tentatively agreeing to proceed.
4. Don't miss your window of opportunity. Your chances of success fade dramatically once people think you've lost your steam. Your champions might stay with you when momentum is on your side, but don't expect them to stick around when it's gone. Therefore, it's imperative that you keep getting results. You need to have something to show—a new model, prototype or package—every two or three months to stay at the top of your game.
Apple CEO Jobs Has Cancer Surgery
By Duncan Martell
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL - news) Chief Executive Steve Jobs (news - web sites) has had successful surgery for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, the company's co-founder told employees in a company-wide e-mail on Sunday that was made available to Reuters.
Jobs, 49, wrote in the e-mail sent from his hospital bed that he plans to return to work in September after recuperating in August. In his absence, Tim Cook, head of worldwide sales and operations, will run the Cupertino, California-based company, maker of the Macintosh (news - web sites) computer and popular iPod portable digital music player.
"This weekend I underwent a successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from my pancreas," Jobs wrote in the e-mail. "I had a very rare form of pancreatic cancer called an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, which represents about 1 percent of the total cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed each year, and can be cured by surgical removal if diagnosed in time (mine was)."
He added that he "will not require any chemotherapy or radiation treatments."
Bill Campbell, an Apple board member and also chairman and former chief executive of financial software company Intuit Corp. (Nasdaq:INTU - news), said in a telephone interview that based on his conversations with them, "The doctors felt very confident that the surgery was successful and (Jobs') prognosis is excellent."
COOK HAS BOARD'S FULL CONFIDENCE
Campbell said that Cook has the board's full confidence.
"With Tim, we're confident that company will really run very well," Campbell said.
Cook, in the same telephone interview, declined to comment on when Jobs' cancer was diagnosed or where he was being treated.
Jobs is also chairman and chief executive of animated film studio Pixar (Nasdaq:PIXR - news), which made such blockbusters as "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story." An Apple spokeswoman said that Ed Catmull, Pixar's president and who already runs the company's day-to-day operations, will oversee the Emeryville, California-based company until Jobs' return.
Jobs wrote that the far more common kind of pancreatic cancer, which he did not have, "is called adenocarcinoma, which is currently not curable and usually carries a life expectancy of around one year after diagnosis."
"I mention this because when one hears 'pancreatic cancer' (or Googles it), one immediately encounters this far more common and deadly form, which, thank God, is not what I had," Jobs wrote.
The charismatic Jobs, who returned in 1997 to the company he founded after being ousted years before, has been credited by analysts and investors for reviving its fortunes, turning out a spate of successful products such as the two versions of the iMac computer and the iPod.
After Jobs returned to the company, he slashed the number of product lines and pushed Apple to focus again on innovative industrial design and tight integration of its hardware and software.
Jobs noted that he had sent his e-mail using his 17-inch Apple PowerBook notebook computer, writing that "I'm sure I'll be calling some of you way too much in August, and I look forward to seeing you in September."
"My guess is I'll be hearing a lot from him beginning tomorrow," Cook said of Jobs.
