Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
HP Wave.
http://h20219.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/4AA1-8478ENW_Sec_and_Man_wp.pdf
Here is another mentioning Wave on pages 5, 12 and 14.
It's dated March 2008.
HP and Wave.
HP presentation dated June 3, 2008.
http://www.pacounties.org/commissioners/lib/commissioners/CCAP-_HP_PSG_Securityoveriew_low-res.pdf
Wave mention on pages 34 and 36.
Barclays and Dell.
Barclays plans Longhorn upgrade
27 May 2004
The bank is planning desktop upgrades to coincide with the release of Microsoft's next operating system
Barclays Bank is already planning its desktop upgrades to tie in with the release of Microsoft's next-generation Longhorn Windows operating system.
The bank is currently in the process of refreshing its desktop environment with 41,700 Dell PCs and laptops as part of a seven-year outsourcing agreement with EDS but Kevin Lloyd, CTO at Barclays, told ZDNet UK's sister site silicon.com that Longhorn is already in the bank's sights.
He said: "The contract allows for a full hardware and software refresh in 2007 to align with Longhorn developments and provides the infrastructure for our Microsoft Sharepoint rollout."
The timetable for the current Dell desktop project is 15 to 18 months and the occupancy of Barclays' new corporate HQ in Canary Wharf in the first quarter of next year will be the major milestone.
Lloyd said the creation of a uniform environment will deliver benefits to the business.
"Value is created, for example, through standardising at desktop and server and placing the whole estate into a commercial, clearer and understood full lifecycle, total cost of ownership and clearer unambiguous service-level agreements."
Lloyd has previously attracted criticism from Linux advocates for his comments in an interview with silicon.com last year where he said Barclays had evaluated Linux and found Microsoft to have a lower TCO. He said many people fail to factor in hardware and software, support, break-fix and refresh costs.
Story URL: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/0,1000000121,39155971,00.htm
Dell and EDS to Provide Desktop Computers and Services to Barclays
Round Rock, Texas, May 25, 2004
Dell has announced that it has signed a contract with EDS to supply 41,700 customized Dell desktop computers and notebooks to Barclays Plc., part of a seven-year agreement between EDS and the UK-based financial services group to provide IT and managed desktop outsourcing services.
The agreement will enable Barclays Plc to provide an updated and uniform desktop IT service across its UK business. The first desktop 'refresh' phase, due to commence later this year and complete in 2005, will see Dell deliver the 41,700 OptiPlexTM GX270 desktop computers and LatitudeTM D400 and D600 notebooks to the various businesses that make up the Barclays Group. A second rollout of Dell products is planned in the next four years.
"Coupling EDS' desktop management expertise and our latest automated software deployment tools with Dell's best-in-class high-productivity desktop hardware enables us to lower Barclays' operating costs, increase efficiencies and improve the productivity of their workplace environment, while allowing them to focus on their core business," comments Bill Thomas, president, EDS Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Dell will provide a full range of support services to Barclays through EDS, including Custom Factory Installation, a pre-installation service that configures Dell systems to meet the customer's exact needs and requirements. This enables staff to use the tailor-made computer systems instantly and without the need for further adaptation.
Bill Rodrigues, Vice President & General Manager UK and Global EMEA, Dell, says: "Working with EDS on this large-scale project demonstrates both companies' commitment to providing customers such as Barclays with a first-class, fully managed desktop service, setting a precedent for future deals of this nature."
Getronics Ousts EDS to Win $240m Barclays Contract
Publication Date: 6 February 2006
IT infrastructure supplier Getronics NV has won a 200m euro ($240m) desktop and application management support contract with UK retail bank Barclays, replacing EDS Corp.
Amsterdam, Netherlands-based Getronics said that it would support about 30,000 of the bank’s users for the next five years, in what is the company’s joint largest ever deal – it signed another 200m euro deal with retail chain Royal Ahold in June last year.
Most of the work will be done in the UK, but some will be done in Spain and in Hungary.
Barclays had outsourced desktop support to EDS in 2003 under a seven-year $350m deal, with Getronics used as a subcontractor. Barclays said it was looking to restructure the deal in September last year, and now Getronics, which has a long-standing relationship with Barclays, has managed to edge EDS out of the deal.
Getronics and Dell alliance
Enhancing IT services together
Over the past few years, Getronics has built up a strong partnership with Dell – the world's leading direct computer systems company. Together, Getronics and Dell provide enterprise customers with superior IT life-cycle services and support.
Dell has only two global service providers, and Getronics is one of them.
Getronics and Dell work together to deliver complete solutions for clients who choose Dell server, storage, desktop and mobile hardware. Dell designs and customises the products and services to end-user requirements. Getronics provides the business solutions and the professional, managed and maintenance services which ensure that infrastructure and applications are designed, implemented, managed and maintained to meet clients’ individual business needs. Getronics has more than 1,200 trained engineers who are focused exclusively on providing maintenance, warranty and life cycle services to Dell customers worldwide.
The Getronics/Dell partnership allows Getronics' clients to achieve the lowest possible cost of ownership, while gaining the highest level of service and quality products for their enterprise solutions.
Barclays.
Note that Wave sponsored this presentation by the Head of Information Risk Management at Barclays. I believe Barclays also holds a few shares of Wave. This presentations was posted September 11, 2008.
Fighting the insider threat
sponsored by Wave Systems
ABSTRACT:
While all of the attention was focused on perimeter security and preventing attacks from the outside in the last few years, employees and other trusted insiders quietly have become the most dangerous threat to corporate networks. They have access to sensitive data and often are not very careful how they handle it, leaving enterprises and other organizations vulnerable to a variety of deliberate and accidental incidents.
This video lesson will be a case study of how one financial institution addressed the insidious problem of insider attacks. Barclays Capital needed a way to defend against both malicious and careless insiders in an industry where there is zero margin for error.
In this presentation, viewers will get:
• A detailed look at the measures that Barclays used to address insider threats.
• Tips and tactics for preventing incidents before they occur.
• A framework for reducing the likelihood of insider attacks.
• Key lessons you can learn from recent insider attacks.
Speaker
Stephen Bonner
Head of Information Risk Management, Barclays
Bonner is responsible for managing the global information risk team of Barclays information, infrastructure, and applications by identifying, managing, and leading, either directly or through partnerships, all aspects of information risk. He joined Barclays, initially within Barclays Capital, in 2003 from LIFFE, where he was Information Security Manager, responsible for protecting transactions worth $12 trillion per month. Prior to LIFFE, he worked at various London investment banks.
http://research.pcpro.co.uk/detail/RES/1208530138_560.html
Barclays boss falls victim to ID fraud
Thursday January 10 2008 15:43 GMT
A fraudster posing as the chairman of Barclays stole £10,000 from the bank after tricking a member of staff into sending him a credit card, it emerged today.
The conman duped call centre staff into issuing a credit card in the name of banking boss Marcus Agius and then used it to withdraw funds at a high street branch.
It is believed that the thief, working alone or as part of a gang, used the internet to find out details concerning Agius, such as his date of birth and address.
He then contacted a Barclaycard employee and requested that a new card be sent out.
Armed with the information and the card, the conman entered a branch of the bank and walked away with £10,000 of Agius's cash.
Barclaycard has since reimbursed the chairman and the fraud has prompted a review of procedures at the bank and the implementation of new security checks for senior executives.
Agius, who took over as Barclays chairman last January, said: "Credit card fraud is an issue which our industry continues to confront.
"Barclays is resolved to do everything possible on behalf of our customers to minimise its impact."
A spokesman for Barclaycard added: "It was down to human error, procedures were not followed fully and we have learned from it.
"This is an ongoing battle with professional fraudsters. All Barclays customers, from the chairman downwards, have a 100% fraud guarantee as long as they take responsible care of their information."
This is the second high profile case of identity fraud to emerge this week, after the TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson revealed he had also fallen victim to fraudsters.
He lost £500 after publishing his bank details in a national newspaper in an attempt to show fears about identity fraud were over the top.
In the first six months of last year criminals stole £263.6m through card crime, according to the payments association Apacs.
General Displays & Technologies LLC
Could this involve Wavexpress?
September 23, 2008
GE Launches Global HDTV Joint Venture
Joint venture will deliver GE-branded HDTVs and complementary products with interactive Internet functionality
Unique partnership with NBC Universal will enable customized viewing of digital content
FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE today announced the formation of General Displays & Technologies LLC (GDT), a new joint venture with Tatung Company, a global leader in display technologies. GDT will design, market and service GE-branded HDTVs to deliver the best home high definition video, audio and Internet experience. The first series of premium product offerings will be available to consumers in Spring 2009.
“We are developing advanced, Internet capabilities for content delivery to televisions, without the need for a PC. This includes Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) through cable, satellite and advanced fiber optic television connectivity,” said Marc McConnaughey, CEO, GDT. “The long-term strategy is to allow consumers to customize their viewing experience by downloading widgets and a variety of services directly to their HDTVs.”
In addition to offering innovative HDTVs, GDT will partner with NBC Universal (NBCU), a leading media and entertainment company, to develop an open platform capable of delivering Internet and other digital content directly through the television.
"This is an exciting opportunity for NBCU to partner with GE and help design a cutting edge product that responds now to consumer desire for a seamless union of high quality digital content and Internet engagement, with an ease that still appeals to TV viewers,” noted Darren Feher, EVP & CTO, NBC Universal.
Ultimately this product will let consumers view digital HD content from popular websites directly on their television, coupled with clean in-synch integration with the preferences and personalization that makes the web so appealing.
Peter Weedfald, president North America, GDT said, “Sales of LCD TVs have grown 30 percent year over year as flat screen TV prices have fallen, opening up the market to new consumers. GDT is well poised to become a leader in today’s rapidly developing digital marketplace and provide the retail channel with pioneering products to meet this growing demand. In addition, the entire line of GE-branded HDTVs will be highly energy efficient, ensuring a cost effective and environmentally sound product for the home.”
GE is a 49 percent equity stakeholder in GDT, and as part of the agreement, GDT has entered into a new licensing agreement to market GE-branded HDTVs globally. Under the joint venture, GDT will benefit from GE’s world-class brand, business processes, quality assurance and financial strength. Additionally, as one of Taiwan’s most respected companies, Tatung brings global expertise in design, manufacturing and supply chain management, with facilities in Greater China, North America, Europe and South East Asia. "Tatung is thrilled for the opportunity to both invest and work directly with General Displays & Technologies, GE and NBCU to develop and deliver new interactive HDTVs and complementary products," said Mrs. W.Y. Lin , executive vice president, Tatung Company.
While so many other companies are jumping out of the business, GE has decided to jump back into the highly-competitive flat-panel TV market via a partnership with Tatung Co. GE has announced a joint partnership with Tatung to make HDTVs - but these will support IPTV and interactive content from NBC right out of the box. Content streaming services will initially include standard- and high-definition offerings from NBC Universal to set-top boxes, with the IPTV capability to be integrated into the HDTVs after initial products have been launched. GTD also plans to integrate technologies such as Tru 2 Way interactive cable for supporting programming guides, on-demand content, and other features, as well as support for BD LIve interactive content. The key to the success of GTD's plans no doubt rests on the openness of its IPTV platform. Content streaming services will include standard- and high-definition offerings from NBC Universal, initially delivered to set-top boxes, with HDTV models capable of receiving the streams directly from the Internet expected to emerge at a later date.
Ramsey,
This is a mutual release. My read is (by the company - Wavexpress) to Wave. So I believe this is Wave's investment in Wavexpress.
(including, without limitation, the issuance by the Company to Wave of convertible promissory notes in an aggregate original principal amount of approximately $71,600,000)
Wavexpress.
In the filing, 2.2.Release by Sarnoff in part states - the issuance by the Company to Wave of convertible promissory notes in an aggregate original principal amount of approximately $71,600,000
Trying to understand the implications of a sale or investment by another company in Wavexpress relative to the aggregate original principal amount of approximately $71,600,000?
Any thoughts?
Pipiline trading,
This is interesting:
About Pipeline - New York City-based Pipeline Trading Systems LLC operates the Pipeline Alternative Trading System (ATS) that enables institutions and brokerage firms to quickly and efficiently trade blocks of NYSE - listed companies, NASDAQ stocks, ADRs, and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Pipeline empowers firms to execute block trades in single executions. Pipeline maintains a hidden book of large, executable limit orders with strict price time priority. Pipeline facilitates interaction between traders, enabling all real buyers and sellers to find each other anonymously and get trades done while minimizing gaming. Pipeline Trading Systems LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pipeline Financial Group, Inc.
http://www.pipelinetrading.com/AboutPipeline/CompanyInfo.aspx
Pipeline Symbol and Block Quantity List
Over 6,000 issues, including the S&P 500, the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 3000 and selected ETFs and ADRs are eligible for trading in Pipeline. Most names traded in Pipeline have a minimum block quantity of 25,000 shares. However, for the issues most actively traded in the national markets, the block quantity is 100,000 shares. For less liquid names, the block quantity is 10,000 shares. The block quantity for each name is displayed in the Pipeline user interface.
WAVX - Wave Systems Corp – NasdaqGM - 10000
http://www.pipelinetrading.com/PLSolutions/Symbols.aspx
Safestick FlashID.
So if these USB devices contain an actual TPM chip, other than the fact that it is portable and not connected to the motherboard, it may operate as a standard TPM. As far as Wave’s applications like Document Manager, PIM, etc. it would perform like any other TPM.
BlockMaster and Deepnet Security Launch SafeStick FlashID
London and Stockholm, September 8, 2008 — Security innovators BlockMaster® and Deepnet Security® today made a joint statement on the immediate availability of SafeStick® FlashID, a secure USB Flash Drive with strong OATH-compliant two-factor authentication.
With SafeStick® FlashID, users can access resources with OTP and bring information securely with them. The product combines two-factor authentication and encrypted file storage (AES256) of up to 64GB in a slim USB Flash Drive.
"Accessing a remote desktop or Outlook Web Access has never been easier or more secure. Deepnet has fulfilled all the demands we had on an embedded OTP", says Johan Söderström, CTO at BlockMaster.
In short, the solution consists of stand-alone OTP software that resides on the hardware-protected SafeStick drive. The OTP application is accessible through a menu that is integrated with the SafeStick password software.
SafeStick is a secure USB Flash Drive made by IT security company BlockMaster. It encrypts and password protects all information stored on the drive, ensuring that only the rightful owner can access the information.
SafeStick FlashID is a product of Deepnet Security. On one single platform, Deepnet Unified Authentication provides a rich set of user credentials and authentication methods, including software and hardware OTP tokens, PKI smart tokens, keystroke and voice biometrics, and risk-based device authentication.
