02 Jan 2002,
BusyBump
A long talk w/Robert!
As I have been absent from the board for a long time, much of what I heard today may be already known, but I will post the entire talk anyway:
Question #1- What can we expect from e.Digital in 2002?
Response #1- In the 1st Qtr, CES. We will introduce new products...some DataPlay, some previously announced that had not made it to market. We will be unveiling automotive products as well as new video products. Also, during the 1st Qtr, we will introduce Bang & Olufsen products. We will continue to work with Lucent on expanding the voice recognition technology and adapt it to appropriate products. We will continue to promote the Edig brand of products as well as developing other OEM branded products and, of course, bundling. OEM branded Edig products and bundling are the keys to major revenues for 2002.
Question #2- Are we actually in DP video products?
Response #2- That is a big part of what we are doing.
Q#3- Do you expect voice recognition products to reach a substantial level in 2002?
R#3- As I said, we will continue working with Lucent in expanding speech interface in various products. Edig has taken a leadership role in this area and we will continue to lead the charge!
Q#4- Other than DP products and the unveiling of automotive products at CES, will there be any more surprises?
R#4- There will be upgraded versions of existing platforms as well as variations on our MicroOS,
Q#5- Can we anticipate more publicity ala F&H?
R#5- I think they are doing their job getting us lots of reviews. There will be many more forthcoming because there is a 2-3 month lag time getting these reviews in print and on the newstands.
Q#6- The TV spot Edig sponsored was good but I questioned the demographics. What was the thinking for selecting that spot?
Q#6- The price was very right but more than that, the commercial production was included. We now have a finished commercial that we can use elsewhere and improve the spot selection. Also, the time slot was good and we were aware of the boring nature of the other commercials, so we stood out well.
Q#7- The PPS has resisted all the products intros and PRs of the past two months. To what do you attribute this?
R#7- Everyone is in a wait and see posture in the current economy. The bottom line is revenue....revenue will drive growth. Certainly, OEM names will help and may even drive the PPS significantly but revenue is the answer.
Q#8- Speaking of revenue, will any preliminary sales figures for the last Qtr be released prior to the Quarterly Report in February?
R#8- We'll see!
Q#9- I recently visited a Bang & Olufsen store here in St. Louis and found a very knowledgeable salesman. I asked if he was aware of e.Digital and any new DAP products to be introduced this spring? He said he hadn't heard of Edig but was aware of "an MP3-type player that would work with our existing home audio systems."
R#9- That would be ours! It will be announced first in their catalog which will be out in the first Qtr and will be available on their retail shelves shortly thereafter. They pride themselves in design and functionality, so the design is theirs, the inner workings are e.Digitals! This is a very high-end store and will showcase Edig's technology very well!
In summation, he said that OEM branding and bundling were the keys to major revenues for 2002, that Edig had introduced products and led the way in a market that is coming into its own, that this product introduction has awakened serious interest among OEMs, that we will continue to follow-up and follow-thru with new products, new innovations, and make 2002 a bang-up year for Edig!