Deloitte Announces Alphabetical List of 2004 San Diego Technology Fast 50 Winners
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/Jul/1060865.htm
--(Business Wire)-- -0- *T WHAT: Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, is pleased to announce an alphabetical listing of its 2004 San Diego Technology Fast 50 winners. The Fast 50 ranks the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in San Diego County over five years (1999-2003). A special category called "Rising Stars" recognizes the four fastest-growing technology companies based on revenue growth over three years (2001-2003). HOW: Technology Fast 50 winners are selected based on the percentage of growth in fiscal year revenues from 1999 to 2003. To be considered, entrants must be based in San Diego County and must be a technology company defined as owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues (using other companies' technology in a unique way does not qualify); and/or devoting a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology. WHEN: Announcement of the San Diego Technology Fast 50 and Rising Star winners, ranked by growth percentage, is scheduled for September 28, 2004. WHERE: Visit www.fast50.com for more information on the Technology Fast 50 program. WHO: Acceris Communications Inc. Active Motif, Inc.(a) Althea Technologies, Inc. American Technology Corporation BakBone Software, Inc.(a) Biosite Incorporated Captiva Software Corporation CardioDynamics International Corporation ComGlobal Systems, Inc. Continuous Computing Corporation cVideo, Inc. Digirad Corporation Discovery Partners International Diversa Corporation dj Orthopedics, Inc. Dot Hill Systems Corp. e.Digital Corporation Epimmune Inc. Gen-Probe Incorporated Greenland Corporation Illumina, Inc. ImageWare Systems, Inc. Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. International Lottery & Totalizator Systems, Inc. Invitrogen Corporation Kintera, Inc.(a) Koam Engineering Systems, Inc. Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Maxim Pharmaceuticals Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Novatel Wireless, Inc. Overland Storage, Inc. Predicate Logic, Inc. Prometheus Laboratories, Inc. ProSanos Corporation(a) Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc. Quidel Corporation ResMed Corporation RF Industries Ltd. SEQUENOM, Inc. SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc. SkinMedica SmartDraw.com St. Bernard Software Syzygy Technologies Terra-Kleen Response Group, Inc. The Active Network, Inc. The Titan Corporation Venetec International, Inc. Verari Systems, Inc. ViaSat, Inc. Vista Medical Technologies, Inc. Websense, Inc. Wireless Facilities, Inc. (a) Indicates a Rising Star, fastest-growing technology company based on revenue growth over three years (2001-2003). *T
MicroSoft thinks it's DRM is it...
http://www.microsoft.com/seminar/shared/asp/view.asp?url=/Seminar/en/20010904WMDRM_CC/manifest.xml&a...
Digifusion's innovative portable Personal Video Recorder (pPVR) allows users to access both audio and video content whilst on the move, and has the ability to store such content on its internal Hard Disk Drive without the need to interface with a PC.
The pPVR can access content in one of three ways:
i. Conventionally via its USB port, images, audio files, movies etc can be transferred from a PC
ii. By direct connection to an audio or composite / S-VHS video source using the units inbuilt MPEG encoder
iii. By direct digital connection to a dedicated Digifusion set top box or Digital Video recorder.
Featuring both MPEG 2 and MPEG4 playback, plus MP3 and WM9 audio support, the pPVR's integral 20 GB hard drive enables storage of up to 40 hours of video programming. With a built-in, back-lit LCD display, the Digifusion pPVR is a portable media centre which can be used whilst travelling or at home through a home entertainment system, It allows users to watch their favourite TV programmes or listen to their favourite music wherever they are.
Unlike any similar portable products currently available which are PC-centric, the Digifusion PPVR is able to interface with content without the need for a PC.
Downloading content from the internet and other sources is now an established method of acquiring audio and video files. The already buoyant market for personal players is set to rise dramatically in the next few years and is likely to be fuelled even further with the introduction of personal entertainment centres such as the highly versatile Digifusion pPVR.
http://www.fusiondigitec.com/files/newsite/consumer_prods/portables/ppvr/ppvr.htm
Fusion Reveal Revolutionary Added-Value Solutions for Pay TV Services at IBC 2004
20th July 2004
At this year’s IBC, Fusion Digital Technology Ltd are showcasing to Pay TV operators how to create additional revenue streams through their supplementary product range including an innovative Portable Personal Video Recorder (pPVR) and highly versatile, world-first Broadband Videophone.
The pPVR is a portable media centre, allowing users to access both audio and video content whilst on the move, and the ability to store such content on its internal Hard Disk Drive without the need to interface with a PC. In addition to the conventional USB port route, content can be transferred by direct connection to an audio or composite / S-VHS video source using the unit’s inbuilt MPEG encoder, and by direct digital connection to a dedicated Digifusion set top box or Digital Video recorder. This allows a plethora of new revenue streams for broadcasters and cable operators by offering a library of music and videos to their customers on a per-download basis.
The cost-effective broadband Videophone developed by Fusion and new technology partner RedCom, is the first of its kind to utilise the new compression standard H.264, enabling high quality video calls, as well as increased audio call quality, over existing broadband networks. With a plug-in wireless option, the Videophone can be attached to any TV set in a wireless broadband-enabled home, offering excellent flexibility and ease of use.