SafeStick FlashID is available from both BlockMaster and Deepnet resellers.
FIPS-certified, secure USB flash drive SafeStick® will hold 64GB
September 03, 2008 Computers News
IT security company BlockMaster today announced the immediate availability of a 64GB version of SafeStick®, its encrypted USB flash drive. In the United States, the device has also been awarded Federal Information Processing Standards 197 certification by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for conforming to the Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm. This makes SafeStick® the highest-capacity FIPS-certified secure USB flash drive in the world.
With the new SafeStick® 64GB portable hardware, users are assured lightning-quick backup of a full hard drive, and all work documents are safe and readily accessible at all times. The SafeStick® 64GB promises speeds of up to 28.8MB/s read and 15.4MB/s write. It will hold up to 6.4 million word processor pages and weighs just one-third of an ounce (10 grams).
Used by companies around the world in all industries to protect portable information, SafeStick® encrypts and password-protects all information stored on the drive, thus ensuring that only the rightful owner can access stored information. Among BlockMaster’s customers are numerous Fortune Global 2000 companies such as SAPA and many government organizations such as the U.K.’s National Health Service.
"We were impressed with SafeStick® because of the level of security it offers, as well as its ease of use and value," states James Norman, an associate director within the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust. "SafeStick® drives are being deployed throughout the whole trust to replace existing memory sticks, thus providing reassurance that should any [devices] fall into the wrong hands, the data held on them will be safe from disclosure."
The SafeStick® 64GB is available through resellers in 28 countries and through BlockMaster’s SafeStick® Shop for other parts of the world. FIPS certification is available for SafeStick® drives that contain between 512MB and 64GB.
Deepnet Security and Wave Systems Sign Licensing Agreement to Introduce Hardware-Based Security for Virtual Smart Cards.
Next-Generation Security Chip Equips Cards with Strongest Key Encryption on the Market
London, UK and Lee, MA – January 11, 2006 – Deepnet Security today announced that it had signed a licensing agreement with Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX), a leading provider of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) solutions, to arm Deepnet Smart ID™ virtual smart cards with TPM-based security to protect users’ digital identities.
Wave enables the encryption keys used for, and by, Deepnet Smart ID virtual smart cards to be automatically generated and protected by the unique standards-based Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware security chip. This new level of security supports the advanced functionality of the Smart ID, which can hold users’ personal credentials, such as private encryption keys, passwords, digital certificates and biometrics, inside the protected environment of the internal file system.
Using Wave’s TCG Enabled Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP), Deepnet will deploy its Smart ID™ virtual smart card application with hardware-generated and stored cryptographic keys. Traditionally, these keys are vulnerable to attack, and the solution according to security-conscious organizations worldwide is to store the keys in a Trusted Platform Module vault, now shipping standard in business-class PCs.
Commenting on the agreement, Yurong Lin – CEO of Deepnet Security said “This agreement allows us to offer a higher level of security to enterprise customers. We are very pleased to have signed the agreement that will benefit our customers. We value the TPM technology Wave Systems has developed and see it as a good compliment to our virtual Smart Card.”
The TPM chip, embedded directly on the motherboard of new business PCs, performs a variety of business security features when combined with Wave Systems’ EMBASSY™ Trust Suite software, such as; security policy management, data protection, password management and strong pre-boot authentication. The solution substantially improves protection against password, data and personal information theft, and provides enhanced application security, strong wireless authentication, secure email and more—all while increasing productivity.
“TPM technology has not only shipped in tens of millions of PC platforms, but it’s also beginning to saturate additional markets as trusted computing dramatically improves the security of technologies such as virtual smart cards,” says Steven Sprague, president and CEO of Wave Systems. “By collaborating with the innovators at Deepnet Security, we are enabling Smart ID to leverage the security features of the Trusted Platform Module, which is backed by an industry standards body of over 150 technology vendors collaborating to mitigate the risks of unauthorized user access or hacking theft. Today’s collaboration significantly raises the bar on security for mobile device tokens.”
Deepnet SmartID
SmartID is a 3-in-1 solution that combines virtual smart card, plug-and-play USB flash drive and onboard TPM (Trusted Platform Module) security chip, providing the same advanced security functionality as conventional plastic smart cards.
SmartID is designed to support public key infrastructure (PKI) for authentication, digital signatures and file encryption as well as securely storing Windows credentials for authentication but at the fraction of the cost of the conventional smart cards.
While the conventional smart card creates the secure storage for digital credentials in a plastic card, SmartID creates the secure storage in any of the following devices:
Hard Disk - Virtual Smart Card
USB Flash Drive - USB Smart Card
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Chip - TPM Smart Card
SmartID is an ideal choice for a wide range of applications such as Windows Network Logon, Remote Desktop Logon and Web client authentication. SmartID supports both PKCS #11 and MS-CAPI interfaces.
Re: HP.
Just a note: When we got the Toshiba announcement. Toshiba and Wave already had development versions of these products to demo in San Francisco.
eSign Systems - Wave.
Jobs posted 8/25 on Monster.com.
Product Specialist
eSignSystems is a division of Wave Systems Corp., a leading developer of hardware-based enterprise security software. The eSignSystems group offers the eSign Transaction Management Suite (eTMS), enabling organizations to create, sign, store, access and manage the lifecycle of legally binding electronic records. Wave is looking for a professional to serve as Product Specialist with the eTMS Product Management team.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Product Specialist is a hard-working, highly organized, detail-oriented and goal-driven individual. The Product Specialist is a strong planner and multi-tasker. The day-to-day activities of this position typically include assisting with the management of the software product, including providing internal communication on and supporting product status updates, product fulfillment, product training, product testing and working and administering with a customer relationship management system. The Product Specialist will be tasked with internally managing downstream processes related to new product releases, including documentation updates, release notes, customer communications as well as marketing updates related to product functionality changes. The Product Specialist will also assist in supporting internal sales activities, including customer follow up as well as online demonstrations of the eTMS applications. The position demands a high technical aptitude and the ability to learn quickly, as well as to find a solution. Wave Systems offers the prospect of long-term career development in product management with a growing company.
Minimum Qualifications:
• A Bachelor’s degree
• 1 year experience in a technical field, preferably web based applications
• Ability to learn/coach/teach/demonstrate software applications
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Project and Visio
• Advanced knowledge of Windows personal computers hardware, software and networking – a plus
• Product management or marketing knowledge – a plus
• Technical writing skills – a plus
Senior Account Manager
eSignSystems is a division of Wave Systems Corp., a leading developer of hardware-based enterprise security software. The eSignSystems group offers the eSign Transaction Management Suite (eTMS), enabling organizations to create, sign, store, access and manage the lifecycle of legally binding electronic records. Wave is looking for a professional to serve as Senior Account Manager with the eTMS Sales Team.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Generate revenue from sales in the Financial Services Industry from mid-tier to large Enterprise Accounts
• Assist in developing and adjusting on-going sales strategy
• Prospect for new business, manage the account, set expectations internally and externally and close business on plan
• Call into accounts, map and qualify prospect
• Manage relationships with key prospects and existing customers
• Respond to ROI quotes, RFIs, RFPs
• Present live demos for prospects
• Excellent presentation skills
• Participate in tradeshows and conferences
• Customize presentations and marketing collateral
• Provide input/mapping to develop web-based demos and presentations
• Negotiate pricing/ contracts
• Work with technical support to coordinate new installations and product related issues
• Travel required, along with dedicated home office
Specialized Education/Experience:
• Five plus years in application/solution sales within mid-tier to large Enterprise accounts to both business and IT decision makers
• Proven track record in achieving/over achieving quarterly and annual quota
• Must have high ethics, integrity and have a desire to be a part of a world-class sales organization
• Self motivated and able to operate in remote environment
• Must have strong knowledge of Business Process/Document Management Solutions and demonstrate the ability to discuss them with intelligence and conviction
• Additional knowledge of PKI and ESIGN laws and compliance and security software would be valuable experience
• Formal sales training preferred: Solution-Selling and/or Value Selling training
• Ideal candidates will bring with them a range of mid-tier to major account contacts in Financial Services Industry
• Strong background in selling technical software solutions a must
Compensation:
• Salary plus commissions
• Base salary range of $80k to $100k, based on experience
• Commissions based on revenue generated, no cap
• Target commissions based on achieving expected revenue quota
• Full health benefits package
An Equal Opportunity Employer, Wave offers competitive salary and benefits.
http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=75125595&JobTitle=Senior+Account+Manager&co=xw114198539wx&cy=US&vw=b&AVSDM=2008-08-26+11%3a53%3a00&pg=1&seq=2
Job posting.
Note: Job is also posted on maxhire.net.
http://www.maxhire.net/clients/MH766/jobsearch_detail.asp?reference=13041
Credant-Wave-Danbury?
This 2008 platform incorporates a new, integrated chipset and Trusted Platform Module (TPM), along with a new data encryption technology codenamed "Danbury Technology." Wave will show how EMBASSY technology can be adapted for data-at-rest, strong authentication and key management. Wave offers the only interoperable solution based upon the Trusted Computing Group's specifications for trusted platforms that include TPM secure storage solutions and secure infrastructures as defined by the TCG. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Sept_18/ai_n27378289
CREDANT Technologies and Intel Partner to Provide Enterprise-Grade Management and Compliance Reporting
Combined Solution Protects Data Against Insider and External Threats With a Single Point of Management for Policy
Administration, Encryption Enforcement, Key Escrow, Data Recovery and Compliance Reporting
Intel Developer’s Forum, SAN FRANCISCO, CA– September, 19, 2007 –CREDANT Technologies, the market leader in mobile data protection solutions, today announced that it has partnered with Intel to provide a single point of management that includes policy administration key escrow, encryption enforcement, data recovery and compliance reporting for Intel’s newly announced Danbury Technology hardware-based encryption. The combined Intel and CREDANT solution is leading the way in helping organizations more easily comply with data breach regulations by managing and enforcing the use of encryption to protect personally identifiable information when a computer or disk is lost or stolen.
In a joint appearance at the Intel Developer’s Forum in San Francisco yesterday, Intel’s Patrick Gelsinger, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Digital Enterprise Group, and CREDANT Technologies’ founder and CEO Bob Heard took the stage to make the announcement. CREDANT, an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) will deliver this functionality as a standard feature in its product, CREDANT Mobile Guardian when Danbury starts shipping in Q3 2008.
“CREDANT’s technology will enhance the Danbury Technology by giving enterprises a powerful encryption and management solution to protect against data breaches,” said Greg Bryant vice president and general manager of Intel’s Digital Office Platform Division. “The combination of our hardware-based encryption and CREDANT’s centralized management is an important step forward for many organizations that must comply with encryption regulations.”
The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has identified that over 165 million data records of U.S. residents have been exposed due to security breaches since January 2005. As a result, numerous states, local and Federal regulations now require the use of data encryption to protect personally identifiable information. With this release Intel delivers readily available disk encryption that is built into the computer hardware, where it belongs to maximize performance and security for all data that is stored on the disk. CREDANT will provide the management and control infrastructure that will allow IT & security professionals to enforce the use of encryption, more easily recover encrypted data, and provide compliance reporting if a computer or disk is lost or stolen.
“Intel’s security strategy with Danbury Technology is perfectly matched to CREDANT’s solution and strategic direction. Now, our customers will be able to easily and quickly leverage the encryption capabilities of Intel’s Danbury architecture because the management will be seamlessly integrated right into our platform.” said Bob Heard, founder, and CEO of CREDANT Technologies. “The combination of Intel’s hardware-based encryption and our intelligent software encryption creates a compelling solution to protect data against both insider and external threats across all platforms, even removable media. This level of protection coupled with a single point of management for policy administration, encryption enforcement, key escrow, data recovery and compliance reporting is a win-win solution for everyone. ”
“As encryption technologies become pervasive, enterprises require a security solution that allows them to control numerous encryption technologies within one centralized management infrastructure,” said IDC analyst Charles Kolodgy. “Enterprises need a data protection strategy that is secure, reliable,
http://www.credant.com/credant-technologies-and-intel-partner-to-provide-enterprise-grade-management-and-compliance-reporti.html
Credant/Wave Systems.
I don't see Credant list on Wave site. But Wave is list as a technology alliance on Credants Site. Was there a PR?
http://huntsman.credant.com/partners/technology_alliances.html
Wave systems Corp.
Credant Technologies funded by Top Tier Investors
CREDANT Technologies has secured investments from top tier firms: Austin Ventures, Cisco Systems, Crescendo Ventures, Intel Capital and Menlo Ventures. Our relationships with top investment and management-consulting firms open many potential strategic partnerships with other companies from their portfolios and strategic partner lists.
CREDANT Technologies Privacy Software We Protect What Matters
More than 600 companies and government agencies worldwide
50 of the FORTUNE Global 500
The data on 4.6 million devices
Higher than 90% customer approval rating
CREDANT Technologies is a leading provider of Endpoint Data Protection and Management solutions. Chosen in 2007 as the fastest growing, privately-held security company in the Inc 500 survey, CREDANT Technologies enables its customers to leverage the business productivity benefits of highly mobile endpoint computing without the risks or operational constraints imposed by other technologies.
Over 600 companies and government agencies worldwide, including 50 of the FORTUNE Global 500, use CREDANT's software to secure vulnerable data for 100s to 100s of 1000s of their users. The data on more than 4.6 million devices is secured by CREDANT software, each supported by our global network of direct support and strategic partners. CREDANT is dedicated to the highest degree of customer satisfaction, achieving over 90% approval rating in our latest customer satisfaction survey. We invest heavily in offering the best installation, support and maintenance services possible.
Since our founding in 2001, CREDANT has pioneered the concept that protecting data-at-rest on endpoints - desktop PCs, laptops, notebooks, Smartphones, PDA's, USB devices and other removable media devices - can only be provided by an integrated, holistic solution. Such a solution needs to offer:
• Efficient IT management and enforcement through the use of a single centralized management console.
• Security that is beyond the control of - and transparent to - end-users.
• Complete control of endpoint data security without negatively impacting existing operational processes.
Enterprises want to "Protect What Matters," so instead of needlessly hand-cuffing day-to-day operations by using older encryption technologies, CREDANT leverages modern software and security technologies to protect the data that matters, wherever it resides.
As new technologies - such as Microsoft Vista, iPods or digital media players and Smartphones - are adopted by the enterprise and government agencies, CREDANT's award-winning line of CMG software will continue to lead the way to the most secure, lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), and best-in-class management and reporting. Backed by some of the industries strongest investors, including corporate investors such as Cisco and Intel, CREDANT continues to invest heavily in product innovations that strengthen its leadership position.