Broadband represents a high value growth industry however, analysts predict that future revenue growth will be fuelled via additional added value services such as video telephony rather than access costs. The usage of such services is expected to rise dramatically in the next 3 years, with UK’s BT already having committed to convert its whole national network to being Internet Protocol-based by 2009, fully supporting VoiP. The Videophone therefore presents an ideal solution for broadband operators and ISPs across the globe seeking innovative offerings to stimulate consumer demand, creating additional revenue streams. The unit’s secure billing and ability to interface with telecoms networks allows seamless access to mobile and landline networks.
FVRT200 Digital Video Recorder
Ian Ward, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fusion commented, “Most Pay TV operators and ISPs are continually looking for ways to drive revenue and reduce churn. In addition to our comprehensive range of PVR and dual-decode set top boxes, we’re offering IBC’s visitors the opportunity to learn how our supplementary products really can help achieve these objectives.”
You can register free for IBC 2004 by visiting www.ibc.org and following the registration instructions. For an exclusive presentation of Fusion’s innovative added-value product solutions, please arrange an appointment by calling the Sales Team on +44 870 606 0044, or email c.ridley@fusiondigitec.com
All presentations will take place in Meeting Room B27 on the balcony of Hall 1, or visit us on Stand 1-583 in Hall 1 at IBC, Amsterdam, 10-14 September 2004.
For further information, please contact:
Diane Mckaye on Tel: + 44 (0) 7771 926726
e-mail: d.mckaye@fusiondigitec.com
Notes
pPVR Features
– High-capacity 2.5” or 1.8” hard disk drive and/or 1” drives
– 3.5” (320 x 240 resolution) back-lit colour TFT display
– Digital Video Player supporting MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX
– Digital Audio Player supporting MP3, WMA, Audible Audio
– MS Janus or other proprietary DRM Support
– Digital Photo Viewer supporting JPEG, Motion JPEG
– Composite Video-in recording to serve as Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
– Composite video-output to TV
– Long-lasting, rechargeable Li-lon battery (15 hours for audio; 5 hours for video).
– USB 2.0 connector
– Infra-red remote control for living room playback and record operation
– Sleek, compact design
– Real-time clock to support time-based content viewing
– Home docking station
– Incorporates Timer for recordings
Videophone technical details
– Make high quality 2-way video calls at up to 25 frames per second using a 128Kbps-500Kps broadband connection.
– Video standards; H.264, H.263, H.261 etc…
– Audio standards; G.729, G.723, G.711 etc…
– SCART in and out for high quality video input, output and loop-through.
– Smartcard and RC4/AES encryption for security.
– Electronic payment card support for secure payment
– Support for 3 concurrent video images – local camera, far-end camera and local TV pictures.
– Manual or automatic pan and zoom for speaker tracking.
– Embedded web browser for setup, address book, caller ID, call log etc…
– Compatible with Microsoft Messenger
– Compatible with 3G standards to enable video calls to 3G mobile phones.
– Exchange high resolution pictures and MMS messages with other units or mobile picture phones.
– Option for 802.11 wireless networking.
– Built-in speaker and microphone for standalone speaker phone capability.
– Telephone socket – for simplest possible user interface and to support VoIP calls.
– Small base unit with integrated high quality, high resolution camera.
– Discrete table-top remote control incorporating a wireless microphone.
About Fusion
Fusion Digital Technology Ltd design, manufacture and supply innovative digital consumer electronics products for the international marketplace. The range includes both free to air and pay TV digital receivers for satellite, cable and terrestrial platforms alongside integrated LCD and plasma televisions. Fusion is a joint venture between industry pioneer Barry Rubery, founder and former Chief Executive of Pace Micro Technology plc, together with one of Europe’s largest consumer electronics manufacturers Beko Elektronik A.S. With its headquarters in North England, Fusion manufactures its products from its affiliated plants in Turkey.
For more information, please visit www.fusiondigitec.com
About RedCom
RedCom is a UK-based design and development company focused on deploying advanced technologies to consumers. Formed in 2003, RedCom is a team of highly skilled and experienced engineers with a proven track record of world first achievements: the first digital DVB MPEG2 set-top-box, the first integrated set top box with DOCSIS Cable modem, and first dual tuner PVR.
For more information, please visit www.redcom.co.uk or email info@redcom.co.uk.
Fusion Digital Technology Ltd
Tel: + 44 870 6060044
Fax: + 44 1274 565111
Victoria Mews, 23 Millfield Road, Cottingley Business Park, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1PY, United Kingdom
FYI
http://www.edigital.com/newsDetail.php?id=37
This Sept 03 PR was the first mention of IFE from the company
One year later...
At this upcoming September, WAEA show APS will feature different applications from
up to 10 of its airline customers from around the world, as well as several other new products and technological improvements.
At this upcoming September, WAEA show APS will feature different applications from
up to 10 of its airline customers from around the world, as well as several other new products and
technological improvements.
1 Blue Arrow
2 Hawaii Air
3 Alaska Air
4 KLM
5 Ted
6 Jetsgo
7 ?
8 ?
9 ?
10 ?
Anybody guessing?
Hawaiian Airlines entertainment tech to launch next month
The contractor building a new personal entertainment technology for Hawaiian Airlines says the "digEplayer" will be ready for deployment in August
"The digEplayer is the world's first self-contained portable audio/video on demand in-flight entertainment system," Tacoma, Wash.-based APS said.
Hawaiian will be the first airline to offer the digEplayer on widebody aircraft. It will deploy on transpacific flights to Hawaii; Australia; American Samoa; and Tahiti.
Customers will choose from 10-15 first-run, full-length movies; 8-10 short subjects or situation comedies; 20 music videos; and 100 audio tracks.
The battery- powered 3-pound unit fits on a seatback tray or flyer's lap, free in first class, $10 rental fee in coach, subject to availability. Current content comes from 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Buena Vista. Each unit contains a 40-gigabyte hard drive.
"The units were an immediate hit and sold out on every flight we tested them on," said Gordon Locke, Hawaiian's senior VP for marketing and sales.
Hawaiian is buying 1,500 digEplayers from APS following a two-month test run earlier this year.
http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/07/12/daily31.html?jst=b_ln_hl
APS of Tacoma sells digEplayers to airline
APS, a Tacoma company that makes portable entertainment devices for aircraft, has sold 1,500 of its digEplayers to Hawaiian Airlines. Passengers who use the devices will be able to choose from 15 full-length movies, 20 music videos and 100 audio tracks.
It will be available free in first class and for $10 in coach. The purchase follows a two-month test run on some of the company's aircraft. Other airlines using the digEplayer include Alaska Airlines and JetsGo.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/181997_tbrf14.html
With statements like "... $2M is certainly better" forgive me if I go ahead and order your "Pumper" pin for you to have on at the next Pumper meeting.
We meet on the 5th Thursday each month.
Looks like the next meeting is "Soon" on the 29th
"As of today, we have more than $2 million in booked orders for the first six months of fiscal 2005 (ending September 30, 2004) and, we have received large deposits for many of these orders. With further orders anticipated, we expect to be ahead of last year for the same six month period and record the best fiscal second quarter revenues in e.Digital's history."
This announcement exposes just how far off the mega-bashers are on these boards regarding the near future of this company
Looks like we got our "...information on business and technology developments as well as ...additional revenue guidance in early July"
I meant Gross Profit and you know it.
You act like they can not make any money on any deal yet they do.
Sure expenses exceeded Gross Profit but with more deals that might not be the case.
When that happens it will be net income and no longer net loss
If you need additional information try this..
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764550144/104-8272090-2090304?v=glance
The prior period deferred nre fees are still profit, profit you say they can't make.
21% for the year
78% for the Qtr
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
e.Digital Corporation and subsidiary as of March 31, 2004 and 2003...
/s/ SINGER LEWAK GREENBAUM & GOLDSTEIN LLP
With a Gross Profit of 78% it looks like they are getting more than Zero for the IFE deals.
Or do you think all the GP is from someone else?
Is that 4th Qtr GP 78%???!!!!!
Who said we don't make money on our deals?
Did I read that wrong?
Link to Jetsgo player
http://www.mavromatic.com/archives/000246.asp
Associated Press
Hundreds More Sued Over Music File Swaps
06.22.2004, 03:51 PM
The music industry filed copyright infringement lawsuits against 482 computer users Tuesday, the latest round of litigation by recording companies against suspected online music file-swappers.