CREDANT has built a global network of strategic partners - including industry leaders in finance, government, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, technology, and services - who can provide full distribution and support services to customers.
Credant is your only security solutions provider to protect your privacy and confidential data.
Wildman262,
Thanks for sharing.
I assume it's a similar situation to this from Symantec.
Job Description
Job Title:
Technical Account Manager
Job ID:
573658
Date Closed:
08/12/2008
Location: TX - Austin
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
Company Overview
Work that matters. It's what we do at Symantec. Symantec is the world leader in providing solutions to help individuals and enterprises assure the security, availability, and integrity of their information. In essence, we protect the free flow of information in a connected world. As the fourth largest independent software company in the world, Symantec has operations in more than 40 countries with 475 out of Fortune's global 500 companies using our solutions.
People look to us to safeguard the integrity of their information, ensuring it is secure and available. Achieving this ambitious goal is only possible through the combined efforts of the innovators and visionaries that Symantec continuously attracts. Symantec draws the very best people with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and provides them with a work environment where uniqueness is valued and empowered. The creative people we attract help define the spirit of innovation at Symantec.
Responsibilities
This position is dedicated to the Dell Partnership. This person will be aligned to a Dell segment and will be responsible for training, enablement and pre-sales support for many of our joint solutions.
keV
Did not know it was outrageous, hard to believe or proof needed.
Just ask Wave were the position is.
You'll see that Dell has a location in Austin, TX.
Technical Sales Engineer
Austin, TX.
FWIW, Noticed Wave has an opening in Austin, TX.
Did not now they had a location in TX. Found out they actually have space at Dell. At least that's new to me.
vPro from last year.
Intel Emphasizes Security with New Platform
August 25, 2007
Intel is preparing to release a new version of its vPro platform Aug. 27, which will include an emphasis on security that the chip maker hopes will expand the reach of its desktop management technology.
The new version of vPro platform, which Intel had called "Weybridge," will sport three different Core 2 Duo processors, along with the company's Q35 Express chip set and its 82566DM gigabit network interface connector.
While the first version of vPro, which came to market in April 2006, focused mainly on technology that would make it easier for IT administrators to remotely manage desktops and have better control of a large fleet of corporate PCs, the 2007 update to the platform will add new security features as well as virtualization capabilities.
"We are trying to be a little more innovative and proactive by driving security capabilities right into the platform itself," said Gregory Bryant, vice president for Intel's Digital Platform Division.
After the initial introduction, Intel, based in Santa Clara, Calif., and several PC vendors began introducing the first desktop models with vPro technology in Sept. 2006 and then announced that its new Centrino Pro mobile platform would include vPro in May 2007. Since that time, Intel executives have said that the company has shipped more than four million units with more than 350 enterprises deploying vPro-based clients.
Intel and AMD are setting their sites on the high-end of the market.
Roger Kay, an analyst with Endpoint Technologies, said a company would need to have vPro technology installed in about 25 percent of its PC fleet before it was reasonable to deploy all the management and security features included in the platform.
Kay estimates that most companies are now hitting the 20 percent mark and with the addition of vPro technology in the Centrino platform, he suspects that more companies will now begin deploying the full range of vPro features.
"Right now, it [vPro] is still pretty sparse and it's been a slow adoption, but Intel has been pleased with the uptake and some of the IT guys who see the potential really want to get their hands on the vPro stuff," Kay said.
"After Intel added Centrino, a company can have the entire client based management under this heading and that makes for a better justification for investing in it. That is also a recent development and I think it's still in its early stages."
One of the most significant updates to the vPro platform is the next generation of Intel's AMT (Active Management Technology), which provides a hardware and software management engine that allows a number of on-board capabilities, such as monitoring the PC's hardware and software configuration to give a more holistic view of the system. The latest version of AMT will also feature embedded filtering technology built into the firmware of the silicon itself.
This filter technology will help protect a PC from common malware problems and offer a level of protection to the desktop both before and after third-party security software is installed. The technology also alerts the IT administration of the problems and can isolate a single machine from the network. The filters work by logging all outbound packets. The filter then analyzes these logs for specific, malicious patterns, such as excessive attempts to connect through a single port.
Intel is also offering what it calls an embedded trust agent in the platform, which will not only support the IEEE 802.1x standards, but is also certified by Cisco for its Network Admission Control. The agent is not dependent on operating system availability and will continue to work and manage the PC whether the desktop is shutdown or the OS has been disabled, without lowering the network security.
This vPro development will allow for greater out-of-band management abilities, such as remote power control and diagnostic testing, even if the operating system has failed while maintaining network authentication.
The fact that Cisco is now on board with vPro shows what Intel is trying to do with the brand. Specifically, the company is trying to get third-party vendors and ISVs to build on top of its platform instead of Intel trying to develop proprietary standards on its own, Kay said. In addition to Cisco, Symantec is developing security features for vPro, while Altiris was tapped to offer a management agent.
Page 2: Intel Emphasizes Security with New Platform
(Just before the vPro launch this week, a spokesperson for Symantec admitted that its Virtual Security Solution for vPro, which integrates the company's NIPS (Network Intrusion Prevention Security) engine with Intel's virtualization technology, does not yet have an official shipping date.)
"From Intel's perspective, they don't want to get into the application side of it," Kay said. "They want to get the application vendors to come in and let them work on top of the platform … Security is a layered concept."
In a demonstration for journalists and analysts, Bryant said part of the purpose of vPro is to provide the hardware hooks for third-party vendors and ISVs to build applications for a host of issues, such as security and enterprise-wide PC management.
In addition to the other security features, Intel is offering what it calls TXT or Trusted Execution Technology in the updated vPro platform. Those who have followed Intel's technology developments will recognize TXT as the final realization of its "LaGrande" initiative.
TXT works with TPMs (Trusted Platform Modules) 1.2 and performs several different functions. One of these is to allow software to boot into a known, trusted state. With the help of virtualization, TXT can also isolate applications within a memory partition and isolate that application within the hardware.
This feature means that no additional hardware or software can access a particular application. TXT will also remove data from the cache when the virtual machine shuts down, which ensures an additional defense against snooping software.
Besides TXT, Intel has also included a new virtualization feature dubbed Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O, which will help reinforce the isolation between virtual machines on the desktop by restricting memory access. At the same demonstration where Bryant spoke, representatives with General Dynamics, one of the country's largest defense contractors, showed off a workstation running the Microsoft Windows operating system in two separate virtual environments within the same machine.
The hardening between the partitions was strong enough for government workers to run applications using classified and unclassified data on the same machine, said Mike Maschino, a security architect with General Dynamics.
executives are touting the additional performance of the new vPro platform, specifically a 30 percent boost with the addition of the Core 2 Duo E6550 processor compared to the older Core 2 Duo E6300 chip. The E6550 is clocked at 2.33GHz and has 4MB of L2 cache and a 1333MHz FSB (front side bus). Intel is also offering two other processors with even faster clock speeds, the E6750, which has a clock speed of 2.66GHz and the E6850, which runs at 3GHz.
By next year, Intel plans to introduce several quad-core processors for the vPro platform as well.
In terms of power, the processor being used with the vPro platform use the same 65-watt TDP—an Intel term that refers to how much heat a chip has to dissipate—as the older platform.
One of the drawbacks to vPro is that all the new features are hardware-based and users will have to buy new PCs to take advantage of the platform and its updated capabilities.
At least three of the larger PC vendors will be offering new systems that support vPro right away. Dell will roll out a new desktop, the Optiplex 755, which will offer the vPro platform as well as several other Intel-based options, including just the use of Intel's latest AMT. The Round Rock, Texas, PC vendor had previously offered the vPro platform in its Optiplex 745c desktop.
In addition, Hewlett-Packard will include the new version of vPro when the company refreshes its Compaq dc7000 line of high-end, enterprise desktops in the next few months. Finally, Lenovo will offer the 2007 version of vPro with its ThinkCenter M57P desktop, which will eventually replace the M55P, a desktop that used the original vPro platform. Lenovo is now also offering the vPro platform with its ThinkPad T61 laptop, which uses the Centrino Platform.
Steven on network access control:
I think this will be another very significant sector in the market for Wave in relationship to network access control. In May, at the Interop show, we demonstrated the role of the Trusted platform module in connection with both Microsoft and Juniper's network access control strategies. What this in essence does is there are really two key roles for the Trusted platform module in any network access control solution. One is for the TPM to provide the role of strong machine identity. This would be true not only for Microsoft and Juniper but also for Cisco solutions, where the TPM can store a unique key and before any machine is connected to the network, the network switch will verify that key is present and it's an authorized key before that machine is connected. This is how ultimately you can make the statement that only XYZ Corp.'s machines are on XYZ Corp.'s network, and really can provide a tremendous deterrent to someone stealing user IDs and passwords or other access credentials, gaining access to a corporation.
The second is to use the Trusted platform module to sign and what the industry calls measure the health certificates of the network access control solution. So in the case of a machine connecting to the network, what the Trusted platform module does is it collects any measurement data that's done before the machine connects; it signs it, and it prepares what looks like a health report and submits that health report with a request for connection. If the health report is satisfactory, then the network switch will provide an IP address and the machine will be connected. So this is a great way to ensure that every corporate PC is in compliance with corporate IT policies around anti-virus, certain applications, certain types of software needs, either needing to be or not be installed on specific platforms.
The reason this is important for Wave is that we see these technologies packaged in Windows 2008 server. As the Windows 2008 server rolls out across the market over the course of the next few years, this will be one of the huge driving reasons to turn all enterprise TPMs on. So if you look out a number of years, this is one of the applications that will drive the multiple hundreds of millions of endpoints on the network to end up with their Trusted platform modules turned on. By no means the only application, but demonstrating the capabilities, having Wave's products as part of the solutions being offered, we're in a very unique position today to have built our Embassy Endpoint Enforcer software in a position where we are demonstrating with the market-leading NAC solutions how the TPM properly integrates according to the Trusted Computing Group standards.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/43949-wave-systems-q2-2007-earnings-call-transcript
Wave/Vpro.
So can one assume that 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have ETS which was bundled with the desktop boards?
vPro is one of those Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) products you don't hear about much, but according to Andy Tryba, director of marketing for the Digital Office Products division, more than 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have deployed and use it.
http://www.internetnews.com/hardware/article.php/3766806
Wave Completes Licensing with Intel for EMBASSY® Trust Suite Software with New Intel Desktop Motherboards
Lee, MA– September 5, 2006 – Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:WAVX www.wave.com) today announced the execution of an amendment to its Software License and Distribution Agreement with Intel®. The amendment permits Intel® to ship the next version of Wave's EMBASSY® Trust Suite with Intel's new Intel® P965 Express Chipset-based Intel® Desktop Boards for trusted personal computers . Wave's EMBASSY® Trust Suite (ETS) 5.1 is a new and simplified collection of practical, easy-to-use applications which leverage the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware security chip. Wave's ETS is combined with the TPM and bundled with Intel® Desktop Boards DQ965WC , DQ965CO and DQ965GF to provide a final layer of security. Upon the commencement of Intel's shipment of products under this new amendment, the number of Intel Desktop Boards on which Wave's products are shipped will increase to 15. The agreement does not provide for guaranteed minimum or maximum shipped quantities or royalties.
Wave's ETS software is a trusted applications and services software security suite designed to be compliant with Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specifications. The computer industry has shipped tens of millions of PCs embedded with TPMs, the Trusted Computing Group-defined, next-generation security chip hardware. Wave has designed its security applications to work with all commercially available TPMs, including the version 1.2 chip.
“Wave's solutions are designed to leverage the TPM for stronger, standards-based network access, authentication, data protection and password management solutions that business users can leverage immediately for security and management,” said Brian Berger, executive vice president, marketing and sales, Wave Systems. “We are pleased to have completed this amendment to include Wave's 4 th generation of EMBASSY solutions on Intel's products. The ETS 5.1 is a new simplified set of applications that will be bundled with desktop boards based on the Intel P965 Express Chipset family that complements Intel® vPro™ technology.”
http://www.wave.com/news/press_archive/06/060906_ETS.asp
Snackman/Fullmoon.
That's great.
Newer vPro Sports More Security Features
August 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- Intel is preparing the second generation of its vPro remote management technology and is promising more goodies in the third generation, which will take advantage of new features and functionality in the new Nehalem family.
vPro is not found in any single component of a computer. It is a combination of processor technologies, hardware enhancements, management and security features for remote PC administration. It allows administrators to access a system regardless of the operating system or whether the computer is on or off.
There are a number of requirements to be classified as a vPro PC, although most of those features are standard these days. They include multi-core processors, Intel Active Management Technology (AMT), remote configuration technology for AMT, wired and wireless network connection, Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Intel Virtualization Technology.
vPro is one of those Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) products you don't hear about much, but according to Andy Tryba, director of marketing for the Digital Office Products division, more than 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have deployed and use it.
The new version, due next month, will be for Penryn-based systems. It will be one more generation before vPro is found on Nehalem systems, and Intel has been fairly steady about releasing vPro updates around the September timeframe, said Tryba.
Among the upcoming features in vPro will be the ability to remotely manage an encrypted hard disk. Right now that's not possible, since the computer's user needed to enter the password to let the remote manager in. The next generation will allow for power up and remote management without a password.
Currently, vPro has Cisco's Network Admission Control (NAC) but plans to add Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) as well, for administering Windows systems from a Server 2008 console.
Security is also enhanced by storing keys and other strong encryption passwords in silicon, not software, since software is the most common target of attack. It's also possible to intercept a password when it is being used in software. So Intel moved it to a harder point to crack, the silicon.
A better kill switch
Intel also plans to update the remote kill switch, which lets an administrator disable or wipe a laptop that's lost or stolen. But that requires the thief or person who found the lost laptop to turn it on and connect it to the Internet. The new vPro will allow an administrator to toast a laptop's contents even if they don't turn it on. Just walk into range of a wireless Internet network and your laptop will get the signal to self-destruct.
Going forward, Tryba said Intel is looking at both the Nehalem and the MID space. Nehalem is logical as it will be a desktop and eventually server platform. MID, however, would be a new one. "That whole market has a lot of the same needs as the regular laptop market so it would make sense," he told InternetNews.com.
Nehalem laptops will feature Intel Antitheft Technology, which Intel first announced at the April IDF in Shanghai, China. Built on the Intel Manageability System, this system will lock the system and lock the disk drive, so people cannot get at the data.