The cases were filed against 213 people in St. Louis, 206 in Washington D.C., 55 in Denver and six in New Jersey, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, the Washington-based trade group that represents the major recording companies.
As in previous complaints brought by the industry this year, the lawsuits were filed against unnamed "John Doe" defendants, identified only by their computers' Internet protocol addresses.
The tactic is used when the defendants' identities are not known because it allows plaintiffs to ask the court to subpoena Internet access providers to reveal the names of their customers.
"Illegal downloading continues to cause enormous harm to the entire music community," said Steven Marks, the RIAA's general counsel. "We must stay on the path of education, enforcement, and offering great legal services."
In all, a total of 3,429 people have been sued by the recording industry since its legal campaign against individual computer users began in September. At least 600 of those cases were eventually settled for roughly $3,000 each. None of the cases has yet gone to trial.
The recording industry blames lagging music sales in recent years on the rise of online music piracy.
While some surveys have shown the number of people engaging in file-sharing has declined since the RIAA began its legal assault, other data shows millions continue to share music, movies and software online.
Bid/Ask moving up and volume looks like it might be higher than the past few weeks.eom
I found an old Microsoft add....
http://www.microsoft.com/homepage/features/holidayshopping2002.htm
That we were in
looks like most of the links don't work anymore
DigEplayers out sold the single movie 5 to 1
WOW
APS Newsletter...
http://www.digeplayer.com/Newsletter102.pdf
APS # 102: Hawaiian Airline Selects DigEplayer for Fleetwide Entertainment
APS, June 4, 2004
Hawaiian Airlines has contracted to provision all of the 767 fleet with DigEplayer, portable in flight entertainment system. The plan is to
load every flight with 96 units in two beverage carts and hand out first class (no charge) and sell 78 or more in coach at $10 each
($780).
This follows completion of very successful test flights.
68 Hawaiian Airlines “pink” units were available for the tests, up to 18 were handed out in First Class at no charge. The balance were
sold out in coach at $10, with one pass down the aisle with the digEplayer IFE carts.
These flights also offer a single movie on overhead monitors at $ 5 per showing on the same flights with DigEplayer rentals at $10:
♦ An average 43 digEplayers were rented $430 per flight, often selling out
♦ This was in addition to the overhead monitor movie offering, (“Something’s Got to Give” Jack Nicholson, Diane
Keaton) Available for $ 5.00.
♦ DigEplayers out sold the single movie 5 to 1.
♦ Flight attendants hugged digEplayer trainers after flights, said it was easy.
The digEplayer 5500 has been tested on flights from Seattle to Honolulu, according to Bill Boyer, founder and chairman of privately
held APS, who was there renting players from the beverage cart.
“It was unbelievable watching the response from the passengers,” he said. “We had three players running on top of the cart, showing a
children’s movie, ‘Master and Commander,’ and music videos. It took us less than 15 minutes to sell out all of the players.”
Luana Aiona, who is responsible for developing onboard services for Hawaiian Airlines, saw the digEplayer at the World Airline
Entertainment Association conference in Seattle last September.
“I immediately realized the potential the digEplayer would have for us,” she said. So she secured the device for Hawaiian.
Hawaiian Senior VP Marketing & Sales Gordon Locke said on five flights the digEplayer outsold headset sales nearly 5-to-1.
The player can be operated on a 10 hour battery or seat power, can hold over 64 full length feature movies plus sitcoms and 10+
hours of dynamic music content available on demand for the airline passenger.
APS website click here please>>>>>> www.digeplayer.com
To receive additional Information about APS, Digeplayers, OnBoard Pay or other APS products or services please click here
>>>>>web@digeplayer.com
Good Economy News
U.S. Michigan Sentiment Index Rises to 95.2 in June From 90.2
June 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. consumer confidence rose for the first time in three months in June amid increased hiring and a drop in gasoline prices, a private survey showed.
The University of Michigan's preliminary index of consumer sentiment for the month rose to 95.2 from 90.2 in May.