It could even use a laptop's built-in Webcam to show the face of the thief, which Intel demonstrated in a comical fashion here at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF). Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of the Digital Enterprise group, disguised himself during a second keynote and stole a laptop from the stage, only to be exposed as using it and sitting in the audience a few minutes later.
Another new market for vPro is consumer. They are getting a subset of remote power on technology in the form of Remote Wake, which will power on a computer. Tryba said it's most likely use would be for Internet telephony, since a lot of them go through a PC, and it would spare having to leave a computer on or turning it on to make and receive phone calls.
Progress Partners and Olympics.
NBC selected Wavexpress - Why?
Certain terms of the business arrangement subject to final documentaion. - What terms?
Progress Partners represented Wavexpress in the negotiation of this deal.
Progress Partners also provides M and A services.
Speculation: Perhaps NBC was offered an ownership interest in Wavexpress. This being tied to the final results of the event. Would NBC want the potential cost of this investment increasing because of added Wavexpress users which were the result of their content or would a dollar amount be pre-negotiated. Possible???
Wavexpress Signs Deal with NBC to Provide Download Service for Olympics
Wavexpress, a provider of broadband media technology and services, majority-owned by Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX), has been selected by NBC Universal, Inc., to develop, host, and support a service for viewing NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Microsoft’s Windows Vista Media Center. The announcement was made today by Perkins Miller, Senior Vice President, Digital Media, NBC Sports and Olympics, and Michael Sprague, President of Wavexpress. The “NBC Olympics on the Go” service will take advantage of Wavexpress’ TVTonic Internet video service to allow Media Center users to watch channels of NBC’s coverage of Olympic events in up-to-HD quality on the go on their laptop. The free service will enable viewers to watch NBC’s extensive coverage of the Beijing Games on a sport-by-sport basis, with channels designated to match the hundreds of events included in the Games. Disclosure: Progress Partners represented Wavexpress in the negotiation of this deal with NBC Sports.
http://www.nextmediaupdate.com/?p=213
“Certain terms of the business arrangement between NBC and Wavexpress are subject to final documentation.”
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080623/20080623005268.html?.v=1
Progress Partners - Wavexpress.
Slide 4. Wavexpress.
http://www.boston-enet.org/pdfs/June08Mtg/whalen%20%5BCompatibility%20Mode%5D.pdf
Progress Partners.
Digital Dealing: New media pays for Progress Partners
The entrepreneurial spirit is thick at Progress Partners, a 4-year-old investment bank that aims to help new businesses get up and running.
The Boston-based shop recently closed several deals in the digital media space, which the company specializes in.
Two weeks ago, the company arranged the financing for Tremor Media's first $8.4 million venture capital funding round from Masthead Venture Partners in Cambridge and Canaan Partners in Menlo Park, Calif. New York-based Tremor Media provides online video advertising to clients that have included Yahoo Inc. (NYSE: YHOO) and Alltel Communications Inc. (NYSE: AT), among others.
Last week MOVO Mobile, a mobile marketing company in Sarasota, Fla., that Progress helped fund, was acquired by Neighborhood America Inc. in Naples, Fla.
"As far as digital media, I have always had an interest in the online world," said Nick MacShane, founder and managing director of Progress Partners, who has held marketing and product development roles at Virtual Access Networks and CMGI's MyWay.com. "It's a business I understand and you go with what you know. It continues to be a healthy business as advertising moves to the Web from TV and radio. I spend a lot of time with ad agencies and they make it pretty clear that over the next five years there will be a dramatic shift from TV to the Web."
MacShane founded Progress Partners in 2002, at first as a consulting company that provided strategy for venture capital-backed companies as well as public companies.
Progress Partners initially helped companies identify new markets post 9/11, when some business channels were greatly diminished. In 2004, the company helped its first startup raise money when it raised $3 million venture capital money for online advertising company ContextWeb Inc. in New York.
"Our background is in startups and investing in startups," said MacShane. "We have an appreciation for that experience, the dream, the possibility that's out there."
The profitable company currently has six employees and looks for companies seeking investments of $20 million and under. Last year, Progress Partners did five angel transactions and one seed level deal. This year, the company will close the year having done two or three venture capital deals and a pair of mergers and acquisitions. Despite its startup focus, the company plans to balance out its smaller deals by working with larger companies. Progress Partners bases its fee on about five to eight percent of what is raised in each deal.
"(Progress) brings a wealth of relationships in the institutional investment world that certainly any one company wouldn't have themselves," said Greg Johnson, co-founder, president and CEO of startup OneSky Jets in Manchester, N.H., a company operates like Expedia Inc. for the private jet crowd. "They are also great at networking. They do more than just fund raising."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Progress Partners opens NY outpost
Progress Partners, a boutique investment banking firm that focuses on early and mid-stage new media companies, has opened an office in New York, the firm said on Tuesday.
Boston-based Progress Partners said the new outpost will help the company expand its reach and further its mission of helping emerging new media companies with funding and strategic consultative services.
Progress Partners has, in the past, closed deals with a handful of New York-based companies including Worktopia, Tremor Media and ContextWeb.
"Establishing a New York office gives us a greater physical presence in a region that is the epicenter of new media," said Nick MacShane, senior managing partner at Progress Partners, in a statement.
Wavexpress.
Notice the client is Wavexpress and not Wave. Progress Partners - Investment banking and strategic consulting services for Next Media. Any speculation?
Progress Partners client, Wavexpress, has partnered with NBC Sports and Microsoft to offer HD coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Windows Vista Media Center. To download the application and watch Olympics events, visit:http://www.nextmediaupdate.com/?tag=Wavexpress
Corporate Finance
Many high growth companies can benefit from external financing to accelerate growth. However, securing business financing can be a time consuming distraction from growing and managing a successful business. The Progress PathSM helps clients choose the right time to bring in investment capital as well as determine the right amount to maximize value. Progress Partners manages the process so our clients can focus on managing business operations.
Progress Partners helps companies find short and long term financing from both strategic and financial investors. In each instance, the goal is that the investor bring value beyond money. Progress Partners draws from an extensive network of relationships at every level of the investment community - seed, venture, private equity, mezzanine investors, and customized debt sources.
Key Activities:
• Identifying financing options and analyzing their relative costs and benefits
• Finding strategic investors
• Developing and coaching on the investor presentation
• Preparing management for the investor presentations
• Negotiation terms
Mergers and Acquisitions
When a company is ready to grow through acquisition, or achieve a liquidity event through a sale or other exit, Progress Partners helps clients develop and execute a transaction strategy. Obtaining maximum value on a sale, or executing a successful acquisition, requires a disciplined process to assure success.
Progress Partners’ integrated approach allows us to work in an M&A transaction, implementing our strategic planning and business development efforts, to significantly enhance exit values and business success for our client.
Key Activities:
• Analyzing the company to determine appropriate transaction opportunities
• Developing the appropriate materials to market the company to transaction partners
• Identifying and contacting suitable transaction partners (targets or acquirers)
• Assisting in the presentation of the company and developing the business case
• Negotiating terms, managing the closing teams and performing due diligence
Strategic Planning and Execution
Progress Partners helps companies chart a path to success. This process begins with an analysis of the potential paths and culminates with experienced advisors helping senior management choose a course of action, based on relevant risks and opportunities and an assessment of the company’s capabilities.
Progress Partners’ strategy work includes planning as well as implementation. Progress Partners works with early and mid stage companies to expand team capabilities in the short term and sources key talent to help companies internalize those skills in order to grow.
Key Activities:
• Market Analysis
• Scenario Planning
• Process Coaching
Corporate Development and New Market Product Assessment and Launch
Progress Partners’ Corporate Development program is about building value to validate technology and market acceptance through new business opportunities. Progress works with the company to land new clients, quickly accumulate referral customers, build business value through sales acceleration, and put in process a continued sales success strategy. This strategy includes identifying team members who can continue to implement the sales strategy over time.
Progress Partners offers an extensive network of executive level relationships and a proprietary customized lead generation process to effectively make potential reference customer connections.
Launching new products or expanding outside current markets to reach customers in new industries or geographic regions, has associated costs and risks. Progress Partners’ market assessment approach reduces the risk of new market selection and new market entry by providing market intelligence and direct exposure. As a result, multiple new market opportunities can be evaluated simultaneously, prioritized, and created with initial introductions for early success.
Progress Partners’ market assessment approach reduces the risk of new market selection and entry by providing both market intelligence and direct exposure.
Multiple new market opportunities can be evaluated simultaneously, prioritized, and opened with initial introductions and early success.
Key Activities:
• Analyzing in-market needs
• Guiding product revision process based on customer feedback
• Identifying and landing important partnerships
• Identifying and closing reference clients/customers
• Developing customized business development processes
http://www.progresspartners.com/
TPMS in more places.
Atmel Introduces First Trusted Platform Module Development Kit for Securing Non-PC Embedded Applications
Published: 06/09/08
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation ATML announced today an embedded development kit for CryptoController(TM), Atmel's Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for non-PC embedded applications. For the first time, developers will have the ability to easily integrate the security provided by TPMs into embedded designs. This kit simplifies code development for communicating with CryptoController, providing a jumpstart for embedded developers who have little or no experience with TPMs.
Historically, TPMs, microcontrollers that store keys, passwords and digital certificates, have been implemented in PC environments, driven by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specifications. The need for higher levels of security has now moved beyond the PC space and includes multifunction printers, gaming, and networking, for example.
The CryptoController kit simplifies embedded system code development for communicating with a TPM. Previously, developers had to have a detailed understanding of trusted platform technology in order to incorporate it into their designs. Now, this kit provides easy to use examples of how to configure and utilize the TPM in the developer's own application. Basic TPM functionality is demonstrated, and source code is provided to enable developers to quickly implement their own security applications utilizing the higher level of security provided by the TPM.
The CryptoController development kit includes a small TPM SMBus module board mounted on an AT90USBKEY board; a standard A to mini B USB device cable; a mini A to receptacle A USB host adapter; 9-Volt battery alternate supply cable; and USB flash drive containing documentation and demonstration software. The USB interface provides trouble free connectivity and flexibility. Designers can initiate code development using any PC to build a hardware root of trust in any embedded system.
Information
Atmel's CryptoController (embedded TPM) product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/embedded/
Availability and Pricing
The CryptoController development kit is available now and is priced at US$99.00.
Portwell PCS-8230 Infotainment System
"Are we there yet?" is a question that most parents would have had to answer throughout their parenting career with kids in tow on a road trip, but that's because back in the 1980s and 1990s, there weren't anything known as the Portwell PCS-8230 car PC infotainment system. This new system is powered by Intel's Embedded Compact Extended (ECX) form factor single board computer (SBC), with an Intel Atom Z510 processor running the proceedings from within. Features include a fanless design for quiet operation, low power output and a compact form factor that makes it fit snugly in just about any four-wheeled vehicle. Other specifications comprise of DVB-T reception support, an integrated FM tuner, Wi-Fi connectivity, two USB ports, and one integrated SDIO socket.
PCS-8230 Intel® Atom Processor Z510 based 1-DIN In-Vehicle Infotainment Platform Car PC, Box PC
Features:
1. Compact size with fan-less design
2. Based on Intel® Embedded Compact Extended Form Factor(IntelR ECX Form Factor) single board computer
3. 6V ~ 24V wide DC Power input
4. DVB-T/FM tuner, WiFi and 3 SDIO sockets integrated
5. Dual-display support (VGA and LVDS)
6. Standard multimedia functions for audio and video
7. TPM(Trusted Platform Module) and UDM(USB-Disk Module)could be added on board
8. Open architecture for easy customization
http://www.portwell.com/products/detail.asp?CUSTCHAR1=PCS-8230
Newer vPro Sports More Security Features
August 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- Intel is preparing the second generation of its vPro remote management technology and is promising more goodies in the third generation, which will take advantage of new features and functionality in the new Nehalem family.
vPro is not found in any single component of a computer. It is a combination of processor technologies, hardware enhancements, management and security features for remote PC administration. It allows administrators to access a system regardless of the operating system or whether the computer is on or off.
There are a number of requirements to be classified as a vPro PC, although most of those features are standard these days. They include multi-core processors, Intel Active Management Technology (AMT), remote configuration technology for AMT, wired and wireless network connection, Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Intel Virtualization Technology.
vPro is one of those Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) products you don't hear about much, but according to Andy Tryba, director of marketing for the Digital Office Products division, more than 60 percent of the Fortune 100 have deployed and use it.
The new version, due next month, will be for Penryn-based systems. It will be one more generation before vPro is found on Nehalem systems, and Intel has been fairly steady about releasing vPro updates around the September timeframe, said Tryba.
Among the upcoming features in vPro will be the ability to remotely manage an encrypted hard disk. Right now that's not possible, since the computer's user needed to enter the password to let the remote manager in. The next generation will allow for power up and remote management without a password.
Currently, vPro has Cisco's Network Admission Control (NAC) but plans to add Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP) as well, for administering Windows systems from a Server 2008 console.
Security is also enhanced by storing keys and other strong encryption passwords in silicon, not software, since software is the most common target of attack. It's also possible to intercept a password when it is being used in software. So Intel moved it to a harder point to crack, the silicon.
A better kill switch
Intel also plans to update the remote kill switch, which lets an administrator disable or wipe a laptop that's lost or stolen. But that requires the thief or person who found the lost laptop to turn it on and connect it to the Internet. The new vPro will allow an administrator to toast a laptop's contents even if they don't turn it on. Just walk into range of a wireless Internet network and your laptop will get the signal to self-destruct.
Going forward, Tryba said Intel is looking at both the Nehalem and the MID space. Nehalem is logical as it will be a desktop and eventually server platform. MID, however, would be a new one. "That whole market has a lot of the same needs as the regular laptop market so it would make sense," he told InternetNews.com.
Nehalem laptops will feature Intel Antitheft Technology, which Intel first announced at the April IDF in Shanghai, China. Built on the Intel Manageability System, this system will lock the system and lock the disk drive, so people cannot get at the data.
It could even use a laptop's built-in Webcam to show the face of the thief, which Intel demonstrated in a comical fashion here at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF). Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president and general manager of the Digital Enterprise group, disguised himself during a second keynote and stole a laptop from the stage, only to be exposed as using it and sitting in the audience a few minutes later.
Another new market for vPro is consumer. They are getting a subset of remote power on technology in the form of Remote Wake, which will power on a computer. Tryba said it's most likely use would be for Internet telephony, since a lot of them go through a PC, and it would spare having to leave a computer on or turning it on to make and receive phone calls.