The addition of 1.2 million jobs this year is boosting personal income, and gasoline prices have fallen back from the record touched in May. Consumer spending has risen seven of the past eight months, boosting sales at companies such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., J.C. Penney Co., and Neiman Marcus Group Inc.
``Retailers are seeing better signs that consumers are spending, and they're ramping up for a very strong year,'' said Frank Badillo, senior economist at Retail Forward Inc., a consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio, before the report.
Economists expected the index to rise to 90.8, which represents the median of 60 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey. Forecasts ranged from 86 to 94.2. The preliminary index is based on a telephone survey of about 250 households.
The expectations index, which measures optimism about the next one to five months, rose to 86.9 in June from 81.6 in May.
The current conditions index, based on perceptions of consumers' financial situation and whether it's a good time to make big purchases, rose to 108.1 in June from 103.6 in May.
The sentiment index has declined since reaching a three-year high of 103.8 in January. The confidence measure averaged 89.4 the past three years.
Mood to Spend
Consumers have been in a mood to spend. U.S. retail sales rose 1.2 percent in May, the seventh increase in the last eight months, as purchases rebounded at auto dealers and record gasoline prices bolstered service station receipts, the Commerce Department said yesterday.
Incomes rose 0.6 percent in April, matching the biggest gain since April 2002, the Commerce Department said last month. Wages and salaries rose 0.5 percent after a 0.3 percent gain. Data for May will be released June 28.
Sales are rising at retailers such as Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, and Neiman Marcus Group Inc. Wal-Mart, the largest retailer, yesterday said June sales are meeting expectations for a gain of at least 4 percent as shoppers buy more food and pet supplies. Sales of toys and hardware were also strong, the company said.
Pump prices for gasoline climbed to a record $2.064 a gallon three weeks ago, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Department. The price has fallen every week since then and was $1.985 last week, the department said.
Mini HDD Seen Bringing Music, Video to Cellphones
Mon Jun 14,11:33 PM ET Reuters
By Kiyoshi Takenaka
TOKYO (Reuters) - An inspired combination of two of the most popular gadgets in recent years, mobile phones and digital cameras, resulted in an even hotter product, the camera phone, generating replacement demand across the globe.
Next comes an attempt to add the newest marvel, the miniature hard disk drive (HDD), to the cellphone.
If technological hurdles are overcome, a phone that can act as a miniature video player and store some 1,000 songs could hit the market within a year, analysts and industry sources say.
The spread of the technology, which has made possible Apple Computer Inc's iPod music players, is expected to give a boost to makers of small HDDs such as Toshiba Corp and Hitachi Ltd
"Demand for hard disk drives totals 300 million units a year. Cellphones sell some 500 million. The sheer size of the potential market excites disk drive makers," said Yukihiko Shimada, an analyst at UFJ Tsubasa Securities.
Speedy Internet access and a flat-rate tariff are likely to encourage cellphone users to download "rich content" such as CD-quality music, high-resolution video clips and advanced game software, all of which require an ever increasing amount of storage capacity.
"The most likely scenario is that flat-rate services would kick-start the distribution of music and videos to cellphones, which would need hard disk drives," J.P. Morgan analyst Kazuyo Katsuma said.
NTT DoCoMo Inc and KDDI Corp, Japan's largest and second-largest wireless operators, have started offering flat-rate Internet access services in the past year.
"I see some high-end models coming out with HDDs as early as in the current business year (to next March)," Katsuma said.
DoCoMo (news - web sites) expects terrestrial digital broadcasting intended for mobile phones, due to start in 2005, to boost demand for large-capacity memory devices to store and play back TV programs, but says it has not decided what type of memory devices it will use in its phones for that purpose.
Flash memory chips are the primary storage device for cellphones at present, but small HDDs are at least three to four times more cost-efficient.
NEXT BIG THING?
Battle has already been joined for dominance in miniature HDDs, seen as the fastest-growing part of the $24 billion HDD market.
Toshiba, which supplies 1.8 inch drives for Apple's original iPod, plans to launch stamp-sized 0.85 inch drives, certified by Guinness World Records as the world's smallest HDD, later this year, targeting the market for cellphones and other mobile devices.
Hitachi makes matchbook-sized one-inch drives which are used in mini iPods and can be squeezed into cellphones.
Crowding the market further, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings , the world's largest maker of HDDs, aims to launch its own one-inch drives, possibly by later this year.
HDD parts manufacturers such as TDK Corp, the world's largest maker of HDD heads, and Nidec Corp, which controls 70 percent of the global HDD motor market, are also gearing up for the launch of HDD-equipped cellphones.
"We are ahead of the competition in technology to put more data in less space ... We welcome the trend (to put HDDs in handsets)," TDK President Hajime Sawabe said in an interview with Reuters in May.
Besides boosting storage density, manufacturers face other challenges to create commercially viable HDDs for mobile phones, such as improving the disk drives' ability to withstand the impact when a handset is dropped onto a hard surface.
As HDDs contain moving parts, they are generally more vulnerable to such shocks than flash memory chips. But there has been some progress by disk drive makers on that front.
"When not in motion, our hard disk drives are now no less shock resistant than a flash memory, although when being accessed they still have some weakness," a Hitachi spokesman said.
The question of shock resistance does not rule out the use of HDDs in cellphones, since their functionality is already proven in iPod and other portable devices.
But some market watchers say HDDs' tendency to be less durable than chip-based products when handled roughly and their greater power consumption are likely to limit their role as a memory device to specialty models rather than as a mainstream memory device that will replace flash memories.
"Chances are that a few models with HDDs will be launched to test the market. But I think it's unlikely at the moment that HDDs will become a standard feature of every mobile phone," said Ichiro Morimoto, a senior consultant at Nomura Research Institute.
IMHO the biggest advantage is the Pause button.
I think they left that off that list.
Everytime I take a long flight and I am watching a movie, the capt talks, someone says excuse me while I get by you, I am offered a drink (Wild Turkey and Coke please) or I have to go to the head (to much coke)
It's got to the point I dont even waste my time with a movie.
But the Pause/Rewind function solves it all
By the end of the week!!!
Let's hope they wait for Monday since the markets are closed on Friday.
Guess APS dosn't care since they are not public.
Oh well
U.S. markets to close for Reagan funeral
Sources: NYSE, Nasdaq to suspend trading Friday
Updated: 12:05 p.m. ET June 07, 2004NEW YORK - U.S. stock markets will be closed this Friday to observe the death of former President Ronald Reagan, several Wall Street sources said Monday.
Official word of the closure is expected later Monday, the sources said. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market declined to comment on any possible memorial closures.
Full Text of WB/Digeplayer release
From LawyerLong
PostID 336533 On Monday, June 07, 2004 (EST) at 12:10:01 PM
Response To: LawyerLong PostID 336532
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Airline VOD signs up WB
Frog joins Fox, BV to provide content for Digeplayer
By BEN FRITZ
HOLLYWOOD -- Fledgling airline entertainment company APS has signed Warner Bros. as the newest content provider for its Digeplayer, the first in-flight video-on-demand system.
WB joins Fox and Buena Vista, which already provide film and TV content for the Digeplayer, currently available only on Alaska Air.
Company, founded by an Alaska Air employee, is in discussions to expand to several other major airlines.
Device stores up to 30 films and a variety of TV episodes, musicvids and songs. Users can select, pause and watch the copy-protected content on their own schedules, a featurefeature APS and Alaska Air tout as a significant advantage over satellite TV and in-flight movies that run at uniform times.
APS chief execexec and founder Bill Boyer said signing on studios has been a challenge as the company's distribution model is new. Digeplayer licensing pays significantly less per movie, but more overall, than the studios typically receive from airlines. Company also had to demonstrate a copy-protection system that piracy-wary Hollywood would accept.
Available content now ranges from ''Miracle'' to ''Speed'' to ''Friends.'' Company gains access to films at the same time they're available for airplane viewing, and has rights to some library titles and skeins in syndication.
''When Alaska Airlines said it wouldn't pay for an embedded entertainment system on its planes, I saw the opportunity to try something different,'' Boyer said of his company's origins. ''But it was a real challenge to get the studios to sign on for this new way of doing things.''