Did you know all of the cool things that can be done with the TPM on your vPro platform
As a leading developer of software for the TPM I thought it would be valuable to outline a number of cool solutions that can be enhanced with the TPM. TPM 1.2 is a part of the vPro platform and can dramatically enhance the security of any corporate infrastructure. With tens of millions of devices already in the market the tpm technology is in a position to help.
As full disclosure Wave Systems Corp. Builds tools for both client and central management of TPMs. We supply Intel’s motherboard group with software that is bundled for free with their motherboards and has been for the last few years. We are also Dell’s supplier and Gateway’s supplier of TPM software. Finally we support Seagate’s hardware full disk encrypting drives and we demonstrated support for Intel’s new Danbury technology at last weeks IDF. Wave is on the board of the Trusted computing group and we broadly and actively contribute to the specifications and the community.
Let me start with a simple list of things one can do!
Did you know that your TPMs Can support strong multifactor authentication to the Windows Domain
Can support Strong wireless networking using 802.1x (really 802.11i) for both machine authentication and/or user authentication
Can support 802.1x or IPSec for strong machine authentication (this is a very powerful addition for any NAC implementation including Cisco CNAC)
Can provide a common key management infrastructure for any application needing key services Allowing the enterprise to centralize their desktop key management. This works with Microsoft EFS, Third Party File and Folder encryption and other Signing applications
Can be used to harden integrity measurements in Nac solutions using Microsoft NAP or trusted computing group TNC specs
Can fully support Windows XP and Windows Vista Deployments
Can harden any MSCAPI compatible certificates
Ultimately all of this is done by Leveraging the TPM’s CSP (cryptographic Service Provider) This is how any application can talk to the TPM. The CSP is third party provided software and is supplied by Either Your OEM or a company like Wave and is typically free from the OEM.
Due to a variety of reasons the biggest first step is to turn the TPM on and take ownership. This is done in the BIOS. One the TPM is activated it will ask the user to take ownership and now the device is ready to be used. There are server products that enable central management of Ownership for the corporate customer. Every Enterprise should be turning on their TPMs and taking ownership.
To get a feel for this I have posted an implementation guide for a wireless hot spot on our web site at this will provide a good flavor as to what needs to be done. If you build this type of bench lab it will give you a good idea of how TPMs could be broadly used.
To long a post but Perhaps a good starting point for discussion.
Steven Sprague CEO
Wave Systems Corp.
Steve,
Does Wave integrate with IdM and provisioning products (other than Microsoft)? Does it support protocols like LDAP and RADIUS?
Where I can find this information?
If it's available, please send me this information at alex golod, Sr. Infrastructure Spec. at EDS
Taking Intel® vPro™ To the Streets
07 Jan 2008
EDS Introduces Intel® vPro™ Processor Technology To Its Clients If a computer fails in the woods and there's no one there to see it, is the screen still blue?
For companies that use personal computers (PCs) to operate machinery in remote locations, like lumberyards or oil fields, the question isn't just philosophical; it's reality. When a hard to reach PC goes down, it can take hours, even days, for a technician to get there and repair the machine.
But with vPro, the latest innovative technology EDS is working on with Global Alliance partner Intel, such a repair can be done remotely. Intel® vPro™ and Intel® Centrino® Pro processor technology incorporates remote management capabilities and virtualization technology into the hardware of a machine. So, when a PC crashes, no matter where it is located, a technician can fix the problem without leaving his desk.
This new technology incorporates never-before-available remote management capabilities and virtualization technology into the hardware of a machine. So, when a PC crashes, no matter where it is located, a technician can diagnose and potentially fix the problem without leaving his desk.
Having remote control over hardware can be a huge benefit to EDS and Intel clients. From easily fixing computer problems to greater energy efficiency, Intel vPro processor technology for desktop PCs and the notebook equivalent Intel Centrino Pro processor technology connect directly to business issues, including innovation, that EDS clients face every day.
“Depending on the client's business environments and issues, almost everyone we've talked to sees a different benefit [with Intel vPro processor technology],” said Jill Tillery, Intel alliance director for EDS.
For some, the main benefit is the energy cost savings that comes with the ability to more securely and reliably remotely power a PC on and off. Typically, companies run patches on PCs when there's downtime at night. Today, those PCs have to be left on overnight to be updated.
“They're burning a lot of electricity today to ensure that off-hour updates are successful,” Tillery said.
Since Intel began developing the technology more than three years ago, EDS has worked closely with the company from development to client demos to activations.
“At Intel, we're experts at building processors, but when it comes to management and security, we thought EDS would be great to work with because of their background in that space,” said Gary Kirtley, EDS alliance director for Intel.
“Together, we're bringing innovation to both EDS customers and Intel customers.”
Intel vPro processor technology is one innovative technology EDS is investing in for growth, which is an enterprise goal for EDS in 2007.
Demonstrating Intel vPro
When EDS demonstrated the new hardware capabilities to a leading global mobile electronics and systems technology company, the client was impressed that it could remotely power machines on and off.
“A light bulb turned on when the client saw they could remotely lock down a PC to protect intellectual property,” said Jerry Steenson, an EDS global service delivery executive.
Another major selling point was improved user productivity and less downtime.
The EDS team staged a hard drive crash scenario to show that with Intel vPro processor technology, the PC can be brought back up in thin client mode so that the user can access the Web and company network even if the PC's hard drive is down. Productivity is not completely lost.
“Gone will be the day when an employee calls in a PC problem and his or her day is done,” Tillery said.
The mobile electronics company and Client EDS – specifically a call center in Winnipeg, Canada – are the first production pilot scenarios using Intel vPro processor technology.
The pilot programs will tell EDS and the users of the technology where to go from here and how fast it can be implemented across the enterprise. Insights gained will help Intel and EDS plan for future releases of the Intel vPro and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology – as far out as 2010.
“We [Intel] are already in labs with EDS, working on tomorrow's technology and we will continue to do so,” Kirtley said.
EDS expects to lower costs and save time at its call center in Winnipeg through the improved remote functionality, including remote re-imaging of machines.
At the end of a PC lease, before returning a machine to the vendor, the hard drive must be wiped. “Today, we sometimes pay a substantial amount of money per machine,” said Bruce Weeks, service delivery executive for Client EDS.
With the new PCs, re-imaging and disk wipes can be done without having to send a technical person to do it onsite, which can take hours. The whole process can be done remotely, which saves a lot of time and money.
EDS and Intel Worked Together On Intel vPro
EDS first got involved with Intel vPro processor technology while it was still in the development phase. EDS took the new hardware into its Top Gun program while it was still being developed and provided Intel with feedback on its technology.
“[The relationship with Intel] represents how we should be working with our Alliance partners,” said Jeff Wade, lead architect.
Intel and EDS have worked together through every phase to get Intel vPro processor technology where it is today. From development, bringing the technology to customers, and finally putting it into production, EDS and Intel have been a team.
“No other company is as involved as we are,” Wade said.
EDS' level of involvement puts its understanding of the technology at least six to 12 months ahead of the competition. And the collaboration benefits Intel to have another channel for market intelligence.
“Through talking to clients and working with Intel [EDS] can say to Intel: ‘This is what companies are really looking for,'” said Liesa Harkness, engineer.
Deploying Intel vPro On Every Business PC
As hardware producers come out with new models, eventually Intel vPro and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology could be in the hardware of every deployed business PC.
“Now it's the newest thing, but over time it will become standard,” Tillery said.
However, in order for enterprises to take advantage of it, there has to be a change in business processes.
“We're working together on the ground floor on this,” Harkness said. “When this technology is across the board, [EDS will be] a couple of years ahead of the game.”
Intertrust and Wave past history.
INTERTRUST, WAVE SYSTEMS TO INTEGRATE INTERTRUST DRM INTO WAVE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND EMBASSY HARDWARE
London, 8 March
Leveraging OpenRights Initiative and Open EMBASSY Platform to Accelerate Distribution of Applications in Music, Publishing, Video, and Content Services
Santa Clara, California and Lee, Massachusetts - InterTrust Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: ITRU), the MetaTrust Utility™, and Wave Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: WAVX), today announced a comprehensive relationship to license and integrate InterTrust's digital rights management (DRM) technology into Wave's digital broadcast network infrastructure and Trusted Client hardware platform and services. This will allow content providers to protect and manage the distribution of music, published documents, videos, and other digital goods with flexible new delivery and business models.
Wave has adopted InterTrust as its preferred DRM technology and will leverage InterTrust's OpenRights™ Initiative to rapidly integrate InterTrust DRM into its content distribution offerings. In addition, Wave and InterTrust will work to integrate InterTrust's DRM technology into Wave's EMBASSY (EMBedded Application Security SYstem) Trusted Client hardware architecture. The combined technologies will provide a comprehensive, yet easy to use, end-to-end digital commerce system and service infrastructure.
Wave Systems is creating a secure, comprehensive solution for distributing all forms of digital content. The Wave Systems Digital Network infrastructure, when combined with InterTrust's DRM, will enable the secure delivery of premium digital goods and services through a wide variety of digital network technologies, including the Internet, terrestrial TV, cable, satellite, DSL and wireless. Recent Wave content distribution initiatives include WaveXpress, a joint venture datacasting company created with Sarnoff Corporation, to provide an end-to-end DTV e-commerce system.
"We expect the combination of InterTrust's leading DRM technology with Wave's EMBASSY Trusted Client system and content distribution services to set the standard for digital commerce," said Peter Sprague, founder, chairman, and CEO of Wave Systems. "This partnership is a perfect way to leverage our different and complementary leadership positions in a way that will benefit both company's customers and partners."
"Leveraging InterTrust's DRM technology, Wave can rapidly create and deliver strategic new services to Wave's growing list of content and broadcast network partners," Peter Sprague added. "Our combined solution will enable an innovative approach for converging mass media digital networks with the Internet to deliver virtually any type of content directly to end users."
"We are pleased to be partnering with InterTrust as our preferred digital rights management provider. InterTrust has built the industry leading set of DRM products, services, and partnerships, including its recently announced OpenRights Initiative, which brings great value to Wave's Digital Network and Wave's open Trusted Client platform," said Steven Sprague, President and COO, Wave Systems. "Together we will provide a compelling media experience for consumers, while providing our partners with the business model flexibility and sophistication they need to generate revenue from digital content on the new mass media Internet. We are delighted to be jointly developing with InterTrust a software and hardware combination that will be the industry's most advanced and secure end-to-end digital commerce solution."
"Wave Systems' strategic focus, core technologies, and recent partnerships all illustrate that it understands, and has understood for quite some time, the components necessary to bring to life true digital commerce," said Victor Shear, chairman and CEO, InterTrust Technologies.
Corporation. "Wave's Trusted Client hardware technology and content distribution services are an excellent fit with our DRM technology and utility model. We are very pleased to have Wave Systems join the MetaTrust Utility family of companies."
InterTrust Digital Rights Management
Digital rights management (DRM) technologies protect and manage rights and interests in digital information. InterTrust's DRM platform provides a common foundation for distributed e-commerce digital information and event management. In the content industry, this allows authors, publishers, enterprises, governments, users and others to specify, as appropriate, rules regarding the use of digital information, and the consequences resulting from such use. InterTrust® technology is designed to protect digital information, apply rules persistently after information is distributed, and automate many e-commerce processes related to content use. InterTrust's DRM platform is general purpose and manages most media and content types, including music, publications, business information, video, games, software, and images. InterTrust DRM is enhanced by its use in the MetaTrust Utility, a non-discriminatory, policy neutral, global environment for digital commerce.
The MetaTrust Utility's OpenRights Initiative provides the digital commerce community with component and application building blocks that accelerate the development of digital rights management (DRM)-enabled applications and services. The initiative includes the OpenRights Library, OpenRights Architecture, OpenRights Developer Program and the newly formed Digital Rights Management Institute. The OpenRights Initiative was announced February 22, 2000 and information is available at www.openrights.com.
InterTrust Technologies and Wave Systems Announce Integrated Hardware/Software Solution for Digital Rights Management
Dec. 19, 2000
InterTrust to Provide RightsChip Functionality in Wave Systems EMBASSY Trusted Client System
Wave Systems Corporation (NASDAQ:WAVX) and InterTrust Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ITRU) announced today that they are collaborating to create the industry's premier high-end digital rights management (DRM) solution using Wave's EMBASSY(R) Trusted Client programmable hardware system as the newest platform in the recently announced InterTrust RightsChip(TM) family.
InterTrust's RightsChip provides Silicon Assist(TM) functionality for demanding security environments and integrates with InterTrust's other industry-leading, general-purpose DRM platform technology products.
InterTrust will adapt the RightsChip Engine firmware to run on the Wave EMBASSY hardware, and Wave will provide the special security support needed to enable RightsChip functions in the EMBASSY context.
The RightsChip Engine firmware is at the core of InterTrust's RightsChip hardware. EMBASSY technology is unique in the industry as it is an open and programmable trusted platform.
By adapting the RightsChip Engine to run in the EMBASSY environment, the RightsChip features and security enhancements can be available in any system, such as personal computers, digital set top boxes and other access devices, that incorporates EMBASSY hardware.
Integrating RightsChip functions in the Wave EMBASSY environment is the next stage in the partnership between InterTrust and Wave announced in March, 2000. In addition to being Wave's preferred digital rights management solution, the InterTrust Commerce product can now gain security benefits provided by Wave's EMBASSY hardware.
This solution will allow InterTrust's partners for DRM applications such as music, streaming MPEG4 video, healthcare records and secure financial records to immediately gain the full benefits of the EMBASSY Trusted Client system for any system which includes the EMBASSY chip.
Wave System's Trust @ the Edge(TM) strategic architecture for embedding trusted hardware in every user device and peripherals enables additional important functions to be located at the user end of the network.
This includes a powerful new suite of functions for protecting user identities and sensitive information, a fully distributed transaction system, and protection for content and services.
InterTrust offers security architecture, controller
November 6, 2000
SANTA CLARA, Calif. ( ChipWire) -- Two new technology options from InterTrust Technologies Corp. will enable chip and system builders to add security to their products at low cost and without specialized coprocessors, cryptographic accelerators or custom devices, the company said.
The products, introduced this week, are designed to address the growing demand for solutions that let OEMs develop low-cost devices with hardware-based protection against piracy of digital book, music and video content, and security for embedded applications like the storage of digital currency.
The TrustChip architecture enables the design of secure system-on-chip solutions, and the RightsChip microcontroller can be integrated into system designs, InterTrust said. The TrustChip architecture includes silicon designs, intellectual property, security firmware and security management services, all of which is avail able for license from Santa Clara-based InterTrust.
TrustChip supports both digital rights management and general-purpose security, the company said. It provides, for example, an isolated environment for the digital rights management software and guarantees that a cell phone is running the correct operating system. TrustChip can also protect embedded firmware from reverse engineering, the company said.
The security firmware requires little space on the system-on-chip (SoC), said Olin Sibert, InterTrust's vice president for strategic technologies. He said the actual run-time cost of the security firmware for the SoC would be under 10% in a low-end device such as a play-only MP3 player. For more-sophisticated devices, the percentage of run-time cost for the SoC would be lower, he said.
Cirrus Logic Inc. was the first chip maker to implement TrustChip, designing it into its Maverick Lock product. Arm Ltd. in Cambridge, England, has also committed to TrustChip. Other companies are expected to roll o ut TrustChip-based products next year. Developer kits for the firmware and services will be available from InterTrust in the first quarter of 2001.
The RightsChip is a microcontroller from Infineon Technologies AG of Munich. Part of that company's SLE66 series, it's been fitted with firmware to run security applets and with InterTrust's digital rights management software.
The microcontroller can secure local transactions and key management and can be easily integrated into designs for consumer electronics products. The RightsChip allows OEMs to design devices with local stored value, like a music player loaded with money that can be used to purchase music over the Internet.
Infineon manufactures the chip but it's being sold by InterTrust, priced at under $3 in volume quantities.
Foam.
Interesting. So what is different in todays PR from this older announcement. Trusted Computing?
“Intertrust Technologies Corporation announced today that it has entered into a patent licensing agreement with Nokia Corporation. The license grants Nokia worldwide access to Intertrust's broad portfolio of inventions in the areas of digital rights management (DRM) and trusted computing.”
Nokia Selects InterTrust's DRM Technology And Acquires 5% Stake; InterTrust's Digital Rights Management Solutions To Be Part Of Nokia's Technical Architecture
HELSINKI, Finland & SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2001
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK), the global leader in mobile communications and InterTrust Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq:ITRU), the leading developer of peer-to-peer, distributed digital rights management (DRM) technologies, have signed an agreement by which Nokia has agreed to license the InterTrust(R) Commerce and Rights/System(TM) DRM solutions, and has selected InterTrust as its preferred DRM technology. Nokia will invest and acquire nearly 5% ownership of InterTrust stock for $20 million.
"Digital Rights Management is a crucial element in digital media distribution solutions and InterTrust has developed a best-of-breed solution suitable to both mobile DRM and computing platforms. We are very impressed by InterTrust's patent portfolio and we are excited about the new opportunities that licensing InterTrust's DRM technology will offer us," says Pekka Ala-Pietila, President, Nokia. "In cooperation with other industry players, Nokia is defining the technical architecture for the mobile Internet and InterTrust has the best technology for this industry shaping work."
"InterTrust is delighted to announce this relationship with Nokia," said Victor Shear, Chairman of InterTrust. "Combining Nokia's expertise in mobile communications with our DRM solutions, we plan to offer entirely new opportunities in the area of mobile content distribution. Nokia and InterTrust have a shared vision of the mobile future and by joining forces we intend to provide content owners, application developers, and service providers globally the most advanced and sustainable solution on which to base future products and services."
Shear added, "To support our new partnership with Nokia and to establish InterTrust DRM as the de facto standard in the mobile market, InterTrust intends to invest significant resources to further develop our mobile DRM system, enabling consumers to obtain, use, and interact seamlessly with, digital content whenever and wherever they wish."
Nokia's and InterTrust's relationship reflects the increasing demand for legitimate content delivery solutions.
InterTrust's platform is an ideal technology for Nokia and many other companies planning to offer a broad range of rights-enabled products and solutions to both business and consumer markets worldwide. In the future, an increased part of digital media consumption will happen in the mobile context. Content and services will become event, situation and location specific. Mobile communications and portability of rights will create entirely new ways of consuming media and Nokia is committed to ensuring that consumers will be able to enjoy exciting and easy-to-use services while protecting the rights of content owners. InterTrust has a leading edge DRM technology with the most advanced features to help realize this goal.
The Rights/System(TM) product line, under development at InterTrust for several years, currently includes the Rights/PD(TM) and Rights/Phone(TM) platforms. These platforms are designed to make secure rights-management solutions for digital content portable, practical and productive. The Rights/PD and Rights/Phone systems extend the functions of InterTrust's leading DRM technology to portable devices, while meeting diverse vertical market requirements in entertainment, enterprise, and publishing, as well as other markets. Licensed as software and tools, these systems include libraries and components that can be incorporated as firmware in a wide variety of portable devices and consumer appliances.
The Rights/PD and Rights/Phone technologies for PCs and other computing environments, work with and are complemented by the InterTrust's InterRights Point(TM) rights management virtual machine. Rights/PD and Rights/Phone software act as the control point on the portable device by communicating with and managing the secure transfer of files and rights to and from portable devices
Control Vault.
Dell unveils new line of laptops
05:43 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Amid big fanfare, Dell Tuesday unveiled its new line of ultra-thin notebook computers. The laptops promise more features than anything now on the market. It's Dell's attempt to regain its position as the country's personal computer leader by getting out front on laptops and not just desktop sales.
Dell unveils new line of laptops
With live music, it looks and sounds like a nightclub, but it's actually a rare opportunity for Dell employees to check out the company's newest business notebooks.
Dell is calling it the biggest product launch in the company's history with 10 new personal notebooks being unveiled. They are the latest models of the Latitude and Precision lines.
They are lighter, with longer battery life -- up to 19 hours -- and never before seen security features.
"It's a non volatile storage so all of your keys your different ways to log in, contacts with smart cards, fingerprints are all saved protected inside this chip. No one else has done that so its one additional level of security," said Jim Leftwich, director of latitude engineering.
Dell says it spent a million engineering hours to meet the demands of Digital Nomads -- a growing trend of computer users who want connectivity and mobility 24/7.
"Think of the power back-up. Think of the back lit screens. Think of the fact that it's got better security and I can drop it and you know just on the four inches and it's still safe. I want one!" said Raj Subramonian, employee.
"Since we are also evaluating flexible work places, meetings in bistros, being able to do the work wherever we go this launch really kind of addresses that and I think this makes us feel a big part of it," said Linda Yates, employee.
The company is trying to regain its position as the U.S. leader in personal computer sales. Dell is hoping the products unveiled Tuesday will do just that.
TVTonic Alienware?
http://www.c3playmembers.com/services.html
Here are links to free services used in our demo boxes. These are unsupported by us, this means that you install them on your own risk. We have tested them all though, so no need to worry!
TVTonic - Podcasts via RSS
http://www.c3playmembers.com/documents/audiovideoguide_swe_.pdf
Congratulations to which the wise choice to grab one C3play box from Alienware!
Dell Beams Up Alienware
03.22.06, 6:30 PM ET
NEW YORK -
Michael Dell is buying Area 51--but this is no secret deal between the CIA and the Dell Computer chief executive. Dell announced Wednesday that it will buy boutique-computer maker Alienware, which makes high-end PCs for hard-core videogame players. The company's machines are branded with a distinctive, bug-eyed alien face and named after spacey subjects like "Area 51."
"Alienware's products are an excellent complement to Dell's own line of high-performance computers designed for gaming-enthusiast and media-content customers," Michael Dell said in a statement. "In addition to offering high-quality, high-performance products, Alienware has tremendous brand appeal with consumers and creative business professionals."
Though Dell representatives had denied a deal was in the works as recently as last week, speculation about a deal has been rampant, thanks in large part to blog posts by Rahul Sood, CEO of Voodoo PC, an Alienware competitor. On March 1, Sood argued that Dell needed to buy Alienware, in part to position itself better against Apple Computer, which has begun producing computers based on Intel chips.
"With the recent Intel/Apple relationship, it's clear that 15% (or whatever) of the consumer space for Dell may not be enough," wrote Sood. "Apple is likely to go to 8% with the help of Intel, over the next year or so. The PC-gaming market is threatening Dell's 'perceived technology leadership'--and ultimately the consumer space."
It's also likely that Dell's interest in Alienware has largely to do with branding; the Dell brand has become synonymous with mainstream, family PCs, while Alienware's cutting-edge cool has a strong following among young gamers and power users.
Alienware has also gained some traction in recent years by selling its powerful machines to businesses. And while that market is still small, the PCs are increasingly being used in graphics applications and to perform high-end engineering. Alienware's corporate customers include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and the U.S. Navy.
Following completion of the transaction, Alienware will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dell, maintaining its own brand, product development, marketing, sales, technical support and other operations. The management and founders of Alienware will continue to operate the company as a standalone unit. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Lenovo TVTonic.
Olympics: Anywhere, anytime
Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 12:22 PM
Beginning with the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, organizers have tried to use the Internet to reach virtually every corner of the world.This year, they might just succeed.
NBC Universal will broadcast an unprecedented 3,600 hours of coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games. Can’t get to a TV? On its Web site, NBC will have video on demand. Can’t get to your computer? NBC, as well as wireless providers such as AT&T and Verizon will also beam mobile video and alerts to your cell phone.
That’s just the start of the Olympics long reach across the World Wide Web. On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee will launch a special YouTube channel available exclusively in 77 countries and territories where NBC or others don’t have broadcast rights - places ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. (Sorry, YouTube fans; the channel won’t be available in the United States).
Another service, sponsored by PC maker Lenovo and an Internet company called TV Tonic, lets you download full length videos of events overnight and watch them on your laptop later.
This year’s Olympian Web efforts are of course a giant leap from those early Internet incursions into the Atlanta games.
Back then, Web coverage was pretty much limited to some static pages hosted by IBM Corp. that often were often glitchy and slow to load. Widespread, easy-to-use video on the Web was little more than a pipe dream, and cell phones were used for, well, making phone calls.
Lenovo Sees Olympics as U.S. Springboard
Chinese PC maker preps push to lure domestic consumers
July 21, 2008
Lenovo's recent spots have included a humorous castaway scenario.
NEW YORK Lenovo, China's largest computer maker, hopes an ad campaign that begins next month during NBC's broadcast of the Beijing Olympic Games helps raise the brand's profile among U.S. consumers.
Set to break during the opening ceremonies on Aug. 8, commercials created by WPP Group's Ogilvy & Mather highlight various features of Lenovo products and stress the company's role in the event with the line "Lenovo PCs power the Olympic Games."
Glen Gilbert, vp, brand management and marketing communications at Lenovo in Morrisville, N.C., said the company -- with about 600 technicians and 30,000 pieces of equipment on the ground in Beijing -- has a legitimate Olympics story to share, though the event won't be the focal point of all its advertising. "Levono is involved in making this run 24 hours a day," he said. "So we can genuinely say we are empowering the Olympics, allowing the Olympics to happen."
Director of marketing communications David Rabin added: "This is really the uber case study. If we can power the Olympic games, imagine what we can do for you."
The Olympics push comes as the Chinese brand makes a major foray into the U.S. PC market following Lenovo's 2005 purchase of IBM's personal computing division. In January, the company branded its consumer and business offerings -- including ThinkPad and IdeaPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktop units -- with the line "Ideas."
The upcoming ads, part of the larger "Ideas" branding effort that began earlier this year, will humorously highlight the technology in consumer products such as the IdeaPad. For example, a commercial that has been running on broadcasts of the Olympic Team Trials shows a castaway return home. His wife and dog don't recognize him until he uses face-recognition technology to log on to his laptop computer. One of the spots breaking next month will focus on the laptop's spill-resistant keyboard, while another will emphasize a "one-button recovery" feature.
Rabin noted that the company has built its marketing program "around unique features that can only be found on Lenovo PCs. It's a three-year-old company that has heritage that goes [back] well before that. Both the previous Lenovo company, as well as IBM PC division, were really based on innovation, on coming up with new technologies that benefit the user of the machine. So our spots will clearly relay that message to the end user."
Lenovo will also have a large presence on NBC.com, sponsoring coverage such as the "Performance of the Day" with pre-roll footage and a sponsored RSS feed for video content.
"[The Olympics are] a very large stage for us since we are admittedly not yet a household name in this country," said Gilbert. "While we are the largest computer brand in China, this will be very important to getting our awareness levels up to what we need and expect in order to support some very ambitious growth objectives."
According to Nielsen Monitor-Plus, Lenovo spent $7 million in measured media from January to April of 2008.
Life with a plugin: TvTonic Olympics
By Mike Garcen Saturday, 02 August 2008
Ok, so I know that I just recently covered TVTonic , but then they went ahead and released probably the coolest and well implemented plugin in all of Media Center--Olympics!! If you haven't already noticed, Vista Media Center (U.S. only, sorry international folks) now has under it's Online Spotlight, a central icon for the Olympics. Clicking on that link entered me into the most seamless plugin installation ever for Media Center! Just as a teaser, I was able to install the plugin with just my remote!
Overview
If you read my review on TVTonic, then you will probably find some of these screenshots redundant, as it shares the similar controls and UI of the regular TVTonic. Additionally, by installing the Olympics plugin, you are automatically given the latest TVTonic package as well, whether you want it or not.
For years, people have been clammoring for a plugin which offers enticing material, at a price that's reasonable. Well, welcome to TVTonic's Olympics, because they aim to bring you actual Olympic event footage for whatever event you are interested in (oddly enough, Wrestling was not yet available). Add the sport of interest to your "Channels" just like you would an Vidcast, and voila, it will automatically download the events for your convenience....without needing a TV Tuner!
Above & Beyond
TVTonic continues to impress me, but it's not even the actual Olympic Events that have me excited (this is where the geek in me takes over the jock). What really had me floored and smiling ear-to-ear, was the INSTALLATION!! Yes, I said installation. For years I have been BEGGING Microsoft and all its developers, to make installing plugins EASIER, and 10 Foot--meaning, let users install plugins without having to get out their keyboard and mouse.
As you can see from the screenshots, they are still not on the same level as Meedio had regarding the gorgeous 10' installations of applications but, considering that NO other plugin I have ever installed has even come close to this, I was still floored. I was able to complete the entire installation, from start to finish, with just my remote! So now even your grandparents will have no excuse to not have the plugin installed and be able to watch as much trampolining as they want.
Falling Short
Not really falling short since it is really light years ahead of other plugins, but to do the installation, the Media Center screen was changed to half screen. Once the installation was over, you can resize the Media Center screen to full screen by clicking the Green Button twice.
Grade: Approved for Everyday Use
If you have even a mild interest in the Olympics, you have to install the TVTonic Olympics plugin! It's arguably the biggest leap Microsoft has taken to make a wildly appealing application exclusively for Vista Media Center, and best of all, for FREE! I hope the installation process catches on to future plugins, as I honestly believe that 10' Installs will dramatically increase usage strictly for the ease of use factor.