Deal with WB comes as Alaska Air is launching its first cross-country flights out of Los Angeles, giving the Digeplayer significantly broader exposure. Service is free in first class, $10 in coach.
Everyone has an opinion today...
Since the board moderators think it's ok to discuss stock movement with no regard to busniess substance
CMO Up .85%
NLY Down .63%
BPT Down 2.0%
EDIG UP 5.88%
imho that was a misprint and what they wanted to say was BlueFox (I could be wrong)
http://www.bluefoxairlines.com/about/
Since they are the only Blue(anything) that is British with transatlantic flights.
Good source for Airline links...
http://www.angelfire.com/ego/aviation/airliners.html
Press Release Source: e.Digital Corporation
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040527/275146_1.html
e.Digital Corporation Announces Canadian Airline, Jetsgo, Order of APS' digEplayer
Thursday May 27, 10:30 am ET
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 27, 2004--e.Digital Corporation (OTC:EDIG - News) today announced that Jetsgo, a Canadian airline offering air service to 17 Canadian and seven U.S. destinations, has placed an initial order for 1,000 units of APS' digEplayer 5500(TM).
APS' digEplayer 5500 is the world's first portable, Video-On-Demand, in-flight entertainment system. The digEplayer can hold over 30 full length feature movies, including first run movies not yet available on video, and hours of television programming, music and other entertainment options.
Jetsgo will initially make the e.Digital-powered devices available on flights of three hours or more in length. Beginning in July, 40 digEplayers are scheduled for availability on each plane designated to offer the units, for a rental of $10 per passenger.
"The digEplayer is perfect for airlines like Jetsgo and their fleet of MD-83s and Fokker 100s," said Bill Boyer, founder and chairman of APS. "We are excited to have Jetsgo as the first airline in Canada to offer our system. We look forward to their passengers enjoying the unique digEplayer experience, with its dynamic content, for many years."
"Jetsgo's order of APS' digEplayer is a great win for this version of our MicroOS-powered personal video technology platform (PVTP)," said Fred Falk, e.Digital's president and CEO. "We look forward to continuing our support of APS in the IFE and travel and leisure industry by providing under license our growing portfolio of audio and video technology."
e.Digital expects to realize several million dollars in revenue through APS' digEplayer product sales to airlines and other companies serving the travel and leisure industry, as well as refurbishment fees and other services provided to APS.
About e.Digital Corporation
e.Digital Corporation partners with leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) licensing, designing and providing manufacturing services for OEM-branded digital video, digital audio and wireless products based on the Company's proprietary MicroOS(TM)-enabled technology platforms. e.Digital specializes in the delivery and management of open and secure digital content through its Personal Video, Personal Audio, Automotive, and Wireless technology platforms. e.Digital's services include the licensing of the Company's MicroOS(TM), custom software and hardware development, industrial design, and manufacturing services through the Company's manufacturing partners. For more information about e.Digital and its technology platforms, please visit the company website at www.edigital.com.
About APS
Tacoma, Wash.-based and privately owned, APS is the airline industry's leading innovator in in-flight entertainment systems. Using the latest technology licensed from e.Digital and DivX, the digEplayer 5500(TM) offers superior audio and video quality. For more information about the digEplayer 5500(TM), contact APS at 253-284-4445 or visit www.digeplayer.com.
About Jetsgo
Headquartered in Montreal with 950 employees, Jetsgo offers scheduled discount air service to 17 Canadian and seven U.S. destinations including Victoria, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton, Saint John, N.B., Charlottetown, Halifax, Sydney, Stephenville, St. John's, Nfld., Los Angeles, New York (Newark), Las Vegas, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Ft. Meyers. For more information, please visit: www.jetsgo.com.
Another gem in that write up pointed out by trillium over on agora...
From the article
'Jetsgo chief executive officer Michel Leblanc said the airline is buying more than 1,000 of the units, which cost about $2,000 apiece, and, to begin with, will put 40 on each plane.'
I believe they are talking Canadian dollars here which converts to $1459.43 in US dollars.....A sum considerably larger than we've heard discussed before. Perhaps the $1000/ unit cost previously mentioned is actually EDIG's gross revenues / unit which includes manufacturing costs.