In addition to the very refined and easy to use TVTonic channels and guides, the list of sporting events you can download for free is impressive.
I already added Basketball, Boxing and Swimming, and will keep my eye out hoping for Wrestling. Adding sports is one button, and you are able to view the exact event for the exact sport that you want. Might sound "duh-worthy", but if you have not lived through an Olympics with Media Center before, you will learn that NBC televises events in 4 hour blocks (at least), and then mentions ALL of the events covered. So if you just want one track race, you need to record the entire 4 hours!!
The Olympics plugin will not only make sure you don't miss a single event, but also will save you hard drive space as well. Picture quality was very acceptable as well. While of course it won't be as high as a high definition feed through your digital tuner, for anyone that might forget to record, or is traveling, or simply doesn't get TV reception, then this is a MUST HAVE!
Overall, this is easily approved for Everyday Use, so enjoy it while it lasts. Remember, the Olympics start on 8/8/08 and won't be going forever, so take advantage of this fantastic plugin for Media Center while you can!
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2949&Itemid=236
YuMe Ad Platform To Power New NBC Direct
This is interesting. Maybe the NBC connection is related to the Wavexpress selection?
Tue Jan 22, 2008
YuMe to Drive Ad Management, Reporting, Distribution for First Network Site to Offer Free Downloads of Primetime TV
YuMe, the first dedicated advertising network created and optimized for broadband video, and NBC announced today that YuMe's ad platform has been selected to provide ad management, campaign management, trafficking and reporting for the new NBC Direct service.
NBC Direct is the first online destination to offer free access to programs across the NBC prime time line up. The technology integration necessary for YuMe and NBC to deploy the ad platform is being finalized during the current beta period for NBC Direct. Enhanced versions of the service will
be open directly to consumers in Q1 of this year.
"We're excited to be a part of this historic effort to deliver, for the first time ever, free on-demand access to prime time programming for consumers," said Jayant Kadambi, CEO and co-founder of YuMe. "Over the coming months, we will provide NBC with new and unprecedented abilities to service their advertising clients in connection with the online viewing of premium content via NBC Direct."
Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment, said, "We believe we have found an excellent partner in YuMe to help us bring to viewers their first free, on-demand access to the best programming our network
has to offer. Our network has a proud tradition of innovation and leadership when it comes to bringing content to viewers in new ways and NBC Direct will be another milestone in this proud history at the network."
While the YuMe advertising platform is delivering this first for consumers, it is also delivering new firsts for the online video advertising category. YuMe's platform can dynamically deliver a package of fresh advertising creative so that each time a user plays the downloaded content a
new ad may appear in designated positions. Previously, advertising campaigns could only be refreshed in streaming content.
YuMe also for the first time delivers real metrics on viewership and ad performance in download playback, in addition to streaming playback. After viewers have come to the site, downloaded and disconnected, YuMe continues to
capture viewing metrics and updates its system the next time the computer connects to the Internet.
Additionally, YuMe's platform allows ads embedded in the content to travel to any playback device a user may choose - portable player, mobile device or PC - ensuring viewers have a choice in where and when they watch their favorite content. YuMe's real-time reporting ensures the network receives the
latest analysis of advertising performance across all the programming on the site.
NBC Direct allows consumers to directly download full length episodes for viewing on Windows based PCs. Viewers are also able to select their favorite NBC shows that they'd like automatically delivered to their computers as soon as they are available.
Programs currently available include "30 Rock", "The Office", "Heroes", "My Name Is Earl", "Medium", "American Gladiators", "Celebrity Apprentice", "Friday Night Lights", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno."
A Tipping Point For The Trusted Platform Module?
To achieve widespread adoption, TPM must overcome challenges to encryption key management.
June 28, 2008
URL: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208800939
The Trusted Platform Module is a hardware component built into PCs and laptops. It's designed to securely generate and store encryption keys, passwords, and digital certificates. The Trusted Platform Module, or TPM, can be used for a variety of purposes, such as encrypting files and folders and authenticating users, applications, and computers.
According to IDC, nearly 250 million PCs will have shipped with TPM hardware by 2009. In theory, this level of deployment means the module should be the foundation for a variety of useful applications widely embraced by enterprises and individual users. In reality, there are few apps that take advantage of TPM. A major reason is the complexity of managing TPM itself and encryption keys; another may be a lack of awareness of the module and its capabilities.
The Trusted Platform Module is developed by the Trusted Computing Group, a nonprofit organization that designs and develops open specifications for trusted computing. It has approximately 170 members. The module was designed to help organizations protect sensitive information and enable strong authentication for business use and e-commerce transactions. TPM's hardware-based key-generation capabilities make it very secure against many common attacks.
We'll examine why TPM adoption hasn't matched physical deployments and look at the prospects for wider use of the technology.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TPM
Along with some IBM research, Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative drove much of the early work in the development of TPM. Along with a number of other practices, Microsoft envisioned the beginnings of a more secure operating environment that included a hardware-based cryptographic root of trust (see story, "TPM: A Matter Of Trust"). Microsoft called this root the Next-Generation Secure Computing Base. The name that many folks knew it as, however, was the internal code name Palladium, after the mythical statue thought to have protected Troy.
Unfortunately for the Trusted Computing Group, Palladium generated a firestorm of negative feedback. Critics argued that Palladium was primarily designed to take control away from the owner of a computer, and privacy rights advocates were riled up over the fact that it was difficult for TPM to allow sufficiently anonymous verifiable transactions. Fortunately, the 1.2 version of the specification has significantly improved the ability for TPM to be used in a way that maintains privacy while still achieving security.
The primary criticism was that one of the stated design goals of TPM is that it could be used to create supposedly unhackable digital rights management systems. DRM technology aims to prevent users from copying and sharing digital content, such as music and movies. Many in the technology community argue that DRM restricts their fair-use rights and pits users against their own computers.
LOCK IT UP
While a Trusted Platform Module chip could be applied to DRM, it's far from the most common use-case of the technology today. More important in the TPM ecosystem are the other possibilities it affords. The Trusted Computing Group encompasses a variety of platforms, including working groups dedicated to Authentication, Mobile, Software Stack, Storage, Trusted Network Connect, and Virtualized Platform.
The most widespread use of TPM today is Microsoft's BitLocker drive encryption technology. BitLocker can operate with or without the TPM hardware, though the recommended and most secure method of operation requires a 1.2 TPM chip, and it's able to offer significantly more security than non-TPM modes of operation. That's because the keys are secured in the hardware rather than in software, making them harder to tamper with or steal.
Also teaming up with TPM for data encryption are hard drives capable of handling data encryption and decryption internally, such as Seagate Momentus FDE.2 drives. This is one of the few full-disk encryption architectures that would not be vulnerable to the recently publicized "cold-boot" attacks that are able to extract the contents of a computer's memory after it's been powered off and seek out encryption keys.
IDENTITY CHECK
While disk encryption is a popular use for the TPM chip, it may be the user and machine identification features that steal the show in the long run. With support for multifactor authentication features such as an additional PIN or biometric authentication, TPM can serve as the one-stop shop not only for authenticating a user to a machine, but also as an authentication mechanism for Web applications and business applications that would benefit from strong cryptographic authentication.
The Web is one reason the Trusted Computing Group repurposed itself from the original goals of Trusted Computing Platform Alliance back in 2003. Instead of creating a platform for trusted PC computing, it wanted to be able to integrate the same techniques across a wide variety of uses and platforms.
Of course, integrating TPM into the authentication process for a Web application negates one of the values of Web apps in the first place--they're accessible from any Internet-enabled PC.
This problem may be solved by cell phones, which could act as a soft token to authenticate users. For example, if a user wants to access an online banking application from a strange machine, the bank can send a one-time password to the user's phone. The user would enter this password into the banking app. Meanwhile, the entire process is secured against tampering by TPM's hardware-enabled trusted connection from the server to the PC being used.
Imagine a software-as-a-service vendor able to leverage a secure hardware token in mobile devices for user authentication. The additional layer would provide a level of security analogous to a secure hardware token with a cost approaching the more inexpensive software token. This assumes, of course, that the SaaS vendor was able to develop a manageable process for enrolling the customer's mobile devices into its encryption infrastructure.
This leads directly into the weak spot for TPM--key management. Managing the keys protected by a TPM chip is almost identical to any other encryption platform. Not only must those TPM-generated keys support the usual enterprise key management features--such as enrollment and revocation, and key recovery in case of lost PINs--but there are issues unique to TPM, such as maintaining system state when upgrading, as changes may upset the ability of the module to produce a valid key for an encrypted system.
Some standalone software tools already are available for IT to manage the Trusted Platform Module. For example, Microsoft offers some free TPM management tools. And a large number of OEMs that manufacture PCs and laptops ship Wave Systems' Embassy Trust Suite, which is capable of providing a variety of services to maintain the module itself. However, more powerful management capabilities might require an upgrade to one of Wave's enterprise-level products.
Even without an enterprise management platform, however, some organizations may be able to take advantage of the number of TPM chips deployed in their environment right now. The Trusted Computing Group Web site offers a series of white papers on using TPM with existing enterprise systems such as wireless networks, VPNs, and network access control.
While it's important to consider the extra management effort involved, it's definitely worth examining what you can use for free with the built-in tools along with the module.
Intel Health Guide.
Intel Health Guide Lets Doctors Check Up On You Electronically
Intel's taking some serious steps into the medical world with its just-FDA-approved Intel Health Guide, an 8lb gadget that functions as a personal health care system. The Health Guide includes a small touch-screen PC running Windows XP and a web portal that helps connect patients and doctors. The computer can be used to remind patients to take their medications, facilitate live video conferencing with doctors, and even check and collect their vital signs.
Information gathered by the Health Guide is then encrypted and sent to the patient's health care professional using Intel's Health Care Management Suite, which is supposedly secure enough to handle sensitive patient records.
By shifting a lot of the effort of monitoring patients with chronic health problems out of the hospital and into the home, Intel says insurance and health care companies can save money and give better, more personalized care. The Intel Health Guide is expected to be commercially available from health care providers either late 2008 or early 2009.
Intel's in-home health device gets FDA nod
The new Intel Health Guide--which collects vital signs and allows for remote interactions between patient and doctor--may soon make its way into the homes of consumers with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and congestive heart failure.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the medical device, Intel announced Thursday.
The 8-pound in-home gadget connects caregivers and patients outside of hospitals or clinic settings. It manages vital-sign collection, patient reminders, educational content, and motivational messages. The device has a 40GB hard drive.
Information collected by the device is sent to the health care professional, and from there, physician and patient can engage in video conferencing to discuss health issues. Doctors monitor and remotely care for their patients via an online interface using software called the Intel Health Care Management Suite. It currently runs on Windows XP only.
With the ability to hook up to wired and wireless monitors, such as glucose or blood pressure gauges, a caregiver can schedule times to remotely measure vital signs, or patients can check their own. The encrypted information is sent to a remote database, as long as the device is connected to the Internet via broadband.
"This is an important product that will improve the state and cost of health care around the world," Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Digital Health Group, said in a statement. "We envision a wide range of usage models, not only chronic conditions such as CHF and diabetes, but also programs for health and wellness management at home."
The Intel Health Guide PHS6000 received FDA clearance to enter the market after years of development and research, including pilot studies in the United Kingdom and the U.S. Intel said it expects the product to be commercially available from health care providers by late 2008 or early 2009, with no price currently stated.
Intel joins several other companies in fusing technology and health care devices. Recently, IBM announced it could diagnose osteoporosis with a supercomputer. Other devices, such as an in-car system that measures glucose levels of diabetics and an implant that measures radiation in cancer patients, have also been developed.
http://download.intel.com/healthcare/pdf/Health_Guide_Suite_Brief.pdf
TVTonic Announces Content License with The Weather Channel
National and Regional Weather Channels Added to TVTonic’s Guide; Provides Subscribers with Instant, On-Demand Access to Video Weather Forecasts
NEW YORK — October 24, 2007 — Wavexpress, a provider of broadband media technology and services, majority-owned by Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX), today announced a new content license with The Weather Channel that will give TVTonic viewers the latest weather reports on demand. The Weather Channel will be providing TVTonic with 10 new channels that span both national and regional weather.
Among the new additions to the TVTonic lineup are nine regional channels and one national weather channel. All of these channels will be updated twice daily, and will feature segments hosted by meteorologists from The Weather Channel. The channels are now available in “The Weather Channel” category in TVTonic’s guide, making the most up-to-date video weather reports just a click away.
“As the leader in delivering weather news and information, we are continually expanding to new platforms for reaching the people who rely on us every day,” said Tom Flournoy, vice president, advanced media at The Weather Channel. “Through the TVTonic application, users will be able to view both national and regional forecasts on demand on both their PCs and televisions, so the information will always be available no matter where they may be.”
TVTonic, a free offering available with any PC running Microsoft Media Center, and for online access by any PC user at www.tvtonic.com, is designed to create a television experience out of Internet video by taking the hassle out of searching for quality video on the Internet and allowing the viewer to simply see what’s on, pick a channel, sit back and watch. TVTonic can manage a viewer’s subscriptions much like a digital video recorder (DVR) for the Internet. Viewers select the channels they want to record and TVTonic caches the shows on the hard drive. This is designed to ensure that the content is ready for viewing in a seamless, near-HD quality format that remains high quality in full-screen mode. TVTonic is also designed to be navigated with a remote control, either on a consumer’s PC or living room TV, for easy surfing across channels.
“When users flip through channels in TVTonic, they often come not only for entertainment but also to be informed about the world around them,” said Michael Sprague, president of Wavexpress. “Our content partnership with The Weather Channel will add a whole new dimension of programming to our robust lineup, giving users the latest weather reports for their region on demand. Whether browsing for entertaining shorts or the latest music videos, news or weather, TVTonic makes the best online video content available with the simple click of a remote.”
New channels in “The Weather Channel” category of the TVTonic guide include: National Forecast, Northwest Forecast, Northeast Forecast, Southwest Forecast, East Central Forecast, Southeast Forecast, South Central Forecast, Central Forecast, North Central Forecast and West Central Forecast.
Weather Channel Is Sold to NBC and Equity Firms
Published: July 7, 2008
An investor group led by NBC Universal and two private equity firms clinched a deal for the Weather Channel on Sunday after three weeks of negotiations.
Though the parties did not disclose the price, the buyers, NBC and the private equity firms Bain Capital and the Blackstone Group, will pay just under $3.5 billion, people briefed on the matter said.
That is less than the $5 billion that the Weather Channel’s parent, Landmark Communications, sought when it put the basic cable channel and related properties like weather.com up for sale in January.
In a sign of the weaker debt markets that have clamped down on large private equity deals, more than half of the price will be paid in equity, to be divided roughly equally among the three buyers, these people said.
The deal was mostly wrapped up shortly after June 13, when Time Warner, the only other remaining bidder, dropped out.
Though not the flashiest property, the 26-year-old Weather Channel is the leading brand of weather information on television, reaching 96 million households on basic cable, according to Landmark.
Beyond the Weather Channel, the deal also includes the Weather.com Web site, which attracts nearly 40 million unique users a month. It also encompasses Weather Services International, a forecasting service with more than 5,500 clients.
Under the terms of the deal, the Weather Channel will be run as an independent operation, rather than being merged into NBC’s own meteorological offering, NBC Weather Plus. Built as a competitor to the Weather Channel, Weather Plus has long been seen as an also-ran, with fewer viewers and generally higher placement on the channel dial.
NBC will still provide management services. The buyers also intend to help expand the Weather Channel’s online and mobile services.
“This deal makes us the pre-eminent leader in news and information,” Jeffrey Zucker, NBC Universal’s chief executive, said, citing the company’s assets in NBC News, the business channel CNBC and the news channel MSNBC. “We’re No. 1 in business news, No. 1 in general broadcast news, and now we’re No. 1 in weather news too,” he said.
After the deal closes, viewers may see The Weather Channel storm expert Jim Cantore on MSNBC and the “Today” weatherman, Al Roker, on cable.
“The cross-promotional opportunities will work both ways,” Mr. Zucker said. “We’re very excited about it.”
Mr. Zucker said the future of Weather Plus was “undetermined at this point,” and said the company and its affiliate partners would evaluate it “in the next few months.”
NBC Weather Plus was built four years ago to be a competitor to The Weather Channel, using NBC’s local affiliates and the multicasting abilities of digital television. It is a name for a number of services, including a 24-hour network sponsored by local stations, a Web site, and short weather updates for NBC’s cable channels. The service has not yet turned a profit and is perceived to be faltering.
Other corporate bidders dropped out early in the process. Private equity firms, seen as the other possible bidders, have been largely sidelined by the yearlong dearth of cheap financing.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
The sale of the Weather Channel is part of a larger breakup of Landmark, a privately held company controlled by the Batten family of Norfolk, Va. Landmark is seeking to sell its other holdings, like its daily newspapers. Among those are The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk and The News & Record of Greensboro, N.C.
“While we are extremely proud of how far we’ve come, I know that as part of the NBC Universal consortium, The Weather Channel and its employees will have increased opportunities for growth,” Frank Batten Jr., Landmark’s chief executive, said in a statement.
Two of the biggest providers of the deal’s financing are two hedge funds that specialize in high-yield debt, Blackstone’s GSO Capital and Bain’s Sankaty Advisors. Others financing the deal are Deutsche Bank, which was also the buyers’ lead financial adviser, and General Electric’s GE Commercial Finance unit.
Go-Kitesurf.
Maybe for the adveristing insert ability? NBC opted to use Wavexpress rather than just Micosoft/Silverlight. What did Wavexpress have to offer NBC that Microsoft alone could not?
July 2nd, 2008
Microsoft: Silverlight content is searchable, too
When Adobe, Google and Yahoo announced earlier this week that content stored in its Flash file format would be more easily indexable by Google’s and Yahoo’s search engines, Microsoft was nowhere to be found.
I seemed to recall that the Redmondians and their backers, when comparing Silverlight to Flash, had touted before that Silverlight content was easily discoverable by search engines (and not just Live Search’s). Was I dreaming?
I asked Microsoft for verification and received the following statement from a company spokeswoman on July 2:
“Microsoft designed Silverlight from the beginning to be easily accessible by search engines. Because it is simply a ZIP archive, a Silverlight application packaged in a XAP (the Silverlight application-package file extension) file is easily accessible to search engines without a special software development kit (SDK). And because XAML is W3C-compliant XML, any static textual XAML content can be easily parsed by search engines. Furthermore, any metadata embedded in the ZIP file is easily indexed by search engines as well. Silverlight applications also support “deep linking” as they easily consume the URL they were loaded from, and use information on the URL query string to rapidly load and display appropriate data. Finally, the Silverlight DOM itself can be easily inspected to detect all text, links and images that are being visualized by the control.
“So does this mean that Silverlight offers customers superior search engine optimization (SEO)? Yes. Not only was Silverlight architected to offer superior searchability, but Silverlight excels at enabling dynamic content published from content management systems to be easily indexed by search engines. By publishing dynamic content to Silverlight via XAML and XHTML mirroring, users are able to dramatically reduce the time it takes to optimize content for search engines.”
Another question for which I don’t (yet) have an answer: Can Live Search index Flash content today and how well? (Stay tuned. Let’s see what Microsoft has to say about that one.)
Update: Ina Fried at News.com says Microsoft is not commenting on this question… at least for now.
Any SEO experts or content developers/publishers done any comparative analysis on how Flash content and Silverlight content stack up on the findability front? Do you think the new agreements forged with Google and Yahoo (but not Microsoft for Live Search) are going to give Adobe a leg up over Microsoft on this front? If so, why?
Meanwhile, on a related note, Microsoft has launched its Silverlight streaming ads pilot for which it began signing up testers earlier this spring. “This pilot program allows you to upload video content to Silverlight Streaming and play it back with contextual ads relevant to the playback experience, based on keywords you provide at video upload time, or configure later on in the video properties,” according to a July 2 posting on the Windows Live Dev blog. (Silverlight Streaming is Microsoft’s cloud storage service for Silverlight rich media content.) http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1472
Barge.
Microsoft, Nokia Put Silverlight On Mobile Devices
The strategy to get its rich Internet app on cell phones is part of Microsoft's effort to make the browser plug-in a cross-platform, cross-browser product.
March 4, 2008
URL: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206901441
Microsoft's bringing Silverlight to cell phones, partnering with Nokia to bring the rich Internet app browser plug-in to devices that use Nokia's popular S60 software platform.
Nokia will also make Silverlight available on its Series 40 devices and its Internet Tablet devices, the companies are expected to announce Tuesday.
The strategy to get Silverlight on mobile devices -- and particularly on the Symbian OS -- is part of Microsoft's effort to make the browser plug-in a cross-platform, cross-browser product in order to get as much penetration as possible on the Web. The company is also working on a version of Silverlight for Windows Mobile, a beta version of which is due out soon.
Microsoft is coming from behind. Adobe has had a strong mobile presence for Flash for years. It has distribution agreements with 18 of the top 20 device manufacturers worldwide including Nokia, and according to Adobe, 450 million devices have been shipped so far with Flash Lite, which is a trimmed down version of Flash. That, of course, compares to zero for Microsoft. According to Adobe, Flash Lite has seen a 150% growth in the past year.
While Microsoft's early Silverlight mobile strategy will focus on Symbian and Windows Mobile, Adobe also supports BREW and a few other proprietary operating systems.
Though most of Adobe's strategy has thus far revolved around Flash Lite, some devices also ship with the full version of Flash, including a few from LG like the LG Chocolate and Voyager. Adobe also offers a service called Flash Cast that includes channels of content, a home screen called Flash Home, and tools that show software developers how their Flash apps would look on specific mobile devices.
Still, Nokia gives Microsoft a good footprint. Nokia's S60 platform is the most popular smart phone software platform worldwide, with more than 53% market share in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to analyst firm Canalys.
"We can't pretend to be a really ubiquitous play without being a partner with Nokia and Symbian," John Case, GM of Microsoft's developer division, said in an interview.
Nokia licenses its S60 platform, which uses the Symbian mobile operating system, to other major mobile device manufacturers, including LG Electronics and Samsung, though only Nokia uses S60 in the United States, according to Nokia's own Web site.
Much of Microsoft's strategy for Silverlight thus far has revolved around creating content partnerships rather than relationships with hardware manufacturers. Though Microsoft says there are around 8,000 Silverlight apps today and the company is announcing more on Wednesday at its MIX conference for Web developers, the deal with Nokia could be a sign that there's enough Microsoft dedication to Silverlight that Nokia is convinced the content will come, as it wouldn't make sense to include a multi-megabyte application on a hardware-limited mobile device if it isn't going to be used.
New Wave.
Doesn't Tvtonic support the SilverLight player?
Would be nice if Microsoft acquired WXP for the offine capabilities, etc. Msft negotiated the Olympics deal with NBC for adoption of Silverlight 2. This event will kick off Silverlight 2 which I believe is being used for the NBC event for the first time. Interesting how WXP get's to achieve the same potential adoption. Maybe someone is kicking the tires?
Microsoft to use Olympics to help Vista, Silverlight
June 24th, 2008
For those of your who are looking forward to watching the 2008 Olympics but would like to watch the events online at a time that is convenient for you, you might be in luck! If you are running Vista and have Silverlight, thanks to a partnership with NBC and Wavexpress, you will be able to download olympic events off the internet onto your computer. If you are feeling left out for not having Vista, don’t be too disappointed as only some Vista users can use the service.
Powered by Wavexpress’ TVTonic Internet video service and client, NBC Olympics on the Go will only work for people that have a Media Center capable Vista PC. This means you must either be running Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate if you want to use this service. If you haven’t been excluded from this service yet, there is more that you should know. The video you download cannot be kept indefinitely and is only certain to last through the games. Also, you wont be able to watch the video from an event until 12 hours after it takes place. Finally, if you aren’t sad about this news yet, the service doesn’t allow for portable players. They are looking into other distribution outlets for putting the Olympics on portable devices, but as of right now, there will be no easy way to put the Olympics on portable devices.
Silverlight 2 massive deployment.
When Will Silverlight be Available?
While Microsoft has not announced a release date for Silverlight 2.0, a beta version is scheduled for release in March 2008, and it is speculated that there will be a final release in the third or fourth quarter of 2008. http://www.ideablade.com/silverlight_brief.html
Massive Silverlight 2.0 Deployment Planned for August
Jan 14, 2008
On August 8th, the Summer Olympic Games will start in China. To coincide with that, Microsoft has persuaded NBC to use Silverlight 2.0 for online coverage. With millions of people expected to watch the games online, this could very well be fastest deployment of a new online technology.
Somasegar wites,
As a part of this, we will provide users with exclusive access to over 3000 hours of live and on-demand video content via Silverlight streaming. This means that viewers can access every minute of every event. Additionally, the amount of meta-data attached to each of the streams will be extensive and include links to player bios, medal counts, shortcuts to particular events (i.e. athlete x’s third long-jump attempt), maps of the Olympic facilities, pop-up overlays with real-time event alerts, headlines, video search capabilities, etc.
Silverlight is Microsoft’s newest attempt at a rich client interface for browser-based applications. Unlike previous attempts such as ActiveX controls and embedded WinForms, this time around they are paying attention to important concepts like cross-platform compatibility.
Version 1.0 of Silverlight is already in production. It is based on XAML and Jscript and is interpreted. Version 2.0 of Silverlight will add a lightweight version of the CLR. This gives it the ability to use compiled DLLs written in .NET languages such as VB and C#. There is also a hosted compiler/interpreter, allowing it to support languages such as VB, Python, Ruby, and PHP. http://www.infoq.com/news/2008/01/Silverlight-Olympic
March 3, 2008 1:24 PM PST
Microsoft to take Silverlight offline eventually, says exec
There are a number of software projects that enable Web applications to run offline, including Adobe's AIR, Google Gears, and the Mozilla Foundation's Prism. What about Microsoft and its Silverlight browser plug-in?
Microsoft does not currently have specific plans to bring offline capabilities to Silverlight, but it's something it will eventually do, said John Case, general manager in Microsoft's developer division.
"It's something that we will want to do," Case said in an interview on Monday. "Eventually, customers will expect us to do it."
Silverlight is Microsoft's cross-platform plug-in for running media-rich applications in different browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Apple's Safari.
Microsoft executives are expected to detail more enhancements to Silverlight at its Mix '08 conference in Las Vegas, which starts on Tuesday.
The company developed Silverlight as an alternative to Adobe's Flash Player, which is widely used for Web video and rich Internet application development.
Microsoft is trying to create a common development environment for Windows, Web applications, and its online Web services.
Until now, however, Microsoft executives have been quiet on the idea of bringing offline access to Silverlight, saying that its bigger priority is porting Silverlight to other platforms, including Linux and mobile devices.
Adobe last week released Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) 1.0, a download and development platform for making Web applications behave more like desktop programs, including offline access. Google Gears, still in development, allows Web applications to store local data.
Wavexpress to Provide Internet Video Download Service for NBC’s Coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games
Free Service to Allow Media Center Users the Ability to Download Content During NBC’s Coverage of the Beijing Olympics, August 8-24, 2008
NEW YORK - June 23, 2008 — Wavexpress, a provider of broadband media technology and services, majority-owned by Wave Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: WAVX), has been selected by NBC Universal, Inc., to develop, host, and support a service for viewing NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Microsoft’s Windows Vista Media Center. The announcement was made today by Perkins Miller, Senior Vice President, Digital Media, NBC Sports and Olympics, and Michael Sprague, President of Wavexpress.
The “NBC Olympics on the Go” service will take advantage of Wavexpress’ TVTonic Internet video service to allow Media Center users to watch channels of NBC’s coverage of Olympic events in up-to-HD quality on the go on their laptop. The free service will enable viewers to watch NBC’s extensive coverage of the Beijing Games on a sport-by-sport basis, with channels designated to match the hundreds of events included in the Games. Users can simply sign up for the channels they are interested in, and the service will automatically synchronize NBC’s video clips as they become available, so viewers will have a fresh slate of Olympic content to watch on their morning commute.
“This service will provide a fantastic viewing experience for Olympic fans with Windows Vista Media Center,” said Sprague. “They can choose their favorite sports, from diving to water polo to gymnastics, and extended coverage is automatically synchronized to their PC in the middle of the night. With a laptop, they will get a high-quality video experience to view on the train, the plane, or in the college quad.”
“As we prepare to broadcast the Beijing Olympic Games, we are committed to reaching as many viewers as possible,” said Miller. “Our partnership with Wavexpress will enable us to reach viewers seeking high-quality in-depth coverage of the wide range of sports that make up the Olympics. The service will especially appeal to fast-paced fans who want to catch up on their favorite sports offline.”
Certain terms of the business arrangement between NBC and Wavexpress are subject to final documentation.